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

[(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.

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

Really? Didn't know it was possible. Data too?

 

[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.

Really? Didn't know it was possible. Data too?

Yes, Data and Voice. It was a barely noticeable amount too, when I paid my Ting bill a few weeks later.

My GSM phones with h2o and Ultra do not roam in Canada, so I am trying to find a solution for that. Might have to go with Lyca at this point.

 

[TxBuckeye]

Okay, need to make the plunge and quick. We only have basic phone service. Wife's phone died. No more basic phones out there with Sprint that she would want. So we need to change over to Smart Phones. Two users, we talk and text. We've never had data plans so never use data. No idea what we might need or how much we might use if it were available. What's a good entry level starter plan for us? We'll require the purchase of two new smart phones to go along with the plan itself.

Edit to add, San Antonio area, not much travel. No need for international or roaming or any of that stuff.

 

[mr. furley]

been pretty ha

Okay, need to make the plunge and quick. We only have basic phone service. Wife's phone died. No more basic phones out there with Sprint that she would want. So we need to change over to Smart Phones. Two users, we talk and text. We've never had data plans so never use data. No idea what we might need or how much we might use if it were available. What's a good entry level starter plan for us? We'll require the purchase of two new smart phones to go along with the plan itself.

Edit to add, San Antonio area, not much travel. No need for international or roaming or any of that stuff.

been happy with Republic Wireless so far. i've got the Moto G, wife has the Moto X. $25 a month for "unlimited" everything.

 

[Wingnut]

AT&T is still the best in my neck of the woods. Still happy with GoPhone (prepaid directly from AT&T). Got a text last week letting me know they upped their data from 2GB to 2.5GB.

I'm consistently using 11+GB per month (mostly on WiFi), but use my phone for 97% of my surfing. I never use my desktop and haven't bothered to replace my laptop that died months ago.

 

[(HULK)]

Okay, need to make the plunge and quick. We only have basic phone service. Wife's phone died. No more basic phones out there with Sprint that she would want. So we need to change over to Smart Phones. Two users, we talk and text. We've never had data plans so never use data. No idea what we might need or how much we might use if it were available. What's a good entry level starter plan for us? We'll require the purchase of two new smart phones to go along with the plan itself.

Edit to add, San Antonio area, not much travel. No need for international or roaming or any of that stuff.

FYI, i'm at the beach until next Saturday, so I can't run my database right now :(

 

[(HULK)]

Look at Ting, they have a calculator to help you figure out how much they'd cost you. If you don't use data, it'll probably be cheap.

 

[Mr.Pack]

Very happy with TING which runs on the Sprint Network.

 

[TxBuckeye]

I'm conflicted. I forgot about the penalty I would have to pay to quit Sprint currently.

 

[Mr.Pack]

I'm conflicted. I forgot about the penalty I would have to pay to quit Sprint currently.

TING will credit you 25% of the ETF fees

 

[(HULK)]

I'm conflicted. I forgot about the penalty I would have to pay to quit Sprint currently.

TING will credit you 25% of the ETF fees

and T-Mobile Will pay 100% of it.I believe they're the only ones doing that right now though.

 

[TxBuckeye]

I'm conflicted. I forgot about the penalty I would have to pay to quit Sprint currently.

TING will credit you 25% of the ETF fees

and T-Mobile Will pay 100% of it.I believe they're the only ones doing that right now though.

Wow, T-Mobile a little pricey on the phones! Do people buy their own phones then take them over to T-Mobile?

 

[Paulymaggs]

Just unbelievable pay as you go pricing from Lyca these days: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

 

[the moops]

I'm conflicted. I forgot about the penalty I would have to pay to quit Sprint currently.

TING will credit you 25% of the ETF fees

and T-Mobile Will pay 100% of it.I believe they're the only ones doing that right now though.

Wow, T-Mobile a little pricey on the phones! Do people buy their own phones then take them over to T-Mobile?

yes. buy a moto or a nexus

 

[zbar]

Hi Hulk, et al,

You helped me figure out my first smartphone, and less than a year later I've managed to completely shatter the screen on my Nexus 4. Sad day, but not unexpected. Next time, perhaps I'll get insurance. I can turn it off and on, and turn the volume up and down, but the touch screen doesn't work anymore. Glass bits falling out. No bueno.

Anyway, my immediate reaction is to go out and buy a Nexus 5. I've been very happy with my Nexus 4 and with Solavei, too. However, I thought I'd check back here and see if you have any other recommendations. I see from the past few pages that I should maybe check out Moto...

My average usage for the summer will likely be: 800 min / ~1GB / medium texting (not sure, Solavei doesn't report this; maybe 500 a month?)

