List of mobile network operators in the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of mobile network operators (MNOs) in the United States. The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA), lists approximately 30 facilities-based wireless service providers in the United States as members. Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) has over 1000 members.[1][dead link] Aside from the facilities-based providers, there are over 50 virtual operators that use the top three networks to provide service.
Big three American wireless providers
The big three wireless telecommunications facilities-based service providers by subscriber count in the United States are:
| Company | Subscribers | Date | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon |  146.8 million | Q1 2026 | [2] |
| T-Mobile US | 142.6 million | Q1 2026 | [3][a] |
| AT&T Mobility | 109.3 million | Q1 2026 | [4][b] |
Technologies used
The big three wireless providers have standardized on 4G LTE and 5G NR as their wireless communication standards and have enabled VoLTE and VoNR on their networks. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon also sell SIM cards through their retail channels, both in-store and online.
The big three wireless providers operate nationwide wireless networks which cover most of the population in the United States, while smaller carriers provide native network coverage across selected regions of the United States while supplementing nationwide coverage through roaming agreements with other carriers.
Facilities-based service providers
The following tables lists service providers that own and manage their network equipment and facilities. Unless specified otherwise the subscriber count includes subscribers on the virtual networks hosted.
Active Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the Contiguous United States
| Operator | Voice technology | Data technology | Subscribers (in millions) | Coverage (excluding roaming) | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian Wireless[5] | VoLTE | LTE | 0.138[6] (February 2021) | KY, WV | East Kentucky Network, LLC |
| AT&T Mobility •Includes FirstNet and Cricket Wireless |
VoLTE, VoNR, VoIP, Wi-Fi calling | LTE, NR | 109.3 (Q1 2026)[4] | Contiguous US; AK, HI | AT&T Inc. |
| Big River Broadband | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | MO | Big River Telephone |
| Bravado Wireless | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | OK | Cross Communications |
| Bug Tussel Wireless | UMTS | HSPA+, LTE | Unknown | WI | Bug Tussel Wireless, LLC |
| C Spire | VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling | LTE, NR | 1.2[7] (May 2016) | MS, TN, FL, AL, | Telapex, Inc. |
| Carolina West Wireless | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | 0.08 (April 2013)[8] | NC | Carolina West Wireless, Inc. |
| Cellcom | VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling | LTE, 5G NR[9] | 0.3[10] (July 2013) | WI | NSight Telservices |
| Cellular One of North East Arizona | GSM, UMTS, VoLTE | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | 0.1[6] (July 2018) | AZ, CO, NM, UT | Smith Bagley Inc. |
| Colorado Valley Communications | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | TX | Colorado Valley Telephone Coop |
| Commnet Wireless | GSM, UMTS, VoLTE | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | Unknown | AZ, CO, MT, NM, NV, TX, UT, WY | Atlantic Tele-Network |
| Custer Telephone Cooperative | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | ID | Custer Telephone Cooperative, Inc |
| DTC Wireless | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | TN | Advantage Cellular Systems, Inc. |
| ETC | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | IN | Miles Communications |
| Evolve Broadband | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | TX | Worldcall Interconnect Inc. |
| FTC Wireless | UMTS | HSPA+, LTE[11] | Unknown | SC | Farmers Telephone Cooperative Inc. |
| Infrastructure Networks | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | TX, ND | Infrastructure Networks, Inc. |
| Inland Cellular | VoLTE[12] | LTE | 0.013[13](July 2013) | WA, ID | Inland Cellular |
| Limitless Mobile | UMTS | HSPA+, LTE | Unknown | PA | Limitless Mobile, LLC |
| Sagebrush Cellular | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | 0.012[14] | MT, ND | Nemont Telephone Cooperative |
| Nex-Tech Wireless | VoLTE[15] | LTE, 5G NR[16] | Unknown | KS | Nex-Tech |
| NNTC Wireless | CDMA2000 | EV-DO | Unknown | CO | Nucla Naturita Telephone Company |
| Northern Pacific Wireless | VoIP, Wi-Fi calling | 802.11EX Hybrid Data Transfer | Unknown | CA | NorthernPW LLC. |
| NVC | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | 0.01 | SD | James Valley Telecommunications |
| Pine Belt Wireless | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | AL | Pine Belt Communications |
