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

[(HULK)]

Do you swear by the iPhone? Would you be okay with a Galaxy S4 or S3 or HTC One or Galaxy Note2?

Ting is going to be the cheapest for your usage by far, but no iPhone yet. Supposedly they'll have it sooner or later. Maybe by the time your wife gets out of her contract. What is your current bill? Ting will be so much cheaper that it might be worth it to buy your way out of it anyways.

Ting = 2 phones ($12) + 500 minutes ($9) + 1000 texts ($5) + 1000MBs ($24) = $50 a month for both of you!

 

[the moops]

I would need to buy a new phone though, right? I would be fine switching from my iphone though. Current bill is ~140 month

 

[Uwe Blab]

Hulk I was wondering if you can check the cell phone coverage for my zip: 45039

Again, we're looking Ting here as soon as our ETF lowers a tad, but have no idea how Sprint's network would fare.

Thanks,

 

[(HULK)]

I would need to buy a new phone though, right? I would be fine switching from my iphone though. Current bill is ~140 month

Yes, your phone would not be compatible on Ting.You'd be saving $90 a month though, I imagine you'd recoup the cost of 2 new phones pretty quickly. Depends on what phones you get though. If you go with an older model like a GS2 (which is a prefectly good phone imo), you'd be in the black pretty fast.

 

[(HULK)]

Hulk I was wondering if you can check the cell phone coverage for my zip: 45039 Again, we're looking Ting here as soon as our ETF lowers a tad, but have no idea how Sprint's network would fare. Thanks,

Carrier Avg. Rating No. of Reviews Towers Coverage Map--------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Verizon 2.5 26 Towers Map2. AT&T 2.21 34 Towers Map3. Sprint 2.16 19 Towers Map4. T-Mobile 2 19 Towers Map--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total Coverage 2.32 104 TowersAll are pretty decent. Although maybe Ohioans rate their carriers more nicely than others.

 

[the moops]

If I am to stay with my ATT iphone, what would be the cheapest/best option? Solavei?

 

[(HULK)]

If I am to stay with my ATT iphone, what would be the cheapest/best option? Solavei?

Actually for you, it'd be Tmo's prepaid plan. 100 minutes, unl texts, 5GB of high speed data for $30.You could keep your phone, but you might not have 3G speed as the iPhone is only quad band and Tmo's HSPA+42 was originally on a band that is not used by AT&T. Depends on where you live, part of the Tmo refarm of the 1900Mhz spectrum. Eventually they're whole network will have switched over, but that might be a while.

 

[the moops]

If I am to stay with my ATT iphone, what would be the cheapest/best option? Solavei?

Actually for you, it'd be Tmo's prepaid plan. 100 minutes, unl texts, 5GB of high speed data for $30.You could keep your phone, but you might not have 3G speed as the iPhone is only quad band and Tmo's HSPA+42 was originally on a band that is not used by AT&T. Depends on where you live, part of the Tmo refarm of the 1900Mhz spectrum. Eventually they're whole network will have switched over, but that might be a while.

This #### is confusing.

Thanks for all the info though!

 

[the moops]

You must be purchasing, or already own, T-Mobile equipment at the time of port request.

I take it me buying a SIM card from them does not constitute t-mobile equipment?

 

[(HULK)]

You must be purchasing, or already own, T-Mobile equipment at the time of port request.

I take it me buying a SIM card from them does not constitute t-mobile equipment?

it should IMO. You should be porting your number to the Sim. Or, if you really want the prepaid life, port it to Google voice so you never have to port your number again.

 

[the moops]

You must be purchasing, or already own, T-Mobile equipment at the time of port request.

I take it me buying a SIM card from them does not constitute t-mobile equipment?

it should IMO. You should be porting your number to the Sim. Or, if you really want the prepaid life, port it to Google voice so you never have to port your number again.

Hmm. So I port my # into google voice, order a SIM card from t-mobile, get a new # from t-mobile, add that to my google voice account, get the 30 dollar a month prepaid plan and I am good to go?

 

[(HULK)]

You must be purchasing, or already own, T-Mobile equipment at the time of port request.

