Save $ on cell service -- Ting Mobile / Solavei (+ other MVNOs) (1 Viewer)

[Wingnut]

Well my stint with straight talk didn't last long...I got a call today warning me about my data usage even though I haven't used it at all today other than wifi. I'm switching to T-Mobile's $70 plan next week. Its $20 more than I pay now (and still $40 less than I was paying for AT&T before I switched to ST) but it'll be worth it to not get the stupid warnings or worry about going over a limit.

how much data are you using? Solavei works great for me and it's 4 GB of data before throttling. No hassels at all so far. If you have any questions about them, fire away. Just $49.

I'm not sure, there's no way to tell how much data I've used with straight talk, but I know its well below the monthly limit. I must have gone over their 100MB daily limit My company uses an online based answering service that sends daily texts to all the employees, and for some reason they dont work well with MVNOs. One other guy uses ST and another uses Net10 and neither are receiving all of the texts. On my end its been working fine since I switched to ST, but I'm not sure if Solavei will work. It doesn't make sense to me why it wouldn't work, they're just sending a text to a phone number - carrier or service provider shouldn't matter, but for some reason it does. I may give Solavei a shot and see if it works. If not Ill have to go with T-Mobile.I'm not sure if the answering service will work with a Google number as well, so I dont wanna port my number to it just in case.

 

[(HULK)]

Well my stint with straight talk didn't last long...I got a call today warning me about my data usage even though I haven't used it at all today other than wifi. I'm switching to T-Mobile's $70 plan next week. Its $20 more than I pay now (and still $40 less than I was paying for AT&T before I switched to ST) but it'll be worth it to not get the stupid warnings or worry about going over a limit.

how much data are you using? Solavei works great for me and it's 4 GB of data before throttling. No hassels at all so far. If you have any questions about them, fire away. Just $49.

I'm not sure, there's no way to tell how much data I've used with straight talk, but I know its well below the monthly limit. I must have gone over their 100MB daily limit My company uses an online based answering service that sends daily texts to all the employees, and for some reason they dont work well with MVNOs. One other guy uses ST and another uses Net10 and neither are receiving all of the texts. On my end its been working fine since I switched to ST, but I'm not sure if Solavei will work. It doesn't make sense to me why it wouldn't work, they're just sending a text to a phone number - carrier or service provider shouldn't matter, but for some reason it does. I may give Solavei a shot and see if it works. If not Ill have to go with T-Mobile.I'm not sure if the answering service will work with a Google number as well, so I dont wanna port my number to it just in case.

Depending on your phone, it may be able to tell you your data usage. For example, if I go to settings on my Nexus 4 I can find it under data usage.

The text service would almost definitely work with Google voice. Assuming it is just a text and no images are in it. Picture messaging is not supported and cause problems on some MVNOs. My phone is on Solavei and my main number is on Google Voice, so if you want to test it out, send me a PM and I'll be your guinea pig. Also, I can get you a free SIM for Solavei if you want to try them out.

 

[Jaysus]

I've recently read that some of these MVNO carriers count WiFi data toward your cap unless you physically disable your data connection while using wifi. One of the AT&T MVNOs I just checked out actually has it listed in their TOS. I wonder if something like that is happening to Wignut?

It is not common practice for you guys to disable data when using WiFi, is it? Boy that seems like a hassle if it is true.

 

[Novice2]

I've recently read that some of these MVNO carriers count WiFi data toward your cap unless you physically disable your data connection while using wifi. One of the AT&T MVNOs I just checked out actually has it listed in their TOS. I wonder if something like that is happening to Wignut? It is not common practice for you guys to disable data when using WiFi, is it? Boy that seems like a hassle if it is true.

That's a ####ty thing to do. Not worth the hassle imo. Love the unlimited ST plans and then harass their customers who use 100mb a day. That's why I've never bothered with them. Plus all their phones are still android 2.3.

 

[(HULK)]

I've recently read that some of these MVNO carriers count WiFi data toward your cap unless you physically disable your data connection while using wifi. One of the AT&T MVNOs I just checked out actually has it listed in their TOS. I wonder if something like that is happening to Wignut?

It is not common practice for you guys to disable data when using WiFi, is it? Boy that seems like a hassle if it is true.

If you can find the article and link it, I'd like to read it. This is the first I've heard of that. Completely ridiculous. I'd like to know which carriers are pulling this crap for my project. FWIW, Solavei does NOT do this, neither does Ting. They're the only ones I have first hand experience with though.

