compare phone plans and save up to 80%
compare now
Coverage

Best Phone Coverage in Cleveland, Ohio: A City Passionate About Football and Great Cell Phone Coverage

By
Sara Nuss
September 13, 2023

compare phone plans and save up to 80%

compare now

Ohio is a state full of rural land and some incredible cities, such as Cleveland, Ohio, where one of the most popular football teams in the country resides. The Cleveland Browns are a staple in sports, along with other tourist attractions in the city such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Polish culture and heritage, and a huge arts scene.

Main image courtesy of 10Best

When moving to a new city, it’s important to get an idea of what the best cell phone coverage is to ensure that you and your family have reliable service to call and text anytime, anywhere. Cleveland, Ohio is a big city that supports all kinds of mobile providers, but it’s important to know which one is the best.

Consider checking out the best cell phone coverage in Cleveland, Ohio and some great plans to check out too!

In this article, we’ll discuss the best cell phone coverage in Cleveland, Ohio and other important topics including:

  • Map of the fastest cell phone coverage in Cleveland
  • Local and national carriers that cover Cleveland
  • Frequently asked questions about phone coverage in Cleveland
Best Cell Phone Coverage in Cleveland, Ohio || Source

Phone Coverage in Cleveland at a Glance

Cell phone coverage is crucial to have no matter where you’re at nowadays in order  to send text messages and call loved ones, and even to use cellular data on-the-go. No matter if you’re in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Metroparks Zoo, the Cleveland Museum of Art, or even checking out the A Christmas Story house, only one mobile provider has the best coverage.

The best cell phone coverage in Cleveland, Ohio is Verizon Wireless’ due to their reliable network nationwide and their award-winning 4G LTE and 5G range. They have almost 100% coverage in Cleveland for reliable call and text performance, and also 100% 4G LTE and 94% 5G availability.

Next in line for the best cell phone coverage in Cleveland is AT&T, and they fall just a little bit short of Verizon. AT&T provides its customers with almost 100% coverage in the city as well but their 5G availability is a little lower. Customers can enjoy 100% 4G LTE and 87% 5G availability in Cleveland.

Coming in third place is T-Mobile, but it’s not for the reasons that you may think. While T-Mobile may not have the best coverage in Cleveland, they stand out with their 5G performance and range nationwide. With almost 100% coverage just like Verizon Wireless and AT&T, customers can enjoy reliability for calling and texting, along with 99% 4G LTE and 5G availability, so you’re covered no matter where you’re at. 

While Verizon Wireless may be named the best cell phone coverage in Cleveland, it’s also important to consider what the residents of the city think and their opinions on it as well. Many love their service with AT&T and T-Mobile stating they give them more call and text reliability with top notch service at all times. Many also prefer T-Mobile’s prices compared to the other two options. 

Local and National Cell Phone Carriers in Cleveland

Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile, otherwise known as Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), are known to be more expensive. This can be hard for individuals who are on a tight budget, which is why sometimes a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) is a better option.

MVNOs are almost identical to MNOs, but they are different in one major way, the price. With a MVNO, you can save over $600 per year while still using the same service and coverage as a MNO. This makes for a lighter load on your wallet, while also getting the best coverage in Cleveland as well. 

It’s important to get a better understanding of MVNOs and how they work compared to a MNO. T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless are Mobile Network Operators, which means they maintain their own networks. Ting Mobile, on the other hand, is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), which means they buy minutes from an MNO with extra capacity and resell under their own brand. In this case, Ting Mobile uses the power of the T-Mobile network to provide reliable coverage at a lower price.

The only main problem that many users of a MVNO run into is deprioritization, which is when you experience slow 4G LTE and 5G data speeds due to congestion during busy hours. This is common for MVNO users, but MNO customers pay more money each month to get high-speed 4G LTE and 5G data all month long with no issues. 

Let’s take a look at which of these carriers use the network that gives people in Cleveland the most coverage.

Verizon 4G (Light Purple) and 5G (Dark Purple) Coverage in Cleveland, Ohio || Source

#1 in Cleveland: Visible (Verizon Wireless)

Best 4G LTE and 5G Range in Cleveland

Verizon Wireless offers the best network coverage in Cleveland, Ohio and one of the best MVNOs to get a cell phone plan through is Visible. This MVNO is known for their unlimited data plans along with offering some of the best 4G LTE and 5G range on America’s number one network. 

Features of a Visible cell phone plan include:

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data
  • 4G LTE or 5G nationwide coverage
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot
  • Spam protection
  • Unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada
  • 5G ultra wideband on their most expensive plan
  • Unlimited roaming in Mexico and Canada on most expensive plan
  • International calling and texting to 30+ countries
  • International texting to 200+ countries
  • 24/7 access to customer service
  • Add a smartwatch for an extra $5 per month
  • No hidden fees 

Price: Visible offers some of the most affordable cell phone plans, especially for unlimited everything. They have two different plans to choose from—$30 per month for the base plan, or $45 for the premium one. 

