Best Phone Coverage in Minneapolis, Minnesota: Hockey, the Arts, Lakes and Incredible Cell Phone Coverage

Living in the northern states makes for cold winters, but there is no city quite like Minneapolis, Minnesota. Known for being the city with 10,000 lakes surrounding it, ice fishing, an arts scene, hockey, and the homeland of musician Prince, this city is a must see.

No matter where you live, finding the best cell phone coverage is crucial in order to make phone calls, send text messages, and even use 5G data at high-speeds. Minneapolis is known for having some great cell phone coverage from Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile, but knowing who has the best is crucial.

In this article, we’ll cover topics on cell phone coverage in Minneapolis, Minnesota including:

• Map of the fastest cell phone coverage in Minneapolis
• Local and national carriers that cover Minneapolis
• Frequently asked questions about phone coverage in Minneapolis

Phone Coverage in Minneapolis at a Glance

No matter where in Minneapolis, Minnesota you live, or are planning to move to, making sure that you have reliable cell phone service and coverage is crucial, but which mobile provider has the best to offer?

Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile are the top three options to consider if you wish to get a plan directly through a mobile provider. Out of the three, Verizon offers the best coverage and their service is available in 100% of the area, and they have the best 4G LTE and 5G data range. With 100% 4G LTE and 96% 5G availability, Verizon takes the lead for the best coverage in Minneapolis.

AT&T is a great second choice that may work better in some areas than others, but they are always neck and neck with Verizon. They also cover up to 100% of Minneapolis with good call and text performance, and even 5G data speeds. There is 99% 4G LTE and 97% 5G data coverage for reliable speeds no matter where you’re at.

Coming in third place is T-Mobile, and while their coverage may only be in 99% of Minneapolis, they make up for it with their 5G coverage. T-Mobile has the most 5G towers located throughout the United States and they offer 99% availability with both 4G LTE and 5G in Minneapolis. 

There’s no opinion quite like the citizens of Minneapolis when it comes to selecting the best cell phone provider for you and your family. For most, Verizon or T-Mobile are the go-to plans to get a cell phone plan through, and people have experienced great coverage, fast data speeds, and no data throttling anywhere. No matter if you’re in the Twin Cities area, North Shore, and even in rural areas, both give you reliable service and coverage all around. 

Local and National Cell Phone Carriers in Minneapolis

Cell phone plans are known to be expensive, especially if you’re choosing a Mobile Network Operator (MNO), such as Verizon Wireless, AT&T, or T-Mobile. Luckily for those who are on a tight budget, there are other alternatives to choose, such as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).

MVNOs are a great option for individuals because they can help you save up to a thousand dollars per year depending on the plan and carrier that you choose. Not only can you save a ton of money by switching to this cheaper option, but you can also use an MNO’s network that is shared with the MVNO itself. 

For example, Verizon Wireless and AT&T are carriers from above who are Mobile Network Operators, which means they maintain their own networks. Credo Mobile, on the other hand, is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), which means they buy minutes from an MNO with extra capacity and resell under their own brand. In this case, Credo Mobile uses the power of Verizon Wireless’ network to provide reliable coverage at a lower price.

An important catch to consider with MVNOs is that while they are super affordable, customers often suffer from deprioritization. This is when your service, including 4G LTE or 5G speeds slow down significantly due to congestion during busy hours throughout the day. While MVNO customers suffer from deprioritization, anyone with an MNO gets all day high data speeds and reliable service, which is also why they pay more money for a plan too. 

Let’s take a look at which of these carriers use the network that gives people in Minneapolis the most coverage.

#1 in Minneapolis: Credo Mobile (Verizon Wireless)

Best 4G LTE and 5G Range in Minneapolis

Since Verizon Wireless offers the best cell phone coverage in Minneapolis, most citizens will start their search for a plan through them, but a cheaper option is an MVNO. Credo Mobile is one of the most popular Verizon Wireless MVNOs where not only can you save money on a plan, but the money spent on your plan will also go to communities looking to make a change.

