|
I'm looking for a plan, and having trouble deciphering all the vagueries of the various websites. Location: Southwest Virginia, in particular the New River Valley region and around Roanoke. Budget: ~$200 for a phone, though less is better. Can maybe stretch up to $60 a month, but would prefer closer to $40. I'd like a monthly plan with unlimited talk and text, which seems pretty universal so good on that one! I'd like as much data as I can get. 4G/LTE stuff doesn't matter that much because there's pretty much none near me, and I have in-house wifi.
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2014 04:34
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 23, 2024 19:55 |
|
|
Wapole Languray posted:I'm looking for a plan, and having trouble deciphering all the vagueries of the various websites. Moto G and Cricket.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2014 04:49
|
|
|
Fauxton is correct unless AT&T service is really bad in your area (unlikely) as that is what the new Cricket uses.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2014 13:49
|
|
|
Prepaid smartphone plan news: * A new brand, Harbor Mobile. T-Mobile network, all plans also include hotspot. * It is rumored that starting July 17, Verizon will allow prepaid users to get LTE data on their ALLSET prepaid plan. I've asked about 5 times now for someone to step up and take over a new OP, but there has never been a volunteer. And yet this thread keeps getting new posts. On July 17 I am going to take drastic action. Please vote for what you would like me to do: 1. Close the thread. 2. Replace the OP with the message "There is no OP because nobody wants to maintain it. Good luck!"
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2014 16:51
|
|
|
I'll see if I can whip something up this week or the next. Edit: May need some help from some of the more common posters in this thread but I don't think it'll be too daunting.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2014 16:58
|
|
|
Thank you. You can also view my post history for this thread as I've posted suggestions and useful links.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2014 17:03
|
|
|
I've been using BYO Wireless (Verizon MVNO) for the last couple months. They're probably not a fantastic bargain on a per-minute/per-MB basis, but for my needs they were perfect. $5/30 days gets 100 minutes/100 texts. Another $5 can add more minutes, texts, or data (100 mins, 1000 texts, 100MB data). Unless it's a glitch in the display, unused minutes/texts/data roll over from cycle to cycle. I'm using it as a business phone for my self-employed work, so I can just leave the phone in my office after I'm "off work" for the day. All my contacts are handled through a Google Voice number, so I have calls forwarded only to this phone, but can get texts/voicemail notifications to my personal phone, work PC, and this phone if I choose to. I probably only use around 40-50 minutes per month, so I set an auto-renewal up for the $5 minutes/texts plan, and did a single $5 topup for 100MB data. Since the phone is nearly always on wifi, the data is just for backup, or for when I have to run out of the house during work hours and take it with me. They don't offer any devices, at all. You need to bring your own Verizon phone, CDMA only. I don't know if they plan to utilize 4G/LTE devices, I'm sure that's just a restriction of being a Verizon MVNO. I considered Ting, but for how low my usage is BYO is probably a better deal. Plus I already had a couple Verizon 3G phones laying around, so there was zero additional cost to try the service.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2014 17:55
|
|
|
Rastor posted:Prepaid smartphone plan news: 2, until we get at least a list of the prepaid options.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2014 19:02
|
|
|
Stick100 posted:2, until we get at least a list of the prepaid options. I've never done an OP before but I'm willing to step up if no one else wants to.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2014 20:39
|
|
|
Rastor posted:* A new brand, Harbor Mobile. T-Mobile network, all plans also include hotspot. Anyone have experience on a T-Mobile MVNO? Their $40/month for unlimited talk/text & 3 GB plan sounds appealing considering its about $5 more than I'm paying for the dork plan + extra minutes directly with T-Mobile now.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2014 21:45
|
|
|
Anyone know of any reason my Aio/Cricket data would suddenly get worse over the last five or so days? They didn't change the APN with the name change or anything? I still get a high signal strength, but really horrible timeouts on my data. It's most noticeable in an online android game I play, in which things that used to respond instantly can take 10 to 20 seconds now. I checked, I haven't used more than 700 mb of data in the last month, so it's not like they capped me or something.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2014 23:23
|
|
|
Bobulus posted:Anyone know of any reason my Aio/Cricket data would suddenly get worse over the last five or so days? They didn't change the APN with the name change or anything? I'm on Cricket too and lately I've been noticing service dropouts all the loving time. Can't tell if it's my phone or what, but I'm thinking maybe it's a local tower issue rather than a Cricket issue. So, maybe my post has nothing to do with yours...
