CUT THE COST OF YOUR WIRELESS BILL

AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon dominate the market, but smaller outfits offer similar network coverage at lower prices.

- ASHLYN BROOKS

CHANCES are, you have a cell-phone plan with one of the three wireless giants in the U.S.: AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon. These carriers are attractive to many customers for their extensive network coverage, high-speed data connectivity and broad array of services. Along with offering a range of individual and family plans, they provide international roaming options, stores nationwide where customers can get in-person assistance, and perks such as access to Netflix, Disney+ or other streaming services with certain plans.

But the benefits come at a premium price. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon primarily offer postpaid plans (in which customers are billed for service at the end of the month rather than prepaying for it) that provide unlimited data, calls and text messages. They range from about $60 to $90 per month for a single line of service, and you’ll pay more for a family plan. In some cases, you can purchase a limited amount of high-speed data each month for a lower price, but the discount may not be significant. For instance, AT&T offers a plan with unlimited calls and text messages and 4 gigabytes of data for $50 per month.