Not shtick. I've become frugal.Otis, do you really buy Chinese phones and use poor people prepaid cell phone plans? Or is this some kind of richguy schtick where you sit back in your leather chair, sip on a fine single malt, and type away on your Verizon iPhone 6 in these threads?either way.
T-Mobile $30 a month plan (100 minutes, unlimited texts, 5 GB of LTE) if you make a few of those calls near WiFi (can call over it for free imo).Minutes: <200
Texts: Unlimited (it varies month to month)
Data: at least 2 GB, maybe a little more,
I have an manufacturer unlocked LTE capable phone.
is that a plan or prepaid? I'd prefer prepaid.(HULK) said:T-Mobile $30 a month plan (100 minutes, unlimited texts, 5 GB of LTE) if you make a few of those calls near WiFi (can call over it for free imo).Super King said:Minutes: <200
Texts: Unlimited (it varies month to month)
Data: at least 2 GB, maybe a little more,
I have an manufacturer unlocked LTE capable phone.
Its prepaid. Its on the prepaid section of their site, kinda hard to find. Getting to it via google might be the easiest way. If you go over you're minutes, its just $0.10 per minute. Seems like a great fit for you.is that a plan or prepaid? I'd prefer prepaid.(HULK) said:T-Mobile $30 a month plan (100 minutes, unlimited texts, 5 GB of LTE) if you make a few of those calls near WiFi (can call over it for free imo).Super King said:Minutes: <200
Texts: Unlimited (it varies month to month)
Data: at least 2 GB, maybe a little more,
I have an manufacturer unlocked LTE capable phone.
Google Voice + Hangouts = no overagesIts prepaid. Its on the prepaid section of their site, kinda hard to find. Getting to it via google might be the easiest way. If you go over you're minutes, its just $0.10 per minute. Seems like a great fit for you.is that a plan or prepaid? I'd prefer prepaid.(HULK) said:T-Mobile $30 a month plan (100 minutes, unlimited texts, 5 GB of LTE) if you make a few of those calls near WiFi (can call over it for free imo).Super King said:Minutes: <200
Texts: Unlimited (it varies month to month)
Data: at least 2 GB, maybe a little more,
I have an manufacturer unlocked LTE capable phone.
Having just been in this situation, I can tell you...I know all the info is somewhere in this thread but searching would take forever.
Cricket vs Consumer Cellular vs others?
I'm on T-Mobile, service is terrible in my area, looking for an AT&T mvno to switch to. Looking for about 500 talk, 3000 texts, 2-3 GB data. Not as concerned about specific plans or saving $5-10, big concern is coverage (does the mvno get same quality talk/data as regular AT&T) and ease of use (payments, customer service). Already have a device, can't use Verizon or sprint networks.
Do you (or (Hulk)) know if you can hotspot with CC?Having just been in this situation, I can tell you...I know all the info is somewhere in this thread but searching would take forever.
Cricket vs Consumer Cellular vs others?
I'm on T-Mobile, service is terrible in my area, looking for an AT&T mvno to switch to. Looking for about 500 talk, 3000 texts, 2-3 GB data. Not as concerned about specific plans or saving $5-10, big concern is coverage (does the mvno get same quality talk/data as regular AT&T) and ease of use (payments, customer service). Already have a device, can't use Verizon or sprint networks.
1. Screw T-Mobile. Great prices...good luck getting the service to work indoors.
2. Consumer Cellular has absolute BOSS customer service. I've called them twice since getting a sim card from them yesterday. First time was to activate service and the second was to solve why I wasn't getting mobile data. Both times, I've had zero wait and super friendly and helpful service from Americans. Hulk says they crush everyone on customer service and I can see why.
3. Consumer Cellular uses AT&T and I've never seen my phone get lower than 3 bars in Memphis. Period. Speeds are solid and they walk you through getting your APN (carrier settings) correct.
4. With what you're looking at, Consumer Cellular would run you about $50 a month ($20 for Anytime 600 minutes, 30 for 15k texts and 2.5 GB Data...next lowest data plan in 1 GB).
Shoot me a PM with your email and I'll give you a referral link so we both can save $10.![]()
I think you can with either, but it's most likely not officially supported. My database knows, but I left the laptop it's on at work. Will check tomorrow.
