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The security of your cellular communications depends not just on your phone, but on the entire network infrastructure. Learn about carrier security practices and infrastructure concerns affecting rural America.
The big four national carriers have committed to removing banned equipment and offer various security features to protect your account.
National Carrier
Committed to removing all Huawei/ZTE equipment. Strong security practices.
National Carrier
No Huawei/ZTE equipment in network. Extra Security features available.
National Carrier
Working to replace Sprint legacy equipment. Account Takeover Protection available.
Regional Carrier
Received federal funding to replace foreign equipment. Good rural coverage.
May still have Huawei/ZTE equipment due to cost constraints
Action: Ask your carrier directly about their equipment suppliers
May have weaker security practices than major carriers
Action: Research the MVNO's security features before signing up
This federal program provides $1.9 billion to help small carriers replace equipment from Huawei, ZTE, and other untrusted vendors.
Ongoing
Carriers must complete replacement
Primarily small rural carriers with less than 10 million subscribers
Beyond individual carriers, there are systemic vulnerabilities in cellular infrastructure that affect all users.
Some rural carriers installed Chinese-made cell tower equipment before the ban. This equipment may still be in use.
Affected: Small rural carriers
Mitigation: Federal rip-and-replace program underway
The connections between cell towers and the internet backbone may pass through vulnerable equipment.
Affected: All carriers in some areas
Mitigation: Carriers upgrading to secure fiber connections
The signaling protocol used between carriers has known vulnerabilities that allow call interception and location tracking.
Affected: All carriers globally
Mitigation: Limited - protocol is fundamental to cellular
Devices that impersonate cell towers to intercept communications. Easier to deploy in rural areas with weak coverage.
Affected: Users in rural or high-value target areas
Mitigation: Use encrypted communications (Signal, iMessage)
Most major carriers offer these security features. Contact your carrier to enable them on your account.
| Feature | Description | Available At | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account PIN/Password | Requires a PIN for any account changes in-store or by phone | Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular | Critical |
| Port Freeze | Prevents your number from being transferred without extra verification | Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile | Critical |
| SIM Protection | Alerts or blocks unauthorized SIM changes | T-Mobile (Account Takeover Protection), AT&T (Extra Security) | Critical |
| Number Lock | Locks your number to your account to prevent unauthorized porting | Verizon (Number Lock), T-Mobile (NOPORT) | Critical |
| Activity Alerts | Notifications for account changes, new devices, or porting requests | Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile | Recommended |
Rural Americans face unique cellular security challenges due to infrastructure limitations and reduced carrier competition.
Many rural areas have only one or two carriers with coverage, limiting your ability to choose based on security.
Recommendation: If your only option has security concerns, use encrypted apps for sensitive communications.
Rural areas often have older cell towers with less secure equipment that takes longer to upgrade.
Recommendation: Ask your carrier about their infrastructure upgrade timeline for your area.
Low signal strength in rural areas makes your phone work harder to connect, potentially accepting connections from rogue towers.
Recommendation: Consider a cell signal booster from a reputable brand (not Chinese-made).
When your carrier doesn't have coverage, your calls may route through another carrier's equipment.
Recommendation: Be aware that roaming may expose you to different security postures.
When evaluating your carrier or considering a switch, ask these questions to understand their security posture.
Carrier security is just one part of the picture. Take our audit to evaluate your phone, SIM card, and carrier choices together.