Related
What's the best way to send SMS. I'm paying a lot + Internet and I refuse to pay an extra $5 for 400 text messages. I use around 20 texts a month and paying text by text is cheaper than $5. Why can't they throw in some SMS's for free. My phone bill is $150 every month..... WTF.
daleksic said:
What's the best way to send SMS. I'm paying a lot + Internet and I refuse to pay an extra $5 for 400 text messages. I use around 20 texts a month and paying text by text is cheaper than $5. Why can't they throw in some SMS's for free. My phone bill is $150 every month..... WTF.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think I quite understand what you're asking here...
hmm can you just send your friends e mail instead of text??????
why not get the $99 unlimited plan? then you get voice and text i think..if you dont get text, pay the $5, then your bill is about $105
gixxum said:
why not get the $99 unlimited plan? then you get voice and text i think..if you dont get text, pay the $5, then your bill is about $105
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good point.
yeah I would think an unlimited plan would be the best bet and you wouldn't have to worry about this.
I didn't know Tmo offered unlimited. I thought it was only Sprint and TMo. Point taken, thanks....
Actually, not true...
I just went to Tmobile.com and the $99 unlimited plan is available, but internet is an extra $20. Bu the time I add a 2nd line on i'm looking at around the same. Besides the $99 plan cannot be shared.
Thanks for the info anyways, I'll weigh my options.
First drop the internet and use the proxy, unless you really need the socket connection for some essential app.
Then, call T-Mobile. Tell the operator you want to review your usage and billing to look for a plan that suits you better. Chit chat with your operator and figure out if they are enthusiastic and smart. If they aren't, try a different one later. There are plenty of good reps and they can be uncanny at finding you a deal, even if it isn't what seems to be in their best interest. I am spending $40 less a month than when I started out because of the operators I worked with.
Yeah, I usually try to call in once a year to get the best deal, now I'm only going to pay around $100. I'd love to do that thing with the proxy but I can't. I do a lot of international things so I rely on texting via MSN Messenger. In regards to calls I only really call within Florida.
I found, on the website only, that there is a regional 3000 minute plan for $50. I only call in Florida anyways so I popped that on and probably gonna save around $50 or so. I noticed that the Kavana ROM features a calling card option, maybe I'll try that out.
daleksic said:
Yeah, I usually try to call in once a year to get the best deal, now I'm only going to pay around $100. I'd love to do that thing with the proxy but I can't. I do a lot of international things so I rely on texting via MSN Messenger. In regards to calls I only really call within Florida.
I found, on the website only, that there is a regional 3000 minute plan for $50. I only call in Florida anyways so I popped that on and probably gonna save around $50 or so. I noticed that the Kavana ROM features a calling card option, maybe I'll try that out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
$50/month is a good amount.You can always add a larger calling area when you travel, too. Also, check out other IMs. I think some have MSN capability, and are proxy friendly. Palringo is one, and it might not even require launching PIE first, if you have the CWeather add on, or something similar that pops a connection open for you (haven't tried it).
I'm switching over from Sprint to AT&T in order to get the new Winmo7 Phone, but I have no use for a data plan.
The phone has wifi.
My house has wifi.
My train was wifi.
My job has wifi.
My wife has mifi.
Someone said if you buy the Winmo7 phone, keep it for 30 days (paying data), and:
1. Take out the Sim card out and put it in a "dumbphone" (a RAZR), and make a couple of calls,
2. Call AT&T and tell them you want the data plan removed (do not mention that you have a smartphone, if they ask, say that you have a regular phone because you have lost your smartphone), and since they can't force you to keep a data plan on a phone that cannot use it, they'll remove it.
3. WARNING, if your carrier ever catches you electonically using their smartphone without the required data plan, they could proceed to automatically re-add the data plan on, with or without your notice. The worst case scenario would be they ensue an Early Termination Fee on you, and make you pay the difference of what you've paid for the phone and the retail price of it!
----------------------
Does this make sense?
Will Winmo phones have to be jailbroken so as not to report back to AT&T?
Will I be able to configure the phone to go to wifi, and not try getting AT&T data?
After I removed the data plan on Sprint, the phone still kept trying to get weather data, and I had to specifically ask for a "DATA BLOCK" to stop the phone from trying to get data!
Thanks
If you go into settings-mobile network
you can turn the data connection off. Your Phone will now only be able to do calls and texts.
I guess that would work, but I live in the UK and we aren't forced to buy a data plan, so I can't be certain.
The US carriers seem like a right pain in the backside with different frequencies and GSM vs CDMA etc. I don't know how you guys ever manage to get a fair deal when you are so locked down to one particular carrier.
You don't need a data plan if most places that you visit have a WiFi connection.
MSWarrior said:
I'm switching over from Sprint to AT&T in order to get the new Winmo7 Phone, but I have no use for a data plan.
The phone has wifi.
My house has wifi.
My train was wifi.
My job has wifi.
My wife has mifi.
Someone said if you buy the Winmo7 phone, keep it for 30 days (paying data), and:
1. Take out the Sim card out and put it in a "dumbphone" (a RAZR), and make a couple of calls,
2. Call AT&T and tell them you want the data plan removed (do not mention that you have a smartphone, if they ask, say that you have a regular phone because you have lost your smartphone), and since they can't force you to keep a data plan on a phone that cannot use it, they'll remove it.
3. WARNING, if your carrier ever catches you electonically using their smartphone without the required data plan, they could proceed to automatically re-add the data plan on, with or without your notice. The worst case scenario would be they ensue an Early Termination Fee on you, and make you pay the difference of what you've paid for the phone and the retail price of it!
----------------------
Does this make sense?
Will Winmo phones have to be jailbroken so as not to report back to AT&T?
Will I be able to configure the phone to go to wifi, and not try getting AT&T data?
After I removed the data plan on Sprint, the phone still kept trying to get weather data, and I had to specifically ask for a "DATA BLOCK" to stop the phone from trying to get data!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just on AT&T. This is all I will say, because I've been through this.
My Mom had a RAZR. She put her SIM Card in a BlackJack, and AT&T's system automatically added the data plan to her bill.
Your phone doesn't need to use data, they will know by the IMEI and other phone information that you have a smartphone. Everytime you phone connects to their network, it sends out the IMEI and the system will check that IMEI against you account. If you have a smartphone IMEI on a dumbphone plan, they will automatically add the smartphone packages to your account. You'll even get a text saying that you put you SIM in a smartphone yada, yada. The only way to have a smartphone without a data plan is to buy it outright off contract and activate it only with a voice plan on it.
There is no way to get around that. Swapping SIMs to make calls won't avoid that. Only modifying you phone IMEI and making it look like a dumbphone will do that. The process is automatic and happens instantly. Put you sim in, turn you phone on, turn it off... Too late. You have a smartphone plan on your account now.
My mom never used any data on her phone (no ActiveSync account setup, never used the browser... we checked for data usage - there was none), but AT&T simply told her if she puts her contract SIM in a smartphone, they have to add the data plan. She would have had to ETF her contract if she didn't want to pay for a data plan, so she went back to her dumbphone.
And to expand on some things, just in case you don't understand where I'm coming from:
Will Winmo phones have to be jailbroken so as not to report back to AT&T?
Will I be able to configure the phone to go to wifi, and not try getting AT&T data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. That's impossible. AT&T (any cell carrier's) network checks the IMEI/ESN of every phone that connects to their network the minute it connects. They will know exactly what type of phone you have. It has absolutely nothing to do with what operating system is on the phone. It can be a WP7, WinMo, Droid, iOS, iBangedUrMom device... They will still know exactly what type of phone you're using the minute it connects to their network via the phone's IMEI (and probably even the Serial Number, but they shouldn't even need that).
2. See #1. The phone doesn't have to access data for them to know that you're usin a smartphone on a dumbphone plan. All it has to do is connect to their network, and they'll know by the IMEI that you're trying to gib them. They will then alter your plans as required to suite their smartphone requirements (Add Data Plan, etc.).
BTW, when AT&T automatically adds data plans, they add the highest data plan. So, even though you don't use data at all, they will add a $25 2GB data plan, not a $15 200MB data plan.
And there's nothing you can do about it. It's in the contract and the requirements are pretty much universal across carriers here.
No carrier allows you to have a smartphone on a dumbphone plan (a plan without a data package) if you're under contract. The only way to do it is to buy the phone outright and have a plan without a contract. In that case, you'll just have to pay overages everytime you use data - which can easily (and quickly) exceed the costs of a data package.
And TBH, it's not even worth it to use a smartphone without a data package, even if you have WiFi in most cases. I use my HD2 as an iPod of sorts right now and there's no way it would be usable without a data package even though I have WiFi in most places I go. Missing an email I could have checked at a red light telling me soandso isn't feeling well and isn't going to be there, so I can spare myself the 45 minute drive is just not acceptable for me.
That bull**** about them just removing the data plan is false. That's what warranty is for and if you're a dumbphone user you should be getting a brand new dumbphone everytime you contract is up for renewal basically for free. Either you get a new one (they can give you a loaner phone until then, and it won't hurt since you use dumbphones, right?) or pay the price. They won't let you breach you contract. That would be negligent of them, and unfair to all of their other users.
If they do take it off (probably assuming you will take the SIM out) the system will automatically add it the minute you turn the phone back on - and the next CSR may not be as willing to break the rules (and none of them can just "change" the system).
thanks n8ter
lots of good advice
one thing though, I have a sprint Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 on sprint, with no data, and it works great! My contract ran out a year ago, though.
So you think if I buy a Winmo7 phone for $499 and try to join AT&T without a contract, they might allow it?
I asked Sprint and they said some smartphones like the Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 they allow to connect without data plan, but others like the droid they do not allow.
in any case thanks, I learned alot.
MSWarrior said:
lots of good advice
one thing though, I have a sprint Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 on sprint, with no data, and it works great! My contract ran out a year ago, though.
So you think if I buy a Winmo7 phone for $499 and try to join AT&T without a contract, they might allow it?
I asked Sprint and they said some smartphones like the Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 they allow to connect without data plan, but others like the droid they do not allow.
in any case thanks, I learned alot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but you will be responsible for any overages.
I'm not sure how willing they are to put Data Stops on accounts/phones. I've never asked about that. My mom just ETF'd her account and went with Boost Mobile and got a Blackberry Curve instead.
Her AT&T bill went from $80/mo to $120/mo after she put her SIM in that BlackJack, and since her plan was altered her contract was extended.
Just don't try it. You're going to end up on the losing end of that battle.
That is why lots of people do like to buy phones outright. It does offer you a lot of flexibility and doesn't tie you to one carrier (though your phone's hardware may do that job for them ).
MSWarrior said:
So you think if I buy a Winmo7 phone for $499 and try to join AT&T without a contract, they might allow it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you buy a WP7 phone from Amazon for $99 and choose $15 data plan, you'll be paying $99 + $15 x 24 (2 years) + taxes which would be close to or less than the off contract price ($499) of the phone alone. This is a better way IMO if you can have a contract because you can also enjoy data service (200MB a month) for 2 years.