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 01:16
|
|
|
Ok, finally home now. I'll start working on an OP. Since it's my first OP, I'll probably borrow a bunch from this one.  So far, on my list I have: GoPhone Straight Talk/Net10 SIMple Mobile Harbor Mobile Verizon Prepaid Sprint Preapaid AT&T Prepaid T-Mobile $30/mo plan Boost Mobile Virgin Mobile H2O Ting Red Pocket From OP: Voyager Mobile PagePlus MetroPCS U-Prepaid ...am I missing anyone? ThermoPhysical fucked around with this message at 01:43 on Jul 10, 2014 |
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 01:41
|
|
|
Also do the weird T-Mobile MLM one. Solavei, or whatever it is. I see them recommended a lot for people who have good T-M coverage.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 02:22
|
|
|
Please feel free to borrow from the current OP. If you want to keep coverage maps, you'll need to grab updated ones. Here's what I said before: Rastor posted:I'm not really interested in doing a new OP. http://www.phonenews.com/ also posts prepaid news but really just https://prepaidphonenews.com and the discussions in this thread should be plenty to keep you updated.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 02:46
|
|
|
ThermoPhysical posted:So far, on my list I have: You might as well group the MVNOs by carrier. There's not much reason for someone to start comparing service package offerings without the context of coverage.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 03:47
|
|
|
sweart gliwere posted:You might as well group the MVNOs by carrier. There's not much reason for someone to start comparing service package offerings without the context of coverage. Yeah, that list is unordered, I'll be listing by carrier and see if I can remember the URLs for those websites (and the apps) that show carrier coverage. While I'm typing up this new thread, anyone have any ideas for a thread title?
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 04:01
|
|
|
ThermoPhysical posted:Yeah, that list is unordered, I'll be listing by carrier and see if I can remember the URLs for those websites (and the apps) that show carrier coverage. Prepaid Smartphone Thread: How to pay a fair price for lovely Sprint service E: I've noticed a bit of slowness as well, but not timeouts or anything.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 04:25
|
|
|
Prepaid Smartphone Thread: Just get Cricket
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 04:37
|
|
|
My Cricket was slow yesterday but seems sort of back to normal-ish today.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 14:43
|
|
|
I did a prepaid comparison chart on NEOGAF before they premabanned me. gently caress these PC assholes  Feel free to steal and reuse it. 
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 19:25
|
|
|
You should upload that to a public googledoc
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 19:27
|
|
|
whatever7 posted:I did a prepaid comparison chart on NEOGAF before they premabanned me. gently caress these PC assholes Oh fuckin' sweet. This'll help immensely. I'll toss it up into the OP as an image for now but transfer it into a Google Sheets thing in the meantime. Thanks!
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 20:08
|
|
|
Lblitzer posted:You should upload that to a public googledoc It is on public google doc
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 20:09
|
|
|
whatever7 posted:It is on public google doc It is? Can you link to it?
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 20:16
|
|
|
ThermoPhysical posted:It is? Can you link to it? The chart is a link, can you not click on it? https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ai8ZiATihYWQdE9hNE5iZDhmUFFFWF9WcnVUT0JyeVE&usp=drive_web#gid=0
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 20:18
|
|
|
whatever7 posted:The chart is a link, can you not click on it? Huh. Actually, it only enlarged the image for me at first but seems to work now... huh. Ah well. I'll link to it in the OP then. Thanks again!