But come September (and school, which I do online and requires me to dial in) it'll be more like: 1500 min / ~1GB / medium texting

I'm in zipcode 20010 still.

Appreciate, as always, your thoughts!

--Z

 

[(HULK)]

Just unbelievable pay as you go pricing from Lyca these days: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

I don't track paygo pricing in my database, but are you saying these are good or bad prices?

The talk prices seem good. 500 minutes would be just $10. But the text pricing is pretty high imo. And the data pricing is outrageously high. Its $60 a GB.

 

[(HULK)]

I'm conflicted. I forgot about the penalty I would have to pay to quit Sprint currently.

TING will credit you 25% of the ETF fees

and T-Mobile Will pay 100% of it.I believe they're the only ones doing that right now though.

Wow, T-Mobile a little pricey on the phones! Do people buy their own phones then take them over to T-Mobile?

yes. buy a moto or a nexus

Apparently you can get a Galaxy S4 via Ebay for $350 UNLOCKED now too. If thats your thing (its my wife's thing, can't get her to switch away from Samsung)

 

[(HULK)]

Hi Hulk, et al,

You helped me figure out my first smartphone, and less than a year later I've managed to completely shatter the screen on my Nexus 4. Sad day, but not unexpected. Next time, perhaps I'll get insurance. I can turn it off and on, and turn the volume up and down, but the touch screen doesn't work anymore. Glass bits falling out. No bueno.

Anyway, my immediate reaction is to go out and buy a Nexus 5. I've been very happy with my Nexus 4 and with Solavei, too. However, I thought I'd check back here and see if you have any other recommendations. I see from the past few pages that I should maybe check out Moto...

My average usage for the summer will likely be: 800 min / ~1GB / medium texting (not sure, Solavei doesn't report this; maybe 500 a month?)

But come September (and school, which I do online and requires me to dial in) it'll be more like: 1500 min / ~1GB / medium texting

I'm in zipcode 20010 still.

Appreciate, as always, your thoughts!

--Z

If you were happy with the Nexus 4, just get a Nexus 5. You'll love it, no need to overthink that one.

If you want to get about $4 cheaper on your plan, you could switch to Straight Talk. Solavei isn't as great of a deal as it once was, but I'm not sure if the reduction in Customer Service is worth the $4 or not. ST has notoriously horrid customer service.

 

[zbar]

Hi Hulk, et al,

You helped me figure out my first smartphone, and less than a year later I've managed to completely shatter the screen on my Nexus 4. Sad day, but not unexpected. Next time, perhaps I'll get insurance. I can turn it off and on, and turn the volume up and down, but the touch screen doesn't work anymore. Glass bits falling out. No bueno.

Anyway, my immediate reaction is to go out and buy a Nexus 5. I've been very happy with my Nexus 4 and with Solavei, too. However, I thought I'd check back here and see if you have any other recommendations. I see from the past few pages that I should maybe check out Moto...

My average usage for the summer will likely be: 800 min / ~1GB / medium texting (not sure, Solavei doesn't report this; maybe 500 a month?)

But come September (and school, which I do online and requires me to dial in) it'll be more like: 1500 min / ~1GB / medium texting

I'm in zipcode 20010 still.

Appreciate, as always, your thoughts!

--Z

If you were happy with the Nexus 4, just get a Nexus 5. You'll love it, no need to overthink that one.

If you want to get about $4 cheaper on your plan, you could switch to Straight Talk. Solavei isn't as great of a deal as it once was, but I'm not sure if the reduction in Customer Service is worth the $4 or not. ST has notoriously horrid customer service.

Thanks Hulk - that's where I'm leaning, although I am going to check out a local fix-it shop to see what replacing the screen on my Nexus 4 would cost. I'll check out Straight Talk, but for $4 I'll probably stay with Solavei.

--Z

 

[Paulymaggs]

Just unbelievable pay as you go pricing from Lyca these days: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

I don't track paygo pricing in my database, but are you saying these are good or bad prices?

The talk prices seem good. 500 minutes would be just $10. But the text pricing is pretty high imo. And the data pricing is outrageously high. Its $60 a GB.

Low, overall. High on the text, but $ .06 per meg on data is about as low as I've seen.

You've seen better data pricing for paygo plans?

 

[the moops]

Just unbelievable pay as you go pricing from Lyca these days: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

I don't track paygo pricing in my database, but are you saying these are good or bad prices?

The talk prices seem good. 500 minutes would be just $10. But the text pricing is pretty high imo. And the data pricing is outrageously high. Its $60 a GB.

