Free International Calling and More
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Product Name: Ultra Mobile
Product Description: Ultra Mobile is a prepaid cell phone carrier offering free international calling to over 90 countries.
Summary
Ultra Mobile is a prepaid cell phone carrier that offers free international calling to over 90 countries. It operates on the T-Mobile network and offers discounted pricing on plans of up to 12 months.
Pros
Cons
Ultra Mobile is a prepaid phone service offering unlimited talk and text to over 90 international destinations. Its affordable monthly plans start at $8. With all plans, you can enjoy a free mobile hotspot and fast data speeds on the 5G mobile network with capable Android and Apple devices.
Consider Ultra Mobile if you want free talk and text to international destinations. The international roaming feature can also be practical for world travelers. It’s a competitive and low-cost option with reliable T-Mobile coverage quality.
You can choose from talk, text-only, fixed, and unlimited data plans without contracts. Buying a 3, 6, or 12-month plan gets you Ultra Mobile’s lowest rates at a fraction of the cost of a traditional plan from T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon Wireless.
Ultra Mobile launched in 2012 and was acquired by T-Mobile in 2023. The prepaid cell phone carrier’s signature feature is its free international calling, which originally included 40 countries and now includes over 90 foreign destinations.
Every plan includes free domestic talk and text, 5G data speeds (where available on compatible devices), and free Wi-Fi calling.
The carrier also offers several complimentary perks that some traditional and prepaid carriers may charge an extra fee for or only reserve for unlimited plans. Examples include free mobile hotspots, free talk and text in Mexico and Canada, and a “Call Me Free” local number for friends and family in international destinations to avoid pricey overseas calling rates.
You can switch to Ultra Mobile by bringing your unlocked device. You’ll receive a free 3-in-1 SIM card or a digital SIM. The carrier offers discounted phones if you prefer to buy a new device. All Ultra Mobile plans utilize the T-Mobile 5G network. You can enter your street address to estimate data speeds and coverage quality.
While T-Mobile owns Ultra Mobile, as a prepaid subscriber, you can only access the host’s excess capacity. That means you’re likelier to experience slower data speeds and lack of coverage before full-fledged T-Mobile users in peak periods and remote areas. But you save a lot of money with a cheaper phone bill.
As mentioned, all Ultra Mobile plans include free talk from the United States to over 90 countries and free texting to over 190 countries. Additionally, friends and family in those destinations can contact you through a local number to avoid international call rates.
If you need to call a country not included in the plan, Ultra Mobile lets you purchase international calling credits online or in the app. You enjoy 25% bonus credits, so purchasing $5 in credits yields $6.25.
Other noteworthy international calling perks include:
Related: 8 Cheapest Family Cell Phone Plans
Android and iPhones can connect to Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide to facilitate free calls, texts, and internet browsing. This feature isn’t proprietary to Ultra Mobile, but it makes opting for a cheaper phone plan easier as you can get unlimited data from a local Wi-Fi network.
All plans include free mobile hotspot capability with a compatible smartphone. The unlimited data plan offers 10GB of high-speed data, while Unlimited+ users (available in-store only) can enjoy up to 20GB of data.
You can connect up to 15 devices, but the hotspot data is drawn from your monthly data cap. Non-unlimited plans can purchase more hotspot data mid-month, but it can get expensive so you might be better off looking for free Wi-Fi.
Instead of bringing an unlocked device, you can purchase 5G-capable phones from Ultra Mobile. The discount carrier usually runs special sales, such as 0% financing through Affirm or $100 off an Android phone if you purchase a 3-month plan and port your number.
Note that the online phone catalog is almost entirely Android smartphones. When writing this review in March 2024, only one iPhone model was for sale.
Online phone buying is usually the most convenient option, and shipping is free. Still, you can visit Ultra Mobile stores and licensed retailers across the United States. You can also buy phones and top-off cards at select Walmart, Target, and Best Buy locations if you don’t have an Ultra Mobile location near you.
