Total Wireless is a reputable and reliable wireless service provider in the United States. It offers affordable wireless plans, high-quality cell phones from reputable brands, and excellent services. In addition, it allows customers to bring their own compatible devices as it has a simple and accessible BYOP program. As a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Total Wireless runs on a primary carrier’s nationwide network providing its clients with the best coverage in the country. This article will provide detailed information on what towers does Total Wireless use and other facets.
Since at Total Wireless, you can get access to the country’s best and most reliable network cheaply, it is one of their main marketing points. In addition, Total Wireless also has devoted, and professional customer service and they tend to offer many exceptional deals to new and existing customers. Their services come with no contracts, activation fees, cancellation fees, unlimited carryover with no extra costs, and much more.
Before committing yourself to any carrier, it’s prudent to check their service availability. The same applies to Total Wireless. The carrier provides two ways to check their network coverage: The Total Wireless coverage map and the ZIP Code use. Checking the coverage and knowing how to find the nearest cell tower helps you to know whether you can access the network and enjoy all the services from where you live.
What Network Towers Does Total Wireless Use?
Straight Talk is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). This means that it doesn’t use or own its wireless network. Instead, an MVNO purchases the right to use towers from one of the ‘big three’ carriers: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
Now, as most MVNOs only have a contract with one of the major carriers, so does Total Wireless. The wireless provider has partnered with Verizon to provide coverage. Indeed, Total Wireless uses the network towers of Verizon, and that is one of the company’s prevalent advantages and marketing points.
This method of operation ensures that every customer has the best possible coverage from a primary network, regardless of where they live. In addition, the company doesn’t have to carry the cost of building and maintaining the towers thus, enabling them to use their savings to create a better service.
How good is Total Wireless Network Towers?
Given the fact that Total uses the network towers of Verizon and that each consumer gets access to the reliable network that is most suited for their device and location, it’s safe to say that their network is excellent, widespread, fast, and reliable.
Total Wireless uses Verizon’s nationwide network that covers 70% of the US territory and connects over 99% of the population. Note that Verizon offers the best coverage of all United States carriers. Therefore you will almost definitely have excellent coverage in your area with Total Wireless.
Here you can see how the three major networks can compare.
i) Best 4G coverage in the US:
- Verizon: 70% 4G coverage
- AT&T: 68% 4G coverage
- T-Mobile: 62% 4G coverage (99% of the population)
ii) Best 5G coverage in the US:
- T-Mobile: 36.7% 5G coverage (80% of the population)
- AT&T: 15.9% 5G coverage
- Verizon: 10.9% 5G coverage
iii) Overall best coverage:
- Verizon
- T-Mobile
- AT&T
However, as Verizon’s cellular towers are not equally distributed, certain remote rural areas may have patchy coverage. But poor coverage in those areas should not bother you as you employ the best cell phone booster for rural areas. These cell phone boosters take a weak signal from the nearest Verizon tower, amplify it, and finally rebroadcast a robust signal to your cellular devices.
How to check Total Wireless towers network coverage in your area?
There are two ways to check Total Wireless coverage in your area. First, you can use the area ZIP code. With the ZIP code, visit the Total Wireless Coverage checking page. Fill it on the check interface and click the “Check Coverage” tab. If your area is covered, you will receive a confirmation. If not, you’ll know as well.
The second way is using the network coverage map of Total Wireless. Unlike ZIP codes which give an extensive area answer, the map is a better alternative. It can give you the coverage status of a particular place.
You can also contact Total Wireless customer care and ask about your area coverage. The wireless provider’s customer care will respond to all your queries and help you make the right decision.
Does Total Wireless use CDMA or GSM?
First, let’s clarify what these two abbreviations stand for. CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access, and GSM stands for Global System for Mobiles. They are two different radio network standards used by wireless carriers and aid fill in the gap when 4G LTE is unavailable. If your cell phone is only some years old, it has a high chance of being compatible with both network technologies, making it stress-free to switch carriers.
Since Verizon uses the CDMA network, Total Wireless is compatible with all CDMA cell phones. You don’t have to worry if your device is not using the CDMA technology, as you can still save on your cell phone plan. However, you can check your phone compatibility with the technology at the Total Wireless website.
How check your phone compatibility with the Total Wireless network?
If you decide to bring your existing phone to Total Wireless, you will first need to ensure that your phone is compatible with their services.
For a Total wireless compatibility check, you need to visit Total Wireless’s official website. Once on it, hover over the ‘shop’ item, the first one to the left of the main menu bar. As you hover, a drop-down menu will appear, where you need to click the ‘Bring Your Own Phone (icon) that has ‘buy sim card/BYOP’ text underneath it.
This will take you to the next page, where you need to scroll down until you see the ‘check compatibility’ button and click on it. A ‘terms & conditions’ pop-up window will appear. Click ‘I accept.’ Then you will need to enter your phone’s IMEI number and click the ‘continue’ button below.
After clicking, you will receive a message indicating that your phone is compatible. Alternatively, you can text the word ‘BYOP’ to 611611. If you are struggling to locate the ESN/MEID/IMEI number, feel free to call Total Wireless’s support at 1-866-663-3633 and ask for help.
What are Total Wireless towers’ coverage limitations?
The following are some limitations of Total Wireless coverage and network that you should probably know about.
- Total Wireless doesn’t own any of the towers it uses. Therefore, the owners of the networks may have better coverage, slightly higher data speeds, and better cell phone signal reception, particularly in times of congestion.
- Verizon has unevenly distributed towers and thus does not offer 100% coverage. That way, you may travel to less populated areas and hiking grounds such as mountains and experience poor or no signal reception. Thus, you will not be able to make calls, send text messages, or use some other of the phone’s features. However, one of the best solutions to this problem is investing in the portable cell phone signal booster for hiking.
- Since Total Wireless depends on the Verizon towers, it doesn’t have much influence over any issues and can’t guarantee the network quality and coverage accuracy.
How to improve Total Wireless network reception?
Several convenient and straightforward methods can improve your cell phone coverage. For one, you can move to an area where the coverage is verifiably good. However, as this one is a little extreme, let’s explore other options.
- Update your phone’s software.
- Turn off the services and apps you are not using.
- Reset your network settings.
- Manually re-select the network operator.
- Go outside, move to higher ground, or close to a window. Open your window.
- Use different construction materials, ones that block less signal.
- You can try upgrading to a newer device. Newer cell phones have far better reception than older models, primarily due to their advanced radio technology designed to pick up newer and faster spectrums.
- Find out the location of the closest Verizon tower and move your device close to it.
- Get a cell phone signal booster – a device designed to amplify and distribute a phone signal.
What are Total Wireless benefits?
- Verizon powers total wireless, so Coverage on the Verizon Wireless network.
- They have Prepaid cellphone plans, including no contract, credit check, or activation fee.
- You can choose your device or use a Verizon phone through BYOP plans so that you need a compatible device or buy a Total Wireless phone.
- You can able to keep your personal phone number.
- Mobile hotspot use or tethering is not permitted.
- International calling is available with a global calling card and charged at international rates plus plan minutes.
- You can quickly contact Customer service is available by phone and chat from 8 am – 11:45 pm 7 days.
Bottom line
The MVNOs sacrifice certain luxuries to offer cheaper prepaid services. It is the same for Total Wireless. Super-fast data is among the things Total Wireless doesn’t have. However, this is not futile because the provider substitutes them with excellent coverage and affordable plans.
So, if you are okay with periodic data downtime and other minor hiccups, Total Wireless is a good choice for you. The wireless provider uses Verizon towers giving you top mark coverage, and you won’t have to worry about it.