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um...what planet are you from? UK pounds are 1.61X US Dollars...which would mean that you are paying at least $16 dollars per month...which is still AMAZINGLY affordable for what you re getting...Although I doubt it is really unlimited data...STILL!
Here in Canada, you either buy a phone off contract and pay full price, or get locked in a THREE YEAR contract, with a minimum $50 plan, which has about 200 minutes, unlimited text, and 500MB of data...although, tethering is free...
plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
150 Minutes of talk-time are pathetic.
Lots of people here (in the US) are getting rid of landlines and using mobile phones almost exclusively, so the cost of the contract isn't all that high when you consider the cost savings on the other side of the coin (a landline with a Nationwide Long Distance etc. is around $30-40 a month from a good service and not one of those crappy small companies).
450 minutes is a decent minimum for the markets here considering how much people have gravitated towards using social medium, email, SMS, and IM.
Data Prices aren't as great here as some other places, but tiered data plans do allow those who use very little data the flexibility to pay less for their small data usage, instead of being forced to get the max package just because they brought a certain type of phone.
plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here couple of WP7 phones were launched at $99 from reputed sellers (Amazon / Newegg) with a contract. With holiday season upon us I'd say more such deals will follow, may be even free. How much do you have to pay to get a WP7 phone with £10 plan (contract or not)?
150 mins talk time is not enough for me. We have a family plan and my wife uses 2/3rd of the minutes alone. £10 != $7, as long as you are talking about UK & US currencies.
plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's it, I'm moving.
*conversion was not correct, but that's still insanely cheap!
the lady who bought her HD7 in line before I got mine on lauch-day, got hers without a data plan, they made her pay the un-subsidized price though
WARNING: This guide should not be considered definitive nor accurate at all times. I'm going to try to keep things up to date if only to serve my own needs, but the responsibility to make your own choices in cell providers and how you spend your money are yours. Please do your own research.
Hey... up until recently I've been a loyal Sprint customer. Ten years worth of arguing with my friends who passed through Analog, TDMA, and finally GSM. I had better coverage, better data speeds, and frankly, a whole raft of why CDMA beat out GSM in technical merit. But what I did have in common with all my friends was a contract. The revolving 2 year door was a giant chain around our necks. When in 2008 I got laid off from my job at a hedge fund, I tried to get Sprint to let me out of my expensive data card contract and just keep my phone. They didn't.
Since then I've become rabidly anti-contract as cell service becomes more and more a commodity. But few people really understand what it means .. or even how .. to commoditize their cell service. We've become so used to the 2 year contract setup and postpaid system (as well as stigmatized that prepaid is for losers and deadbeats) that I've had to walk out on wireless store clerks who still argued data speeds, coverage, and their lineup of phones. The phone is becoming a PC, we want hardware features (dual core, screen size, amoled) and not software .. we bring what our phone does with us, just like our laptops and desktops. So why would we treat it any different from commodity hardware in other parts of the market? Insanity.
What is a commodity market, why is it good for me, and how do I participate?
A commodity market, simply put, is a range of products that are interchangeable with each other. Using one product does not provide a substantive difference from another. In the case of cell service, we all want three things: minutes, texts, and data. There are some differences in the products in this space, but they're negligible. Sure, one guy may have more coverage than another .. but the networks are built out enough where unless you live in some kind of hole, you can choose. Phone calls all sound (roughly) the same, text messages are all the same, and data rates are all very similar (1.5-5Mb/s is 'good enough', though some providers have some seriously high speed stuff .. with the data caps, I'm just going to download the giant BlueRay Rip on my home connection so it doesn't matter.) For most of us, all providers do the same thing. And this is good, that means we as consumer can choose based almost solely on price. Whoever has the best price will get the monthly fee, and whomever sticks it to their customer gets left with lots of people jumping ship. Overall, prices go down. But it only works if you take on the mentality of dealing with a commodity ...
Rules for Participation
- Define your minimum needs. I need unlimited minutes and at least 2GB of data a month. You have tons of tools to figure out your average usage, so work it out.
- A cell provider SHOULD NEVER be a commitment. Contracts are like HIV, once you get it they're not going away unless you have Magic Johnson amounts of cash.
- Names, branding, and customer service are to be ignored. I don't care if this month I'm using Retard Cellular, if they've got the best deal for my minimum needs I'm using it!
- Reevaluate the market regularly. I need to make sure I'm not blindly paying into my provider, I need to reward the best priced provider with my money!
That last line is really important and it's part of what makes our shiny new GSM phones absolutely brilliant. If you want you can jump between providers EVERY MONTH. We can do everything that is GSM and it makes no substantive difference. With the inclusion of the AWS bands usually only found on stuff labelled "T-Mobile" (or i9020T) this frees us from the horrors of vendor lock-in and truly makes commoditization of cell service possible.
Question: What about non-GSM providers like Sprint and Verizon?
Good question! Screw them. Both Sprint and Verizon have the ultimate in vendor lock-in, they have every phone they'll ever activate in their databases custom made for them. It's a dying model. GSM/LTE style SIM based technologies are the way forward. It's a worldwide standard and you'll be likely to see mega-band radios (5 or more!) as we progress into the future.
Question: So besides sticking it to the man, what do I gain from going to a commoditized model?
Cost savings. That's what this all comes down to. Saving your money and being smarter about how you spend it. Sprint sure loves their $10 you-have-a-cool-phone fee. F that. Screw extra fees, screw overage costs, screw desperately holding on to that grandfathered plan that you get $5 off on. Right now you'll pay pretty much $60 a month for unlimited talk and text with 2GB of data. My guess is that there's going to be a race to the bottom of costs as this model takes off (and it is, AT&T lost a pile of postpaid - that means contract - users and gain a ton more prepaid customers in Q4 2011).
