Save $ on cell service -- Ting Mobile / Solavei (+ other MVNOs) (2 Viewers)

[Keerock]

Just switched from a Family Plan at AT&T that was costing us $215/mo (with corporate discount) for 4 iPhone 4s', unlimited text, a stoopid amount of rollover minutes that we never approached...and a "whopping" 200mb of cellular data per phone. That was $215 for a good month where nobody went over on the data at a rate of $15 per additional 200mb...

Where did we go? AT&T.

Family Share plan (corporate discounted) with unlimited text, unlimited calling and... 10GB of data... for $160.

Did the exact same thing. Went from $230 to $160 per month for 5 iPhones... only thing I sacrificed was my grandfathered unlimited data plan of which I never used more than 1Gb per month.

 

[glock]

Just switched from a Family Plan at AT&T that was costing us $215/mo (with corporate discount) for 4 iPhone 4s', unlimited text, a stoopid amount of rollover minutes that we never approached...and a "whopping" 200mb of cellular data per phone. That was $215 for a good month where nobody went over on the data at a rate of $15 per additional 200mb...

Where did we go? AT&T.

Family Share plan (corporate discounted) with unlimited text, unlimited calling and... 10GB of data... for $160.

Did the exact same thing. Went from $230 to $160 per month for 5 iPhones... only thing I sacrificed was my grandfathered unlimited data plan of which I never used more than 1Gb per month.

We'll never even approach 10GB...

 

[Psychopav]

Filled out the online form and got credit for the ETF from Ting within a day.

I haven't even paid Verizon yet!

 

[Mr.Pack]

Do you guys get SIM cards from TING? They're $10, and just wondering why the phone doesn't come with one, or if I missed it?

I got one for my Nexus 5 but it's too small.

 

[(HULK)]

Do you guys get SIM cards from TING? They're $10, and just wondering why the phone doesn't come with one, or if I missed it?

I got one for my Nexus 5 but it's too small.

My wife's gs3 on Ting has no SIM card. I believe the n5 needs one though. It should be the right size though since I think that's the only phone on ting that needs one.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I'm still trying to figure out much data I will use, but Consumer Cellular (AT&T lines) just upgraded their packages. Now for $35 I get 200 voice minutes, 5000 texts, and 1GB of data. That seems pretty good. For $10 more I can get 2.5GB, but I have to figure out how much I'm using. I think I'm gonna be right around a GB per month.

 

[Dr Oadi]

Heard that t mobile signed up more people than Verizon,AT&T ,and sprint combined. Hope they can keep them happy because they are losing a boatload buying out their contracts.

 

[None_More_Black]

Just got a moto g for 99 on AIO wireless 50 dollar( only 45 with auto pay) unlimited plan. 2.5 gig of lte before throttling. AT&T MVNO. Really liking this combo for the money.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Been using T-Mobile for month, here in NoVA. Haven't been thrilled. I don't get very good coverage, and lose data just walking a couple blocks in Leesburg to my kids school. A couple weeks ago I went to Chicago, and Green Bay via train and had zero coverage most of the way. When I was up outside of Green Bay, I also had no coverage, not just data, voice too.

I am going to give them one more shot by calling in this week to make sure that I have set up the phone properly. Although I think that suburban GB I will not have coverage, period.

While I am doing that, Hulk, is there some other better option for me? Obviously I am stuck with the phone. Is AIO, like N_M_B is talking about a positive option?

 

[the moops]

Switch to any number of the ATT plans listed a few pages back with the phone you have if you find that T-Mobile has lousy coverage where you are.

 

[Mr.Pack]

Do you guys get SIM cards from TING? They're $10, and just wondering why the phone doesn't come with one, or if I missed it?

I got one for my Nexus 5 but it's too small.

My wife's gs3 on Ting has no SIM card. I believe the n5 needs one though. It should be the right size though since I think that's the only phone on ting that needs one.

I ended up just buying one through TING for $10. Stupid Sprint Stores wouldn't give me one.