I take it me buying a SIM card from them does not constitute t-mobile equipment?

it should IMO. You should be porting your number to the Sim. Or, if you really want the prepaid life, port it to Google voice so you never have to port your number again.

Hmm. So I port my # into google voice, order a SIM card from t-mobile, get a new # from t-mobile, add that to my google voice account, get the 30 dollar a month prepaid plan and I am good to go?

pretty much. Although if make sure your T-Mobile Sim was in hand before porting to Google voice. That will sit down your old account, so you'd want your sim in hand so you don't have downtime

 

[Abraham]

Hulk - this is a great thread. On behalf of everyone, thanks.

 

[eaganwildcats]

Hulk - this is a great thread. On behalf of everyone, thanks.

 

[the moops]

I just remembered that I have a Verizon HTC Thunderbolt (lost and found!). Good phone? What are my options with this?

And as the previous 2 posters said...thanks

 

[werdnoynek]

good looking out Hulk.

I just switched to Ting today. It took maybe 4 hours if that...

With Sprint I was paying $90/month for unlimited Text, Data, and 450 minutes talk on my Galaxy S2.

Saw that my phone was BYOD eligible, and that I could port my current Sprint number to Ting so looked into my usage a bit further...

Honestly I've been blindly paying my bill for a couple of years... never really look at this before.

My usage / month :

50 minutes of talk (I'm on the phone all day at work so I rarely make calls outside of work and if I do it's short and sweet)

500-750 texts (main communication method atm)

350-400 MB data

I was waaaaay under-utilizing my unlimited text and data. With Ting it appears I'll be saving around $50/month. Un-freaking-believable.

I signed up immediately and will happily pay Sprint's ETF charge - I had 5 months until my contract was up but I'm saving around $100 by just forking out the $100 ETF now.

Thanks again Hulk.

 

[(HULK)]

New Ting people, pm me your referral links and I'll post them in the first post. Also let us know who's link you used if you used one.

 

[Jaysus]

You must be purchasing, or already own, T-Mobile equipment at the time of port request.

I take it me buying a SIM card from them does not constitute t-mobile equipment?

it should IMO. You should be porting your number to the Sim. Or, if you really want the prepaid life, port it to Google voice so you never have to port your number again.

Hmm. So I port my # into google voice, order a SIM card from t-mobile, get a new # from t-mobile, add that to my google voice account, get the 30 dollar a month prepaid plan and I am good to go?

pretty much. Although I'd make sure your T-Mobile Sim was in hand before porting to Google voice. That will shut down your old account, so you'd want your sim in hand so you don't have downtime

Moops> I recently did what you described. I set up my t-mobile account and activated that device before porting to Google Voice to avoid a situation where I was left without service.

 

[wittyusername]

Thanks for your service Hulk - this has been wildly popular! Can you please give me some advice?

We have been overseas for the past 13 years and are returning to live in the US - really clueless about all of this mobile technology/carriers/etc. Tell me what we need. Situation:

Me and wife will live in zip code 22203

Our college age son will be in zip code 30597

We will need to get phones - nothing fancy, just basic (3 phones total)

We will want to be on a Family Plan (I think)

Wife and I will use almost zero data or text - but need unlimited talk

Son will need about 500 min/mo talk, 500MB data and 1000 text/mo

There are too many options and permutations out there. What would be your advice? TIA

 

[(HULK)]

