Ting Mobile Review 2026: How DISH Killed the Best MVNO Concept

Ting Mobile was once the most innovative MVNO in the United States. Its pay-for-what-you-use model was genuinely revolutionary -- you paid only for the minutes, texts, and megabytes you actually consumed, not a penny more. Tech enthusiasts loved it. Personal finance bloggers championed it. Ting was the carrier that proved the industry was overcharging everyone.

Then DISH Network bought it in 2020. And everything that made Ting special slowly disappeared.

Today, Ting is a generic T-Mobile MVNO with standard fixed plans, no build-a-plan flexibility, no two-factor authentication, and a customer service reputation that has been declining since the acquisition. The brand still trades on goodwill from a decade ago, but the product no longer deserves it. Tello has quietly become everything Ting used to be -- and more.

The Rise and Fall of Ting

Understanding Ting's decline requires understanding what made it great. Ting launched in 2012 under Tucows, a Canadian internet company, with a pricing model that was genuinely consumer-friendly: you paid for what you used, calculated at the end of each billing cycle.

How Ting Used to Work

Instead of fixed plans, Ting charged based on usage tiers that adjusted automatically:

• Used 100 minutes? Pay $3 for that tier.
• Used 500MB of data? Pay $10 for that tier.
• Barely used your phone this month? Your bill might be $12.

This model was perfect for light users, WiFi-dependent users, and anyone who resented paying $50 for an unlimited plan when they used 2GB. Ting's average customer bill was around $23 per month -- significantly less than what major carriers charged.

What DISH Changed

DISH Network acquired Ting in August 2020 for $275 million. DISH also owns Boost Mobile, another MVNO with its own problems. The changes came gradually but predictably:

1. Pay-for-what-you-use was eliminated. Ting now offers fixed monthly plans like every other carrier.
2. Build-a-plan customization disappeared. The slider-based plan builder that let you pick your exact data, minutes, and text amounts is gone.
3. Customer service quality declined. Under Tucows, Ting had legendarily good support. Under DISH, it has become generic.
4. The Sprint network was dropped. Ting originally offered Sprint and T-Mobile. Now it is T-Mobile only.
5. Innovation stopped. No new features, no security improvements, no competitive responses to better carriers.

The result is a carrier coasting on brand recognition from an era that ended five years ago.

The Tello Problem

Here is the fundamental issue for Ting in 2026: Tello does everything Ting used to do, and does it better.

Tello's build-a-plan system is exactly what made Ting famous. You pick your data, pick your minutes, and pay for what you need. But Tello adds free international calling, full security with 2FA, and consistently excellent customer service. It is the spiritual successor to the original Ting concept -- except it actually exists in 2026.

Ting Plans and Pricing

Ting's current plan lineup is aggressively generic:

*"Unlimited" includes 35GB of premium data, then reduced speeds.

The Pricing Problem

At every tier, Ting is overpriced compared to alternatives on the same T-Mobile network:

The disparity at $25 is staggering. Ting gives you 5GB. Tello gives you 35GB. Same network. Same towers. Seven times more data. There is no argument for Ting at this price point.

And if you want truly unlimited data on a major network, Visible delivers it for $25 with taxes included -- less than half the cost of Ting's "Unlimited" plan.

Speed Test Results

Ting uses T-Mobile's network. Performance is standard for a T-Mobile MVNO:

These are the same speeds you get from Tello, Mint Mobile, or any other T-Mobile MVNO. Network performance is not a differentiator -- every T-Mobile MVNO delivers the same towers and the same deprioritization. The difference is what you pay and what features you get for that price.

Our 11-Point Scoring Breakdown

The zero on build-a-plan is particularly painful. Ting invented the concept of customizable wireless plans. Now it scores zero on the criterion it pioneered because DISH eliminated the feature.

Security Analysis

No Two-Factor Authentication

Ting does not offer 2FA. Under Tucows ownership, this was a forgivable oversight for a small innovative carrier. Under DISH Network -- a publicly traded company with billions in revenue -- it is negligence. DISH has the resources to implement 2FA. It has chosen not to, for Ting or for Boost Mobile.

What Ting Has

SIM PIN protection is available, and Ting has no known data breaches. These are the security points it earns. But partial security measures do not substitute for comprehensive account protection.

Security Comparison

If DISH wanted to make Ting competitive on security, adding 2FA would be straightforward. The fact that neither Ting nor Boost has it suggests DISH does not prioritize customer account protection.

The DISH Network Problem

DISH's ownership of Ting is part of a broader pattern. DISH also owns Boost Mobile, which faces similar criticism for feature stagnation and declining service quality. The company has been focused on building a 5G network and acquiring spectrum rather than improving its existing MVNO brands.

What DISH Ownership Means for Ting Customers

• No innovation: Ting has not introduced a meaningful new feature since the acquisition
• Shared corporate priorities: DISH's attention is split across Boost, Ting, Sling TV, and its 5G buildout
• Potential migration risk: DISH may eventually merge Ting into Boost or transition it to its own network, disrupting service
• Budget constraints: Ting operates as a minor asset within a company focused on larger initiatives

When a carrier's parent company treats it as an afterthought, the product reflects that neglect.