 

[(HULK)]

Just got a moto g for 99 on AIO wireless 50 dollar( only 45 with auto pay) unlimited plan. 2.5 gig of lte before throttling. AT&T MVNO. Really liking this combo for the money.

um, moto g doesn't have LTE radios, so you'll be getting HSPA+

 

[(HULK)]

Switch to any number of the ATT plans listed a few pages back with the phone you have if you find that T-Mobile has lousy coverage where you are.

this

 

[None_More_Black]

Just got a moto g for 99 on AIO wireless 50 dollar( only 45 with auto pay) unlimited plan. 2.5 gig of lte before throttling. AT&T MVNO. Really liking this combo for the money.

um, moto g doesn't have LTE radios, so you'll be getting HSPA+

Just describing plan. Moto g is 3g only but AIO 3g is faster than sprint lte, companies like Ting.

 

[(HULK)]

Just got a moto g for 99 on AIO wireless 50 dollar( only 45 with auto pay) unlimited plan. 2.5 gig of lte before throttling. AT&T MVNO. Really liking this combo for the money.

um, moto g doesn't have LTE radios, so you'll be getting HSPA+

Just describing plan. Moto g is 3g only but AIO 3g is faster than sprint lte, companies like Ting.

depends on where you are but that usually isn't true. You should be averaging about 6 Mbps downloads, which is slower than sprints LTE. Still not bad though

 

[Keerock]

HULK... my parents are looking for a new plan. They are getting TERRIBLE service in their new home and are looking to get better reception

Zip: 34223

Both phones use no data, <250 texting and <500 talk per month.

Thanks!

 

[(HULK)]

HULK... my parents are looking for a new plan. They are getting TERRIBLE service in their new home and are looking to get better reception

Zip: 34223

Both phones use no data, <250 texting and <500 talk per month.

Thanks!

Which network are they on at the moment?

ETA: is that 250 and 500 COMBINED or for each phone?

 

[Keerock]

HULK... my parents are looking for a new plan. They are getting TERRIBLE service in their new home and are looking to get better reception

Zip: 34223

Both phones use no data, <250 texting and <500 talk per month.

Thanks!

Which network are they on at the moment?

ETA: is that 250 and 500 COMBINED or for each phone?

Combined. Pretty sure they are on Verizon, but I will confirm

 

[(HULK)]

HULK... my parents are looking for a new plan. They are getting TERRIBLE service in their new home and are looking to get better reception

Zip: 34223

Both phones use no data, <250 texting and <500 talk per month.

Thanks!

Which network are they on at the moment?

ETA: is that 250 and 500 COMBINED or for each phone?

Quick rundown, assuming those numbers were COMBINED:

On Sprint:

Zact: $23.13

Ting: $26.00

On AT&T:

Consumer Cellular: $35 (great cust. service for old folks though, and an AARP discount would push this price down more)

On T-Mobile:

Solavei: $53.00 ($5 discount on 2nd phone)

On Verizon:

Ready Mobile: $55.00

Honestly, I'd stick with the top 3 options. Makes the most sense price wise.

 

[Keerock]

HULK... my parents are looking for a new plan. They are getting TERRIBLE service in their new home and are looking to get better reception

Zip: 34223

Both phones use no data, <250 texting and <500 talk per month.

Thanks!

Which network are they on at the moment?

ETA: is that 250 and 500 COMBINED or for each phone?

Quick rundown, assuming those numbers were COMBINED:

On Sprint:

Zact: $23.13

Ting: $26.00

On AT&T:

Consumer Cellular: $35 (great cust. service for old folks though, and an AARP discount would push this price down more)

On T-Mobile:

Solavei: $53.00 ($5 discount on 2nd phone)

On Verizon:

Ready Mobile: $55.00

Honestly, I'd stick with the top 3 options. Makes the most sense price wise.

Got it... how is service for each of those in that area?

ETA: They are currently on Virgin Mobile.

 

[(HULK)]

HULK... my parents are looking for a new plan. They are getting TERRIBLE service in their new home and are looking to get better reception

Zip: 34223

Both phones use no data, <250 texting and <500 talk per month.

Thanks!

Which network are they on at the moment?

ETA: is that 250 and 500 COMBINED or for each phone?

