In California, you’ll select from 5 mobile wireless carriers listed below. 88.3% of California’s land area is covered by some kind of wireless service, as are 99.97% of California’s 39,142,212 residents. 5G reception covers up to 97.16% of people while they are sitting at home. Note that we may have a financial relationship with some of the California providers below. This does not influence what data we show, and helps us provide high-quality, detailed information for free.
California Top Cell Providers
Plans include 5G where available.
Coverage:
T-Mobile Network
Data Speeds:
Same as T-Mobile below
Plans start at $15/mo.
View plans
Mint Mobile provides very affordable plans using the same network as T-Mobile throughout the United States.
Plans include 5G where available.
Coverage:
Verizon Network
Data Speeds:
Same as Verizon below
Plans start at $30/mo.
View plans
Visible offers unlimited data, talk and text for $30/month powered by Verizon.
AT&T Wireless 5G available in California
Coverage:
99.92% of California
98.83% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 91.74%
4G: 99.80%
3G or 2G: 99.87%
More about AT&T Wireless in California
AT&T Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in California
AT&T Wireless covers 99.92% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 5G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in California) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
---|---|---|
5G |
91.74% |
33.03% |
4G |
99.80% |
73.27% |
2G or 3G |
99.87% |
77.47% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 91.74% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 8.06% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank AT&T Wireless as #1 out of 5 for a combination of coverage and speed among California mobile providers.
AT&T Wireless Voice Quality in California
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 91.74% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.80% of California homes. 99.87% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
T-Mobile 5G available in California
Coverage:
99.76% of California
99.34% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 86.04%
4G: 99.72%
3G or 2G: 98.98%
Plans start at $30/mo.
More about T-Mobile in California
T-Mobile Data Speeds and Coverage in California
T-Mobile covers 99.76% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 5G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in California) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
---|---|---|
5G |
86.04% |
50.50% |
4G |
99.72% |
69.35% |
2G or 3G |
98.98% |
51.35% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 86.04% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 13.68% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank T-Mobile as #2 out of 5 for a combination of coverage and speed among California mobile providers.
T-Mobile Voice Quality in California
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 86.04% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.72% of California homes. 99.14% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Verizon Wireless 5G available in California
Coverage:
99.93% of California
98.82% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 0.53%
4G: 99.93%
3G or 2G: 99.73%
Plans start at $35/mo.
More about Verizon Wireless in California
Verizon Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in California
Verizon Wireless covers 99.93% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 5G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in California) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
---|---|---|
5G |
0.53% |
0.02% |
4G |
99.93% |
83.96% |
2G or 3G |
99.73% |
69.47% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 0.53% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 99.40% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank Verizon Wireless as #3 out of 5 for a combination of coverage and speed among California mobile providers.
Verizon Wireless Voice Quality in California
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 0.53% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.93% of California homes. 99.57% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Coverage percentages on this page are based on the percent of California homes that would be covered by cellular service of any kind, unless specified as California land area.
Fastest Cell Service Down to the California Neighborhood
The map below shows where Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile are faster in California. Areas with no clear winner are shown as ties.
Overall, California ranks #8 out of 52 states and territories for the fastest mobile internet network speeds in the United States.
Best California Cell Provider Key
The southeastern parts of the state feature better overall coverage for faster data. The opposite is true in the northern areas of California where mobile data speeds are generally slower.
Best Coverage & Data Speeds in California: AT&T Wireless
Among the largest cell phone companies in the United States, AT&T Wireless has the best speed and coverage in California. AT&T Wireless has 5G that covers 91.74% of the state. Cell service of any type reaches 99.93% of California homes.
Cheap Options for Mobile Service in California
If the price of a California mobile plan is a major concern for you, cheaper mobile plans are available as well. There are several options available in California including pre-paid, no-contract plans that start as low as $15 per line. Many of these providers such as Mint, Boost, and Cricket partner with the three major carriers to provide excellent coverage nationwide. With these discount options, the price of your California wireless plan will quickly rise if you add additional lines or features such as a hotspot or unlimited data.
Plans include 5G where available.
Coverage:
T-Mobile Network
Data Speeds:
Same as T-Mobile above
Plans start at $15/mo.
View plans
Mint Mobile provides very affordable plans using the same network as T-Mobile throughout the United States.
