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Save $ on cell service -- Ting Mobile / Solavei (+ other MVNOs) (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter (HULK)
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Super King
Footballguy
Jaysus
Good times!
hey hulk, I've got a question for yov... I haven't looked it up yet but thought you may have the answer off hand. H2o data caps are they hard or soft after the limit is hit? Rumor has it that their $40 unlimited plan is about to be bumped up to 1 gig per month. I'd like to try out in AT&T plan for my wife's phone.
"Upcoming Plan Changes From Simple Mobile and H2O Wireless, Lower Prices and More Data" http://feedly.com/k/HW69Zj
"Upcoming Plan Changes From Simple Mobile and H2O Wireless, Lower Prices and More Data" http://feedly.com/k/HW69Zj
deep vacuum
Footballguy
Hi, currently with US Cellular in 53227 zip code. I receive a 15% discount off total bill through work discount. Thanks in advance.
Average monthly usage.
Wife: Voice 600 min, text 50, data .3-1.8GB
Me: Voice 500 min, text 80, data 1-2GB
Daughter being added: Estimating Voice 400 min, text 15,000, data 2GB
Average monthly usage.
Wife: Voice 600 min, text 50, data .3-1.8GB
Me: Voice 500 min, text 80, data 1-2GB
Daughter being added: Estimating Voice 400 min, text 15,000, data 2GB
Keerock
Footballguy
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(HULK)
(Smash)
(HULK)
(Smash)
(HULK)
(Smash)
Coverage wise, it looks like T-Mobile is the best, but they all should be decent enough to be considered options:
Coverage Reviews for Milwaukee, WI 53227 Reviews Towers [SIZE=7pt]FILTER:[/SIZE] [SIZE=7pt] AT&T[/SIZE] [SIZE=7pt] SPRINT[/SIZE] [SIZE=7pt] T-MOBILE[/SIZE] [SIZE=7pt] VERIZON[/SIZE] 1. T-Mobile
2.16 Rating | 25 Reviews
Towers | Map 2. Verizon
2.07 Rating | 28 Reviews
Towers | Map 3. Sprint
1.76 Rating | 29 Reviews
Towers | Map 4. AT&T
1.51 Rating | 41 Reviews
Towers | Map
Far and away the cheapest plan as a family is T-Mobile's Uncarrier plan. $120 total, each line has unlimited calls/texts + 2.5 GB of LTE data (throttled after the cap).
If you went individually, you could do all 3 of you on Voyager Mobile's (Sprin'ts coverage) $39 plan (unlimited calls/texts, 5 GB LTE data, no roaming) but you'll end up paying some of the local/taxes fees more than once and it would cost essentially the same, and wouldn't have roaming. Plus, Sprint's coverage isn't as good in your area.
These are your best 2 bets though.
Jaysus
Good times!
What can you tell me about FreedomPop? I've got an OG Evo sitting around, and I am in their coverage zone... it's worth setting up for free as a backup, right?
(HULK)
(Smash)
I think you have to purchase something from them, like a puck or a specific phone or something. Not an expert on them though.
(HULK)
(Smash)
Looks like you can bring some phones, including the OG Evo
Yup. If you need a "bat phone" or just want a backup, it would be free to do. I have an old Epic 4G and Evo 3D sitting around, might set one up as well.
Jaysus
Good times!
I have no idea what I would use it for, but it may be worth a shot.
My daughter currently uses it as a media device and a wifi-only phone with a GV number to call her nana.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
when solavei says unlimited data, does it merely change to 2g after 4g are used up or does it charge?so another month has passed and i've done nothing.you're amazing!Well, with the data usage you and your wife have, you're going to end up on plans with unlimited minutes and texts anyways, that just how these are bundled.
Your iphones, they're the 4 or the 5? Makes a difference as to which radios are in them and wether or not they can get T-Mobile's HSPA+42 or just T-Mobile's Edge (2G).
How many mins does your FIL use? It'd probably make sense for him to be on his own plan seperate from you guys. Off hand, and without further details, I could see this working:
You: T-Mobile $70 unlimited calls/texts/data... or if you think 4GB is enough, on Solavei for $49 with unlimited calls/texts/+ 4GB of highspeed data (switches to 2G speed after 4GB are used).