Features of a Credo Mobile cell phone plan include:

• Shares Verizon Wireless’ network service and coverage
• Unlimited talk and text on all plans
• 5G access on Verizon’s network at no extra cost
• HD video streaming available
• Long distance calling to Canada and Mexico
• $1 million donated every year to progressive change
• Bring your own cell phone
• 1GB, 3GB, 9GB, 15GB, and unlimited plans available

Price: As a rule of thumb for most cell phone plans, the more lines you add, the more money that you save, and this is true for Credo Mobile. For example, a one-line plan can range anywhere from $35 to $70 per month, while a three-line plan can be $25 to $45 depending on the plan that you choose. 

Plan: There are a few options for selecting the best data plan through Credo Mobile and you can choose a set data allotment plan, or even their truly unlimited one. If you don’t want to spend the extra money on an unlimited plan, their set data plans range from 1GB, 3GB, 9GB, or 15GB.

👍 What We Liked

• Verizon Wireless’ Network Coverage. Many people love Verizon Wireless’ network coverage because it can be used in major cities, to rural areas. 
• Profits Go to a Good Cause. Not many mobile providers or carriers take a part of the money that they make to donate to local charities, and Credo Mobile aims to make a change anyway they can. 

👎 What We Didn’t Like

• Expensive Individual Plans. Just like many other cell phone carriers, getting a one-line plan can be a more expensive option, so it is recommended to start a family plan where you can add more lines to ultimately save more money. 
• No International Calling or Texting Features. Traveling may be in your blood and something that you love to do, but with a Credo Mobile plan, you don’t get any international travel perks besides unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada.

#2 in Minneapolis: Cricket Wireless (AT&T)

Best for Full Service MVNO in Minneapolis

Selecting the best MVNO for you and your family can be tough, especially with all of the options that are readily available to you. AT&T’s network coverage is some of the best and is most times neck and neck with Verizon Wireless, so that’s why Cricket Wireless is a great option.

Features of a Cricket Wireless cell phone plan include:

• Fast nationwide 5G coverage
• High-speed data access
• Unlimited talk, text, and picture messaging
• HD voice and Wi-Fi calling
• Cricket Call Defense to protect you from spam calls
• Affordable Connectivity Program if you’re eligible
• Mobile hotspot on most plans
• HBO Max included in plan price
• Cloud storage available
• International calling to Canada and Mexico
• International text to 37 countries
• Save more money by adding more lines

Price: Cricket Wireless is known for their affordable MVNO plans that are also full service, meaning that they provide all of the essential features that a normal AT&T plan would have. Their plans are very affordable and you can spend anywhere from $30 to $60 depending on the plan and how much data you need.

Plan: Potential customers that are selecting a plan through Cricket Wireless have a few different options to choose from, such as set data allotment plans and even unlimited ones. They only have two set data allotment plans, ranging from 5GB to 10GB, or you can spend some more money to get high-speed unlimited data all month long. 

👍 What We Liked

• AT&T’s Network Coverage. AT&T is known for their reliable service and coverage, including their 4G LTE and 5G data speeds and Cricket Wireless customers get to take advantage of it.
• Full Service MVNO. All of Cricket Wireless’ cell phone plans come with all of the essentials that you need, such as unlimited talk, text, and data, and you can even select extra features the more you pay for your plan. 

👎 What We Didn’t Like

• Poor Customer Service. While many customers are satisfied with their cell phone plan through Cricket Wireless, many others have issues with the customer service. Whether their issue isn’t getting resolved, or there’s a long wait time to get ahold of someone, this is a common complaint among customers. 
• Lack of a Cell Phone Selection. A new cell phone may be something you’re considering with a Cricket Wireless plan, but this carrier only offers most newer Apple phones, and no Samsung or Google phones. 

#3 in Minneapolis: T-Mobile

Best for its Unlimited Cell Phone Plans in Minneapolis

While MVNOs are a great option, a cell phone plan directly through a MNO is your best option for reliable service and coverage. T-Mobile offers its customers some of the best plans since they are all 100% unlimited, especially their Magenta plans, which are a hit among customers. 