Low, overall. High on the text, but $ .06 per meg on data is about as low as I've seen.

You've seen better data pricing for paygo plans?

t-mobile has unlimited data for 30 bucks. if you dont talk much (you only get 100 minutes), and t-mobile has good coverage in your area, I doubt there is anything close to as good of a deal out there.

 

[Paulymaggs]

Just unbelievable pay as you go pricing from Lyca these days: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

I don't track paygo pricing in my database, but are you saying these are good or bad prices?

The talk prices seem good. 500 minutes would be just $10. But the text pricing is pretty high imo. And the data pricing is outrageously high. Its $60 a GB.

Low, overall. High on the text, but $ .06 per meg on data is about as low as I've seen.

You've seen better data pricing for paygo plans?

t-mobile has unlimited data for 30 bucks. if you dont talk much (you only get 100 minutes), and t-mobile has good coverage in your area, I doubt there is anything close to as good of a deal out there.

That throttles you to dial up speeds after the first 100 megs. I am referring to paygo plans as well. I am paying so little monthly that having 3 phones/diff lines costs less than even the cheap $30 a month tmobile plan.

 

[(HULK)]

Just unbelievable pay as you go pricing from Lyca these days: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

I don't track paygo pricing in my database, but are you saying these are good or bad prices?

The talk prices seem good. 500 minutes would be just $10. But the text pricing is pretty high imo. And the data pricing is outrageously high. Its $60 a GB.

Low, overall. High on the text, but $ .06 per meg on data is about as low as I've seen.

You've seen better data pricing for paygo plans?

Ting imo would be better. Its like $3 for the first 100 MB. If you ramp up higher, the price drops per MB too.

 

[the moops]

Just unbelievable pay as you go pricing from Lyca these days: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

I don't track paygo pricing in my database, but are you saying these are good or bad prices?

The talk prices seem good. 500 minutes would be just $10. But the text pricing is pretty high imo. And the data pricing is outrageously high. Its $60 a GB.

Low, overall. High on the text, but $ .06 per meg on data is about as low as I've seen.

You've seen better data pricing for paygo plans?

t-mobile has unlimited data for 30 bucks. if you dont talk much (you only get 100 minutes), and t-mobile has good coverage in your area, I doubt there is anything close to as good of a deal out there.

That throttles you to dial up speeds after the first 100 megs. I am referring to paygo plans as well. I am paying so little monthly that having 3 phones/diff lines costs less than even the cheap $30 a month tmobile plan.

I get 5GB at 4G speeds.

 

[Psychopav]

My wife wouldn't understand a fraking word of this thread.

 

[Paulymaggs]

Just unbelievable pay as you go pricing from Lyca these days: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

I don't track paygo pricing in my database, but are you saying these are good or bad prices?

The talk prices seem good. 500 minutes would be just $10. But the text pricing is pretty high imo. And the data pricing is outrageously high. Its $60 a GB.

Low, overall. High on the text, but $ .06 per meg on data is about as low as I've seen.

You've seen better data pricing for paygo plans?

Ting imo would be better. Its like $3 for the first 100 MB. If you ramp up higher, the price drops per MB too.

But you know Ting's device charges and all their fees. I like Ting, but no way are they cheaper when compared to this format.

 

[Paulymaggs]

Just unbelievable pay as you go pricing from Lyca these days: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

I don't track paygo pricing in my database, but are you saying these are good or bad prices?

The talk prices seem good. 500 minutes would be just $10. But the text pricing is pretty high imo. And the data pricing is outrageously high. Its $60 a GB.

Low, overall. High on the text, but $ .06 per meg on data is about as low as I've seen.

You've seen better data pricing for paygo plans?

t-mobile has unlimited data for 30 bucks. if you dont talk much (you only get 100 minutes), and t-mobile has good coverage in your area, I doubt there is anything close to as good of a deal out there.

That throttles you to dial up speeds after the first 100 megs. I am referring to paygo plans as well. I am paying so little monthly that having 3 phones/diff lines costs less than even the cheap $30 a month tmobile plan.

I get 5GB at 4G speeds.

Noone else that I know of that still uses Tmo's $30 a month plan get 5 gigs at 4g speeds....

And neither did I the last time I was on that plan in July 2013....but hey, more power to you if you do.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Just unbelievable pay as you go pricing from Lyca these days: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

I don't track paygo pricing in my database, but are you saying these are good or bad prices?

The talk prices seem good. 500 minutes would be just $10. But the text pricing is pretty high imo. And the data pricing is outrageously high. Its $60 a GB.

Low, overall. High on the text, but $ .06 per meg on data is about as low as I've seen.

