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Discover the best 4G mobile broadband service providers with our 2025 research on five widely used carriers and sub-brands. We evaluated AT&T, Cricket, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon using updated criteria: pricing/value, size of high-speed data buckets for hotspots/tablets, real-world coverage/performance context, and customer care. Most current data-only plans include 5G access on compatible devices while relying on 4G LTE as the foundational coverage layer; after the high-speed bucket is used, providers typically slow speeds to around 128 Kbps. Our recommendations reflect the latest plan lineups and independent network findings from Opensignal, plus carrier plan pages and consumer transparency disclosures like the FCC Broadband Consumer Labels.
The 5 Best 4G Mobile Broadband Service Providers
- Verizon: Best coverage footprint and high-capacity data-only options
- AT&T: Best plan variety across prepaid/postpaid data-only
- T-Mobile: Fastest typical downloads in many markets
- Sprint: Legacy brand; new plans now sold as T-Mobile
- Cricket Wireless: Strong value per GB on data-only
| Reviews.com Score | Price | Download /Upload Speeds | Data Cap | J.D. Power Customer Service Rating | |
| Verizon | — | About $55 for 50GB; 100GB tier available (plan-dependent) | 4G LTE/5G access; post-cap speeds typically ~128 Kbps | High-speed buckets ~15–100GB; slowed after cap | Generally trails T-Mobile on care (2024) |
| AT&T | — | Roughly $55–$90 for ~25–100GB (plan-dependent) | 4G LTE/5G access; post-cap speeds typically ~128 Kbps | High-speed buckets ~25–100GB; slowed after cap | Competitive; behind T-Mobile (2024) |
| T-Mobile | — | 100GB around $50; lower buckets cost less | Typically fastest downloads overall; 4G LTE fallback | High-speed buckets 5–100GB; post-cap ~128 Kbps | Leads full-service carriers (2024) |
| Sprint | — | Merged into T-Mobile; new lines sold as T-Mobile | — | — | — |
| Cricket | — | 20GB $35; 50GB $55; 100GB $90 | 4G LTE/5G access; post-cap typically ~128 Kbps | High-speed up to 100GB; then slowed | N/A (value segment) |
*Data as of November 2025.
Verizon: Best Data Caps
PROVIDER SCORE: —
Verizon’s data-only lineup includes mid- to high-capacity tiers (commonly ~15GB, 50GB, and 100GB) usable on 4G LTE and 5G with compatible hotspots/tablets; after the high-speed allowance, speeds are reduced, typically to around 128 Kbps. Verizon remains a top choice where coverage is the priority: independent testing shows Verizon leading overall Coverage Experience in the U.S., which can make a noticeable difference for consistent 4G reliability on the road and in rural areas (Opensignal).
Per-GB pricing is often higher than value-focused MVNOs, but Verizon’s broad footprint and device compatibility offer peace of mind when you travel between strong 5G and LTE areas. Its mid-/high-band 5G footprint continues to expand, with a public milestone of about 266 million people covered by 5G Ultra Wideband (Verizon).
| ✓ Best For | ✗ Not For |
| Broad nationwide coverage and reliability | Lowest $/GB seekers |
Pricing
2025 snapshot – Reference pricing for data-only shows ~50GB around $55/month, with additional tiers (e.g., ~15GB and 100GB) available depending on plan type, autopay, and promos (Verizon).
Download/Upload Speeds
2025 snapshot – Access to both 4G LTE and 5G on compatible devices. Real-world throughput depends on local signal and congestion. In national testing, T-Mobile typically leads download speed, while Verizon leads Coverage Experience (Opensignal).
Data Cap
2025 snapshot – High-speed data buckets (~15–100GB) followed by reduced speeds, commonly around 128 Kbps; video optimization/network management may apply (Verizon network management).
Customer Service
2025 snapshot – Recent benchmarks place T-Mobile first among full-service carriers for customer care, with Verizon generally trailing in satisfaction (J.D. Power).
AT&T: Best Variety
PROVIDER SCORE: —
AT&T offers a wide range of data-only options across AT&T PREPAID and postpaid DataConnect, including mid- to high-capacity buckets (~25GB, 50GB, 100GB). Plans include 4G LTE/5G access on compatible hotspots/tablets and reduce speeds after you use the high-speed allowance (AT&T).
Value seekers may find a lower $/GB at select MVNOs (see Cricket below), but AT&T’s device compatibility and network reach are strong. In recent customer care rankings, AT&T is competitive but generally behind T-Mobile (J.D. Power).
| ✓ Best For | ✗ Not For |
| Multiple device types and plan structures | Rock-bottom pricing per GB |
Pricing
2025 snapshot – Typical list pricing ranges roughly $55–$90/month for ~25–100GB, varying by plan type and discounts (AT&T).
Download/Upload Speeds
2025 snapshot – 4G LTE/5G on compatible devices; speeds vary by location and congestion. Outside strong 5G, your device will spend significant time on LTE (Opensignal).
Data Cap
2025 snapshot – High-speed bucket followed by reduced speeds (often ~128 Kbps). Check the FCC Broadband Label and plan details for exact thresholds and video optimization policies.
Customer Service
2025 snapshot – Competitive experience; T-Mobile leads full-service carriers in recent customer care studies (J.D. Power).
