How We Chose The Best Senior Cell Phone Plans
When picking out the best senior cell phone plans, we evaluated each provider on the following criteria:
- Fair pricing: Between hidden fees, setup charges, and other unexpected costs, working with a cellular provider can induce quite the headache. All of the providers on this list feature straightforward pricing so you can avoid any surprises on your monthly bill.
- Reliable coverage: It goes without saying that a cell phone should be able to function just about anywhere, so we looked for providers with the widest nationwide coverage.
- Ample minutes, messages, and data: With many people ditching their landline service altogether, youll likely need a good amount of usage included with your plan. All of the plans listed here offer affordable unlimited plans that wont saddle you with costly overage charges.
- Senior-specific features: No matter ones age, we all want a phone for communication purposes. With that said, some providers like Lively have senior-specific features such as urgent response buttons and hearing-aid-compatible devices.
- Device options: While its tempting to assume that all seniors want the same big-button flip phones, we know that everyone is different. We looked for providers that offer a range of devices, including providers that allow you to bring your own phone and keep your current number.
Talk And Text Cell Phone Plans
These plans, offered by providers such as Lively, Consumer Cellular, and Snapfon, allow you to build your own plan with a monthly allowance of minutes, messages, andin some casesdata. These are a great option for people who already have an existing home phone, allowing you to opt for an affordable monthly plan to use when you need it. With these plans, some providers will offer periods where calls are free.
How Do I Switch Cell Phone Providers
The ease of switching providers will depend on your current provider, your current plans details and whether your contract includes early termination fees.
Some decisions need to be worked out with your current provider and new carriermainly whether to keep your existing phone and phone number. Its also important to find out if youre locked into a plan.
Regardless, here are a few key steps to preparing to make the switch:
Do your research. Know which plan youd like to switch to and contact your current provider to get the details of your current contract, particularly if youre locked in.
If you do have a contract, check with your current provider to find out if there are early termination fees. If youd like to keep your current phone, make sure your phone isnt lockedwhich means you can only use the phone with your existing providers phone plans. Finally, ask your new provider whether you can use your existing phone.
Prepare your details for your new provider. Be ready to provide the following to your new wireless carrier:
- Your name and address
- Your phones ESN/IMEI number if youre keeping the phone
- Your phone number
To make the switch, contact your new cell phone carrier online, by phone or in person at a store. Theyll take your information and switch your service to your selected plan. Once you activate your new plan with your new carrier, your old service should automatically terminate. If you experience any issues, contact your old carrier.
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Is The Snapfon Ez4g Right For Me
Snapfon ez4G is an excellent option for on-the-go seniors. The 4G LTE internet access provides connectivity away from home, and the SOS emergency features offer monitoring for added safety. The ez4G can double as a hotspot, so older adults who enjoy working outside of the home can do so anywhere their network is available. The highest data plan is 3 GB, so this phone is best for seniors with low to moderate internet usage.
Considerations For Cell Phone Plans
First, figure out the priorities for your cell phone plan. Youll want to think ahead about whether you want:
- Talk, text and/or mobile internet
- Contract or pay-as-you-go
- Flexibility in changing plans
- Senior discounts
Before you shop for cell phone plans, decide what is make-or-break for your communication needs. Seniors may have a specific idea of what they want for example unlimited talking minutes. Check in with your loved one to make sure you find the right plan.
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Best Unlimited Data Plan For Seniors
T-Mobile Essentials 55 Plus | 2-line plan | $55/month – Best value unlimited senior plan T-Mobile has a fantastic offer for its senior customers . You can get two unlimited lines for just $55 a month . This comes with unlimited data, calls, and texts with no speed restrictions, 3G mobile hotspot data and scam protection you also get access to T-Mobile’s 5G access at no extra cost. However, you are limited to SD streaming and if you’re traveling in Mexico or Canada, your data will be slower. You can upgrade to T-Mobile’s Magenta 55 Plus plan, where you get two lines of data for $70/month. The 55-plus Magenta plan includes free Netflix, LTE mobile hotspot data, and more.Pros: Affordable price No annual contract 5G at no extra costCons: Limited to 2G in Mexico/Canada Only SD streaming
Other Affordable Phone Service Options
If the cheap landline phone service for seniors, Lifeline, is not enough to make landline service affordable, there are a few other options that can be helpful.
If you have an internet connection, Skype calling can be free or very inexpensive. Calling another persons Skype account is free. If you want to make calls to another persons landline or mobile phone, a monthly subscription can cost as little as $2.99/month.
is another service that can be used to make free calls from a device with an internet connection. However, it is important to note that Google Voice cannot make emergency calls.