| Pine Cellular | GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | Unknown | OK | Pine Cellular, Inc |
| PTCI | GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | Unknown | OK | Panhandle Telecommunication Systems, Inc |
| Redzone Wireless | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | ME | Redzone Wireless, LLC |
| Rock Wireless | UMTS | HSPA+, LTE[17] | Unknown | ND, SD | Standing Rock Telecom (Tribally Owned) |
| RTC Communications | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | IN | RTC Communications, LLC |
| Silver Star Communications | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | WY | Silver Star Telephone Company, Inc |
| Snake River PCS | CDMA2000 | EV-DO | Unknown | OR | Eagle Telephone System |
| Southern Linc | VoLTE | LTE | 0.17[18] (April 2011) | AL, GA, MS, FL | Southern Company |
| STRATA Networks | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | UT, WY, CO | Uintah Basin Electronics Telecommunications, Inc. |
| Tampnet | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | Gulf of Mexico | Tampnet |
| Thumb Cellular | VoLTE | LTE | 0.037 | MI | Agri-Valley Communications |
| T-Mobile US •Includes Metro by T-Mobile, Assurance Wireless, Mint Mobile, and Ultra Mobile |
GSM, VoLTE, VoNR, VoIP, Wi-Fi calling | EDGE, LTE, NR | 142.4 (Q4 2025)[3] | Contiguous US; HI, PR, VI | Deutsche Telekom AG (51.4%) SoftBank Group Corporation (7.6%) |
| Union Wireless | UMTS | HSPA+, LTE | 0.041[14] | WY, CO | Union Telephone |
| United Wireless | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | 0.022[19] (Sep 2016) | KS | United Wireless Communications, Inc. |
| Verizon •Includes Verizon Fios, Verizon Value, and Visible by Verizon |
VoLTE, VoNR, VoIP, Wi-Fi calling | LTE, NR | 146.8 (Q1 2026)[2] | Contiguous US; AK, HI | Verizon Communications Inc. |
| Viaero Wireless | UMTS, VoLTE | HSPA+, LTE | 0.110[14] | CO, KS, NE, SD, WY | Northeast Colorado Cellular, Inc. |
| VTel Wireless | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | VT | Vermont Telephone Company, Inc. |
| WUE | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | NV | Wue, Inc. |
Active Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Alaska and Hawaii
| Operator | Voice technology | Data technology | Subscribers | Coverage (excluding roaming) | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTAC | UMTS | HSPA+, LTE | Unknown | AK | The Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative |
| AT&T Mobility | VoLTE, VoNR, VoIP, Wi-Fi calling | LTE, NR | See above | Contiguous US; AK, HI | AT&T Inc. |
| Bristol Bay Cellular Partnership | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | AK | BBTC Inc. |
| Copper Valley Telecom | VoLTE | LTE | Unknown | AK | Copper Valley Telephone Cooperative, Inc |
| Cordova Wireless | GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | Unknown | AK | Cordova Telephone |
| GCI Wireless | GSM, UMTS, VoLTE | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE, NR | 219,000[20] | AK | GCI |
| Ketchikan Public Utilities | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | AK | Ketchikan Public Utilities |
| mobi | VoNR, VoLTE | NR, LTE | 55,000[21] | HI | mobi, Inc. |
| OTZ Cellular | GSM | EDGE, LTE | Unknown | AK | OTZ Telephone Cooperative |
| TelAlaska Cellular | GSM | EDGE, LTE | Unknown | AK | American Broadband |
| T-Mobile | GSM, VoLTE, VoNR, VoIP, Wi-Fi calling | EDGE, LTE, NR | See above | Contiguous US; HI, PR, VI | Deutsche Telekom AG (48%) SoftBank Group Corporation (4%) free float (48%) |
| Verizon | VoLTE, VoNR, VoIP, Wi-Fi calling | LTE, NR | See above | Contiguous US; AK, HI | Verizon Communications Inc. |
Active Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Puerto Rico and United States Virgin Islands
| Operator | Voice technology | Data technology | Subscribers (in millions) | Coverage (excluding roaming) | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claro (formerly Verizon) | GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | 1.6[22] (Q2 2020) | PR | América Móvil |
| Liberty Puerto Rico (formerly AT&T) | VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling | LTE, NR | 0.9[23] (Q3 2024) | PR, VI | Liberty Latin America[24] |
| T-Mobile | GSM, VoLTE, VoNR,[25] VoIP, Wi-Fi calling | EDGE, LTE, NR | See above | Contiguous US; HI, PR, VI | Deutsche Telekom AG (48%) SoftBank Group Corporation (4%) free float (48%)[26] |
| Viya | GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | Unknown | VI | ATN International[27] |
Active Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
Active Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in American Samoa
Defunct, merged and acquired operators
Some operators listed below may still function as a separate brand but they no longer own any infrastructure (towers, network, etc.).
