List of Mobile Network Operators

There are several types of mobile networks, but some of the most common types include:

1. 2G (second generation) networks, which are based on the GSM standard and are primarily used for voice calls and text messaging.
2. 3G (third generation) networks, which are based on the CDMA and WCDMA standards and provide faster data speeds than 2G networks, allowing for mobile internet access and video calls.
3. 4G (fourth generation) networks, which are based on the LTE standard and provide even faster data speeds than 3G networks, allowing for high-definition video streaming and other demanding applications.
4. 5G (fifth generation) networks, which are based on the 5G NR standard and provide even faster data speeds and lower latencies than 4G networks, enabling new use cases such as low-latency AR/VR, Industrial IoT, and more.
5. Satellite networks, which use a network of orbiting satellites to provide mobile coverage in remote areas or to mobile users in the middle of the ocean.

There are several major mobile network operators in the United States, some of the largest and most well-known include:

1. AT&T
2. Verizon Wireless
3. T-Mobile
4. Sprint
5. Metro by T-Mobile (formerly known as MetroPCS)
6. U.S. Cellular
7. Tracfone
8. Boost Mobile
9. Cricket Wireless
10. Virgin Mobile USA Please note this list is not exhaustive and there are some small regional and local operators also exist.

There are 936 Wireless Telecommunications Carriers businesses in the US as of 2023, an increase of 1.8% from 2022.

In addition to certain regional and local carriers, the United States has a number of significant mobile network operators.

The four major national carriers in the US are:

1. AT&T
2. Verizon Wireless
3. T-Mobile
4. Sprint

In addition to the major national carriers, there are also several regional and local carriers that operate in specific areas of the country.

Such as: 

6. U.S. Cellular
7. Metro by T-Mobile (formerly known as MetroPCS)
8. Tracfone
9. Boost Mobile
10. Cricket Wireless
11. Virgin Mobile USA.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and the number of carriers can change over time as companies merge, acquire or exit the market.

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are the top three mobile phone providers in the US. These businesses, also known as the “big three,” typically offer the most extensive networks and a variety of cell phone services.

Along with the “big three” of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, there are more mobile networks functioning in the US. Other significant participants in the US market include US Cellular, Sprint (which is now a part of T-Mobile), and Tracfone Wireless.
The US mobile market is also served by a large number of smaller, local providers, like C Spire Wireless and Bluegrass Cellular.

It’s also important to mention MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators), who utilise the networks of big carriers but typically provide more affordable plans.

Since the market evolves over time and new companies may appear, it is challenging to provide an exact figure.

It is challenging to identify the “best” cellular network in the US because it might vary based on usage, geography, and personal choice. The “big four” carriers, though (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint), are generally thought to have the most extensive and dependable networks countrywide.

While T-Mobile is renowned for its quick broadband speeds in metropolitan areas, Verizon and AT&T are frequently regarded as having the finest coverage, especially in rural areas. T-Mobile has worked hard in recent years to expand its coverage, especially in the wake of their merger with Sprint, which has allowed them to catch up to the other major carriers.