Finally, Low Income Relief has some more really helpful information on low cost phone service providers and information on how to get free and low cost cell phone service!
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Senior Phone Plans Features
- 4G LTE & 5G data speeds: Since MVNOs operate on the big three cellular networks you’ll pay less without sacrificing speed. More and more are adding 5G coverage all the time so you can expect high-speed data.
- Unlimited talk and text messaging: Finding a new unlimited plan has never been easier. Virtually all small carriers include unlimited text and calls in their plan options. Compare cheap talk and text plans with or without data.
- International calls to Canada and Mexico: International calling is a must for many people. Luckily MVNOs offer some of the best international phone plans, with free calling to certain countries like Canada and Mexico, and discounted rates on others.
- Multiline discounts: Low-cost carriers also offer some of the cheapest family cell phone plans, with multi-line discounts.
- Wi-Fi calling: This feature is handy when you’re out of your service area, allowing you to make calls over the internet instead of on your cellular connection.
- Tethering/hotspot data: Many low-cost carriers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot. Pick an MVNO with the best mobile hotspot plans so you can share your mobile hotspot data with other devices.
- HD video streaming: Just like the big guys, some MVNOs offer HD video streaming and some don’t. Read the fine print to find the option you want.
Switch To A Cheap Senior Phone Plan
It’s never been easier to switch. Let’s break it down.
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How Much Does Consumer Cellulars Link Ii Cost
The pricing for both Consumer Cellulars Link II and their cell phone plans are big wins for us. The phone itself is a one-time fee of $59 plus tax, and its compatible with Consumer Cellulars wide range of plan options, starting at $20 per month for one line.
Best of all, these plans require no contracts, so you wont have to worry about early termination fees if you need to switch services. Its important to note that the monthly price per line for Consumer Cellulars plans decreases as you add more lines. That means you could save a few bucks per line if you add a spouse or other family members to your plan.
The Best Cell Phone Plans For Seniors For September 2022
Here are the best cell phone plans for seniors for you to consider this month
Finding the best cell phone plans for seniors needn’t be a hassle – it can actually be relatively simple thanks to our handy guide. We’ve tirelessly researched all the nation’s favorite carriers to determine which ones, in our opinion, offer particularly strong options for older citizens.
Like all phone users, the requirements of older folks differ widely from person to person, so we’ve made sure our best cell phone plans for seniors takes into account a wide array of differing requirements. Just need the basics? We’ve got you covered with some fantastic, easy-to-use plans. Alternatively, if you’re interested in getting a plan with unlimited data then you’ll also find the best value options rounded up here.
Firstly, here’s a very quick summary of our top choices.
- Mint Mobile – best all-rounder
- Tello – best for flexibility
- Ultra Mobile – best pay as you go
- T-Mobile – best unlimited data plan
We’re deep-diving into why these are the best cell phone plans for seniors just down below and you’ll find plenty more options to consider as well. Before we do that, however, here are a few top tips to help you find the right plan for you as well as a quick explainer on the jargon that’s commonly used with senior cell phone plans. If you’d like to see a run-down of the market as a whole, head on over to our main best cell phone plans article to see our top contenders this month.
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Talk And Text Phone Plans For Seniors
Talk and text phone plans are for people who use their phones only for talking and texting. Theyre good for seniors who dont have smartphones or dont use their phones to download apps, watch videos or browse the internet. Many cell phone service providers offer customizable or unlimited talk and text plans. They are often less expensive than those that include data
Other Plans To Consider
While senior-specific phone plans and senior discounts are great, they arent your only options. If youre looking for the absolute cheapest mobile phone plan available, youll want to check out Tello Mobile. Mint Mobile also offers incredibly low prices, including the cheapest option for an unlimited phone plan. And Visible offers four lines for $100 per month.
In addition to senior phone plans and senior discounts, here are three other plans to consider:
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Tello Mobile offers the cheapest cell phone plans Ive found, and it runs on T-Mobiles reliable network. You can get unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data for $10 monthly. If you dont need the 1GB of data, you can get an even cheaper plan with unlimited talk and text for just $8 per month. You can also bring your own phone to Tello if its eligible.
To learn more about Tello, be sure to check out our review. You can also visit Tellos website to begin building your perfect cheap cell phone plan.
If youre looking for another cheap prepaid phone plan on T-Mobiles network, also be sure to check out the new T-Mobile Connect plans. They also begin at $10 per month for 1GB of data.
