Who‘s Using Verizon‘s Cell Towers in 2024? You Might Be Surprised
Verizon is the largest wireless carrier in the U.S. with over 150 million subscribers nationwide. But did you know that Verizon‘s network reaches far more customers than just those direct Verizon Wireless subscribers?
Through wholesale agreements and partnerships, Verizon provides the infrastructure backbone for numerous smaller carriers, rural providers, first responders, and other large brands. Read on for a detailed look at the many companies using Verizon‘s coast-to-coast network.
Overview of Major MVNOs on Verizon‘s Network
Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are wireless providers that use the network infrastructure of major carriers. They don‘t own cell towers – instead they buy network access wholesale and resell plans under their own brand name.
Here‘s a comparison of the top MVNOs using Verizon‘s towers and LTE network:
| MVNO | Subscribers | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Visible | 1 million+ | – Unlimited talk, text & LTE data for $40/month – Owned by Verizon – Uses Verizon‘s 4G LTE and 5G networks |
| Straight Talk | 25 million+ | – Uses Verizon towers for CDMA/LTE service – Plans from $35/month with 10GB high-speed data – Access to nationwide 5G |
| Total Wireless | 1 million+ | – Plans starting at $25/month – Voted #1 prepaid carrier by Consumer Reports – Runs on Verizon‘s 4G LTE network |
| TracFone | 20 million+ | – Recently acquired by Verizon – Offers prepaid plans starting at $10/month – Uses Verizon‘s 3G & 4G LTE networks |
| Cricket Wireless | 10 million+ | – Owned by AT&T but has roaming agreement with Verizon – Plans from $30/month – Mix of AT&T and Verizon coverage |
| Xfinity Mobile | 2 million+ | – For XFinity internet customers only – Uses Verizon‘s network outside WiFi areas – Unlimited plan costs $45/month |
*Subscriber data from carrier financial reports and news articles
As you can see, Verizon provides the backbone network for millions of customers across some of the most popular prepaid/MVNO brands. These carriers lease Verizon‘s infrastructure but set their own plans, pricing, and service offerings.
Compared to Verizon‘s own unlimited plan at $80-90/month for one line, MVNO options on Verizon‘s network are significantly cheaper – some less than half the cost! However, MVNOs tend to deprioritize data speeds compared to direct Verizon customers during network congestion. Still, for many budget-conscious consumers, the savings outweigh the potential speed reductions.
Verizon‘s Rural Carrier Partners
Beyond MVNOs, Verizon has an extensive roster of rural carrier partners across the Midwest, Northeast, South, and West. These small providers use Verizon‘s infrastructure to provide wireless service in remote areas outside their networks.
Some of Verizon‘s key rural partners include:
- Bluegrass Cellular – Serves central Kentucky with around 75,000 subscribers
- Appalachian Wireless – Regional carrier with 117,000 customers across Kentucky and West Virginia
- Chat Mobility – Michigan regional carrier with 50,000 subscribers
- SI Wireless – 25,000 customers across central Illinois
Through these rural carriers, Verizon coverage spans into remote country sides and mountain regions that their network doesn‘t directly reach. It‘s a symbiotic partnership – rural companies gain access to nationwide coverage, while Verizon expands its footprint.
First Responders Rely on Verizon Too
Perhaps surprisingly, Verizon provides the network backbone for several first responder and emergency networks across the U.S.
For example, FirstNet, built with AT&T, uses Verizon‘s LTE network under an extended roaming agreement to augment coverage. Over 10,000 emergency agencies and 1 million connections use FirstNet today.
Verizon also provides the infrastructure for dedicated emergency medical networks like EMnet. It allows EMTs and paramedics to access patient records, telemetry, and other data on-the-go without any public network congestion.
By being the backbone of critical emergency services, Verizon helps first responders stay connected during crises and saves lives.
The Bottom Line
While Verizon has over 150 million retail wireless subscribers, that‘s just the tip of the iceberg. Tens of millions more customers use Verizon‘s network infrastructure through wholesale agreements with prepaid carriers, rural providers, MVNOs, emergency services, and other large brands.
So next time you see a Verizon tower, know that it‘s likely providing coverage for many other customers besides just Big Red. Understanding who uses Verizon‘s network provides insights into the true reach and importance of Verizon‘s infrastructure in connecting Americans across the country.
