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

(HULK) said:
Also look at Consumer Cellular.  Honestly, I kinda hate Cricket because they advertise "LTE" but they cap the speed of the LTE they give, so it's really HSPA+ fast, not LTE fast.  Seems a bit bait and switchy to me.
Click to expand...
Consumer Cellular is fine if you really, really need AT&T (and some places, this is true), but Project Fi is an absolute home run for me so far. Getting Sprint, T-Mobile, and (coming soon) US Cellular as options along with wi-fi is great $10 unlimited calling/text is phenomenal, and billing based on data usage is extremely fair.

 
Ting just dropped their data rates.  Now:

- 1GB for $16 (down from $19)

- 2GB for $20 (down from $29)

- Additional GB $10 (down from $15)

 
heckmanm said:
Ting just dropped their data rates.  Now:

- 1GB for $16 (down from $19)

- 2GB for $20 (down from $29)

- Additional GB $10 (down from $15)
Click to expand...
They're still kinda pricey for heavy data users, but if you're middle of the road, they just improved.

 
(HULK) said:
They're still kinda pricey for heavy data users, but if you're middle of the road, they just improved.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I have myself and 2 kids on a plan, and we've been able to keep it right around the 1GB mark most months by making use of wi-fi whenever possible.

I like (more than the kids do ) the ability to limit data usage on each phone.  I'm giving them each a little more leash in honor of the lower prices. 2GB will now cost just $1 more than 1GB used to.

 
heckmanm said:
Yeah, I have myself and 2 kids on a plan, and we've been able to keep it right around the 1GB mark most months by making use of wi-fi whenever possible.

I like (more than the kids do ) the ability to limit data usage on each phone.  I'm giving them each a little more leash in honor of the lower prices. 2GB will now cost just $1 more than 1GB used to.
Click to expand...
Just did the same exact thing, just gave the 2 boys a little more data.  Being able to set alerts/stoppages for each phone is great.  Kids can get wifi most of the time anyway.

 
(HULK) said:
They're still kinda pricey for heavy data users, but if you're middle of the road, they just improved.
Click to expand...
I have my three kids on Ting.  I pay the portion of my two boys (13 & 14 and are good about using wi-fi most of the time).  My 18 year old daughter usually uses the bulk of the data, so this is good news for her. 

Based on their billing number, I was really struggling with finding any efficiency with them being on a combined plan, vs just each having their own.  In the last year +, I think there was one month where usage came in at a level when it was a lot cheaper for them to be combined, but most months it seems to cost a little more to be on a shared plan.

 
Need a temporary sim for our trip this month, whats the best way to go?  Three week trip, probably use data much more than minutes/texts.

TIA

 
Jaysus said:
Are you flying?  Grab one at the airport.
Click to expand...
Yeah, flying on the 23rd.  Any particular carrier better than the others?  Ordered one from an Amazon vendor in the Spring.  It arrived a week late then they said they had to receive it within a week (took them 3 weeks to ship) to get a refund.  Cost for me to ship back was almost as much as the SIM.

 
heckmanm said:
Ting just dropped their data rates.  Now:

- 1GB for $16 (down from $19)

- 2GB for $20 (down from $29)

- Additional GB $10 (down from $15)
Click to expand...
this what you use?

 
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heckmanm said:
It's all usage-based: 0 data = $0, 100MB = $3, 500MB = $10

my referral link - we both get a credit if you sign up.  I think they have Sprint CDMA and T-Mobile GSM networks.  And customer service has been outstanding on the few times I've needed it.
Click to expand...
damn!

i am hovering around 300megs data used per month. my bill is usually about $15-$18 bucks. but i'm cheap as hell.  

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 
(HULK) said:
They're still kinda pricey for heavy data users, but if you're middle of the road, they just improved.
Click to expand...
My daughter just went over 5GB for the month....... her Wi-Fi has been going down a lot and she needs it to work so she's making her phone a hotspot. Yikes, killing me this month, sitting at $75 for just data this month so far with 13 days left

 
Not sure if this is a MNVO question or Android question, but here's the issue. I have a OnePlus One phone on Ting using GSM network.  For the first 18 months, GSM network in my area has been decent as I'm in a major metropolitan area. For some reason, in the last month, my cell phone signal has been consistently just OK to awful; phone never stays on LTE for more than a few seconds, Strava rarely picks up my GPS signal, navigating with Google Maps is difficult as the GPS is insanely laggy.  Is this a phone problem or carrier problem?