Ok, so you're sold. What do you need?
1 - A GSM Galaxy Nexus Pentaband phone.
This phone allows you to use any GSM provider and get the maximum data rates from them. But you already know how awesome this phone is, you own it already!
2 - A stack of unactivated SIM cards.
If you're going to jump providers a lot, buy a pile of SIM cards off eBay. You'll usually be able to find SIM cards for a buck ($1). Buy 10 of each vendors' and have a variety.
3 - Optionally: Google Voice
This service has really matured over the last few years. It's free and works great with your Android phone. Port your number to GV if you want to keep it, or get a new one and tell all your friends you have a new number. (My God, you people who hold onto numbers like they're your own children need to understand that your number goes into someone's phonebook and is never seen again. No one memorizes numbers anymore, get over it and go through the new number process .. you'll see it's not hard. AND you'll be able to leave some people you don't want to have your number behind.) GV allows you to switch providers instantly without having to change you number with every SIM swap. Just set your new SIM's number up in GV and you're done. Also, GV's web based (and some windows clients) text messaging is really great for cube farmers like me who'll use it all day without having my phone's beeping pissing off the entire floor of cubes.
If you don't go the GV route, be prepared to port your number a lot. It can be done, but GV is so much easier.
So, the idea is simple. Review the plans offered by all of the providers. Choose their SIM, activate it, and pay for the month. At the end of the month, do the same thing again .. or stick with what you have if you want (most can be set up to do automatic payments) After 30-60 days (usually) an unused and zero value SIM card will be permanently deactivated. Shred it.
About the Providers
Service in the USA is really only provided by 2 major GSM carriers. You know them, they're AT&T and T-Mobile. Both have good coverage and both support HSPA+ (the fast data) in most metro places. HOWEVER, these two providers lease their towers to other companies called MVNO's (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These guys give you the same coverage and service as AT&T and T-Mobile, but often at different price schemes. Below I've got a list of TEN (10) different operators you can buy service from! And they're not all the same price or features! This is where commoditization hits home. These 10 providers change prices and play against each other. Some are even the same company using different names but using different pricing and feature sets. The beauty of this arrangement is that YOU CAN CHOOSE. At any time (though it make sense monthly on your personal billing cycle) you can switch providers.
At the core it's still AT&T and T-Mobile. So let's look at the underlying networks:
AT&T: Signal at 850/1900, HSPA+ in metros (I haven't heard of much past 12Mb/s though) with great coverage nationwide, except for Nebraska and a big chunk of Maine. 850Mhz signal penetrates buildings better and repeater systems (like the one in my truck) will work with these bands. Data is overloaded in some places, most notably New York, but data rates may suffer in any major downtown .. you need to do your homework or try an AT&T SIM in the places you use it.
T-Mobile: Slightly less coverage, but quite built out in the last 10 years. 1700/2100 AWS band has a hard time with buildings sometimes and there's no install base of repeaters. Data is FAST where available, up to 42Mb/s. Less loaded than AT&T, but again, you need to test and see what works best for you.
Most of us in the US should be covered, but if you're not, it's not my problem. Try a contract on VZW if you can't get GSM coverage. I live in a city, and though I travel rurally frequently, metro functionality is my main requirement for coverage .. and both AT&T and T-Mobile work great.
Question: What about roaming?
There's no such thing on prepaid. Take a look at AT&T's coverage for postpaid contract and prepaid. There's a difference! Same goes for T-Mobile. Again, if you're in a position that you HAVE to roam on all these podunk little operators, then do what you must. But I do suggest you think critically on whether you really need coverage at that cabin in the mountains you go to once a year... is it worth the contract game for that one weekend a year?
REMEMBER: What works for one person may not be the right thing for another. Some people I know need only 250MB/mo .. they're on WiFi all the time. Me, I need about 1GB realistically, 2GB is my established minimum in case I need to do some tethering while on the road. Some people do just fine with the coverage of Simple Mobile (smallest national coverage) while others are better off with AT&T MVNOs. You need to make the decisions yourself. Just remember, you can change your mind at any time .. so if your test of Simple Mobile isn't working out, try an AT&T MVNO. If 2GB isn't enough, that $70 5GB plan on T-Mobile might do the trick. I always keep a few various sims in my laptop bag so if I'm on the road and I need more data or have poor coverage I can always pop in and activate a new one.
So, that's it. Free yourself from the carrier's contracts and postpaid bills and go prepaid. With a little bit of planning and effort you'll be riding the deals down in cost as the prepaid war heats up. It's just starting to boil ... and you're in a the perfect place to take advantage of it.
RAW PROVIDER DATA - 02/27/2012
I'm still collating this.
T-Mobile Prepaid - http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/
Coverage: http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-coverage
$30/mo 100m unlim text 5G
$50/mo unlim min unlim text 100MB
$60/mo unlim min unlim text 2GB
$70/mo unlim min unlim text 5G
Throttled to EDGE after data cap
Can disable voicemail
SIMs available on T-Mobile's site for $1, get a free SIM in-store for any of the above plans
WARNING: Activation requires an “activation code” that is not printed on the SIM. It is in the activation kit, but SIMs on eBay DO NOT HAVE THEM usually.
AT&T GO Phone -http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/go-phones/index.jsp
Coverage: http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/?type=gophone&opt=payg (Click GoPhone)
Pretty much crappy plans for our device. The GNex is a "smartphone" and requires a "data package", all of which suck.
