MVNO Spotlight: Ultra Mobile

Ultra Mobile was co-founded by CEO David Glickman, who had previously founded companies such as TelePacific Communications, Justice Technology, and Primo Connect. In 2017, the company had approximately 150 employees across the US, Europe, and Asia, and had focused on hiring millennials

The company's business model is based on selling Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards which can be used with prepaid plans on unlocked phones. This contrasts to selling long-term contracts with a free or discounted locked phone, a model which is currently more prevalent in the US than in other parts of the world.

In 2015, Ultra Mobile was ranked number 1 in Inc. magazine's list of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the United States, with a year-over-year growth rate of 100,849% and revenues of US$118 million in 2014, up from less than a million in 2012.

Ultra Mobile is the company's flagship brand, which offers broad international calling plans targeted to diasporic communities in the United States, with the company specifically targeting people born outside of the US.

Ultra Mobile is a T-Mobile MVNO that focuses on offering low cost plans for those that have a need for international calling and texting. Unlimited global calling and texting is available to over 75 locations on all single line monthly plans.

In November of 2016, Ultra Mobile was able to improve coverage for its customers by offering Wi-Fi Talk and Text. The feature allows those with select Android phones to be able to place calls and text messages over Wi-Fi in places where T-Mobile’s network coverage is unreliable.

The company also powers Mint SIM and at one time it powered Univision Mobile. However, in May of 2017, Ultra Mobile announced that it would merge with Unvision Mobile, its sister brand.

Ultra Mobile does not sell any phones. Customers must bring their own to the network. Any phone that is compatible with T-Mobile will work with Ultra Mobile. Most AT&T devices are also compatible as long as they are out of contract, paid off in full and not reported lost or stolen. Universally unlocked phones from manufacturer’s such as Motorola and Samsung are also compatible.

Ultra Mobile’s SIM cards and service plans are available through the company’s website as well as in store through retail locations such as Target. Frequently subscribers can find greatly discounted service plans and SIM cards through Amazon.

Customer support is available over the phone, by email, and through automated chat. If automated chat does not resolve your issue, your information gets emailed to a support representative who will then get in touch with you about your issue.

Network: T-Mobile

Pros:

· Unlimited international calling and text to 80+ countries

· Cheap plan options

· No contracts

· Bring your phone

· Unlimited global texting and unlimited calling to 80+ countries

· International roaming credits available in $5, $10, or $20 denominations

· By opting for th 3, 6 or 12 month plan, Ultra Mobile Ultra Mobile Multi-Month customers could save significant amounts on their cellular coverage.

Cons

· Limited full-speed data

· No family plans

· Real world network coverage isn't as large as AT&T/Verizon

· Customer support

· Ultra Mobile may throttle data speeds after users run through 50 GB of their Unlimited plan.

· More expensive than other prepaid plans

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