Ting Mobile vs. The Competition

vs. Visible

Verdict: Visible offers more than double the value at less than half the price. The only consideration is T-Mobile vs. Verizon coverage in your area.

vs. Tello

Verdict: Tello is the direct replacement for Ting. Same network, build-a-plan flexibility, full security, and free international calling. There is no category where Ting outperforms Tello.

Who Should Get Ting Mobile?

Possibly Acceptable For

• Existing Ting customers on legacy plans who have not yet researched alternatives
• People who received Ting gift cards
• Users with a specific, personal attachment to the Ting brand

Not Recommended For

• Anyone who values the original Ting concept (Tello does it better now)
• Budget-conscious users (dramatically overpriced for data)
• Users who want build-a-plan flexibility (the feature Ting killed)
• Security-minded customers (no 2FA)
• Heavy data users (no true unlimited)
• Anyone comparing carriers for the first time
• Users who need good customer service
• People who care about innovation from their carrier

How to Switch from Ting Mobile

If you are on Ting and ready to move to a carrier that delivers what Ting used to promise, follow these steps:

1. Do not cancel Ting first -- you will lose your phone number
2. Log into your Ting account and note your account number and transfer PIN
3. Choose your replacement carrier:
   • Tello if you want build-a-plan flexibility on T-Mobile (the original Ting concept)
   • Visible if you want unlimited data on Verizon
4. Check phone compatibility -- your phone likely already works since Tello uses the same T-Mobile network
5. Sign up with your new carrier and request to port your number
6. Activate your new SIM or eSIM -- usually 10-30 minutes
7. Enable 2FA and SIM PIN on your new carrier immediately
8. Enjoy build-a-plan flexibility again if you chose Tello

Ting service cancels automatically when the port completes. Monthly billing stops at the end of your current cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ting Mobile still good in 2026?

No. Ting scores 5/11 after losing the features that made it unique. The pay-for-what-you-use model is gone, and DISH ownership has brought stagnation. Tello is the better choice on the same network.

Does Ting still have pay-for-what-you-use billing?

No. DISH eliminated the usage-based billing model. Ting now offers fixed monthly plans like every other carrier.

Who owns Ting Mobile?

DISH Network acquired Ting from Tucows in 2020 for $275 million. DISH also owns Boost Mobile.

Does Ting have two-factor authentication?

No. Ting does not offer 2FA, leaving accounts protected only by passwords.

What network does Ting use?

Ting uses T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G network. It previously offered Sprint as well, but that option was discontinued.

Is Ting cheaper than Tello?

No. Tello offers 35GB for $25/month. Ting offers 5GB for $25/month. Same network, seven times less data at the same price.

Does Ting include taxes in its prices?

No. All Ting prices are before taxes and fees. Add approximately $2-5 per month.

Does Ting have unlimited data?

Ting's top plan at $55/month includes 35GB of premium data before speeds are reduced. This is not truly unlimited. Visible offers truly unlimited for $25.

Can I build my own plan on Ting?

No. Despite being the carrier that popularized custom plans, Ting no longer offers build-a-plan options. Tello now offers the build-a-plan experience Ting pioneered.

Is Ting good for light users?

Ting was once the best carrier for light users. It no longer is. Tello's build-a-plan starts at under $10/month with customizable data and minutes -- exactly what Ting used to offer.

Does Ting have 5G?

Yes. Ting includes T-Mobile 5G access on all plans at no extra cost.

Can I keep my phone number when leaving Ting?

Yes. Port your number to your new carrier during signup. Do not cancel Ting before the port completes.

Is Ting's customer service still good?

Customer service has declined since the DISH acquisition. While some users still report positive experiences, the consistency that earned Ting its reputation under Tucows is no longer there.

What happened to Ting's original concept?

DISH Network eliminated Ting's pay-for-what-you-use billing and replaced it with standard fixed plans. The innovative pricing model that defined Ting is gone.

Should I switch away from Ting?

Yes. Tello offers the same T-Mobile network with build-a-plan flexibility, full security features, and better customer service. Visible offers unlimited Verizon data for $25. Both are dramatically better values.

Final Verdict

Ting Mobile scores 5/11. That number tells only part of the story.

The Innovation Is Dead. Ting's entire identity was built on giving customers control over their wireless spending. DISH eliminated that identity. What remains is a generic T-Mobile MVNO with no distinguishing features and prices that are worse than the competition at every tier.

The Security Gap Is Unacceptable. No 2FA in 2026, from a carrier owned by a publicly traded company with the resources to implement it, is not an oversight. It is a choice -- and it is the wrong one.

The Customer Service Decline Is Predictable. Ting under Tucows was beloved. Ting under DISH is unremarkable. Corporate acquisitions rarely improve customer experience, and this is no exception.

The Replacement Is Obvious. Tello is the carrier Ting should have become. Same T-Mobile network, build-your-own plans, full security, free international calling, and a 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating from nearly 14,000 reviews. If you loved the original Ting, you will love Tello.

• For T-Mobile coverage with flexibility: Switch to Tello -- 35GB for $25/month, build-a-plan, 2FA, free international calling.
• For unlimited data on Verizon: Switch to Visible -- unlimited data, $25/month, taxes included.

The Ting you remember does not exist anymore. The alternatives that inherited its best ideas are waiting for you.

This review is based on our independent 11-point scoring methodology. We may earn commissions from affiliate links, but this never influences our ratings. Ting Mobile earned its 5/11 score through the same objective criteria applied to every carrier we review. Learn more about our methodology.