Cricket Wireless FAQs: 7 Things to Know Before You Sign Up

Trying to find the best cell phone plan that fits your budget while providing all of the high-tech services, such as new smartphones and 5G coverage is crucial. Many MVNOs offer customers the ability to get a new smartphone and a plan with fast high-speed data and coverage at an affordable price, and Cricket Wireless is among the top ones to choose from.

Cricket Wireless is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that uses AT&T’s service and network to keep its customers connected to fast 3G, 4G LTE, and  5G data speeds. Before being bought by AT&T, Cricket Wireless was originally owned by Sprint, but has continued to provide top speeds, service, and quality to customers even after making the switch.

In this article, there is lots to learn about Cricket Wireless and what it offers new customers, so here are topics that we’ll be covering:

• A summary of Cricket Wireless
• Cricket Wireless’s plans and pricing
• Services and features on all plans
• Cricket Wireless’s coverage on AT&T
• Cricket Wireless versus competition
• How to contact customer service
• Reviews of Cricket Wireless

1. Cricket Wireless FAQs + Overview

Understanding more about this prepaid MVNO can help decide if they work best for you!

As previously mentioned, Cricket Wireless is an MVNO that aims to provide customers that sign up for their plans prepaid options that are inexpensive with both data and service that can be used around the country. Cricket Wireless was previously owned by Sprint before they merged with T-Mobile, as AT&T bought them out to give their customers better prepaid options with no long-term contracts needed.

All on a fast, reliable 4G LTE and 5G network such as AT&T, Cricket Wireless provides its customers with no annual contracts on any of their plans, giving them the option to upgrade or downgrade their plan based on their mobile needs. Every single one of their plans include talk, text, and fast streaming using AT&T’s network with no surprises or hidden fees, and the taxes on every plan is included in its initial price, making customers happy so they stay long term. 

Extra Information on MVNOs

It’s important to also fully understand what an MVNO is before signing up for one such as Cricket Wireless. A MVNO, also known as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, is where a company–AT&T in this case–sells a mobile service like Cricket Wireless that doesn’t own their own network and service. MVNOs use this network just like AT&T customers use it and get full access to talk, text, and fast data access to stream and more on-the-go.

The main difference with MVNOs is that they provide much more affordable prices with no long-term contracts to sign, plus the ability to update or change your plan. The only con of a MVNO is that data speeds may slow down in populated areas due to the main network’s customers using more of it and gaining better access than a MVNO user. 

2. Cricket Wireless Plans and Pricing

The plans and pricing of Cricket Wireless is what attracts many customers to sign up!

The best part about choosing a plan through Cricket Wireless is the price of it and what it includes. The fact that many plans are more affordable through Cricket Wireless means that individuals looking for a non-expensive cell phone plan and even families looking to bundle can save money.

Cricket Wireless allows you to choose how many lines that you need from a monthly price point, or you can choose a multi-month plan to save even more money. Multi-month plans help individuals  save up to $90 for a three-month unlimited plan or up to $360 for a twelve-month unlimited plan.

Take a look at the main monthly plans that Cricket Wireless offers for one-line users:

• $30 per month for a 5GB plan
• $40 per month for a 10GB plan
• $55 per month for an unlimited data plan
• $60 per month for an unlimited data plan plus 15GB of a data hotspot

It’s important to keep in mind that the more lines you add, the more the prices of the plans listed above will go up, but Cricket Wireless aims to make all of their plans affordable no matter the size of your plan. All of their plans also include 5G coverage, no overage charges, and the monthly taxes are included in each price of the plan.

3. Services and Features on All Cricket Wireless Plans

These features can be a great addition to any plan and convince customers to sign up ASAP!

Another great reason to consider Cricket Wireless is all of the services and features that they offer on almost all of their plans. The more expensive the plan, the more features that customers will receive, including access to international use, or even streaming services. The services and features  are offered on both their monthly plans and even the multi-month plans.

Some of the iconic services and features that are included on almost all Cricket Wireless plans include the following:

• Unlimited data (high-speed data on the most expensive plan)
• Nationwide 5G coverage
• Hotspot add-on available (or 15GB hotspot with most expensive plan)
• MAX streaming services with ads
• 2GB to 150GB of cloud storage
• Unlimited texts from the United States to 37 other countries
• Both Mexico and Canada usage available

4. Cricket Wireless’s Coverage on AT&T

Cricket Wireless relies on AT&T’s service and coverage to provide customers with the best experience possible!

