What Is Walmart Family Mobile In 2022? Everything You Need to Know Before Switching

As an experienced ecommerce business owner, I totally get the importance of saving money on business and personal expenses. One area you may be overspending without realizing it is your cell phone plan. Families especially can benefit from a more affordable prepaid option like Walmart Family Mobile. If you‘re wondering what exactly Walmart Family Mobile is all about and whether it‘s right for your needs, I‘ve got you covered with the full scoop below.

The Booming Prepaid Wireless Market

First, some quick context. Prepaid cell plans have absolutely exploded in popularity over the last 5 years. In fact, nearly 1 in 5 wireless subscribers now use prepaid service. Walmart Family Mobile has carved out a nice niche in this market, attracting budget-conscious individuals and families with straightforward plans, multi-line discounts and the convenience of Walmart stores.

To give you an idea of scale, Walmart Family Mobile now serves over 1 million subscribers. While that‘s small compared to Verizon and AT&T‘s 150+ million subscribers, it‘s an impressive feat for a prepaid carrier. The value and flexibility Walmart Family Mobile provides is clearly resonating with consumers.

How Walmart Family Mobile Plans Compare to the Competition

Here‘s a quick overview of how Walmart Family Mobile‘s plans and pricing stack up to other major wireless providers:

As you can see, Walmart Family Mobile comes in at the lowest pricing in terms of both individual and family plans. You get more data for less money compared to Verizon, AT&T and even parent network T-Mobile.

The caveat is that coverage may be more limited compared to the major postpaid networks. But for most users Walmart Family Mobile provides sufficient coverage at a much lower cost.

Network Coverage Powered by T-Mobile

Walmart Family Mobile service is delivered over the T-Mobile network, including access to their nationwide 5G network. This provides excellent coverage reach for customers.

Here are some key facts about the T-Mobile network:

• Reaches over 320 million people with LTE coverage
• 5G network reaches over 225 million people currently
• Fastest nationwide 5G speeds based on tests
• Most reliable network according to several independent studies

The sheer size of T-Mobile‘s infrastructure means you get great coverage across the country with Walmart Family Mobile. And their rapidly expanding 5G network means you can take advantage of the latest technology.

Prepaid vs Postpaid – Which Should You Choose?

When considering a wireless carrier, one of the big decisions is whether you want a postpaid or prepaid plan. Let‘s quickly compare the pros and cons of each:

Prepaid Plans

Pros:

• No long term contracts
• Pay for service up front each month
• Easy to control costs
• Plans can be cancelled anytime
• No credit check required

Cons:

• May have fewer plan features
• Lower priority on network

Postpaid Plans

Pros:

• More plan options and features
• Top network priority
• Bundle with internet or TV service
• Bill flexibility if short on cash

Cons:

• Long term contracts
• Early termination fees
• Higher monthly costs
• Overage fees if exceed limits
• Credit checks required

For many individuals and families looking to save money each month, prepaid plans make the most financial sense. The lower monthly costs outweigh the advantages of postpaid plans. And providers like Walmart Family Mobile still offer great coverage and features.

Bring Your Own Phone or Buy a New One

One nice aspect of Walmart Family Mobile is that you can bring your existing phone or purchase a new device. To keep your current phone, it just needs to be compatible with the T-Mobile network. Most newer unlocked GSM devices will work fine.

Here are a few tips for bringing your own device:

• Request an unlock from your current carrier if still under contract
• Check compatibility using Walmart‘s BYOD tool online
• Compare your phone‘s network bands to T-Mobile bands
• Have T-Mobile SIM card ready for activation

Or pick up a brand new phone at a Walmart store or on their website. You‘ll find all the latest iPhones, Samsung Galaxy models and affordable Android devices.

Buying the SIM kit and phone at the same time makes for a smooth transition to Walmart Family Mobile.

Suggested Plan Options from a Seasoned Pro

So which Family Mobile plan should you actually go with? Here are my suggestions:

For an individual user:

The 5GB plan for $30/month is a great sweet spot. You still get a respectable amount of high-speed data each month for streaming, social media, web browsing and music. And it‘s only $5 more than the basic 3GB plan.

For a family of 4:

I would spring for the unlimited data Family Mobile plan at $100/month. With four lines and multiple devices connected, you could easily exceed 10GB and get throttled. Unlimited data gives your family complete peace of mind.

Adding a mobile hotspot:

If you need to connect tablets, laptops or a work computer, I recommend paying the extra $5/month per line for mobile hotspot capability. This turns your phone into a WiFi hotspot for other gadgets. A must for digital nomads!

Insider Tips to Save Money and Avoid Headaches

Here are a few final insider tips from an experienced prepaid user:

• Review coverage maps in your area before switching
• Enable auto-pay and paperless billing for discounts
• Use your Walmart account to easily manage your plan
• Add international calling if traveling overseas
• Set payment reminders to avoid plan suspensions
• Check 5G availability and acquire a 5G-capable device

With a little research up front, you can have a smooth transition to Walmart Family Mobile. Follow the steps I outlined above, and you‘ll be saving a bundle on your cell bill in no time. Feel free to reach out with any other wireless questions you may have!