Hey there! Searching for the best cell phone plan in Delaware that fits your needs and budget can feel overwhelming. But I‘ve done the research for you and identified the top options to consider based on coverage, price, data amounts, and more.
This guide will compare the pros and cons of Delaware‘s major wireless carriers and MVNOs. My goal is to provide you with everything you need to feel confident choosing a plan that keeps you affordably connected across the First State.
When comparing providers in Delaware, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
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Coverage area – You want reliable statewide service with strong 4G LTE and 5G wherever available. Verizon has the best overall coverage, but focus on carriers with solid signals in your frequently visited areas.
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Plan pricing – Compare both monthly costs and added fees across unlimited data plans, metered plans, family plans, and prepaid options. Watch for hidden costs that inflate the advertised pricing.
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Data amounts – If you‘re a heavy data user, opt for unlimited. Otherwise, 6-12GB shared plans are often enough for lighter usage like web browsing and GPS. Video streaming consumes data fastest.
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Network perks – Some carriers offer nice bonuses like mobile hotspot data, free streaming service subscriptions, international roaming, etc. Figure out which features will benefit you most.
Now let‘s dive into my top picks for cell phone plans in Delaware and how they compare.
Best Overall Coverage – Verizon
With close to 100% statewide coverage and planes starting at $70/month, Verizon is a solid choice for reliable service. Here‘s a closer look at what they offer:
- 4G LTE covers 99% of Delaware residents
- 5G coverage trails T-Mobile but is expanding quickly
Plan Highlights:
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Nationwide talk, text and data included
- Plans range from $70-$100/month
- Discounts for auto-pay and paperless billing
Unlimited Plan Options:
- Start Unlimited – $70/month per line
- Do More Unlimited – $90/month per line (includes 25GB high-speed hotspot)
- Play More Unlimited – $90/month per line (includes 25GB hotspot and entertainment perks)
- Get More Unlimited – $100/month per line (includes 50GB hotspot and entertainment perks)
I like Verizon because their strong statewide network means fewer dropped calls and annoying dead zones when traveling throughout Delaware. While not the cheapest, their unlimited plans offer lots of data and added perks to enhance the premium pricing.
Most Affordable – Republic Wireless
If saving money is your priority, I suggest considering the low-cost cell plans from Republic Wireless. Here are the highlights:
- Plans starting at just $20/month
- Uses T-Mobile‘s reliable network
- Unlimited talk and text options
- Unlimited data for $45/month (includes 10GB mobile hotspot)
- 50% discount on 2nd line
Republic Wireless doesn‘t offer family plans. But the savings on an additional line are still decent:
- Line 1: $20-$45 per month
- Line 2: $10-$22.50 per month
The biggest drawbacks are slower maximum data speeds (capped at 5Mbps) and limited domestic roaming. But if you want reliable nationwide talk and text with flexible data amounts, Republic Wireless can save you big money versus the major carriers.
Best Deals for Families – T-Mobile
In my opinion, T-Mobile offers the best cell phone plan pricing for families thanks to their affordable per-line monthly rates:
- Line 1: $70
- Line 2: $60
- Lines 3-6: $30 each
- Any additional lines beyond 6 are $40 monthly
And that‘s not all:
- Switching bonuses of up to $650/line
- Discounts for seniors, military, first responders
- Strong coverage with 5G included
So if you‘re looking for a plan that covers 3 lines for less than $100 total or a family of 5 for $140/month, T-Mobile delivers excellent value.
Here are more details on T-Mobile‘s two unlimited options:
| Plan | Monthly Price (1 line) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Magenta | $70 | 100GB high-speed data, 5GB hotspot |
| Magenta Max | $85 | Unlimited high-speed data, 40GB hotspot, better video streaming |
Across Delaware, T-Mobile has:
- 97.67% 4G LTE coverage statewide
- 5G in 72 cities, covering over 2.4 million people
Most 5G Coverage – T-Mobile
I have to give T-Mobile top marks for 5G availability in Delaware right now. Check out their 5G stats:
- 5G coverage in 72 Delaware cities
- Over 2.4 million people covered
- 600+ 5G compatible devices to choose from
Verizon and AT&T are racing to catch up. But as of early 2023, T-Mobile offers the widest 5G network by a noticeable margin.
