For modern businesses, reliable mobile plans aren't just about staying connected—they're often the backbone of operations.
July 30, 2024
Navigating the maze of business cell phone plans can be overwhelming. As a telecommunications specialist focused on enterprise solutions, I've cut through the marketing hype to make your decision easier.
I've compiled a list of my top five choices and essential tips for choosing a good telecom provider for your company. Discover the best mobile plans for businesses, packed with features crucial for productivity and scalability, all while keeping cost-effectiveness in mind.
» Running low? Discover these essential tips to reduce your data usage.
Mint Mobile - Best business mobile plan overall
Tello - Best for customizable plans
AT&T - Best for robust security
Verizon Wireless - Best for nationwide network reliability and coverage
PureTalk - Best for international calling
As an expert in IP telephony, modular messaging, and telecom expense management, I guided our team through the review process. My experience in these areas provided valuable insights instrumental to our evaluation.
We thoroughly evaluated mobile plans to meet diverse business needs. Our process included testing enterprise solutions, analyzing feedback from various companies, and consulting with telecom experts. We assessed plan flexibility, data allowances, international capabilities, and business-critical services.
Throughout each evaluation stage, we considered several key factors:
Mint Mobile offers affordable, bulk prepaid plans starting at $15/month to help small businesses and startups manage their mobile expenses. It operates on T-Mobile's nationwide network, providing reliable coverage.
The company caters to businesses with flexible data plans ranging from 5GB to unlimited. Multi-line discounts also benefit growing teams, while the intuitive online portal streamlines account management and expense tracking for business owners.
Why we chose Mint Mobile for business mobile: Mint Mobile caught our eye for business use with its straightforward approach. You get six months of service for the price of three, and all plans include mobile hotspot features. If you're curious, there's a week-long trial to test it out. It's a solid option if you want to keep costs down without sacrificing flexibility.
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Tello provides highly customizable prepaid plans starting at just $5/month, which is ideal for small businesses seeking flexibility in their mobile expenses. It utilizes the Sprint/T-Mobile network, offering widespread 4G LTE and 5G coverage across the United States.
The company stands out with its build-your-own plan feature, allowing businesses to tailor their data and minutes precisely to their needs. All plans include free calls to over 60 countries, making it an excellent choice for companies with international contacts.
Why we chose Tello for business mobile: Tello impressed us with its commitment to transparency and flexibility. With no contracts, activation fees, or early termination charges, businesses can adjust their plans without penalty. Its referral program, offering $10 Tello Dollars to both parties, is a nice touch for growing businesses looking to bring their network onboard.
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AT&T offers three Wireless Unlimited Business plans: Standard, Advanced, and Premium. The Standard plan starts at $30/month with a five-line commitment. You'll enjoy unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data on all tiers, plus access to AT&T's nationwide 5G/5G+ network.
With the Premium plan, you get HD/4K UHD streaming, ensuring clear video meetings with international clients or team members. The plan also includes AT&T's International Day Pass, covering over 210 destinations. When you travel abroad, you can use your regular data plan, freeing you from the need to hunt for WiFi hotspots.
Why we chose AT&T for business mobile: AT&T's Premium plan provides 200GB of hotspot data per line, which can support data-intensive business operations. All plans include ActiveArmor security features to protect devices from various threats. AT&T also offers a paid VPN service as an optional add-on for businesses requiring additional privacy measures.
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» Doing business globally? Check out our top international phone plans.
Verizon Wireless offers a range of business plans designed to meet varying needs, from small startups to large corporations. The base plan, Start 5G, provides unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data, with pricing becoming more competitive as you add lines.
Verizon includes unlimited talk and text to Canada and Mexico in all plans. The higher-tier Unlimited Pro 5G plan caters to frequent travelers with additional features like increased mobile hotspot data and TravelPass, which includes international talk and text in 210+ countries.
Why we chose Verizon Wireless for business mobile: Its One Talk VoIP service integrates seamlessly with mobile devices, enhancing communication flexibility. Your devices stay protected through Business Mobile Secure, which guards against Wi-Fi, phishing, and malware attacks. Verizon also offers Auto Pay discounts and lets you bring your own device to help you manage costs.
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PureTalk offers flexible mobile plans for small businesses with one to nine employees. You can choose from Business Simple (20GB), Plus (40GB), or Unlimited data options, with prices ranging from $30 to $60 monthly. It also has Business tablet plans (Simple, Plus, Pro) starting at $10/month/line for 2GB of data.
With PureTalk, you get unlimited calling to 70 countries and up to $20/month in international credits. These credits allow your work phone to function seamlessly abroad without needing to swap SIM cards or install any apps.
