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I am getting fed-up with AT&T and am exploring options for my GNEX.
I was looking at the pre-paid T-Mobile plan with 100 minutes and unlimited data (up to 5 gigs, 2g speeds after). This seems like a good deal as I use little voice and nave Google Voice if necessary (via data network).
How does this work? Can I go to Walmart, buy the cheapest ($29) prepaid T-Mobile phone, activate with this $30 plan then toss my SIM in my GNEX and all will work?
I bought the Sim online from Amazon for $4 and activated it on t-mobile.com with that plan.worked without a hitch
rock7632 said:
I bought the Sim online from Amazon for $4 and activated it on t-mobile.com with that plan.worked without a hitch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Have a link to the Amazon product? The one's I'm seeing have users complaining that they are old sim cards.
Also, can I take my GNEX to a T-Mobile store and have them sell me a sim for $4.99 (as listed on their site) and activate the unlimited data plan there?
back in the day i bought some cheapie pre-paid Target T-Mob phone for like $20, took out the sim and put it into an HTC HD2 i got off of craigslist and it worked fine.
I thought I read it was a Walmart exclusive deal with T-Mobile, meaning only in Walmart stores or online... Feeling the same here about att and wanting to switch to the $30 plan.
ericshmerick said:
Thanks. Have a link to the Amazon product? The one's I'm seeing have users complaining that they are old sim cards.
Also, can I take my GNEX to a T-Mobile store and have them sell me a sim for $4.99 (as listed on their site) and activate the unlimited data plan there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that plan is for Walmart and t-mobile.com only and not for T-Mobile stores. this is the one I bought
http://www.amazon.com/T-Mobile-Tmob...RY06/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1322514224&sr=8-6
some reviews are saying that its an old Sim but it depends on the marketplace seller that you're buying from. the one I used, I forgot the name but it was compatible with Amazon prime, sent me a new one so it worked for that plan
I have this plan. I bought it directly from T-Mobiles website. Works great for me cause I hardly use voice, and in the rare occasion that I might go over 100 minutes. its only 10 cents a minute more, so you'd probably never exceed the price of your current $60-$100 plan.
edit: this reminded me I need to call soon to cancel my even more plus plan that I have suspended wasting $10 a month.
rock7632 said:
that plan is for Walmart and t-mobile.com only and not for T-Mobile stores.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, so does Walmart sell the SIM by itself? I don't want to purchase a phone just to throw it away (even if it's only $29). I'd like to run to Walmart today and try this out as I'm headed out of town tomorrow (and don't want to wait on Amazon 3rd party shipping).
ericshmerick said:
I am getting fed-up with AT&T and am exploring options for my GNEX.
I was looking at the pre-paid T-Mobile plan with 100 minutes and unlimited data (up to 5 gigs, 2g speeds after). This seems like a good deal as I use little voice and nave Google Voice if necessary (via data network).
How does this work? Can I go to Walmart, buy the cheapest ($29) prepaid T-Mobile phone, activate with this $30 plan then toss my SIM in my GNEX and all will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this plan. I ordered my SIM directly from T-mobile.com and activated it thru their website. Just be sure that you don't order a SIM card only, you need an SIM Card + Activation Kit. The activation kit is just an activation code you'll enter when activating it online, but I'm not sure if there may be SIM cards for sale without activation kits.
Edit: I think I paid $6.99 thru T-mobile.com and it came with ~$3 to apply toward my plan. Not a bad price...
ericshmerick said:
Right, so does Walmart sell the SIM by itself? I don't want to purchase a phone just to throw it away (even if it's only $29). I'd like to run to Walmart today and try this out as I'm headed out of town tomorrow (and don't want to wait on Amazon 3rd party shipping).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when I went to Walmart to get this they told me that they only sell it with pre paid phones. Sim kit comes inside the phone box which is why I decided to buy online. choice was either straight from T-Mobile.com or Amazon. tmo was 6.99 and Amazon was cheaper with no tax and free shipping so I want with Amazon
ericshmerick said:
I am getting fed-up with AT&T and am exploring options for my GNEX.
