Choosing the right cell phone plan in Alabama can be a daunting task. With so many carriers, MVNOs, and plans to pick from, it‘s hard to know where to start. As a digital technology expert and industry analyst, I‘m here to break down the top plans and help you find the best mix of coverage, performance, features, and value for your needs.
The State of Mobile Connectivity in Alabama
Before we dive into specific plans, let‘s set the stage with some key facts about the mobile landscape in Alabama.
According to the FCC‘s latest Broadband Deployment Report, 99.7% of Alabama residents have access to at least three 4G LTE providers. That‘s great news for competition and means you have multiple options for reliable coverage.
In terms of 5G, Alabama is seeing steady progress. T-Mobile leads the way with 5G covering over 1 million residents, thanks to its aggressive deployment of low-band 600MHz spectrum. AT&T and Verizon are also expanding 5G across the state using a mix of low-band and high-band mmWave deployments.
5G coverage map of Alabama from Speedtest.net
5G availability in Alabama is still limited compared to 4G. But all three major carriers are investing heavily in network upgrades. Verizon plans to expand 5G to cover an additional 100 million Americans by the end of 2021. And AT&T aims to cover 200 million Americans with C-band 5G by the end of 2023.
Comparing the Top Carriers in Alabama
Now let‘s see how the major carriers and some popular MVNOs stack up across key factors like network coverage, speeds, reliability, and plan value.
Network Coverage and Performance
The foundation of any good cell phone plan is robust, reliable coverage. Here‘s how the major networks compare in Alabama:
| Carrier | 4G LTE Coverage (% of Population) | 5G Coverage (% of Population) |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon | 99.76% | 7.5% |
| AT&T | 99.26% | 4.6% |
| T-Mobile | 97.67% | 37.8% |
Coverage data sourced from WhistleOut and Speedtest.net
Verizon currently offers the widest 4G LTE coverage in Alabama, reaching 99.76% of the state‘s population. It also has the most reliable network according to third-party drive tests from RootMetrics.
T-Mobile has jumped ahead on 5G, with low-band 5G now reaching over 37% of Alabama residents thanks to its rapid deployment of 600MHz spectrum. Verizon offers the fastest 5G speeds with its mmWave deployments, but they are limited to select areas of major cities like Birmingham and Mobile.
In terms of speeds, all three major carriers deliver solid performance in Alabama. In Ookla‘s latest speed tests, Verizon had the fastest median download speed at 62Mbps, followed by T-Mobile at 54Mbps and AT&T at 44Mbps.
Median mobile download speeds in Alabama from Speedtest.net
Price Comparison
Of course, even the best network doesn‘t matter if it doesn‘t fit your budget. Here‘s a quick comparison of individual postpaid unlimited plans across the major carriers:
| Carrier | Plan Name | Monthly Price (1 Line) | Premium Data | Hotspot | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Start Unlimited | $70 | 5G nationwide | None | None |
| Verizon | Play/Do More Unlimited | $80 | 50GB 5G ultra wideband | 15GB | Disney bundle |
| Verizon | Get More Unlimited | $90 | Unlimited 5G ultra wideband | 30GB | Disney bundle, Apple Music, 600GB cloud |
| AT&T | Unlimited Starter | $65 | None | None | None |
| AT&T | Unlimited Extra | $75 | 50GB | 15GB | None |
| AT&T | Unlimited Elite | $85 | Unlimited | 40GB | HBO Max |
| T-Mobile | Essentials | $60 | 5G access | Unlimited 3G | None |
| T-Mobile | Magenta | $70 | 100GB | 5GB 5G | Netflix Basic |
| T-Mobile | Magenta Max | $85 | Unlimited 5G | 40GB 5G | Netflix Standard |
Prices include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Taxes and fees extra.
As you can see, unlimited plan pricing is pretty competitive among the big three. T-Mobile offers the lowest starting price at $60/month for its Essentials plan. Though it does limit hotspot to 3G speeds.
AT&T offers the cheapest premium unlimited plan with Unlimited Extra at $75/month. It includes 50GB of premium data and 15GB of hotspot data. Verizon‘s Play More and Do More plans offer strong value at $80/month with 50GB of premium 5G ultra wideband data, plus the Disney bundle perk.
Family and Multi-Line Discounts
For families or multi-line accounts, all three major carriers offer escalating discounts as you add more lines. Here‘s how the numbers shake out:
| Carrier | 2 Lines | 3 Lines | 4 Lines | 5+ Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | $60/line | $45/line | $35/line | $30/line |
| AT&T | $60/line | $45/line | $35/line | $30/line |
| T-Mobile | $60/line | $40/line | $35/line | $32/line |
Discounts based on top-tier unlimited plans with autopay. Taxes and fees extra.
T-Mobile offers the biggest multi-line discounts, with its Magenta Max plan falling to just $43/month/line with four lines. A family of four can get four lines of unlimited premium data for $140/month all-in.
T-Mobile Magenta family plan pricing
AT&T and Verizon offer comparable discounts, with four lines of their top unlimited plans going for $160/month and $200/month respectively (with autopay discounts). Though Verizon‘s Get More plan does come with more premium data and perks.