Ultra Mobile allows you to pay month-to-month like a traditional prepaid phone company, but you can save money by choosing a multi-month plan of up to 12 months. Longer durations have the cheapest prices.
| Talk & Text | 3GB | 5GB | 10GB | 15GB | Unlimited | |
| 1 month | $15 | $19 | $24 | $29 | $39 | $49 |
| 3 months | $13 ($39 upfront) | $16 ($48 upfront) | $22 ($66 upfront) | $28 ($84 upfront) | $36 ($108 upfront) | $46 ($138 upfront) |
| 6 months | $9.83 ($59.40 upfront) | $13.50 ($81 upfront) | $18.83 ($113.40 upfront) | $24.33 ($145.80 upfront) | $31.50 ($189 upfront) | $40.50 ($243 upfront) |
| 12 months | $8 ($96 upfront) | $11.17 ($134.40 upfront) | $16 ($192 upfront) | $20 ($240 upfront) | $24 ($288 upfront) | $32 ($384 upfront) |
The entry-level Talk & Text plan includes 250 MB of high-speed 5G or 4G LTE data. This isn’t enough for more than basic emails or a few quick web searches. All plans can access unlimited slower data speeds for simple browsing and web communication.
If you choose 3GB or more of data, you get up to $5 in monthly international call credits and a one-time $5 international roaming credit. You can buy additional mobile data through the app or online.
Finally, the Unlimited plan offers up to 40GB of high-speed wireless data. Up to 10GB is accessible through a mobile hotspot.
If you live near an Ultra Mobile authorized retailer, you can purchase the Unlimited+ plan. This is an in-store exclusive with up to 60GB of high-speed 5G data and 20GB of hotspot data.
You will pay the following monthly rates contingent on the plan length:
Available in-store only with the Unlimited plan, you can add up to five lines at $24 per extra line. This is roughly half the cost of the primary line allowing you to save up to $100 monthly.
Tello is an excellent option for international calls with over 60 free destinations for talk and text. Its Unlimited plan can also be more affordable at $25 per month with 35GB of high-speed data without a multi-month commitment. This plan also includes up to 5GB of hotspot data.
Similar to Ultra Mobile, it uses the T-Mobile network. However, it remains an independent mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and is not owned by the cellular juggernaut.
You can customize the voice, text, and data allowances to find a budget-friendly plan that fits your phone usage. Learn more in our Tello review.
Mint Mobile operates on the T-Mobile network and offers discounted plans when purchasing a multi-month commitment of 3, 6, or 12 months. You can enjoy the first three months by paying $45 upfront.
This special pricing applies to the Unlimited plan containing up to 40GB of high-speed data and up to 10GB of mobile hotspot usage. Limited data plans are available too.
Interestingly, Mint Mobile was a subsidiary of Ultra Mobile and both were acquired by T-Mobile simultaneously in 2023. Its monthly pricing and phone deals are competitive. Thus, it’s worth comparing features for your desired monthly data allowance to choose the best option.
Read our Mint Mobile review for more.
Visible uses the Verizon Wireless network and it can be the best Ultra Mobile alternative when T-Mobile coverage quality is spotty or slow in your area. The entry-level plan includes unlimited 5G/4G LTE data and hotspot, plus unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada for just $25 monthly.
The Visible+ plan is comparable to Ultra’s, with free international calls to over 30 countries and international texting to more than 200 destinations.
You also enjoy up to 50GB of premium Verizon high-speed data (where available) that can be quicker than the standard 5G data speeds most cell phone plans offer. This plan costs $45 per month.
Read our Visible review for more.
This is one of the most affordable international calling options. You can call international landlines and cell phones in over 90 countries, and free international texting is available in over 190 countries. It’s also a low-cost alternative to T-Mobile when that network offers consistent coverage in your area.
Unopened and non-activated SIM cards can be returned within 15 days. Phone return policies differ by device, and you must review the terms and conditions.
Live chat and phone-based support is available daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific.
Ultra Mobile is a compelling choice for free international talk and text as you can communicate with friends and family worldwide at low rates. It’s also a good option for domestic calling when you live in a T-Mobile coverage area. The monthly and multi-month bulk discounts can help you pay less than a traditional cell phone plan while having reliable service when needed.
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