Ultra Mobile
Ultra Mobile is an American mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and subsidiary of T-Mobile that offers prepaid wireless plans emphasizing international connectivity, utilizing the T-Mobile 5G network for nationwide coverage.[1] Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, the company provides flexible, no-contract options starting at $10 per month, including unlimited nationwide talk and text, global texting, and free calling to over 90 international destinations on select plans.[2][3][4] Key features of Ultra Mobile's services include high-speed data with mobile hotspot capabilities up to 25GB on higher-tier plans, roaming in Mexico and Canada without extra fees, and the ability to bring your own compatible device for activation via SIM kit or eSIM.[5] The company has been recognized for its growth and innovation, topping Inc. magazine's 2015 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. based on revenue growth, and earning accolades as the top international phone plan provider in 2024 by consumer review authorities.[4][6] Ultra Mobile operates without hidden fees, allowing customers to manage plans easily through an app or online account, with options for pay-as-you-go data additions and multi-month discounts for long-term savings.[7]Company overview
Founding and leadership
Ultra Mobile was founded in 2011 by David Glickman as the primary founder, alongside co-founders Rizwan Kassim, Jesse Anderson, Chris Furlong, and Dave Schofield.[8] The company emerged as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) leasing infrastructure from T-Mobile to deliver prepaid wireless services.[4] The initial vision centered on providing affordable, no-contract prepaid wireless plans tailored to immigrant communities in the United States, emphasizing unlimited international calling to address the high costs and complexities of overseas communication that Glickman observed during his own travels, such as expensive calls from Argentina.[4][9] This focus on low-income immigrants seeking reliable connections to family abroad differentiated Ultra Mobile in the competitive prepaid market.[10] David Glickman has led the company as CEO since its inception, guiding its growth from a startup to a prominent MVNO.[4] Rizwan Kassim, a co-founder, has served in key roles including Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Partner, contributing to strategic expansion.[11] By 2017, Ultra Mobile had expanded to approximately 150 employees across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, reflecting its early scaling efforts.[4] Following the 2024 acquisition by T-Mobile, Glickman and Kassim joined T-Mobile's leadership team to oversee continued operations.[12]Corporate structure and ownership
Ultra Mobile operated as a privately held company from its founding in 2011 until its acquisition in 2024.[13] The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, having previously been based in Santa Ana.[8] As an independent entity, Ultra Mobile functioned under its parent organization, Ka'ena Corporation, which also managed other wireless brands.[14] In March 2023, T-Mobile US announced a definitive agreement to acquire Ka'ena Corporation, including Ultra Mobile and Mint Mobile, in a deal valued at up to $1.35 billion.[14] The acquisition was completed on May 1, 2024, following regulatory approvals, marking the end of Ultra Mobile's independent ownership.[12] Following the acquisition, Ultra Mobile became a subsidiary of T-Mobile US, with its operations integrated alongside Mint Mobile under the T-Mobile umbrella.[12] The brand continues to operate autonomously while remaining closely aligned with T-Mobile's broader network and business strategy, preserving its distinct identity in the market.[12]Services and products
Domestic plans
Ultra Mobile offers a range of prepaid, no-contract wireless plans designed for U.S. customers, providing unlimited nationwide talk and text on all options along with varying amounts of high-speed 5G and 4G LTE data.[5] These plans cater to different usage levels, starting with basic options for light users and extending to unlimited data for heavy consumers, with monthly pricing beginning at $10 for the lowest-tier plan when purchased in a 12-month bundle.[5] The lineup includes the Talk & Text Plan, which provides 500MB of data (including 250MB of high-speed 5G/4G LTE) available for 3 months at $39 ($13 effective per month) or as low as $10 per month with a 12-month commitment ($120 upfront), suitable for minimal data needs while maintaining unlimited domestic calling and texting. No single-month option is available.[5][15] For moderate users, plans like the 4GB option deliver 4GB of data (3GB high-speed) at $19 monthly, dropping to $6.50 per month over 12 months ($78 upfront, limited-time promotion for new customers as of November 2025), and include unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada in addition to the U.S.[5][16] Higher-data plans, such as the 8GB at $24 monthly (or $8.50 per month for 12 months) and 12GB at $29 monthly (or $10 per month for 12 months), follow a similar structure with the same international talk and text perks for destinations like Mexico and Canada on plans offering 4GB or more of data.[5] For broader needs, the 24GB plan costs $39 monthly but reduces to $13.50 per month with a 12-month bundle, emphasizing expanded high-speed data access alongside unlimited U.S. talk and text.[5] Ultra Mobile's flagship domestic offerings, the Ultra Unlimited Plan and Ultra Unlimited+ Plan, provide unlimited data with 40GB and 60GB of high-speed 5G/4G LTE respectively, priced at $49 and $59 monthly, or as low as $17 and $20.50 per month for 12-month terms; both include unlimited talk and text within the U.S. and to Mexico and Canada.[5] Multi-month bundles across all plans offer significant discounts—up to 50% off for 12-month purchases—encouraging longer-term commitments without contracts. In July 2025, Ultra Mobile increased high-speed data allowances on multi-month plans, though specific allocations as of November 2025 remain 3GB high-speed for the 4GB plan and 5GB for the 8GB plan.[5][17] Low-usage customers can opt for the PayGo plan, a flexible pay-as-you-go option at $3 per month that includes 100 minutes of talk, 100 texts, and 100MB of 5G/4G LTE data, ideal for occasional domestic communication without fixed data allotments.[18] All plans support features like Wi-Fi calling and mobile hotspot usage (up to 10GB on the Ultra Unlimited Plan and 25GB on the Ultra Unlimited+ Plan), enhancing domestic connectivity.[5] International calling add-ons are available separately for destinations beyond included countries.[5]| Plan Name | Data Allowance | High-Speed Data | Monthly Price (1-Mo / 12-Mo) | Key Domestic Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayGo | 100MB | 100MB (5G/4G LTE) | $3 / N/A | 100 min talk, 100 texts |
| Talk & Text | 500MB | 250MB (5G/4G LTE) | N/A (3-Mo $13 eff.) / $10 | Unlimited U.S. talk/text |
| 4GB | 4GB | 3GB (5G/4G LTE) | $19 / $6.50 (promo Nov 2025) | Unlimited U.S. + Mexico/Canada talk/text |
| 8GB | 8GB | 5GB (5G/4G LTE) | $24 / $8.50 | Unlimited U.S. + Mexico/Canada talk/text |
| 12GB | 12GB | 12GB (5G/4G LTE) | $29 / $10 | Unlimited U.S. + Mexico/Canada talk/text |
| 24GB | 24GB | 24GB (5G/4G LTE) | $39 / $13.50 | Unlimited U.S. + Mexico/Canada talk/text |
| Ultra Unlimited | Unlimited | 40GB (5G/4G LTE) | $49 / $17 | Unlimited U.S. + Mexico/Canada talk/text, 10GB hotspot |
| Ultra Unlimited+ | Unlimited | 60GB (5G/4G LTE) | $59 / $20.50 | Unlimited U.S. + Mexico/Canada talk/text, 25GB hotspot |