Xfinity Mobile is a great company and a well-known name across the US due to its phone services offering. You can have a clue by looking at the statistics as to how the company has grown its users and made itself the preferred consumer network across the US. If you need to switch to Xfinity Mobile, the company needs a phone compatible with the Xfinity network. To have a deeper look at the subject, let’s understand what network does Xfinity Mobile uses for its cellular services.
Xfinity Mobile has proven to be prosperous with around 2.8 million subscribers, and its numbers are still growing. The reason for Xfinity Mobile’s rapid growth isn’t because they had installed their cellular towers. Instead, the wireless provider has been feeding cellular networks to its consumers from a whole other telecom service. Since it does not build or maintain its network towers, Xfinity saves its customers by offering affordable services.
There are many questions about Xfinity Mobile. Like what towers does Xfinity Mobile use, what is Xfinity network coverage, does it has 5G, how to boost Xfinity signal, and so much more. This article targets to answer all of those questions here. Therefore you can find out all you need to know about Xfinity Mobile.
What is Xfinity Mobile?
Xfinity mobile is the latest wireless service offered solely to Comcast subscribers. The wireless provider is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), which leases Verizon network towers to provide coverage to its customers. Additionally, Comcast employs its Wi-Fi hotspots spread countrywide to add more power to Xfinity Mobile.
You may not notice a difference between Xfinity Mobile and other virtual network operators on the same cellular device. The critical difference is that you must be a Comcast subscriber. The quality may vary subject to whether you’re traveling or not; the wireless provider will bounce between Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots to maintain calls. With that, Comcast subscribers need to know how to boost the Xfinity Wi-Fi signal for adequate reception.
What network does Xfinity Mobile use?
As stated earlier, Xfinity Mobile is Comcast’s mobile service. It is Mobile Virtual Network Operator that operates on Verizon’s nationwide network. It is worth noting that the MVNO came into existence due to a contract between Comcast and Verizon. In the contract, Xfinity Mobile’s parent company leased most of its spectrum to Verizon Wireless, and in turn, it can use Verizon Wireless’s network for Xfinity Mobile service.
Fundamentally, the MVNO will work on your Wi-Fi network when you are at home. However, when you are out of your house, Xfinity Mobile will either use the millions of Xfinity Mobile Hotspots spread across the US or connect to Verizon’s network. Because Verizon Wireless has the best service and coverage in the country, it is the best choice.
The Xfinity Mobile Hotspots are available to everyone with Comcast in their home. Unluckily, the Xfinity Wi-Fi router/gateway has a public network that anybody can connect to. This network configuration has caused many Xfinity customers to get distressed that unauthorized person can use their network and get free Wi-Fi.
It is essential to note that since Xfinity Mobile is an MVNO, it may not receive the best network coverage or speeds from Verizon Wireless. Verizon will always prioritize their postpaid subscribers, followed by their prepaid subscribers, and then MVNO customers like Xfinity customers after that. Therefore if you reside in an area with many Verizon customers and are an Xfinity customer, Verizon may deprioritize you and end up with slower speeds.
How are Xfinity Mobile’s network coverage and its comparison?
Verizon’s (Xfinity) excellent 4G LTE network covers over 70% of the US landmark. Its main rivals, AT&T and T-Mobile, lag at 68% and 62%, respectively. Whether in a metropolitan or a remote area, you will likely enjoy robust signal strength with Xfinity Mobile.
Interestingly, Verizon coverage outshines all across the eastern United States. Some rural areas in the western United States might have patchy coverage. Meanwhile, if you are an Xfinity Mobile customer living in the western US, you can purchase the best cell phone booster for rural areas to enhance network coverage.
While Verizon’s 4G LTE connectivity outshines both T-Mobile and AT&T, its 5G network is still developing. Covering merely 12.77% of the US landmark, Verizon’s 5G network lags behind AT&T (29.52%) and T-Mobile (53.79%).
All the same, Verizon Wireless carries on its intensive effort to bring 5G to more areas, and Xfinity Mobile will heavily benefit as it depends on Verizon for its 5G rollout. With Verizon’s robust 4G LTE, you can safely say that Xfinity Mobile provides extraordinary mobile network reliability nationwide.
What is Xfinity Mobile’s network speed?
Since Xfinity Mobile depends on the Verizon network, it will have fast connections. Verizon Wireless engineers its 4G LTE network to provide average download speeds of 5 Mbps to 12 Mbps and average upload speeds of 2 Mbps to 5 Mbps.
At these speed levels, Xfinity Mobile customers have an excellent experience for all their data needs like social, video, email, and music. Verizon Wireless’s network provides these fast speeds constantly.
However, during congestion times, Verizon will prioritize their postpaid customers, then prepaid ones, and finally Xfinity Mobile customers. It means that Verizon will deprioritize Xfinity customers and end up with slow data speeds.
You can read our article on the portable cell signal boosters for hiking to know which boosters to purchase to improve your data speeds and avoid dropped calls and unsent messages while at hiking grounds.
Is Xfinity Mobile network CDMA or GSM?
For most wireless communication over a cellphone, you might need to have 3G network connectivity, and Verizon Wireless uses CDMA for it. CDMA is an abbreviation for Code-Division Multiple Access that refers to numerous protocols that you can use to transfer data wirelessly.
