When looking for a new carrier, most people default to big-brand providers. These companies boast nationwide coverage, massive user bases, and the resources to dominate the industry.
However, popularity doesn’t guarantee suitability, especially for those seeking privacy and security. Veterans, in particular, may seek alternatives that align more with their values and offer stronger protections.
This guide explores the key factors to consider when selecting a new mobile carrier and reasons why big telcos may not be a suitable option for privacy- and security-conscious veterans. We’ll also introduce you to Cape, a powerful veteran-owned cell phone service and explain why it stands out.
Why Big Telcos Don’t Work for Most Veterans? Top 4 Drawbacks
At first glance, choosing big telcos seems like a safe bet when it comes to reliability, security, and privacy. Here are a few important risks and drawbacks that make them unsuitable for many veterans:
- Privacy risks
- Corporate and government overreach
- Data breaches
1. Poor Data Collection and Sharing Practices
Traditional mobile carriers collect a lot of your data to provide their services. This goes beyond the “standard” information you provide when you sign up, such as your name, email address, or payment information. If you go over the privacy policies of major carriers, you’ll find that most of them gain access to vast information that helps them “better run their business,” including:
- Equipment information
- Location data
- Time spent on websites and apps
- Links and ads opened
- Biometric information
- Third-party info
These data collection practices compromise your online privacy from the moment you sign up for a carrier and start using their services. Worse, traditional carriers don’t keep this information to themselves—they share it with service providers, partners, advertisers, and other parties, further putting your privacy at risk. Your sensitive data could end up in the hands of unknown parties without your knowledge, and you have no control over how they will use it.
2. Network Vulnerabilities
It’s easy to assume that mobile networks are secure by default, especially those managed by major carriers. The reality is different—many of these networks rely on outdated protocols, such as SS7 and Diameter, that make them vulnerable to sophisticated threats, such as:
- Man-in-the-middle attacks: A cyberattack where an attacker (the middleman) intercepts and potentially alters communication between two targets.
- SIM swapping: A type of fraud that involves an attacker collecting your information and using it to trick the mobile carrier into transferring your phone number to a new SIM card.
The problem is that such attacks are notorious for being hard to identify in real time—once you notice something is wrong, the damage is already done. The worst part is, these attacks are virtually impossible to prevent, as they exploit weaknesses within a carrier’s network (as against depending on user mistakes to succeed).
Although SS7 and Diameter are considered outdated, big telcos, including T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, still use them to:
- Exchange information about subscribers
- Authenticate devices
- Route communication across international networks
These protocols assume trust, enabling attackers to track one’s location, intercept messages and calls, and extract unique identifiers from devices for future attacks.
All three carriers claim that their SS7 and Diameter firewalls work perfectly, but many organizations, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), expressed their concern regarding the use of these protocols.
For many veterans, outdated network protocols are unacceptable. Due to their links to government information and military benefits, they are at a higher risk of cyberattacks. As a result, a privacy-native network is non-negotiable for veterans.
3. Corporate and Government Overreach
Many major carriers acknowledge in their privacy policies that they may share certain user information with government entities in case of emergencies or data preservation orders—a standard industry practice.
However, the bigger issue is that several large telcos have a history of participating in government surveillance programs. For example, AT&T helped the National Security Agency (NSA) surveil the communication and communication records of millions of ordinary Americans since at least 2001. Verizon also participated in NSA surveillance, and neither carrier informed its users that their data would be shared, which represents a major privacy violation.
More recently, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden revealed which carriers notify their customers about government surveillance requests to protect their privacy. His insights show that little has changed when it comes to big telcos as T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T still lack notification systems. In contrast, privacy-focused mobile carriers like Cape have established strict policies to alert subscribers of government demands whenever legally possible.
For many sensitive groups—including veterans—unauthorized data sharing with the government or any corporation can be problematic. By opting for a carrier that doesn’t provide enough protection, veterans risk their sensitive information being exposed without their knowledge. This underscores the need for selecting a privacy-first mobile carrier.
4. Data Breaches
Major carriers have experienced over 15 data breaches since 2022. These breaches varied in their severity, with some affecting around 100 users, while others impacted millions. Below are some of the most severe data breaches from 2023, 2024, and 2025 that affected millions:
In 2024, we’ve also witnessed a nationwide Salt Typhoon Attack that breached all three major telcos.