$75/mo ($50/mo plan plus 500MB data) unlim min unlim text 500MB
SIMs on eBay $1, activate online
Simple Mobile (T-Mobile MVNO) - http://www.mysimplemobile.com/
Coverage: http://www.mysimplemobile.com/Simple-Mobile-Coverage.aspx
$40/mo unlim min unlim text 5-8GB (not published) at 119kb/s
$60/mo unlim min unlim text 5-8GB (not published) HSPA+ speeds
SIMs on eBay $1 – activate online
H20 Wireless (AT&T MVNO) - http://www.h2owirelessnow.com UPDATE: Data size changes
Coverage: AT&T Go Phone
$50/mo unlim min unlim text 500MB
$60/mo unlim min unlim text 2GB "500MB at 4x speeds"??
SIMs on eBay $1 – activate online
Red Pocket Mobile (AT&T MVNO) – http://goredpocket.com
Coverage: AT&T Go Phone
$50/mo unlim min unlim text 250MB
$60/mo unlim min unlim text 2GB
SIMs on eBay $1 – activate online
Jolt Mobile (AT&T MVNO) - www.joltmobile.com
Coverage: AT&T Go Phone
$50/mo unlim min unlim text 250MB
$60/mo unlim min unlim text 2GB
SIMs hard to find online (ebay, ~$10), activate online
[
Skyview (AT&T MVNO) -http://www.skyvw.com UPDATE: Data size changes
Coverage: AT&T Go Phone
$50/mo unlim min unlim text 500MB
$60/mo unlim min unlim text 2GB "500MB at 4x speeds"??
SIMs Hard to find on eBay, activate online
MyBlack Wireless (AT&T MVNO) - http://myblackwireless.com/
Coverage: AT&T Go Phone
$50/mo unlim min unlim text 250MB
$60/mo unlim min unlim text 1GB
SIMs Hard to find on eBay, activate online
AirVoice Wireless (AT&T MVNO) - http://www.airvoicewireless.com/
Coverage: AT&T Go Phone
$50/mo unlim min unlim text 100MB
$60/mo unlim min unlim text 500MB
SIMs on eBay $1 – activate online
Pure Talk (AT&T MVNO) - http://www.puretalkusa.com/
Coverage: AT&T Go Phone
$43.95/mo unlim min unlim text 300MB
SIMs hard to find on eBay, activate online
Straight Talk (AT&T/T-Mobile MVNO) – http://www.straighttalksim.com/
Coverage: AT&T and/or T-Mobile (depends on local coverage, select when you order a sim)
Additional Note: ST voice (not data) roams on other networks (including a lot of the little ones), potentially even on sister networks (AT&T will voice roam on T-Mobile and vice-versa). This likely is the largest coverage MVNO out there.
$45.00/mo unlim min unlim text "unlim" data*
* Data usage limits are not specified in the documentation .. the going theory is that 100MB/2GB a month is about "safe", though there's a lot of stories that talk about different (even more) usage. This is the sticking point of ST, you really don't know what metrics they use and you can get cut off .. so YMMV. AT&T users, including myself, are getting the standard att.mvno APN speeds of 7Mb/s or so .. so it's not throttled like the Simple Mobile $40 plan or anything.
SIMs found on their website for $15 with free 3-day shipping. Activate online.
I Am Personally Using:
Straight Talk $45 unlim talk/text with ~2GB (see notes above on data limits)
I have used:
Red Pocket $60 unlim talk/text with 2GB
T-Mobile $70 unlim talk/text with 5GB
Simple Mobile $60 unlim talk/text with ?? GB
*** NEW ***
Some AT&T MVNOs have changed to some kind of 500MB at "4x" speeds, then some kind of slowdown up to 2GB. I have no idea what this means ... if anyone actually uses these offbeat plans, please report it.
StraightTalk appears to be the best deal for full "unlimited", given the caveats about data use.
T-Mobile's $30 still rocks for high data with 100mins.
Some notes: T-Mobile activation of SIMs can take "up to 24 to 48 hours". (as said by several CSRs) Mission activation codes CAN be overridden if they do not work, but they will backtrack the source of the SIMs by order number and tracking number. I had trouble with shipped SIMs with activation codes online, and CSRs took forever to get activated.
Simple Mobile SIMs can be activated online without CSR intervention and are immediately provisioned and available. (Other MVNOs do the same as well)
I read through all your info even though I am in the UK. It just amazes me how much your service provides rip you guys off over there. $70 for unlimited calls, texts and 5GB of data. That's just ridiculous. Over here a company called GiffGaff (<<<<) uses o2's signal and towers. I get for £10 (~£7) 250 minutes (not much off a call guy) unlimited texts and unlimited data (tethering not allowed). It just seems they rip you guys off so much because they can tbh.
I do agree with your point about GSM though. Its a thing of beauty. If my service provider hikes prices up or lowers data/text limit and The is a better option I can just jump ship. I bought the phone and own it outright why should we have to stay with just one provider when other companies can give us more bang for our buck. That's the whole point of capitalism, competition.
Jameslepable said:
I read through all your info even though I am in the UK. It just amazes me how much your service provides rip you guys off over there. $70 for unlimited calls, texts and 5GB of data. That's just ridiculous. Over here a company called GiffGaff (<<<<) uses o2's signal and towers. I get for £10 (~£7) 250 minutes (not much off a call guy) unlimited texts and unlimited data (tethering not allowed). It just seems they rip you guys off so much because they can tbh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I *really* don't want to stand up for our cost structure ... but there might be a mitigating circumstance ..
