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Cellphone Plans

Best Cell Phone Plans & Carriers in San Antonio, TX

Jean Gilles

• 8 min read
A picture of the skyline in San Antonio, TX.

Choosing a cell phone plan in San Antonio, Texas, involves finding the right balance of price, coverage, and speed. This guide helps you compare top carriers and plans to make the best choice for your needs. You will learn what makes a plan ideal for you, the strengths of major carriers, how to find affordable options, and essential facts about mobile technology.

What to Consider

Your ideal cell phone plan depends on your unique needs. Consider these factors:

  • Data Use: How much streaming or online activity do you do?
  • Talk & Text: Most plans offer unlimited options.
  • Hotspot Data: Do you share your phone's internet with other devices?
  • International Use: Do you need calling or roaming for Mexico or other countries?
  • Extra Benefits: Some plans include streaming services, security, or discounts.

San Antonio's Top Carriers: Coverage & Speed

Most major carriers provide strong service in San Antonio, but coverage and data speeds vary. The data below is sourced from crowdsourced speed test maps and FCC signal strength data, updated May 22, 2025.

Strongest Coverage & Reliability

When it comes to overall coverage in San Antonio, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer extensive networks. Each covers 100% of the city for overall service, providing reliable signals downtown, in the suburbs, and in less dense areas.

Across Texas, AT&T consistently leads in 4G LTE coverage, reaching 96.25% of the state, followed closely by Verizon at 91.35%. Reliability is scored on a scale of 0 to 10, estimating the likelihood of a usable connection when service is available.

  • AT&T: Offers 100% overall coverage in San Antonio, with an 8.3/10 Reliability Score. Its 5G coverage is 85% in the area, often including faster 5G+ spectrum. Its median download speed is 164.2 Mbps and upload speed is 21 Mbps.
  • Verizon: Provides 100% overall coverage in San Antonio, achieving a 9.5/10 Reliability Score. Its 5G coverage reaches 69% of the city. Their fastest 5G Ultra Wideband is available in specific San Antonio locations, with a median download speed of 156.5 Mbps and upload speed of 12.6 Mbps.

Fastest Speeds in San Antonio: T-Mobile

For blazing-fast downloads and uploads, especially for streaming 4K video, online gaming, or large file transfers, speed becomes the priority. T-Mobile leads the 5G landscape in Texas with exceptional 64.94% 5G reach across the state.

  • T-Mobile: Leads in San Antonio with the fastest speeds, offering a median download speed of 281.1 Mbps and an upload speed of 25 Mbps. It boasts a 10/10 Reliability Score, and its "Ultra Capacity" 5G network provides very fast speeds where available, covering up to 98% of San Antonio with 5G. Source: Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data Q4 2024–Q1 2025, T-Mobile awarded Best Mobile Network in the U.S.

Other carriers in San Antonio:

  • Dish Wireless: Offers 98.7% coverage in San Antonio with a 9.5/10 Reliability Score, and a median download speed of 123.2 Mbps and upload speed of 15.6 Mbps.
  • US Cellular: Has no native coverage in San Antonio, TX.

Actual speeds vary by device, network traffic, and location. Check individual carrier coverage maps with your specific address for the most accurate picture.

Cell Phone Plans: Price and Performance

After considering coverage and speed, evaluate specific plans. There are three main types of carriers in the US: Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), and Carrier-Owned Prepaid Brands. Understanding these distinctions can help you find more affordable options.

  • MNOs (Mobile Network Operators): These are major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, which own and operate their own cellular networks (cell towers, spectrum licenses, fiber optic cables). They also lease network access to MVNOs.
  • MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators): These carriers do not own their networks. Instead, they lease access from MNOs. Examples include US Mobile, Tello, and Red Pocket.
  • Carrier-Owned Prepaid Brands: These are prepaid carriers directly owned and managed by MNOs. For instance, AT&T owns Cricket Wireless, Verizon owns Visible and Total by Verizon, and T-Mobile owns Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile.

Understanding these distinctions is important because MVNOs and carrier-owned prepaid brands often offer the same coverage as the larger MNOs, but at a lower price, potentially saving you money.