 

[(HULK)]

I've recently read that some of these MVNO carriers count WiFi data toward your cap unless you physically disable your data connection while using wifi. One of the AT&T MVNOs I just checked out actually has it listed in their TOS. I wonder if something like that is happening to Wignut? It is not common practice for you guys to disable data when using WiFi, is it? Boy that seems like a hassle if it is true.

That's a ####ty thing to do. Not worth the hassle imo. Love the unlimited ST plans and then harass their customers who use 100mb a day. That's why I've never bothered with them. Plus all their phones are still android 2.3.

If you get a SIM card from them you can use any compatible phone, like a Nexus 4.

If you buy a phone from STalk directly, I agree, its an older model.

 

[Jaysus]

I've recently read that some of these MVNO carriers count WiFi data toward your cap unless you physically disable your data connection while using wifi. One of the AT&T MVNOs I just checked out actually has it listed in their TOS. I wonder if something like that is happening to Wignut?

It is not common practice for you guys to disable data when using WiFi, is it? Boy that seems like a hassle if it is true.

If you can find the article and link it, I'd like to read it. This is the first I've heard of that. Completely ridiculous. I'd like to know which carriers are pulling this crap for my project. FWIW, Solavei does NOT do this, neither does Ting. They're the only ones I have first hand experience with though.

From the AirVoice Wireless TOS:

Wi-Fi

When using Wi-Fi, you will need to turn OFF your Cellular Data Network Setting on your handset. If you do not turn off the cellular data network setting on your handset, you will be charged for internet usage even if you are using Wi-Fi because it will still be considered Cellular Data Usage. Turning off the Cellular Data Network Setting will ensure you will strictly be using Wi-Fi and that you are not connected to the Cellular Data Network.

I'll see if I can find the article I read about it in my history...

 

[Keerock]

I've recently read that some of these MVNO carriers count WiFi data toward your cap unless you physically disable your data connection while using wifi. One of the AT&T MVNOs I just checked out actually has it listed in their TOS. I wonder if something like that is happening to Wignut?

It is not common practice for you guys to disable data when using WiFi, is it? Boy that seems like a hassle if it is true.

If you can find the article and link it, I'd like to read it. This is the first I've heard of that. Completely ridiculous. I'd like to know which carriers are pulling this crap for my project. FWIW, Solavei does NOT do this, neither does Ting. They're the only ones I have first hand experience with though.

From the AirVoice Wireless TOS:

>Wi-Fi

When using Wi-Fi, you will need to turn OFF your Cellular Data Network Setting on your handset. If you do not turn off the cellular data network setting on your handset, you will be charged for internet usage even if you are using Wi-Fi because it will still be considered Cellular Data Usage. Turning off the Cellular Data Network Setting will ensure you will strictly be using Wi-Fi and that you are not connected to the Cellular Data Network.

I'll see if I can find the article I read about it in my history...

That is complete horse ####! They're charging you for a service which they are not providing?!? Sounds illegal to me.

 

[Jaysus]

My guess is that they are just somehow incapable of differentiating the data... that is why I am wondering if other MVNOs are in the same boat

 

[Chaos Commish]

Net10 is basically ST with the same crap customer service, but they advise using wifi as much as possible and do not count it towards the 1.5gb data cap. My kid's N10 Iphone is on wifi a ridiculous amount of time streaming music and watching vids, and she's never been throttled or warned. We have Jelly Bean and iOS6 running fine on Net10.

Also, I don't have time now, but maybe this weekend I can type an informative report. I have a phone here running the MT6589 quad core from China that's used in those Blu phones. We like it so far, and I have ordered two more. These are feature packed but cheaper unlocked Chinese smart phones. I may be making a mistake with them, but we have about $600 invested and should be getting two in the mail today or tomorrow morning.

The one we have was loaned to us with a $150 purchase option if we wanted it. My kid's Iphone 4S was destroyed and her tech nerd cousin brought this over for her until I made a decision on her next unlocked phone. My mom (86 years old) gave my kid her older Iphone 3gs and gladly took the Chinese phone for 150 because she's been using the Iphone and an Ipad daily to keep up with family, but this big Chinese Phablet was lighter (killed two birds with one phone) and she just fell in love with it.

It's called the GooPhone I9.

Check these specs. 5.7" (bigger than Note2) 720X1280 pixel IPS display, quadcore speeds antutu benchmark over 13k, 8mp back camera 5mp front, 1 gb ram, 8 gb rom (little low for app fiends), up to 64 gb sd card, Android Jelly Bean 4.2, a brown leather book-style case, surprisingly stout build quality, hardware, buttons, etc., all solid. 2 whopping 3500 mAh batteries. International phone (phablet) with Quad GSM bands and WCDMA 850, 1900, and 2100. That runs Att and Tmo or their mvnos at 3g speeds (Tmo only if or when the 1900 band is up and running in your area). Att anywhere. Online shipped from China pricing from $189 with free shipping to $250 + shipping.

