[commoner]

Mint Mobile is an MVNO that runs on the T-Mobile network. Google Fi is also an MVNO, but it runs on T-Mobile, Sprint, and the regional US Cellular. Since T-Mobile merged with Sprint, the coverage of Mint Mobile and Google Fi will eventually be similar once T-Mobile converts the Sprint towers, which is in progress.

If you live in an area where T-Mobile is weaker (rural areas or areas outside of metropolitan areas), AT&T and Verizon will provide more consistent coverage than both Google Fi and Mint. AT&T is GSM-based and will work on the Librem 5 and the PinePhone. Verizon is CDMA-based and might not fully work on these phones.

AT&T Prepaid is currently offering an unlimited plan with 22GB of unthrottled 5G and 4G data for $50/month plus tax with monthly billing. There is also an offer for 8GB of 4G data for $25/month plus tax with annual billing.

https://www.att.com/prepaid

[kalleboo]

> Verizon is CDMA-based and might not fully work on these phones

CDMA is no longer activated on new contracts/devices, and the CDMA network is planned to be shut down by next year (December 31, 2020).

Verizon is now LTE (GSM/3GPP)-based.

[commoner]

You're right about that. It looks like some PinePhone users are reporting success with Verizon while others are not. Your mileage may vary.

https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=9150

https://wiki.pine64.org/index.php/PinePhone_APN_Settings#Ver...

Some Librem 5 users suggest activating the Verizon SIM card in an Android phone or iPhone, and then moving the activated SIM card to the Librem 5:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Purism/comments/cjjcdv/well_librem_...

GSM-based networks still seem to be the more reliable option for Linux phones, but it's good to see that Verizon might also be compatible with some effort.