While 5G deployments are still limited primarily to larger metro areas, coverage should rapidly expand in coming years. T-Mobile plans to make their entire network 5G by 2025.
So if you want to experience super-fast 5G speeds in Delaware today, your best bet is signing up with T-Mobile and investing in a 5G-capable phone. Just make sure to reference their 5G coverage map for your location.
Best International Features – AT&T
AT&T consistently ranks as one of the top carriers for international travel based on their Global Roaming packages and overseas network agreements.
Some of AT&T‘s best international perks include:
- Unlimited talk, text, and data in over 200 countries
- International Day Passes from $10/day
- Monthly 8GB Canada/Mexico data packages
- Unlimited calling to landlines in over 100 countries
- Unlimited texts to over 200 countries
For Delaware residents who travel abroad frequently, you can‘t beat the convenience and affordability of AT&T‘s Global Roaming add-ons.
Domestically, their unlimited plans like Unlimited Starter ($65/month) offer a great value with no overage fees and extra entertainment discounts. You can even save 25% per line when you sign up for AT&T Fiber internet.
Best Customer Satisfaction – Verizon
When you‘re signing up for a long-term cell phone plan, you want confidence that your provider delivers reliable customer support. And according to recent surveys, Verizon consistently earns top marks for customer satisfaction across the industry:
- Ranked #1 in Customer Service by J.D. Power in 2022
- Received top score of 815 out of 1,000 on the American Consumer Satisfaction Index
- higher Net Promoter Score (+29) than AT&T (-10), T-Mobile (-3) and Sprint (-13).
Satisfied customers say Verizon offers hassle-free service with few unexpected fees plus responsive technical support and friendly service reps when needed. While no carrier is perfect, choosing Verizon gives you peace of mind that problems will be addressed promptly and professionally.
Best Usage Flexibility – Google Fi
One unique cell phone plan I came across is Google Fi, which offers monthly pricing based on your actual data usage instead of a fixed rate each billing cycle.
Here‘s an overview of their flexible pricing model:
- Only pay for the data you use at $10/GB
- Unlimited talk and text is $20/month
- So 1GB of data = $30 total ($20 base + $10 data)
- If you don‘t use any data one month, your bill is only $20
- Maximum charge is $80/month for 6GB of data or higher
Google Fi uses T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular‘s combined networks to provide no-contract cell service nationwide.
While Google Fi lacks family plans or bundling discounts, the ability to pay based on fluctuating monthly usage is a unique offering that can save lighter data users money. It provides nice billing flexibility that may appeal to some Delaware cell phone shoppers.
Quick Plan Comparison
To recap the carriers and plans highlighted in this guide, here is an at-a-glance overview of how they stack up:
| Carrier | Starting Price | Coverage | 5G Availability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | $70/month | Statewide 4G LTE | Growing | Reliability, network reach |
| T-Mobile | $70/month | Strong statewide | Leads providers | 5G access, family plans |
| AT&T | $65/month | Reliable statewide | Expanding | International features |
| Republic Wireless | $20/month | T-Mobile network | No | Affordability |
| Google Fi | $20/month | Uses multiple networks | Yes | Usage-based pricing |
Still Unsure? Here are Some Final Tips
I hope this guide gave you clarity about the best cell phone carriers in Delaware to consider for your personal needs. But if you‘re still on the fence, here are my top 5 tips for making a final decision:
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Check coverage maps to confirm solid service in your frequented areas across Delaware. A provider‘s statewide rankings don‘t matter if reception is weak where you live and work.
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Calculate your total expected monthly and yearly costs, not just the advertised rate. Watch for fees like activation, overage charges, equipment installment plans, etc.
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Think about which network perks like mobile hotspot data, streaming services, roaming, etc. would benefit you most and find a carrier that offers them.
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If buying for a family or bundling services, compare discounted multi-line and combined pricing. T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T have the best family and bundle offers.
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Read provider reviews online and ask friends in Delaware for recommendations based on real customer experiences. This can give you a good sense of overall customer satisfaction.
Hope this guide simplifies your search for an affordable cell plan with reliable statewide coverage. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m happy to offer more insights as you evaluate options and make your decision.