I'm impressed or stupid enough to have purchased another 5.7 incher (for TMo's $30 plan) and a 4.7 for my kid who doesn't like the 3gs. I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 for my personal/business phone. The 4.7 is the same size as the S3. My kid said packing the 5.7 was too much, but thinks 4.7 is the maximum she would carry, which is what she wanted. So... more to come.

 

[(HULK)]

Going to check out these GooPhones. I've heard of them before, I but I couldn't remember the name.

 

[Wingnut]

I've recently read that some of these MVNO carriers count WiFi data toward your cap unless you physically disable your data connection while using wifi. One of the AT&T MVNOs I just checked out actually has it listed in their TOS. I wonder if something like that is happening to Wignut?

Nope, last month I had no issues, went well over 3GB on wifi, and around 1.5GB on ST, no warnings.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Going to check out these GooPhones. I've heard of them before, I but I couldn't remember the name.

There must be 50+ brands of Chinese phones all using the same basic components. If you want you can have one branded Samsung Note II that is anything but. I started out seeking other Goophones because we have a good one. However, this topic got addicting and I ordered a different brand from different dealers after digesting several nights worth of videos, written reviews, developer and owner forum threads, bla bla bla.

This just arrived for my kid.

I'll be curious to see how long 4gb memory holds up, but we have spare SD cards and the phone takes up to 64gb.

Again look at the specs. It's 4.7" and very thin. The 1280x720 retina screen is covered in Gorilla Glass 2. The link doesn't say it, but I verified 850 and 1900 wcdma bands (basically available in all MT6589s). Quad core, very fast benchmarks, high mp cameras, it came rooted with all the Chinese bloat removed. The stock of this one is extremely low but that should change later this month. I paid $211 total. If I could find a used S3 for $40 more like someone in this thread, I would certainly do that, but these purchases were made slightly impulsively and I had fun being addicted to Chinese customer service chat while deciding.

A used unlocked Iphone 4s is more expensive, but for just over 200 I could have found lower specs in a an unlocked LTE device.

The best Goophone Phablet deal is here. I'm going to use it as a home based mini tablet for the most part. I love my under contract S3 but a little bigger is a little better for home so the Samsung gets to rest. It should be here tomorrow.

 

[(HULK)]

So these Goophones are essentially knock offs of real popular phones. Made it China with lesser specs. Who cares about the memory if there is an SD card slot anyways.

Did you find one site that was the most informative about them?

Also, Wingnut, check your PMs.

 

[Jaysus]

There seems to be some developer support over at XDA, I found a custom recovery and ROM for the i9 without much effort.

 

[Wingnut]

Checked my IMEI at the Solavei site and got this:

Your phone: Samsung/i777 Galaxy S ll SIM Card type: MiniSIM

Congratulations! Your device will work with Solavei Mobile Service. You should have great voice, text and data service at 2G/EDGE speeds (depending on phone and network availability).

This must be the IMEI of the phone you intend to use on the Solavei network. The matching SIM Card will be added to your order.

Um, Im pretty sure my SIM is standard and not Mini (although I dont really know what the difference is in the sizes, Ive always had the same size SIM in every phone Ive ever had), and is 2G the best my GS2 can do on the network?

 

[supralover23]

Hulk, hopefully you don't mind doing one more analysis. Single line, 94542, last Sprint bill shows 65 minutes, 135 texts, and 174,155 of 3G data (helpfully, there's no key as to what units those are in, but I'm assuming kB). I try to use WiFi whenever possible. I've got an Evo 4g or a Galaxy S2 I could bring over. ETF for leaving Sprint would be $100 or $120. Thanks in advance -- appreciate all the good work!

For Ting, what's to stop people from just choosing the 0 tier for everything, and then paying for the higher tiers as needed?

 

[Hooper31]

For Ting, what's to stop people from just choosing the 0 tier for everything, and then paying for the higher tiers as needed?

If I understand this correctly, you don't choose the tiers ahead of time. That's the beauty of it. You just pay for what you use every month.

 

[(HULK)]

Checked my IMEI at the Solavei site and got this: Your phone: Samsung/i777 Galaxy S ll SIM Card type: MiniSIMCongratulations! Your device will work with Solavei Mobile Service. You should have great voice, text and data service at 2G/EDGE speeds (depending on phone and network availability).This must be the IMEI of the phone you intend to use on the Solavei network. The matching SIM Card will be added to your order. Um, Im pretty sure my SIM is standard and not Mini (although I dont really know what the difference is in the sizes, Ive always had the same size SIM in every phone Ive ever had), and is 2G the best my GS2 can do on the network?