Welcome back to the States and the DC area <img class="bbc_emoticon" title="" src="<a data-cke-saved-href="http://forumimages.footballguys.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png" href="http://forumimages.footballguys.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png">http://forumimages.footballguys.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png</a>" data-cke-saved-src="<a data-cke-saved-href="http://forumimages.footballguys.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png" href="http://forumimages.footballguys.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png">http://forumimages.footballguys.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png</a>" />.<br /><br />Coverage where you'll be living:<br />Carrier Avg. Rating No. of Reviews Towers Coverage Map<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />1. Verizon 1.89 54 Towers Map<br />2. Sprint 1.77 30 Towers Map<br />3. AT&T 1.6 48 Towers Map<br />4. T-Mobile 1.27 26 Towers Map<br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Total Coverage 1.7 176 Towers<br /><br /><br />Coverage for your son:<br />Carrier Avg. Rating No. of Reviews Towers Coverage Map<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />1. Verizon 1.8 20 Towers Map<br />2. AT&T 1.61 44 Towers Map<br />3. Sprint 1.22 9 Towers Map<br />4. T-Mobile 1.09 11 Towers Map<br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Total Coverage 1.53 94 Towers<br /><br /><br /><br />If you want to keep it all on one carrier, you'd do pretty darn well with Voyager Mobile. They have an unlimited voice plan (no texts/no data) for just $17 a month. For your son, they have an unlimited calls/texts + 5GB of data for $39. Its kinda overkill, but they don't offer an inbetween plan with data. So, grand total for the 3 of you is $73 + taxes/fees. Thats about $100 cheaper than you'd manage on any of the main carriers.

 

[(HULK)]

I don't know what caused that formatting:<br /><br />If you want to keep it all on one carrier, you'd do pretty darn well with Voyager Mobile (uses Sprint's network). They have an unlimited voice plan (no texts/no data) for just $17 a month. For your son, they have an unlimited calls/texts + 5GB of data for $39. Its kinda overkill, but they don't offer an inbetween plan with data. So, grand total for the 3 of you is $73 + taxes/fees. Thats about $100 cheaper than you'd manage on any of the main carriers.<br /><br />Only downside is Voyager has no roaming... so if you are outside of Sprint's service area, no service.

 

[the moops]

I just remembered that I have a Verizon HTC Thunderbolt (lost and found!). Good phone? What are my options with this?

And as the previous 2 posters said...thanks

Hulk?

Am I better off going with this Verizon phone over my iphone with t-mobile?

 

[(HULK)]

I just remembered that I have a Verizon HTC Thunderbolt (lost and found!). Good phone? What are my options with this? And as the previous 2 posters said...thanks

Hulk? Am I better off going with this Verizon phone over my iphone with t-mobile?

Well, since Straight Talk torpedoed its "Bring your own Verizon phone" program, really the only thing its good for is signin up for a Verizon contract. Which is unnecessarily pricey imo. Better off selling it.

 

[(HULK)]

Home - Net10 , News , StraightTalk , Telcel America - Updated: Straight Talk, NET10 and Telcel America Bring Your Own Verizon Phone Option Canceled

Updated: Straight Talk, NET10 and Telcel America Bring Your Own Verizon Phone Option Canceled

Posted by Dennis Bournique at 9:01 PM on Monday, April 15, 2013 // 19 comments

Less than a week ago America Movil's Straight Talk Wireless launched a CDMA Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) program that let users activate most Verizon phones on Straight Talk's $45/month unlimited, voice messaging and data plan. As of today that option is no longer available!

CDMA activations were handled by a dedicated web site at straighttalkbyop.com (image above, right). That URL now redirects to straighttalksim.com, which only sells T-Mobile based Straight Talk SIM cards with no option to activate a CDMA phone.

The BYOP programs of the other two America Movil brands that offered CDMA BYOP, NET10 and Telcel America, are also offline and redirecting to their respective SIM sites.

Straight Talk hasn't issued any explanation for the sudden disappearance of CDMA program. Their social media representatives on Twitter and Facebook are ignoring questions about it, although they are online and responding to other queries.

The BYOP disappearance could be a technical glitch but it seems more likely that the program has been deliberately halted, either temporarily or permanently. This all seems so similar to the sudden end of Straight Talk's AT&T SIM program in January. Hopefully the BYOP sites just were taken down temporarily to work out some bugs in the program. This post will be updated when I find out more.

Update 4/16, 9 AM PDT: Thanks to a couple of readers comments we now know that Straight Talk is blaming that the unavailability of BYOD CDMA on a temporary website issue. Here's a private message HowardForums member Deathcab recieved from Straight talk social media support rep Sara;

Hi Deathcab,

I noticed your post in this forum, and I will be addressing your query.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Our website has issues as of the moment, and we are still working to get this issue situated. Please allow us 24 hours to get it fixed. Feel free to send us an email at ST.CorpResolutionTeam@straighttalk.com if you have further questions. Thanks!

