Welcome friend! I know sifting through countless wireless plan options trying to determine which provides the right balance of affordability, coverage and features for your needs can get confusing quick. I wrote this insider‘s guide to help simplify your decision based on detailed analysis of carrier performance specifically for Delaware.
I have over a decade of experience covering advancements in cell phone technology, infrastructure and services. Leveraging the latest report data and tools, my goal is to arm you with everything required to feel 100% confident picking the perfect plan.
Whether an individual, family or business owner – no matter if residing in a bustling metro or off-the-grid rural farmland – by the end, you‘ll have a personalized recommendation matching unique usage needs. Let‘s dive in!
State of Wireless Networks in Delaware
Understanding nuances between carrier network reach and reliability statewide provides the foundation. Verizon continues having the strongest overall coverage and speeds based on thousands of tests conducted by independent research firm RootMetrics:
RootMetrics Delaware Testing (1H 2022):
You see Verizon and AT&T neck-and-neck for coverage and call/text ratings due to their vast spectrum holdings. However Verizon’s average download speed far outpaces AT&T and T-Mobile at 72 Mbps thanks to their widespread LTE enhancements and rapidly growing 5G footprint.
At a county level, that statewide view shifts slightly:
Verizon maintains superior coverage throughout with slight variability by county for others. Kent county emerges as a surprising 5G leader with T-Mobile blanketed in next-gen signal. Still early in its rollout, 5G brings exponentially faster speeds to enabled areas.
While these high-level statistics provide a baseline, you likely care more about neighborhood level performance. That’s why I always recommend plugging addresses into carrier coverage checkers to validate signal quality in typical usage areas before deciding.
Now, onto exploring key details of plan options from major and prepaid carriers available…
Best Unlimited Plans from Leading Carriers
Unlimited data plans offer the ultimate simplicity for peace-of-mind. Pay one monthly fee and use as much high-speed data as you want without worrying about overages! Here are my Delaware recommendations:
Verizon Play More Unlimited
- $80/month for one line
- Video streaming capped at 720p
- 50GB high-speed data then unlimited at lower speeds
- 15GB high-speed mobile hotspot
- Free Apple Music + streaming bundle
Verizon strikes an ideal balance of premium features like Mexico/Canada usage and streaming bundle extras at a reasonable rate. Plus no other carrier comes close matching their blazing average speeds of 72 Mbps and 99% statewide coverage per latest testing!
T-Mobile Magenta Max
- $85/month for one line
- Truly unlimited high-speed data
- 40GB monthly high-speed mobile hotspot
- 5G access included
- Free Netflix Basic
T-Mobile pulls ahead where 5G mid-band coverage exists offering uncapped speeds and huge 40GB hotspot allotments. Their value shines adding lines with $47/month pricing per user on a family plan of four. Great option if a 5G power user not venturing far beyond the I-95 corridor.
AT&T Unlimited Extra
- $75/month for one line
- 50GB high-speed data before deprioritization
- 15GB high-speed mobile hotspot
- Free HBO Max access
- Restrictions: Video capped at 1080p
AT&T matches Verizon‘s coverage footprint while lagging in observed speeds. But lower monthly rates and perks like full HD streaming and HBO Max access keeps them competitive. Just confirm service quality in your usage zones first.
Now onto some great prepaid options if you prefer more flexibility…
Most Affordable Prepaid Alternatives
Prepaid cell plans provide savings over major carriers in exchange for some limitations. However the top options leverage Verizon or AT&T‘s networks delivering solid coverage:
Google Fi Flexible Plan
- $20 monthly for talk & text, $10 per GB data
- Uses T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and WiFi Networks
- Best domestic and international travel option
- Seamless network switching between partners
- Data intake measured in 1 MB increments
Google Fi‘s pay-only-for-what-you-use model is extremely budget friendly if a light data user. Unique network configurations provide reliable nationwide service spanning metro and rural regions alike. Top choice for those frequently crossing state lines or traveling abroad needing connectivity.
Consumer Cellular
- 250 MB data, Unlimited Talk & Text for $15/month
- Runs on AT&T network
- Bring your own device – no contracts
- Savings for AARP Members
- Additional data at $4.50 per 500MB
I suggest Consumer Cellular for seniors or basic phone users mainly relying on talk & text. It offers a risk-free way to try service for a month without long-term commitments. Downsides reflect deprioritized data behind AT&T customers during congestion and max speeds capped at 4G LTE. But provides sufficient basics!
Evolving 5G Landscape in Delaware
While 5G coverage remains limited statewide, deployment rapidly progresses monthly as carriers enhance next-gen infrastructure:
You see 5G availability jumped 6X over the past two years to 17% thanks to T-Mobile lighting up mid-band spectrum acquired from Sprint all across Delaware. Verizon remains constrained to small high-frequency mmWave 5G zones providing insane speeds exceeding 1Gbps!
Where supported, 5G brings 10-100X speed boosts over 4G LTE. Even without widespread coverage, prioritizing 5G-ready devices ensures you‘ll enjoy faster downloads as soon your location goes live.
Check carriers‘ 5G coverage maps to identify if neighborhood is enabled yet and expected timeline for turning on service. All latest unlimited plans include 5G access at no added cost when available.
Carrier Recommendations By Usage Profile
Hopefully the detailed analysis so far provides a framework for comparing plans and carrier infrastructure. Here I‘ll offer my personalized recommendations based on few common user profiles relevant to Delaware residents:
Remote Rural Residents
- Verizon – Without question, Verizon clings to widest coverage across rural areas in Delaware. Their performance lead grows outside densely populated zones as competitors lose signals. Just double check your address falls within coverage first.
Metro Business Owners
- AT&T – Smooth videoconferencing and reliable downloads are crucial for businesses. AT&T often delivers most consistent low-latency connections inside cities that outshines higher peak speeds from T-Mobile that fluctuates more.
Families on a Budget
- Visible (Verizon MVNO) – $40 all-in monthly unlimited pricing keeps everyone happy without breaking bank. Runs on Verizon‘s strong network albeit at lower priority. But can‘t beat cost to value ratio for families!
Traveling Realtors
- Google Fi – Realtors constantly crisscrossing Delaware and neighboring states/countries need flexible, seamless coverage. Google Fi‘s multi-network capabilities solidly check the boxes to reduce headaches from spotty service.
Hopefully these tailored picks provide a launch point matching your unique usage habits. I encourage mixing and matching plan types for ultimate savings. Such as a dual AT&T unlimited plan for parents costing $150 total plus kids on a shared data Visible (Verizon) line at $10 each.
Don‘t hesitate to comment any other questions!