You've seen better data pricing for paygo plans?

t-mobile has unlimited data for 30 bucks. if you dont talk much (you only get 100 minutes), and t-mobile has good coverage in your area, I doubt there is anything close to as good of a deal out there.

That throttles you to dial up speeds after the first 100 megs. I am referring to paygo plans as well. I am paying so little monthly that having 3 phones/diff lines costs less than even the cheap $30 a month tmobile plan.

I get 5GB at 4G speeds.

I'm on the same plan. I pay $15 more for HotSpot. I also estimate an extra $10 for more minutes. Only problem is T-mobile coverage isn't great in my area.

ETA: Screenshot

 

[Keerock]

My wife wouldn't understand a fraking word of this thread.

Any chance she knows what an Aircraft Carrier is?

 

[Paulymaggs]

Just unbelievable pay as you go pricing from Lyca these days: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

I don't track paygo pricing in my database, but are you saying these are good or bad prices?

The talk prices seem good. 500 minutes would be just $10. But the text pricing is pretty high imo. And the data pricing is outrageously high. Its $60 a GB.

Low, overall. High on the text, but $ .06 per meg on data is about as low as I've seen.

You've seen better data pricing for paygo plans?

t-mobile has unlimited data for 30 bucks. if you dont talk much (you only get 100 minutes), and t-mobile has good coverage in your area, I doubt there is anything close to as good of a deal out there.

That throttles you to dial up speeds after the first 100 megs. I am referring to paygo plans as well. I am paying so little monthly that having 3 phones/diff lines costs less than even the cheap $30 a month tmobile plan.

I get 5GB at 4G speeds.

I'm on the same plan. I pay $15 more for HotSpot. I also estimate an extra $10 for more minutes. Only problem is T-mobile coverage isn't great in my area.

ETA: Screenshot

Interesting. Guess they don't throttle the first 200megs or so like they used to on that plan...

 

[Mr. Ected]

Just unbelievable pay as you go pricing from Lyca these days: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

I don't track paygo pricing in my database, but are you saying these are good or bad prices?

The talk prices seem good. 500 minutes would be just $10. But the text pricing is pretty high imo. And the data pricing is outrageously high. Its $60 a GB.

Low, overall. High on the text, but $ .06 per meg on data is about as low as I've seen.

You've seen better data pricing for paygo plans?

t-mobile has unlimited data for 30 bucks. if you dont talk much (you only get 100 minutes), and t-mobile has good coverage in your area, I doubt there is anything close to as good of a deal out there.

That throttles you to dial up speeds after the first 100 megs. I am referring to paygo plans as well. I am paying so little monthly that having 3 phones/diff lines costs less than even the cheap $30 a month tmobile plan.

I get 5GB at 4G speeds.

I'm on the same plan. I pay $15 more for HotSpot. I also estimate an extra $10 for more minutes. Only problem is T-mobile coverage isn't great in my area.

ETA: Screenshot

Interesting. Guess they don't throttle the first 200megs or so like they used to on that plan...

Yup, if you have good coverage, the plan is great. Coverage in my area is spotty, and there is no roaming, so if you go off T-Mobile you are out of service. I guess you get what you pay for.

 

[Psychopav]

My wife wouldn't understand a fraking word of this thread.

Any chance she knows what an Aircraft Carrier is?

Actually I did ask her that question, and she does know what an Aircraft Carrier is

 

[(HULK)]

I thought I would give a review about Voyager mobile from my friend. She states that Voyager is a hot mess. Constantly losing payments when sent in by check or overcharging when signed up on auto payment. And service shutting off even when she has a credit on her account and they have no idea why she was cut off. Or the random service disconnects she has gotten. She says to avoid them and go to Ting instead.

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[KCitons]

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

Red Pocket CDMA-V (verizon) update

Still not ready for prime time. I reupped this week, but had to do a manual payment. Autopay is not working for most people. It is also difficult to find a balance or expiration date via the phone or online. Other than that, I haven't had any problems with the service itself. I'm using the old Droid X2 with Red Pocket for work, and my S4 mini dual with ATT gophone and H20 at home and on the weekends. Total cost per month is right around $30 for both phones.

 

[(HULK)]

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

Red Pocket CDMA-V (verizon) update

Still not ready for prime time. I reupped this week, but had to do a manual payment. Autopay is not working for most people. It is also difficult to find a balance or expiration date via the phone or online. Other than that, I haven't had any problems with the service itself. I'm using the old Droid X2 with Red Pocket for work, and my S4 mini dual with ATT gophone and H20 at home and on the weekends. Total cost per month is right around $30 for both phones.

