If you have a contract with a major cell phone carrier, you are probably paying a hefty price for data and minutes you are not actually using. And it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that's just the way things are and wouldn't be worth the effort of jumping through so many hoops to switch to another carrier.

But the mobile business has evolved over the past few years, and you can now get cheaper and more flexible contracts from MVNOs like Tello Mobile. If you are a little reluctant to use an MVNO because you are worried about coverage, bandwidth, speed, etc., you should know that most competing MVNOs now operate on 4G LTE/5G networks and offer all the features you are likely to need.

Switching phone carriers may feel like a big move, but it is quicker and easier than you think, and yes, you can almost certainly keep your old number. Here is everything you need to know.

When you insert the Tello SIM into your phone and activate it at tello.com, the service will already work with your new number.

Assuming you want to keep your old phone number, the time it takes to port it to a low-cost carrier like Tello depends on two things: how long it takes the old carrier to provide the necessary port-in information (more on this in a bit) and how long it takes the new carrier to The time it takes to activate your account and port over: in the case of Tello, once we have the correct information, porting should take anywhere from two hours to two business days for cell phones. However, keep in mind that for other numbers, such as landlines and VOIP, it can take 5 to 7 business days.

Most MVNOs are surprisingly easy to get up and running; in Tello's case, everything can be done remotely online. You can instantly check GSM coverage in your area, then decide on your own (and cheaper) data and minutes plan, and decide whether to bring in your old phone or buy an affordable new phone with free standard shipping and a 30-day return period.

Before switching, they need some information from their old carrier, which is not hard to get. Obviously, they will try to convince you to stay with their better deal offer, but hold firm in the knowledge that you are on the road to amazing savings. Your current provider will need to provide you with a port-out PIN/password. You will also need the phone number you wish to migrate, your account number, and the last name, first name, and address as it appears on your phone bill.

With so many MVNOs available these days, finding the right one for you can be a little daunting. However, if you ask the right questions, you should be able to find the carrier you need in no time. The main indicators to look for are:

A major upfront benefit of switching to an MVNO like Tello is that you will receive excellent phone service with all the latest high-end features you need and pay less for it. But with Tello, you get even more flexibility. There are no contracts, just the amount of data and minutes you need, and you can create the right phone plan for you, which you can change anytime you want, free of charge.

If you're on a budget, you can get 1GB and unlimited talk and text for just $10/month with Tello. There are also family-friendly deals available, and as mentioned above, all Tello plans also include free mobile hotspot and free international calls to over 60 countries. This free hotspot is included with all data plans up to and including data capacity, including a $39/month 25GB plan.

Tello boasts great 4G LTE/5G coverage from coast to coast, plus a referral program that pays you and your referred friend $10 Tello dollars when they complete their order.

Ready to switch? Visit Tello Mobile today and start saving with a better, more flexible phone service that fits your needs perfectly.