Mobile Coverage & Cell Phone Plans in Chicago, IL

In the Chicago area, you’ll select from 5 mobile wireless carriers listed below. 100.0% of the Chicago area’s land area is covered by some kind of wireless service, as are 100.00% of Chicago’s 9,485,440 residents. 5G reception covers up to 99.54% of people while they are sitting at home. Note that we may have a financial relationship with some of the Chicago providers below. This does not influence what data we show, and helps us provide high-quality, detailed information for free.

 

Chicago, IL Top Cell Providers

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   Chicago, IL Cell Plans
   

Coverage percentages on this page are based on the percent of the Chicago area homes that would be covered by cellular service of any kind, unless specified as Chicago land area.

 

Fastest Cell Service Down to the Chicago Neighborhood

The map below shows where Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile are faster in Chicago, IL. Areas with no clear winner are shown as ties.
Overall, the Chicago area ranks #1278 out of 3582 cities for the fastest mobile internet network speeds in Illinois.

Best Chicago Cell Provider Key

 

The southwestern parts of the city feature better overall coverage for faster data. The opposite is true in the eastern areas of the Chicago area where mobile data speeds are generally slower.

 

Best Coverage & Data Speeds in Chicago, IL: AT&T Wireless

Among the largest cell phone companies in the United States, AT&T Wireless has the best speed and coverage in the Chicago area. AT&T Wireless has 5G that covers 98.17% of the city. Cell service of any type reaches 100.00% of Chicago homes.

 

Cheap Options for Mobile Service in Chicago, IL

If the price of a Chicago mobile plan is a major concern for you, cheaper mobile plans are available as well. There are several options available in the Chicago area 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 Chicago wireless plan will quickly rise if you add additional lines or features such as a hotspot or unlimited data.

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 Chicago, IL

The companies below provide service to areas smaller than the entire United States. For example, they may have a cell tower in the Chicago area, 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 the Chicago area and the providers’ coverage areas.

 

Chicago, IL Mobile Network Coverage Maps | Voice, 4G & 5G

Chicago Fastest Speeds Key

Your mobile coverage in the Chicago area may vary based on your provider and location. The map above shows the fastest mobile data speeds in and around the city. 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 the Chicago area covering 99.54% of homes in the area while 4G covers 100.00% of the city. Overall, 100.00% of homes (9,486,300 people) and 100.0% of the land (6,777.5 square miles) are covered by some form of cell technology.

 

5G Coverage Map and Availability in Chicago

Chicago 5G Coverage Key

5G is currently the most advanced network available with speeds several times faster than 4G. 5G networks in the Chicago area cover 99.54% of homes with 5G voice and data. In total 96.29% or 6,526.1 square miles of the Chicago area are covered by 5G. The best 5G coverage in Chicago comes from AT&T Wireless with 98.17% coverage.

 

4G Coverage Map and Availability in Chicago

Chicago 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 the Chicago area, 100.00% of the area is covered by 4G data, and 100.00% is covered by 4G HD voice service. T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless has the best 4G network in the Chicago area with 100.00% coverage.

Mobile Service Near Chicago

If you live near Chicago but aren’t technically in the city, 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 the Chicago area: