We’re not going to sugarcoat it upfront: Total Wireless is not one of our favorite cell phone companies for individual cell phone plans. But its family plans are another story. They come with more data, more perks, and the same strong network (Verizon). Enough with the introduction, let’s dive into the details of what we love—and don’t love—about Total Wireless. Let’s take a closer look at what these three plans do right. If you only use data every once in a while—like for Google Maps and SMS messages—then you can get a Total Wireless plan that gives you 1 GB of data for just $25 a month. That’s pretty darn cheap. Take a look at the map down in our coverage section to see how strong the network is in your area. Verizon’s network isn’t just large. It’s also pretty darn powerful. You should see strong data speeds in most major metropolitan areas, and look for the rollout of 5G in the months (and years) to come. What does that mean, exactly? Well, 2G is three fewer Gs than the most current technology (5G), so it’s kind of like going back to a dial-up modem when you’re used to broadband internet. You won’t be able to do most of the things you actually want to do on the internet, like stream video, listen to music, and play games. For that, you’ll need higher data speeds (at least 4G). It’s this 4G LTE data that’s limited with Total Wireless. The company’s $25 plan only comes with 1 GB of full-speed data. The $35 plan has 10 GB and the $50 plan has unlimited data. Once you hit those caps in the limited plans, you’ll be slowed down to a slug’s pace. Data deprioritization is when a network owner (which, in this case, would be Verizon rather than Total Wireless) decides to slow down your data speeds during times of congestion. All of Total’s plans come with a risk of deprioritization. That means you might see your data—even your so-called full-speed data—slow down when you’re in a crowded area or during times of peak use (like in the evenings after people get home from work). If you want to avoid the deprioritization issue then you’ll need to shell out for a pricier plan from one of the major three providers: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. When you bundle your lines together as a family you don’t just save money. You also may be eligible for some additional perks, like free mobile hotspot data. Here are the details on Total Wireless’s family plans. Here’s a look at how Total Wireless explains it on its website. Each line will be on the Verizon network, which, as we stated above, is the largest in the nation. So you should have decent service no matter where the family ends up going on vacation. All of that, and you’ll get an added perk with this family plan: hotspot data. But when you bundle up into a family plan, each line will get 10 GB of hotspot data for free. That’s actually a decent amount (enough to binge watch a whole season of The Mandalorian for instance). So go ahead and stream a movie while you’re stuck at the bus stop. Yes, you’ll still have to deal with annoying data slowdowns when you sign up for Total’s family plans. Total. Bummer. When you sign up for a new plan with Total Wireless (or pretty much any other provider), you’ll get access to some deals and payment plans. For instance, you can pick up an iPhone 13 mini 128GB for just $25 a month after the upfront cost. That’s a lot more manageable than shelling out a grand upfront. Here’s a look at some of the other great deals that Total Wireless offers on new devices. Well, it’s not the easiest thing to measure. There is some data about customer satisfaction for bigger providers, like AT&T, but not for MVNOs like Total. So, we’ll just have to look at what we can find. Here’s one promising statistic: the Total Wireless app retains a 4.8 star rating on the Apple App Store. And it scores a solid 4 stars on the Google Play Store. That’s pretty darn good. If you’re looking for support in signing up for Total Wireless, or you’re an existing customer, you can reach the company like this:
By phone: 1-866-663-3633 Online: www.totalwireless.com/contactus
Individual plans: Total Wireless’s individual plans are relatively cheap and offer great coverage using Verizon’s network. However, the lack of full-speed data and the possibility of slowdowns will be a deal breaker for many people. Family plans: Total’s family plans are a step up from its individual plans. The prices are significantly cheaper than buying single lines, and these plans come with more data (including mobile hotspot data). Performance: Verizon’s network, which powers Total Wireless, offers unparalleled coverage and super fast data speeds (at least, when you’re not being deprioritized).
If those family plans sound right for you (and your kids), then you can sign up right here. If not, there are plenty of other carriers out there who would love to have your business!
