AirTalk Wireless is a nationwide Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program provider provided by AirVoice Wireless and owned by HTH Communications. The brand is focused exclusively on low-income customers who qualify for the two government assistance programs and are eligible to receive Lifeline and ACP free plans with free talk, text, and high-speed data, free phones, and ACP discounts on tablets. The company’s generous benefits are only available to qualifying households residing in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Does AirTalk Wireless Use Its Own Network?
AirTalk Wireless is an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), which means that it does not own its own network infrastructure. Instead, the company has an agreement with a larger carrier that does own network towers to enable its customers to access and use the carrier’s network. As such, AirTalk is not a network owner but a network renter. Nonetheless, this fact is of little importance to the customers, as they get to enjoy a reliable, nationwide network anyway.
What Network Does AirTalk Wireless Use?
Certain MVNOs are very vocal about which network they use. That is especially the case if they use their owner’s network (for example, Metro by T-Mobile famously uses T-Mobile’s network). On the other hand, other MVNOs are very secretive about it. AirTalk is more of a secretive kind of MVNO.
However, as AirTalk is provided by AirVoice Wireless and AirVoice uses AT&T’s nationwide 4G and 5G networks, it is safe to assume that that is also the case for AirTalk.
AirTalk’s Coverage Area
AirTalk’s network coverage is pretty huge, as you can see on the company’s official website. And before you decide to subscribe to AirTalk’s services it’s vital to check the company’s coverage in your area. After all, what good do free calls, text, and data bytes do if you can’t use them?
You can check AirTalk’s coverage area at airtalkwireless.com/check-coverage. To make sure the company’s services will work well in your area, make sure to key in your home and work address or any other location where you tend to spend a lot of time in the provided search box, and press enter. The system will immediately notify you if there is coverage and which network speed is available – 3G/2G, 4G, or 5G.
How Reliable Is AirTalk’s Network?
It seems that AirTalk Wireless uses AT&T’s network and AT&T happens to be one of the three largest carriers in the United States. Currently, AT&T offers the second-largest 4G LTE coverage and the second-largest 5G coverage in the country. This information speaks volumes! It tells us that AirTalk’s network is not only reliable but that it is one of the most reliable networks in the country (as is also nicely visually demonstrated by the company’s coverage map.
Not only does AT&T offer a huge coverage area that reaches approximately 99% of the entire U.S. population, but the carrier’s network also offers a strong signal, well-distributed towers that use the best technologies and receive excellent maintenance, and more.
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AirTalk’s Network and Comparison with Other Networks
AirTalk may not use its own network but as it uses the network of the second-largest carrier in the country, AirTalk and all other AT&T MVNOs actually belong in the elite of the very best service providers that offer one of the very best networks.
AirTalk’s network can be best compared to AT&T, which is the network owner, and all of AT&T’s MVNOs that use the same network. As most MVNOs use AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon’s network, it’s best to compare the networks of these three largest carriers.
4G LTE Network Comparison:
- Verizon and its MVNOs are currently number one in the world of 4G networks, as Verizon’s 4G network covers approximately 70% of the U.S. territory and reaches over 99% of the population.
- AT&T and its MVNOs are the runner-ups. AT&T’s network covers 68% of the territory and reaches about 99% of the population.
- T-Mobile and its MVNOs come in last. T-Mobile’s network spans over 62% of the land.
5G Network Comparison:
- When it comes to 5G networks, it’s the other way around. T-Mobile is the leader (covering about 41% of the territory).
- AT&T is again the runner-up by covering 18% of the territory.
- Verizon comes in last by covering 11% of the territory.
Which Companies Are Compatible With AirTalk Wireless?
In case you are (or are planning to become) an AirTalk customer and you wish to bring your own device to the company, it may be useful to know which companies are compatible with AirTalk’s services, as a device from a compatible company has a much better chance of working well with AirTalk’s services.
AirTalk is compatible with AT&T and its MVNOs, including:
- AirVoice
- Allvoi Wireless
- AT&T
- Beast Mobile
- Best Cellular
- Black Wireless
- Boost Mobile
- Consumer Cellular
- Cricket Wireless
- Dataxoom
- EasyGo
- FreedomPop
- FreeUP Mobile
- Good2GO Mobile
- H2O Wireless
- i3 Mobile
- Net10
- Project Genesis
- Pure Talk
- Red Pocket Mobile
- Republic Wireless by DISH
- Straight Talk
- TracFone
- UNREAL Mobile
- Wing
As AT&T is a GSM carrier, AirTalk uses GSM technology as well. As such, AirTalk may also be compatible with T-Mobile and T-Mobile’s MVNOs that use compatible GSM technology.
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Advantages And Disadvantages of AirTalk Wireless Network
The fact that AirTalk uses AT&T’s network is packed with advantages. However, the fact that AirTalk is not the network’s owner does come with both pros and cons.
Pros:
- AirTalk’s AT&T network is fast and reliable, and it has a huge coverage.
- While AT&T’s customers pay a lot of money to enjoy the carrier’s nationwide coverage (since AT&T’s service plans are not free of charge, nor are they among the most affordable ones), AirTalk’s service plans are completely free of charge. Of course, only eligible low-income households can apply for the company’s Lifeline and ACP benefits.
- Moreover, while network owners have to invest a lot of time in money in tower maintenance, MVNOs can concentrate on other services.
Cons:
- All MVNOs have a natural disadvantage over the network owners, as the owners tend to prioritize their own customers in times of congestion. This may result in slower data speeds and weaker signals for MVNO’s customers.
- The fact that AirTalk is not the network owner, it has little control over the network.
- Additionally, all service providers (network owners and MVNOs alike) can be affected by other factors when it comes to their network. The network can be influenced by weather, terrain, radio interference, and physical obstructions.
Where Can I Find Out More About AirTalk’s Network?
As the company doesn’t say anything about its network online, it’s best to contact its customer support service. You can do so online, via mail, or by phone. Learn more at airtalkwireless.com/contact.