The 4 US wireless networks
Every cell phone in the US runs on one of four physical networks. The other ~25 brand names you see (Mint, Visible, Cricket, Tello, Total, Metro, etc.) are MVNOs — resellers that lease wholesale capacity from one of these four. Coverage and tower hardware are determined by the underlying network; pricing, billing, and customer service are determined by the brand.
| Network | 5G branding | Brands on it | Plans | Cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | 5G UW (Ultra Wideband) | 11 | 31 | $15.00 |
| T-Mobile | 5G UC (Ultra Capacity) for mid-band, 5G for low-band | 7 | 21 | $10.00 |
| AT&T | 5G+ for mid-band, 5G for low-band | 3 | 8 | $30.00 |
| Dish | Dish 5G (Boost-branded for consumer) | 2 | 6 | $20.00 |
For background on what each network actually delivers in practice (low-band vs mid-band vs mmWave, real-world speeds), see our 5G primer and MVNO vs MNO guide.