| Operator | Voice technology | Data technology | Subscribers (millions) | End date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airfire Mobile | GSM | EDGE | 0.02 | June 2014 | Acquired by U.S. Cellular.[29] |
| Alaska Communications | GSM, UMTS (legacy: CDMA2000[30]) | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE (legacy: EV-DO[30]) | 0.103[31] (December 2014) | February 2015 | Acquired by GCI[32] |
| Alltel | CDMA | CDMA2000, EV-DO | 13 (at peak) | September 2013 | Acquired by Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility.[33] |
| AT&T Wireless Services | GSM | EDGE | 22 | October 2004 | Acquired by Cingular Wireless, which later rebranded to AT&T Mobility.[34] |
| Big Sky Mobile | GSM | EDGE | Unknown | 2017 | Sold spectrum licenses to AT&T and T-Mobile and exited the business.[35] |
| Blaze Wireless | GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | Unknown | December 2019 | Parent company, Pinpoint Communications, discontinued cellular service and spectrum leases through Viaero Wireless were cancelled. |
| Blue Wireless | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | July 2020 | Exited business and sold spectrum licenses to Verizon.[36] |
| Bluegrass Cellular | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | 0.210 (March 2021)[37] | March 2021 | Acquired by Verizon.[37] |
| Boost Mobile | VoNR, Wi-Fi calling | NR | 7.51 | December 2025 | Became an AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile US hybrid MVNO. |
| Breakaway Wireless | CDMA2000 | EV-DO | Unknown | 2018 | Discontinued cellular service.[38] |
| Cellular One of East Central Illinois | GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA+ | Unknown | January 2016 | Acquired by AT&T Mobility.[39] |
| Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania | CDMA | CDMA2000, EV-DO | Unknown | March 2012 | Acquired by Verizon Wireless.[40] |
| Chariton Valley Wireless | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | 2021 | Acquired by Verizon Wireless[41] |
| Chat Mobility | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | 2021 | Acquired by Verizon Wireless |
| Choice Wireless former Amerilink Wireless | GSM | EDGE | Unknown | 2016 | Became a T-Mobile US MVNO. |
| Choice Wireless | GSM, UMTS, VoLTE | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | Unknown | December 2024 | Choice Wireless (owned by Commnet) has stopped offering wireless service as of December 31, 2024.[42] |
| Cincinnati Bell Wireless | GSM, UMTS, GAN Wi-Fi calling[43] | EDGE, HSPA+ | 0.34[44] (January 2014) | February 2015 | Spectrum assets acquired by Verizon Wireless, service to any customers remaining on the network was shut off after February 28, 2015.[45] |
| Cleartalk affiliate of Clear Talk Wireless | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | 2016 | WGH Communications sold South Carolina licenses to T-Mobile US and exited the business |
| ClearTalk Wireless Flat Wireless | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | 2017 | Flat Wireless assets acquired by Sprint. |
| Clearwire | WiMAX | 11[46] (June 2012) | December 2013 | Acquired by Sprint.[47] | |
| Corr Wireless | GSM | EDGE | 0.02[48] | 2013 | Acquired by AT&T Mobility.[48] |
| CTC Wireless | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | 2019 | Exited wireless business. |
| DTC Wireless | GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA+ | Unknown | 2017 | Discontinued cellular service, though still offers fixed wireless service.[49] |
| Element Mobile | CDMA2000 | EV-DO | 0.077[50] (August 2011) | 2013 | Acquired by AT&T Mobility.[51][52] |
| Epic PCS | GSM | EDGE | Unknown | 2015 | Acquired by United Wireless and PTCI.[53] |
| Farmers Mutual Telephone Company | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | 2018 | Sold spectrum licenses to Verizon Wireless and Eltopia Communications and became a Verizon Wireless MVNO. |
| Fuego Wireless | LTE | Unknown | 2016 | Sold network and spectrum licenses to AT&T and Infrastructure Networks[54] | |
| Golden State Cellular | CDMA2000 | EV-DO | 0.018[55] | 2014 | Acquired by Verizon Wireless.[56] |
| Illinois Valley Cellular | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | December 2023 | Acquired by AT&T Mobility[57] |