Sara

Straight Talk Wireless

Update 4/16, 5:30 PM PDT: BYOD CDMA appears to be dead; Straight Talk and NET10 representatives on Facebook and HowardForums are saying "we no longer offer a BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) CDMA program". Telephone support for both brands is telling callers the same thing. Here's an updated private message from Straight Talk that Deathcab posted HowardForums:

Hi Deathcab,

We apologize for the inconvenience. We just received an update that the Verizon CDMA phones are no longer compatible with our Bring Your Own Phone program. We will keep you up to date regarding this issue.

Feel free to send us an email at ST.CorpResolutionTeam@straighttalk.com if you have further questions. Thank you!

I doubt we will ever hear the true story of why the four day old program was so suddenly cancelled. Here are a couple of theories:

Theory 1 - Someone in high level management at Verizon decided that letting customers switch their iPhones to Straight Talk at half the monthly cost was not in the company's best interest. However that seems unlikely as Verizon surely had to approve BYOP for it launch in the first place.

Theory 2 - Show stopper issues in the BYOP activation and provisioning process. Perhaps so many activations were failing that resolving them was taking up an inordinate amount of time. America Movil may have halted the program to try and rework the process to make it more robust and maintainable. If and when the problems are fixed CDMA BYOP will return

I think Theory 2 is the likeliest.

 

[Brady Marino]

Another reason that Straight Talk is the absolute total suck.

 

[the moops]

I just remembered that I have a Verizon HTC Thunderbolt (lost and found!). Good phone? What are my options with this? And as the previous 2 posters said...thanks

Hulk? Am I better off going with this Verizon phone over my iphone with t-mobile?

Well, since Straight Talk torpedoed its "Bring your own Verizon phone" program, really the only thing its good for is signin up for a Verizon contract. Which is unnecessarily pricey imo. Better off selling it.

Well. Anyone want to buy a phone then?

 

[Wingnut]

Another reason that Straight Talk is the absolute total suck.

I've been on ST for 2 months now...and while its not the best it hasn't actually been bad. At first I thought coverage was horrible but I was working in an area where AT&T has crappy coverage. Since then I've had no real issues other than a couple of warnings about data usage, but I was using IHeartRadio a bit before those calls.Switching over was quick and issue free, adding service plans have been a 30 second process, and I haven't had a single call dropped.That said, I haven't had to use their customer service yet and I hope I dont ever have to based in the stories I've heard.If ST is the best option for someone here ans their coverage is good in your area, its worth giving a shot. If it doesn't work out its not like you're tied down to a contract, and you can move on to something else. Just be sure to only stream while on wifi and you should have no issues.I thought about switching over to T-Mobile/Solavei but everyone I know with TMobile in this area says its beyond horrible. I won't ever use Verizon, and Sprint here is a joke, so I'm sticking with trusty AT&T via ST.

 

[(HULK)]

Another reason that Straight Talk is the absolute total suck.

I've been on ST for 2 months now...and while its not the best it hasn't actually been bad. At first I thought coverage was horrible but I was working in an area where AT&T has crappy coverage. Since then I've had no real issues other than a couple of warnings about data usage, but I was using IHeartRadio a bit before those calls.Switching over was quick and issue free, adding service plans have been a 30 second process, and I haven't had a single call dropped.That said, I haven't had to use their customer service yet and I hope I dont ever have to based in the stories I've heard.If ST is the best option for someone here ans their coverage is good in your area, its worth giving a shot. If it doesn't work out its not like you're tied down to a contract, and you can move on to something else. Just be sure to only stream while on wifi and you should have no issues.I thought about switching over to T-Mobile/Solavei but everyone I know with TMobile in this area says its beyond horrible. I won't ever use Verizon, and Sprint here is a joke, so I'm sticking with trusty AT&T via ST.

