Simple Mobile is a prepaid Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) founded as a T-Mobile brand. Later on, in 2012, it became a subsidiary of TracFone Wireless. The MVNO provides affordable plans, a no strings attached policy with no contracts, no credit checks or hidden fees, and fast nationwide network coverage. Today’s main question is what network does simple mobile use to offer nationwide network coverage? This article will answer this question and give other detailed information about the network.
Possessed by TracFone Wireless (the same wireless company that runs fellow discount carriers like Page Plus and Straight Talk), Simple Mobile is an MVNO. That implies it doesn’t precisely own and operate network cell towers of its own. However, Simple Mobile leases access on the network of a primary carrier that does have its own network towers. Because Simple Mobile purchases service at a cheap wholesale cost, they can permit those savings to their new and existing subscribers.
Simple Mobile currently offers wireless services on one of the primary carriers’ network towers, the third-largest in the country. Remarkably, with Simple Mobile phone plans, you can experience excellent coverage in metropolitan areas where you find the nearest cell tower. However, you might experience difficulties in rural areas where the carrier’s towers are unevenly spread.
What network does Simple Mobile use?
When looking at a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, the first inquiry you want to know is what network they use to offer you wireless services as a new customer. Simple Mobile is one lucky MVNO that uses T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network to offer excellent data speeds and countrywide coverage. Another big pro of working on T-Mobile’s network implies that Simple Mobile will be one of the few mobile virtual operators to provide 5G.
This is an appreciation to T-Mobile, one of the first primary wireless carriers to roll out 5G services on their countrywide 600MHz network. It is worth noting that this is something available on all their phone plans, and a 5G capable phone is needed. This is different from other major carriers who only provide 5G on select plans, something that usually doesn’t extend to the MVNOs. However, T-Mobile’s low-band 5G network applies to MVNOs, including Simple Mobile, who benefit from the fruits of their labor.
With over ninety-nine percent of Americans covered by T-Mobile’s network coverage, there should be no worry if Simple Mobile is good in your location. You can visit Simple Mobile’s website for a more detailed network coverage map.
How reliable is Simple Mobile Network?
From the fact that Simple Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network towers, it’s satisfactory to say that Simple network is outstanding, extensive, fast, and consistent. Simple Mobile leases T-Mobile’s nationwide network that covers 60% of the American territory and links over 99% of the population.
It is worth noting that T-Mobile provides the best network coverage in all American carriers. Thus, you will certainly have exceptional coverage in your area with Simple Mobile.
The network coverage of the three major carriers can compare as below. As you will see, T-Mobile covers a large 4G and 5G coverage percent population-wise.
The 4G coverage in the US:
- Verizon: 70% 4G coverage
- AT&T: 69% 4G coverage
- T-Mobile: 63% 4G coverage (99% of the population)
The 5G coverage in the US:
- T-Mobile: 36.8% 5G coverage (80% of the population)
- AT&T: 15.8% 5G coverage
- Verizon: 10.8% 5G coverage
General best coverage:
- Verizon
- T-Mobile
- AT&T
T-Mobile’s cellular towers are unevenly distributed in most remote rural areas resulting in patchy network coverage. However, the poor coverage in these areas should not worry you anymore as you can use the best cell phone booster for rural areas compatible with the T-Mobile network.
The cell signal phone booster works by picking up a weak signal from the nearby T-Mobile tower, amplifying it, and finally rebroadcasting a stronger signal to your wireless devices.
Which network technology does Simple Mobile use? GSM or CDMA?
Your phone can use two types of network technology: GSM and CDMA. GSM stands for Global System for Mobiles, and CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access. Wireless carriers use the two different radio network standards, and they help fill in the gap when 4G LTE is not available. If your smartphone is not such old, it is highly likely to be compatible with these two network technologies, making it hassle-free to switch mobile carriers.
However, T-Mobile operates GSM network technology; thus, Simple Mobile is compatible with all GSM smartphones. You don’t have to bother if your smartphone is not using the GSM technology, as you can still save some money on your phone plan. Subsequently, you can check your device compatibility with the technology at the Simple Mobile website.
How do you check your Phone Compatibility with Simple Mobile?