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No Stress
Our Best Cell Phone Plans – Fit for Every Lifestyle
From light data users to heavyweights – and everybody in between – Cricket has what you need. Whether you choose our cheapest cell phone data plan at $30/mo, or our unlimited data plan at $55/mo, you’ll get the same great service from Cricket Wireless.
Choosing the right cell phone plan is important
If you get a plan with too little high-speed data, you could run out, making it difficult to surf the web quickly, stream your music, or do many of the things you enjoy on your phone. On the other hand, if you’re a light data user, you could buy a plan that has more high-speed data than you need, and wind up paying too much. But how do you know which plan is right for you? Simple. The best cell phone plan is the one that matches your usage habits. That’s why at Cricket, you have options.
Heavyweight data users are those who:
- Stream SD TV shows, movies, and music
- Play online games
- Surf the web and post on social media regularly
Heavyweight data users can rely on Cricket for high-speed data. We recommend our Cricket More plan . Or, try our Cricket Core plan*** / 4 Mbps . Learn more about our newest offering, 5G, at cricketwireless.com/5G.html.
*Cricket may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy.
***Download speeds max 8 Mbps / 4 Mbps . Video streaming at 1.5 Mbps. Cricket may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy.
Light data users are those who:
How To Qualify As A Senior For Lifeline And Acp
There are several ways a senior may qualify for Lifeline and ACP.
As a senior, you may qualify for Lifeline if your income is 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. To view a chart of this income table, .
You can also qualify if you are receiving benefits from one of the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Veterans Pensions or Survivors Pension
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Other Cell Phone Considerations
As you choose from the best cell phone plans for seniors, its also key to look at the device. The cell phone itself should be comfortable for your senior to use. Some considerations to keep in mind include:
- Flip-phone or smartphone
- GPS tracking enabled
- Emergency call enabled
These are just some aspects to think about as you choose a device that your senior finds easy-to-use. In particular, its essential to have a design that works with the seniors level and comfort. For example, many seniors like smartphones because they can increase the text size on the screen, making it easy to navigate.
How Much Data Do I Need
In this day and age, most people are using their cell phones to check social media, stream video content, or simply browse the internet. If you think you’ll be doing any of those, then it’s definitely worth paying a bit extra to get a data allowance on your cell phone plan.
If you need a bit of help determining how much data you’ll need, here’s a quick guide on how much data TechRadar recommends, based on common uses:
- Emailing and messaging – under 5GB of data a month
- Social media and web browsing – 5GB a month
- Streaming music – 10GB a month
- Streaming HD video – 10GB+ a month
Of course, if you see yourself simply calling and texting only, then you can forgo the data allowance altogether and opt for a cheaper plan – a few of which we’ve included on our best cell phone plans for seniors list above.
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What We Dont Like
Less reliable coverage
Consumer Cellular doesnt have its own network. It piggybacks off of both AT& T and T-Mobile networks to give you coverage. Translation: you should have coverage in most places, but watch out in rural areas,
Heres a look at what kind of coverage you can expect with Consumer Cellular. You get coverage in the green areas.
Your coverage wont be quite reliable as a Verizon wireless signal, for example, but you should have no problem picking up a signal in most areas across the country.
Alternative value picks
If you dont love the sound of Consumer Cellular, there are plenty of other carriers that offer senior citizen discounts. Other providers will probably cost more than Consumer Cellular, but you might get better coverage as a result.
Best Emergency Plan: Lively
Formerly known as GreatCall, Lively is an excellent option for older customers looking for a cellphone plan that’s good for low monthly use, and its emergency features will put users’ and family members’ minds at ease.
Lively offers a Value Talk & Text plan for $14.99 for 300 minutes and 10 cents per text, and an Unlimited Talk & Text Plan for $19.99 per month with unlimited minutes and unlimited texts.
To complete your phone plan, you’ll choose a data option: 100 MB for $2.49 per month, 500 MB for $5 per month, 3 GB for $10 per month, 5 GB for $15 per month, and unlimited for $30 per month.
But Lively really shines with its urgent response offerings, known as Lively Health and Safety packages, which let users immediately access emergency assistance, ask medical questions, summon a locksmith, and more.
The Basic Lively Health and Safety package is $19.99 and includes an urgent response service, while the $24.99 Preferred package adds a “Lively Link,” which alerts designated loved ones when you access the urgent response service. A $34.99 Ultimate package also includes access to a live operator.
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