Astound Mobile vs. PureTalk: Which Carrier is the Right Option?

One of the main reasons why Astound Mobile is different from other mobile network providers is that it requires its customers to purchase a subscription to its broadband Internet plan. This is because they require that they have a valid Astound Mobile plan to use their mobile devices.

Astound Mobile's plans feature high-quality 4K Ultra High Definition streaming, along with pay per-use plans in various countries. The company is an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), and it uses the infrastructure of one of the major network providers, such as T-Mobile.

Headquartered in Georgia, PureTalk on the other hand is  another leading mobile virtual network operator that provides reliable and affordable wireless service to consumers in the US. It was founded in 2009, and is currently operating on the AT&T network. The company's goal is to provide its customers with high-quality services, which can meet different needs.

Unlike other mobile virtual network operators, PureTalk doesn't rely on contracts when it comes to providing its services. It offers a variety of high-quality wireless services and is part of the AT&T network. Through its partnership with Telrite, PureTalk can now offer a complete communication package.

PureTalk started out by focusing on flexibility and simplicity, as it offers prepaid plans that don't have long-term contracts or hidden fees. Its customers can pick from a variety of plans based on their usage patterns.The company's customer-centric approach has helped it gain a reputation for providing excellent service.

Those who have a PureTalk Wireless plan can benefit from the company's network coverage, which is mainly available in the U.S. Through its network, AT&T is able to provide coverage in 99% of the country. Those who use the company's plans can make and send text messages and make phone calls easily.

Coverage & Reception – Astound Mobile vs. PureTalk

Astound is a provider of high-speed internet that offers services in different areas across the country. Its four Internet phone plans range from 300 to 1500Mbps, and for most households, this means they have enough bandwidth to handle most of the activities that require a lot of data like streaming. 

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T-Mobile’s 4G and 5G LTE networks allow Astound Mobile’s customers to enjoy fast connectivity in almost all 50 states. The company is constantly improving its 5G network, deploying more towers to provide even better coverage.

The PureTalk network shares a common carrier network with AT&T. This means that it can provide excellent coverage. As the second-largest network in the country, it offers 4G service to 68% of the population. Verizon is the best network, with over 70% coverage reliability.

The average download speed of AT&T is around 27 Mbps. With PureTalk, you can expect the same experience. You won't experience slow downs when you browse the internet and various social media platforms, and you'll be able to make use of other apps and services without experiencing issues.

Plan Options

When it comes to plan offerings, Astound Mobile’s plans are fewer but more affordable while PureTalk’s plans are more expansive and ideal for those who frequently use a mobile hotspot. 

Astound Mobile Plans

• 1.5 GB- $15 a month
• 3 GB- $25 a month
• Unlimited- $40 a month
• Unlimited Plus- $50 a month

The Astound Mobile Unlimited plan gives you 20GB of data with an included hotspot. Unfortunately, after reaching the 20GB cap, your data speeds will slow down to 3G. While you can still send and receive emails and texts, streaming videos and playing games on the internet will be slower with 3G speeds.

PureTalk Mobile Plans

• $25 Monthly Unlimited
• $30 Monthly Unlimited
• $35 Monthly Unlimited
• $45 Monthly Unlimited
• $55 Monthly Unlimited
• $65 Monthly Unlimited

With six plans to choose from, customers have more options and price ranges when it comes to finding the best choice. Image courtesy of reviews.org. 

Although PureTalk offers several cell phone plans, those looking to score a deal and save some money should strongly consider various discounted plans. For instance, the 25% discount on the Simply Smarter plan applies to the $45, $55, and $65 versions. Your choice of plans also depends on how much data you use each month.

The Simply Smarter plan from PureTalk provides 25 GB of data per month. However, once you reach the data threshold, your speeds will slow down. Therefore, if you're able to keep using less than 25 GB of data per month, then you should consider this plan.

Operating on T-Mobile’s network, Mint Mobile is another one of the most popular mobile phone carriers on the market. Those considering the Mint Mobile plan might be able to save more money than the PureTalk plan, however the PureTalk plan has a guaranteed high-speed data connection in more regions than Mint Mobile. Unlike Mint Mobile, which may throttle its data speeds at any point, PureTalk customers get a high-speed data connection until their data cap has been reached.

The $55 PureTalk Simply Smarter plan is the ideal compromise between the two major plans offered by PureTalk. It offers more high-speed data than the $45 Simply Smarter plan, but it doesn't have a significant price increase!

Features

Some of the best offerings of Astound are cable internet, as well as fiber-to-the-house service in 11 states, which features four networks consisting of Wave, EnTouch, Grande, and RCN. The company's 12-month plan is ideal for those who want to start using its service, which includes a $5 discount on paperless billing and automatic payments.