I don't think that IMEI checker is all that functional. It doesn't accept Nexus 4 IMEIs at all, I had to use a GSIII one I found online. FWIW, my n4 works awesome on it. Download speeds typically around 12 MBps, upload around 2 or 3 MBps. This is in the DC area though.So, about the 1900 band. AT&T uses it as their HSPA+ band... Tmo used a different one initially, either 1700 or 2100, I forget. Anyways, a lot of phones built for AT&T didn't have the band that Tmo initially put the HSPA+ on. However, Tmo has been "refarming" the 1900 band they have over to HSPA+ as well, to make it easier for folks to switch from AT&T and bring their phone. They've finished in 49 cities and should be done with the complete network by the end of this year apparently. I PM'd you a map that tracks the refarm so you could check your immediate area and see if it has been refarmed yet.

 

[Wingnut]

Hulk just keeps on bringing the heat in this thread. That's great info right there.

Thanks again, man.

 

[(HULK)]

Hulk, hopefully you don't mind doing one more analysis. Single line, 94542, last Sprint bill shows 65 minutes, 135 texts, and 174,155 of 3G data (helpfully, there's no key as to what units those are in, but I'm assuming kB). I try to use WiFi whenever possible. I've got an Evo 4g or a Galaxy S2 I could bring over. ETF for leaving Sprint would be $100 or $120. Thanks in advance -- appreciate all the good work! For Ting, what's to stop people from just choosing the 0 tier for everything, and then paying for the higher tiers as needed?

No problem, I like doing this.If you went to Ting you'd still have Sprint coverage. One line ($6), 100 minutes ($3), 135 texts ($5), and 500 MBs ($13) = $27 a month. And once your phone line is canceled with Sprint, you can bring your existing phone most likely (depends on model, but we can check).Since you're a light user, Ting is going to be the cheapest for you by far. If you happen to go over 105 minutes, you'll get bumped to the 500 minute bucket and it will only cost you an extra $6. And, if you're like me and switch your texting to be through Google Voice, they'll go out over data and wifi and that $5 you're paying for texting could go away too.Ting automatically right sizes your plan based on what you actually used. No penalties. And if you ended up in a bucket lower than what you had set, they automatically move you down to that bucket and credit your next bill the difference

 

[(HULK)]

Wingnut, on 12 Apr 2013 - 19:21, said:Hulk just keeps on bringing the heat in this thread. That's great info right there.Thanks again, man.

Trying real hard to become an expert at this. Helps for the website I'm building to automate the matching process.Hey, if you want to just check out Solavei, PM me your address and I'll send you a SIM (but figure out what size for certain first!) If it works well, cool, and if its not getting the HSPA+, no worries, just move on the next month. Or just join me and Jaysus and get a Nexus 4. Awesome awesome phone for $299/349. Love it, its a beast.

 

[(HULK)]

(HULK), on 12 Apr 2013 - 19:23, said:

supralover23, on 12 Apr 2013 - 16:14, said:Hulk, hopefully you don't mind doing one more analysis. Single line, 94542, last Sprint bill shows 65 minutes, 135 texts, and 174,155 of 3G data (helpfully, there's no key as to what units those are in, but I'm assuming kB). I try to use WiFi whenever possible. I've got an Evo 4g or a Galaxy S2 I could bring over. ETF for leaving Sprint would be $100 or $120. Thanks in advance -- appreciate all the good work!For Ting, what's to stop people from just choosing the 0 tier for everything, and then paying for the higher tiers as needed?

No problem, I like doing this.If you went to Ting you'd still have Sprint coverage. One line ($6), 100 minutes ($3), 135 texts ($5), and 500 MBs ($13) = $27 a month. And once your phone line is canceled with Sprint, you can bring your existing phone most likely (depends on model, but we can check).Since you're a light user, Ting is going to be the cheapest for you by far. If you happen to go over 105 minutes, you'll get bumped to the 500 minute bucket and it will only cost you an extra $6. And, if you're like me and switch your texting to be through Google Voice, they'll go out over data and wifi and that $5 you're paying for texting could go away too.Ting automatically right sizes your plan based on what you actually used. No penalties. And if you ended up in a bucket lower than what you had set, they automatically move you down to that bucket and credit your next bill the difference

Also, remember if you use one of the links in the first post, you get that $25 credit. Should help offset the ETF burn. What was your Sprint bill?

