Prepaid and specialty carriers

These carriers offer prepaid services and cater to a specific audience. Some are Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) that do not operate their own cellular network, but lease network space from national carriers instead.

TracFone
TracFone is an MVNO that serves 10 million customers nationwide. The carrier offers services under three brands: TracFone, Net10, and Safelink. The latter is a government-supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime for income-eligible customers. Though all service is prepaid, rates, service options, and handset selection will differ between the TracFone and Net10 brands. Unlike most carriers, the carrier offers both CDMA and GSM phones, though handsets are limited to basic models mostly from Motorola and LG. It does not offer 3G or push-to-talk services.

Click here for TracFone's coverage map.

Things you should know:

• TracFone does not permit international roaming, but it does offer international long distance. Also, you can choose to provide friends and family in Canada or Mexico with a local phone number in their area. Calls made to that number will then forward to your U.S. number.
• TracFone offers prepaid service only.
• All services include messaging options.
• You'll need to keep an account balance to avoid losing your phone number. Purchased airtime does not expire.
• TracFone neither charges activation fees nor does it conduct credit checks.
• Your handset choice, rates, and service options will depend on which brand (TracFone, Net10, and Safelink) you use.
• The carrier offers both CDMA and GSM phones. However, the handset selection is limited to basic models from Kyocera, Motorola, and LG.

What do CNET users think of TracFone? Fans say it's "great for occasional users," but others said TracFone "won't stand by the customer. " To leave your own opinion, and for more information, see our TracFone carrier page.

Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile is a wireless brand that is wholly owned by Sprint Nextel. It serves 4 million customers in 45 states. Though originally it marketed its service toward a young, urban audience, Boost is now geared toward all budget-minded consumers. It does not require contracts or credit checks. The primary monthly plan offers unlimited calling, messaging, and Web browsing, but customers can also pay by the minute or by the day. All plans feature push-to-talk services. Originally launched in both New Zealand and Australia in 2001, Boost USA launched in 2003.

Click here for Boost Mobile's coverage map.

Things you should know:

• As an iDEN carrier, international coverage is limited to a small portion of Baja California, Mexico.
• Boost offers a monthly plan with unlimited voice calls, push-to-talk, and Web browsing. You can also pay for voice calling by the day or by the minute.
• Exact services will vary by plan, but push-to-talk is available for all customers.
• Boost does not charge activation fees or roaming fees, nor does it require contracts or credit checks.
• Boost offers Motorola phones that are similar to those used by Nextel.
• Boost operates on Nextel's network.
• This carrier does not offer a 3G network.

What do CNET users think of Boost Mobile? Opinions ranged from "great service at a great price" to "nice unlimited plan, but poor service." To leave your own opinion, and for more information, see our Boost Mobile carrier page.

Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile markets its prepaid service to the youth market. Its phones are sold in many retail locations and online. As an MVNO, it does not operate its own cellular network, but leases from Sprint. In 2008, Virgin Mobile bought Helio, another MVNO, and merged the two operations. Helio phones typically come with EV-DO support, GPS, and seamless integration with social networking services such as Facebook and MySpace.

Click here for Virgin Mobile's coverage map.

Things you should know:

• As a CDMA carrier, international coverage is limited.
• There is no activation fee for Virgin Mobile or Helio services.
• Multiple payment options are available including prepaid plans and monthly plans with no contract. Unlimited messaging plans are available.
• Only Helio has monthly contract plans. They are divided into all-in plans, which have unlimited features, and a la carte plans, which let you choose which features you want.
• Some of Helio's 3G offerings include premium video content from content partners such as VH1 and Comedy Central. There's also Helio Music, Helio's over-the-air music download service.
• Most Virgin Mobile phones (not Helio) are basic handsets aimed for budget-conscious consumers. Yet, handsets will cost more without a service rebate.
• All monthly plans include unlimited nights and weekends. Pay-as-you-go plans have rollover minutes.
• There are no roaming or long distance charges.

What do CNET users think of Virgin Mobile? Opinions ranged from "fun, functional, and affordable" to "horrendous customer service with a misleading Web site." To leave your own opinion, and for more information, see our Virgin Mobile carrier page.

Kajeet
Kajeet is an MVNO tailored especially for families. It includes the Kajeet Navigator, which is a Web portal software application found on all its phones, and the Kajeet Configurator, a Web-based application that you can access from your PC's browser. The Configurator allows parents to add a phone for another kid, set up approved and blocked phone numbers, and manage their accounts online. Kajeet utilizes the Sprint backbone to deliver its service and is compatible with a variety of handsets purchased directly from Kajeet.

Click here for Kajeet's coverage map.

Things you should know:

• As a CDMA carrier, international coverage is limited.
• There is no activation fee and no early termination fee.
• It offers two payment options: pay-as-you-go and monthly plans with no contract required.
• There is no unlimited call plan; the maximum is 300 minutes for $29.99 a month. Extra minutes cost 10 cents each, and you can get a "nights and weekends" plan for $9.99 a month that lets you make up to 1,000 minutes worth of calls.
• You can get unlimited messaging for $19.99 a month. If you subscribe to the 200 and 1,000 text allotments ($4.99 a month and $9.99 a month, respectively) and you run out, additional texts costs 10 cents.
• Parents can use the GPS locator to find the location of their child's phone. The GPS service is only free for the first month; it's $9.99 a month after that.
• Parental controls are free. They are easily accessible via the Kajeet Web site.
• You can set spending limits for your children with a monthly allowance, and you can set time limits as well. You can also control your child's address book by blocking certain numbers.

What do CNET users think of Kajeet? Opinions ranged from "a safe first cell phone" to "love the idea, but customer service is laughable." To leave your own opinion, and for more information, see our Kajeet carrier page.

Jitterbug
Jitterbug is the first MVNO in the United that is geared primarily toward senior citizens. Its phones are designed to mimic a real landline phone. The buttons are big, the keypad is roomy, and the display is easy to read. There's even a real dial tone when you turn it on. The carrier operates over Sprint's network and is therefore a CDMA carrier. It is usually offered where there's Sprint network coverage.

Click here for Jitterbug's coverage map.

Things you should know:

• As a CDMA carrier, international coverage is limited.
• There is a one-time activation fee of $35.
• It offers two payment options: pay-as-you-go and monthly plans with no contract required.
• Subscribers can reach an operator 24 hours a day. Operators give directory assistance, connect calls, and make changes to contact lists. Calls to an operator are deducted from the monthly minutes.
• For $80 a month, you can get the Simple PLUS plan that includes free operator services, free voice mail, and free texting. Without the PLUS plan, these services have fees. Voice mail, for example, is $3 a month.
• If you don't like monthly fees, you can pay a lump sum of $120 for 12 months of service and free voice mail. You still have to purchase minutes, though.
• Your minutes expire after 90 days.

What do CNET users think of Jitterbug? Opinions ranged from "senior citizen salvation" to "this is a rip-off and a scam." To leave your own opinion, and for more information, see our Jitterbug carrier page.

	TracFone	Boost Mobile	Virgin Mobile	Kajeet	Jitterbug
Technology	CDMA; GSM	iDEN	CDMA	CDMA	CDMA
3G network	No	No	EV-DO	No	No
Data plans	No	No	No	No	No
Streaming video network	No	No	Yes	No	No
Music download service	No	No	Yes	No	No
Mobile TV service	No	No	No	No	No
Push-to-talk	No	No	No	No	No

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