I run three phone lines. One for daily use, one for international travel, one personal. Most people don't know you can do that — and most are paying way too much because nobody told them the smart way to set this up.
I have been on cell networks from the time carriers charged you per minute for every call to today where everything runs on data. I have watched this industry change from the ground up — from MetroPCS barely covering Detroit to 5G Ultra Wideband running at gigabit speeds. That is not something you get from a review site. That is 20 plus years of actually living it.
I started in this business back in 2003 with MetroPCS. They gave me a free line to get started and honestly MetroPCS had gaps in coverage back then — certain areas you just lost signal. So I added a second stronger line to fill in where Metro dropped out. That was my first lesson in how phone plans actually work. No single carrier is perfect everywhere, and sometimes two lines cost you less headache than one.
More than 20 years later I still run three lines. Not because I have to — because it makes sense once you understand what each one is for. I am going to break down exactly what I use and why, and then I am going to tell you the single biggest mistake I see customers make when they walk into my store at 8 Mile and Dequindre in Detroit.
Someone walks in with a $180 or $200 monthly bill. They are financing a phone through a carrier and paying for service on the same bill. They have no idea how much the phone costs versus the plan. A new iPhone 15 financed at $35/month over 36 months costs $1,260. That same phone bought outright costs $799. They just paid $461 extra — and they are locked in for 3 years.
My advice is the same whether you buy a phone from me or anywhere else. Buy your phone outright. Then find a prepaid plan and pay month to month. You are never locked in, you can switch anytime, and your bill stays the same every single month. No financing charges, no early termination fees, no surprises.
Here is how I think about it. Get one number that you lock in for verification codes — your bank, your email, everything important. That is the number you keep forever. Then get a data plan you are happy with and start fresh. You can switch that plan anytime without losing the number that matters. The big carriers do not love this advice. But it is what saves real money and I have been saying it since 2003.
Most people look at me sideways when I say I run three SIM cards. But hear me out — this setup costs me less than what most people pay for one postpaid plan bundled with a financed phone.
What makes US Mobile different is you choose which network to run on — AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon. I am on Verizon's network through US Mobile which gives me strong coverage across Detroit and Warren. They also offer yearly plans. Unlimited data for a full year upfront — when you break it down monthly it is cheaper than paying month to month. If you know you will use your phone for the next 12 months, the yearly plan is one of the better deals in prepaid right now. No contract, no financing, flat price all year.
When I travel to Europe, Asia or the Middle East I rely on Google Fi. On the Flexible plan you pay $20/month for calls and texts plus $10 per GB of data. That same $10 per GB rate applies in 200 plus countries. No roaming fees, no international day passes, no calling your carrier before you leave. You land abroad and your phone works exactly like it does at home. Bill Protection caps your total at $80/month no matter how much data you use. Calls while abroad are $0.20/minute but I use WhatsApp over data and the cost is zero. One thing to know — you need to activate Google Fi and use it in the US at least once before you travel. You cannot set it up for the first time while abroad.
Simple. A separate number just for personal use — family, close contacts, the stuff I do not want mixed into business. Here is the part most people never think about: once you set up two-factor authentication on your bank accounts, email, and everything else with a number — you never want to change that number. I keep this line on T-Mobile. Lock in one number that stays permanent and build your digital security around it. That number becomes more valuable over time the more accounts are tied to it. Keep it separate, keep it private, keep it forever.
Not everyone needs three lines. Most people just want one plan that works, costs the same every month, and does not have hidden fees or contract traps.
For most people in Detroit and metro Detroit, Verizon prepaid covers exactly that. Three plans, all with a 3-year price lock guarantee, no credit check, no contract. The 15GB plan at $35/month handles light to moderate use. Unlimited at $50/month covers heavy users. Unlimited Plus at $60/month adds 5G Ultra Wideband for the fastest speeds available in Detroit.
We activate all three at iMobile Detroit. Walk in at 8 Mile and Dequindre, bring your phone, and we will get you set up in about 15 minutes. No appointment needed. Bring your own phone or we will check compatibility on the spot.
Want to get set up on Verizon prepaid today? Walk in at iMobile Detroit at 20503 Dequindre St, right at 8 Mile and Dequindre. We activate all three Verizon prepaid plans on the spot — 15GB at $35/mo, Unlimited at $50/mo, Unlimited Plus at $60/mo. No credit check, no contract, no appointment. See Verizon prepaid plans →
| Plan | Best For | Monthly | Network | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Prepaid 15GB | Detroit locals, light use | $35/mo | Verizon | No |
| Verizon Prepaid Unlimited | Most people | $50/mo | Verizon | No |
| Verizon Prepaid Unlimited Plus | 5G Ultra Wideband users | $60/mo | Verizon | No |
| US Mobile Unlimited | Choose your own network | From $44/mo | AT&T / T-Mobile / Verizon | Limited |
| Google Fi Flexible | International travelers | $20 + $10/GB | T-Mobile | 200+ countries |
| Google Fi Unlimited Premium | Heavy international travelers | $65/mo | T-Mobile | 50GB in 200+ countries |
| T-Mobile Prepaid Unlimited | Solid everyday option | $45/mo | T-Mobile | Canada & Mexico |
Prices before taxes and fees. Green rows available at iMobile Detroit. Walk in at 8 Mile & Dequindre for Verizon prepaid activation on the spot.
Walk in at iMobile Detroit — 8 Mile & Dequindre. Verizon prepaid from $35/mo. No contract, no credit check, activated on the spot.
Or call (313) 900-1032