AT&T owns Cricket Wireless and helps to provide customers with the best experience in terms of affordable plans with the same coverage. Image courtesy of YouTube.

Overall, AT&T’s coverage is noted as one of the best in the country and they have 3G data that covers 70% of the country, the best of the main three networks offered in the United States, 68% 4G LTE coverage, and 10.9% 5G available with many more areas getting access to it as it continues to grow.

When it comes to Cricket Wireless customers, they receive the same access as AT&T customers, but some factors that could hinder the service or coverage include the weather, terrain, and overall signal strength. Using a coverage map can help to give customers a better idea of how well Cricket Wireless will work in their area and the best network to get a plan through. 

5. Cricket Wireless Versus Competition

With tons of MVNOs to choose from, Cricket Wireless has lots of competition that tries to one-up their prices and services!

While there are the big three networks, such as Verizon Wireless, AT&T, or T-Mobile to choose a plan through, there are many more MVNOs that use their networks in hopes of gaining new customers. Cricket Wireless is no stranger to competition and there are many MVNOs trying to offer better plans and prices in order for them to make the switch. 

It’s important to go over Cricket Wireless’s top competitors to see what they are up against to see what they can offer people around the country.

Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile

 Metro is owned and operated by T-Mobile providing many of the same features as a MVNO. Instead of using AT&T’s network coverage, Metro uses T-Mobile, which is known for offering some of the best 5G coverage across the nation with tons of options on smartphones when you sign up.

Cricket Wireless vs. Boost Mobile

Another competitor that Cricket Wireless has is Boost Mobile, which also uses T-Mobile’s network coverage to give its customers incredible 5G data speeds. Boost Mobile is known for its extra services that it can offer its customers, such as Todo Mexico for frequent travelers to Mexico along with other great international add-ons, but they don’t offer multi-month plans.

Cricket Wireless vs. Tello Mobile

Tello Mobile is also another competitor of Cricket Wireless and they are known for having cell phone plans that are as low as $5 per month. A plan as cheap as Tello’s offers the bare minimum with features and services, providing a basic, yet affordable plan against Cricket’s lowest costing plan, which is $30 per month. 

6. How to Contact Cricket Wireless’s Customer Service

Customer service is essential for any MVNO service to help set up your plan and activate your new cell phone!

There is nothing more important than customer service no matter the MVNO that you sign up for. Customer service is there to help you when it comes to questions you may have about your plan, upgrading or downgrading it to something that suits you and your needs better, and even if you have questions about your monthly bill.

When it comes to Cricket Wireless, it’s super easy to contact their customer service for any issues that you may have with your plan. They offer three ways to get in contact with their customer service whether it’s visiting a store near you, chatting with a representative online, or even calling their customer service phone number.

Here are some options to consider for contacting customer service through Cricket Wireless:

• In-person interaction - Look up stores near you and their hours to go in and talk to someone about issues with your phone or plan
• Phone number - Contact Cricket Wireless’s customer service phone number at 1-800-CRICKET (274-2538) or 611 from your Cricket phone from 9 am to 9 pm EST  Monday through Saturday
• Online chat - Chat with a customer service representative on their website from 9 am to 11 pm EST Monday through Saturday or 10 am to 11 pm EST on Sunday

7. Reviews of Cricket Wireless

See what many happy customers had to say about Cricket Wireless and the service and prices they provide!

There are many happy customers that have a cell phone plan through Cricket Wireless. From enjoying the low prices, the fast network and data coverage, and the reliable customer service, there is a lot of customer satisfaction for Cricket Wireless users.

Check out some of the positive reviews that people have with their Cricket Wireless plan:

“Cricket provides quality services and their prices are competitive. I'm a long-time customer and I've witnessed firsthand how they've grown as a company. My first cell phone was a Nokia device with Cricket 20 years ago. Thank you Cricket for the affordable prices that have allowed me to stay connected.” - Trustpilot

“Helped me select the best phone and plan to suit my needs. Cricket Wireless also gives good value, you can save on your phone bill every month by taking advantage of their lock screen ads, surveys, and games to play for redeemable money off your bill or gift cards.” - Trustpilot

“Love it! My family and I have tried all wireless companies from contract to prepay. Once we found Cricket, we've never been happier. We always have the best service, clear calls, no drop in signal, and we actually get what we pay for.” - Trustpilot

Cricket Wireless provides customers with both affordable and reliable cell phone service throughout the United States. Consider ditching your old phone plan for something that isn’t as expensive, but still provides the best network coverage possible with Cricket Wireless!