When switching to Simple Mobile, you have two options – you can buy a new mobile device at Simple Mobile or bring your own device. As many customers find that their old device still works perfectly well or wish to buy a device that is not available at Simple Mobile, the company’s ‘Bring Your Own Phone option is highly convenient.
The process of bringing your own phone to Simple Mobile is straightforward. The first step is to check the compatibility. You can check your phone’s compatibility and start the activation process at their website.
You can either select that your phone is AT&T compatible, T-Mobile compatible, or an unlocked GSM phone at the first step. If you don’t know, you can select the fourth option – ‘Other/I don’t know.’ In this case, you will have to select your current service provider.
If you select a service provider that sells CDMA devices, you will get the notification that your phone is not eligible for their ‘Bring Your Own Phone program and an invitation to shop for new devices at Simple Mobile.
If your current service provider utilizes different networks, you will have to find out which carrier is compatible with your device. You can do so by checking your phone’s manual or contacting your previous service provider to ask about the network your device was using. If your service is still active, you can use a free online tool to help you find your carrier by entering your phone number.
Which Phones are Compatible with Simple Mobile?
Now, let’s look at exactly what kinds of devices are compatible with Simple Mobile. Depending on the network radio technology they use, two kinds of phones are compatible with Simple Mobile.
a) Unlocked GSM devices
As Simple Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s network and uses its infrastructure, its services are only compatible with GSM-supported devices. If you have a rather old phone model, you may need to check if your device uses GSM or CDMA radio technology.
b) Unlocked GSM and CDMA devices
Specific mobile devices, including the latest models, support all kinds of radio technologies, including GSM, CDMA, LTE, and 5G. If your device supports all of these technologies, it is perfectly compatible with Simple Mobile, as the only condition is that it is GSM-enabled.
The following are phones compatible with the Simple Mobile network;
- iPhone 13 series
- iPhone 12 series
- iPhone 11 series
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10, Note 10+, S20, S20+, A10E, A11, S10E, Note 20, Note 20 Ultra
- LG Stylo, Rebel 4, Journey
- TCL A2
- BLU View 2
- LG Classic Flip™
- Alcatel My Flip 2
What are Simple Mobile network coverage limitations?
The following are some limitations of Simple Mobile coverage and network that you should probably pay attention to.
- T-Mobile network towers that are not evenly distributed in the country thus do not offer one hundred percent network coverage. This scenario means if you travel to mountainous areas and hiking places like forests, you may experience poor or no cell signal reception. That way, you cannot make any calls, send any text messages, or access some other phone functions. You can plan to use the portable cell phone signal booster for hiking compatible with Simple Mobile to remedy this problem.
- Simple Mobile doesn’t own any of the network towers it uses. Consequently, the network towers’ owners (T-Mobile) have better coverage, slightly better data speeds, and improved cell phone signal reception, predominantly in times of congestion.
- Since Simple Mobile depends on the T-Mobile towers, it doesn’t influence matters and can’t assure network excellence and coverage accuracy.
How to Activate Simple Mobile?
Simple mobile does not have a retail shop, so you can easily purchase your cell phone and sim card from their online shops like their webpage if you want to buy this phone. Keep in mind that you can straightforwardly use your phone if it would unlock gsm and compatibility with T-Mobile.
The pedagogy for switching over to Simple Mobile seemed simple enough, following what you should do.
- Insert a Simple Mobile SIM card into your cell phone
- If wishing to go simplemobile.com/activation/byopcollectsim from your applicable device.
- Entered activation number, which will find on the SIM card
- Configured data settings to port your number over to Simple Mobile
It is noticeable that the Simple Mobile activation process got a bit difficult, so you can call customer service to help port your phone number. After contacting customer service, they want to know about your T-Mobile account; if you have one, then it would be a simple process to finish, or if you are a newcomer; on the other hand, you will require to go near the t-mobile store to retrieve the number. After that, contract with simple Mobile and share your input T-Mobile PIN and then you are able to activate your simple mobile.
Bottom line
Since Simple Mobile is powered by one of the significant 4G LTE networks in the United States (T-Mobile), you can anticipate reliable cell phone coverage almost anywhere in the country. If you live in a state that’s excellently served by T-Mobile’s 4G and 5G network and you don’t require many perks with your cellular service, you should opt for Simple Mobile. You will get affordable services due to Simple Mobile getting cheap network coverage from T-Mobile.