Quick rundown, assuming those numbers were COMBINED:

On Sprint:

Zact: $23.13

Ting: $26.00

On AT&T:

Consumer Cellular: $35 (great cust. service for old folks though, and an AARP discount would push this price down more)

On T-Mobile:

Solavei: $53.00 ($5 discount on 2nd phone)

On Verizon:

Ready Mobile: $55.00

Honestly, I'd stick with the top 3 options. Makes the most sense price wise.

Got it... how is service for each of those in that area?

Welp, Verizon is supposed to be the best there... so if thats who they're having issues with...

RootMetrics doesn't have enough data there to give a good answer either.

Best for them to just ask around and see if any of their neighbors are happy with someone.

 

[Keerock]

HULK... my parents are looking for a new plan. They are getting TERRIBLE service in their new home and are looking to get better reception

Zip: 34223

Both phones use no data, <250 texting and <500 talk per month.

Thanks!

Which network are they on at the moment?

ETA: is that 250 and 500 COMBINED or for each phone?

Quick rundown, assuming those numbers were COMBINED:

On Sprint:

Zact: $23.13

Ting: $26.00

On AT&T:

Consumer Cellular: $35 (great cust. service for old folks though, and an AARP discount would push this price down more)

On T-Mobile:

Solavei: $53.00 ($5 discount on 2nd phone)

On Verizon:

Ready Mobile: $55.00

Honestly, I'd stick with the top 3 options. Makes the most sense price wise.

Got it... how is service for each of those in that area?

Welp, Verizon is supposed to be the best there... so if thats who they're having issues with...

RootMetrics doesn't have enough data there to give a good answer either.

Best for them to just ask around and see if any of their neighbors are happy with someone.

See above... they are on Virgin Mobile.

 

[(HULK)]

HULK... my parents are looking for a new plan. They are getting TERRIBLE service in their new home and are looking to get better reception

Zip: 34223

Both phones use no data, <250 texting and <500 talk per month.

Thanks!

Which network are they on at the moment?

ETA: is that 250 and 500 COMBINED or for each phone?

Quick rundown, assuming those numbers were COMBINED:

On Sprint:

Zact: $23.13

Ting: $26.00

On AT&T:

Consumer Cellular: $35 (great cust. service for old folks though, and an AARP discount would push this price down more)

On T-Mobile:

Solavei: $53.00 ($5 discount on 2nd phone)

On Verizon:

Ready Mobile: $55.00

Honestly, I'd stick with the top 3 options. Makes the most sense price wise.

Got it... how is service for each of those in that area?

Welp, Verizon is supposed to be the best there... so if thats who they're having issues with...

RootMetrics doesn't have enough data there to give a good answer either.

Best for them to just ask around and see if any of their neighbors are happy with someone.

See above... they are on Virgin Mobile.

Ah, missed the edit.

Virgin is on Sprint.

Take a whack at Consumer Cellular then.

 

[Keerock]

HULK... my parents are looking for a new plan. They are getting TERRIBLE service in their new home and are looking to get better reception

Zip: 34223

Both phones use no data, <250 texting and <500 talk per month.

Thanks!

Which network are they on at the moment?

ETA: is that 250 and 500 COMBINED or for each phone?

Quick rundown, assuming those numbers were COMBINED:

On Sprint:

Zact: $23.13

Ting: $26.00

On AT&T:

Consumer Cellular: $35 (great cust. service for old folks though, and an AARP discount would push this price down more)

On T-Mobile:

Solavei: $53.00 ($5 discount on 2nd phone)

On Verizon:

Ready Mobile: $55.00

Honestly, I'd stick with the top 3 options. Makes the most sense price wise.

Got it... how is service for each of those in that area?

Welp, Verizon is supposed to be the best there... so if thats who they're having issues with...

RootMetrics doesn't have enough data there to give a good answer either.

Best for them to just ask around and see if any of their neighbors are happy with someone.

See above... they are on Virgin Mobile.

Ah, missed the edit.

Virgin is on Sprint.

Take a whack at Consumer Cellular then.

Thanks GB!