I was looking at the pre-paid T-Mobile plan with 100 minutes and unlimited data (up to 5 gigs, 2g speeds after). This seems like a good deal as I use little voice and nave Google Voice if necessary (via data network).
How does this work? Can I go to Walmart, buy the cheapest ($29) prepaid T-Mobile phone, activate with this $30 plan then toss my SIM in my GNEX and all will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for asking this question, I was about to make this thread myself (after seeing a few people talking about it here in the GN forums). I currently have a EM+ plan that's $70/mo after taxes. That's 500min, unlim text, unlim (5gb) data. So its really worth it to literally cut my bill in half by going this route.
How are you planning to set up google voice over data? Using one of the apps with a SIP account? This is the 2nd part to using this plan, is being able to just use GV with SIP while at home on WiFi or in a solid HSPA+ area.
Also for anyone who has moved to this plan, were you able to port your number over to this plan from T-mobile? I've heard there are issues with this because the $30 plan is for "new subscribers only".
TIA.
martonikaj said:
Also for anyone who has moved to this plan, were you able to port your number over to this plan from T-mobile? I've heard there are issues with this because the $30 plan is for "new subscribers only".
TIA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure you can't port. You'll get a new number. No biggie if your already a google voice user and use that as your main number.
edit: also, if you plan to use google voice with this plan. You need to call and ask them to disable voice mail. so your voice messages will go to your google voice number, and not use minutes since you never answered the phone. Also, call forwarding is disabled on prepaids, so this is why you need to disable voicemail on the t-mobile line if you want the messages to go to google voice and not to the carrier voice mail. just skip the voice mail setup in the google voice app, but set it up for voicemails on the google voice website for that phone number.
you also need to call to disable webguard.
The plan would have been ideal for me if I could use conditional call forwarding with Google voice Voicemail. I would have probably ordered the GN form Espansys by now. it just a small thing but, I really like the way Google voice works. I have separate greetings for personel and, business. This something I don't want to give up.
qnet said:
The plan would have been ideal for me if I could use conditional call forwarding with Google voice Voicemail. I would have probably ordered the GN form Espansys by now. it just a small thing but, I really like the way Google voice works. I have separate greetings for personel and, business. This something I don't want to give up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't you just set up personal greetings per contacts in google voice on the website, or by groups?
edit: i just looked. you can do it either by contact, or by groups. it should work fine (I haven't tested it). you'd need to disable t-mobile voice mail first by calling them to disable it. then after a certain amount of rings or time, the call would automatically go back to google voice (if no one picked up), and go to google voice voice mail. basically bypassing the lack of conditional forwarding.
Luxferro said:
I'm pretty sure you can't port. You'll get a new number. No biggie if your already a google voice user and use that as your main number.
edit: also, if you plan to use google voice with this plan. You need to call and ask them to disable voice mail. so your voice messages will go to your google voice number, and not use minutes since you never answered the phone. Also, call forwarding is disabled on prepaids, so this is why you need to disable voicemail on the t-mobile line if you want the messages to go to google voice and not to the carrier voice mail. just skip the voice mail setup in the google voice app, but set it up for voicemails on the google voice website for that phone number.
you also need to call to disable webguard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you can actually use Google voice Voicemail with a pre-paid, you just have to have them disable the T-mobile one? I didn't realize this. Have you done this yourself?
---------- Post added at 04:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:41 PM ----------
Luxferro said:
Couldn't you just set up personal greetings per contacts in google voice on the website, or by groups?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's actually how I have it setup. From what I understood pre-paid plans don't support call-forwarding so, I couldn't forward my missed or ignored calls to GV. I've been hearing a lot of mixed ideas on this and, didn't want to take the chance it wouldn't work.
qnet said:
So you can actually use Google voice Voicemail with a pre-paid, you just have to have them disable the T-mobile one? I didn't realize this. Have you done this yourself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, that is how i do it. i don't have personal greetings. but my voice mails go to google voice app or site, since the t-mobile line never gets picked up and it's voice mail is disabled.