Wife: Probably on the Solavei plan. Or AT&T's Straight Talk which is $45 for unlimited mins/texts + 2.5 GB of highspeed data and the world's worst customer service
FIL: Net10 (AT&T Network) $25 for 750 mins, unlimited texts, no data
You can do these with your existing phones no sweat. Knocks you down to somewhere between $119 to $144 (plus taxes/local fees). Very decent savings.
iphones are original 4. FIL doesn't use over 750 minutes.
don't know if this is a factor, the wife sends pics and videos of the grand child to the FIL, need to make sure his plan will allow for that.the man is sticking it to me again.....
however! i want to make a change. pm me and lets see if i can give you any referrals for switching the iphones to ting or solavei. the fil's phone is going to stay on att at whatever bottom price will work because the dumb phone is under contract until 2015. $114 to break contract atm.
so let me know if my switching can help you in any way.
thanks again hulk.
(HULK)
(Smash)
It changes to 2G after you get past the data cap.when solavei says unlimited data, does it merely change to 2g after 4g are used up or does it charge?so another month has passed and i've done nothing.you're amazing!Well, with the data usage you and your wife have, you're going to end up on plans with unlimited minutes and texts anyways, that just how these are bundled.
Your iphones, they're the 4 or the 5? Makes a difference as to which radios are in them and wether or not they can get T-Mobile's HSPA+42 or just T-Mobile's Edge (2G).
How many mins does your FIL use? It'd probably make sense for him to be on his own plan seperate from you guys. Off hand, and without further details, I could see this working:
You: T-Mobile $70 unlimited calls/texts/data... or if you think 4GB is enough, on Solavei for $49 with unlimited calls/texts/+ 4GB of highspeed data (switches to 2G speed after 4GB are used).
Wife: Probably on the Solavei plan. Or AT&T's Straight Talk which is $45 for unlimited mins/texts + 2.5 GB of highspeed data and the world's worst customer service
FIL: Net10 (AT&T Network) $25 for 750 mins, unlimited texts, no data
You can do these with your existing phones no sweat. Knocks you down to somewhere between $119 to $144 (plus taxes/local fees). Very decent savings.
iphones are original 4. FIL doesn't use over 750 minutes.
don't know if this is a factor, the wife sends pics and videos of the grand child to the FIL, need to make sure his plan will allow for that.
however! i want to make a change. pm me and lets see if i can give you any referrals for switching the iphones to ting or solavei. the fil's phone is going to stay on att at whatever bottom price will work because the dumb phone is under contract until 2015. $114 to break contract atm.
so let me know if my switching can help you in any way.
thanks again hulk.
They just announced brand new plans last night, taking effect in December.
They are:
$29 for unlimited calls and unlimited texts, no data at all
$39 for unlimited calls and unlimited texts, 500 MB of highspeed data (throttled to 2G speeds after 500MBs)
$49 for unlimited calls and unlimited texts, 2 GB of highspeed data (throttled to 2G speeds after 2000MBs)
$69 for unlimited calls and unlimited texts, 4 GB of highspeed data (throttled to 2G speeds after 4000MBs)
I'm kinda pissed about this. My current plan is $49 for unlimited calls/texts and 4GB of data. I rarely go over 2GB, but if I want the same plan, it just went up $20!
I think the new lower rate plans are smart additions for them, but the $49 plan is no longer a value (for example Straight Talk for $45 has 2.5GB of highspeed data and LTE which Solavei does not yet.... the only thing Solavei has on ST is free roaming now, much less competitive). And the $69 plan is nonsensical. For $70 from T-Mobile itself you get UNLIMITED LTE data a month, plus the benefits of having stores, phone financing, etc etc. The $69 plan is now a bad value, plain and simple.
Ted Mullins
Footballguy
Seems like most of the deals I ever see are all on contract - if you care about a high end phone and want to save money, I doubt you'd do better than the Nexus 5, especially if you are buying new. I assume that works on Ting but I am not sure. Sounds like they use Sprint's network?The Dude said:
https://play.google.com/store/devices/details/Nexus_5_16GB_Black?id=nexus_5_black_16gb&hl=en
I have it on Sprint and am very happy with it.
(HULK)
(Smash)
BoltBacker
Footballguy
The real value phone off contract will be the Moto G as Jaysus mentioned in an earlier post. I agree with him that this phone will be a game changer in terms of taking the sting out of prepaid plans. Here are few comparisons between the Moto G and the Nexus 5, and to the Moto X...
