Kroger Wireless Pros and Cons

When fast food companies start streaming services, it’s only safe to assume that other companies branch out of their own box and that’s exactly what retail companies have done. You may have heard about Family Mobile, the Walmart operated cell phone provider, but have you heard about Kroger Wireless? Yes that’s right, Kroger, the place you go for all of your groceries and pharmaceutical needs has their own wireless service- (and has for a while now)! They specialize in budget-friendly, no contract plans that might be exactly what you’re looking for. But before you decide to switch you should read on so you can learn about them and what they have to offer you.

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs, the pros and cons of Kroger Wireless and what they offer. Here’s what to expect:

• A Quick Look at Kroger Wireless
• Kroger Wireless’s Coverage
• Their Plans and Prices
• Services and Features provided
• Kroger Wireless Pros and Cons
• How to Contact their Customer Service
• Review Summary

Quick Look: Kroger Wireless

Now you may be surprised to learn that Kroger Wireless has been in the mobile game for 20 years now. Founded in 2005, it was rolled out slowly with trial runs commencing in a little over 100 Kroger stores nationwide, then once that was a success, Kroger eventually rolled out its wireless plans to thousands of their stores and banner stores alike. What’s especially unique about Kroger Wireless is if you are a customer, certain plans earn 4X Kroger Fuel Points which could lead to even more savings if you are a Kroger regular.

Kroger Wireless is a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. In Kroger Wireless’s case they are a MVNO of T-Mobile.

A REALLY Tip: MVNO Edition

If you are unfamiliar with MVNO’s, you should know that they are more likely to subject users to data deprioritization and throttled speeds. 

• Data deprioritization is “the temporary slowing of data speeds for certain customers in order to give priority to other customers.” Which means that those who are direct customers of the “parent” company will get network priority when you’re in a high traffic area like a concert hall or sports stadium, or when there’s network congestion.

• Throttling is also more likely to occur with MVNOs and “the dramatic slowing of your data speeds to the point that it becomes almost unusable.” This will happen when you go over a certain number of gigabytes of data for the month, which is referred to as a “data cap.” You’ll see this number displayed somewhere on your carrier’s website. Your normal speeds will slow down until the start of your next billing cycle.

Kroger Wireless’s Coverage

We know Kroger Wireless get their coverage via T-Mobile in the US, let’s talk a look at T-Mobile’s coverage:

T-Mobile is the leader in 5G coverage which is a huge feat considering more and more people are upgrading to 5G capable phones, and 5G is our current best system for wireless communication. T-Mobile offers consistent speeds and widespread coverage which is nice to see as we look into further 5G technologies like  5G+, 5G Advanced, Ultra Wide-Band, and more.

Their 4G LTE isn’t as widespread as their two major competitors, Verizon and AT&T, but it’s by no means a dealbreaker. (Always check with the website and coverage map to see what the network looks like in your area so you can see if you are also in for that lovely 5G).

One feature you’ll find on most provider’s websites is a “Coverage” or “Coverage Map” tab, this shows off the network’s coverage all throughout the country and subsequent regions. This is the Kroger Wireless Map:

And if you need any more data Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.

Kroger Wireless’s Plans and Prices

Kroger Wireless has four phone plans to choose from, three “limited” data plans and one unlimited data plan. You can choose to pay for these plans annually or monthly. In our research we were unable to determine how many lines you can have with a Kroger Wireless plan as there is no information stating the fact. The company deprioritizes data, which you know means you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

Plan One: 3GB

This plan gets you 3GB at speeds up to 5G LTE of data for $15/mo for a three month plan or $180/year should you sign up for their annual option. You get unlimited talk, text, and 3GB data for three months. If you go over your data cap it will stop and you will have to wait till the start of your next billing cycle for your data to renew. There is no rollover with Kroger Wireless plans.

This is the only Kroger Wireless plan that requires you to prepay three months in advance before usage. It costs $15 per month for one line ($45/for three months required). At this rate, you get 3GB of data at $15 per GB for the full $45 payment. (Monthly rate only).

Plan Two: 6GB

This plan gets you 6GB at speeds up to 5G LTE of data for $25/mo or $300/year should you sign up for their annual option. Right now they are having a sale on their annual plans and you can save $60 off your total yearly bill when you sign up annually.

You get unlimited talk, text, and 6GB data per month. If you go over your data cap it will stop and will have to wait for your data to renew at the start of your next billing cycle.

The plan costs $25 per month for one line. At this rate, you get 6GB of data at $4.17 per GB. (Monthly rate only).

Plan Three: 10GB

This plan gets you 10GB at speeds up to 5G LTE of data for $35/mo or $420/year should you sign up for their annual option. Right now they are having a sale on their annual plans and you can save $84 off your total yearly bill when you sign up annually.

You get unlimited talk, text, and 10GB data per month. If you go over your data cap it will stop and will have to wait for your data to renew at the start of your next billing cycle.

The plan costs $35 per month for one line. At this rate, you get 10GB of data at $3.50 per GB. (Monthly rate only).

Plan Four: Unlimited

This is Kroger Wireless’s only unlimited plan which gets you 25GB at speeds up to 5G LTE of data for $45/mo or $540/year should you sign up for their annual option. Then once you’ve used your full 25GB your speeds will slow down to 2G speeds. With 2G speeds, users can expect to send text messages and emails or scroll the internet, but streaming video or playing games will be difficult. You also get unlimited talk and text.