These providers all offer excellent coverage at a lower price compared to more well-known brands. Mint is generally regarded as the most affordable provider for unlimited data, with a high "throttle cap" of 35GB. Depending on where you live, you may prefer the AT&T network coverage offered by Cricket. Boost is a good option for international travelers.
Local Mobile Providers in California
The companies below provide service to areas smaller than the entire United States. For example, they may have a cell tower in California, and then partner with larger national companies to provide national service for traveling customers. We display network partners to the best of our ability but cannot guarantee coverage or charges outside of California and the providers’ coverage areas.
US Cellular 5G available in California
Coverage:
96.50% of California
9.86% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 7.02%
4G: 92.92%
3G or 2G: 96.07%
Plans start at $30/mo.
More about US Cellular in California
US Cellular Data Speeds and Coverage in California
US Cellular covers 96.50% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 5G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in California) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
---|---|---|
5G |
7.02% |
0.35% |
4G |
92.92% |
48.13% |
2G or 3G |
96.07% |
54.42% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 7.02% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 85.90% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank US Cellular as #4 out of 5 for a combination of coverage and speed among California mobile providers.
US Cellular Voice Quality in California
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 7.02% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 92.92% of California homes. 96.07% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
More about Choice Wireless in California
Choice Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in California
Choice Wireless covers 54.69% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 4G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in California) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
---|---|---|
4G |
0.41% |
0.22% |
2G or 3G |
47.18% |
20.31% |
4G is the fastest cell coverage for 0.41% of homes. 46.77% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank Choice Wireless as #5 out of 5 for a combination of coverage and speed among California mobile providers.
Choice Wireless Voice Quality in California
4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 0.41% of California homes. 54.31% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
California Mobile Network Coverage Maps | Voice, 4G & 5G
California Fastest Speeds Key
Your mobile coverage in California may vary based on your provider and location. The map above shows the fastest mobile data speeds in and around the state. To see coverage for an individual provider, click the provider's availability maps above.
There are several types of mobile coverage to consider when evaluating a carrier’s geographic reliability. 5G is the fastest mobile data connection in California covering 97.16% of homes in the area while 4G covers 99.96% of the state. Overall, 99.97% of homes (39,141,674 people) and 88.3% of the land (137,558.7 square miles) are covered by some form of cell technology.
5G Coverage Map and Availability in California
California 5G Coverage Key
5G is currently the most advanced network available with speeds several times faster than 4G. 5G networks in California cover 97.16% of homes with 5G voice and data. In total 53.08% or 82,691.0 square miles of California are covered by 5G. The best 5G coverage in California comes from AT&T Wireless with 91.74% coverage.
4G Coverage Map and Availability in California
California 4G Coverage Key
4G/LTE networks have become one of the nation’s most common mobile coverage types for data, and in some locations, voice calls. In California, 99.96% of the area is covered by 4G data, and 99.96% is covered by 4G HD voice service. Verizon Wireless has the best 4G network in California with 99.93% coverage.
Selecting the Best Cell Provider in California for You
If you’re still struggling to choose a cell phone provider in the state, some of these facts may help you decide:
- Coverage to California houses is best with service from Verizon Wireless, with 99.93% of homes covered.
- The best coverage across all California land is provided by Verizon Wireless at 84.13% of land area covered.
- The current best 5G coverage comes from AT&T Wireless reporting 91.74% in California.
- The top estimated average speed in California, estimated at 68.36, Mbps is available through AT&T Wireless.
Mobile Service Near California
If you live near California but aren’t technically in the state, or you like to explore the region a lot, your coverage availability and speeds may vary.
Enter your zip code here to find more precise mobile numbers on your exact location. Here are our mobile and cell phone guides for several popular locations in and around California:
States close to California
- Nevada: better mobile coverage
- Arizona: worse mobile coverage
- Utah: better mobile coverage
- Oregon: worse mobile coverage
- Idaho: worse mobile coverage
- New Mexico: worse mobile coverage
- Washington: worse mobile coverage
- Colorado: worse mobile coverage
- Wyoming: worse mobile coverage
- Montana: worse mobile coverage
States with similar populations to California
- Texas: worse mobile coverage
- Florida: worse mobile coverage
- New York: worse mobile coverage
- Illinois: worse mobile coverage
- Pennsylvania: worse mobile coverage
- Ohio: worse mobile coverage
- Georgia: worse mobile coverage
- North Carolina: worse mobile coverage
- Michigan: worse mobile coverage
- New Jersey: better mobile coverage