One other difference, while Cricket will let you use at&t's LTE, they cap the speed at 8 Mbps. Consumer Cellular does not, so their service is identical to AT&T
Yup. T-Mobile also supports number forwarding. Give it a day when going from one company to another, though.Thanks guys. And just so I understand this prepaid thing correctly... I can switch to CC and if 3 months from now I want to go back to T-Mobile I just port my # back over and pop in the old chip and wala, good to go?
If Consumer Cellular had Ting's pricing philosophy, you'd have the perfect MNVO.Close enough to the end of my contact with Sprint to finally look at this.
Looking at Consumer Cellular or Ting, 3 users. I have Sprint Phones but am open to buying all new devices if moving to CC.
Both plans are exactly the same at my usage levels - $60 before surcharges.
Rootdata rates both infrastructure carriers pretty much dead even in coverage and speeds (although previous to the most recent test, in Seattle, AT&T killed Spring).
Any other considerations between the two?
Depends on your usage. Ting charges you based on what you use, CC charges via tier.Price is the same on either one, no? Does CC lock you into your tier instead of pay what you use?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are no surcharges on prepaid, just a little sales tax, about 8%. At least this is how the T-Mobile prepaid has worked for me. One of the biggest perks, you don't have $20 of bs extras thrown onto each bill.Close enough to the end of my contact with Sprint to finally look at this.
Looking at Consumer Cellular or Ting, 3 users. I have Sprint Phones but am open to buying all new devices if moving to CC.
Both plans are exactly the same at my usage levels - $60 before surcharges.
Rootdata rates both infrastructure carriers pretty much dead even in coverage and speeds (although previous to the most recent test, in Seattle, AT&T killed Spring).
Any other considerations between the two?
Correct. Only taxes.Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are no surcharges on prepaid, just a little sales tax, about 8%. At least this is how the T-Mobile prepaid has worked for me. One of the biggest perks, you don't have $20 of bs extras thrown onto each bill.Close enough to the end of my contact with Sprint to finally look at this.
Looking at Consumer Cellular or Ting, 3 users. I have Sprint Phones but am open to buying all new devices if moving to CC.
Both plans are exactly the same at my usage levels - $60 before surcharges.
Rootdata rates both infrastructure carriers pretty much dead even in coverage and speeds (although previous to the most recent test, in Seattle, AT&T killed Spring).
Any other considerations between the two?
Ting has tiers, but separate ones for voice, text, and data. And there's no minimum charge if you don't use a particular service (e.g., no data = $0 data charge).Depends on your usage. Ting charges you based on what you use, CC charges via tier.Price is the same on either one, no? Does CC lock you into your tier instead of pay what you use?
I just checked. My assumption was correct, its not supported.I think you can with either, but it's most likely not officially supported. My database knows, but I left the laptop it's on at work. Will check tomorrow.
One other difference, while Cricket will let you use at&t's LTE, they cap the speed at 8 Mbps. Consumer Cellular does not, so their service is identical to AT&T![]()
I know tethering is an option with my OnePlus One, but I haven't tried it (or hotspotting) yet. They supposedly ban tethering, though.
They're both great at Customer Service. Like, excellent. Ting will pick up your call with a human every time. I've always been impressed with that.Close enough to the end of my contact with Sprint to finally look at this.
Looking at Consumer Cellular or Ting, 3 users. I have Sprint Phones but am open to buying all new devices if moving to CC.
Both plans are exactly the same at my usage levels - $60 before surcharges.
Rootdata rates both infrastructure carriers pretty much dead even in coverage and speeds (although previous to the most recent test, in Seattle, AT&T killed Spring).
Any other considerations between the two?
Consumer Cellular you pick your plan and can change it IF you decide you need it to go up or down.Price is the same on either one, no? Does CC lock you into your tier instead of pay what you use?
I need to get my website up already. Affiliate pay for bringing in a customer is $80 for Consumer Cellular! They're the highest.Referral sent. Fell free to delete post, chauncey.
This is confusing to me. Ting is on Sprint and roams on Verizon. Shouldn't this be Sprint/Verizon? Also, Ting does not roam for Data.They're both great at Customer Service. Like, excellent. Ting will pick up your call with a human every time. I've always been impressed with that.Close enough to the end of my contact with Sprint to finally look at this.
