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Cricket Wireless is a small carrier, or MVNO, that’s owned by AT&T and operates on its national network. This means that wherever there’s an AT&T signal, there’s also a Cricket Signal. That’s good news, since AT&T boasts one of the best networks in the country.
In this article, we’ll explain which towers Cricket Wireless uses, and how its national coverage stacks up against carriers big (Verizon, T-Mobile) and small (Boost Mobile, Mint Mobile).
Cricket Wireless makes use of AT&T’s powerful 4G LTE and 5G towers to provide coverage to its customers. That’s right—Cricket customers have access to the same reliable 4G and 5G networks that AT&T customers use, covering a significant portion of the U.S. population.
Keep in mind, though, that AT&T prioritizes its core customers on the network during congestion; if the network is especially busy, Cricket customers may experience slightly slower speeds than AT&T customers. If you’re someone who requires reliable, high-speed service at all times, that’s a factor to consider.
The good news is that AT&T delivers the best 4G LTE coverage, and the second-best 5G coverage, in America. To view Cricket Wireless coverage, you can use our AT&T coverage map below.
AT&T’s 4G LTE coverage—and by extension, Cricket Wireless’ 4G LTE coverage—is widely available throughout the country. The map of AT&T’s 4G LTE network shows a near blanket of coverage across the continental U.S., with only a few isolated areas, such as parts of the Mountain West, experiencing limited signal.
Cricket’s 5G service, powered by AT&T’s network, is continuously expanding. The 5G coverage primarily focuses on urban areas but is growing to reach more suburban and rural locations.
AT&T’s 5G network includes both low-band and mid-band 5G technology. Low-band 5G provides more expansive coverage but isn’t as fast as mid-band 5G, which offers greater speeds but covers smaller areas. AT&T’s 5G+ technology (the fastest 5G option) is also available in select locations, offering faster speeds for Cricket Wireless customers with compatible devices.
The cell phone market is awash with small carrier options, including other popular MVNOs you’ve probably heard of like Mint Mobile and Visible.
Each of these carriers make use of larger networks to provide service to their customers—but how does their coverage compare? The handy chart below can help give you a sense of how Cricket’s national network stacks up against the likes of Mint and Visible. Note that Visible uses Verizon’s system of networks, while Mint uses T-Mobile’s.
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As these numbers indicate, Cricket boasts the most 4G LTE coverage across the country, while Mint Mobile customers enjoy the most 5G coverage.
Cricket Wireless offers a range of cell phone plans designed to cater to various needs. All Cricket plans include access to AT&T’s vast 4G LTE and 5G networks, making it a competitive option for those looking for affordable prepaid plans without sacrificing coverage quality.
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Here are some of Cricket’s most popular plans:
Cricket also offers several options for families, allowing multiple lines to be added at discounted rates.
Want to see how Cricket Wireless plans stack up against AT&T and others? Select from the list of carriers below to get matched to the best cell phone plans that meet your needs from other top providers.
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Cricket Wireless leverages AT&T’s powerful 4G LTE and 5G networks to offer reliable, affordable prepaid plans to millions of customers across the U.S. With extensive nationwide coverage and flexible plan options, Cricket Wireless is a solid choice for anyone looking for dependable service at a lower cost. Whether you're looking for a simple plan with unlimited data or a family plan with shared benefits, Cricket Wireless has something to suit your needs—all while offering the same high-quality service as AT&T.
If you’re searching for a prepaid wireless carrier with robust coverage and competitive pricing, Cricket Wireless is worth considering.
Yes, Cricket Wireless uses AT&T’s cell towers, offering strong nationwide coverage on both 4G LTE and 5G networks.
Cricket Wireless uses AT&T’s cell towers for its network, giving its customers access to the same coverage as AT&T users.
Yes, Cricket Wireless allows you to bring your own compatible device to its network. You can check your phone's compatibility using Cricket’s device checker tool.
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