 

[KCitons]

Red Pocket just rolled out a new CDMA verizon plans a couple of days ago.

19.99 300 minutes talk/unlimited text/1 gig of 3g .
29.99 unlimited talk/text/100 mb data.
34.99 300 minutes talk/unlimited text/2 gb data
49.99 unlimited talk/text/2gb data.

I bought a used Droid X2 on ebay last week and set up the $19.99 plan yesterday. The data is 3g, but that's what I had been getting on ATT prepaid anyway. Mostly, I wanted to see if I get better reception at work. As it stands now, GSM coverage is almost non existent.

 

[(HULK)]

Red Pocket just rolled out a new CDMA verizon plans a couple of days ago.

19.99 300 minutes talk/unlimited text/1 gig of 3g .

29.99 unlimited talk/text/100 mb data.

34.99 300 minutes talk/unlimited text/2 gb data

49.99 unlimited talk/text/2gb data.

I bought a used Droid X2 on ebay last week and set up the $19.99 plan yesterday. The data is 3g, but that's what I had been getting on ATT prepaid anyway. Mostly, I wanted to see if I get better reception at work. As it stands now, GSM coverage is almost non existent.

Where are you seeing this? I'm just seeing their Sprint coverage plans on their website.

 

[KCitons]

Red Pocket just rolled out a new CDMA verizon plans a couple of days ago.

19.99 300 minutes talk/unlimited text/1 gig of 3g .

29.99 unlimited talk/text/100 mb data.

34.99 300 minutes talk/unlimited text/2 gb data

49.99 unlimited talk/text/2gb data.

I bought a used Droid X2 on ebay last week and set up the $19.99 plan yesterday. The data is 3g, but that's what I had been getting on ATT prepaid anyway. Mostly, I wanted to see if I get better reception at work. As it stands now, GSM coverage is almost non existent.

Where are you seeing this? I'm just seeing their Sprint coverage plans on their website.

Sorry, forgot to mention it's been in beta for a few weeks. Things are just starting to go public. When you go to activation, you will see CDMAV option and the drop down just shows the dollar amount of the plans. . They don't have detailed explanation of the plans on site (which is weird).

I had to log into my account to show the plan.

 

[(HULK)]

Red Pocket just rolled out a new CDMA verizon plans a couple of days ago.

19.99 300 minutes talk/unlimited text/1 gig of 3g .

29.99 unlimited talk/text/100 mb data.

34.99 300 minutes talk/unlimited text/2 gb data

49.99 unlimited talk/text/2gb data.

I bought a used Droid X2 on ebay last week and set up the $19.99 plan yesterday. The data is 3g, but that's what I had been getting on ATT prepaid anyway. Mostly, I wanted to see if I get better reception at work. As it stands now, GSM coverage is almost non existent.

Where are you seeing this? I'm just seeing their Sprint coverage plans on their website.

Sorry, forgot to mention it's been in beta for a few weeks. Things are just starting to go public. When you go to activation, you will see CDMAV option and the drop down just shows the dollar amount of the plans. . They don't have detailed explanation of the plans on site (which is weird).

I had to log into my account to show the plan.

Hmmm.

I'm going to wait to add this to my database then. I need all of the details like roaming policy, data speeds, etc... and if its just hidden beta right now, I probably won't be able to find that. Do me a favor, if its more out in the open when you re-up next month, shoot me a PM so I don't forget about it. TIA

 

[Doctor Detroit]

HULK... my parents are looking for a new plan. They are getting TERRIBLE service in their new home and are looking to get better reception

Zip: 34223

Both phones use no data, <250 texting and <500 talk per month.

Thanks!

Which network are they on at the moment?

ETA: is that 250 and 500 COMBINED or for each phone?

Quick rundown, assuming those numbers were COMBINED:

On Sprint:

Zact: $23.13

Ting: $26.00

On AT&T:

Consumer Cellular: $35 (great cust. service for old folks though, and an AARP discount would push this price down more)

On T-Mobile:

Solavei: $53.00 ($5 discount on 2nd phone)

On Verizon:

Ready Mobile: $55.00

Honestly, I'd stick with the top 3 options. Makes the most sense price wise.

