Do You Get More Spam Texts and Robocalls on MVNO Networks?

You can save a lot of money by choosing a budget or discount phone carrier, but that $20–$40 monthly discount may not be worth it if you end up dodging spam texts and robocalls all day long.

I think most people agree: Your smartphone should be a tool that lets you connect to friends and family and get work done, not a way for people to interrupt your day and try to scam you.

Industry jargon for these carriers is “MVNO,” meaning mobile virtual network operator, because they piggyback on the networks of T-Mobile , AT&T Wireless , and Verizon Wireless . But does choosing one mean you’ll get more unwanted calls and messages?

It depends on two factors: recycled numbers and anti-spam software.

Recycled phone numbers

If you’re porting your phone number from a landline or one of the Big Three to a budget carrier, you can expect about the same number of unwanted calls.

You could see an increase in robocalls and spam texts if you’re getting a new number, though. That’s because someone probably had the number before. Providers are required to wait 45 days before recycling numbers, and telemarketers are supposed to check the Reassigned Numbers Database, but it’s not a perfect system.

All you can do if you’re getting unwanted calls intended for your number’s previous owner is file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or Federal Communications Commission and sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry.

But do MVNOs recycle numbers more quickly than the Big Three? Not necessarily. They do experience more turnover, but they typically pull from the same range of numbers assigned to the parent network.

Network-level spam protection

Phone number specifics aside, some providers have technology that blocks likely spam calls and texts, and others don’t. Here’s a quick list of MVNOs with the best spam protection:

• Cricket: Cricket Call Defense works on calls and text messages and includes automatic fraudulent call and SMS blocking, nuisance call warnings (for spam, telemarketer, political surveys, etc.), and call authentication.
• Consumer Cellular: No branded app is available, so customers don’t have any controls, but the company silences unknown callers using industry-standard technology.
• Metro by T-Mobile: The Scam Shield™ app is free and offers protections like Scam ID, Scam Block, and Caller ID. You can pay extra for even more features.
• Google Fi: The “Block known spam” feature is available to all customers and built right into Google Pixel phones, making it easy to prevent suspicious calls from ringing or leaving voicemails.
• Total by Verizon: Verizon’s Total Spam Filter is free to all Total customers, or they can upgrade to Verizon’s Call Filter App.

The following MVNOs don’t offer spam filtering, so you’re left to your own discretion or any built-in filtering that gets passed down from the parent network.

• EarthLink
• H2O Wireless
• Lyca Mobile
• RedPocket

Here’s how spam protection breaks down for the biggest telco MVNOS:

• Astound Mobile: No built-in anti-spam features, but the company relies on anti-spam features from its parent network, T-Mobile.
• Cox Mobile: Customers can enable spam protection in their settings and choose to “Block all spam and scam calls” or “Only high-risk scam calls.”
• Optimum Mobile: Calls are blocked based on a list of known spam numbers, but customers can call in to opt out.
• Spectrum Mobile: The “call guard” feature analyzes incoming calls and either blocks them or gives you a warning. Customers can manage their settings in the My Spectrum App.
• Xfinity Mobile: All customers get free spam call filtering, and Premium Unlimited subscribers also get the Xfinity Call Guard app.

I’ve written before about how you can trust MVNOs. Turns out, what’s true with customer service and reliability is also true with robocalls and unwanted texts. The carrier you choose does matter, but whether or not you choose a budget carrier isn’t an important factor.

My Take: Shop carefully and check your settings

If avoiding robocalls and spam texts is an important issue for you, do your own research before you buy. If a particular mobile carrier offers anti-spam protection, you’ll probably see mention of it during checkout. From there, make sure you use or download any free apps.

That said, you probably don’t need to pay extra for spam protection, so don’t worry about upgrades. I also wouldn’t worry much about third-party anti-spam apps like Nomorobo or Robokiller unless you’re feeling absolutely overwhelmed by unwanted calls.

For the average Jill or Joe, just ignore calls with phone numbers you don’t recognize. If it’s important, they’ll leave a voicemail. If you’re setting up a phone for a kid or vulnerable adult, block unknown numbers or silence unknown callers in the phone settings.

One final recommendation: If you love your internet provider, you should strongly consider their mobile bundle. As I’ve outlined above, you won’t necessarily get more spam calls, and you’ll probably be on Wi-Fi most of the time, anyway. If you don’t already have a great internet service, the tool below is a good place to start looking for one.