Right now they are having a sale on their annual plans and you can save $108 off your total yearly bill when you sign up annually.

The plan costs $45 per month for one line. At this rate, you get 25GB of data at $1.80 per GB. (Monthly rate only).

Kroger Wireless’s Features

While this carrier offers some interesting rewards for grocery shoppers, there are some differences in the features and benefits that may entice you to pick this one over another. If you’re a frequent traveler, talk to your international friends and family a lot, or are looking for a bit more “perk” with your plan then this section will break down all of that juicy info so you can know what you’re potentially gonna get: 

• Domestic Roaming Data

• Kroger Wireless does not offer this feature.

• Mexico & Canada Connection

• Kroger Wireless does not provide Mexico and Canada connection.

• International Connection

• To connect internationally with Kroger Wireless you have to “purchase an international calling card from any retailer, including the Kroger family of stores.” Additionally your account must support international texting which can be confirmed through customer support.

• Video Streaming Quality

• Kroger Wireless streams video at 480p SD resolution.

• Streaming Services and Cloud Storage

• Kroger Wireless does not offer these features.

• Device Financing

• Kroger Wireless does not offer this feature.

• WiFi Calling

• Kroger Wireless offers WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception.

• Spam Protection and Free Trial

• Kroger Wireless does not offer these features.

Kroger Wireless Pros and Cons

We’ve taken a look at Kroger Wireless’s coverage, plans, prices, and features. Now let’s dive into the pros and cons to help narrow down your decision:

👍Pros:

• Access to America’s biggest 5G wireless network
• Offers varying data packages and plans
• In-store shopping points
• No contract plans

👍Kroger Wireless is on T-Mobile’s Network

When you sign up for a Kroger Wireless plan you have access to and are using T-Mobile’s wireless network leader in 5G coverage, so if you have a 5G capable phone then this is a huge pro.

👍Kroger Wireless has Data Choices

A lot of cell carriers now only have unlimited data options, but not everyone needs that, some only need a few gigs a month to get by but they end up paying for unlimited because that’s the only option available. With Kroger Wireless you get your choice of a 3GB, 6GB, 10GB, or the Unlimited data plan. This means both low-data and heavy-data users can get the choice that best fits their needs.

👍Kroger Wireless Plans Get Shopping Points

When you are a Kroger Wireless customer you get 4X Fuel Points on all plan purchases. This could lead to even more savings should you be a regular at your local Kroger.

👍No Contract Plans

When it comes to wireless, there are a lot of carriers that require you to sign a contract in order to use their service. At Kroger Wireless you won’t ever have to worry about a contract and that means you won't be tied down to the provider if you’re unhappy with the way your service is going. A lot of people look for no-contract plans, so this is definitely a pro in their column.

👎Cons

• Subject to Data Deprioritization
• No International Features
• Tricky Website Navigation
• No Hotspot Capabilities
• Expensive

👎Kroger Wireless’s Plans are Subject to Data Deprioritization

With every plan from Kroger Wireless you will be subject to data deprioritization which means your data speeds could be inconsistent when you’re out in public not on wifi. This can cause some frustration for those who frequently use their phone away from wifi as there is normally an inconsistency with data deprioritization.

👎International Benefits are Add-on Only

A lot of other MVNOs and major network operators (MNOs) have international benefits built into their phone plans, but with Kroger Wireless you don’t have any Mexico and Canada benefits and can only buy an international calling card through one of their retail stores. Super inconvenient for those who look to online support.

👎Tricky Website Navigation

The Kroger Wireless website itself doesn’t seem to always work. When you go to click on plans it won’t take you to corresponding pages and the shop page doesn’t load. It seems like they don’t have the best UI for a mobile service. There also isn’t a lot of information regarding the “Broadband Facts” of each plan which normally would break down important information.

👎No Hotspot Capabilities

Kroger Wireless does not come with any hotspot capabilities with any of their plans which for some phone users could be a big dealbreaker.

Kroger Wireless’s Customer Service

Kroger Wireless itself doesn’t have any physical store locations, however there are of course Kroger retail stores available all throughout the country, though not all may be knowledgeable in the wireless service. For direct support regarding your phone and plan, new customers can call 1-866-434-7796, while existing customers can dial 611 from your Kroger Wireless phone. Support lines are available Monday through Saturday from 10am - 10pm EST and on Sunday from 10am - 7pm EST. You can also email them directly through their website here.

Review Summary

Overall we think Kroger Wireless is an okay no contract wireless service, but we recommend you looking elsewhere for a long-term carrier. Their plans are a bit on the expensive side for a MVNO and you don’t get any real benefits with their plans besides fuel points. If you want to try them out you should sign up for their 6GB Monthly plan, that way you won’t be locked down to anything longer than a month. 

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare between features, coverage, price, reviews, and more!

And if you want to compare and contrast Kroger Wireless to over 1,200 other phone plans so you know you’re getting the service that’s right for you, then make sure to check out the REALLY compare page which allows you to look at pricing, coverage, what phone plans are available, current deals and steals, and how you can make the most of your potential phone bill.