Features of a T-Mobile Magenta plan include:

• Unlimited talk, text, and data
• Truly unlimited 5G data on all plans
• International calling to Canada and Mexico
• Up to 40GB of a mobile hotspot
• Nationwide 4G LTE and/or 5G high-speed data
• Taxes and fees included in monthly price
• Exceptional customer service
• Bring your own cell phone and number
• Entertainment perks
• Scam shield to protect you against scammers
• T-Mobile Tuesdays for exclusive perks
• Travel benefits

Price: It’s important to keep in mind that T-Mobile’s plans are more expensive, especially their individual ones. By adding more lines, you can save more money per month, such as paying $105 to $185 for a four-line plan. In comparison, individual plans run anywhere from $65 to $95 per month.

Plan: T-Mobile’s Magenta plans are their most popular plans, specifically because they all include unlimited talk, text, data, and even a mobile hotspot on some. They offer the Essentials plan, the Go5G, and the Go5G Plus, which has extra features, including entertainment perks too.

👍 What We Liked

• T-Mobile’s Network Coverage. T-Mobile’s network coverage is a hit for their customers and you can enjoy reliable call and text performance in major cities, including high-speed 5G coverage. 
• All Truly Unlimited Plans Offered. Unlimited plans through T-Mobile are a hit since they all offer unlimited talk, text, data, and even a mobile hotspot on some with no data caps. 

👎 What We Didn’t Like

• More Expensive. MVNOs are cheaper options, but for customers who want a plan directly through T-Mobile, it’s important to note that you could potentially spend more than $100 for a plan per month.
• Mobile Hotspot Limits. While T-Mobile offers mobile hotspots that are convenient to use whenever you’re out and about, there are data caps on them, and going over can cost you more money on your monthly bill. 

Get to Know Your Local Carrier Options in Minneapolis 

Selecting the best MVNO that fits within your price range, has all of the features you need, and is even offered in Minneapolis can be difficult to narrow down. Take a look at some of the best MVNOs available in Minneapolis, Minnesota:

• Boost Mobile
• Ting Mobile
• Tello
• US Mobile
• Consumer Cellular
• Red Pocket
• Twigby
• Good2Go Mobile
• Pure Talk
• Ultra Mobile
• Straight Talk Wireless
• Tracfone
• Net10 Wireless
• And more!

FAQ: Your Questions About Cell Phone Coverage in Minneapolis, Answered

Check out some of the most frequently asked questions about cell phone coverage in Minneapolis, Minnesota!

How to Determine the Best Cell Phone Coverage in My Area

It’s important to look into the best cell phone coverage specifically for where you live. The easiest way of determining this is by checking out a coverage map, which allows you to plug in your address to narrow down which mobile provider works best where you live.

Who Has Better Rural Coverage, AT&T or Verizon Wireless?

Rural coverage is crucial for many individuals who are oftentimes susceptible to dead zones, or no service at all. Between AT&T and Verizon Wireless, Verizon offers the best coverage for individuals living in rural areas. 

Is Verizon Wireless or T-Mobile Cheaper?

Cell phone plans directly through MNOs can be more expensive than MVNOs, but the service is often much better. Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile both offer more expensive cell phone plans, but Verizon’s are a little bit more pricer depending on the plan of your choosing. 

Verizon Wireless is your best bet for fast phone coverage in Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Choosing the best cell phone plan can be difficult, especially if you’re not sure what mobile provider to go through. Verizon Wireless offers some of the best 4G LTE and 5G range and reliable call and text performance in Minneapolis, Minnesota!

If you’re looking to get a new cell phone plan, but not sure where to start, Really can be a lifesaver when making this type of tough decision! Really can help you compare phone plans that work best in the city you live in, or even to find a plan that perfectly fits your budget. You also have the option to sort through plans by price, look at the best valued ones, and even click on plans to see what features are offered.