There are various smaller cell phone carriers, called MVNOs, available in the US that are alternatives to T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T among others. The ultimate target for most users is an economical carrier that provides reliable cell service.
One such provider revolutionizing the cell phone industry is Mint SIM.
Founded in 2006, Mint SIM is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that provides its voice and data services nationwide using the 4G LTE T-Mobile network. It is regarded to have one of the cheapest services, fastest download speed and most rapidly growing system in America. Based in Mountain View, California, Mint SIM maintains an all-digital footprint that drives their operating cost down. Also, it has plans that are very easy to utilize and allow risk-free trials.
Related: Check out the best cell phone plans of the year
First time users of Mint SIM need to have their GSM phone unlocked. Through their ‘Bring Your Own Phone’ program, Mint SIM provides the phone unlocking services for their customers.
Mint SIM allows customers to use the latest smartphones including Android and the newest iPhones that are GSM compatible. The company’s SIM cards are quite similar to others in the market. Also, depending on the client phone, the Mint SIM can be tailored to the right size to fit the phone (nano, micro, standard).
For the activation process, the user can visit the Mint SIM website for the needed instructions.
After installing the Mint SIM in the unlocked SIM card slot, the user is required to add the Access Point Name (APN) in the phone settings. APN settings assist the user in utilizing the Mint SIM data plan.
Due to Mint SIM running on the T-Mobile network, customers can take advantage of a vast area of network coverage. In fact, the company is ranked among top five in the network coverage tests in the US.
Some of the services provided by Mint SIM include making and receiving local as well as international calls, text messages and accessing of voicemail. Also, it allows using the phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot, and offers call forwarding, phone tethering and access to the internet. Its wireless services are comprised of national 3G, HSPA, and LTE.
Mint SIM also allows for international roaming services. Through the UpRoam services, the Mint SIM can top up their International Roaming balance.
Mint SIM allows its customers to port their existing phone numbers to their service.
In its business model, Mint SIM has payment packages for 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. It includes unlimited talk, text, and 4G LTE data.
The Small Plan offers 2GB worth of data. The plan costs $35 per month. For three months, it costs less than $12 per month, for six months it costs $19.83 and $16.58 annually.
The Medium Plan offers 5GB of data for $50 per month and less than $17 per month if you pay for three months. The six months package is $28.17 and under $25 per month.
The Large Plan offers 10GB of data for $60 per month. Paying for three months of the plan gets you the plan for $20 per month, $34.83 for six months, and $33.25 for twelve months.
In the case where the monthly 4G LTE data is exhausted before the end of the package period, the user services are not cut off. However, the speed will be throttled to 2G speeds. Therefore, the customer can chat and access emails.
However, there are no group or family plans from Mint SIM. All the Mint SIM plans are purchased individually. The many automatic massages sent to first time users of Mint SIM can sometime be annoying.
