In Illinois, you’ll select from 6 mobile wireless carriers listed below. 100.0% of Illinois’s land area is covered by some kind of wireless service, as are 100.00% of Illinois’s 12,812,508 residents. 5G reception covers up to 98.35% of people while they are sitting at home. Note that we may have a financial relationship with some of the Illinois providers below. This does not influence what data we show, and helps us provide high-quality, detailed information for free.
Illinois Top Cell Providers
Starter Phones Designed for Child Safety
Coverage:
T-Mobile Network
Data Speeds:
Same as T-Mobile below
Plans start at $29/mo.
View plans
Built-in Parental Controls | Approved Contacts Only | Parent-Controlled Internet Access
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. Learn more about Mint vs. other carriers.
Verizon Wireless 5G available in Illinois
Coverage:
99.76% of Illinois
96.15% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 76.08% 4G: 99.46% 3G or 2G: 98.95%
More about Verizon Wireless in Illinois
Verizon Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in Illinois
Verizon Wireless 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 Illinois) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
5G |
76.08% |
20.16% |
4G |
99.46% |
92.94% |
2G or 3G |
98.95% |
93.11% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 76.08% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 0.00% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank Verizon Wireless as #3 out of 6 for a combination of coverage and speed among Illinois mobile providers.
Verizon Wireless Voice Quality in Illinois
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 76.08% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.75% of Illinois homes. 98.56% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
T-Mobile 5G available in Illinois
Coverage:
99.22% of Illinois
97.12% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 95.63% 4G: 95.70% 3G or 2G: 98.03%
More about T-Mobile in Illinois
T-Mobile Data Speeds and Coverage in Illinois
T-Mobile covers 99.22% 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 Illinois) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
5G |
95.63% |
76.54% |
4G |
95.70% |
69.97% |
2G or 3G |
98.03% |
82.69% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 95.63% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 0.00% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank T-Mobile as #1 out of 6 for a combination of coverage and speed among Illinois mobile providers.
T-Mobile Voice Quality in Illinois
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 95.63% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 97.99% of Illinois homes. 98.31% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
AT&T Wireless 5G available in Illinois
Coverage:
99.99% of Illinois
96.67% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 86.64% 4G: 99.82% 3G or 2G: 99.95%
1-833-652-2264
More about AT&T Wireless in Illinois
AT&T Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in Illinois
AT&T Wireless covers 99.99% 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 Illinois) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
5G |
86.64% |
59.58% |
4G |
99.82% |
97.01% |
2G or 3G |
99.95% |
99.38% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 86.64% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 0.00% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank AT&T Wireless as #2 out of 6 for a combination of coverage and speed among Illinois mobile providers.
AT&T Wireless Voice Quality in Illinois
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 86.64% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.98% of Illinois homes. 99.95% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Coverage percentages on this page are based on the percent of Illinois homes that would be covered by cellular service of any kind, unless specified as Illinois land area.
Fastest Cell Service Down to the Illinois Neighborhood
The map below shows where Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile are faster in Illinois. Areas with no clear winner are shown as ties.
Overall, Illinois ranks #18 out of 52 states and territories for the fastest mobile internet network speeds in the United States.
The northeastern parts of the state feature better overall coverage for faster data. The opposite is true in the southeastern areas of Illinois where mobile data speeds are generally slower.
Best Coverage & Data Speeds in Illinois: T-Mobile
Among the largest cell phone companies in the United States, T-Mobile has the best speed and coverage in Illinois. T-Mobile has 5G that covers 95.63% of the state. Cell service of any type reaches 99.99% of Illinois homes.
Cheap Options for Mobile Service in Illinois
If the price of a Illinois mobile plan is a major concern for you, cheaper mobile plans are available as well. There are several options available in Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois
The companies below provide service to areas smaller than the entire United States. For example, they may have a cell tower in Illinois, 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 Illinois and the providers’ coverage areas.
More about Illinois Valley Cellular in Illinois
Illinois Valley Cellular Data Speeds and Coverage in Illinois
Illinois Valley Cellular covers 79.16% 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 Illinois) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
4G |
34.72% |
21.05% |
2G or 3G |
78.96% |
80.06% |
4G is the fastest cell coverage for 34.72% of homes. 44.24% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank Illinois Valley Cellular as #5 out of 6 for a combination of coverage and speed among Illinois mobile providers.
Illinois Valley Cellular Voice Quality in Illinois
4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 34.72% of Illinois homes. 74.39% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
US Cellular 5G available in Illinois
Coverage:
90.85% of Illinois
10.17% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 36.45% 4G: 85.68% 3G or 2G: 82.72%
More about US Cellular in Illinois
US Cellular Data Speeds and Coverage in Illinois
US Cellular covers 90.85% 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 Illinois) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
5G |
36.45% |
16.33% |
4G |
85.68% |
69.92% |
2G or 3G |
82.72% |
73.89% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 36.45% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 49.23% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank US Cellular as #4 out of 6 for a combination of coverage and speed among Illinois mobile providers.
US Cellular Voice Quality in Illinois
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 36.45% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 90.56% of Illinois homes. 82.93% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
More about Chariton Valley in Illinois
Chariton Valley Data Speeds and Coverage in Illinois
Chariton Valley covers 28.67% 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 Illinois) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
4G |
28.67% |
53.12% |
4G is the fastest cell coverage for 28.67% of homes. We rank Chariton Valley as #6 out of 6 for a combination of coverage and speed among Illinois mobile providers.
Chariton Valley Voice Quality in Illinois
4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 28.67% of Illinois homes. 0.00% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Illinois Mobile Network Coverage Maps | Voice, 4G & 5G
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Your mobile coverage in Illinois 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 Illinois covering 98.35% of homes in the area while 4G covers 100.00% of the state. Overall, 100.00% of homes (12,812,508 people) and 100.0% of the land (55,507.6 square miles) are covered by some form of cell technology.
5G Coverage Map and Availability in Illinois
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5G is currently the most advanced network available with speeds several times faster than 4G. 5G networks in Illinois cover 98.35% of homes with 5G voice and data. In total 86.48% or 48,007.8 square miles of Illinois are covered by 5G. The best 5G coverage in Illinois comes from T-Mobile with 95.63% coverage.
4G Coverage Map and Availability in Illinois
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4G/LTE networks have become one of the nation’s most common mobile coverage types for data, and in some locations, voice calls. In Illinois, 99.94% of the area is covered by 4G data, and 100.00% is covered by 4G HD voice service. AT&T Wireless has the best 4G network in Illinois with 99.98% coverage.
Selecting the Best Cell Provider in Illinois 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 Illinois houses is best with service from AT&T Wireless, with 99.99% of homes covered.
- The best coverage across all Illinois land is provided by AT&T Wireless at 99.92% of land area covered.
- The current best 5G coverage comes from T-Mobile reporting 95.63% in Illinois.
- The top estimated average speed in Illinois, estimated at 67.90, Mbps is available through T-Mobile.
Mobile Service States Near Illinois
If you live near Illinois 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 Illinois:
States close to Illinois
States with similar populations to Illinois
- Arizona: worse coverage
- Alabama: worse coverage
- New Hampshire: worse coverage
- Montana: worse coverage
- Mississippi: worse coverage
- Minnesota: better coverage
- Michigan: worse coverage
- Massachusetts: better coverage
- Maine: worse coverage
- Idaho: worse coverage