We have been using Tracfone for years and when we explain our experiences to our friends, most switch over. I used to use Verizon until I lost my phone and was convinced to try this.
First, you can pick most brands of phones from low cost to top tier, also 5g. (I have a very nice Samsung Galaxy.) Also, if you investigate, you can find out which carrier your particular phone will use (Verizon, AT&T, etc). I get a yearly unlimited talk and text and 2 gig plan for under $200. Occasionally I may buy another gig for $10, but I normally use wi-fi for internet.
Also, we have found that we can get better deals sometimes buying the phones from other vendors than Tracfone such as Amazon, Ebay and HSN because they may include extra minutes.
We will never go back to a commercial plan.

Great, thank you and Biker1 for the feedback on locked phones.

T-Mobile has a 55+ plan that ends up costing $63 and some change with taxes that gives you 2 lines and unlimited talk, text, and data. It includes a hot spot, but the hot spot is limited to 600K (making it nearly useless). I upgraded to the Magenta 55+ plan that is a little over $6 more - it's $70/month with taxes and fees included.

With this plan you get a full speed hot spot, and no bandwidth limiting or throttling. I've had no issues with it since I've had it. In addition, T-Mobile offers a ton of freebies for users - free Netflix and Apple TV for a year (renewable each year), $10 off of YouTube TV each month for as long as you're a customer along with a host of other goodies.

As far as phones, the best deal out there right now is upcoming release of the Google Pixel 6a on Thursday (6/28). The phone is $449, but you can get a $300 rebate using a number of old phones - bringing the cost of the phone down to $149 -plus you get a free set of wireless pixel buds! If you get the unlocked version, it works on all major carriers.

If you want 5G, then why is somebody looking at 1G limits? If you don’t use data, then don’t use 5G, 5G will fill up the 1G limit in minutes.
There are more things to look at then just local reception. Local reception is a priority, but if you travel thru smaller areas, how is that reception going to be? Say you are using your phone with gps navigation and you lose signal. It happened to us in the middle of Georgia and we didn’t have any turn directions until we got a signal. In the south, we found Verizon has the best coverage where AT&T had many dropouts outside of the larger cities.

Cell phone service/prices
 

Who is this service with? Do you have a ph #?.

I’d I had it my I wouldn’t have phone. All I get is bad news and scam calls. But, not feasible.

It is with Mint Mobile, an MVNO of T-Mobile. You can signup on their website - they do not have a brick and mortar presence. They have a number of different plans depending on your requirements. The best rates are prepaid for a year.

Cellular One - I've been happy
 

================
I've been with Cellular One for at least ten years and get the AARP Discount (not much but adds up). I have always gotten reception - even out in the country in VA in my basement where I used for work conference calls.
We have two Apple phones and pay $53 a month for an adequate plan. When you go over your plan, mostly on data, they automatically bump you up to the next plan so you don't pay high usage costs and they warn you when close the limit and that they have increased your plan but you have to remember to bump it back down. We usually don't go over unless we are traveling. You can change plans any time and there is no contract. You can buy all kinds of phones through at about the same price as a store but you get AARP discount and can pay over time without interest. If your phone accepts the right SIM card to convert to their system, they have that too.
The best part is their customer service. The few times I've called, they have been very responsive and I spoke to someone that speaks English very well.
As for 5G, I've not paid attention. Pretty sure not using but they have it. I think they use AT&T towers. We don't do all the streaming stuff on our phones like a lot of people but find it adequate for checking email and browsing the web. We use a lot for map apps when traveling and don't have a problem with reception.
They are putting in two stores in TV. Under construction but not sure of the completion date.

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips; particularly regarding 5G and using less than 1 gig of data. Have not made a decision yet. Still debating on new phones, or keep current and just get a new service.

xfinity mobile
 

We have had great reception with Xfinity Mobile for both data and voice in TV and other places., and the price is great

This has already been done: 1) water tower near to Turtle Mound exec course, 2) water tower near Eisenhower rec center.

new phones
 

Consumer Cellular is $50. for two phones with unlimited text, phone and they start you with 1gb of data but within a few months they add more. We are up to 5gb but never use 1gb. My husband has the Motorola phone from target but I have a galaxy S7. Wonderful customer service.

We’ve used Mint Mobile for about 3 years now. The $15 a month includes 4G of high speed data. After that, your data speed is reduced, but it’s UNLIMITED data every month (and unlimited talk and text.)

Whenever I see one of these threads, I’m astounded by how much people are still paying for their service.

Tmobile
 

Can't imagine there's a better deal than TMOBILE's Magenta 55 plus. Have had it for years, never an extra charge for anything. 2 phones and lines for $70 with autopay. Period. End of sentence. Also just got upgraded from our Iphone 11's to Iphone 13's for peanuts.

I don't know how much data you use, but that would be more than double what I pay for Xfinity Mobile. My monthly bill for one line is $13.60. Never paid more than that.

We have gone with Xfinity Mobile. Keeping our Galaxy S10e's with 3GB of data. Monthly bill will be slightly over $30 with taxes. However, it also knocks $10 off of our Triple Play package. And we get two prepaid cards for $100 each.

No imagination necessary - Mint Mobile uses the same T-Mobile towers for less than half the price you’re paying. 2 phones with unlimited data, talk and text for $30 a month. Period. End of sentence.

Started reading some of the replies and I, personally, would be totally confused. We have AT& T and live in the Spanish Springs area and have never had a coneection problem. Upgraded to a 5g phone. Per rep, it does not enhance phone service. Camera upgraded with new enhancements, none of which is needed or we use.

TOO MANY CHOICES IN OUR WORLD.

Yes, thanks, forgot that the data is actually unlimited. They are pretty much fool proof - it just works and once a year I pay them via credit card.

Yes Mint Mobile is listed as a low cost carrier. Another is Tracfone which charges $18 per mo. for a year of service. Neither of these have a brick and mortar store to go to for tech help but I have phone help with my Apple iphone and Geek Squad help as well.