Cricket Broadband Vs Sprint & Verizon Mobile Broadband - Which is Better?

Sprint & Verizon have dominated the Mobile Internet field since about 2004.  They have gone back and forth several times in regards to who has the best coverage, pricing, broadband cards and so on.  But, that said, they are fairly similar.  They both cost .99 a month.  They both use the same exact technology with the same top speeds. They both have a 2 year contract in order to get the Broadband Card for a decent price.

Recently, a new competitor has emerged that does offer something different.  Some for the better, some for the worse.

Broadband Satellite Internet

Let's look at the advantages of Cricket Broadband first:

1) No Contract - Month to Month service

2) No credit checks and no deposits

3) Only a month for Unlimited service vs. a month for Sprint or Verizon

4) Rev A service in most areas - up to 3.1 Mbps downloads, but in reality Cricket's coverage is much more spotty than Verizon or Sprint.  Actual speeds are usually 300Kbps to 1000Kpbs. 

Now for the downsides:  

1) Coverage! Cricket is limited to only select cities in the USA. If you are a frequent traveler outside your home city, you will want Sprint or Verizon since they have MUCH more coverage throughout the USA. But, if you just want something that works in your city, and Cricket has coverage there, it can be a decent choice.

2) Customer Service. Cricket can be very hard to get technical support from - especially when it comes to a Broadband card. 

3) Technical issues.  We have heard of people having trouble getting on some websites, while other sites are no problem, in addition to slower that expected speeds for some customers. 

  Bottom Line:

I would not recommend Cricket for frequent travelers, or for use in an RV as the coverage is just not there.   However, if you are lucky enough to live in a city where Cricket offers service, then Cricket is could be an alternative for you.  Just beware of the lack of coverage nationally and the problems you may face if technical issues arise.  Verizon, while more expensive, is a much more stable and sure fire choice, especially if you are running a business or handling critical tasks with your service.  Additionally,  a benefit for either service is you don't have to buy a coffee to get unsecure WiFi internet at a cafe! 

Cricket Broadband Vs Sprint & Verizon Mobile Broadband - Which is Better?