Major Carrier Unlimited Plans

  • AT&T: Offers various Unlimited plans, such as Unlimited Premium® PL (top data priority, a generous 60GB mobile hotspot allowance, 4K video streaming) and Unlimited Starter® SL (basic unlimited, 70GB high-speed data then slower, 10GB hotspot, 720p HD video streaming). These plans often include perks like security features and sometimes international benefits. Prices typically decrease per line with multiple lines.
  • Verizon: With their "myPlan" system, Verizon allows you to customize your unlimited plan by adding "perks" that you pay for. Their Unlimited Plus plan offers unlimited talk, text, and high-speed premium data along with a generous 30GB mobile hotspot allowance. Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband is available with select unlimited plans, offering priority data and up to 4K video streaming.
  • T-Mobile: Known for its leading 5G network, T-Mobile's unlimited plans often include substantial 5G data and sometimes additional benefits like free in-flight Wi-Fi and T-Mobile Tuesdays discounts. Their Experience More plan provides unlimited talk, text, and premium data alongside a sizable 50GB mobile hotspot allocation. They also offer promotions for switching. T-Mobile's unlimited plans typically include high-speed data (deprioritized after a certain threshold) with SD video streaming.

Budget-Friendly Plans

For budget-friendly options that still provide good coverage, MVNOs and carrier-owned prepaid brands are smart choices. These carriers use AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile networks, offering similar underlying coverage at a lower price.

Visible (Verizon Network)

Best For: Its 4G LTE and 5G range in San Antonio

Visible is an MVNO that operates on Verizon's network, offering only unlimited plans.

  • Features: Unlimited talk, text, and data; 4G LTE or 5G nationwide coverage; unlimited mobile hotspot (up to 5 Mbps); spam protection; unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada; 5G Ultra Wideband on their premium plan (up to 10 Mbps hotspot); international calling to 30+ countries; international texting to 200+ countries; 24/7 online customer service; smartwatch add-on for $5/month; no hidden fees.
  • Price: Visible offers affordable plans ranging from $25 to $35 per line per month (tax included for some plans). New customers may receive welcome discounts.
  • Plan: Two main plans: a base plan with unlimited talk, text, data, and a mobile hotspot, and a premium plan (Visible+) with more priority data, faster 5G Ultra Wideband, and enhanced hotspot speeds (up to 15 Mbps).

👍 What We Love

  • Uses Verizon Wireless’ Network for reliable service and coverage.
  • Offers truly unlimited plans with fast 5G access.

👎 What Could Be Improved

  • Customers often need the premium plan for optimal 5G speeds.
  • Customer service is strictly online (live chat agents), with no phone number.

Customer Review: "Works well. The service is worth it. However, in some instances, such as far out near 1604 and the hill country, it can get spotty. Other than that, it’s great in the city. Super fast and reliable.” - Reddit

Boost Mobile (AT&T Network)

Best For: Plan options for individuals and families in San Antonio

Boost Mobile operates on the AT&T network, providing various plan choices for those seeking value.

  • Features: Unlimited talk and text; set data allotment or unlimited data plans (e.g., 70GB high-speed data then 1 Mbps); mobile hotspot available; new customer-only deals; no contract plans; data pack available; optional phone insurance; international calling to Mexico, Canada, and more; Boost call screener for spam protection.
  • Price: Family plans or individual plans available, with plans like a 10GB hotspot option around $15-25/month for promotional periods.
  • Plan: Offers unlimited plans up to a certain data allotment for AT&T's high-speed data.

👍 What We Liked

  • Access to AT&T’s reliable service and coverage.
  • Contract-free plans offered at competitive costs.

👎 What We Didn’t Like

  • "Unlimited" data plans typically have a set high-speed data allotment before speeds reduce.
  • Some customers report issues with customer service responsiveness.

Customer Review: “Wireless companies phones and services have become very pricey over the past years. However, when it comes to Boost Mobile vs AT&T, Boost mobile gets the top vote. AT&T had contracts with stipulations and high prices. Boost phones and services are very reasonable compared to other wireless carriers." - Trustpilot

Mint Mobile (T-Mobile Network)

Best For: Low-cost, prepaid plans

Mint Mobile uses the T-Mobile network and is known for its affordable bulk prepaid plans.