Prepaid and MVNO Options
If you‘re looking for even cheaper cell phone plans in Alabama, consider prepaid carriers and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). These carriers piggyback on the networks of the big three while offering simplified plans and lower overhead costs.
Some popular MVNO options in Alabama include:
- Mint Mobile (T-Mobile network): Plans from $15/month with 12-month renewal
- Visible (Verizon network): Unlimited plans from $30/month with Party Pay
- Google Fi (T-Mobile and US Cellular networks): Unlimited plans from $45/month
- Cricket (AT&T network): Plans from $30/month
The main trade-off with MVNOs is that your data speeds may be slowed during times of network congestion as priority is given to postpaid customers. But for lighter data users, the savings can be substantial.
For example, Mint Mobile offers 10GB of data for just $20/month with a 12-month renewal. That‘s a fraction of what you‘d pay for a comparable amount of data with Verizon or AT&T.
Mint Mobile 4-in-1 prepaid plans
The selection of phones may also be more limited with prepaid carriers. Though most now support bringing your own unlocked device as long as it‘s compatible with the underlying network.
Choosing the Right Plan for You
With all of these options and factors to consider, let‘s break down some common user profiles and the best Alabama cell phone plans for each.
The Budget-Conscious User
If you‘re looking for a cheap, no-frills plan with enough talk, text, and data for basic usage, consider these options:
- T-Mobile Connect: $15/month for unlimited talk, text, and 2.5GB of high-speed data
- AT&T Prepaid: $30/month for unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data
- Mint Mobile: $15/month for unlimited talk, text, and 4GB of data (requires 12-month renewal)
These plans won‘t work for heavy data users or those who need perks like hotspot and international coverage. But if you just need a reliable connection for checking email, browsing the web, and using apps, they offer unbeatable value.
The Heavy Data User
If you regularly burn through data watching videos, gaming, and streaming music, you‘ll want an unlimited plan with a generous premium data allowance. Some top options in Alabama include:
- T-Mobile Magenta MAX: $85/month for unlimited premium data (4K streaming), 40GB of 5G hotspot data, and Netflix included
- Verizon Get More Unlimited: $90/month for unlimited 5G ultra wideband data, 30GB of hotspot data, Disney+, Apple Music, and 600GB of cloud storage
- Visible Party Pay: $25/month for unlimited data on Verizon‘s 4G and 5G networks (may be slowed during congestion)
These prices can fall significantly with multi-line discounts. And if you‘re frequently around WiFi, 50-100GB of premium data may be more than enough.
The T-Mobile plan offers the best raw value if you want unlimited premium data and can make use of the Netflix subscription. The Verizon Get More plan offers unbeatable 5G speeds where available.
The Traveler
For those who frequently travel internationally or have family and friends abroad, consider these plans:
- AT&T Unlimited Elite: $85/month for unlimited talk, text, and data in 19 Latin American countries, 40GB of hotspot data
- Google Fi Unlimited Plus: $65/month for unlimited data abroad in 200+ countries, 50GB of premium data in the US, 100GB of Google One storage
- T-Mobile Magenta: $70/month for unlimited 2G data and texting abroad in 220+ countries, 5GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada
AT&T offers the most robust international coverage at a competitive price if you can make use of the included Latin America roaming. Google Fi offers flexible pay-as-you-go international data and unlimited data abroad for long-term travelers.
The Future of Mobile in Alabama
As we‘ve seen, Alabama is well-served by both major carriers and prepaid options when it comes to 4G LTE coverage. But the real story is the emergence of 5G and the performance improvements it will bring.
With its mix of low-band and high-band spectrum, 5G promises faster speeds, lower latency, and much higher capacity than 4G. This means not just quicker downloads, but also better performance in crowded areas and the ability to connect more devices.
Different 5G spectrum bands and their properties
5G will also enable new use cases beyond traditional smartphone connectivity. Think connected vehicles, smart cities, industrial IoT, and more.
As 5G continues to expand across Alabama, it‘s worth considering a phone and plan that can take advantage of the new technology. All three major carriers now offer 5G access included with their unlimited plans. And the latest phones from Apple, Samsung, and others support a wide range of 5G bands.
The Bottom Line
There‘s no one-size-fits-all cell phone plan, even within Alabama. The best plan for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and location.
That said, a few plans stand out for their strong combination of coverage, performance, and perks. Here are my top overall picks:
- Best Postpaid Plan: T-Mobile Magenta MAX ($85/month) for its unbeatable combination of 5G coverage, unlimited premium data, and Netflix
- Best Family Plan: T-Mobile Magenta ($140/month for four lines) for its multi-line discounts and great 5G coverage
- Best Prepaid Plan: Mint Mobile Unlimited ($30/month with 12-month renewal) for its low price, ample data, and great support.
- Best Basic Plan: T-Mobile Connect ($15/month) for unlimited talk and text with just enough data for basic users.
These plans should serve the needs of most Alabama residents. But there are great options across all of the major carriers and MVNOs. The key is to assess your needs, compare prices and coverage in your area, and take advantage of discounts and promotions.
5G will bring a new era of connectivity to Alabama, and the time to get on board is now. With the right plan and phone, you‘ll be ready to take advantage of all that the technology has to offer.
