The short answer: Cricket runs on AT&T’s network, which was historically GSM. Cricket Wireless is owned by AT&T, so it uses AT&T’s full nationwide towers. But the “GSM vs CDMA” question matters far less than it used to — here’s what actually counts in 2026.
Is Cricket GSM or CDMA?
Cricket uses AT&T’s network, and AT&T was a GSM carrier (as opposed to Verizon and the old Sprint, which were CDMA). So in the old framing, yes — Cricket is “GSM.”
What towers does Cricket use?
Cricket uses AT&T’s towers — the same cell sites and the same 5G. There’s no separate Cricket network. AT&T offers strong nationwide coverage, particularly across many metros and the South, and Cricket inherits all of it. The trade-off, as with any value brand, is deprioritization during congestion: AT&T’s own postpaid customers can get priority over Cricket traffic when a tower is busy.
Will my phone work on Cricket?
If your phone is unlocked and supports AT&T’s bands, it’ll work on Cricket. Phones currently on AT&T or an AT&T MVNO are a safe bet; most other unlocked phones work too.
Cheaper AT&T-network alternatives
Cricket is solid, but it’s not the only way onto AT&T’s network — Red Pocket offers AT&T-network service at lower prices, and Straight Talk runs on AT&T (and Verizon) with Walmart availability.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cricket GSM or CDMA? +
What network does Cricket use? +
Will an unlocked AT&T phone work on Cricket? +
Is Cricket’s coverage the same as AT&T? +
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