United States Of America: Total size area: 9,631,418 sq km
United Kingdom: Total size area: 244,820 sq km
"The state of Wisconsin in America is almost the same size as the UK [...]" or "[...] slightly smaller than Oregon."
My phone works in a significant portion of that 9,631,418 sq km. Some of the really regional providers can be cheaper (like MetroPCS), but it's still a problem of lots and lots and lots of infrastructure.
Also .. I should mention that from the US on my business line I can call the UK (land lines) for the same price as calling down the street. (About a cent and a half) However, if I call a UK cell phone, I get hit with a 30c/m charge. That's a significant difference in how the calling rates are structured.
LionAR10 said:
RAW PROVIDER DATA - 01/20/2012
I'm still collating this.
T-Mobile Prepaid - http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/
Coverage: http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-coverage
$30/mo 100m unlim text 5G
$50/mo unlim min unlim text 100MB
$60/mo unlim min unlim text 2GB
$70/mo unlim min unlim text 5G
Throttled to EDGE after data cap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are missing one more prepaid plan - http://www.tmonews.com/2012/01/t-mobile-and-walmart-upgrade-to-unlimited-web-on-family-mobile-plan/
denis_y_s said:
You are missing one more prepaid plan - http://www.tmonews.com/2012/01/t-mobile-and-walmart-upgrade-to-unlimited-web-on-family-mobile-plan/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good call, though this is an odd one .. postpaid, but no contract .. and 5GB for a couple months then 250M. But I love the fact that TMO is playing with prices like this though. Their offerings post-AT&T debacle seem to show a real interest in pushing some boundaries. And AT&T said the merger would be good for competition ... smh
Good info, and interesting timing! My pre-paid SIM activation kit for T-Mobile is in the mail to my house right now Shooting for the $30 100min / UL text / UL (5GB) Data.
I also found it interesting about Simple Mobile. I'd looked at them before but thought it was kinda shady how they offer different plans for "3G speeds" and "4G speeds".
Found 1 typo:
$75/mo ($50/mo plan plus 500GB data) unlim min unlim text 500GB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming that is 500mb?
martonikaj said:
Good info, and interesting timing! My pre-paid SIM activation kit for T-Mobile is in the mail to my house right now Shooting for the $30 100min / UL text / UL (5GB) Data.
I also found it interesting about Simple Mobile. I'd looked at them before but thought it was kinda shady how they offer different plans for "3G speeds" and "4G speeds".
Found 1 typo:
Assuming that is 500mb?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That $30 5GB is a killer plan for the data, I'm all over it if I need to run a tablet or USB modem.
As far as Simple goes, yeah, I can personally confirm the 119kb/s throttle. But it works great for my gf, who still does email, surfs the web, and plays Pandora on it all day at work ... she doesn't notice it being slow. I, however, being the obvious cellphone geek I am, want more than that!
And thanks, typo fixed.
LionAR10 said:
That $30 5GB is a killer plan for the data, I'm all over it if I need to run a tablet or USB modem.
As far as Simple goes, yeah, I can personally confirm the 119kb/s throttle. But it works great for my gf, who still does email, surfs the web, and plays Pandora on it all day at work ... she doesn't notice it being slow. I, however, being the obvious cellphone geek I am, want more than that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep the plan is a good deal for sure. I'm not a huge voice user, but I easily push 5GB data per month right now. I'm on a $60 ($70 after taxes) Even More+ Plan right now and dropping it for pre-paid. Gonna save ~$40 a month, therefore subsidizing my purchase of the Galaxy Nexus Plan on using GrooVe IP to substitute out a few minutes. I'm having mixed results atm.
If its too few minutes for me, I'm just going to bump up to the $70 UL voice / UL text / UL (5GB) data pre-paid plan. Same price as current but with UL voice lol. Really win-win.
martonikaj said:
Plan on using GrooVe IP to substitute out a few minutes. I'm having mixed results atm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I purchased both GrooVe IP and gVoice but haven't really used them yet. I did a bang-up job last time I was in the UK with TMO UK prepaid there and just getting data, then doing SIP calls (CSipSimple) while on Wifi. (TMO UK blocks SIP on cell data). But GV texting still worked fine, so no one really even knew I had left the states. I'm hoping the GV clients like GrooVe work on their data network, but it'll be a few more months until I'm back there to test.
BTW, if you're passing through Heathrow, you *can* buy a SIM from a vending machine in the international terminal .. but it's a ripoff. Buy one or more on eBay before you go.
LionAR10 said:
I purchased both GrooVe IP and gVoice but haven't really used them yet. I did a bang-up job last time I was in the UK with TMO UK prepaid there and just getting data, then doing SIP calls (CSipSimple) while on Wifi. (TMO UK blocks SIP on cell data). But GV texting still worked fine, so no one really even knew I had left the states. I'm hoping the GV clients like GrooVe work on their data network, but it'll be a few more months until I'm back there to test.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GrooVe IP has very mixed results from the reviews I see. There are so many factors and settings in play that can change the quality. It really seems hit or miss right now. Trying to figure it out.
LionAR10 said:
I *really* don't want to stand up for our cost structure ... but there might be a mitigating circumstance ..
United States Of America: Total size area: 9,631,418 sq km
United Kingdom: Total size area: 244,820 sq km
"The state of Wisconsin in America is almost the same size as the UK [...]" or "[...] slightly smaller than Oregon."
My phone works in a significant portion of that 9,631,418 sq km. Some of the really regional providers can be cheaper (like MetroPCS), but it's still a problem of lots and lots and lots of infrastructure.
