What Carriers Are Compatible With Tracfone? (Check This List)
Tracfone is the leading low-cost Prepaid Wireless, no-contract, and mobile phone service provider in the United States. Tracfone, on the other hand, does not own cell towers and instead operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) through agreements with the country’s largest wireless network operators, such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, in which it rents network services from them.
This article addresses the question of which carriers are Tracfone compatible, as well as other important Tracfone Wireless information.
Furthermore, TracFone Wireless is a subsidiary of America Movil, Mexico’s largest telecommunications company. It sells products and services under a variety of brand names, including TracFone, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, NET10 Wireless, SafeLink Wireless, Page Plus Cellular, and Simple Mobile.
This company has approximately 26 million customers in the United States, making it the largest prepaid cell phone service in the country. Tracfone already sells SIM cards under the Straight Talk and Net10 brands.
HAS VERIZON WIRELESS ACQUIRED TRACFONE?
Verizon Wireless, the country’s leading prepaid mobile provider and the largest reseller of wireless services, agreed to buy TracFone and all of its related brands in September 2020. TracFone operates a family of consumer-oriented brands, and TracFone relies on other mobile network towers as an MVNO.
However, of the 26 million TracFone subscribers, 18 million already use the Verizon network for cellular services. Following the acquisition, Verizon plans to offer Tracfone customers access to its award-winning 4G LTE and 5G networks, as well as other cutting-edge mobile technologies.
Most importantly, Verizon already offers prepaid service through Visible, its prepaid subsidiary. Nonetheless, Verizon expects to keep all TracFone employees, and the $6.9 billion deal is set to expire in the second half of 2021, subject to regulatory approval.
WHAT KIND OF PHONE TECHNOLOGY DOES TRACFONE USE?
Tracfone provides two types of mobile devices: GSM and CDMA. However, you will learn the distinction between technologies and how to spot them in a cell phone. GSM and CDMA are abbreviations for the two types of radio technology used by cell phones and cell phone networks to send voice and data.
Thus, GSM is an abbreviation for Global System for Mobile Communications, and it refers to a cell phone standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
CDMA is an abbreviation for Code Division Multiple Access, and it is a cell phone standard as well as an access channel method used by various radio communication technologies.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GSM AND A CDMA?
The primary distinction between the technologies and systems is that GSM cell phones use a SIM card to connect a specific mobile device to its network. CDMA phones, on the other hand, do not require a SIM card and connect to the network directly.
GSM is a wireless network infrastructure specification. CDMA, on the other hand, is only concerned with the air interface, or the radio component of the technology. Furthermore, there are distinctions between 2G and 3G technologies.
Nowadays, the most usable networks are 4G and 5G. The most well-known phone companies and manufacturers produce devices that are compatible with all cell phone standards and technologies, including GSM, CDMA, and LTE.
Among the two technologies, GSM is the more widely used cell phone standard around the world. However, in the United States, the CDMA standard is the most popular. GSM networks are used by AT&T and T-Mobile, while CDMA networks are used by Verizon. Tracfone devices that use AT&T and T-Mobile networks use GSM technology, while those that use Verizon’s network use CDMA technology.
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WHAT CARRIERS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH TRACFONE?
1. Page Plus
Page Plus is a Tracfone mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and a no-contract wireless provider with nationwide coverage that operates on one of the largest networks in the United States, Verizon Wireless. Page Plus is consistently rated highly among wireless providers for its flexible plans, low rates, and excellent customer service.
Page Plus, on the other hand, offers four monthly plans and four pay-as-you-go plans with 4G or 3G coverage options to keep customer costs low. Monthly plans start at $12, and pay-as-you-go plans start at $10.
2. Total Wireless
Total Wireless is a brand of TracFone Wireless, the largest no-contract cell phone provider in the United States, with over 26 million subscribers. Total Wireless debuted in 2015, and its coverage is solely provided by Verizon network towers.
Total Wireless offers a variety of phone plans ranging from $25 to $100 for a plan with up to four lines. Notably, if you purchase a plan through their website, the prices are advertised with an auto-refill discount applied.
3. Simple Mobile
Simple Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which means that it rents network space rather than owning and operating its own cellular towers. With Simple Mobile, you’ll get T-Mobile network coverage and up to 5G data speeds. Simple Mobile offers prepaid plans, which means you pay at the start of each month for a set amount of data or unlimited data.
