Plan:Spectrum Mobile By-the-Gig
At a Glance:
Price:$14/mo.
Why We Love It:
Plan:Spectrum Mobile Unlimited Plus
At a Glance:
Price:$55/mo.
Why We Love It:
Spectrum (aka Charter Spectrum), perhaps more known for its cable and internet services than its phone services, was formed as a result of a merger in 2014 between Charter, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks, with the Charter name and branding staying front and center under Spectrum. While for a long time primarily focused on cable services, in recent years Spectrum has attempted to expand and grow into other services, starting Spectrum Mobile in 2018.
Spectrum Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that works with Verizon to provide its services, and as such has Verizon’s coverage and speed. It is offered as an extra incentive for people to sign up for internet services, internet services being an effective requirement for Spectrum Mobile. In general, MVNOs are lower cost and lower priority than the major providers in the United States, making them great alternatives for people who do not plan on using data so often. It also is benefitted by a simple structure, with potential customers only having to choose from a few plans and knowing exactly what will be on their bill, a contrast to the endless fees and taxes of other providers.
Charter Communications in general was founded in 1993 and is currently headquartered in Stanford, Connecticut. The CEO and chairman of Charter Communications is Thomas M. Rutledge. It was ranked number 70 on the Fortune 500 and is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the country. While there was a period around 2009 where it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company rebounded and currently looks strong and can be relied upon to provide excellent services for customers.