Why we chose PureTalk for business mobile:
What sets PureTalk apart is its mix-and-match approach. For example, you can have one line on the Plus plan and another on the Simple plan. This allows you to tailor plans to each employee's needs while maintaining unified unlimited talk and text across all lines. Businesses also get a dedicated account manager that provides support throughout their operations.
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| Best Business Mobile Plans | Best for | Starting price | Network | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile | Budget-conscious small businesses and startups
| From $15/month
| T-Mobile
| Prepaid
|
| Tello | Flexibility-focused small businesses and international callers
| From $5/month
| T-Mobile
| Prepaid
|
| AT&T | Established businesses needing robust coverage | From $30/month for five lines
| AT&T
| Postpaid
|
| Verizon Wireless | Various device options and VOIP features
| From $30/month for five lines
| Verizon
| Prepaid and postpaid
|
| PureTalk | International talk credit and unlimited calling to 70 countries
| From $30/month
| AT&T
| Prepaid
|
Begin by analyzing your team's data consumption, tracking individual usage, and identifying peak periods. Focus on data-intensive activities like video calls and file sharing while considering your business's growth and seasonal changes.
Providers like Mint Mobile offer plans ranging from 4GB to unlimited, while Tello allows customization down to the gigabyte. This careful review helps you choose a plan that fits your needs without wasting money or running short on data.
Assess the quality and reach of different carriers' networks in your key business areas. According to RootMetrics' 2023 report, Verizon won its sixth consecutive award for Best 5G reliability, leading in 108 markets. AT&T and T-Mobile also showed improvements, with AT&T increasing its 5G reliability wins to 99 markets.
Check these carriers' coverage maps for your office locations, employees' homes, and frequent client visit areas. Don't just rely on national averages; use tools like cellmapper.net to see real-world signal strength data in specific locations.
For businesses with global reach, seamless cross-border connectivity is essential. Look for plans with free or cheap calls to your target countries, low-cost data roaming, and options to use your regular plan overseas. PureTalk stands out with unlimited calling to 70 countries and international talk credit included in all plans.
Consider providers offering global passes or daily rates to keep costs in check. Also, remember to examine coverage maps for your key international locations. The best mobile plan for frequent travelers will seamlessly blend strong domestic service with flexible global features.
Did you know that in 2023, the average cost of a data breach for businesses reached $4.45 million? That's why you should prioritize security when selecting a business mobile provider.
For instance, AT&T's ActiveArmor and Verizon's Mobile Device Management include features like VPN services, real-time threat detection, and remote device wiping capabilities.
Consider plans that offer regular security updates and endpoint protection across all devices. Also, evaluate options for centralized device management, allowing you to enforce security policies, monitor usage, and quickly respond to potential threats across your entire mobile fleet.
To reduce costs, search for carriers offering discounts for multiple lines or shared data pools. Tello lets you tailor plans to each employee's needs, while Mint Mobile offers savings through bulk pricing.
Look for features like rollover data and mid-cycle plan adjustments to avoid overages. When comparing options, consider all costs, including security and device management fees.
Choosing the ideal business mobile plan starts with understanding your specific needs. Carefully assess your data usage, international requirements, and security concerns. Then, explore options from providers like Mint Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon alternatives.
Take the time to assess your options, and don't hesitate to negotiate with providers. With the right cellphone plan in place, you'll empower your team to work efficiently wherever business takes them.
» Compare the benefits of unlimited vs. pay-as-you-go phone plans.
How can I reduce mobile costs for my growing business?
Choose providers offering volume discounts or shared data pools and regularly review and adjust your plans based on actual usage. Many carriers provide tools to monitor and control data across your account. Don't forget about BYOD options, which can significantly cut hardware expenses.
Are 5G plans worth considering for my business?
5G can offer significant benefits like faster speeds and lower latency, which may improve productivity for data-intensive tasks. However, 5G availability varies by location. Consider your business needs, the 5G coverage in your area, and whether your devices support 5G.
How do I determine the right data allowance for my business?
Start by tracking your team's current data usage over a few months. Consider peak periods and data-intensive tasks like video conferencing. Factor in potential growth and seasonal fluctuations. Choose a plan slightly exceeding your average usage to avoid overages while not overpaying for unused data.
Kathleen Christie, a Top10 writer, specializes in call center development and telephony operations. She's skilled in Avaya provisioning, IP Telephony, Modular Messaging, Microsoft Suite, and Telecom Expense Management, along with Training, Leadership, Customer Service, and Problem Resolution.