A Solid Alternative to Verizon Wireless

Update March 1, 2017 – My experience with this wireless provider has continued without issue until today.  While not a major issue – yet – I have been without any service since early morning/overnight. Which led me to do some research.  When I signed up with Puppy Wireless (Kitty Wireless at first) it was a family run operation and the communication with customers/customer support was outstanding as you’d expect from a family operated business.  However, fall of 2016, Puppy Wireless was purchased by Unified Signal, Inc, and has been operated by this new entity since.  Read my review below with that in mind.

Update 2: A few hours after contacting customer support, my issue was addressed and service restored.  Overall, good response.

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the U.S. Which means, it’s likely many of you reading this have your cell service with Verizon – or know someone who does.

Not only does Verizon hold the distinction of being the largest carrier, but it arguably could be considered the most expensive cellular carrier as well.

Verizon has spent a significant amount of money building a reliable, far-reaching cellular network that works for most users. It’s this investment, coupled with a tad of high-end branding that allows Verizon to price their product as they do and still remain at the top of the cellular provider heap.

There are, however, a number of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) that are inching their way into the cellular service market, and luring sticker-shocked customers from the major wireless carriers, including Verizon Wireless.

What is an MVNO?

In a nutshell, there are only four cell phone networks in the U.S.: Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. Mobile Virtual Network Operators are smaller cellular service providers who pay one of the Big 4 to gain access to its network.

About a month ago, my fellow contributor here at Savings Beagle wrote an outstanding piece titled Boost Mobile – Grows Your Data Plan for Free. Boost Mobile is an MVNO operating on the Sprint network.

And, as was covered in the Boost Mobile piece, the major attraction of these MVNOs is their ability to provide service on the same Big 4 networks, but for a much lower price.

Lower overhead, and limited bells and whistles as compared to the Big 4 allow for this pricing differential.

Verizon Service at a Lower Cost

For many people, Verizon’s network does provide the reliable service that every cell phone user wants.

But that Verizon reliability comes with a hefty price.

So what if you could continue to get that same reliable cell service, on the same Verizon network, but at a lower price point than Verizon and without all the “gotchas” that oftentimes are part of Verizon’s service?

Would you give it a try?

Well, I did, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience.

I Love My Puppy (Wireless That Is)

Puppy Wireless is one of those MVNOs I described above, operating on Verizon’s network.

After a number of years as a Verizon Wireless customer, I made the switch to what was then Page Plus Cellular.

Page Plus, an MVNO itself, was known for its notoriously bad customer service. Because of this, a company named Kitty Wireless started business working as the go-between for customers receiving their cellular service with Page Plus. You could subscribe via Kitty Wireless and they would also handle monthly renewals and the task of adding money to your cellular account (if you subscribed to the pay-as-you-go service).

Kitty was fantastic at what it did. So good, in fact, that the business decided to expand and start operating as its own MVNO. Its name – Puppy Wireless.

I switched my service over to the Puppy side of the business when they got things up and running, and have continued to receive the same outstanding customer service I grew accustomed to with Kitty.

And that’s on top of the continued excellent cellular service I’ve received on the Verizon network. The same network I used to use, but at a price more than double what I now pay.

Puppy has a variety of 3G CDMA and 4G LTE plans from which to pick, ranging from a $10 per month 60 minute/60 text/50mb plan up to $55 per month unlimited/unlimited/5gb options.

My primary concern when switching to an MVNO related to whether or not I would get the same cell coverage/reception that I did with Verizon.

Well, I’ve traveled to numerous locations around the United States, and have received the same exact cell reception/service I received when I was a Verizon Wireless subscriber. I have found no difference in cell service between Verizon and Puppy.

What’s the Catch?

Now, with a significantly lower cost for the same exact cell service, there has to be a catch, right? Well, sort of.

If you can’t do without the fancy technology Verizon offers – bright, shiny red website to check your account details and buy all sorts of cell related products – then maybe a switch isn’t for you.

Puppy does have personalized online accounts where you can check recent activity, remaining minutes/texts/data, and on which you can change plans and sign up for automatic billing. It’s just not…well…as fancy as Verizon’s. But it definitely gets the job done.

And Verizon might have a few other options…like online number blocking and international plans…that you won’t get with an MVNO, but that’s where you have to decide how much those “extras” are worth.

Access to phones, especially the latest high-end phones, is another area where MVNOs differ from the Big 4. Some MVNOs offer a few lower-priced or used phones that can be purchased from their site.

But, as with most MVNOs, and now even the Big 4, your best bet is to bring your own phone.

Puppy has a really helpful community forum where a variety of issues, including best phones to use on Puppy, are discussed. The forum is where I learned of Swappa, a site where a large selection of cell phones are sold, ranging from brand new to well-used, at decent prices.

Once a phone is purchased, you just need a Puppy specific SIM, purchased on the Puppy site, to insert into the phone and you’re ready to activate your Puppy service.

Or, if you already have an off contract CDMA (Verizon) phone, then you just need the SIM to get the transition started.

There are a few other MVNOs – including Page Plus – that operate on Verizon’s network, but Puppy is a shining star when it comes to service and reliability. I’ve been with them for close to two years now, and can personally attest to that.

So, if you want to save money on your cellular service, while still being part of Verizon’s reliable network, then a switch to Puppy Wireless should definitely be on your To-Do list in 2016.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/freedigitalphotos.net