Which network does my phone work on?Updated 2 years ago

To keep it super simple, let's just say that there are two types of networks in telecommunications: GSM and CDMA. You know the big telecom giants? T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint? Also, please note that Sprint merged with T-Mobile! These telecom giants dominate the cellular airwaves across the USA, and use only the two types of networks we mentioned earlier. T-Mobile and AT&T primarily operate in the GSM network, while Verizon and Sprint operate in the CDMA network. Each carrier has its own network towers (3G, LTE, and/or 5G) that operate each of their own cellular networks. 

Sometimes the bigger companies don't have the right phone plan for customers. What do the customers do? They get a phone plan with a smaller provider like Cricket, Boost, Mint, Metro, or Straight Talk. These smaller carriers operate as an MVNO, or Mobile Virtual Network Operator, to be fancy. Again, to keep it super simple, these MVNOs use the physical network towers of the telecom giants and 'feed off' of their network coverage. Why choose an MVNO? They offer very budget-friendly plans with great coverage. This is where knowing your network is important because you can save yourself a lot of stress by doing a little research and getting the right device.

Below is almost every MVNO company.  Hopefully this helps!

(GSM):

AirVoice Wireless
Black Wireless
Boom Mobile
campusSIMs
Consumer Cellular
Cricket Wireless
EasyGO Wireless
good2GO Mobile
H2O Wireless
Jolt Mobile
Net10 Wireless
Pix Wireless
Puretalk USA
Red Pocket Mobile
Straight Talk
TracFone
(CDMA):

Boom Mobile
Boost Mobile
CellNUVO
Charge Mobile
Chit Chat Mobile
EcoMobile
Expo Mobile
good2GO Mobile
Infinium Wireless
Kajeet
NetZero
Project Fi
Ready Mobile
Republic Wireless
Telcel America
Tello US
Tempo Telecom
TextNow
The People's Operator USA
Ting
Twigby
Virgin Mobile USA
ZingPCS

 (GSM):

Consumer Cellular
EcoMobile
GoSmart
Hayai Mobile
Jaguar Mobile
Jolt Mobile
KidsConnect
Liberty Wireless
Metro (formerly metroPCS)
Mint Mobile
Red Pocket Mobile
Republic Wireless
Simple Mobile
Speed Talk Mobile
Telcel America
Tempo Telecom
The People's Operator USA
Ting
Ultra Mobile
Univision Mobile
US Mobile
Walmart Family Mobile
ZingPCS
Zip SIM

(CDMA):

Affinity Cellular
Armed Force Mobile
Boom Mobile
Credo
Eco Mobile
Expo Mobile
Net10 Wireless
Page Plus Cellular
Puppy WirelessRed Pocket Mobile
ROK Mobile
Selectel Wireless
Straight Talk
Total WirelessTracFone
Zing PCS