Simple Mobile is one of the simplest ways to get cellular coverage and mobile phones without a contract. If you’re looking for basic cellular coverage as well as data plans, Simple Mobile offers low-cost options starting at $20 per month.
4. Net10
Net10 is one of Tracfone’s several prepaid brands, and it offers some fantastic perks to new subscribers. Aside from low rates, Net10 provides dependable nationwide 4G LTE coverage on the nation’s massive networks. Furthermore, there are no contracts, hidden fees, or additional costs.
Furthermore, when you sign up for Net10, you have two options: buy a new phone or keep your current one. Net10 carries all of the latest models, and you can often get a great deal if you purchase a phone along with a plan.
5. Straight Talk
Straight Talk keeps things simple by offering prepaid monthly service with no contract. TracFone Wireless supports this provider, and its services are most widely available at Walmart.
Straight Talk uses all of the major carriers’ towers and promises to provide the same dependable coverage that customers expect. Using pre-existing towers allows this carrier to save money on overhead and provide you with service at a much lower cost.
6. Tracfone
Tracfone is a wireless service provider that provides phones, SIM cards, and phone plans. There are month-to-month plans available with no contracts. You can buy a Tracfone phone or bring your own phone and get a Tracfone SIM card.
Because we are a prepaid phone carrier, you must pay for our plan in advance. You can also choose auto-refill to have Tracfone renew your plan on a regular basis.
WHAT ARE THE KEY FEATURES OF TRACFONE WIRELESS?
1. Pricing and Plans
The most popular TracFone prepaid plans with unlimited carryover data start at $20 per month ($15 with Auto-Refill). This low-cost basic plan includes unlimited talk, text, and 1 GB of 4G LTE data. More data is available with the $25 and $30 monthly plans.
2. Network Coverage
TracFone’s network coverage is one of the company’s best features and major selling points, as it offers all four major American networks and uses all of their towers.
3. Service Features
TracFone’s service features include Wi-Fi calling with enabled devices, video streaming at DVD quality (480p), plans with a set amount of talk, text, and data, and, most importantly, unlimited carryover data, which is without a doubt one of their most significant advantages.
4. Phone Options
If you’re in the market for a new phone, TracFone has you covered: they offer high-quality new and refurbished devices from top brands at low prices.
WHAT NETWORK TOWERS DOES TRACFONE USE?
TracFone has contracts with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular, as opposed to most other MVNOs, which only use network towers from one of the four major carriers in the United States. Cellular makes use of and is reliant on all of their towers.
TracFone’s combined coverage is thus better than any of those individual networks; however, each consumer only has access to one of these networks, depending on the device they buy/bring (GSM phones can use AT&T or T-network, Mobile’s whereas CDMA phones can only use Verizon, Sprint, or US Cellular) and the location where they live, work, or otherwise spend the most time (all of these carriers have nationwide coverage, but their towers are unevenly distributed).
WHAT KIND OF PHONE TECHNOLOGY DOES TRACFONE USE?
GSM and CDMA are two different phone technologies, and each of America’s “big four” carriers uses a different one. GSM phone technology is used by AT&T and T-Mobile, while CDMA phone technology is used by Verizon, US Cellular, and the old Sprint network. TracFone uses both GSM and CDMA technology because it uses the networks of all of these carriers.
GSM and CDMA phones are available, as well as newer devices that are compatible with all cell phone standards and technologies, including GSM, CDMA, and LTE. Furthermore, customers who wish to bring their own phones are welcome to do so, as most GSM and CDMA smartphones are compatible with TracFone service.
CONCLUSION
If you want a carrier that provides nationwide coverage and the necessary speed, you can switch to TracFone and select any of the above affiliate brands. This carrier gives you the freedom you’ve always wanted because there are no contracts and you can use cellular services from any of your favorite primary wireless carriers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my TracFone with another carrier?
As a result of settlement negotiations between the FCC and TracFone, customers of the company can now use their TracFone phone on other networks if they choose to switch providers.
Is TracFone being discontinued?
Tracfones, flip phones, Jitterbugs, and other older 3G models will be phased out as early as January 2022. According to Van Buren Township police, those 3G devices will not only be rendered inoperable, but they will also be unable to call or dial 9-1-1.
Can you switch a TracFone to AT&T?
When you open an account with AT&T, they will port your TracFone number to your account. To port your TracFone number to AT&T, you will need your TracFone account number. Your TracFone account number is the same as your TracFone’s IMEI number.