Astound's extensive range of mobile and internet packages isn't exactly clear cut, and with so many options it can be hard to choose just one plan that fits your needs. For instance, if you're not a fan of heavy data usage, you can combine the company's 1.5GB plan with Asound's 300Mbps plan.You can cancel any time after signing up for either service. The installation fee is only $79.95, and you'll also get a couple of months of complimentary internet service upon activation.

All PureTalk wireless plans come with unlimited talk and text plans, and you don't have to pay for going over your allotment of data each month. As a result, your data speeds will gradually decrease as you reach your data threshold.

The pricing of PureTalk is better than the major wireless carriers. Its active discount allows it to undercut the plans of its rivals. For instance, the Smarter Simply $65 plan is cheaper than the plans of Verizon and AT&T.

When you add four lines to your account, PureTalk will give you a 20% discount. This is a rare offer in the prepaid wireless market, and the discount also applies to the company's family plan.

Compared to REALLY

The Really Network is an ideal choice for high-speed data users and anyone who's looking to enjoy the best possible experience with no contracts or major carriers. It features a powerful combination of DeWi and 5G, making it the most coverage network on the market. Both Astound Mobile and PureTalk are known for their high speeds and vast coverage, but you will get even more coverage with REALLY. 

High speeds, no contracts, wide coverage, what more could you ask for? The biggest disadvantage to REALLY are the higher rates. Even though it's a little more expensive compared to other networks, the Really Network is still the most comprehensive and flexible network on the market. It features a huge 5G network and unlimited calling in 175+ countries, as well as roaming rates in 200 countries. 

Customer Service

Both Astound Mobile and PureTalk offer several options for any customer service needs. 

Astound Mobile

You can get in touch with Astound's support personnel by calling its support number at 1-800-427-8686, which will enable you to speak with one of the company's representatives whenever you run into problems with its services. Its assistance line can also be reached through its broadband telephone number at 1-800-746-4726.

You may try contacting Astound Broadband through its website, which features various self-help guides for individuals who cannot reach its customer service department.

PureTalk

Through its contact details, PureTalk can help you connect with its representatives. You can reach out to the company's customer service department by calling 866-820-7873, and you can also reach out to the company's sales specialists by filling out the form on its website or by calling them at 844-746-3577.

If you cannot speak with a Pure TalkUSA representative by phone, you can mail a request to the company's email address. You can complete the form on the company's website's contact page.

The Verdict

So, which mobile phone carrier is truly the best? Both companies offer their own special perks, with their own respective advantages. 

Astound Mobile

You can often find amazing deals with Astound Mobile, which provides high-speed internet and mobile service for as little as $40 a month. It's a steal for those who want to experience the best of both worlds, with unlimited mobile and internet service.

The post-promotion prices are also interesting, as Astound discloses these on its Policies and Disclosures page. Some areas are significantly higher than others, which raises the question of whether you should opt for T-Mobile's standalone mobile service instead. However, Astound Mobile offers much more affordable rates with a lot more options than T-Mobile itself. 

With Astound Broadband, you can make calls using your existing internet connection instead of a traditional phone line. It doesn't have a monthly data cap, unlike Astound Mobile, though you can't use it while you're away.

The basic phone plan of Astound includes 17 free features, such as Voicemail, Nomorobo and Caller ID. It also comes with unlimited local and international calling.

Since Astound Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator, it depends on the type of network it uses. T-Mobile's 5G network and Astound's terrestrial fiber and Wi-Fi hotspots are the two factors that affect its performance. When you use your device at home, it makes calls using its broadband connection. It also connects to the various Astound Internet hotspots in nearby areas.

When you don't have Astound Internet access, your device automatically switches to T-mobile's 5G network. Through this shared bandwidth, T-Mobile can reduce its overall network load, opting for the best customer experience possible. 

PureTalk

With the help of new technology and data analytics, PureTalk is poised to continue improving its offerings and customer service. As a leading telecommunications company, it is well-positioned to take advantage of the changes that are happening in the industry with a strong commitment to transparency, affordability, and exceptional service to all of its customers. 

All of PureTalk's plans come with unlimited voice and text. The amount of data that you'll receive per month varies depending on the plan you choose. Once you reach your allotment, the speeds will gradually decrease until your contract ends.

Unlike other providers, PureTalk doesn't require contracts or credit checks. Its prepaid plans also don't have overage fees or activation charges. However, you may still be charged additional taxes and regulatory fees depending on your location.

With PureTalk, you can get a low-cost alternative to your cell phone service. Its $20 monthly plans start with unlimited talk, text, and 3GB of high-Speed data. With PureTalk's affordable plans and high-speed data, you can get a competitive price compared to other providers. Its prices are also better than those of AT&T.