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/mobile-phone/3489966/nexus-5-vs-moto-g-comparison-review/
http://thediplomat.com/2013/11/the-motorola-moto-g-vs-the-moto-x/
I've been tempted to try out Republic with their $10/month unlimited talk/text w/ NO data(because I most use data on WiFi) and they have the Moto X for $300. Really wish I knew if they were adding the Moto G in January.
https://republicwireless.com/phones/moto-x
Polish Hammer
made of glass
Hulk, slightly off topic but I figured if anyone would know the answer, you would. I recently bought a Nexus 5. I went to the AT&T store and they activated it on my account. At the time they told me I "had" to have a data plan to use a smartphone. I said that made no sense since I bought it off contract and was only using it in my house for WiFi usage. They told me they would not put a data plan on but that I should watch my bill b/c AT&T would "know" I was using a smartphone and would just add the plan on without telling me. Any truth to any of this that you know of?
Also, I can text on the new phone, but pic/vid texts aren't coming through even though they did on my crappy phone that was 6 years old. Any thoughts on what is messing this up?
Also, I can text on the new phone, but pic/vid texts aren't coming through even though they did on my crappy phone that was 6 years old. Any thoughts on what is messing this up?
(HULK)
(Smash)
The thing about Republic is that ALL calls go out over data. I don't think its the same experience as talking on a normal cell phone.
(HULK)
(Smash)
First off, you didn't go on contract, right? Please tell me you didn't. What are you paying?
Second, picture messages use data, so if you're going no data, they ain't going to happen.
Third, yes, they can tell if you use data from their network.
Polish Hammer
made of glass
I am off contract with them right now...mine expired about a year and a half ago. My wife may have 6-8 months left on her part of it from when she upgraded to GS3.
In the past I didn't have a data plan (never have) and could send picture texts. What's up with that? I thought with AT&T texting plans video and picture texts were included.
I'm not using any data on their network...I have the data portion shut off and only use WiFi. I guess that explains why I can't send pics now that I think about it...data is turned off. Correct?
In the past I didn't have a data plan (never have) and could send picture texts. What's up with that? I thought with AT&T texting plans video and picture texts were included.
I'm not using any data on their network...I have the data portion shut off and only use WiFi. I guess that explains why I can't send pics now that I think about it...data is turned off. Correct?
Polish Hammer
made of glass
As far as what we are paying...let me look.
Looks like we pay $135/month. FamilyTalk Nation 700 with Rollover. Last month we used 600 total minutes (including mobile to mobile), She sent 730 texts, I sent 50. We have Family Messaging Unlimited (includes unlimited domestic text/pic/vid/IM/M2M calling). Here's the breakdown of the bill:
Her line - $10 for the share, $30 for 3GB data. She only used 150MB of data, but has gone higher other months. $4.00 taxes - TOTAL $44
My line- $60 for the shared plan, $30 for unlimited texting, $12 credit for my company discount - About $14.00 taxes. TOTAL $92
We live in 19464, but I travel everwhere from New England through VA and WV for work, with all states in between.
Looks like we pay $135/month. FamilyTalk Nation 700 with Rollover. Last month we used 600 total minutes (including mobile to mobile), She sent 730 texts, I sent 50. We have Family Messaging Unlimited (includes unlimited domestic text/pic/vid/IM/M2M calling). Here's the breakdown of the bill:
Her line - $10 for the share, $30 for 3GB data. She only used 150MB of data, but has gone higher other months. $4.00 taxes - TOTAL $44
My line- $60 for the shared plan, $30 for unlimited texting, $12 credit for my company discount - About $14.00 taxes. TOTAL $92
We live in 19464, but I travel everwhere from New England through VA and WV for work, with all states in between.
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(HULK)
(Smash)
I would think so, yes.
Maybe AT&T lets you send pic messages over data for free with texting only plans, but the N5 itself doesn't? I'm not sure on that.
Polish Hammer
made of glass
My guess is that I can turn on the data and send the pic texts, but then they will know I'm using a smartphone. Are they able to then "force" a data plan on me?
(HULK)
(Smash)
I am near certain that I can find you a much cheaper deal for the exact service you are looking for. I'm guessing your phone is costing you about $50 a month for unlimited calls and texts? Rather than just stress over this I'd recommend switching to one of several MVNOs offering unlimited calls/texts in the $25 to $30 range.
Polish Hammer
made of glass
I put all the data above regarding our plan/usage/costs. Is that the info you need? If I can get data for a reasonable price, so much the better. To me the important thing is coverage. I don't want to be stuck traveling for work and not have service.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
That's an understandable concern, but I live in an area with truly awful cell coverage now so all my calls already use google voice over wifi in my home so I assume Republic wouldn't be any worse than that? Really wish I could try there service before buying a $300 phone to work on their network.
(HULK)
(Smash)
They might have a store or two out there where you could try it out. I believe they do.