 

[supralover23]

(HULK), on 12 Apr 2013 - 19:23, said:

supralover23, on 12 Apr 2013 - 16:14, said:Hulk, hopefully you don't mind doing one more analysis. Single line, 94542, last Sprint bill shows 65 minutes, 135 texts, and 174,155 of 3G data (helpfully, there's no key as to what units those are in, but I'm assuming kB). I try to use WiFi whenever possible. I've got an Evo 4g or a Galaxy S2 I could bring over. ETF for leaving Sprint would be $100 or $120. Thanks in advance -- appreciate all the good work!For Ting, what's to stop people from just choosing the 0 tier for everything, and then paying for the higher tiers as needed?

No problem, I like doing this.If you went to Ting you'd still have Sprint coverage. One line ($6), 100 minutes ($3), 135 texts ($5), and 500 MBs ($13) = $27 a month. And once your phone line is canceled with Sprint, you can bring your existing phone most likely (depends on model, but we can check).Since you're a light user, Ting is going to be the cheapest for you by far. If you happen to go over 105 minutes, you'll get bumped to the 500 minute bucket and it will only cost you an extra $6. And, if you're like me and switch your texting to be through Google Voice, they'll go out over data and wifi and that $5 you're paying for texting could go away too.Ting automatically right sizes your plan based on what you actually used. No penalties. And if you ended up in a bucket lower than what you had set, they automatically move you down to that bucket and credit your next bill the difference

Also, remember if you use one of the links in the first post, you get that $25 credit. Should help offset the ETF burn. What was your Sprint bill?

Sticking with Sprint would've had my bill around $80/mo once all was said and done. Talk about a no-brainer. I'll be sure to use one of the links in the first post.

 

[(HULK)]

(HULK), on 12 Apr 2013 - 19:23, said:

supralover23, on 12 Apr 2013 - 16:14, said:Hulk, hopefully you don't mind doing one more analysis. Single line, 94542, last Sprint bill shows 65 minutes, 135 texts, and 174,155 of 3G data (helpfully, there's no key as to what units those are in, but I'm assuming kB). I try to use WiFi whenever possible. I've got an Evo 4g or a Galaxy S2 I could bring over. ETF for leaving Sprint would be $100 or $120. Thanks in advance -- appreciate all the good work!For Ting, what's to stop people from just choosing the 0 tier for everything, and then paying for the higher tiers as needed?

No problem, I like doing this.If you went to Ting you'd still have Sprint coverage. One line ($6), 100 minutes ($3), 135 texts ($5), and 500 MBs ($13) = $27 a month. And once your phone line is canceled with Sprint, you can bring your existing phone most likely (depends on model, but we can check).Since you're a light user, Ting is going to be the cheapest for you by far. If you happen to go over 105 minutes, you'll get bumped to the 500 minute bucket and it will only cost you an extra $6. And, if you're like me and switch your texting to be through Google Voice, they'll go out over data and wifi and that $5 you're paying for texting could go away too.Ting automatically right sizes your plan based on what you actually used. No penalties. And if you ended up in a bucket lower than what you had set, they automatically move you down to that bucket and credit your next bill the difference

Also, remember if you use one of the links in the first post, you get that $25 credit. Should help offset the ETF burn. What was your Sprint bill?

Sticking with Sprint would've had my bill around $80/mo once all was said and done. Talk about a no-brainer. I'll be sure to use one of the links in the first post.

FYI, there are taxes and state fees, but they should be the same as whatever it was Sprint is charging you for those. So, the real difference is the base plan + whatever extras they tack on vs $27. I'm sure it'll be substantial. My wife and I are saving about $100 a month since dropping Sprint (she is on Ting, I'm on Solavei). Its nuts.

 

[The Dude]

So getting back to my switch - if I am buying a phone on ebay, I look at the ting phones and then go out and by the same model on ebay? Seems logical but just checking

 

[The_Burning_Bush]

If we've got 2 phones, the first does nothing but make calls, about 1500-2000 minutes a month, the second uses very few minutes at all and little texts and moderate data, would it be better to get each phone on separate lines?

Looking at Ting, and most other providers, getting both lines on the same bill would mean paying for text+data the first line wouldn't use and minutes the second wouldn't....

 

[(HULK)]

proninja, on 13 Apr 2013 - 22:02, said:

The Dude, on 13 Apr 2013 - 22:00, said:

So getting back to my switch - if I am buying a phone on ebay, I look at the ting phones and then go out and by the same model on ebay? Seems logical but just checking

Yes, and it can even be an LTE phone. Make sure it's a Sprint phone, as verizon phones won't work even though they use the same network.