Thanks for the update, keep me in the loop moving forward.

 

[bweiser]

not sure if anyone can help with this:

looking to buy a portable charger that works on a Nexus 5 AND an iPhone 4. not sure which version GF has, but it's a 4, not a 5. apparently, that matters.

thanks if anyone can hook me up. preferably under $50.

 

[(HULK)]

not sure if anyone can help with this:

looking to buy a portable charger that works on a Nexus 5 AND an iPhone 4. not sure which version GF has, but it's a 4, not a 5. apparently, that matters.

thanks if anyone can hook me up. preferably under $50.

doesn't exist, different weird are needed

 

[the moops]

Pretty sure those exist, don't they?

it's just a battery pack that has USB ports, so it shouldn't matter what the other end of the cord looks like.

This should work

 

[bweiser]

Pretty sure those exist, don't they?

it's just a battery pack that has USB ports, so it shouldn't matter what the other end of the cord looks like.

This should work

cool. thanks.

 

[EYLive]

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Consumer Cellular is balls deep, very good.

 

[(HULK)]

FYI, T-Mobile is apparently going to announce Wednesday the end of consumer paid taxes and fees. They'll be picking up that tab moving forward.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Leaving T Mobile (100 min/5G/$35 plan) for Net10, due to poor coverage in NoVA area.

 

[Jaysus]

Leaving T Mobile (100 min/5G/$35 plan) for Net10, due to poor coverage in NoVA area.

which Net10 plan are you looking at?

 

[jdoggydogg]

Anyone own the HTC One M8? Looks pretty sweet.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Leaving T Mobile (100 min/5G/$35 plan) for Net10, due to poor coverage in NoVA area.

which Net10 plan are you looking at?

Right now, doing the $50/Unlimited (2.5g) plan. May move up to ($60 - 3.5g or $75 5g) depending on my usage.

ETA: Went with AT&T, due to my recent bad luck with T-Mobile.

 

[(HULK)]

Leaving T Mobile (100 min/5G/$35 plan) for Net10, due to poor coverage in NoVA area.

which Net10 plan are you looking at?

Right now, doing the $50/Unlimited (2.5g) plan. May move up to ($60 - 3.5g or $75 5g) depending on my usage.

ETA: Went with AT&T, due to my recent bad luck with T-Mobile.

I just switched my wife to Net 10 yesterday. She's on the unlimited calls/texts + 500 MB for $40 plan. She was using her cell for work recently, and pushing her Ting bill up over $70 a month, so it was a no-brainer at this point.

Porting was a huge pain though. Net 10 customer service was okay... at least they spoke understandable english, but they seemed generally confused and transfered me from person to person like 8 times.

 

[BlueDredSo]

HULK, have you heard about Straight Talk's issues with receiving MMS? I just switched over from the $30/month T-Mobile plan to Straight Talk $45 Unlimiited last week and still cannot receive MMS. I've looked everywhere and my APN settings are correct as far as I know. I even called Straight Talk yesterday and they did something saying if it doesn't work within 24 hours to call back. So far it's still not working. Very frustrating. The T-Mobile plan was great besides not having enough talk minutes. I get great data coverage with Straight Talk AT&T, but if MMS doesn't work I can't stick with it.

I've heard 2 other options so far: order a new SIM card which they'll ship for free, and if that doesn't work I have to completely factory reset my phone - which I really would like to avoid.

*edit - I can send MMS, send/receive SMS, make/receive calls, data works fine...

 

[(HULK)]

HULK, have you heard about Straight Talk's issues with receiving MMS? I just switched over from the $30/month T-Mobile plan to Straight Talk $45 Unlimiited last week and still cannot receive MMS. I've looked everywhere and my APN settings are correct as far as I know. I even called Straight Talk yesterday and they did something saying if it doesn't work within 24 hours to call back. So far it's still not working. Very frustrating. The T-Mobile plan was great besides not having enough talk minutes. I get great data coverage with Straight Talk AT&T, but if MMS doesn't work I can't stick with it.

I've heard 2 other options so far: order a new SIM card which they'll ship for free, and if that doesn't work I have to completely factory reset my phone - which I really would like to avoid.

*edit - I can send MMS, send/receive SMS, make/receive calls, data works fine...

I've heard a lot of people have this difficulty, but that it will work with the correct APN settings. Try googling your phone + Straight Talk + APN + MMS and see whats out there.

 

[(HULK)]

In other news, the MVNO I use, Solavei, filed Chapter 11 this week. Supposedly they're not hanging it up yet, but who knows. Looks like some epic mismangement up top.