Tello Mobile Review

It can’t be denied: major cell phone service providers make their presence really well known.

Whether you see an ad on TV or online, we all know the names of the major players in the mobile industry and they always seem to have something on hand for us to check out. 

The problem is, more and more people are becoming fed up with ridiculous contracts, exorbitant monthly fees, and lackluster plans. Over the years, the increase in competition has widened out. However, there’s were major downsides of jumping ship to switch to more affordable providers.

Then, like a burst of fresh air enters a true contender into the ring, one that we can all root for: Tello Mobile. If you want to lower your cell phone bill without having to give up all the goodies that come along with having a smartphone, keep reading this Tello Mobile review.

Americans Are Spending Too Much on Their Phone Plans

It’s no secret that cell phone companies are really good at digging into our pockets monthly.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics highlighted in their 2018 survey that Americans between the ages of 25-64 spent an average of $114 each month on their cell phone services. That yearly cost of $1,368 a month can be a big chunk out of your already budgeted income. 

If you’ve ever wondered (like I have) why cell phone bills are so high, the main culprits are hidden fees and taxes, unlimited data plans, upgrading your smartphone unnecessarily, plans for multiple lines and simply not knowing or researching all of your options.

All of these points have created a really big market for those who are willing to offer a better deal.

Related: 50 Everyday Expenses You Need to Stop Spending Money On

What Is Tello Mobile?

Still a relatively new service, Tello has been around for 3 years and is an amazing alternative to the standard cell phone service providers. The company was founded on the idea that a more affordable option that allows the consumer to be in control and get all the perks was sorely missing in the marketplace. 

Tello is categorized as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator or MVNO. This means that rather than source its own cell phone towers, it simply uses the towers already established by one of the four major carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon). This is an amazing cost-saver for the company. They simply rent out rather than buy the tower allowing them to pay forward the savings to their customers through amazing plans and offers.

Tello Mobile Review – Key Features

Tello has four key components that makes it a clear winner as a cell phone provider:

No contracts

While contracts seem like a standard in the industry that you can’t get around, Tello offers only prepaid phone plans. Customers don’t have to be locked into a contract and you can come and go as you please. Also remember, ‘no contracts’ also mean you can downgrade or upgrade at any time for free.

No hidden fees

You know those pesky fees that seem to suddenly pop up out of nowhere? Tello has no activation, early termination or upgrade fees like so many other companies. You can be sure that your bill won’t have any unwanted surprises. In addition, their services and terms and conditions are simple to read and extremely clear.

Nationwide 4G LTE coverage

When considering a budget-friendly cell phone plan, the quality of the service may be a top concern for you. I remember back when I was in high school and prepaid cell phone plans were rising in popularity. Service wasn’t always great but companies have made major improvements since then.

What’s interesting is that most prepaid phone companies use cell phone networks from top providers in the industry to provide the best coverage. Tello actually provided on Nationwide Sprint® Network*.

By teaming up with Sprint and utilizing their cell phone towers, Tello users get access to fast nationwide coverage using 4G LTE.

Low-cost monthly plans

Tello really allows your dollar to stretch a long way with their low monthly plans. They offer both individual and family plans. You have the option of selecting an already created plan or creating one all your own.

Their plans range from $5 to $39/month with no extra cost added per line on your family plan. Plans renew monthly automatically but you can cancel anytime without any charges. (You can choose a “no data” plan.)While every plan has unlimited text, (not every plan has unlimited minutes, you can choose 100, 300, 500 or unlimited minutes, but every plan comes with unlimited text) they do offer an unlimited data, minutes and text plan as well which is rare for an MVNO carrier.

If you are looking to customize a plan to fit your unique needs, Tello makes it really simple to mix and match to find the blend of minutes, text and data that you really want. Starting at just $5 for customized plans, you can’t go wrong.

Another well-considered point by the company are the low international call rates. The great news is that the minutes you receive with any plan you select or create can be used for calls to the US, Canada, Mexico & China (Romania too for family plans). If you do make calls to other countries you can find out those rates in advance on the Tello website so you know exactly what it will cost you and how many minutes and texts you have available for that Pay As You Go price.

Don’t Forget These Perks Too!

A major part of having a cell phone plan is having a great phone to use. With Tello, you don’t have to give up having a smartphone (who else agrees that flip phones need to be abolished?) They offer new and refurbished phones that range from basic flip phones to the well-known smartphones.

They also offer devices that are senior and kid-friendly. You can change your phone as often as you would like since there are no phone-plan combinations and they ship the new phone to you for free.

If you aren’t looking to upgrade to a new phone you can also bring your own, contract-free CDMA phone. You can even bring unlocked phones. Check to see if your phone is eligible here.

When it comes to data, you have the opportunity to use your phone as a hotspot with free tethering. Just keep in mind: the data counts against your data or pay-as-you-go balance. Also, they have a great referral program where both you and those you refer to Tello benefit with Tello dollars. These dollars can be used towards purchases such as Pay As You Go Credit, plans or even a phone. 

Customer service is crucial as well to any carrier. It can be make or break when you are deciding on who to do business with. Tello offers an amazing support team with very short chat or phone wait times.

Any Drawbacks of Using Tello?

This Tello Mobile review won’t be completed without mentioning some of the potential cons. While Tello does their best to give you everything you could possibly want in a cell phone service provider, there are a few potential cons to consider before diving in:

• As an online company they don’t have retail locations you can visit
• Taxes aren’t included in the monthly rates
• They don’t offer roaming protection (but with the use of Wi-Fi you can get around that)
• If Sprint coverage isn’t the best in your area it may not be the best option
• You may not be able to bring your phone if it’s not accepted by

Compared to their counterparts though, this is a short list of drawbacks.

How To Get Started With Tello

It’s easy to make the switch to Tello! You can sign up on their website within 5 minutes by selecting a plan or making your own and creating an account. Once set up, you can manage your account online.

If you’re not happy with your services or receive a defective phone, you can take them up on their 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Tello Mobile Review: Wrapping It Up

I hope you enjoyed this Tello Mobile review and are thinking of switching to a prepaid phone plan. You’ll seriously save so much money by doing so. Overall, Tello is a HUGE money saver and a fantastic option for cell phone service. As one of the best carrier options out there today and with a growing list of raving fans, they’ve proven that you don’t have to spend a monthly fortune to get the service and phone you deserve and they are well worth checking out.

How much do you pay on average for your cell phone service monthly? What is important to you in a cell phone service provider? What has been your experience with the carrier(s) you’ve used before?