Looking at Consumer Cellular or Ting, 3 users. I have Sprint Phones but am open to buying all new devices if moving to CC.
Both plans are exactly the same at my usage levels - $60 before surcharges.
Rootdata rates both infrastructure carriers pretty much dead even in coverage and speeds (although previous to the most recent test, in Seattle, AT&T killed Spring).
Any other considerations between the two?
In terms of differences between the two outside of coverage... Ting's plans are more flexible... you'll end up with exactly what you need... which may save you a tiny bit some months. And for roaming (Ting roams on Verizon, Consumer Cellular roams on T-Mobile), Ting has free voice, text, AND data roaming whereas Consumer Cellular has free voice and text roaming, but NOT data. Thing is, Consumer Cellular being primarily on AT&T, it has a much larger national footprint. In terms of nationwide coverage Verizon and AT&T are far better than Sprint/T-Mobile. So, if you travel enough that you're considering the roaming aspect, keep in mind that you're much more likely to end up roaming w/ Ting than with CC as Sprint's network isn't as wide reaching as AT&T's.
Honestly though, can't go wrong with either imo
The issue is they can 'lock it out' and prevent you from using it. I am currently on Net10 and am very happy with it, just can't use hotspotting. On the Settings/General/Cellular page on the iPhone, underneath the Data Roaming click there is no mention of the Personal Hotspot, where it is supposed to be.I just checked. My assumption was correct, its not supported.I think you can with either, but it's most likely not officially supported. My database knows, but I left the laptop it's on at work. Will check tomorrow.
One other difference, while Cricket will let you use at&t's LTE, they cap the speed at 8 Mbps. Consumer Cellular does not, so their service is identical to AT&T![]()
I know tethering is an option with my OnePlus One, but I haven't tried it (or hotspotting) yet. They supposedly ban tethering, though.
Thing is, they won't know if you do it. They only know how much you're consuming. And frankly, with a cap on data anyways, why would they care how you consume it? They don't.
They don't roam on data? They used to... I guess that could've changed.This is confusing to me. Ting is on Sprint and roams on Verizon. Shouldn't this be Sprint/Verizon? Also, Ting does not roam for Data.They're both great at Customer Service. Like, excellent. Ting will pick up your call with a human every time. I've always been impressed with that.Close enough to the end of my contact with Sprint to finally look at this.
Looking at Consumer Cellular or Ting, 3 users. I have Sprint Phones but am open to buying all new devices if moving to CC.
Both plans are exactly the same at my usage levels - $60 before surcharges.
Rootdata rates both infrastructure carriers pretty much dead even in coverage and speeds (although previous to the most recent test, in Seattle, AT&T killed Spring).
Any other considerations between the two?
In terms of differences between the two outside of coverage... Ting's plans are more flexible... you'll end up with exactly what you need... which may save you a tiny bit some months. And for roaming (Ting roams on Verizon, Consumer Cellular roams on T-Mobile), Ting has free voice, text, AND data roaming whereas Consumer Cellular has free voice and text roaming, but NOT data. Thing is, Consumer Cellular being primarily on AT&T, it has a much larger national footprint. In terms of nationwide coverage Verizon and AT&T are far better than Sprint/T-Mobile. So, if you travel enough that you're considering the roaming aspect, keep in mind that you're much more likely to end up roaming w/ Ting than with CC as Sprint's network isn't as wide reaching as AT&T's.
Honestly though, can't go wrong with either imo
Hmmm. Did you buy the phone from Net10? I'm curious how they did that.The issue is they can 'lock it out' and prevent you from using it. I am currently on Net10 and am very happy with it, just can't use hotspotting. On the Settings/General/Cellular page on the iPhone, underneath the Data Roaming click there is no mention of the Personal Hotspot, where it is supposed to be.I just checked. My assumption was correct, its not supported.I think you can with either, but it's most likely not officially supported. My database knows, but I left the laptop it's on at work. Will check tomorrow.
One other difference, while Cricket will let you use at&t's LTE, they cap the speed at 8 Mbps. Consumer Cellular does not, so their service is identical to AT&T![]()
I know tethering is an option with my OnePlus One, but I haven't tried it (or hotspotting) yet. They supposedly ban tethering, though.
