Best Phone Coverage in San Antonio, Texas: A City Rooted in History

San Antonio is one of the most popular cities in Texas known for their deep-rooted history during the Civil War. Known specifically for the Spanish missions, the Battle of the Alamo, the popular Riverwalk, and even the San Antonio Spurs basketball team, this is a city full of history, cultural importance, and it’s a great place to live up the music scene. 

Whenever you’re moving to a new city, a common factor that many people forget about is finding the best cell phone coverage to ensure their family has reliable service at all times. Since San Antonio is a major city in Texas, they are known for having great cell phone coverage, but knowing who has the best if you want to make the switch is essential.

Check out who has the best cell phone coverage in San Antonio, Texas and mull over some of the best cell phone plan options that there are!

In this article, we’ll cover some important topics about cell phone coverage in San Antonio, Texas:

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

Phone Coverage in San Antonio at a Glance

When looking into getting a new cell phone plan, it’s important to go over your options and learn more about each mobile provider to ensure that you can find one that provides the coverage needed for you and your family.

Whether you live in San Antonio currently, or you are planning on moving there, it is important to know who offers the best cell phone coverage. Verizon Wireless is the best mobile provider for overall cell phone service and coverage in San Antonio and also in many other areas throughout the country. 

In San Antonio, Verizon Wireless provides coverage for up to 100% of the city and they are also mainly known for their 4G LTE and 5G data range. You can enjoy 100% 4G LTE coverage and 5G throughout 85% of San Antonio.

Another great option for citizens in San Antonio is AT&T because of their overall reliable service and coverage. Also covering up to 100% of the city, AT&T also has reliable 4G LTE and 5G cell phone range too. 4G LTE has coverage up to 100% of San Antonio, while 5G is around 85%.

Coming in third place is T-Mobile where they may not have the best cell phone coverage in San Antonio compared to Verizon Wireless or AT&T, but they are known for their availability for 5G data. They have reliable service up to 100% of San Antonio, 4G LTE coverage around 97% and the best 5G speeds covering 98% of the city.

It’s also important to get an idea of what the citizens of San Antonio think of their cell phone coverage and who they personally feel provides the best service. For many, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile have come out on top, but many other people enjoy their AT&T plan as well. Each mobile provider has dead zones you can experience if you’re not directly in the city, such as Alamo Ranch, or rural areas outside of the city. No matter if you’re by the San Antonio RiverWalk, The Alamo, or the National Historical Park, you’ll have exceptional cell phone coverage everywhere. 

Local and National Cell Phone Carriers in San Antonio

Trying to choose the most affordable cell phone option is crucial and instead of a Mobile Network Operator (MN), sometimes a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) is a better option.

Not only can MVNOs help to save you a ton of money per year, but they also allow you to use an MNO’s service and coverage. This is a great option for individuals who are on a budget and looking to save money while still getting reliable coverage in San Antonio.

To further break down MVNOs, it’s important to know the basics. T-Mobile and AT&T are carriers from Mobile Network Operators, which means they maintain their own networks. Tello 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, Tello Mobile uses the power of T-Mobile's network to provide reliable coverage at a lower price.

Something to keep in mind about MVNOs is that deprioritization is a common inconvenience to experience. Deprioritization is where your service and 4G LTE or 5G speeds slow down significantly due to congestion during busy hours throughout the day. MNO customers, on the other hand, will not experience a difference in their coverage or data speeds, which is also largely why they pay a bigger sum on their contract plan. 

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

#1 in San Antonio: Credo Mobile (Verizon Wireless)

Best 4G LTE and 5G Range in San Antonio

Sometimes a unique cell phone plan that is not only doing a service to you, but to your local communities is something worth investing in. Credo Mobile is a MVNO that uses Verizon Wireless’ network coverage, which is known for having some of the best 4G LTE and 5G range, and they also donate the money you use on your plan to communities aiming towards progressive 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: It is important to note that with a Credo Mobile cell phone plan, the more lines you add, the more money you save in the long run. For example, customers can pay anywhere from $35 to $70 for a one-line plan and if you need up to three-lines, the prices change from $25 to $45 per month.

Plan: Credo Mobile offers its customers both set data allotment plans and even unlimited ones depending on how much data you need. Their set data allotment plans range from 1GB, 3GB, 9GB, or 15GB, or you can choose their truly unlimited plan.

👍 What We Liked

• Verizon Wireless’ Network Coverage. Credo Mobile shares Verizon Wireless’ network service and coverage, which is the best offered in San Antonio. 
• Profits Go to a Good Cause. Credo Mobile gives back to their local communities working towards progressive change and the cost of your monthly plan will go directly to those in need.

👎 What We Didn’t Like

• Expensive Individual Plans. If you are planning to get a cell phone plan through Credo Mobile, their individual plans are more expensive, so it’s recommended to add more lines to save more money. 
• No International Calling or Texting Features. While you may enjoy traveling, it’s important to know that there are no international calling or texting options, except to Canada and Mexico. 

#2 in San Antonio: AT&T

Best for its Local and Long-Distance Talk and Text Performance in San Antonio

When selecting a cell phone plan, sometimes you have to consider who has the best local and long-distance calling and texting, especially if you’re someone who travels a ton. AT&T not only offers some of the most reliable service and 5G coverage, but they also have some of the best local and long-distance calling and texting on all of their plans.