I would expect your experience to be similar to your current one then. Go for it. Best deal on the Moto X, thats for sure.
(HULK)
(Smash)
Hmmm. Interestingly enough T-Mobile is the best carrier by your home... but if you travel, it wouldn't be as its not as "all over" as AT&T or Verizon. I'm going to make sure free roaming is included in the search.
Do you do a lot of picture messaging? With the Nexus 5, you could do it over wifi via the Hangouts app apparently. With prepaid, any no data plan will typically not allow picture messaging via your text messaging app.
Polish Hammer
made of glass
With two kids we do end up sending pics to each other a bit. Oddly enough, I couldn't even send the pics via Hangouts when I was on WiFi. Maybe I'll try again.
(HULK)
(Smash)
Bunch of options! All of these plans work with your existing phones, so you wouldn't need to buy new ones.
For him:
1) Consumer Cellular (AT&T Coverage): $22.50 for 350 minutes, 100 texts, and 10 MB of 3G data, free roaming included.
2) Consumer Cellular (AT&T Coverage): $25 for 350 minutes, 500 texts, and 50 MB of 3G data, free roaming included.
3) Net10 (AT&T Coverage): $25 for 750 minutes, unlimited texts, and no data, free roaming included (picture messages would need to be sent via Hangouts over wifi)
4) Solavei's new plan (T-Mobile Coverage): $29 for unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and no data, free roaming included (picture messages would need to be sent via Hangouts over wifi)
ETA: 5) Solavei's new plan (T-Mobile Coverage): $39 for unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, and 500 MB of data, free roaming included (threw this in if you really do need the data).
For her:
1) GoSmart Mobile (T-Mobile Coverage): $45 for unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, and 5GB of 3G speed data, free roaming included
2) Solavei's new plan (T-Mobile Coverage): $49 for unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, and 2 GB of 4G speed data, free roaming included
3) Metro PCS (T-Mobile Coverage): $50 for unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, and 2.5 GB of 4G speed data, free roaming included
Note: All 3 of these plans continue to provide data after the limit cap is reached, its just throttled to super slow 2G speeds
I'm suprised to see Solavei's new plans show up. The old plan would've been near ideal for your wife (it was the same @ $49 but had 4 GB of data instead of 2 GB).
Anyways, a ton of options and different ways to go. Obviously much cheaper than what you're paying AT&T, you're looking at saving about $50 to $60 a month.
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(HULK)
(Smash)
(HULK)
(Smash)
If your wife has a something with NFC, you could beam them to her at home, worst case scenario.
ETA: Or email them as attachments over wifi
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Polish Hammer
made of glass
Do any of those plans that show 4G include LTE?
(HULK)
(Smash)
GoSmart Mobile = Its HSPA+42 but throttled down to 1 to 2 MB per second download speeds
Solavei = HSPA+42, I typically get around 12 MB per second download speeds, which is about 50% faster than Sprint's average LTE speeds, lol. Not quite as fast as AT&T and Verizon's LTE networks, but its damn good. Supposedly they're going to get access to T-Mobile's LTE early next year, but nothing is confirmed at this point.
Metro PCS = HSPA+42 and access to T-Mobile's LTE. Very solid.
Hi Hulk,
I have been reading this thread for weeks…and re-reading it. We currently have 2 dumbphones on at&t, been with them since the dinosaur age. I desperately need a new phone since mine won’t hold a full charge for longer than 1 minute talking time, and I don’t need to buy yet another battery for it. I have an old iphone3 (that was used with at&t) that I got from my sister that I would like to use so I don’t need to buy a new phone. I don’t know the data I would use, since I haven’t had a smartphone before, but I don’t really think it will be much (email, light internet) and will use wifi when available. I usually use less than 300 text msg and maybe around 200-400 phone mins. My zip is 91302.
I’ve been looking at Consumer Cellular, since I can get a sim card for free and I already know what at&t’s service is like in this area. What happens with Consumer Cellular if I go over what I sign up for (ie, do they charge me per minute or do they bump me up to next plan). Also, I think I get free roaming, but could you verify that? Would there be any other option that would be better? Eventually, my husband will probably go with Ting, since I think that is the best price for what we use…I just don’t want to spend the money right now for 2 new phones.
Also, is it worth it to port my number to google voice first? What are the advantages AND disadvantages to this?
Thank you so much for all of your research and help. This is by far, the best place I have found to do my searches!
