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Google Fi, Mint Mobile, Xfinity Mobile, Visible: Which Wireless Networks Do Smaller Providers Use?

Smaller wireless carriers often use more popular networks.

When it comes to picking a wireless provider, there are plenty of options beyond AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Your cable provider — particularly if you have Optimum, Comcast’s Xfinity or Charter’s Spectrum — has likely tried to get you to move to their mobile service over the last year. You also have smaller players like Mint Mobile, Visible, Boost Mobile and others. 

Here’s the not-so-secret twist: These providers don’t actually run their own cellular networks, for the most part. Instead, most are what’s called MVNOs, which stands for mobile virtual network operators. They partner with the larger carriers and piggyback on their networks. Let’s break down who is partnered with whom and if features like 5G are included. 

Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile

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Sarah Tew/CNET

Ryan Reynolds’ cell carrier is actually using T-Mobile’s service for its network. 

Is 5G included? Mint has access to T-Mobile’s 5G network and like T-Mobile, Mint also includes 5G access with all plans so long as you have a 5G phone. 

Google Fi uses T-Mobile 

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Sarah Tew/CNET

Google’s mobile phone service uses an amalgamation of different networks to provide service. Post T-Mobile’s merger with Sprint, the group of three networks dropped to just T-Mobile and US Cellular. Now the carrier seems set to drop US Cellular and will rely mainly on T-Mobile for service. 

Is 5G included? 5G is included with all Fi plans, but you will need to make sure your phone works with T-Mobile’s 5G network. At the moment that list includes a variety of Android phones, namely recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices as well as some Motorola phones. Google Fi still does not allow the iPhone to access 5G on its network.

Visible uses Verizon

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Sarah Tew/CNET

Visible is a sub-brand of Verizon and, as such, runs on its network. 

Is 5G included? Visible plans include access to Verizon’s 5G network. This includes Verizon’s low-band nationwide network as well as its fastest millimeter-wave service that is available in parts of certain cities. Speeds, even when on the faster flavor of 5G, are capped at 200Mbps. 

Boost Mobile uses AT&T, T-Mobile and Dish

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Sarah Tew/CNET

Boost Mobile, which was spun off to Dish by Sprint as part of the T-Mobile/Sprint merger, runs on AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s networks. Dish is in the process of building out its own 5G network and will begin transitioning users in those areas to its service as it becomes available. 

The first city, Las Vegas, is now live, and last May the company listed 100 additional cities that it planned to expand to. As part of the merger, Dish was granted the ability to continue using T-Mobile’s network for seven years as it builds out its own network. 

While T-Mobile was expected to be the roaming network, in 2021 Dish announced a new deal with AT&T that will let it roam on the latter’s wireless network for 10 years. Although it will still be able to tap into T-Mobile for part of this time, expect to use a combination AT&T, T-Mobile and Dish’s own network going forward.

Is 5G included? Boost does not charge extra for accessing 5G. 

US Mobile uses T-Mobile and Verizon

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Sarah Tew/CNET

US Mobile, a newer player in the wireless game, uses a combination of T-Mobile and Verizon.

Is 5G included? US Mobile includes 5G with all of its plans, though whether you are connecting to Verizon or T-Mobile isn’t as simple as an option like Google Fi. Whereas that service will automatically switch you to whichever network has the best coverage, US Mobile actually has two different SIM cards: the black SIM card is for Verizon (what the company calls Warp 5G), while the white SIM card is for T-Mobile (which the company calls GSM). 

The Warp 5G network the carrier is pushing uses Verizon’s network. 

Spectrum Mobile uses Verizon 

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Sarah Tew/CNET

Charter’s Spectrum Mobile uses Verizon’s network for its coverage. 

Is 5G included? Spectrum Mobile includes access to Verizon’s 5G networks. Data speeds aren’t capped but, per the company’s disclosures, your data may be slowed in busy areas with a lot of network congestion. The company states once the congestion «lessens,» however, «your speed will return to normal.»

Xfinity Mobile uses Verizon

xfinity mobile and verizon logos on phonesxfinity mobile and verizon logos on phones
Sarah Tew/CNET

Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile uses Verizon’s network for its coverage. 

Is 5G included? Like Spectrum Mobile, Comcast’s offering has access to Verizon’s 5G networks. As with that service, data speeds aren’t capped but Comcast notes in its disclosure that in busy areas where Verizon’s network may be congested, Xfinity Mobile customers may see their data slowed until the congestion clears. 

Optimum Mobile (formerly Altice) uses T-Mobile 

t-mobile-and-optimum-mobile-logo on phonest-mobile-and-optimum-mobile-logo on phones
Sarah Tew/CNET

Optimum Mobile (once known as Altice Mobile), which is offered to Optimum and Suddenlink users, uses T-Mobile’s network. 