Thing is, they won't know if you do it. They only know how much you're consuming. And frankly, with a cap on data anyways, why would they care how you consume it? They don't.
Link to instructions.
Pic of my phone
Buy your refills from CallingMart.com and you won't even have to pay the sales taxCorrect me if I'm wrong, but there are no surcharges on prepaid, just a little sales tax, about 8%. At least this is how the T-Mobile prepaid has worked for me. One of the biggest perks, you don't have $20 of bs extras thrown onto each bill.Close enough to the end of my contact with Sprint to finally look at this.
Looking at Consumer Cellular or Ting, 3 users. I have Sprint Phones but am open to buying all new devices if moving to CC.
Both plans are exactly the same at my usage levels - $60 before surcharges.
Rootdata rates both infrastructure carriers pretty much dead even in coverage and speeds (although previous to the most recent test, in Seattle, AT&T killed Spring).
Any other considerations between the two?
I don't know, but as long as I've been on Ting, no roaming for data. You are correct that Ting only roams for phone/text when there is NO signal from Sprint.They don't roam on data? They used to... I guess that could've changed.This is confusing to me. Ting is on Sprint and roams on Verizon. Shouldn't this be Sprint/Verizon? Also, Ting does not roam for Data.They're both great at Customer Service. Like, excellent. Ting will pick up your call with a human every time. I've always been impressed with that.Close enough to the end of my contact with Sprint to finally look at this.
Looking at Consumer Cellular or Ting, 3 users. I have Sprint Phones but am open to buying all new devices if moving to CC.
Both plans are exactly the same at my usage levels - $60 before surcharges.
Rootdata rates both infrastructure carriers pretty much dead even in coverage and speeds (although previous to the most recent test, in Seattle, AT&T killed Spring).
Any other considerations between the two?
In terms of differences between the two outside of coverage... Ting's plans are more flexible... you'll end up with exactly what you need... which may save you a tiny bit some months. And for roaming (Ting roams on Verizon, Consumer Cellular roams on T-Mobile), Ting has free voice, text, AND data roaming whereas Consumer Cellular has free voice and text roaming, but NOT data. Thing is, Consumer Cellular being primarily on AT&T, it has a much larger national footprint. In terms of nationwide coverage Verizon and AT&T are far better than Sprint/T-Mobile. So, if you travel enough that you're considering the roaming aspect, keep in mind that you're much more likely to end up roaming w/ Ting than with CC as Sprint's network isn't as wide reaching as AT&T's.
Honestly though, can't go wrong with either imo
And no, its not Sprint/Verizon. Its Sprint. Even if you get a measley 1/2 a bar from Sprint, you're on it. Only if there is ABSOLUTELY no sprint signal will you be able to use Verizon's towers. So, roaming will be very uncommon. Its not like your phone picks whichever signal is better and goes with that. It always picks Sprint and only will deviate to Verizon if there is simply zero Sprint signal.
This is pretty much how it is for any carrier or MVNO that offers roaming.
It is a unlocked iPhone 5s from Apple. Was originally on t-Mobile, but I didn't like it, so I switched a couple months ago b4 checking on hotspotting. Since then I have purchased a ipad mini w/o cellular to replace my Gen1 iPad that had cellular, so I was going to do a little hotspotting for that.Hmmm. Did you buy the phone from Net10? I'm curious how they did that.The issue is they can 'lock it out' and prevent you from using it. I am currently on Net10 and am very happy with it, just can't use hotspotting. On the Settings/General/Cellular page on the iPhone, underneath the Data Roaming click there is no mention of the Personal Hotspot, where it is supposed to be.I just checked. My assumption was correct, its not supported.I think you can with either, but it's most likely not officially supported. My database knows, but I left the laptop it's on at work. Will check tomorrow.
One other difference, while Cricket will let you use at&t's LTE, they cap the speed at 8 Mbps. Consumer Cellular does not, so their service is identical to AT&T![]()
I know tethering is an option with my OnePlus One, but I haven't tried it (or hotspotting) yet. They supposedly ban tethering, though.