Every single breach, regardless of its size and the number of affected users, indicates that major carriers aren’t well-equipped to defend their customers’ data. Considering that many individuals aren’t even aware of how much information their carriers collect and store, the frequency of data breaches is alarming.
Why You Should Consider a Veteran-Owned Phone Company
Choosing a veteran-owned mobile carrier is about more than supporting a fellow service member.
A veteran-owned cell phone company is likely to prioritize privacy and security, safeguarding your information with innovative protocols that minimize the risk of breaches and vulnerabilities. Unlike many major service providers, veteran-owned carriers are attuned with the need for data protection, so they’re not involved with corporations and the government and don’t willingly participate in surveillance.
How To Choose a Veteran-Owned Carrier
Being veteran-owned doesn’t mean a carrier’s features and offers align with your needs. Below are three criteria you should focus on to choose the right service:
1. Privacy and Security Features
The right carrier should be transparent about its privacy and security features, explaining exactly how they’re leveraged to protect your device, data, and mobile identity.
Ideally, the carrier should apply the latest protocols to minimize network and system vulnerabilities and offer comprehensive safeguards against sophisticated cyberattacks. For instance, it should operate its own mobile core instead of leveraging other providers’ networks to apply robust protective measures.
2. Coverage
Robust privacy and security features won’t matter much if the carrier doesn’t provide reliable and consistent nationwide coverage. Without solid coverage, you’ll experience slow data speeds, dropped calls, and undelivered texts.
The selected carrier should be transparent and honest about its coverage and enable you to easily check whether you can get full service in your area.
3. Data Collection, Storage, and Sharing Practices
The right carrier should have detailed data collection, storage, and sharing policies that clearly outline how your information is used and processed. The focus should be on:
- Minimal data collection
- Short data storage periods
- Minimal data sharing (only when necessary)
- No data-selling policies
The privacy policy shouldn’t contain vague terminology. After reading it, you should know exactly how long the carrier will store your information, or when it will share your data with the government or other third parties.
Cape: A Veteran-Owned, Privacy-First Carrier
Cape is a veteran-owned cell phone provider with a unique stance on privacy and security. Cape’s founder, John Doyle, served in the U.S. Army Special Forces as a Green Beret and fully understands the need for data protection.
After his military service, John led the national security business at Palantir for almost 10 years before founding Cape, where he gained deep knowledge of cellular network vulnerabilities. He recognized that these threats no longer affect only government organizations and high-profile individuals but also everyday people. John concluded that mobile phones are the biggest privacy and security risks due to their widespread use and vulnerabilities in the very network they’re using.
Using a mobile carrier shouldn’t come at the expense of your privacy, which is exactly what John had in mind when he founded Cape. Through advanced features and strict policies, his team enables subscribers to protect their anonymity and stay connected without compromise.
Cape’s Security & Privacy Functionalities
Cape is built from the ground up with privacy and security in mind. Unlike other carriers, Cape prioritizes minimal data collection. You don’t need to provide any personal information when you sign up. Any information we do collect (like your call logs) is deleted within 60 days. And, we never sell your data.
Here are some of the key security and privacy features Clay offers:
Cape is consistently improving its functionalities, so you can count on more innovations in the future.
Cape’s Coverage & Pricing
The service is priced at $99/month, with no taxes, fees, or hidden costs. It includes:
- Privacy and security features
- Unlimited nationwide 4G and 5G data
- Unlimited texts and calls
Unlike other carriers, Cape doesn’t force you into signing a contract to get a better price. In fact, there are no contracts—you can pause or cancel your plan at any time without penalties.
Create Your Cape Account
You can set up your Cape account by visiting cape.co/get-cape. All you need to use our services is an eSIM-compatible device—you can transfer your current number or get a new one. If you’re looking for a new device, visit the Cape Shop to explore eSIM-compatible phones and get $500 off your first six months of service.
Cape has also partnered with Proton, a leading provider of privacy-first solutions. All Cape subscribers can get Proton Unlimited or Proton VPN Plus for just $1 for six months.
