Few wireless carriers have made as big an impact in recent years as T-Mobile. The Uncarrier can be credited with eliminating two-year contracts, popularizing unlimited data plans, and pushing customer-friendly innovations that competitors often can't match. And as T-Mobile continues to make waves into 2020, it is no wonder that T-Mobile is the first company to win the Tom's Guide Award for Best Wireless Carrier.

T-Mobile was not the first to launch 5G service, but it has taken the lead in bringing 5G coverage to more people, launching nationwide service covering more than 5,000 cities in December 2019.

So far, speeds have been only slightly faster than T-Mobile's LTE network, but that will change as T-Mobile incorporates Sprint's mid-band spectrum into its own low-band 5G network. So far, Philadelphia and New York have seen 5G upload and download speeds improve as T-Mobile has built 5G networks in these two cities.

T-Mobile's achievements are not limited to 5G. The newly launched T-Mobile connect plan is one of the best prepaid cell phone plans available, offering 2GB of data (both LTE and 5G) for $15 per month. In addition, gifts for T-Mobile Tuesdays subscribers continue to set the standard for rewards programs, with recent bonuses including free trials of Tidal Premium and Google Stadia Pro.

Other wireless carriers are leaving their own footprints as well; Visible offers access to Verizon's top-rated network for $40 per month for unlimited data ($30 off Verizon's cheapest unlimited plan). Add more lines and Visible becomes even more attractive, at just $100 for four lines with unlimited data.

We also like Mint Mobile's low monthly rates (if you choose an annual contract rather than month-to-month service) and Verizon's full package of extensive coverage, high-speed 5G (when available), and solid customer service.

It is important that these carriers continue to push themselves, especially with T-Mobile's finally completed acquisition of Sprint making them more competitive in the wireless space. Other carriers are behind T-Mobile, but T-Mobile is the carrier to beat.