Is 5G included? Optimum Mobile includes 5G with all of its plans, though if you go over your monthly data limit for its 1GB or 3GB plans you will be «reduced to 2G speeds» for the remainder of your billing cycle. If you have the company’s «Unlimited» or «Unlimited Max» plans your data will slow to «3G speeds» after 20GB or 50GB is used, respectively. 

Technologies

Repair Your Electronics at Home With This Rare Black Friday Discount on the iFixit Pro Tech Go Toolkit

This toolkit rarely goes on sale, so take advantage of this opportunity to snag it for only $40.

While Black Friday is an excellent time to replace old smartphones or broken laptops at a discount, not everyone is looking to splurge on new tech right now. If you’re shopping on a budget, or simply like the devices that you have and aren’t ready for an upgrade, investing in an electronics repair kit may be a wise option. We’ve spotted a discount on the iFixit Pro Tech Go tech toolkit, bringing its price down to just $40. But don’t delay, Black Friday is in its final hours and this kit rarely goes on sale.

The iFixit Pro Tech Go kit can be used to open up and repair a wide range of electronics, including smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, and smart home devices for DIY repairs like battery or screen replacements. The kit has a 32-bit Moray driver kit, an opening tool, a suction handle, a jimmy, a spudger and angled tweezer to carefully open your devices.

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Repairing your own tech can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. It also reduces e-waste by helping your devices last longer rather than throwing them away over minor issue. As of this year, all 50 states have introduced right-to-repair legislation designed to give people a legal right to fix their own tech, and several states have already signed it into law.

You can check out more deals from iFixIt now on Amazon. Plus, for other budget buys, check out our roundup of the best Black Friday deals under $100.

Why this deal matters

This is a record low price on a repair kit that rarely goes on sale. While we did see a modest discount on the iFixit Pro Tech Go toolkit during Amazon Prime Day in July, it was not marked down for October Prime Day or other sales such as Memorial Day or Labor Day. As such, it’s fairly unlikely that we’ll see it go on sale again this season, so this might be your last chance to get the toolkit for only $40.

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Don’t Say Goodbye to Black Friday Yet. These Rare Apple Discounts Are Still Going Strong

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Technologies

What a Ban Would Actually Mean for DJI Drone Owners and Holiday Shoppers

What’s the secret to a very un-merry shopping season? A brand new, unusable drone.

With Thanksgiving wrapped up and the Black Friday shopping sales here, if a DJI drone is on your holiday wish list, you might want to hit «buy» immediately. The company has issued a stark warning: Its drones could be banned from sale in the US, and the deadline is looming. 

The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-0 at the end of October to «close loopholes» that allow tech deemed a «national security risk» to be sold in the US. In plain English, the US government is clearing the path to give DJI the same treatment it gave Chinese phone-maker Huawei, effectively banning its products from the American market.

The US government has deemed DJI, which is based in China, a security risk. It’s also considering a separate ban on TP-Link routers.

DJI is already sounding the alarm, posting on Instagram that a «deadline that could decide DJI’s fate in the US is just 43 days away» (now 19 days away). The company is warning that without an audit, its products could face an «automatic ban.» The US government has long labeled the Chinese drone maker a security risk, and it looks like the hammer might finally be coming down right before the holidays.


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The vote isn’t the end of the road, however. Future bans would need to target specific products and would require a period of public consultation. But it appears the groundwork is being set for the FCC to block sales of future and some existing DJI drones from US shores, as well as products that use DJI technology.

The government has called for a DJI audit by the end of the year, but if that doesn’t happen, DJI drone products could be banned for sale by default under a national security law.

DJI asks for a security audit before any ban

A representative for DJI told CNET that while the FCC vote references a rule change that doesn’t currently apply to DJI specifically, the National Defense Authorization Act deadline in December would put Chinese companies like it on the FCC’s ban list, «without any evidence of wrongdoing or the right to appeal.»

Adam Welsh, head of global policy at DJI, said the company has repeatedly said it would be open to audit, but that «more than 10 months have now passed with no sign that the process has begun.» 

«The US government has every right to strengthen national security measures, but this must go hand in hand with due process, fairness, and transparency,» Welsh said.

Welsh said DJI is urging the government to start the audit process or grant an extension.

Will DJI drone owners need to give them up?

Because the ban would apply to new sales, not drones that have already been sold, a DJI drone you already own would still be legal to use — at least under current rules. 

Government agencies, however, are prohibited from purchasing or using drones from Chinese companies, including DJI.

DJI’s drones consistently rank high in their product category. In January, they dominated CNET’s list of best drones for 2025. But some of the company’s newest products, such as the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, haven’t been available for sale in the United States.

Even DJI products that are not yet banned may be hard to find. The website UAV Coach has posted a guide to the bans and reports that, due to inventory issues, most DJI drone models are sold out at retailers regardless of future FCC action. 

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