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Ultra Mobile

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ultra Mobile
TypePrivate
IndustryTelecommunications
Founded2011; 15 years ago (2011)
FounderDavid Glickman
HeadquartersCosta Mesa, California, U.S.
Key people
  • David Glickman (CEO)
  • Rizwan Kassim (Managing Partner)
ServicesPrepaid mobile phone plans
Number of employees
150 (2017)
ParentT-Mobile US
Websitewww.ultramobile.com

Ultra Mobile is an American mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that provides prepaid wireless service on the T-Mobile network. The company is known for plans that include international calling. It is owned by T-Mobile US, which acquired its parent company, Ka'ena Corporation, in 2024.[1]

History

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Ultra Mobile was co-founded by CEO David Glickman, who had previously founded TelePacific Communications, Justice Technology, and Primo Connect.[2]

By 2016, Ultra Mobile products were available in over 25,000 retail stores in the US, including Target and 7-Eleven.[2][3]

In January 2016, the company acquired rights from Univision Communications to manage the Univision Mobile brand, another T-Mobile mobile virtual network operator which specializes in US SIM-based international calling plans for calls to Latin American countries.[4][5] In May 2017, Ultra Mobile announced that it was closing down the Univision Mobile brand and that it would automatically transfer all Univision Mobile subscribers to Ultra Mobile.[6]

In August 2016, Ultra Mobile launched Mint Mobile, formerly Mint SIM, an online-only MVNO specializing in prepaid mobile plans on the T-Mobile cellular network, which provides discounted pricing based on monthly, quarterly, or yearly terms paid in advance.[7]

In 2017, the company had approximately 150 employees in the US, Europe, and Asia, and had focused on hiring millennials.[8][9]

In November 2019, the corporate spin-off of Mint Mobile from Ultra Mobile was completed[10] and Ryan Reynolds acquired a 20%-25% ownership stake in Mint Mobile.[11] Reynolds and founder Glickman both served on the board of directors for The Michael J. Fox Foundation and Glickman was impressed with how Reynolds handled marketing for Deadpool.[12]

In March 2023, T-Mobile US agreed to acquire Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile for up to $1.35 billion.[13] On May 1, 2024, the announcement was published that the planned acquisition was completed as per the agreement.[14]

In July 2025, Ultra Mobile changed its logo from a SIM-card design to a globe design as part of a brand refresh.[15]

In May 2026, Ultra Mobile introduced international roaming passes for short-term travel, covering data, calls and texts outside the United States.[16]

Products and Services

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Ultra Mobile sells prepaid plans that run on the T-Mobile 5G network. Plans are available in 1, 3, 6 and 12-month terms, with longer terms priced lower per month. All plans include international calling and texting to 90 countries.[17]

In 2026, BestPhonePlans named Ultra Mobile its Top Pick for International Calling.[18][19][20]

Awards and recognition

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In 2015, Ultra Mobile was ranked number 1 in Inc. magazine's list of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the United States, with a year-over-year growth rate of 100,849% and revenues of US$118 million in 2014, up from less than a million in 2012.[21]

WhistleOut rated Ultra Mobile 3.0 to 3.5 out of 5 stars in 2023, and 4.0 to 4.5 overall in 2026.[22]

References

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  1. ↑ Mobile-to-Acquire-and-Turbocharge-Mint-Mobile-and-Ultra-Mobile- Brands-Will-Continue-Delivering-Value-on-the-Un-carriers-5G- Network "T-Mobile acquired Ultra Mobile". Businesswire. March 15, 2023. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help)
  2. 1 2 Kharif, Olga (February 4, 2016). "The Phone Companies People Actually Love". Bloomberg Businessweek.
  3. ↑ Blakely, Lindsay (September 2015). "How This Entrepreneur Started America's Fastest-Growing Company (Twice)". Inc.
  4. ↑ Martínez, Laura (January 29, 2016). "Univision y T-Mobile ponen fin a su alianza para Univision Mobile". CNET.
  5. ↑ "Univision Mobile, Powered by Ultra Mobile, to Offer Customers Unlimited Domestic and International Talk and Text" (Press release). PR Newswire. January 29, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Ultra Mobile Introduces Flex Plans, Shuts Down Univision Mobile". BestMVNO. 2017-05-18.
  7. ↑ Broida, Rick (November 16, 2016). "Get three months of Mint SIM cell service for $35". CNET.
  8. ↑ White, Ronald D. (February 5, 2017). "Ultra Mobile CEO David Glickman finds his calling". Los Angeles Times.
  9. ↑ Glickman, David (March 26, 2015). "How I managed millennials to $100 million in sales". CNBC.
  10. ↑ HOFFMAN, SUSAN (October 21, 2021). "Employee-centric Mint Mobile in Costa Mesa given accolades for workplace culture". Los Angeles Times.
  11. ↑ Gonzalez, Oscar (November 25, 2019). "Ryan Reynolds now owns Mint Mobile". CNET.
  12. ↑ "David Glickman". Inc. September 1, 2021 – via PressReader.
  13. ↑ "T-Mobile to Acquire and Turbocharge Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile, Brands Will Continue Delivering Value on the Un-carrier's 5G Network" (Press release). Business Wire. March 15, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Mint and Ultra: Welcome to the T‑Mobile Family!". T-Mobile. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  15. ↑ "Ultra Mobile Doubles Down on Value and Savings". Businesswire. July 1, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Ultra Mobile Makes International Travel Easier". pcmag. May 20, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Ultra Mobile Makes International Travel Easier". pcmag. May 20, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Best Phone Plans". BestPhonePlans. 2026.
  19. ↑ "Take 50% Off Ultra Mobile's 8GB Plan". CNET. November 18, 2025.
  20. ↑ "How Ultra Mobile Works". Ultra Mobile. 2026.
  21. ↑ "Ultra Mobile Tops Inc. 5000". Orange County Business Journal. August 13, 2015.
  22. ↑ "The Best 4 Ultra Mobile Plans". whistleOut. May 1, 2024.
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