I have been reading this thread for weeks…and re-reading it. We currently have 2 dumbphones on at&t, been with them since the dinosaur age. I desperately need a new phone since mine won’t hold a full charge for longer than 1 minute talking time, and I don’t need to buy yet another battery for it. I have an old iphone3 (that was used with at&t) that I got from my sister that I would like to use so I don’t need to buy a new phone. I don’t know the data I would use, since I haven’t had a smartphone before, but I don’t really think it will be much (email, light internet) and will use wifi when available. I usually use less than 300 text msg and maybe around 200-400 phone mins. My zip is 91302.
I’ve been looking at Consumer Cellular, since I can get a sim card for free and I already know what at&t’s service is like in this area. What happens with Consumer Cellular if I go over what I sign up for (ie, do they charge me per minute or do they bump me up to next plan). Also, I think I get free roaming, but could you verify that? Would there be any other option that would be better? Eventually, my husband will probably go with Ting, since I think that is the best price for what we use…I just don’t want to spend the money right now for 2 new phones.
Also, is it worth it to port my number to google voice first? What are the advantages AND disadvantages to this?
Thank you so much for all of your research and help. This is by far, the best place I have found to do my searches!
(HULK)
(Smash)
So, for Consumer Cellular, if you go over your data allotment, it is $0.25 per MB. This is pretty brutal. If you were going to go with them, I'd make sure you had more than enough data available and track it like a hawk. I have no idea what the cost is for going over your minutes. I'd recommend calling them. One of the things they are well known for is excellent customer service, so a phone call to them should get all of your questions answered. Oh, and they do offer free roaming.
As for other plans that may be better, its tough to say accurately without really knowing what your usage is like. You and your hubby seem like realitively light users, so Ting and Zact might be good options. Ting is already letting you port in the Nexus 5 if you buy it from the play store (only $350), so that is a way to get a high end phone on prepaid without spending way too much. Alternatively, if you wait until January, the Moto G is coming out, which is a pretty decent phone and costs only $179 unlocked (or $199 with the extra memory).
As for porting your number to google voice, its pretty awesome. For just $20, you'll never have to port from cell company to cell company. Plus, you can set up time based restrictions (like calls after midnight go straight to voicemail or whatever you want). You should do it AFTER you've set up your new phone on your new carrier. Then port your old number to google voice. Then you go online and point your google voice number to your newly issued number on your phone. You really should do it in this order as when your number is ported out of a carrier, it cancels that contract/service. Doing in another order could leave you without service for a period of time.
No real downside, just have to use the Google Voice app for texting instead of the native app. I love it.
Fennis
Footballguy
So when I look at the AT&T MVNOs they always indicate which phones they support. I am upgrading to a Nokia Lumia 1020 and I don't see that listed on their sites. I don't want to buy an unlocked phone if it will be a problem for me to use a service... any thoughts?
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(HULK)
(Smash)
For Ting specifically? Click through to their forums/help area. They have a whitelist of supported phones. Or just call them. They answer by 3 rings every time, its impressive.
Jaysus
Good times!
Moto G now available directly from Motorola, shipping December 2
Hell, I may pick one up to keep as a backup.
Hell, I may pick one up to keep as a backup.
(HULK)
(Smash)
Jaysus
Good times!
BoltBacker
Footballguy
I was actually coming into the thread to post this since it wasn't supposed to launch until January.
The only thing that has me concerned is, "but there's no CDMA or 4G LTE support on this particular model". So I assume if we wait ~a month we get the model that supports 4g LTE? That may make it worth waiting for me.
(HULK)
(Smash)
I thought none of them would support LTE?
Which would make a CDMA version pretty sucky, as Verizon and Sprint's CDMA is like 7 times slower than AT&T's HSPA+ and 14 times slower than T-Mobile's HSPA+.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
Ah, I didn't realize that. Just seemed like a strange blurb to leave in and I assumed the version released in January would support LTE? A little confusing.
(HULK)
(Smash)
I believe that is part of the deal in keeping the cost down.
For those of us in the US in cities/suburbs, the truth is T-Mobile's HSPA+ is practically as fast as LTE anyways. In fact, it is FASTER on average than Sprint's LTE. About 2/3rds as fast as AT&T and Verizon's LTE.
If you're cost concious, the Moto G on a T-Mobile MVNO is a sweet deal.
Ted Mullins
Footballguy
This was exactly my experience in my area - T-Mobile's LTE and HSPA+ were actually about the same, and I recently switched to Sprint (work reimbursing for phone) and their LTE is actually a little worse than T-mobile HSPA speedwise, although it is plenty fast for me. If you are in an area where they have good service, T-mobile is great.
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