  • Features: Unlimited talk and text; set data allotment or unlimited plans offered (e.g., unlimited high-speed then 512Kbps); three-month, six-month, or year-long plans; T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G coverage; high-speed 5G data; free calling to Mexico and Canada; free 3-in-1 SIM card; free mobile hotspot included in all plans; Wi-Fi calling and texting; option to keep current phone/number; contacts, photos, and apps transfer; Mint Mobile app for management.
  • Price: Plans as low as $15-20 per month for promotional periods (for a year of unlimited data). Prices vary based on data and commitment length, up to $45 per month for unlimited.
  • Plan: Prepaid plans only (no monthly options); available in various data allotments or unlimited for chosen time frames.

👍 What We Liked

  • Uses T-Mobile’s reliable service and high-speed 5G coverage.
  • Any plan can be made a family plan for an affordable per-line cost (e.g., $15 extra per line).

👎 What We Didn’t Like

  • Only offers prepaid plans for 3, 6, or 12 months; no monthly options.
  • Like many MVNOs, customers may experience data deprioritization during congested network times, leading to slower speeds.

Customer Review: “I recently switched to Mint from T-Mobile, the connection is pretty good considering the price. I haven't been to the downtown area recently but Mint uses T-mobile towers so there's really no difference. It's all done online & they have a first time discount for however many months you want. I would recommend!” - Reddit

When considering an MVNO, confirm which major network they use and check that network's coverage in your specific San Antonio areas. Other MVNOs available in San Antonio include Total by Verizon, Cricket Wireless (AT&T network), Google Fi (T-Mobile/US Cellular networks), US Mobile (Verizon/AT&T/T-Mobile networks), Tello, Consumer Cellular, Red Pocket (AT&T/Verizon/T-Mobile networks), Twigby, Good2Go Mobile, Pure Talk, Ultra Mobile, Straight Talk Wireless, and Tracfone.

Understanding Coverage & Speed

In this section, we'll discuss coverage and speed, two areas that may determine what you ultimately will choose out of the options noted.

  • 4G LTE: The standard for most mobile connections, offering speeds suitable for HD video streaming, browsing, and most everyday tasks.
  • 5G: The newest generation of wireless technology, offering significantly faster speeds and lower latency (the delay between sending and receiving data).
    • Low-Band 5G (Extended Range): Provides broad coverage, similar to 4G LTE, with modest speed improvements.
    • Mid-Band 5G (Ultra Capacity/5G+): Offers a balance of coverage and impressive speeds, ideal for denser areas. This is where T-Mobile often shines.
    • mmWave 5G (Ultra Wideband): The fastest type of 5G, delivering multi-Gigabit speeds but with very limited range, typically found in specific outdoor areas or venues. This is Verizon's forte for peak speeds.
  • Reliability Score: A score from 0 to 10 that estimates how likely you'll have a usable connection when you have service. It considers download speeds (50% weighting), upload speeds (20% weighting), and latency (30% weighting).
  • Latency: A measurement of how long it takes a data packet to travel from sender to receiver—the delay in the network. Low latency (under 30ms) means a fast and responsive connection, while high latency (30ms to 100ms) can make your connection feel slow or "laggy."

5G is growing rapidly, but 4G LTE remains the primary mobile connection. Data speeds can be affected by various factors, including network congestion, signal strength, device capabilities, and the technology used by the service provider. You might experience slower speeds during peak hours or in areas with weak cellular coverage.

Key Points

  • Select a plan by balancing cost, coverage, speed, and reliability.
  • AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer 100% overall coverage in San Antonio.
  • T-Mobile leads in 5G speeds (281.1 Mbps median download) and Reliability Score (10/10) within the city.
  • MVNOs (e.g., Visible, Boost Mobile, Mint Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless) and Carrier-Owned Prepaid Brands offer more affordable options by using the major carriers' networks.
  • Always check detailed coverage maps for your specific San Antonio address and understand 4G LTE and various types of 5G, along with factors like reliability and latency.

Finding the right cell phone plan in San Antonio is key to staying connected. Consider your usage, prioritize coverage, speed, or price, and explore both major carriers and MVNOs. This approach will help you choose a plan that fits your San Antonio lifestyle.

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