Make sure it's on this list: https://help.ting.com/entries/22567167-Bring-Your-Sprint-Device-to-Ting-A-List-of-All-Supported-Devices

 

[(HULK)]

proninja, on 13 Apr 2013 - 23:26, said:

The_Burning_Bush, on 13 Apr 2013 - 23:02, said:If we've got 2 phones, the first does nothing but make calls, about 1500-2000 minutes a month, the second uses very few minutes at all and little texts and moderate data, would it be better to get each phone on separate lines?Looking at Ting, and most other providers, getting both lines on the same bill would mean paying for text+data the first line wouldn't use and minutes the second wouldn't....

Ting just charges you for what you use in buckets. In your scenario, it's likely that the addition of the small amount of minutes to the second phone won't move your bill at all, since the higher buckets are bigger. I'm not sure why you think you'd be paying for something you won't use, because the entire essence of Ting is that you just pay for what you use.

Burning Bush, give the actual breakout per line and I can double check what would be cheapest. It might be cheaper with the phones on different carriers since the usage profile is so different. Then again, it might be cheapest on Ting still. Based on what you posted, I'm guessing you would end up with roughly this plan on Ting: 2 phones ($12), 2000 minutes ($35), 1000 texts ($5), and 500 MBs ($13) for a total of $65 a month (before taxes/fees).If you split them, phone 2 on Ting would be 1 phones ($6), 100 minutes ($3), 1000 texts ($5), and 500 MB ($13) for a total of $27 a month. The other line, you need about 2000 minutes, but nothing else... you could go with Voyager Mobile, unlimited calls, 0 text, 0 data for $17 a month. Total between the 2 is $44. This is probably the cheapest for you, but I can't be certain without the actual usage numbers.

 

[werdnoynek]

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Hulk, if you're on an iPhone and aren't interested in too much tinkering with hardware and software are there still options? Or are you pretty much stuck?

 

[(HULK)]

Hulk, if you're on an iPhone and aren't interested in too much tinkering with hardware and software are there still options? Or are you pretty much stuck?

Options for what? Plenty of carriers support the iphone. What is your usage?

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Hulk, if you're on an iPhone and aren't interested in too much tinkering with hardware and software are there still options? Or are you pretty much stuck?

Options for what? Plenty of carriers support the iphone. What is your usage?

Man this was a pain to get. My wife and I have a shared plan.

Average voice minutes used 271 (out of 1500 -- holy crap), max voice minutes last six months 303. I think that may be low b/c of Friends and Fam calling.

Average texts 255 (unlimited), max used 355.

Unlimited data plan. Not sure how much we use. WAG... an average of 100MB per month, max 200MB.

Bill is b/w around $195/month.

 

[(HULK)]

Hulk, if you're on an iPhone and aren't interested in too much tinkering with hardware and software are there still options? Or are you pretty much stuck?

Options for what? Plenty of carriers support the iphone. What is your usage?

Man this was a pain to get. My wife and I have a shared plan. Average voice minutes used 271 (out of 1500 -- holy crap), max voice minutes last six months 303. I think that may be low b/c of Friends and Fam calling. Average texts 255 (unlimited), max used 355. Unlimited data plan. Not sure how much we use. WAG... an average of 100MB per month, max 200MB. Bill is b/w around $195/month.

And you want to keep the iPhones?Also, which carrier are you on currently and whats your zipcode?

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Hulk, if you're on an iPhone and aren't interested in too much tinkering with hardware and software are there still options? Or are you pretty much stuck?

Options for what? Plenty of carriers support the iphone. What is your usage?

Man this was a pain to get. My wife and I have a shared plan. Average voice minutes used 271 (out of 1500 -- holy crap), max voice minutes last six months 303. I think that may be low b/c of Friends and Fam calling. Average texts 255 (unlimited), max used 355. Unlimited data plan. Not sure how much we use. WAG... an average of 100MB per month, max 200MB. Bill is b/w around $195/month.

And you want to keep the iPhones?Also, which carrier are you on currently and whats your zipcode?

Yeah... my wife would go Heston/cold-dead-hands if I ever tried to switch her off an iPhone.

