MVNO Coverage

[padams35]

I recently tried saving money by switching to a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). Mint to be specific.

Previously I had Spectrum Mobile bundled with internet. Both supposedly use the Verizon network so I was expecting the same service. Sadly, my coverage with Mint is significantly worse (1-bar, 2G 'E' or even 'SOS only' are common), which is a double surprise because the family member who who recommended Mint has +3 bars on their phone when they stand next to me.

Is it just me or does Mint mobile (and possibly other budget MVNOs) simply not play nice with my iPhone 8 or other LTE only iPhones?

 

[jetsam]

I recently tried saving money by switching to a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). Mint to be specific.

Previously I had Spectrum Mobile bundled with internet. Both supposedly use the Verizon network so I was expecting the same service. Sadly, my coverage with Mint is significantly worse (1-bar, 2G 'E' or even 'SOS only' are common), which is a double surprise because the family member who who recommended Mint has +3 bars on their phone when they stand next to me.

Is it just me or does Mint mobile (and possibly other budget MVNOs) simply not play nice with my iPhone 8 or other LTE only iPhones?

Mint uses (and is being purchased by) T-Mobile. It does *not* use Verizon.

 

[eyoungren]

I recently tried saving money by switching to a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). Mint to be specific.

Previously I had Spectrum Mobile bundled with internet. Both supposedly use the Verizon network so I was expecting the same service. Sadly, my coverage with Mint is significantly worse (1-bar, 2G 'E' or even 'SOS only' are common), which is a double surprise because the family member who who recommended Mint has +3 bars on their phone when they stand next to me.

Is it just me or does Mint mobile (and possibly other budget MVNOs) simply not play nice with my iPhone 8 or other LTE only iPhones?

Typically, MVNOs and prepaid services have less priority than actual carrier postpaid plans. Mint, as said, uses T-Mobile's towers. T-Mobile prioritizes postpaid T-Mobile data first, prepaid T-Mobile data second, MVNO data third and all other data traffic in between. T-Mobile Home Internet is prioritized last behind all other data traffic for instance.

So, yeah, your data is going to take some sort of hit because it's no longer a priority.