If you’re in search of a new cell phone plan, you may have come across Tello and its affordable pricing.
Tello’s low-cost $10 to $29 plans can save you over $500 per year on your cell phone bill.
However, you may wonder if Tello’s coverage will meet your expectations.
In this article, we will explore the coverage provided by Tello and compare it to other major carriers to help you make an informed decision.
Tello is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that runs on T-Mobile.
By using T-Mobile’s infrastructure, Tello is able to offer affordable plans without compromising on the quality of service.
Below, you can check Tello coverage in your area. The first map is an estimated coverage map. The second map
The second map is our community-contributed map of Tello’s coverage.
Over 1.6 million speed tests have been uploaded to the map by community members and Tello subscribers to help paint a more accurate picture of what coverage is like in your area. Everyone is invited to contribute to the map to help make it more accurate. Here's how to contribute, if you're interested.
Check Tello coverage in your area by using the search bar in the maps below:
The above data comes from the FCC’s National Broadband Map.
Tello uses T-Mobile’s 4G LTE and 5G networks to provide service.
Because Tello uses T-Mobile’s towers, its coverage is essentially the same as that of T-Mobile.
This means that Tello offers nationwide 4G LTE and 5G coverage.
Tello offers nationwide 5G coverage on T-Mobile’s 5G network.
T-Mobile 5G currently covers 98% of the U.S. population, or about 323 million people.
You can check 5G coverage on Tello's self-published coverage map, here.
Tello offers nationwide 4G LTE coverage on T-Mobile’s extensive 4G LTE network.
T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network covers 99% of Americans, so odds are you’ll have service.
Since Tello runs on the T-Mobile network, coverage is about the same between the two carriers.
The only difference is that Tello doesn’t include domestic roaming.
Domestic roaming is where your phone switches to a partner network for coverage in areas where your primary network doesn’t have service.
For example, T-Mobile customers will roam on the Viaero Wireless network for coverage in Nebraska because T-Mobile hasn’t fully built out towers in Nebraska just yet.
Unfortunately, Tello doesn’t get access to this roaming agreement, or others.
Tello coverage will be limited to what the native T-Mobile network offers.
You can see exactly where Tello offers coverage on their website.
Tello coverage is a little bit worse than AT&T coverage.
AT&T covers more of the United States than Tello, with 55% total coverage compared to 35% total coverage.
However, both provide similar coverage footprints for 5G. Tello 5G covers 26% of the area in the US, while AT&T’s 5G network covers 31%.
Tello also has faster median download and upload speeds than AT&T, as reported by Ookla.
In March 2023, Tello got 165.22 Mbps for its median download speed and 12.99 Mbps for its median upload speed.
AT&T, meanwhile, got just 68.2 Mbps for its median download speed and 8.14 Mbps for its median upload speed.
In major cities, both Tello and AT&T will likely perform well. In more rural areas, AT&T may be a better option thanks to its wider coverage area.
If getting fast cellular speeds is important to you, Tello may be a better option.
You can see AT&T coverage in your area here.
Tello’s coverage is a little bit worse than Verizon’s coverage.
Verizon covers a whopping 55% of the area in the US. Tello covers 35%.
That said, Tello has substantially more 5G coverage than Verizon does. Tello offers 26% 5G coverage compared to Verizon’s 12% 5G coverage.
Tello also boasts faster speeds than Verizon, getting median speeds of 165 Mbps down and 12.99 Mbps up according to Ookla’s latest report.
Verizon got median speeds of just 75.4 Mbps down and 9.87 Mbps up.
Both carriers will likely provide adequate coverage in major cities. Outside of cities, Verizon’s larger overall coverage area will make sure you have service.
However, if having faster data speeds is important to you, then Tello may be a better choice.
You can check Verizon coverage in your area here.
The below coverage data comes from the FCC:
Here are the data speeds you can expect on Tello in each state. You can see average download speeds, upload speeds, and ping times. The below data comes from our community-contributed coverage map:
Tello uses T-Mobile’s towers to provide service.
Tello covers over 99% of Americans and it has one of the fastest overall networks in the country, so it tends to be pretty good for most people.
All Tello plans include 5G at no extra cost. Tello's 5G network covers over 98% of Americans.
Tello does not provide coverage in Canada.
Tello does not provide coverage in Mexico.
Tello does not offer international coverage. Tello only offers service within the United States.