Red Pocket FAQs: 7 Things to Know Before You Sign Up

There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re looking for a new cell phone provider. You’ve got to look at the cost, what benefits they offer, how much data per month you’re getting, will you have cell service when you travel internationally, and much more. There are a lot of carriers vying for your attention and Red Pocket Mobile is one of them.

Red Pocket Mobile is a carrier that allows its customers to bring and keep their own phone and phone number when switching. You don’t need to worry about sending a text to all your contacts saying you got a new phone number or have to get used to an entirely different phone when you switch to Red Pocket. We wanted to take a look at Red Pocket Mobile today to help you decide whether or not this carrier is right for you, so let’s get started.

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of Red Pocket Mobile and what they offer. Here’s what to expect:

• A quick summary of Red Pocket Mobile
• Red Pocket Mobile’s coverage
• Their plans and prices
• Services and features provided
• Red Pocket Mobile versus competition
• How you can get in contact with their customer service
• Review summary

1. Red Pocket Mobile FAQs: A Quick Summary

First introducing themselves in 2006, Red Pocket Mobile wanted to be different from other cell phone companies, they wanted there to be choice and flexibility when it comes to signing up for a cell phone plan. With so many carriers locking you into contracts and not having the plan options that directly reflect your cell phone usage, Red Pocket decided to change the tides.

Red Pocket Mobile 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. Red Pocket Mobile is a bit different than your average MVNO as they don’t just work with one big provider, they instead work with all three. 

They have cell phone plans under GSMA, GSMT, and CDMA networks. Those acronyms are slightly outdated terms and technologies used to describe the three major networks. 

GSMA is a network that uses AT&T to provide coverage, GSMT is a network that uses T-Mobile to provide coverage, and CDMA is a network that uses Verizon to provide coverage.

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.

2. Red Pocket Mobile’s Coverage

Since we know Red Pocket Mobile uses all three major U.S. networks to provide coverage for their customers, let’s talk a little bit about each:

AT&T are very much considered to be the “middle of the pack” when comparing it directly to Verizon and T-Mobile. Their 4G LTE sits comfortably between the two, behind Verizon but ahead of T-Mobile, and their 5G network is above Verizon but below T-Mobile. 

T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. So you can expect some pretty solid 5G speeds for any MVNO under the T-Mobile umbrella. Their 4G LTE isn’t as widespread as their two major competitors, Verizon and AT&T, but it’s by no means a dealbreaker. 

Verizon has the most nation-wide 4G LTE coverage out of every wireless carrier in the country which is no small feat. Covering over 70% of the country, Verizon has had its footprints all over the map giving reliable coverage to even the most rural of areas when it comes to LTE.

Red Pocket Mobile has three separate coverage maps you can take a look at:

GSMA (AT&T):

GSMT (T-Mobile):

CDMA (Verizon):

Obviously this looks a bit different than the other two maps, this is the exact map pictured on their website, you can’t zoom in on this one, it just gives this approximation and disclaimer set at the bottom.

At first glance Red Pocket Mobile’s system can be a bit overwhelming to figure out. As with both GSMT and GSMA plans you have to have a compatible phone that uses a SIM card. And for CDMA users you will need to have either bought your phone at a Verizon store or check to see “Will My Phone Work With Red Pocket Mobile?” which is their tool to make sure you're signing up for the right phone plan and your current device works with their CDMA plan(s).

3. Red Pocket Mobile’s Plans and Prices

Red Pocket Mobile has a choice between “Monthly” and “Annual” plans. You can have up to five total lines with any Red Pocket Mobile family plan. The company deprioritizes data, which you know means you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

If you have or want to buy a phone through Red Pocket Mobile your phone will be locked to them, however there are ways to unlock your phone should you need to by emailing [email protected]. Just like any other carrier there are Pros and Cons with Red Pocket Mobile, so it’s always good to read up before you sign up!

Plan One: Unlimited Essentials

This plan has 1GB of high-speed data.

Every Red Pocket Mobile plan comes with your choice of any major network so you can get the best 4G LTE and/or 5G coverage in your area based on the cell towers around you, unlimited talk, text, and data, no price raises, and free international calling to 20+ countries. After you’ve used your 1GB of data for the month your speeds will slow down to 64-128kbps speed which makes doing anything besides calling or sending the occasional text really slow.

For “Monthly” this plan costs $10/mo and for “Annual” this plan costs $110 for 11 months and you get one month free. At this rate you get 1GB at $10 per GB.

Plan Two: Unlimited Plus

This plan has 10GB of high-speed data.

You get your choice of any major network, unlimited talk, text, and data, no price raises, and free international calling to 20+ countries. After you’ve used your 10GB of data for the month your speeds will slow down to 64-128kbps.

For “Monthly” this plan costs $20/mo and for “Annual” this plan costs $220 for 11 months and you get one month free. At this rate you get 10GB at $2 per GB.

Plan Three: Unlimited Premium

This plan comes with 5GB of hotspot data.

You get your choice of any major network, unlimited talk, text, and data, no price raises, and free international calling to 20+ countries. This is their first unlimited plan but after you’ve used over 30GB of data for the month your speeds will slow down to 64-128kbps.

