T-Mobile has quietly done something remarkable: it's built a nationwide mid-band 5G network that delivers real-world speeds of 200–400 Mbps to most of the country. And the best part? You can access it for as little as $30/month through MVNOs that run on T-Mobile's network.
Mid-band 5G — sometimes called the "Goldilocks" frequency — offers a sweet spot between the wide coverage of low-band 5G and the blazing (but short-range) millimeter-wave 5G. With 2.5GHz, T-Mobile is delivering speeds that rival home broadband in many cities.
So how do you get on this network without paying T-Mobile's full postpaid prices? Simple — use an MVNO. Mint Mobile, Tello, and US Mobile all run on T-Mobile's network, including its mid-band 5G. Mint's unlimited plan runs $30/month (billed annually). Tello's most popular plan is under $25.
You'll need a compatible phone — most modern flagships from Samsung, Apple, and Google support 2.5GHz 5G. Check your phone's specs before switching to make sure you'll actually get mid-band speeds.
The bottom line: T-Mobile's mid-band 5G is a genuine leap in wireless performance, and MVNOs are your ticket to access it without the premium price tag.