Whats your zipcode? With Solavei you get roaming (both voice and data) and you can stream all you want. Even hotspot. That said, if Tmo's coverage isn't great, its not worth it. You're lucky you got a Straight Talk AT&T SIM, they stopped selling them. They're going for close to a hundo on Ebay actually.

 

[(HULK)]

Updated 1st post to add Hawklet's Solavei link. Welcome to the fold dude, let us know how you like it.

 

[The Dude]

I can't jump off the ledge - save $80 a month but would need $800 in phones.

Anyone with any idea how long before the S4 would be available on Ting? I know that's a weird question from the guy that just complained about the price of phones - but I thought maybe I could score a SIII cheaper.

 

[(HULK)]

I can't jump off the ledge - save $80 a month but would need $800 in phones. Anyone with any idea how long before the S4 would be available on Ting? I know that's a weird question from the guy that just complained about the price of phones - but I thought maybe I could score a SIII cheaper.

I think the s3 is down to 450 already. S4 on ting in early may. Refurbished s2 for 180 IMO.

 

[otello]

What is the best deal for a portable hotspot?

 

[Novice2]

What is the best deal for a portable hotspot?

http://millenicom.com/plans/Good if you use a lot of data. More upfront costs and activation fee.

 

[otello]

What is the best deal for a portable hotspot?

http://millenicom.com/plans/Good if you use a lot of data. More upfront costs and activation fee.

thanks. how about pay as you go, no expiration (or as close as possible to that)?

 

[(HULK)]

I haven't been tracking hotspots... but there is one out there that you pay like $100 for the device and then it gives you 500MB of free hotspotting every month. I can't remember the name but it is mentioned somewhere in this thread I think.

 

[(HULK)]

Ah, I remember, Freedom Pop

 

[Novice2]

http://www.netzero.net/ offers 200mb a month for free...... Freedom pop is another I'd forgot the name of. Prob limited coverage availability for both though.

 

[otello]

Thanks. We are looking for some

http://www.netzero.net/ offers 200mb a month for free...... Freedom pop is another I'd forgot the name of. Prob limited coverage availability for both though.

200mb a month. How quickly can you burn through that, assuming no videos?

 

[otello]

I haven't been tracking hotspots... but there is one out there that you pay like $100 for the device and then it gives you 500MB of free hotspotting every month. I can't remember the name but it is mentioned somewhere in this thread I think.

This thread seems like the best place to discuss deals on wireless service.

 

[Novice2]

Thanks. We are looking for some

http://www.netzero.net/ offers 200mb a month for free...... Freedom pop is another I'd forgot the name of. Prob limited coverage availability for both though.

200mb a month. How quickly can you burn through that, assuming no videos?

Hours until 200MB Minutes per day for a monthReading news websites 2:25 hours 4.77 min/day

Email (checking every 30 sec) 78:59 hours 155.89 min/day

Streaming Pandora music 4:55 hours 9.7 min/day

Making Skype calls 9:25 hours 18.6 min/day

Browsing Facebook app 18:20 hours 36.2 min/day

Streaming YouTube videos 2:40 hours 5.3 min/day

.....

Found that on an AT&T site. I'm don't think you get quite that much music/YouTube with 200mb though

 

[otello]

Thanks. We are looking for some

http://www.netzero.net/ offers 200mb a month for free...... Freedom pop is another I'd forgot the name of. Prob limited coverage availability for both though.

200mb a month. How quickly can you burn through that, assuming no videos?

Hours until 200MB Minutes per day for a monthReading news websites 2:25 hours 4.77 min/day

Email (checking every 30 sec) 78:59 hours 155.89 min/day

Streaming Pandora music 4:55 hours 9.7 min/day

Making Skype calls 9:25 hours 18.6 min/day

Browsing Facebook app 18:20 hours 36.2 min/day

Streaming YouTube videos 2:40 hours 5.3 min/day

.....

Found that on an AT&T site. I'm don't think you get quite that much music/YouTube with 200mb though

Thanks. No YouTube or music. This would be just keeping in touch and some surfing. We do use Skype though, but 18 minutes a day is doable.