Got it... how is service for each of those in that area?

Welp, Verizon is supposed to be the best there... so if thats who they're having issues with...

RootMetrics doesn't have enough data there to give a good answer either.

Best for them to just ask around and see if any of their neighbors are happy with someone.

See above... they are on Virgin Mobile.

Ah, missed the edit.

Virgin is on Sprint.

Take a whack at Consumer Cellular then.

Thanks GB!

I have Consumer Cellular, seems pretty good thus far. Way better reception than I had on T-Mobile FWIW.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Also at Consumer Cellular if you aren't using data, you're gold.

$20 for 600 voice minutes

$2.50 for 200 texts/20MB data

$5 for 1000 texts/100MBdata

 

[Fishboy]

Thanks again Hulk!

Ported my FIL back in December - savings of about $30/month. Got a HTC EVO 4G from a guy here at work for nothing.

Porting in process my dad - savings of about $25/month. Got a iPhone 4S from a girl here at work for $50.

Both use a phone for calling only. Can't believe how much they were paying for service for less than 300 minutes and less than 60 minutes/month respectively.

 

[(HULK)]

2 new excellent low cost unlocked phone options just announced by Moto.

Moto G LTE for $219 (essentially just the ol Moto G with LTE capability + they added a Micro SD slot).

Moto E for $129. Its actually halfway decent.

 

[Jayrok]

Are there any good apps for android you'd recommend that help preserve battery power? Something that can seek and destroy running apps that I don't use or need?

Seems I have to plug my Galaxy in every day anymore. And I hardly use it at all, frankly. Few texts here and there with the kids.

 

[(HULK)]

Are there any good apps for android you'd recommend that help preserve battery power? Something that can seek and destroy running apps that I don't use or need?

Seems I have to plug my Galaxy in every day anymore. And I hardly use it at all, frankly. Few texts here and there with the kids.

Not really. Just look at the battery report and see what is being a hog. If its a specific app, change the apps settings. If its the screen, adjust the brightness down or set it on auto.

 

[Keerock]

HULK... my parents are looking for a new plan. They are getting TERRIBLE service in their new home and are looking to get better reception

Zip: 34223

Both phones use no data, <250 texting and <500 talk per month.

Thanks!

Which network are they on at the moment?

ETA: is that 250 and 500 COMBINED or for each phone?

Quick rundown, assuming those numbers were COMBINED:

On Sprint:

Zact: $23.13

Ting: $26.00

On AT&T:

Consumer Cellular: $35 (great cust. service for old folks though, and an AARP discount would push this price down more)

On T-Mobile:

Solavei: $53.00 ($5 discount on 2nd phone)

On Verizon:

Ready Mobile: $55.00

Honestly, I'd stick with the top 3 options. Makes the most sense price wise.

Got it... how is service for each of those in that area?

Welp, Verizon is supposed to be the best there... so if thats who they're having issues with...

RootMetrics doesn't have enough data there to give a good answer either.

Best for them to just ask around and see if any of their neighbors are happy with someone.

See above... they are on Virgin Mobile.

Ah, missed the edit.

Virgin is on Sprint.

Take a whack at Consumer Cellular then.

Is it safe to assume that their current (Virgin Mobile) phones would be incompatible with ConsumerCellular (AT&T)?

 

[(HULK)]

HULK... my parents are looking for a new plan. They are getting TERRIBLE service in their new home and are looking to get better reception

Zip: 34223

Both phones use no data, <250 texting and <500 talk per month.

Thanks!

Which network are they on at the moment?

ETA: is that 250 and 500 COMBINED or for each phone?

Quick rundown, assuming those numbers were COMBINED:

On Sprint:

Zact: $23.13

Ting: $26.00

On AT&T:

Consumer Cellular: $35 (great cust. service for old folks though, and an AARP discount would push this price down more)

On T-Mobile:

Solavei: $53.00 ($5 discount on 2nd phone)

On Verizon:

Ready Mobile: $55.00

Honestly, I'd stick with the top 3 options. Makes the most sense price wise.