---------- Post added at 04:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:46 PM ----------
qnet said:
Yeah, that's actually how I have it setup. From what I understood pre-paid plans don't support call-forwarding so, I couldn't forward my missed or ignored calls to GV. I've been hearing a lot of mixed ideas on this and, didn't want to take the chance it wouldn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just order one the new sim, test it out, and if it doesn't work like you want it, don't use it anymore. You could always suspend your even more plus plan for $10 a month until you know you want to keep the $30 plan. That is what I did.
edit: woops, you weren't the one that said they had even more plus plan. But either way, its basically a $30 test to see if it meets your demands. I think it will if you set it up properly. disable t-mobile voicemail, and disable webguard.
Luxferro said:
Just order one the new sim, test it out, and if it doesn't work like you want it, don't use it anymore. You could always suspend your even more plus plan for $10 a month until you know you want to keep the $30 plan. That is what I did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will have to test this out. I have a Mytouch 4G and, I will test it out on that. If it works, I may get the GSM Galaxy Nexus and, port my number over. This has been one of the things holding me back. Of coures by the time I do this, the Verizon version may be out and, I'll have a decision to make.
I've also heard that they only charge you 10 cents for every minute you go over. That's too good to be true for me. I checked my usage patterns and, I only use about 170 minutes a month on average.
I'm interested in this as well, one question though:
Are T-Mobile to T-Mobile minutes free?
KiNG OMaR said:
I'm interested in this as well, one question though:
Are T-Mobile to T-Mobile minutes free?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so. Could be wrong, but don't think you get any features like mobile to mobile, nights and weekends, or anything like that.
Luxferro said:
I'm pretty sure you can't port. You'll get a new number. No biggie if your already a google voice user and use that as your main number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to call up T-mobile and switch from an Even More Plus plan no hassle. CSR just said she put through a form and 24 hours later my number was ported to this new plan. Did this like a week ago? I recommend this plan plus GrooveIP for free wireless calling.
Hi Currently i'm using an iPhone4 on H20 (AT&T MVNO). But I really want to jump ship to the Galaxy Nexus, and also Walmart/Tmobile $30 100minutes/5G Data..but I have a few questions...
1. Should I go ahead and activate my Google Voice account before I receive my Galaxy Nexus? I want to have my same number.
2. In order for me to get the $30 plan, all I have to do is purchase this: http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit -----&--- go here http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/ActivateCodes.aspx -----to activate?
Should I do that before my Galaxy Nexus comes in? Because I also currently have an Nexus S so I can use that phone IMEI to use if the Tmobile site ask me for it.
Do everything on your Nexus S just to get it ready. My old phone was T-Mobile Nexus S. I have the $30 plan. My Gnex came today, I popped in the sim and that was it.
If you want your old cell number as google voice number you need to port it to google voice. Which will cancel whatever cell carrier service is tied to that number. So if you're under contract you'll have to pay ETF.
Luxferro said:
Do everything on your Nexus S just to get it ready. My old phone was T-Mobile Nexus S. I have the $30 plan. My Gnex came today, I popped in the sim and that was it.
If you want your old cell number as google voice number you need to port it to google voice. Which will cancel whatever cell carrier service is tied to that number. So if you're under contract you'll have to pay ETF.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the quick reply!
So lets say I do everything right now including activating the tmobile plan. You suggest that I port my number over to Google Voice first, or activate the $30 plan first?
I'm so confused with this, so sorry if i'm causing any headaches...
Well google voice and activating the $30 T-Mobile plan are 2 separate things. So whatever way works for you will work.
