US Carriers Offering HD Streaming and Above

ByCloudBrain Team
US Carriers Offering HD Streaming and Above

Understanding Mobile Data Plans and Streaming Quality

In the past ten years, unlimited data plans have grown in popularity in the United States, but not all plans are the same. Many carriers have limitations on high-speed data, which means that after you reach a certain amount of data usage, your speed may slow down significantly. Often, streaming quality is affected, with many services only allowing standard definition (SD) quality, which is 480p.

Can You Stream Without Limits?

If you’re wondering if there are mobile plans in the U.S. that allow you to stream without throttling or provide options to adjust streaming quality, the answer is yes! There are several options available in both postpaid (monthly billed) and prepaid (paid in advance) plans.

Major Networks Offering Better Streaming Options

The three primary networks in the U.S. — Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile — have made improvements in their higher-end plans to support better streaming quality:

  • Verizon Unlimited Ultimate: This plan provides 4K streaming on its 5G Ultra Wideband network but limits streaming to HD (1080p) on LTE and standard 5G.
  • Verizon Unlimited Plus: This option offers HD (720p) streaming by default, with the possibility of 4K on 5G Ultra Wideband.
  • AT&T Unlimited Premium PL: With this plan, you can stream without any restrictions across 4G LTE and 5G networks.
  • T-Mobile Go5G Plus and Go5G Next: Both plans support 4K UHD streaming.
  • T-Mobile Go5G: Streaming defaults to SD but can be upgraded to HD (720p) in the settings.

Prepaid Plans with Better Streaming Options

While many prepaid services restrict streaming to SD, a few standout options offer flexibility:

  • AT&T Prepaid Max: This plan lets you disable video throttling, enabling you to enjoy 4K streaming.
  • Metro by T-Mobile: Offers an HD video upgrade for $10 monthly, available with all unlimited plans.
  • Cricket: This plan allows you to turn off video management, but streaming initially defaults to 480p.
  • Xfinity Mobile Unlimited Plus: Supports HD streaming by default.
  • Visible: Limits streaming at 2.1Mbps, generally sufficient for 720p quality.
  • T-Mobile Prepaid Plans: All allow streaming speeds around 2.5Mbps, making 720p streaming possible.

While some prepaid options can stream above standard quality, many are limited data plans, and high-quality streaming can consume data quickly.

Exploring VPNs for Streaming

If your mobile carrier does not offer higher streaming rates, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) might be worth considering. A VPN can help maintain your privacy online and could let you bypass restrictions imposed by your carrier, allowing higher quality streaming.

However, be cautious as this practice exists in a gray area of legality. While some VPNs do work for streaming, not all services are reliable, and they might face issues with specific platforms. Moreover, using a VPN can slow down your internet speeds, which may hamper smooth video playback.

If you decide to explore this option, popular choices include ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Recommendations Based on Personal Experience

After reviewing various plans, here are some recommendations based on streaming needs:

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