The radio technology allows several signals to travel over a single transmission channel. This transmission not only optimizes the available bandwidth use but also improves signal strength, transfer speeds, and connectivity for most Verizon users.
As Xfinity uses Towers leased from Verizon Wireless, they are a CDMA network. If you plan to bring your phone to Xfinity Mobile, you must ensure that you purchase it from Xfinity or Verizon, it is unlocked, and CDMA complied.
Most major cellular carriers like T-Mobile do not support CDMA radio technology, so their cellphones might not work with the Xfinity network.
Xfinity Mobile phone plans that use the Verizon network
Xfinity Mobile phone plans are affordable and flexible. Undoubtedly affordable than any of the three major US carriers, but cheaper than most bare-bones MVNOs.
For beginners, everyone receives:
- Unlimited nationwide talk and text, at no extra cost
- 4G LTE data speeds everywhere and 5G speed (depending on Verizon’s network availability)
- Free access to over 19 million Xfinity Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots
In addition, Xfinity Mobile provides international roaming coverage. Below are data options besides talk, text, and Wi-Fi:
i) “By the Gig” data (you can share the 3 data options & data on up to 10 lines):
- 1 GB: $15/month
- 3 GB: $30/month
- 10 GB: $60/month
ii) Unlimited data:
- 1 line: $45/month
- 2 lines: $80/month ($40/month per line)
- 3 lines: $100/month ($33.33/month per line)
- 4 lines: $120/month ($30/month per line)
- 5 lines: $140/month ($28/month per line)
- 6 lines: $160/month ($26.66/month per line)
- 7 lines: $180/month ($25.71/month per line)
- 8 lines: $200/month ($25/month per line)
- 9 lines: $220/month ($24.44/month per line)
- 10 lines: $240/month ($24/month per line)
How to improve your Xfinity Mobile cell phone signal
There’s nothing more annoying than dealing with weak cell signals, dropped calls, and awful voice quality. Below are tips on how to boost cell signal at home for free or at a cost, so you can go about your day without dropped calls, unsent messages, and slow data speeds.
i) Move to a strategic location
If your cellphone is showing a weak signal, try going upstairs or outside, getting near a window, or higher ground. Once you have a good cell signal spot, stay unmoving. It is a simple but effective tip.
ii) Charge your phone battery
A charged cellphone can connect to the signal more reliably, resulting in better cell phone reception.
iii) Purchase a signal booster
If your house is too far from the nearest network tower or blocked by many physical objects that are immovable, like buildings and mountains, install a cell phone signal booster, also called an internet booster. Find out how does an internet booster works for more details.
iv) Use Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling involves using Wi-Fi networks to make phone calls and texts instead of cell towers. It would be best to take advantage of this tip by downloading apps like WhatsApp and Skype and making calls over the internet when you have a poor cellular network.
Xfinity Mobile Data Plans
Xfinity Mobile offers three data plans: Basic, Gold, and Platinum. All three programs provide a certain amount of data, talk text, and 3G services each day. The Basic plan offers 1GB of data per day, the Gold plan provides 2GB of data per day, and the Platinum plan provides 4GB of data per day. The most crucial aspect to consider when comparing these plans is the price. The Basic goal is the most affordable at $10/day, while the Gold and Platinum plans cost $25/day and $50/day.
What are the Pros and Cons of Xfinity Mobile?
For your intention, In the following, we mention what is the basic advantages and disadvantages of Xfinity Mobile
Pros:
- Mobile users can benefit from Verizon’s 4G network. This provides faster streaming of videos and quicker downloads at a rate of 40-70 Mbps.
- It provides international roaming services to more than 200 countries, and It efficiently operates as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) nationwide on Verizon’s 4G network. Its comprehensive coverage makes it the most preferred internet service.
- It offers subscribers a cheap and flexible program. You can straightforwardly switch the data option from one plan to the other.
- The gig plan lets you obtain unlimited texts and calls for as little as $12 per month. The complete program is cheap compared to other carriers and provides up to 20GB of data at 4G per line speed for $65 per month.
- Xfinity Mobile uses Verizon’s network, which assists offer reliable data services to its subscribers.
- Xfinity mobile reaches with free 4G LTE data, and those who operate fewer data can get free cellphone services. They are only needed to pay $2 to $3 for taxes and fees.
Cons:
- Your previous cell phone can not work on Comcast’s Xfinity mobile network, and you will be pushed to purchase a new phone from Comcast.
- Xfinity presents throttling to its data streams, limits users to 480p resolution, and affects the streaming quality, and sometimes, your device may fail to stream.
- Xfinity mobile services are unrestricted solely to those already signed up for the Xfinity residential internet. There are various plans you can sign up for based on your needs.
- The various plan options offer limited Wi-Fi calling capabilities.
What network mode does Xfinity Mobile use?
Xfinity Mobile uses the Verizon network. You’ll get the best speeds and coverage when using Xfinity Mobile on Verizon devices. Additionally, because Verizon is a major network partner, you can ensure that your data will be reliable and virus-free.
Bottom line
Xfinity is a Mobile Virtual network operator, which means they don’t own any cellular network towers around the United States. The wireless provider piggybacks on Verizon’s network to offer cellular services to its customers.
As a result, Xfinity customers enjoy perks like affordable phone plans and reliable network connectivity. The network coverage of Xfinity is similar to that of Verizon in urban and rural areas. You can employ a signal booster if you experience poor coverage from the MVNO.
