1. Gen Mobile

For the uninitiated, these carriers are Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), which lease network coverage from the big names like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, but at more affordable rates. These companies have always served price-conscious shoppers, so they're a natural fit for the ex-ACP customer. For example, Gen Mobile offers plans that start as low as $10 a month—including unlimited talk and text with no contract and flexible data iterations. Their dedication to affordability gives hope to those on ACP for vital means of communication.

2. Twigby Mobile

Twigby Mobile does things a little differently, providing you with the option of fully customizable plans, where you pay for exactly how much you want and nothing more. Twigby's prices range from $9 per month and up, and their pay-as-you-go pricing is a great fit for light users who don't really use much data, just voice and text. Moreover, Twigby often offers special deals like the best price to get things started or extra data on top of low prices for new customers. This affordable service is perfect for those who need a cell phone but don't use it often She's married with two kids.

3. Red Pocket Mobile

Red Pocket Mobile goes against this grain with a variety of plans across all three of the big US networks. If you want AT&T's coverage, T-Mobile's speeds or Verizon's reliability, Red Pocket has a plan to fit, you'll typically pay half of what you would with other carriers. Their $10 a month plan includes unlimited talk and text with 1GB of data, and their plans above it are still very competitively priced. For families or single users with multiple lines, Red Pocket's yearlong plans offer even more value, with effective monthly rates that are sometimes lower than $15.

It's easy to switch over to one of these carriers. Many of them do simple online sign-ups and SIM card delivery, and they also do number porting from your old provider. Smoother coverage and voice quality also makes them worth considering, and you shouldn't believe the myth that you get lesser service with a cheap plan just because they're low cost.

We recognize that the end of the ACP has presented financial hardships to many families even as former ACP partners maintain some of the low cost plans that were previously available. Consumers who shop around for plans from Gen Mobile, Twigby, Red Pocket or other MVNOs may also be able to locate plans that fall within their budget while still being reliable. At a time when staying in touch is more important than ever, these providers are proof that expensive bills don't have to hinder communication.