Thing is, they won't know if you do it. They only know how much you're consuming. And frankly, with a cap on data anyways, why would they care how you consume it? They don't.
Link to instructions.
Pic of my phone
My wife is on Net10 w/ a Galaxy S4, I'm pretty sure she can turn hotspotting on. I'll double check tonight.
Don't cancel with Sprint first, you'd lose your number.Okay, got my phone fixed. Now I think I'm ready to make the jump to Ting. I've never changed cell carriers. I've has Sprint for like 16 years. So, if I switch I assume I can keep my same phone number? Do I cancel with Sprint first or sign up with Ting first? Can they cancel my sprint since they're taking the phone number from Sprint? Thanks for any guidance.
Exactly, it is easy as can be. Call them, you'll get a real person who knows what they are doing.Don't cancel with Sprint first, you'd lose your number.Okay, got my phone fixed. Now I think I'm ready to make the jump to Ting. I've never changed cell carriers. I've has Sprint for like 16 years. So, if I switch I assume I can keep my same phone number? Do I cancel with Sprint first or sign up with Ting first? Can they cancel my sprint since they're taking the phone number from Sprint? Thanks for any guidance.
Call Ting (1-800-TING-FTW) and sign up with them first, let them know you want to port your number.
They had sim cards available at the Sears I went to for $10, but they credit your account $10 after you activate it, making it free.I tried to go to the local sears to get CC set up and pick up a sim card. They only had phones for purchase, guess I have to sign up online and they mail me a sim card?
Went to the phone store in the mall and looked at Net 10, they were going to charge $30-40 for activation and sim card, no thanks. Does CC charge an activation fee if I do it online?
) and there is no activation.I ordered a Net10 SIM card from CallingMart for $0.99, then went to the website to activate for free (with a plan I also purchased from CallingMart after I confirmed that the SIM fit.)I tried to go to the local sears to get CC set up and pick up a sim card. They only had phones for purchase, guess I have to sign up online and they mail me a sim card?
Went to the phone store in the mall and looked at Net 10, they were going to charge $30-40 for activation and sim card, no thanks. Does CC charge an activation fee if I do it online?
Strange, on the FAQ page for Net10, they say there will never be an activation fee. (This is the BYOP plan) And the SIM cards from them are $7. That ain't too bad. I wonder if the $30-40 was the pre-pay.They had sim cards available at the Sears I went to for $10, but they credit your account $10 after you activate it, making it free.I tried to go to the local sears to get CC set up and pick up a sim card. They only had phones for purchase, guess I have to sign up online and they mail me a sim card?
Went to the phone store in the mall and looked at Net 10, they were going to charge $30-40 for activation and sim card, no thanks. Does CC charge an activation fee if I do it online?
You can also get a sim card for free online (through my referral PLEASE!) and there is no activation.
Edit: And the activation charge from Net10 was another reason I didn't go with them.
It was at a ghetto cell phone store in a small town. Wouldn't surprise me if it was some kind of extra fee the store charged to pay the rent. And it was for a prepaid plan.Strange, on the FAQ page for Net10, they say there will never be an activation fee. (This is the BYOP plan) And the SIM cards from them are $7. That ain't too bad. I wonder if the $30-40 was the pre-pay.They had sim cards available at the Sears I went to for $10, but they credit your account $10 after you activate it, making it free.I tried to go to the local sears to get CC set up and pick up a sim card. They only had phones for purchase, guess I have to sign up online and they mail me a sim card?
Went to the phone store in the mall and looked at Net 10, they were going to charge $30-40 for activation and sim card, no thanks. Does CC charge an activation fee if I do it online?
You can also get a sim card for free online (through my referral PLEASE!) and there is no activation.
Edit: And the activation charge from Net10 was another reason I didn't go with them.
Ok all set up. I did it over the phone so didn't use your link. She said to reply to the e-mail I got from her with the link and she'd make sure we both get credited. I've done that. And you all were right. Got a person on the phone right away and she was very helpful. Hopefully in a few hours I'm off Sprint and on Ting.Exactly, it is easy as can be. Call them, you'll get a real person who knows what they are doing.Don't cancel with Sprint first, you'd lose your number.Okay, got my phone fixed. Now I think I'm ready to make the jump to Ting. I've never changed cell carriers. I've has Sprint for like 16 years. So, if I switch I assume I can keep my same phone number? Do I cancel with Sprint first or sign up with Ting first? Can they cancel my sprint since they're taking the phone number from Sprint? Thanks for any guidance.