Got it... how is service for each of those in that area?

Welp, Verizon is supposed to be the best there... so if thats who they're having issues with...

RootMetrics doesn't have enough data there to give a good answer either.

Best for them to just ask around and see if any of their neighbors are happy with someone.

See above... they are on Virgin Mobile.

Ah, missed the edit.

Virgin is on Sprint.

Take a whack at Consumer Cellular then.

Is it safe to assume that their current (Virgin Mobile) phones would be incompatible with ConsumerCellular (AT&T)?

Yup.

Some great new unlocked phone options were just announced by Moto this morning though. Moto E is $129 off contract, and the Moto G LTE is $219. You can still get the non LTE Moto G for $199 as well. If you want something more high end, the Moto X, Nexus 5, and Oneplus One are all great phones that run between $299 and $399 (depending on model/storage) off contract.

 

[Jaysus]

That Moto E is going to be a game changer... probably not something you or I will wind up using, but still. The flip phone is finally dead.

 

[(HULK)]

That Moto E is going to be a game changer... probably not something you or I will wind up using, but still. The flip phone is finally dead.

Yup. Why buy a dumbphone anymore? A decent smartphone is finally at a rock bottom price.

 

[the moops]

Moto E with no front facing camera and no flash on the rear camera.

Odd omissions to save some money.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Month to month now on Verizon, we have a Droid 4 and an Iphone 4, although my wife wants to upgrade the iphone at some point. Selectel, right? And do we need to unlock our phones first? Thx!

 

[(HULK)]

Month to month now on Verizon, we have a Droid 4 and an Iphone 4, although my wife wants to upgrade the iphone at some point. Selectel, right? And do we need to unlock our phones first? Thx!

Depends on your usage and where you live.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Month to month now on Verizon, we have a Droid 4 and an Iphone 4, although my wife wants to upgrade the iphone at some point. Selectel, right? And do we need to unlock our phones first? Thx!

Depends on your usage and where you live.

Take a PM?

 

[(HULK)]

Month to month now on Verizon, we have a Droid 4 and an Iphone 4, although my wife wants to upgrade the iphone at some point. Selectel, right? And do we need to unlock our phones first? Thx!

Depends on your usage and where you live.

Take a PM?

Sure

 

[Paulymaggs]

So what is a alternative to Ting that shares their Pay as You Go service (in which they charge you after the fact) but with GSM and roaming in Canada and Mexico?

 

[(HULK)]

So what is a alternative to Ting that shares their Pay as You Go service (in which they charge you after the fact) but with GSM and roaming in Canada and Mexico?

Doesn't exist. As far as PayGo w/ after the fact billing, Ting and Zact are the only 2 that do that (both Sprint coverage) and neither roam internationally.

 

[Mr.Pack]

Seems like TING may be the problem with 3rd party voicemail. I cannot get any 3rd party voicemail to recognize my service. No matter the program, I always get an error message.

 

[Jaysus]

Seems like TING may be the problem with 3rd party voicemail. I cannot get any 3rd party voicemail to recognize my service. No matter the program, I always get an error message.

Just sign up for google voice and move on with it...

 

[Mr.Pack]

Seems like TING may be the problem with 3rd party voicemail. I cannot get any 3rd party voicemail to recognize my service. No matter the program, I always get an error message.

Just sign up for google voice and move on with it...

I did. But it didn't answer calls or work, do i uninstalled it.

Maybe it's me

 

[(HULK)]

Seems like TING may be the problem with 3rd party voicemail. I cannot get any 3rd party voicemail to recognize my service. No matter the program, I always get an error message.

Just sign up for google voice and move on with it...

I did. But it didn't answer calls or work, do i uninstalled it.

Maybe it's me

Yeah, try again.

 

[Paulymaggs]

So what is a alternative to Ting that shares their Pay as You Go service (in which they charge you after the fact) but with GSM and roaming in Canada and Mexico?

Doesn't exist. As far as PayGo w/ after the fact billing, Ting and Zact are the only 2 that do that (both Sprint coverage) and neither roam internationally.

I have roamed while in Canada and Mexico while with Ting.