Also .. I should mention that from the US on my business line I can call the UK (land lines) for the same price as calling down the street. (About a cent and a half) However, if I call a UK cell phone, I get hit with a 30c/m charge. That's a significant difference in how the calling rates are structured.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see your point but also I would say big american cities are more densely populated. London and Manchester aside most other cities (Am from Liverpool) aren't as big so shouldn't require as many towers as say the other cities would. But in the likes of major cities in america the would be millions of people in a small area. That would be a lot of market potential and therefore more money.
Also I could understand it costing slightly more due to more areas being coverd but the likes of $60-&70 on a pay as you go. Thats a heck of alot of money.
Jameslepable said:
Also I could understand it costing slightly more due to more areas being coverd but the likes of $60-&70 on a pay as you go. Thats a heck of alot of money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And to think, I was paying $180/mo on Sprint for my EVO and a data card. I feel downright giddy paying only $60/mo! (And the data card is a moot point with decent tethering)
I'm tempted to cancel my ATT plan ($165 ETF) and go to Red Pocket. Make that ETF back after a few months. Thanks for the write up!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Hi. Welcome to gsm.
Sent from my Nexus in Texas.
I've been telling people this for YEARS now. Thanks for the fantastic write-up though - very clear.
Howardforums has a lot of different threads about each specific provider's cheap plans, but this single resource is very helpful. I'd hope that all of us with GSM phones take advantage of the fact that we can swap out sims whenever we want, and Google Voice lets us free ourselves from the tethers of the carriers.
I'm planning on visiting Orlando and Washington in the summer and going on t-mo's $30 for a month but i've heard that they are getting rid of that plan and I don't want to spend like $60 for two weeks of usage
T-Mobile has a NO CONTRACT POST PAID plans. It's called Monthly4G. It's on their website.
And yes, PrePaid is for losers
Sent from Galaxy Nexus (GSM)
Monthly 4G is pre-paid...
Talking to someone earlier, i was surprised to find out that some carriers in the US charge for incoming texts, so just out of interest ( and to find out if its cheaper elsewhere ) what do you pay per month to your mobile/cell carier and what do you get
to start the ball rolling, I am with 3 (UK) and i pay £15 a month sim card only deal "Sim 15" - i purchased my own phone independantly ), for that i get...
2Gb of data to use as i like ( either on the phone or tethered*)
3,000 Texts (sms) incoming texts are free
300 minutes call time to any landline or mobile/cell phone ( except premium numbers) incoming calls are free
2,000 minutes call time to any one else on the same mobile/cell network
*this deal is no longer current, new signups get unlimited data, without restrictions, and no fair use policy etc etc but are not able to tether, everything else is the same for new sign ups.
Pay to receive? You could really irritate people you don't like by sending them messages!
I got a Motorola defy for about half cost price on a 2 year contact. £10.50 a month for 100 mins and 500mb and unlimited texts (you can swap that for free land line calls etc). That's t-mobile but they don't do that deal now.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
The one plan.
Used up 45GB one month
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda app-developers app
I'm on pre-paid in Argentina...I've been using a offer where you pay AR$1( US$0,216) for unlimited internet/day .
I pay Rs. 250/month (~4.5 US$) for
1GB of data
250 minutes on any phone.
1000 National SMS's
Incoming SMS are free.
Incoming calls are free if I'm at my home network.
ebol, is your carrier TIM?
I'm from Brazil, my carrier is TIM, and I'm on prepaid.
I pay 0.50 Reais (something like 25 cents of the American dollar) for each day that I use the internet, 0.50 for each day that I text (after I send the first SMS I can send unlimited texts throughout the day), 0.25 cents for each call to other numbers in the same carrier, 0.50 for each landline call and something like 1.00 real for each minute when I'm calling numbers from other carriers.
Calling other carriers is a bit expensive, but it's okay though, I rarely ever have to call anyone with Twitter and Whatsapp
I Pay 45$ with Telus I have :
-Unlimited calls between 6pm to 7am
-Unlimited calls on week-end
-150 mins for day calls
-unlimited sms
-250mb data
Plans are very expensive in Canada because we only have 4 carriers.
Tele2
5$ I pay, using prepaid
I get 300 minutes to all operators in my country and 1GB of mobile data.
Unfortunately, they are probably shutting it down on 31 august cause its too cheap
Sent from my Droid RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk
Brazilian carriers
I came from Vivo here, where I paid about US$17 monthly to get:
"Unlimited" data; 3G velocity was about ~400kbps and VERY slow after a daily use.
10k minutes from Vivo to another one;
10k messages in the same way.
Messages and calls to another carrier are charged separately. And pretty expensive, also good to mention.
One time I spent about US$24 on messages to another carriers, when that occurred, I changed to Tim, where I get now for US$13 monthly:
"Unlimited" data for about US$0,24 per day of use; 3G velocity about 600kbps which is limited to 50kbps after a FEW mb of use, like 15mb or somewhat else.
Unlimited messages to all carriers at same price of Data; at least it seems to be unlimited.
About US$0,12 per call to another Tim phone.
Calls to another carrier phone are pretty expensive...
Also good to know that calls from Tim tends to go down after a few minutes of use, forcing you to call again and, with this, pay another US$0,12.
The signal in both are crappy, I live in Volta Redonda, which is located by 150km from state capital, Rio de Janeiro.
The Vivo carrier, when goes down, takes DAYS to get back on "foot" showing signal on my Smartphone, and the Tim one, simply doesn't give any signal in determinated areas of the city, and their merchandising claims to have covered all country with excellent signal, which is a lie.
thehitomi said:
ebol, is your carrier TIM?
