COVID-19 Response: AT&T Prepaid and Cricket Launch New Cheap Plans

Marisa Crane
Marisa Crane
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Mar 27, 2020

AT&T just launched $15/month plans from AT&T Prepaid and Cricket Wireless (an MVNO owned by AT&T) to help new and existing customers through these challenging times. While these prices are only temporary, these deals can help reduce your spending amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

AT&T and Cricket Wireless $15 Prepaid Plans

AT&T’s and Cricket Wireless’ new $15/month prepaid plans will be available for a limited time starting March 27, 2020. Each plan offers the same features, which are:

  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 2GB/month of high-speed data (slows to 128Kbps after 2GB).

Note that Cricket’s data speeds may be limited to 3Mbps, which is closer to 3G speeds.

How Do the New AT&T & Cricket Plans Compare to Other Low-Cost Plans?

AT&T’s and Cricket’s new $15/month plans are a great deal, but they’re not the only carriers offering cheap plans right now. Mobile companies everywhere are offering low-cost plans to help new and existing customers through the COVID-19 pandemic.

T-Mobile planned to launch its low-cost prepaid plans called T-Mobile Connect to celebrate its merger with Sprint, but the company released the plans early to help those that need them right now. T-Mobile Connect offers 2GB/month (hard data cap) with unlimited talk and text for $15/month, and a 5GB/month plan (hard data cap) with unlimited talk and text for $25/month.

T-Mobile’s Connect Plans will be a permanent fixture in the carrier’s lineup, which is a huge benefit since AT&T’s and Cricket’s $15/month plans are just temporary, and they haven’t announced how long they’ll be available yet. When it comes to coverage, both have great coverage, although AT&T’s network edges out T-Mobile’s by 6%. Before you commit to a carrier, check each carrier’s coverage map to ensure that the areas you frequent will get coverage.

MVNOs are offering good deals too. Metro by T-Mobile is offering a 2GB/month plan that comes with unlimited talk and text for $15/month. The carrier is on T-Mobile’s network too, but this plan will only last until (around) May 25.

If you’re in need of an unlimited plan and would like to skip the credit check, Visible offers an unlimited everything plan for $40/month. Your first month is only $25, and if you can get three more people to sign up with you, you can take advantage of Visible’s Party Pay (like a family plan) and pay just $25/month per line for the life of the account. Visible is on Verizon’s robust network, which bests all other carriers with 70% nationwide coverage.

To compare more low-cost plan options, check out the list below or head over to our search engine to customize your search and find a new plan today.

Other Ways AT&T and Cricket are Responding to COVID-19

AT&T has proudly signed the FCC’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge which ends May 13 and states:

  • They will continue to provide customers with service, regardless of their ability to pay.
  • They will waive all late payment fees.
  • They will open all public WiFi hotspots to anyone in the U.S. who needs them.

AT&T has added to this pledge in the following ways:

  • Charges for data, talk, and text overages will be waived until (around) May 13.
  • New and existing customers on capped data plans will get an additional 10GB of data per month for 60 days if you sign up before April 26, and for 30 days if you sign up after April 26.
  • New and existing customers with the prepaid Unlimited Data Plus Plan will get an additional 10GB of hotspot data per month for 60 days if you sign up before April 26, and for 30 days if you sign up after April 26.
  • Customers on an unlimited data plan that includes a hotspot allowance will get an additional 15GB of hotspot data added to their plan.

*Excludes limited time offer and data-only plans.

While Cricket Wireless has not signed the Keep Americans Connected Pledge, the carrier is offering the following relief to customers until (around) mid-May:

  • New and existing customers with capped data plans will get an additional 10GB of data per month for up to two billing cycles.
  • New and existing customers on unlimited data plans will get 10GB of data each month for up to two billing cycles.
  • Reactivation fees will be waived and customers in need can get a seven-day extension on payment due dates until.

*Excludes limited time offer and data-only plans.

Marisa Crane
Written by
Marisa Crane