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 20:24
|
|
|
Anyone know which AT&T MVNO has the cheapest voice minutes (no data needed?). A relative of mine only wants voice, no data. Don't mind buying a bulk yearlong voice card either. Edit: I just realized that she doesn't need that many voice minutes either, H20 wireless has a $10 plan that lasts 90 days and gives 200 minutes, that seems perfect. Is there any other plan that can beat that? Mister Fister fucked around with this message at 20:38 on Jul 10, 2014 |
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 20:25
|
|
|
ThermoPhysical posted:Huh. Actually, it only enlarged the image for me at first but seems to work now... huh. No problem. I added Harbor Mobile since its the new hotness. Let me clarify, these plans are optimized for smartphones only. I have another chart on the doc for the cheap rear end dumb phones only, to be honest with you I didn't spend time to maintain that chat because whats the point? You can get free plans from Ring plus. whatever7 fucked around with this message at 20:52 on Jul 10, 2014 |
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 20:48
|
|
|
Just as a heads up, talked with Harbor about moving from tmobile's dork plan to their 40$ plan but they DO NOT port from tmobile. Rep suggested going from tmobile to google voice, and then porting it over from there to Harbor.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 21:06
|
|
|
Nice doc but it's missing the Page Plus $30 plan for 1200 minutes, 3000 texts, and 500 MB data.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 21:11
|
|
|
Stupid_Sexy_Flander posted:Rep suggested going from tmobile to google voice, and then porting it over from there to Harbor.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 21:28
|
|
|
Rastor posted:Google Voice ports can be very difficult, I do NOT recommend going that route. I'd only recommend porting into Google Voice but is the general consensus now to just leave GV alone or what? I mean I know what I personally would do but if I'm outvoted then I'll just put what's best in the OP.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 21:36
|
|
|
LiftAuff posted:Nice doc but it's missing the Page Plus $30 plan for 1200 minutes, 3000 texts, and 500 MB data. Its kind of competitive, I added it in for you.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 21:36
|
|
|
ThermoPhysical posted:I'd only recommend porting into Google Voice but is the general consensus now to just leave GV alone or what? I mean I know what I personally would do but if I'm outvoted then I'll just put what's best in the OP. I wasn't saying don't use GV, only don't expect porting out of it to be straightforward or fast.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2014 21:45
|
|
|
Awesome chart! Small correction - cricket's $40 plan is 500MB, not 250MB
|
|
#
?
Jul 11, 2014 06:13
|
|
|
clockworx posted:Awesome chart! Small correction - cricket's $40 plan is 500MB, not 250MB Yeah, and ST is 3.5 GB, not 2.5.
|
|
#
?
Jul 11, 2014 21:46
|
|
|
My wife needs a phone for the next week for reasons (FedEx sucks). All she needs is text and voice, no data. We do need to get the phone in person this weekend. Is a Go Phone from Walmart on the $25 unlimited voice/SMS plan with no data the most part economical way to do this? Are any of the low end handsets worth a drat? Is there a better way? Buying a used phone is basically a non starter because I won't be around to troubleshoot, and we have no old handsets to activate.
|
|
#
?
Jul 12, 2014 00:40
|
|
|
Loucks posted:My wife needs a phone for the next week for reasons (FedEx sucks). All she needs is text and voice, no data. We do need to get the phone in person this weekend. Is a Go Phone from Walmart on the $25 unlimited voice/SMS plan with no data the most part economical way to do this? Are any of the low end handsets worth a drat? Is there a better way? Buying a used phone is basically a non starter because I won't be around to troubleshoot, and we have no old handsets to activate. Have you asked around with friends/family/coworkers? Chances are you know somebody who has a spare phone and wouldn't miss it for a few weeks. I'd troll for an unlocked and reset phone lent from someone I trust before buying the cheapest convenient handset. Think of your nerdiest buddy, and borrow his least-favorite Nexus. (still got the G-Nexus in a desk drawer, specifically for travel-lending and fallback)
|
|
#
?
Jul 12, 2014 00:55
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 23, 2024 19:55 |
|
|
Loucks posted:My wife needs a phone for the next week for reasons (FedEx sucks). All she needs is text and voice, no data. We do need to get the phone in person this weekend. Is a Go Phone from Walmart on the $25 unlimited voice/SMS plan with no data the most part economical way to do this? Are any of the low end handsets worth a drat? Is there a better way? Buying a used phone is basically a non starter because I won't be around to troubleshoot, and we have no old handsets to activate. For a dumbphone you can probably pick up one with a month of service from Walmart Straight Talk for like $40 ($30 service, $10 phone)
|
|
#
?
Jul 12, 2014 01:30
|
|