I'm from Brazil, my carrier is TIM, and I'm on prepaid.
I pay 0.50 Reais (something like 25 cents of the American dollar) for each day that I use the internet, 0.50 for each day that I text (after I send the first SMS I can send unlimited texts throughout the day), 0.25 cents for each call to other numbers in the same carrier, 0.50 for each landline call and something like 1.00 real for each minute when I'm calling numbers from other carriers.
Calling other carriers is a bit expensive, but it's okay though, I rarely ever have to call anyone with Twitter and Whatsapp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I'm using Personal Argentina. Tim is not available here.
I'm on TMN from Portugal. I have a pre paid plan called "MOCHE" that gives me unlimited calls, messages and video calls between MOCHE users for 7.5€/month. I also have 1500 daily messages for any TMN user. I also pay extra 15€ for 1GB of internet (3G).
I pay 1.85 $US/ month
1.5 GB mobile data
Unlimited calls in my network
Incoming SMS and calls free
Life Ukraine
Send from my Atrix 2
I'm looking for a no contract plan that's compatible with all the cell phone's in my household. I have the OnePlus 5T using T-Mobile and several other phone's using Verizon. After doing a little research I found a service you can purchase threw eBay and Amazon for a much better price then directly from Red Pocket Mobile website.
Red Pocket Mobile Stores:
Official eBay StoreOfficial Amazon StoreOfficial Red Pocket Mobile Store
Choose any major network in the US
4G LTE available on all networks
Unlimited MMS
Free unlimited international calling to 70+ countries
Keep your phone
Keep your existing number (or get a new one)
English, Spanish, Chinese and Filipino customer service
No contracts
No activation fee
No credit checks
No overage fees
Has anyone else tried Red Pocket Mobile service or recommend another one.
Just get Metro PCS I have unlimited everything and love it... And LTE speed is super fast
Red Pocket Mobile Tethering
It looks like Red Pocket Mobile doesn't support tethering, eBay has 360 day unlimited plans for $19.00 a month that is great but I would like to find a plan that supports tethering at this price.
MintMobile
Purchase 6 months at $15 a month Mint SIM include unlimited talk, text, and 2G data, with the choice of 2GB, 5GB, or 10GB of LTE data and tethering. Currently, the three-month plans have been discounted to the 12-month plans rates as a teaser offer, making them a better deal than the six-month plans. I like that Mint SIM allows tethering for WIFI calling, many of the other plans I have found don't include tethering for this price.
Mint SIM doesn’t offer domestic roaming, but it does have international roaming plans. It offers a flat rate of five cents per outbound text (inbound are free) and 25 cents per minute for voice calls in nearly 150 countries. Mexico and Canada’s rates are discounted at two cents per text and six cents per minute of voice calling.
Mint SIM - Official Website
3 months of wireless service (regular price $23/month)
2GB of 4G LTE data per month; speeds reduce after monthly allowance
Unlimited talk, text and data delivered on the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G LTE network
Includes FREE international calls to Mexico and Canada
With our BYOP program, bring your own unlocked GSM phone (you love it, cracks and all)
Prepaid SIM card includes standard, micro and nano sizes for that perfect, Cinderella-like fit
Mobile HotSpot: turn your device into a WiFi hotspot
If anyone has tried Mint SIM, please let me know what kind of experience you had. Thanks
Ting uses Sprint and T-Mobile carriers, If you're not looking for unlimited use and don't use much data, then Ting could work for you. It looks great if your like me as far as phone use is concerned, I usually use WiFi for calling when I need to use my phone and internet purposes. It looks to be a good alternative when you need a phone for traveling in case of emergency and still be able to connect to WiFi when you reach your destination. if you can deal with a few drawbacks, you can save a lot of money.
Ting offers customization levels of service after paying a flat $6 monthly line charge. Usage is categorized into tiers: The first 1 to 100 minutes, for example, cost $3, the next tier $9, and the next $18. There are also tiers for SMS and data usage. The company’s complete rates are on its official Ting website. A moderate usage plan of 100 voice minutes, 100 texts, and 1GB data would end up costing $28 on Ting.
Ting offers free domestic roaming for voice and text, and international roaming for GSM phones in numerous countries around the world. Pricing for international roaming can be quite high, however. If you aren’t bringing your own phone, Ting sells devices directly for a lump sum or financing via Affirm.
If you’re thinking of moving to Ting, the company says it will pay 25 percent of the early termination fee (ETF) from your current carrier up to $75.
Link >> Get $25 Off at Ting
PROS
Excellent customer service
No contract
Real cell service, not voip
If you have kids, you can set and remove limits on devices very easily
Supports band 12 device and T mobile for good indoor coverage
No hidden/extra fees. You can get referral credit when you sign up
Ting on both iPhone and android phones
Cost varies according to usage (in tiers)
Additional lines only cost $6/month
Choice of two nationwide cellular networks
No limits on tethering, hotspots, and no data throttling
Free alerts and per-line limits, Straightforward control panel
Early termination fee relief
CONS
Data costs are higher than some other carriers
Coverage is not as broad as Verizon or AT&T
No physical stores
If you have used Ting Mobile services, or have a favourite service, I would love to know your experiences. Thanks
I'm looking at a Red Pocket Mobile plan you can purchase from there eBay SIM card plans that comes out at $4.00 a month with plenty of talk, text and data for home and around my local town travel.
If I go on a trip and need more that month, Add-ons are available so you don’t have to worry if you’re running low on voice minutes, texts, or LTE data. You can apply add-ons to your account at any time by logging in at www.redpocket.com/refill