Cell Phone Savings

[GlockSpock]

I used to be the type to pay $90 a month for a smartphone. Although I miss many things about doing so, I am now at a point in my life where I have been "simplifying" everything and trying to save money where possible. I've been in a contract with Verizon for a while, but it is up. I currently have a "dumb phone" (which apparently is now called a "feature phone"). I get a 19% discount through my work. My bill for Verizon is right at $50 a month. I've been checking out their "prepaid" plans. I think I could come out monthly at just over  $35 a month by using them. However, I am also comparing companies that take advantage of either Sprint's or Verizon's network. So far these are the companies I have looked at:

 

http://www.verizonwireless.com/wcms/consumer/shop/prepaid.html#chooseaplan

https://ting.com

https://www.pagepluscellular.com

 

 

I typically used less than 100 minutes a month, probably under 500 text messages, and could care less about data. I am so far very interested in "TING". However, anyone familiar with any prepaid "carrier" that has had nothing but positive experiences with them?

[VERO1]

We switched to Straight Talk from ATT.  Each line is $49 a month with unlimited everything.  They use ATT's equipment and we have had no problems all.  No contract either!

[2.ooohhh]

You're paying too much for a feature phone IMHO, I pay $49(56 after tax and fcc fees) monthly for an iPhone on sprint, 500min, unlimited text, and unlimited data. When I had a feature phone it was $29(35 after tax and fcc fees) monthly.

 

I've heard good things about ting from a friend who is using them.

[Murgatroy]

I have been using Virgin Mobile for well over a decade.

 

I pay $25 a month (grandfathered, the new rate is $35) for 300 minutes, unlimited text and unlimited (throttled after 2.5GB) internet.

 

You pay for your phone outright and just pay by the month.

 

They have a fair selection of phones now, from feature phones all the way up to iPhones and Android. I think I dropped $100 on my phone (LG Optimus) and got my wife the same. 

 

They run on Sprint's network. 

 

To be honest, I don't see myself ever getting a contract phone and paying more. This setup has worked for me for many years.

[10-Ring]

My parents, brother and sis in law all use Pageplus and really like it.  It didn't suit my needs because I felt that their data package was lacking.  Currently we are using Ptel but we don't like it.  The phone drops calls constantly and doesn't get a signal for 20 seconds or so anytime you hang up or have a dropped call or receive a text.  The internet is also horrendously slow.  We had Straight Talk a few months ago and are going back to it after this month.  My biggest complaint with Straight Talk is the customer service.  I've spent 45+ minutes on the phone with them several times to get hardware issues resolved.  They now do have a feature that will call you back when they get to you so at least you do not have to sit there and wait.  I really need to find a good prepaid for around $55 or less a month, my wife has about had it with my experimenting and wants a contract phone again.  I could care less, I just got a TracFone a few months ago and the only reason I have it is in case there is an emergency when I am with my daughter.  I can't stand a phone myself.

[pops572]

Does anyone know if you can use a Verizon Iphone with Straight Talk?

[10-Ring]

Does anyone know if you can use a Verizon Iphone with Straight Talk?

No, Verizon uses a CDMA system, Straight Talk uses a GSM system.  AT&T phones will work on the Straight Talk system.  The easiest way to differentiate the two is that a GSM phone will use a SIM card while a CDMA phone will not.

[2.ooohhh]

No, Verizon uses a CDMA system, Straight Talk uses a GSM system.  AT&T phones will work on the Straight Talk system.  The easiest way to differentiate the two is that a GSM phone will use a SIM card while a CDMA phone will not.

Except for CDMA phones that also have GSM radios, such as the CDMA iPhone, blackberry, or any number of international capable phones. Which still in many cases can't be used for US carriers but are capable of both wireless standards.  :squint:

[Chadastrophic]

Does anyone know if you can use a Verizon Iphone with Straight Talk?


No, Verizon uses a CDMA system, Straight Talk uses a GSM system.  AT&T phones will work on the Straight Talk system.  The easiest way to differentiate the two is that a GSM phone will use a SIM card while a CDMA phone will not.

Except Verizon 4G phones use SIM cards.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

[Refleks]

Straight Talk actually uses a variety of towers depending on the phone you buy.  Some straight talk phones use GSM (ATT) towers and can be identified by the GSM marking on the lower left hand corner of the box, or "G" after the model name.  Others use Verizon towers and can be identified by the CDMA or CDMA-V marking on the lower left hand corner of the box, or "C" after the model name.  Contrary to some rumors, the color of America on the box (red or blue) does not necessarily indicate which carrier that particular model uses.

