latest
The FCC is raising the bar for internet providers promising ‘broadband’ service
Broadband speed qualifications are being raised for the first time since 2015
In 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced plans to open an additional 850MHz of spectrum within its 6GHz band. Specifically targeting low-power devices, the goal was to allow for fast transfer speeds between nearby devices. This spurred several companies into a frenzy under the assumption that it could greatly expand Wi-Fi capabilities. However, these types of changes often shed light on an existing problem — the lack of high-speed internet in certain areas of the country. Now, the FCC is updating its policies once again, and it’s doing so with these regions in mind.
AT&T vs. Visible: Which unlimited carrier fits your needs?
AT&T and Visible both offer unlimited data but differ in some key areas including 5G coverage and international features
If you’re a heavy data user, you’ve probably been shepherded toward the most expensive plans carriers offer with tons of premium data, hotspot data, and international features you don’t really need. Visible stands out for these users by offering totally unlimited data with no speed caps and a low price. Visible cuts costs in all of the right ways for most people by dropping premium data on its base plan, cutting the speed of hotspot data, and keeping its international offers minimal.
AT&T vs. T-Mobile: Which is the best unlimited carrier for you?
T-Mobile stands out for its coverage and pricing, but AT&T offers excellent international features
AT&T has been trimming its plans down to the basics with the removal of extras like streaming services, and a focus on data and international features. AT&T offers five plans, four offering unlimited data. The four unlimited plans also support full 5G access and unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada. T-Mobile, by comparison, has many plans, though there's a lot of overlap. For the most part, T-Mobile's most interesting plans are its Go5G plans; its two most expensive plans focus on delivering regular phone upgrades.
T-Mobile is set to expand its high-performance 5G access to rural areas
After years of lackluster speeds in the countryside, T-Mobile is ready to activate its Ultra Capacity 2.5GHz band
While there are several mobile service carriers to choose from in the US, the performance you receive after signing on with a provider will depend on your location. If you happen to live in a more rural part of the country, you could experience poor performance or connectivity issues. This means that even if you have plan benefits, such as unlimited data, you may not be able to make the most of them. Now, T-Mobile has acquired a new band to address some of these problems.
Verizon vs. AT&T: Which is the best carrier for you?
AT&T and Verizon are two of the biggest carriers in the game, thanks to their excellent coverage, but how do they stack up?
Both AT&T and Verizon offer wireless plans with premium and unlimited data plans. While both carriers’ plans are on the expensive side, their vast coverage, international perks, and multiline savings make them appealing to many users. Besides that, if you want one of the latest flagship phones for the whole family, 36-month payment plans and upgrade discounts can take the sting off of the price. Most users will have excellent coverage on either carrier, so really, the choice comes down to which plans give you the best value.
Sometimes a smartphone isn't quite big enough to enjoy your favorite media, connect with others via video call, or get work done on the go. Tablets fill in for those occasions, offering more firepower than ever alongside increasingly streamlined software. And while today's best 5G phones can all serve as Wi-Fi hotspots, using them that way can draw a decent amount of power and quickly drain a battery.
Take a quick look at the signal area of your phone. Have you noticed a new icon in the signal area? That's the 5G signal replacing the old LTE. Nowadays, it doesn't matter if you have the latest smartphone or a budget-friendly Android. You're probably in the 5G club.
Best Verizon plans in 2024
Verizon offers excellent coverage and a ton of 5G data with its best plans, but you probably don't need to get the top plan
Verizon is a popular carrier thanks to years of excellent coverage, and the best Verizon plans give you plenty of data to take advantage of the network wherever you go.
Best AT&T plans in 2024
AT&T offer the best coverage for your? These are the best plans to use with the carrier
Whether you’re a heavy user who needs totally unlimited data or a light user looking to save some cash, picking the best AT&T plan can be a challenge.
The best T-Mobile phone plans give you access to the carrier’s massive 5G network with enough data to actually use it, while avoiding paying for features you don’t need.
While 5G might not be delivering on its full potential yet, it's still an important part of any smartphone decision. In areas where high-speed internet isn't readily available, 5G phones provide bandwidth for families and businesses to use the internet as intended. But not all 5G phones are created equal, and finding the right one means deciding which features are most important to you and how much you're willing to spend.