 

[Bucks]

For low volume prepaid checkout http://internet-go.com/. The Go Big plans are not monthly. You pay for a block of data that doesn't expire until you use it. 4GB for $45. It only provides 3G level speeds and uses the Sprint network which isn't the best in some areas.

We got my kid their Mifi from Walmart for $70 with a $10 500MB card to get her started. She uses it only sparingly when wifi wasn't available which was primarily in the car or on the school bus. She uses it mostly for IM and Instagram. She learned to not stream video or music. The first 500MG lasted 2.5 months. She just did her first recharge this week to add 4GB.

The device thru Walmart also included a bonus free month of 3GB to try the Go Bigger plan.

 

[(HULK)]

I haven't been tracking hotspots... but there is one out there that you pay like $100 for the device and then it gives you 500MB of free hotspotting every month. I can't remember the name but it is mentioned somewhere in this thread I think.

This thread seems like the best place to discuss deals on wireless service.

By all means, discuss away. I'm just not an expert on the topic is all. I enjoy learning more though...

 

[Abraham]

Jeez....I would love a hotspot with prepaid data on it. I use my iPhone for tethering about twice a month for ten minutes each, but when I have to have it I absolutely HAVE to have it. And of course it adds a pretty penny to my cell phone bill. I'd gladly drop $45 to have some data in my pocket.

 

[Abraham]

The NEtzero device for $50 with 200mb free a month looks great.

 

[(HULK)]

Abraham, on 19 Apr 2013 - 10:32, said:Jeez....I would love a hotspot with prepaid data on it. I use my iPhone for tethering about twice a month for ten minutes each, but when I have to have it I absolutely HAVE to have it. And of course it adds a pretty penny to my cell phone bill. I'd gladly drop $45 to have some data in my pocket.

Some of the MVNOs include free hotspotting. Ting does. Solavei does (but your phone has it have it already, its not a carrier supported function. My Nexus4 can hotspot on them fine though).

 

[Abraham]

Abraham, on 19 Apr 2013 - 10:32, said:Jeez....I would love a hotspot with prepaid data on it. I use my iPhone for tethering about twice a month for ten minutes each, but when I have to have it I absolutely HAVE to have it. And of course it adds a pretty penny to my cell phone bill. I'd gladly drop $45 to have some data in my pocket.

Some of the MVNOs include free hotspotting. Ting does. Solavei does (but your phone has it have it already, its not a carrier supported function. My Nexus4 can hotspot on them fine though).

I really want to keep my ip5. So until it becomes an option on an MVNO I think I'm sitting tight on ATT. It's expensive but the coverage in my area is sensational.

 

[Jaysus]

My Nexus4 can hotspot on them fine though).

Using mine on T-Mobile as a hotspot when needed

Used my EVO on sprint as a hotspot when needed as well.

 

[(HULK)]

Abraham, on 19 Apr 2013 - 10:32, said:Jeez....I would love a hotspot with prepaid data on it. I use my iPhone for tethering about twice a month for ten minutes each, but when I have to have it I absolutely HAVE to have it. And of course it adds a pretty penny to my cell phone bill. I'd gladly drop $45 to have some data in my pocket.

Some of the MVNOs include free hotspotting. Ting does. Solavei does (but your phone has it have it already, its not a carrier supported function. My Nexus4 can hotspot on them fine though).

I really want to keep my ip5. So until it becomes an option on an MVNO I think I'm sitting tight on ATT. It's expensive but the coverage in my area is sensational.

If you're in an area where Tmo has repurposed its 1900MHz spectrum to HSPA+ already, you can take it to any of the Tmo MVNOs. Like I said, hotspotting works on Solavei. That said, is it a function built into the phone already? Never had an iPhone.

 

[the moops]

If I am to stay with my ATT iphone, what would be the cheapest/best option? Solavei?

Actually for you, it'd be Tmo's prepaid plan. 100 minutes, unl texts, 5GB of high speed data for $30.

I ordered my sim, and now I can't seem to find this plan option. Am I losing m mind, or has t-mobile in the past few days changed their options?