For “Monthly” this plan costs $30/mo and for “Annual” this plan costs $330 for 11 months and you get one month free. At this rate you get 30GB at $1 per GB.

Plan Four: Unlimited Elite

This plan comes with 20GB of hotspot data.

You get your choice of any major network, unlimited talk, text, and data, no price raises, and free international calling to 20+ countries. This is their second unlimited plan and just like the other after you’ve used over 30GB of data for the month your speeds will slow down to 64-128kbps.

For “Monthly” this plan costs $40/mo and for “Annual” this plan costs $440 for 11 months and you get one month free. At this rate you get 30GB at $1.33 per GB.

4. Red Pocket Mobile’s Features

While this carrier offers pretty good deals for their customers, 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

• Red Pocket Mobile does not offer this feature.

• Mexico & Canada Connection

• They also support roaming in Mexico and Canada, on the GSMA network only. Here is the full breakdown via the Red Pocket Mobile Help Center: 

GSMA Unlimited Talk/Text plans with 10GB or more of monthly 5G data include 100 minutes, 100 text messages, and 1GB of data from Canada and Mexico. GSMA Unlimited Talk/Text plans with less than 10GB of monthly 5G data include 10 minutes, 10 text messages, and 10MB of data from Canada and Mexico.

• International Connection

• Red Pocket Mobile offers free international calling to 80+ countries if you have a plan that is 12GB’s or over, if you are below that you have free international calling to 20+ countries. They also offer free global texting with all plans but with their CDMA there is a 20 cent fee per text.

• Video Streaming Quality

• All plans from Red Pocket Mobile offer 720p High Definition streaming.

• Streaming Services and Cloud Storage

• Red Pocket Mobile does not offer these features.

• Device Financing

• Red Pocket Mobile allows you to use Katapult and/or Affirm finance option(s) with select phones from their store.

• WiFi Calling

• Red Pocket Mobile 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

• Red Pocket Mobile does not offer these features.

5. Red Pocket Mobile Versus Competition

It seems like everywhere you turn you run into a new cell phone provider wanting you amongst their customers. So it’s safe to say that like many others, Red Pocket Mobile has some competition from their own network providers and other MVNOs alike. Here are a few of their match-ups:

Red Pocket Mobile vs. Straight Talk Wireless

Both Red Pocket Mobile and Straight Talk Wireless use multiple providers for their network coverage. (It looks like Straight Talk will eventually move over to Verizon fully in the coming months though). And they both prioritize data which means you will have to deal with the occasional reduced speeds. 

Straight Talk Wireless has eight plans, which is double that of Red Pocket, and their cheapest plan costs $30 a month for 100MB of data, and their most expensive plan is $65 a month for 60GBs of data. Red Pocket’s cheapest plan is $10 for 1GB which means you’re getting more value with Red Pocket if you’re comparing their limited-data plans. Straight Talk’s most expensive plan gets you double the data and perks, while Red Pocket Mobile’s most expensive plan is cheaper but the data amount is lower.

Red Pocket Mobile vs. Visible

Visible only has two unlimited data plans, their Visible+ currently on sale for $35/mo and Visible Basic currently on sale for $20/mo. These each get you unlimited talk, text, and data with an unlimited mobile hotspot. The Visible+ plan gets you 50 GB of premium data which is data that never slows down. A huge plus for those who use a lot of data, and if you’re someone that does then Visible wins over Red Pocket Mobile here.

Red Pocket Mobile vs. Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile uses T-Mobile to provide network coverage for its customers, which means if you don’t live in an area with optimal T-Mobile coverage you can change your network at Red Pocket but not with Boost. 

However if you’re a fan of having the latest iPhone or Galaxy, Boost Mobile’s Infinite Access plans are great as you get the latest iPhone and Galaxy each year for free. Their data threshold for their lowest paying plan is 30GB for $25/mo and their highest paying plan gets you 50GB of high-speed premium data for $60/mo. We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

6. Red Pocket Mobile’s Customer Service

Red Pocket Mobile does not have any physical store locations. They offer 24/7 support via their Help Center and 7 day a week service via their email which is [email protected]. You can call for support over the phone at 1-712-775-8777 or text them at 305-842-3314. They also have a Live Chat Bubble on their website.

7. Red Pocket Mobile: Review Summary

Red Pocket Mobile has some of the cheapest market-value phone plans on the market, if you are someone that doesn’t use data a lot and only uses their phone for calling and texting, Red Pocket Mobile is definitely a worthy pick. However if you are looking for a carrier that offers higher-data packages you might want to look somewhere else.

The Good:

• Red Pocket Mobile’s plans are super budget-friendly and they will never increase or change on you.
• You have your choice of network coverage.
• Red Pocket allows you to keep your phone and phone number when switching over.
• There’s no contract with their plans.

The Bad:

• You will be subject to data deprioritization which means your data speeds could be inconsistent when you’re out in public not on wifi.
• It can be a bit confusing on how their plans work and choosing your network coverage.
• You aren’t getting a ton of data per plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

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

We’ve taken a look and looked at Red Pocket Mobile Reviews before and covered even more about them through here on our REALLY Red Pocket Mobile section.

And if you want to compare and contrast Red Pocket Mobile 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.