Do you guys have these types of cell phone carriers in the US?

[Locut0s]

A fad that has developed here in Canada over the past 10 years or so, mostly in the last 5, are these small local cell phone providers that offer cheap unlimited plans. The catch is that they run their own tower networks that cover a vastly smaller geographic area than the big networks. Usually they have coverage only in large metropolitan areas and then partner with some other large network for roaming outside those areas. The advantage is that because they don't have to maintain a large network they can offer much better plans. Typically they offer unlimited talk, text, data, nation wide calling and more for around $40/mnth or so with NO contract. They also often operate on the AWS frequencies 2100/1700 which limits the type of phones you can use, though more and more work nowadays. So long as you stay within their coverage areas 90% or more of the time these seem to be excellent alternatives to the big carriers and have become very very popular here. Two examples here are Mobilicity and Wind mobile. Just curious do you guys have these types of providers in the states?

[Vincardog]

1. Not out here in the wilds of Iowa

[liberal N proud]

3. My phone works all over the country but Iowa

I throw my phone in the glove compartment when I enter Iowa. I go off grid.

[Locut0s]

5. Yeah these types of companies only offer coverage in the largest metropolitan areas. nt.

[TheDebbieDee]

2. I think most of our now large, national carriers started off

as small local carriers. I'm guessing that the small local carriers/networks got bought out (or were assimilated, for you Star Trek fans) by the big carriers as the big carriers expanded into the smaller local markets.

[Locut0s]

4. Yes I'm sure this is the case. But until the last 5yrs or so I don't remember...

I don't remember seeing these types of smaller companies offering this type of service. It was the big 2 or 5 or nothing else. And there was no such thing as an unlimited data plan for $40 or less.

[Trivium]

6. I am not in the USA, but they do have MetroPCS and Cricket there that fit this model