For example, here's what I did almost a year ago. I had a verizon OG Droid phone still under contract for like another year. The Nexus S came out, and I wanted a cheaper plan and that phone. So I bought the phone from best buy, went to a T-Mobile store, and signed up for an Even More Plus Plan. I suspended my verizon plan just to make sure my new phone and carrier were a keeper.
After 2 month I used google to port my old verizon number to google voice, effectively canceling my verizon contract w/ a prorated ETF. (I did that so I don't have to deal with calling verizon and dealing with customer service crap - and to just keep my old number for the hell of it). I use a different google voice number now.
Anyway, 10 month later the $30 plan comes out for T-Mobile. So I suspend my even more plus plan, and been using the $30 plan the past month or 2 on my nexus s. Today my Gnex came, and I put took out the sim and put it in my Gnex.
I still need to call to cancel my even more plus plan, since I am happy with the $30 one. I can do all this without caring about the cell number tied to my account cause I exclusively use my google voice number for everything.
OK guys, what about the voice mail? (I didn't port yet), I have called Tmo to find out that I don't have the forward feature as a prepaid subscriber... Anyone wanna shed some light on that?
Are you saying if I port my existing number I won't have to deal with Tmo voice mail? Can anyone please write a short guide on how to do this and what feature one would expect? What are the downsides too? The most recent I found on the net was created back in 2009...
Hi guys, I'm new to this forum, but I work at a Costco Wirless Kiosk, and I have access to LOTS of those tmobile prepaid activation codes. If anyone has a tmobile sim card and wants to get the $30 plan on their own, then PM me and I'll try to get you an activation code.
kindiboy said:
OK guys, what about the voice mail? (I didn't port yet), I have called Tmo to find out that I don't have the forward feature as a prepaid subscriber... Anyone wanna shed some light on that?
Are you saying if I port my existing number I won't have to deal with Tmo voice mail? Can anyone please write a short guide on how to do this and what feature one would expect? What are the downsides too? The most recent I found on the net was created back in 2009...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the other thread about the $30 t-mobile plan, a user indicated that you have to call T-mobile after activating and tell them that you don't want T-mobile's voicemail service.
You then simply setup Google Voice as your primary voicemail, and you'll receive it just fine, without it coming to T-mobile then forwarding to GV.
Luxferro said:
Do everything on your Nexus S just to get it ready. My old phone was T-Mobile Nexus S. I have the $30 plan. My Gnex came today, I popped in the sim and that was it.
If you want your old cell number as google voice number you need to port it to google voice. Which will cancel whatever cell carrier service is tied to that number. So if you're under contract you'll have to pay ETF.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am in the process of doing this as wifi calling does not exist on my galaxy nexus via tmobile. if i port my number to google and get a new tmobile sim, when people call my ported number will it ring my phone? when i dial out will it be my old number or the new one?
My coworker is on Verizon, he said that Verizon wants to charge like $2.99 per month if you use Google Voice for voicemail message ? I can not believe that ?
Zorachus said:
My coworker is on Verizon, he said that Verizon wants to charge like $2.99 per month if you use Google Voice for voicemail message ? I can not believe that ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't heard of that..
They have a charge for visual voicemail through verizon's visual voicemail app. But GV is free..
Zorachus said:
My coworker is on Verizon, he said that Verizon wants to charge like $2.99 per month if you use Google Voice for voicemail message ? I can not believe that ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good reason to not believe it because it isnt true. VZW doesnt charge for Google Voice, but they do charge 2.99 for Visual Voicemail.
chaoscentral said:
good reason to not believe it because it isnt true. VZW doesnt charge for Google Voice, but they do charge 2.99 for Visual Voicemail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, they can only charge extra with Data if you're going over your limit. I think Sprint is the only carrier that ports numbers as a service.
Like others are saying, it sounds like your coworker is confused. Verizon does charge $2.99 for visual voicemail. However, you can use Google Voice for your voicemail service for free. That's what I do!
