Walmart Family Mobile is a prepaid mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service. This means it doesn’t own the wireless network infrastructure itself but instead leases access from another company, providing service using its established towers. That company, the network infrastructure owner enabling Walmart Family Mobile’s services, is TracFone Wireless. TracFone was acquired by Verizon Communications in 2021.
The significance of this ownership structure lies in the combination of Walmart’s expansive retail presence and Verizon’s extensive network coverage. This allows the service to be easily accessible to a broad customer base, offering competitive pricing on prepaid plans without requiring long-term contracts. Historically, this arrangement has provided a more affordable wireless option for many, making mobile connectivity more accessible. The leveraging of pre-existing infrastructure also facilitates quicker expansion and broader coverage than building new network infrastructure would allow.
