Cricket is a subsidiary of AT&T and runs on AT&T's 5G and 4G LTE network. Anywhere AT&T has coverage, Cricket does too. The differences are on top of the map: most Cricket plans are slowed behind AT&T's own customers when a tower is busy, and only Cricket's higher-priced unlimited plans include roaming in Mexico and Canada.
Where to check Cricket coverage
- Cricket's own map at cricketwireless.com/map, which also shows international coverage.
- AT&T's coverage map, which shows the same U.S. network in more detail.
- The FCC National Broadband Map (broadbandmap.fcc.gov), to compare AT&T's network with Verizon and T-Mobile at the same address.
Same towers, different speeds
5G and 4G LTE are included on every Cricket plan at no extra cost, on a compatible phone. Cricket customers are on the same towers as AT&T customers. When a tower is congested, AT&T postpaid traffic is served first and most Cricket plans slow down. Cricket Supreme is the exception, with the same priority data as AT&T's top plans.
| Cricket plan | Price | When a tower is busy |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Month Unlimited | $25/mo | May slow |
| Select Unlimited | $35/mo | May slow |
| Smart Unlimited | $45/mo | May slow |
| Supreme Unlimited | $55/mo | Priority data, no slowdown |
Prices are with AutoPay and include taxes and fees. Smart and Supreme cost $5 more for the first month.
Mexico and Canada
Cricket says its unlimited plans starting at $55 a month include roaming data plus unlimited calls and texts to and from Mexico, Canada and the U.S. There are limits worth knowing before you travel:
- Usage in Canada must stay under 50% of your total over any three months, or service can be suspended. Most of your use must be in the U.S.
- Data on networks other than AT&T Mexico may be slowed to 2G speeds.
- Roaming partners are AT&T Mexico and Telcel in Mexico, and Rogers, TELUS and Bell in Canada.
- Calls and texts from the U.S. to Canada's Northern Territories aren't included.
Plans on the same network
| Carrier | Plan | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cricket Wireless | 12-Month Unlimited | $25/mo | Paid annually |
| AT&T Prepaid | 12-Month Unlimited | $20/mo | Paid annually |
| AT&T | Premium 2.0 | $90/mo | Postpaid, 100GB hotspot |
| Red Pocket | Essentials | $10/mo | Choose the AT&T network |
5G+, 5G and LTE explained, and where the map overstates service.
AT&T coverage map →Frequently asked questions
Does Cricket have the same coverage as AT&T? +
Does Cricket work in Mexico? +
Does Cricket work in Canada? +
Where is Cricket's coverage map? +
Does Cricket use AT&T or Verizon towers? +
Does Cricket have 5G? +
Who has better coverage, Verizon or Cricket? +
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Jean Gilles has researched personal finance, consumer technology, and wireless pricing for over a decade. He founded ShopCellPlans in 2019 and writes every review on the site.