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this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2026
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I thought TMobile bought Mint?
They did, but even beyond that, the other alternatives mentioned in this thread are MVNOs that still use T-Mobile's network (usually with a lower priority compared to direct customers, not usually an issue unless there's congestion). You're still paying T-Mobile, just indirectly. MVNOs buy in bulk and try to offer options that split that bulk usage up in ways different to the big carriers to target smaller more specific demographics.
Isn't this really hard to avoid in the US because of the existing infrastructure? All of the towers are owned by one or two companies, and the rest have to rent them out.
Actually, many towers (maybe even most now with how dense small cells need to be) are not actually owned by the carriers. They are owned by independent companies and leased to the carriers, or the carriers lease space on an existing pole or building to mount their panels. If you've ever looked at a cell tower and seem multiple levels of panels... that's almost surely not owned by a carrier. It's most likely owned by something like American Tower Corporation, Crown Castle, or SBA Communications, and they lease physical space on that site to various carriers and other users. Line-of-site microwave connections also make use of towers quite heavily to relay direct wireless connections.
A lot of churches also lease space on or even inside their steeples/stowers.
And then there's also the small cells that can get installed basically anywhere... and often get installed on things like light posts which are owned by local governments.
Damn everything is a monopoly here..
Anti-Trust is some bullshit invented by damn socialist commies to keep the money from trickling down. \s