T-Mobile: Fastest Speeds
PROVIDER SCORE: —
T-Mobile pairs aggressive pricing on larger data buckets (widely available 100GB around $50/month before taxes/fees) with industry-leading download performance in many U.S. markets. Plans include 4G LTE/5G access on compatible hotspots/tablets and reduce speeds after your high-speed allowance is used (T-Mobile; Opensignal).
| ✓ Best For | ✗ Not For |
| Fast typical downloads and strong $/GB | Users who routinely exceed 100GB and need full-speed all month |
Pricing
2025 snapshot – About $50 for 100GB; smaller buckets (e.g., 5–50GB) cost less. Taxes/fees and promos vary by market (T-Mobile).
Download/Upload Speeds
2025 snapshot – T-Mobile typically leads U.S. download speeds; strong 5G mid-band coverage is the driver. Its Ultra Capacity 5G covers about 300 million people nationwide (T-Mobile; Opensignal).
Data Cap
2025 snapshot – High-speed buckets (commonly 5–100GB) with post-cap speeds typically around 128 Kbps; video may default to SD unless HD is enabled where available (T-Mobile; T-Mobile network management).
Customer Service
2025 snapshot – T-Mobile leads full-service carriers for customer care in recent studies (J.D. Power).
Sprint: Best Family Plans
PROVIDER SCORE: —
Sprint no longer sells new plans under the Sprint brand; the company merged into T-Mobile and legacy accounts have been migrated to T-Mobile’s network and plan structures over time. If you are shopping today, compare T-Mobile’s current multi-line discounts and data-only options; Sprint-branded family plans are not available for new activations.
Performance and data policies for former Sprint customers now align with T-Mobile’s network (4G LTE/5G) and plan rules, including fixed high-speed buckets on data-only plans followed by reduced speeds until the next cycle (T-Mobile).
| ✓ Best For | ✗ Not For |
| Legacy Sprint users navigating migration | New activations (use T-Mobile) |
Pricing
2025 snapshot – No new Sprint pricing; new lines are offered through T-Mobile with current plan structures.
Download/Upload Speeds
2025 snapshot – Legacy Sprint devices use T-Mobile’s network; performance depends on local coverage (4G LTE/5G) and congestion (Opensignal).
Data Cap
2025 snapshot – See T-Mobile’s current data-only plans for high-speed bucket sizes and any post-cap speed reductions (T-Mobile).
Customer Service
2025 snapshot – Customer care now aligns with T-Mobile’s service channels and policies (J.D. Power).
Cricket: Best Flexible Plans
PROVIDER SCORE: —
Cricket’s Simply Data plans deliver strong value per GB on AT&T’s network with month-to-month flexibility: 20GB for $35, 50GB for $55, and 100GB for $90 as data-only SIMs for hotspots/tablets. You get 4G LTE/5G access where available; after your high-speed bucket, speeds are reduced (commonly around 128 Kbps) (Cricket).
| ✓ Best For | ✗ Not For |
| No-contract data-only and low $/GB at higher tiers | Postpaid-level prioritization and top-tier speeds in congestion |
Pricing
2025 snapshot – 20GB $35/month (~$1.75/GB), 50GB $55 (~$1.10/GB), 100GB $90 (~$0.90/GB) (Cricket).
Download/Upload Speeds
2025 snapshot – Runs on AT&T’s 4G LTE/5G network. MVNO plans can be deprioritized during congestion versus postpaid. After the high-speed bucket, speeds drop to a very low rate (often ~128 Kbps).
Data Cap
2025 snapshot – High-speed buckets up to 100GB; then slowed until the next cycle (FCC Broadband Labels make thresholds clear at checkout).
Customer Service
2025 snapshot – Support is primarily digital/retail as an AT&T sub-brand. Value-carrier care scores vary by study wave; the draw here is simple pricing and month-to-month flexibility.
Guide to Mobile Broadband
Before you pick a provider and a plan, it’s important to understand how today’s 4G/5G mobile broadband works and what changes since 2021 affect your experience and costs.
3G vs. 4G
In the U.S., 3G networks have been shut down and spectrum refarmed to 4G/5G. 4G LTE remains the foundational wide-area coverage layer and carries most voice via VoLTE; 5G builds on top for higher capacity and faster typical speeds (ITU; Ericsson Mobility Report).
Globally, 4G covers most of the world’s population, while 5G population coverage continues to rise quickly. Where mid-band 5G is dense, users commonly see 2–5x higher median download speeds versus 4G (Opensignal Global).
LTE
LTE (Long Term Evolution) — including LTE-Advanced — is the core 4G technology and the default fallback when 5G isn’t available. LTE is retained alongside 5G to ensure coverage continuity and voice support, with some LTE spectrum gradually refarmed to 5G where device adoption and traffic justify it (Ericsson Mobility Report).
5G
5G mobile broadband is now mainstream. In the U.S., T-Mobile reports its mid-band Ultra Capacity 5G covers about 300 million people (T-Mobile), while Verizon says its 5G Ultra Wideband reaches roughly 266 million people (Verizon). Independent testing consistently finds T-Mobile leading in download speeds overall, with Verizon leading Coverage Experience; your device will spend significant time on 4G LTE outside strong 5G footprints (Opensignal).
Consider fiber or cable
For primary home internet, fiber or cable can deliver higher consistency and avoid mobile post-cap slowdowns. Many fiber ISPs and Spectrum cable advertise no data caps, while some cable ISPs enforce 1.2–1.25 TB monthly allowances with overage fees unless you add an Unlimited option (Spectrum; Xfinity data plan; Cox data plan). Cable’s DOCSIS 4.0 is rolling out with symmetric multi-gig potential in select markets (CableLabs; Xfinity 10G).
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