Features of an AT&T cell phone plan include:

• Unlimited talk, text, and data
• 50GB of premium 5G high-speed data and then slower unlimited data afterwards
• AT&T’s incredible 5G nationwide service and coverage
• AT&T ActiveArmor which protects you while using public Wi-Fi, Identity Monitoring, and more
• 15GB of a mobile hotspot available per line 
• Unlimited international talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico
• Unlimited texting from the United States to 200+ countries
• Standard definition streaming included

Price: There are a few different options for cell phone plans through AT&T  and their prices may be a little bit more expensive than a MVNO, but you get overall better service and coverage with no deprioritization. The more lines that you add, the more money that you save through AT&T. Customers can pay $65 to $85 for an individual plan, or $35 to $50 per month for a four-line plan.

Plan: AT&T offers its customers three different plans to choose from, including the Starter Plan, the Extra Plan, and the Premium Plan. All of these plans include the basics, such as unlimited talk, text, and data, but they vary in different features and the GB of a mobile hotspot you will get.

👍 What We Liked

• AT&T’s Reliable Network. AT&T offers some of the most reliable service and coverage around where customers can enjoy incredible 5G data speeds and even the best local and long-distance call and text performance. 
• Individual and Family Plans Available. Through AT&T, customers can enjoy choosing an individual plan for themselves, or even save more money by adding your family members on your plan. 

👎 What We Didn’t Like

• More Expensive MNO. While the prices for an AT&T cell phone plan aren’t nearly as good as they would be if you got a plan through a MVNO, the upside is that you don’t have to worry about deprioritization. 
• Throttled Streaming Quality. AT&T offers its customers the perk of entertainment features on their plans, but when streaming on data, many customers experience throttled quality. 

#3 in San Antonio: Mint Mobile (T-Mobile) 

Best for its Affordability in San Antonio

Sometimes trying to find one of the most affordable MVNOs is what is most important to you, especially if you’re on a tight budget. One of the best MVNOs to choose that also use T-Mobile’s reliable service and coverage is Mint Mobile, as they are known for their affordability. 

Features of a Mint Mobile cell phone plan include:

• Unlimited talk and text
• Set data allotment plans or unlimited plans offered
• Three-month, six-month, or year-long plans available
• T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G coverage
• High-speed 5G data 
• Free calling to Mexico and Canada
• Free 3-in-1 SIM card included when you sign up
• Free mobile hotspot included in all plans
• Wi-Fi calling and texting
• Keep your current phone or buy a new one
• Keep your current phone number or get a new one
• Keep your contacts, photos, and apps when you switch plans
• Mint Mobile app available to make payments and more

Price: Mint Mobile is a popular MVNO mainly because of their prices, which are very affordable compared to many of its competitors. You can get a plan for as little as $15 to $30 per month where you can easily make any plan a family plan for an extra $15 per line. 

Plan: There are a few different cell phone options available for new Mint Mobile customers where you can choose a set data allotment plan, or their unlimited one. For set data allotments, you can choose data caps anywhere from 5GB, 15GB, or 20GB, or spend a little more money for their unlimited option. It is also crucial to know that there are no monthly plans with Mint Mobile and you have to choose a set time of three-months, six-months, or twelve-months for any plan. 

👍 What We Liked

• T-Mobile’s Network Coverage. Customers through Mint Mobile can experience the incredible and reliable service and coverage that T-Mobile offers its customers, including MVNOs.
• Affordable Plans for Everyone. Mint Mobile is mainly known for their reliable cell phone plans where you can enjoy a plan as little as $15 to $30 per month for a set data allotment or unlimited data.

👎 What We Didn’t Like

• No Monthly Plans Available. Monthly plans do not exist with Mint Mobile and instead customers are urged to pick a plan for a set increments of three-months, six-months, or twelve-months. 
• No Truly Unlimited Plans. Mint Mobile may offer an unlimited plan, but it isn’t truly unlimited. This means that they have a set data cap for high-speed data and once it is reached, your data speeds will decrease drastically.

Get to Know Your Local Carrier Options in San Antonio 

Sometimes it can be a struggle to choose the best MVNO for you and your family since there are a ton of options available. Take a look at some of the best MVNO options that are available in San Antonio, Texas:

• 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 San Antonio, Answered

How to Determine the Best Cell Phone Coverage in My Area

When trying to figure out the best cell phone coverage in the area you live in, one of the most efficient ways to narrow down your options is by looking at a coverage map. By plugging in your address, you can see what mobile provider offers the best cell phone service and coverage in your area and some of the best plans offered. 

Are There 5G Towers in San Antonio?

No matter if you get a cell phone plan through Verizon Wireless, AT&T, or even T-Mobile, they have 5G towers located in or around San Antonio to take advantage of some of the fastest data speeds to date.  

What Carrier is Better than AT&T?

Many people have cell phone plans through AT&T where respectively, they have incredible service and coverage nationwide. While they may be good, Verizon Wireless is overall the best where you can enjoy less dead zones even in western states that are less populated.  

Verizon Wireless is your best bet for fast phone coverage in San Antonio, Texas 

San Antonio, Texas is a popular city to live in full of opportunities for work, furthering your education, and even to learn more about the history and culture of the area. Verizon Wireless is a great cell phone option to choose for some of the best service and coverage in San Antonio!

If you’re struggling on how to approach finding a new cell phone plan for you and your family, make sure to consider checking out Really for all of your wants and needs! Through Really, you can easily compare phone plans to stay within your budget while also learning who offers the best coverage in your area. Through Really, you have the ability to sort plans by price, check the best value, and even click on plans they want to learn more about too.