Best Verizon phones in 2024
If Verizon's network works for you, you need a phone that works with the network - these are the best
From trade-in discounts to buy-one-get-one deals, getting one of the best Android phones on Verizon is more affordable than it may seem. Verizon's award-winning LTE network offers excellent coverage, even in rural areas, with a growing network of mid-band 5G coverage adding a lot more speed in cities and towns across the country.
Best Visible-compatible phones in 2024
Visible can save you a lot of money on data, but you need the right phone to make the most of its network
Visible is all about unlimited data and simple pricing, but getting a phone that works well with the carrier isn’t quite as straightforward. Visible uses Verizon’s LTE and 5G networks but doesn’t support some older Verizon phones. Therefore, if you’re ready to switch to Visible, you might also be ready to switch to a new phone. Luckily there are a lot of great options running Android to choose from.
Does Mint Mobile have 5G?
Mint Mobile borrows coverage from T-Mobile's network so customers have the best 5G coverage in the nation
Mint Mobile's discounted data plans have caught the eyes of many customers looking to save money, but the price is irrelevant if coverage and speeds aren't up to par. Mint Mobile is owned by T-Mobile and uses that network for all of its coverage. With a compatible phone, Mint Mobile users get full access to T-Mobile's 5G bands, including its low-band and mid-band spectrum. This means Mint users get the best of T-Mobile’s network with fast 5G speeds using one of the best Mint Mobile 5G phones.
Smartphones are popular and well-known mobile devices globally, which isn't surprising given how much they can do for us. Keeping these devices connected to the internet on the go in our always-connected world has become necessary for many. Grabbing one of the best 5G phones gives you the speed and reliability you need without breaking the bank. This guide explains how your smartphone accesses the internet using a RAN and discusses why an Open RAN has a place in our mobile wireless future.
If you're shopping for a midrange tablet, you may be actively debating between the S9 FE and S9 FE+. When you look at them side by side, the Tab S9 FE+ has several advantages over the standard Tab S9 FE, most notably the larger display, alongside more RAM and a bigger battery. Given the affordable price, it's naturally in contention for the best Android tablet crown.
How to force your phone to use LTE or 5G
It's not easy to do, but some phones allow you to force one network type over the other
4G LTE has been the gold standard for phone connectivity for a decade, but the best 5G smartphones are starting to take over. With C-Band officially rolled out, 5G is now more widespread than ever, so knowing how to switch between the two networks is essential, especially if you run into connection problems. If, for some reason, 4G LTE, 5G, or both don't work on your phone, here's how you can make sure both services are activated.
AT&T and SpaceMobile flaunt 5G's capabilities by phoning home from space
A major breakthrough as an everyday smartphone connects seamlessly with a satellite
Space-based telecommunications aren't exactly new. But while previous endeavors have had companies like Nokia mulling over 4G connections on the moon, a recent breakthrough puts terrestrial 5G connectivity quite literally in the stratosphere. AST SpaceMobile, in collaboration with AT&T, is hyping up a noteworthy achievement in telecommunications. Together, the two companies successfully established the world’s first 5G connection for voice and data between an everyday, unmodified smartphone and a satellite in space.
Visible vs. Google Fi: Which carrier should you pick?
Google Fi has great features, but Visible's simplicity and low prices push it ahead.
Visible is known for its unlimited data; to that point, it's one of only a handful of prepaid carriers to offer truly unlimited data on its unlimited plans. By comparison, Google Fi's unlimited plans come with 35GB or 50GB of high-speed data before being throttled to 256Kbps. Even so, Google Fi rightly points out that this is more than enough data for most people, and Fi's strength really comes from something that Visible can't match — international roaming and Google services.
No matter how unique your smartphone is, it's still a phone, first and foremost. And even if you've replaced traditional phone calls with audio messages or video calls, being able to call friends and families, businesses, and more is essential. Still, as cell networks have evolved to meet modern data speeds, voice calls haven't been left behind. And with 5G NR now widespread throughout the United States, you can be sure carriers are working to adapt to the latest technology.