Plan: Choosing which Visible cell phone plan you want is super easy because there are only two plans to choose from. The base plan comes with all of the essentials you’ll need including unlimited talk, text, and data, but the premium plan comes with extra features including 5G ultra wideband, international features, and even a mobile hotspot.

👍 What We Liked

  • Verizon Wireless’ Network. Visible is a popular MVNO to use because it allows customers to connect to Verizon Wireless’ top coverage in Cleveland.
  • Truly Unlimited Plans. There are two plans offered by Visible that are 100% unlimited with talk, text, and high-speed 5G data all month long. 

👎 What We Didn’t Like

  • No Physical Stores. Many customers hate that Visible doesn’t have any physical stores to go to, or a customer service 1-800 number to call with any issues. Instead, customers have to rely on their live chat option to talk to a live customer service agent. 
  • More Features on Premium Plan. While spending an extra $15 per month may be a lot to some people, for others it is worth it when it comes to getting all of the necessary features, and even better 5G data on the premium plan. 
AT&T 4G (Light Purple) and 5G (Dark Purple) Coverage in Cleveland, Ohio || Source

#2 in Cleveland: Cricket Wireless (AT&T) 

Best for Full Service MVNO in Cleveland

AT&T is known for having the most robust in all of Ohio, and Cricket Wireless is a great option to choose. Cricket Wireless is a MVNO that uses AT&T’s network. They provide everything from unlimited talk, text, and data on some of their plans with all of the features you’ll need.

Features of a Cricket Wireless cell phone plan include:

  • Fast nationwide 5G coverage
  • High-speed data access
  • Unlimited talk, text, and picture messaging
  • HD voice and Wi-Fi calling
  • Cricket Call Defense to protect you from spam calls
  • Affordable Connectivity Program if you’re eligible
  • Mobile hotspot on most plans
  • HBO Max included in plan price
  • Cloud storage available
  • International calling to Canada and Mexico
  • International text to 37 countries
  • Save more money by adding more lines

Price: The best feature about Cricket Wireless is how affordable their cell phone plans are as a full service MVNO that provides all of the features and necessities you need. Customers who wish to sign up for a Cricket Wireless cell phone plan will spend around $30 to $60 depending on the plan and how much data you need.

Plan: With Cricket Wireless, there are two different types of cell phone plans to choose from that offer data allotments and unlimited plans. For a set data allotment plan, you can choose 5GB or even 10GB if you don’t need a ton of data, but you can also spend some more money each month to get unlimited data all month long. 

👍 What We Liked

  • AT&T’s Network Coverage. Many customers are satisfied with Cricket Wireless’ coverage because they use AT&T’s network, which is known for being the best in Ohio and being very reliable in Cleveland. 
  • Full Service MVNO. No matter what you need in a cell phone plan, Cricket Wireless provides unlimited talk, text, and  data on a ton of their plans and includes extra necessary features.

👎 What We Didn’t Like

  • Poor Customer Service. Cricket Wireless customers are satisfied with everything about their plan, but the customer service. Many customers have bad experiences with customer service where their issues aren’t resolved in a timely manner, or they’re on hold for a very long time. 
  • Lack of a Cell Phone Selection. If you need a new cell phone with your plan, it’s important to keep in mind that your plan through Cricket Wireless only gives you the option of choosing Apple phones. They do not have any Samsung or Google phones to choose from. 
T-Mobile 4G (Light Purple) and 5G (Dark Purple) Coverage in Cleveland, Ohio || Source

#3 in Cleveland: T-Mobile

Best for its Unlimited Cell Phone Plans in Cleveland

Sometimes your best bet is choosing a cell phone plan directly through a MNO, such as T-Mobile so you can enjoy ultra fast 5G speeds nationwide and reliable call and text performance. T-Mobile offers more affordable plans out of the major providers that include everything from unlimited talk, text, and data. 

Features of a T-Mobile Magenta plan include:

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data
  • Truly unlimited 5G data on all plans
  • International calling to Canada and Mexico
  • Up to 40GB of a mobile hotspot
  • Nationwide 4G LTE and/or 5G high-speed data
  • Taxes and fees included in monthly price
  • Exceptional customer service
  • Bring your own cell phone and number
  • Entertainment perks
  • Scam shield to protect you against scammers
  • T-Mobile Tuesdays for exclusive perks
  • Travel benefits

Price: Since T-Mobile is a mobile provider, it’s normal to pay more than a MVNO, but their plans are more affordable than Verizon Wireless and even AT&T. For an individual plan, customers can pay $65 to $95 per month, but if you need a four-line family plan, you’ll pay a little more, around $105 to $185. 

Plan: T-Mobile offers three main cell phone plans out of their iconic Magenta category and you can choose the Essentials plan, the Go5G, and the Go5G Plus. All of these plans include unlimited talk, text, data, and a set amount of GBs for a mobile hotspot. Keep in mind the more expensive the plan, the more features you’ll get, including entertainment perks. 

👍 What We Liked

  • T-Mobile’s Network Coverage. Many people love T-Mobile because of their reliable network coverage nationwide, that offers the best 5G experience with more towers and availability.
  • All Truly Unlimited Plans Offered. By signing up for a T-Mobile cell phone plan, you can get some of the best truly unlimited plans and can get talk, text, and high-speed 5G data all month long. 