Verizon, 22314

 

[(HULK)]

First off, neighbor! I'm around the other side of the beltway

Your coverage is thus:

Coverage Reviews for Alexandria, VA 22314

Reviews Towers

FILTER: AT&T SPRINT T-MOBILE VERIZON

Carrier Avg. Rating No. of Reviews Towers Coverage Map

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Verizon 2 43 Towers Map

2. T-Mobile 1.77 30 Towers Map

3. Sprint 1.33 30 Towers Map

4. AT&T 1.33 43 Towers Map

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Coverage 1.65 161 Towers

I have used services from Verizon, Tmobile, and Sprint in the area and pretty much agree with their ratings. Ting would be the absolute cheapest for your usage, but they don't have the iPhone (yet!) and Sprint's service is only "okay" in the area. For me, its the difference between getting reception in the basement with Tmo and not with Sprint. I'll look through the Verizon and Tmobile MVNOs for you.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

For starters it looks like I can cut our bill by around $40/month by picking a new plan.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Thanks man... we actually switched from Sprint to Verizon b/c Sprint could be spotty and at the time Verizon was the only one that had cell coverage in Metro. Forgot about that until now actually. Suspect the reduced Verizon plan is the choice here (save $500 a year). Would have to be a real difference to switch carriers.

 

[(HULK)]

Straight off the top, if you go to Tmobile's new uncarrier plan, you're bill for both of you with unlimited calls/texts and 500MB of data apiece would be $100. Not a bad deal.<br /><br />Net10 (Tmo version) is the cheapest for you guys together, $90 for unlimited calls/texts and 2 GBs of data. However, Net10 has crummy customer service, Audio and Video streaming violate their ToS (so no Pandora/Youtube without risking them canceling you). They do have voice roaming.<br /><br />Solavei would be $98, also on the Tmo network. Unlimited calls/texts + 4GB of data @ 4G speeds (throttled beyond that). They roam voice/text/and up to 100MB of data). Their customer service seems to be lacking, its a relatively new company that has grown fast over the past year. They do have a very helpful set of forums though. I use them and am happy with them... if you're interested in them I may be able to get you free SIM cards (depends on which iPhone you've got). They have a referral program where if you refer 3 people you get $20 off your bill a month... which is great except some people treat it as a MLM/pyramid scheme and that may leave a bad taste in your mouth. If so, avoid them imo. Service is solid, but if that sort of thing irks you too much, you'll never get past it. Bothers me a tad, but not too much really.<br /><br />Straight Talk had launched a bring your own verizon phone program last week, but then they pulled it back, not sure what the deal is/was, or if iPhones would've been eligible. Can't tell now since they shut it down apparently. Weird. They're $90 for both on Tmobile, but their cousin's with Net10 and have the same customer service issues.<br /><br />Now, if you get seperate accounts instead of a family plan, there are cheaper options still. All on Tmobile.<br /><br />Platinum Tel (PTEL) Mobile: $40 = Unlimited talk/text + 250 MBs of 4g speed data, throttled beyond that limit<br />Simple Mobile: $40 = Unlimited talk/text + 250 MBs of 4g speed data, cut off at the cap<br />Spot Mobile: $39.99 Unlimited talk/text + 500 MBs of 4g speed data, throttled beyond that limit<br /><br />All 3 on Tmobile. PTEL and Simple do not have roaming. You step outside of Tmo's footprint, no service. Spot Mobile does, but they charge you for it. Roaming charges can be a bit painful too. I don't know much about PTEL or Spot, but I do know Simple supposedly has poor customer service too.<br /><br /><br />So, anyways, all of these options involve going to Tmobile's network, which would mean buying new phones. Something to keep in mind. When is your contract up?

 

[(HULK)]

Don't know what happened to the formatting of that post, hope you can read it alright.

Board upgrade my tukis

 

[Jaysus]

Straight off the top, if you go to Tmobile's new uncarrier plan, you're bill for both of you with unlimited calls/texts and 500MB of data apiece would be $100. Not a bad deal.

Net10 (Tmo version) is the cheapest for you guys together, $90 for unlimited calls/texts and 2 GBs of data. However, Net10 has crummy customer service, Audio and Video streaming violate their ToS (so no Pandora/Youtube without risking them canceling you). They do have voice roaming.

Solavei would be $98, also on the Tmo network. Unlimited calls/texts + 4GB of data @ 4G speeds (throttled beyond that). They roam voice/text/and up to 100MB of data). Their customer service seems to be lacking, its a relatively new company that has grown fast over the past year. They do have a very helpful set of forums though. I use them and am happy with them... if you're interested in them I may be able to get you free SIM cards (depends on which iPhone you've got). They have a referral program where if you refer 3 people you get $20 off your bill a month... which is great except some people treat it as a MLM/pyramid scheme and that may leave a bad taste in your mouth. If so, avoid them imo. Service is solid, but if that sort of thing irks you too much, you'll never get past it. Bothers me a tad, but not too much really.