Call Ting (1-800-TING-FTW) and sign up with them first, let them know you want to port your number.
Don't forget to use a referral (Mine please as I'm still on Ting!, shameless plug)
Transferring your numbers over will automatically cancel them on for Sprint.
Any questions, ask. I've been on Ting for a while and added/removed phones with ease.
Excellent. Now that you have an account, once that phone is switched and working, if you have any others, you can do it directly online.Ok all set up. I did it over the phone so didn't use your link. She said to reply to the e-mail I got from her with the link and she'd make sure we both get credited. I've done that. And you all were right. Got a person on the phone right away and she was very helpful. Hopefully in a few hours I'm off Sprint and on Ting.Exactly, it is easy as can be. Call them, you'll get a real person who knows what they are doing.Don't cancel with Sprint first, you'd lose your number.Okay, got my phone fixed. Now I think I'm ready to make the jump to Ting. I've never changed cell carriers. I've has Sprint for like 16 years. So, if I switch I assume I can keep my same phone number? Do I cancel with Sprint first or sign up with Ting first? Can they cancel my sprint since they're taking the phone number from Sprint? Thanks for any guidance.
Call Ting (1-800-TING-FTW) and sign up with them first, let them know you want to port your number.
Don't forget to use a referral (Mine please as I'm still on Ting!, shameless plug)
Transferring your numbers over will automatically cancel them on for Sprint.
Any questions, ask. I've been on Ting for a while and added/removed phones with ease.
Based upon the calculator on their site my average monthly bill will be about $27. I am currenlty paying about $72. If I'm saving about $40/month I will be ecstatic.Excellent. Now that you have an account, once that phone is switched and working, if you have any others, you can do it directly online.Ok all set up. I did it over the phone so didn't use your link. She said to reply to the e-mail I got from her with the link and she'd make sure we both get credited. I've done that. And you all were right. Got a person on the phone right away and she was very helpful. Hopefully in a few hours I'm off Sprint and on Ting.Exactly, it is easy as can be. Call them, you'll get a real person who knows what they are doing.Don't cancel with Sprint first, you'd lose your number.Okay, got my phone fixed. Now I think I'm ready to make the jump to Ting. I've never changed cell carriers. I've has Sprint for like 16 years. So, if I switch I assume I can keep my same phone number? Do I cancel with Sprint first or sign up with Ting first? Can they cancel my sprint since they're taking the phone number from Sprint? Thanks for any guidance.
Call Ting (1-800-TING-FTW) and sign up with them first, let them know you want to port your number.
Don't forget to use a referral (Mine please as I'm still on Ting!, shameless plug)
Transferring your numbers over will automatically cancel them on for Sprint.
Any questions, ask. I've been on Ting for a while and added/removed phones with ease.
Let me know if you have any questions? Seriously.
Also, if you're concerned about data usage (or minutes/texts), you can put in some Usage Alerts at whatever level you want to try and curb usage near the end of your billing date.
Be sure to use Wifi as much as possible. Using a small amount of data on the plan is cheap.
Ditto on the ghetto store.It was at a ghetto cell phone store in a small town. Wouldn't surprise me if it was some kind of extra fee the store charged to pay the rent. And it was for a prepaid plan.Strange, on the FAQ page for Net10, they say there will never be an activation fee. (This is the BYOP plan) And the SIM cards from them are $7. That ain't too bad. I wonder if the $30-40 was the pre-pay.They had sim cards available at the Sears I went to for $10, but they credit your account $10 after you activate it, making it free.I tried to go to the local sears to get CC set up and pick up a sim card. They only had phones for purchase, guess I have to sign up online and they mail me a sim card?
Went to the phone store in the mall and looked at Net 10, they were going to charge $30-40 for activation and sim card, no thanks. Does CC charge an activation fee if I do it online?
You can also get a sim card for free online (through my referral PLEASE!) and there is no activation.
Edit: And the activation charge from Net10 was another reason I didn't go with them.