| Indigo Wireless | GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | 0.0004 (2023)[58] | 2023 | Acquired by AT&T Mobility[58] |
| iWireless | GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | Unknown | 2018 | Acquired by T-Mobile US.[59] |
| KTC PACE | GSM | EDGE | Unknown | 2015 | Became an AT&T Mobility MVNO.[60] |
| Leap Wireless (Cricket Communications, Inc.) •Includes Cricket PAYGo & RadioShack No Contract Wireless | CDMA, GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | 4.57[61] (February 2014) | 2014 | Acquired by AT&T Mobility.[61] |
| Long Lines Wireless | GSM | EDGE | 0.018[62](November 2013) | December 2013 | Acquired by AT&T Mobility[63] |
| MTA Solutions | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | 2017 | Discontinued cellular service.[64] |
| MetroPCS Communications, Inc. | CDMA | EV-DO, LTE | 9.5 | May 2013 | Acquired by T-Mobile US.[65] |
| Mid-Rivers Communications | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | 0.001 | August 2019 | Exited wireless business and sold network to Verizon Wireless.[66] |
| miSpot | LTE | Unknown | November 2014 | ||
| MobileNation | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | 0.02[14] | January 2020 | Exited wireless business.[67] |
| Mosaic Telecom | UMTS | HSPA+, LTE | Unknown | 2016 | Discontinued cellular service[68] |
| NEP Wireless | GSM | EDGE, LTE | 0.011[69] (June 2010) | September 2015 | [70] |
| Nextel | iDEN | WiDEN | 15 (Apr 2004) | 2004 | Acquired by Sprint.[71] |
| NorthwestCell | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | December 2024 | Exited wireless business, customers urged to switch to Verizon. |
| NMobile | CDMA2000 | EV-DO | Unknown | June 2018 | Discontinued cellular service.[72] |
| nTelos | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | 0.300 (September 2015) | May 2016 | Acquired by Shentel[73] |
| Peoples Wireless | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | 2015 | [74] |
| Phoenix Communications | GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA | Unknown | 2018 | Sold to Hillary Communications and cellular service discontinued.[75] |
| Pioneer Cellular | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | 0.06[6] (January 2014) | 2023 | Discountinued cellular service.[58] |
| Plateau Wireless | GSM, UMTS | EDGE, HSPA+ | 0.042[76] (September 2014) | 2014 | Acquired by AT&T Mobility.[77] |
| Pocket Communications | CDMA2000 | 1xRTT | Unknown | October 2010 | Merged with Cricket.[78] |
| PrimeCo Wireless | CDMA | Unknown | Unknown | 1999 | Became Verizon Wireless.[79] |
| Revol Wireless | CDMA | CDMA2000, EV-DO | Unknown | January 2014 | Sold spectrum licenses to Sprint.[80] Subscribers transferred to Boost Mobile.[81] |
| Shentel •T-Mobile Affiliate [82] | VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling (legacy: CDMA2000[83]) | LTE (legacy: EV-DO[83]) | 0.84 [84] (July 2020) | July 2021 | Wireless assets acquired by T-Mobile US.[85] |
| Sprint Corporation •Including hosted virtual operators, and Boost Mobile | VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling (legacy: CDMA2000[83]) | LTE, NR (legacy: EV-DO[83]) | 54.1[86] (December 2019) | April 2020 | Merged with T-Mobile US on April 1, 2020.[87][88][89] |
| Standing Rock Telecom | CDMA2000 | EV-DO | Unknown | November 2014 | Shut down CDMA for UMTS/LTE and rebranded to Rock Wireless |
| Stelera Wireless | HSPA | Unknown | April 2013 | Defunct.[90] | |
| Syringa Wireless | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | 0.00135 | December 2015 | Discontinued cellular service[91] |
| TerreStar | GSM | EDGE, HSPA | Unknown | 2010 | Acquired by Dish Network[92] |
| Triangle Mobile | CDMA2000 | EV-DO, LTE | Unknown | 2021 | Acquired by Verizon.[93] |
| UScellular | VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling | LTE, NR | 4.4 (Q1 2025)[94] | August 2025 | Acquired by T-Mobile[95] |
| West Central Wireless •Including Right Wireless and Five Star Wireless | GSM, UMTS, VoLTE | EDGE, HSPA+, LTE | 0.04[96] (November 2012) | August 2023 | Acquired by Verizon.[97] |
| Westlink Wireless | GSM | EDGE | Unknown | 2013 | Acquired by United Wireless.[98] |