👎 What We Didn’t Like

  • More Expensive. Since T-Mobile is a MNO, customers will pay more money per month for a plan than someone with a MVNO, but they won’t experience deprioritization. 
  • Mobile Hotspot Limits. Mobile hotspots are included in every single T-Mobile cell phone plan, but you only get a set amount of GBs to use per month. If you go over, you’ll have to pay extra on your monthly bill. 
Verizon 4G (Light Purple) and 5G (Dark Purple) Coverage in Cleveland, Ohio || Source

Get to Know Your Local Carrier Options in Cleveland 

It can be difficult to choose between many MVNOs in Cleveland that use Verizon Wireless, AT&T, or  T-Mobile’s network.

Consider one of the following MVNO options that are available in Cleveland, Ohio:

  • Boost Mobile
  • Ting Mobile
  • Tello
  • US Mobile
  • Consumer Cellular
  • Red Pocket
  • Twigby
  • Good2Go Mobile
  • Pure Talk
  • Ultra Mobile
  • Straight Talk Wireless
  • Tracfone
  • Net10 Wireless
  • And more!
Cleveland, Ohio is known for its sports, arts, and dining attractions for plenty of fun weekends, and also great cell phone coverage too. Image courtesy of Visit the USA

FAQ: Your Questions About Cell Phone Coverage in Cleveland, Answered

Have any last second questions about cell phone coverage in Cleveland, Ohio? Check out some of the most frequently asked questions about it!

Who Has the Strongest Cell Phone Signal?

Out of the top three mobile providers available in Cleveland, Ohio, Verizon Wireless is known for having the best because of their availability in both major cities and even many rural areas. They are also known for having the best range when it comes to 4G LTE and 5G.

How to Determine the Best Cell Phone Coverage in My Area

When selecting a cell phone plan, it’s important to determine who offers the best coverage in the area you specifically live in. A coverage map can help you pinpoint which network will work best for you by allowing you to plug in your address and get the top coverage options as well as cell phone plans to choose from. 

What Carrier Has the Best Coverage in Ohio?

Out of many mobile providers in Ohio, AT&T is known for having the most robust coverage. This is because they have 3G and 4G LTE coverage in  many rural areas still working on accessing the best and fastest data and cellular technology available.  

Verizon Wireless is your best bet for fast phone coverage in Cleveland, Ohio

When it comes to getting the best cell phone coverage in Cleveland, Ohio, Verizon Wireless is there to ensure that you have the most reliable call and text performance available and 4G LTE and 5G range unlike any other. 

When trying to select a brand new cell phone plan, it can be difficult to figure out where to start. With the help of Really, you can get the most essential information when it comes to cell phone plans and the best coverage in your area. Really will help give you options of different cell phone plans to choose from where you can sort them by price, best value, and even click on them to get more of a description of what they entail.

compare phone plans and save up to 80%

compare now

compare phone plans and save up to 80%

compare now
Sara Nuss
Sara Nuss is a journalist from Pittsburgh, PA that specializes in wireless, dewi, phone plan advice & blockchain.
Select your area of interest
tags

your questions,
answered

Does this phone service work everywhere?

Yep, we offer premium wireless service on the the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in our dewi coverage areas, you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.

Is there a contract?

Nope, it’s pay as you go.

Is this prepaid?

Yeah! You put your card on file and prepay each month so that you never experience any disruption.

Does my phone need to be unlocked?

Yep, but it’s super easy to unlock your device as long as it’s paid off. Chat with us and a real human can help you here.

What if I want a new phone?

We have some recommendations on what we think you should get, from iPhones to Droids. Check out our list here which includes affordable places online to get a good deal.

What does decentralized wireless (DeWi) mean?

It means we are building a phone network that is powered by the people. Your neighbors put small radios on their roof and help extend the phone network to cover deadzones™ and get even faster speeds. Right now our DeWi network is available in Austin, but we’ll be expanding to other cities REALLY soon. Learn more about DeWi here.

How many SIMs will I be installing?

Great question. If you’re in Austin, TX, you’ll install 2 new SIMs. The REALLY nationwide SIM as your first SIM, which will give you voice / text & data on the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network powered by T-Mobile®.

Your 2nd SIM will give you access to the REALLY DeWi network in Austin, TX, which you’ll prioritize when available so that you get even faster speeds and better coverage.

Depending on your device, you may be able to install eSIMs via a QR code.

Can I keep my phone number?

Yep, we are powered by T-Mobile®, the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in Austin, TX you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.

How much data do you get on the unlimited plan?

The plan is unlimited, but once you reach 20GB you may experience slower speeds depending on network usage.

How much hotspot data do you get on the unlimited plan?

You get 10GB of hotspot data per month, but can add more if you need to.

How do I add more data to my plan?

You can chat with us, text us, or login to your account to top off. It only takes a few seconds.

start building a new era of connectivity

join REALLY DeWi