Straight Talk had launched a bring your own verizon phone program last week, but then they pulled it back, not sure what the deal is/was, or if iPhones would've been eligible. Can't tell now since they shut it down apparently. Weird. They're $90 for both on Tmobile, but their cousin's with Net10 and have the same customer service issues.

Now, if you get seperate accounts instead of a family plan, there are cheaper options still. All on Tmobile.

Platinum Tel (PTEL) Mobile: $40 = Unlimited talk/text + 250 MBs of 4g speed data, throttled beyond that limit

Simple Mobile: $40 = Unlimited talk/text + 250 MBs of 4g speed data, cut off at the cap

Spot Mobile: $39.99 Unlimited talk/text + 500 MBs of 4g speed data, throttled beyond that limit

All 3 on Tmobile. PTEL and Simple do not have roaming. You step outside of Tmo's footprint, no service. Spot Mobile does, but they charge you for it. Roaming charges can be a bit painful too. I don't know much about PTEL or Spot, but I do know Simple supposedly has poor customer service too.

So, anyways, all of these options involve going to Tmobile's network, which would mean buying new phones. Something to keep in mind. When is your contract up?

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Awesome... thanks Hulk. We're probably not looking to buy phones yet, but I'm going to look into the T-mobile $100 plan you mentioned. Wouldn't take too long to pay off the phones with the savings.

 

[(HULK)]

Anyone have any experience negotiating with the big carriers? If I call Verizon and tell them I want a better deal or we'll be switching our account to T-Mobile's $100/month plan am I likely to get anywhere?

You're not going to be getting close to $100 imo. They might throw you 20% off or something. But that still has you $60 or so higher than Tmobile.You should consider individual plans on PTEL or Spot ($80 total for you both!). Unless you roam outside of Tmo's coverage frequently. If so, consider Solavei. Solavei would be $98 total, but if you sign your wife up under your account, and somehow refer 2 more folks, that would knock it down to $78 total. I'd put your referral link in the first post to help you get there.

 

[Jaysus]

Neat:

Sprint MVNO Ting Releases Official Android App - See Your Usage Details, View Your Bill, Call / Text / Data History

 

[the moops]

I just started looking into this stuff. Can someone give me a quick overview of my options or am I better off wading through the past few pages?

Not looking to buy a new phone or change carriers. My contract is up. I have an ATT iphone 4. I use < 1GB of data, send < 500 texts, and use < 100 minutes of talk.

Wife and I have a shared ATT plan and we pay too damn much for what we get out of it. Looking to go as cheap as possible.

 

[rascal]

Good experience with Ting thus far. Very happy.

I'm not happy that I haven't had one referrel yet... :(

 

[(HULK)]

I just started looking into this stuff. Can someone give me a quick overview of my options or am I better off wading through the past few pages? Not looking to buy a new phone or change carriers. My contract is up. I have an ATT iphone 4. I use < 1GB of data, send < 500 texts, and use < 100 minutes of talk. Wife and I have a shared ATT plan and we pay too damn much for what we get out of it. Looking to go as cheap as possible.

Whats your zipcode. Whats your wife's usage. Tell me those 2 things and I'll hook you up. If you limit yourself to AT&T MVNOs only, well, you're not going to get the cheapest possible. TMo MVNOs are cheaper, some of them anyways.

 

[the moops]

I just started looking into this stuff. Can someone give me a quick overview of my options or am I better off wading through the past few pages? Not looking to buy a new phone or change carriers. My contract is up. I have an ATT iphone 4. I use < 1GB of data, send < 500 texts, and use < 100 minutes of talk. Wife and I have a shared ATT plan and we pay too damn much for what we get out of it. Looking to go as cheap as possible.

Whats your zipcode. Whats your wife's usage. Tell me those 2 things and I'll hook you up. If you limit yourself to AT&T MVNOs only, well, you're not going to get the cheapest possible. TMo MVNOs are cheaper, some of them anyways.

55406. Wife uses maybe 100 texts and 100 minutes of talk. She says she could do without data, but she should have 100MB or something I suppose.

Her contract isn't up, mine is. So although we share an ATT plan, I can get out, but she cant at the moment. She has 5 more months.

 

[(HULK)]

Lol, AT&T has the WORST coverage in your area:

Carrier Avg. Rating No. of Reviews Towers Coverage Map

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. T-Mobile 2.38 61 Towers Map

2. Sprint 2.31 45 Towers Map

3. Verizon 1.71 80 Towers Map

4. AT&T 1.4 67 Towers Map

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Coverage 1.89 276 Towers

 

[the moops]

Hmm. I have never had much of an issue with ATT coverage. In fact, I switched from Verizon a couple years ago because reception was so ####ty