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Consumer Reports lists cell phone deals through Mobile Virtual Network Operators

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Hate your monthly cell bill because of the high price?

Consumer Reports has found several cheaper options for $40 or less per month.

The cheaper services are available through mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). MVNOs lease excess wireless capacity from the big four carriers — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint — then offer cheaper service by not paying for retail store space and huge marketing campaigns, according to Consumer Reports.

Discount deals:

  • Tello: Unlimited text & talk and 1 GB for $10/month. Tello uses the Sprint network.
  • Mint Mobile: For $300 up front, you get a year of unlimited talk & text and 12 GB of data. (Breaks down to $25/month.) If you do go over your data limit in a month, your data speed gets throttled to 2G speeds, or you can buy an additional 1 GB for $10 or 3GB for $20. Mint Mobile runs on the T-Mobile network.
  • TextNow offers unlimited text, talk and data for $40/month. After 23GB of data, your speed may get throttled to ease network congestion. TextNow runs on the T-Mobile and Sprint networks.
  • Visible offers unlimited text, talk and data for $40/month. Data speeds are usually capped at 5 megabits per second. Visible runs on Verizon network.

See more plans and details on Consumer Reports website.