 

They also have phones that use T-Mobile towers and Sprint towers (CDMA-S) but those aren't as common and usually don't get as good coverage as the ones that use ATT/Verizon towers.

 

You can bring your own unlocked GSM phone (ATT or Tmobile) to Straight Talk service, you would simply go online and buy a sim card.  Up until about a month ago, the sim cards they provide you would use ATT towers, which is an awesome deal... but apparently ATT had something to say about this because now they're only offering sim cards that utilize T-Mobile towers.

 

Even though some verizon phones take simcards (and are quadband so technically can use GSM frequencies), they currently don't support you bringing your own verizon phone to their service.

 

I deal with straight talk customer service on a daily basis (as well as other carriers) and it's not great.  Most of it is outsourced.  I've seen worse though.  It really is a good deal if it works in your AO, customer satisfaction is generally pretty high.

Edited April 15, 2013 by Refleks

[Jesse]

Last month my talk minutes was 26. Beat that! I might be better off with a pre paid phone, but i use about 400 mb of data a month on my droid.

What would be the best option for me? Im also tired of the high verizon prices. We pay 155 a month for 2 phones for 1400 minutes and 2 data plans.

[homeagain]

At the moment I'm lucky.  My employer provides an I Phone and I actually have a second I Phone paid for by my former employer (I do some occasional consulting work for them so when I left they let me keep the phone and they pay for my plan so they can reach me).

 

However, we pay for my wife's phone.  We use Boost Mobile (Sprint network) with one of their lower level Android phones.  With the 'shrinkage' we're paying $35/month unlimited everything and she's happy with it.  Has the typical 'smartphone' stuff like GPS, various apps, etc. for low cost.  We rooted the phone so we use it as a hotspot, also.  Not bad for $35.

[Guest MilitiaMan]

I pay as I go. Tracfone.

 

I paid $10.00 for my phone. Walmart, off the rack.

 

I pay $45/month for 200 mins. I called Tracfone , they gave me the "doubler" option. I also have a booklet w/codes for 40-50 additional free mins when you add a 200 min card. So I basically get 450 mins per month for $45.

 

 

 

I may "upgrade" to Straight talk if I really want to get back to internet on my phone. But I would have to buy a smartphone again and I just don't see the need.

[Guest sL1k]

Friend at work is using the walmart straight talk but here is a Warning they say its unlimited internet but if you stream music or watch 1 youtube video you are violating their TOS. She received some calls/letters and they threatened to cut their phones off. She raised a stink about them advertising unlimited and that not being the case they have left her alone but she is going to change companies because of their customer service.

Boost seems to be one of the most recommended plans.

[Ted S.]

I use GoPhone, get 250 minutes and unlimited text. On months that I feel that I will need service I paz $27.90 after tax. I use a smartphone and never add data because most places I'm at have wifi, and if you aren't in a contract zou don't have to pay for data with a smartphone. Unlimited everzthing on a non-smart phone is about $50 before tax.

 

http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/prepaidplans.html

[10-Ring]

I pay as I go. Tracfone.

 

I paid $10.00 for my phone. Walmart, off the rack.

 

I pay $45/month for 200 mins. I called Tracfone , they gave me the "doubler" option. I also have a booklet w/codes for 40-50 additional free mins when you add a 200 min card. So I basically get 450 mins per month for $45.

 

 

 

I may "upgrade" to Straight talk if I really want to get back to internet on my phone. But I would have to buy a smartphone again and I just don't see the need.

That is what I am doing as well, we probably have the same phone.  I used 21 minutes the last month I had my Verizon phone.  Went without one for a couple of years, which I don't really mind.  Wound up getting married and taking on a 3 year old step daughter that I keep a good bit, I thought that it was necessary to have a phone available when I was keeping her in case of an emergency or something.  I got the doubler option as well I basically walked out spending $10 on the phone and $20 for 60 minutes of airtime, when I activated it I had 140 minutes.  That was about 6 weeks ago and I still have about 85 before I need a refill, and I've actually used the phone more than usual.

[Jesse]

I wish payphones would come back. Then bring back 7$ a month beepers. Lol