Zorachus said:
My coworker is on Verizon, he said that Verizon wants to charge like $2.99 per month if you use Google Voice for voicemail message ? I can not believe that ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There isn't a charge for Google Voice but it isn't officially supported on Verizon. A rep may have told him that or he may have seen the message trying to set it up and then got told about Verizon Visual Voicemail which is $2.99 extra.
I've had Google Voice since the OG Droid with no charges.
Repeating for good measure... your coworker is confused.
I use GVoice for everything on my GN and Verizon isn't getting a red cent for my voicemail or texts.
(See what I did there? RED cent... red like Verizon har har.)
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
ive google this and i got mixed answers. am i able to text canada with my everythig data 450 plan free?
Calling Canada or texting costs you money ...it considered as an international ..there are many apps they allow to you to text Canada and US free ..but you will have a different number not the carrier number ..
scoobdubois said:
Calling Canada or texting costs you money ...it considered as an international ..there are many apps they allow to you to text Canada and US free ..but you will have a different number not the carrier number ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
google voice allows calling and texting to canada/us/mexico for free. plus, google voice and sprint have some kind of partnership where your google voice number can be your main number.
I don't remember ever being charged for texting to Canada on SERO with my Treo. I would hope SERO P is no different.
Lol once again mixed answers but I'll use Google voice, thanks
Sent from hell using a jahovas witness
I'm from Canada. I call my family and text them like every day. With your sprint number ported to google voice you can simply text n call like normal from ur epic (don't have to do from GVoice app) no charges.
When i first ported to google voice they accidentally had some international charges, i called them and they immediately removed the charges no fuss or fight needed.
Sent from my Galaxy S2
ShinigamiH4ck3r said:
Lol once again mixed answers but I'll use Google voice, thanks
Sent from hell using a jahovas witness
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I no expert on the subject but Google voice texting uses data, which can be pricier than regular/roaming texting. I'm not sure about calling...
One thing i suggest checking out is kakao talk :]
schwab002 said:
I no expert on the subject but Google voice texting uses data, which can be pricier than regular/roaming texting. I'm not sure about calling...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure we are all on sprint which is unlimited data.
He's staying stateside and texting to Canada.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
ShinigamiH4ck3r said:
ive google this and i got mixed answers. am i able to text canada with my everythig data 450 plan free?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh... did calling Sprint and asking them ever cross your mind? Seems the logical thing to do when you have a question about your plan.
cnstarz said:
google voice allows calling and texting to canada/us/mexico for free. plus, google voice and sprint have some kind of partnership where your google voice number can be your main number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't text or call Mexico for free using Google Voice.
_MetalHead_ said:
Uh... did calling Sprint and asking them ever cross your mind? Seems the logical thing to do when you have a question about your plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure sprint is closed at one in the morning. So take your negativity somewhere else
Sent from hell using a jahovas witness
Just curious as to which prepaid carrier was best.
In what country?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1455014
....
martonikaj said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1455014
....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice... thanks. I'll check this out.
This thread isn't my problem anymore.
SocialReject said:
Just curious as to which prepaid carrier was best.
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Click to collapse
I'm on TMobile in Columbus, OH. No complaints here. $30/mo and I get unlimited data. Not sure if that makes it "the best carrier", but I'm definitely not switching carriers any time soon.
You will need to look up coverage maps in your area and ask specifically for experiences in that city.
Whats best probably depends on your area.
I use the T-Mobile $30 plan and I love it.
T-Mobile in Los Angeles. I found out yesterday that monthly means no Visual Voicemail. Grr.
straight talk (ATT) USA
compsciasaur said:
T-Mobile in Los Angeles. I found out yesterday that monthly means no Visual Voicemail. Grr.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure you're aware, but for the heck of it - Google Voice has that feature for free.
netbuzz said:
I'm sure you're aware, but for the heck of it - Google Voice has that feature for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard that... Can I port my cell number to Google Voice. I'm also a little worried about Voice because I've known people who've had issues with it.
compsciasaur said:
I've heard that... Can I port my cell number to Google Voice. I'm also a little worried about Voice because I've known people who've had issues with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can port your number for $20, but then you will have to get a new prepaid number. As for myself, I just started using the free number they gave me and slowly rolled it out to friends. In all honestly, I don't even know what my real phone number is now. Lots of features with GV.
