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Looking for the best cell phone service in Illinois? You're in the right place.
At MoneySavingPro, we're here to help you find the cheapest cell phone plan with the best coverage in your area.
The best low-cost carrier will depend on needs and budget, but there's a variety of MVNOs to choose from with something for everyone.
Keep reading to find out more and compare the best cell phone providers in Illinois.
4G LTE coverage in Illinois
Use the interactive Illinois coverage map below to see which network provides the best 4G cell phone coverage at your location.
5G coverage in Illinois
Use the interactive Illinois coverage map below to see which network provides the best 5G cell phone coverage at your location.
Compare cell phone coverage in Illinois
MVNOs are powered by the major wireless networks; Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. So you'll have access to the same cell phone coverage that you're used to just at a fraction of the cost.
| Network | 4G LTE | 5G (7/1 Mbps)
|
5G (35/3 Mbps)
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | 94% | 19% | 15% |
| T-Mobile | 61% | 51% | 30% |
| AT&T | 93% | 66% | 27% |
| Source: FCC area summary for Illinois | |||
T-Mobile coverage in Illinois
- T-Mobile 4G LTE coverage in Illinois: 61%
- T-Mobile 5G (7/1 Mbps) coverage in Illinois: 51%
- T-Mobile 5G (35/3 Mbps) coverage in Illinois: 30%
Use the interactive T-Mobile coverage map below to see if T-Mobile provides good cell phone service in your area.
Best phone plans on the T-Mobile network
Mint Mobile 15GB plan in Illinois
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Mint Mobile phone plans are powered by the T-Mobile network, providing the same great service at a lower cost. They offer various data allowances, including an unlimited plan with 40GB of high-speed data and unlimited talk and text.
With Mint Mobile, their transparent messaging shows how you can save more money the longer you commit.
Pros
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Free calls to Mexico and Canada
- Free mobile hotspot with all plans
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No international roaming
- Limited customer service
- 3-month minimum sign-up
Tello unlimited data plan in Illinois
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Tello phone plans keep things simple with their wireless service. None of those hidden fees or long-term contracts that'll leave you feeling trapped.
With free international calls to 60+ countries on all plans, including Canada and Mexico, and a range of data allowances suitable for light to heavy users.
Pros
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Free international calling to 60+ countries
- Free mobile hotspot included
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No international roaming
- No multi-line discounts
AT&T coverage in Illinois
- AT&T 4G LTE coverage in Illinois: 93%
- AT&T 5G (7/1 Mbps) coverage in Illinois: 66%
- AT&T 5G (35/3 Mbps) coverage in Illinois: 27%
Use the interactive AT&T coverage map below to see if AT&T provides good cell phone service in your area.
Best phone plans on the AT&T network
Boost Infinite unlimited data plan in Illinois
- AT&T & T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Unlimiteddata$25/mo*
One plan, one price. That's the Boost Infinite phone plan. Using the AT&T and T-Mobile network Boost Infinite is keeping it simple. With a cost of $25, you'll get super fast 5G on one of the top networks with their unlimited plan.
Pros
- AT&T and T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Unlimited plan (capped at 30GB high-speed data)
- Set price of $25 per month forever
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No multi-line discounts
- International add-ons available
Verizon coverage in Illinois
- Verizon 4G LTE coverage in Illinois: 94%
- Verizon 5G (7/1 Mbps) coverage in Illinois: 19%
- Verizon 5G (35/3 Mbps) coverage in Illinois: 15%
Use the interactive Verizon coverage map below to see if Verizon provides good cell phone service in your area.
Best phone plans on the Verizon network
Twigby Mobile 5GB plan in Illinois
- Verizon coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Twigby Mobile phone plans give you the option to customize your plan and only pay for what you need. They have a range of affordable no-contract plans that are powered by the Verizon network, so you don't have to sacrifice quality for flexibility.
Plus, if you have loved ones abroad, Twigby Mobile offers free international calling to 80 countries.
Pros
- Verizon 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Free international calls to 80+ countries
- eSIM compatible
- Free mobile hotspot access
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
Cons
- No multi-line discounts
- No International roaming
US Mobile unlimited data plan in Illinois
- Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
US Mobile phone plans offer affordable deals on the Verizon and T-Mobile networks, with good customer service and customizable options. You can build the best phone plans to suit specific needs, with unlimited talk and text and even international roaming options.
Plus, they don't lock you into any long-term contracts, giving you the freedom to switch whenever you like.
Pros
- T-Mobile and Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network coverage
- Multi-line discounts for family plans
- Free trial available
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
- TV, music, & gaming subscription perks on unlimited plans
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- International calling is an extra cost
- International roaming is an extra cost
- Mobile hotspot allowance only available on unlimited plans
Compare the cheapest cell phone plans in Illinois
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 5GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB | $10/mo |
| Red Pocket 10GB plan | Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 10GB | $20/mo |
| Mint Mobile unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $15/mo |
| Tello unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $25/mo |
| Total Wireless unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $40/mo |
Illinois cell phone coverage FAQs
The Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks all offer great cell phone coverage in Illinois. The best value phone plans are offered by low-cost carriers such as Mint Mobile and Tello.
The best value cell phone carriers in Illinois are MVNOs such as Mint Mobile and Tello. MVNOs are powered by big networks but are able to offer significantly cheaper phone plans ranging from $5-35.
Cell phone plans in Illinois range between $5-35 per month. Low-cost carriers, such as Boost Mobile, US Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Tello will offer the best value for money.
Recap: What is the best phone service in Illinois?
MVNOs make saving money on your cell phone bill simple where ever you live in Illinois.
Whether you're looking for unlimited data, international calling, mobile hotspot access, or a basic plan just for emergencies, there's a large selection of plans with something to suit everyone.
Switching to a cheap prepaid cell phone plan with a low-cost carrier like Boost Mobile, Mint Mobile, US Mobile, or Tello could cut your phone bill in half.
And with no contracts, if you're not happy you can amend your plan or leave and switch to another carrier without the worry of termination fees.
How we choose the best carriers and plans in IL
To select the best carriers and plans, MoneySavingPro's team of experts evaluated over 30 different carriers.
Carriers were rated in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. We then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:
- Value for money: We compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
- Coverage: We look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. We use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
- Customer experience: We take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
- Transparency: We assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. We examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
- Range of choice: We evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.
Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.
We regularly update our comparisons. Updating cell phone plans weekly and our content monthly to ensure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.
The data within our coverage and speed data is sourced from the FCC. We also used data from OpenStreetMap and Mapbox technology.
Find the cheapest cell phone plans in your area
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