WHAT’S BIG WIRELESS HIDING FROM YOU? CONSUMER CELLULAR CEO ED EVANS EXPOSES THE FACTS BEHIND ALL THAT FINE PRINT.
Fact #1
“You may not need that Big Wireless unlimited plan. As we get older, we use less data on our wireless phone.”
Check out this chart—and then check your actual data usage to see whether you really need that Big Wireless unlimited plan.
Source: Circana Connected Intelligence SmartMeter and iOS Tracking Survey - Q4 2023
How much data are you actually using?
iOS: Go to Settings >> Cellular. Scroll down until you see Usage.
Android: Go to Settings >> Network & internet >> Mobile network >> App data usage.
Fact #2
“No one is giving you a free phone. You’re paying for that phone over time with an overpriced rate plan and a long-term commitment.”
Get out your readers for all this Big Wireless fine print—here are several examples from those “Phone On Us” promotions, straight from their websites, as of 5/13/25:
Verizon
Up to $649.99 purchase w/new or upgraded smartphone line on Unlimited Ultimate, postpaid Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Welcome plan (min. $65/mo w/Auto Pay (+taxes/fees) for 36 mos) req'd. Less up to $650 trade-in/promo credit applied over 36 mos.; promo credit ends if eligibility req’s are no longer met; 0% APR. For upgrades, trade-in phone must be active on account for 60 days prior to new device purchase. Trade-in must be from Apple, Google or Samsung; trade-in terms apply.
T-Mobile
Contact us before canceling entire account to continue remaining bill credits, or credits stop & balance on required finance agreement is due (e.g., $299.99 – moto edge 5G 2024). Bill credits end if you pay off device early.
So yeah, that “phone on us” is really a contract that often requires a minimum spend. You’ll have to have to agree not to leave the carrier early, or you’ll owe money for that ‘free’ phone.
Fact #3
“Check the fine print on that $15/month plan. It’s probably an intro price that’ll double or triple later, and you might have to pay for several months of service up front.”
From Mint’s very own website:
Upfront payment of $45 for 3-month plan (equiv. to $15/mo.) req’d. New customer offer for first 3 months only; then full-price plan options available. Taxes & fees extra. Customers who use over 35GB/mo. may notice reduced speeds for the rest of the monthly cycle in certain locations when our network is busy. Includes up to 10GB hotspot. Videos stream at 480p. Availability, speed & coverage varies.
What happens after 3 months?
Renew for 3 months at $25/month and $75 up front, or 6 months for $20/month with $120 due up front
Fact #4
“Beware cable company wireless plans. Most of your usage will be on Wi-Fi instead of 5G and your calls and battery life could suffer.”
From Norton, more on how Wi-Fi drains your battery. Read more. And, Here's the scoop, straight from Comcast:
“Because 90 percent of Xfinity Mobile Internet traffic travels over WiFi, not cellular…”
More light reading about Comcast’s 5G from another source:
“As for Comcast's 5G buildout, the company is hoping to use its 5G efforts to reduce its MVNO payments to Verizon. The company is already working to offload its Xfinity Mobile traffic onto its Wi-Fi network.”
Don’t get bamboozled by Big Wireless. Switch to Consumer Cellular and get the exact same coverage using the exact same towers, without the big wireless bill.