I have had no issues whatsoever nor I know of anyone who does.
[email protected]
yes, but monthly - prepaid - also doesn't support conditional call forwarding required for gvoice to work on the cell number.. gvoicemail will only work on calls to the gvoice number... quite the bummer it's the main reason I'm thinking of going to the ATT straight talk BYOD sim from the Tmobile $30 plan
I dont use the minutes or data of the $30.. I'd actually pay $15 to tombile just for the call forwarding feature
pdxtechdoctor said:
yes, but monthly - prepaid - also doesn't support conditional call forwarding required for gvoice to work on the cell number.. gvoicemail will only work on calls to the gvoice number... quite the bummer it's the main reason I'm thinking of going to the ATT straight talk BYOD sim from the Tmobile $30 plan
I dont use the minutes or data of the $30.. I'd actually pay $15 to tombile just for the call forwarding feature
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you're right, it doesn't support conditional call forwarding, but there is always a workaround. I called tmobile and asked them to disable my voice mail. They disabled it and now all calls roll straight to GV voice mail if not answered. The only caviat to that is that if people call you on your tmobile number, the phone will ring forever if not answered, but again, as I mentioned, I don't give that number out, I don't even know what it is.
---------- Post added at 09:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:58 AM ----------
pdxtechdoctor said:
yes, but monthly - prepaid - also doesn't support conditional call forwarding required for gvoice to work on the cell number.. gvoicemail will only work on calls to the gvoice number... quite the bummer it's the main reason I'm thinking of going to the ATT straight talk BYOD sim from the Tmobile $30 plan
I dont use the minutes or data of the $30.. I'd actually pay $15 to tombile just for the call forwarding feature
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason to use GV is to have one phone number and a freedom to change carriers, plans, etc. So when you say "gvoicemail will only work on calls to the gvoice number" makes me ask "why would you want anyone to call you at your real number?"
For example, I can have one GV number and hop from carrier to carrier and plan to plan each month. Am I going to give out my new carrier phone number out with each change? No. That's why I already gave everyone my GV number once before.
netbuzz said:
No, you're right, it doesn't support conditional call forwarding, but there is always a workaround. I called tmobile and asked them to disable my voice mail. They disabled it and now all calls roll straight to GV voice mail if not answered. The only caviat to that is that if people call you on your tmobile number, the phone will ring forever if not answered, but again, as I mentioned, I don't give that number out, I don't even know what it is.
---------- Post added at 09:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:58 AM ----------
The reason to use GV is to have one phone number and a freedom to change carriers, plans, etc. So when you say "gvoicemail will only work on calls to the gvoice number" makes me ask "why would you want anyone to call you at your real number?"
For example, I can have one GV number and hop from carrier to carrier and plan to plan each month. Am I going to give out my new carrier phone number out with each change? No. That's why I already gave everyone my GV number once before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the recommendation of another friend I tried Google Voice just for voicemail and ran into the issue pdxtechdoctor was talking about.
I don't want to change my main cell number. I've had the same cell # for 11 years. And you don't need to worry about switching carriers because every carrier is required by law to port your number over if you request it. I've had my cell on Cingular/AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile Monthly now. The only downside is that it takes a few hours to port a number over and for prepaid/monthly some features are removed, evidently. But the upside is keeping the same number no matter what phone you have (Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, dumbphone).
T-Mobile 4G monthly $30 a month, using VoIP for calls GVoice(sipdroid+pbxes.org)
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
tmobile, Brooklyn Ny $50 a month
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk 2