Out of frustration I finally upgraded my phone from KitKat to Marshmallow and the same symptoms persist. (but as a bonus, now my battery life is bad once again. Yeah!)

 
$50 a month from T-Mobile, unlimited talk, 2 GB Data plenty for me to stream and I think $10GB if I need more, I just don't watch much videos and movies on my phone, mostly just talk, text, stream music through my headsets. 

I'm sure I could save $10-$15 a month thru someone else but I have eben with T-Mobile for almost 15 years now, shocked they are still around, figured they would have been absorbed along the way. 

If I need a new phone they'll finance it for almost nothing, it's a pretty solid deal. I used to pay $125 a month for 2 lines and a bunch of stuff I didn't need, now just 1 line for me, wife's work issued her a new iPhone and pay for all her service so no need to really shop around much these days. 

Cheapest for the exact service I have can't be much less than $35-$40 a month for competitors. 

 
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Brony said:
Not sure if this is a MNVO question or Android question, but here's the issue. I have a OnePlus One phone on Ting using GSM network.  For the first 18 months, GSM network in my area has been decent as I'm in a major metropolitan area. For some reason, in the last month, my cell phone signal has been consistently just OK to awful; phone never stays on LTE for more than a few seconds, Strava rarely picks up my GPS signal, navigating with Google Maps is difficult as the GPS is insanely laggy.  Is this a phone problem or carrier problem?

Out of frustration I finally upgraded my phone from KitKat to Marshmallow and the same symptoms persist. (but as a bonus, now my battery life is bad once again. Yeah!)
Click to expand...
Get on a chat with Ting and see what they suggest.  You can do a service update thru the phone.  Just did this with my daughter's iPhone to address a problem with text messaging.  ##873283# was the number for me, but I don't know if that's phone-specific.

 
74 pages, I assume someone has mentioned RingPlus.  They are basically the only option if you want decent service for a low price, or free.  Like most MNVOs, it is the Sprint network so that sucks in some areas but even when my apartment was in a bad spot, I paired it with Google Voice and made it work.  I get 2K mins 2K texts and 2 gigs a month free.  But I have been with them for awhile and the promotions have just been getting better and better.  Last time I checked they were offering 4K of everything free.  You only pay $25 start up which sits in your account in case of overages.  All fees are reasonable, switching phones or lines is a dollar or two.

https://ringplus.net/  The promotions right now are basic, 1K everything.  That has been a constant promo but the good ones pop up every week or so.  They have a message board where you can learn more if interested.  I am good with my 2K plan so I have never looked to upgrade.

 
Brony said:
Not sure if this is a MNVO question or Android question, but here's the issue. I have a OnePlus One phone on Ting using GSM network.  For the first 18 months, GSM network in my area has been decent as I'm in a major metropolitan area. For some reason, in the last month, my cell phone signal has been consistently just OK to awful; phone never stays on LTE for more than a few seconds, Strava rarely picks up my GPS signal, navigating with Google Maps is difficult as the GPS is insanely laggy.  Is this a phone problem or carrier problem?

Out of frustration I finally upgraded my phone from KitKat to Marshmallow and the same symptoms persist. (but as a bonus, now my battery life is bad once again. Yeah!)
Click to expand...
try backing up your "stuff" and resetting the phone. 

 
Arid Filch said:
74 pages, I assume someone has mentioned RingPlus.  They are basically the only option if you want decent service for a low price, or free.  Like most MNVOs, it is the Sprint network so that sucks in some areas but even when my apartment was in a bad spot, I paired it with Google Voice and made it work.  I get 2K mins 2K texts and 2 gigs a month free.  But I have been with them for awhile and the promotions have just been getting better and better.  Last time I checked they were offering 4K of everything free.  You only pay $25 start up which sits in your account in case of overages.  All fees are reasonable, switching phones or lines is a dollar or two.

https://ringplus.net/  The promotions right now are basic, 1K everything.  That has been a constant promo but the good ones pop up every week or so.  They have a message board where you can learn more if interested.  I am good with my 2K plan so I have never looked to upgrade.
Click to expand...
Interesting.  Based on my kids usage, this seems to blow Ting away.  it would be nice to tell the kids they don't have to watch their text messages or minutes.

 
heckmanm said:
Get on a chat with Ting and see what they suggest.  You can do a service update thru the phone.  Just did this with my daughter's iPhone to address a problem with text messaging.  ##873283# was the number for me, but I don't know if that's phone-specific.
Click to expand...
Gonna try new SIM card first.  If that doesn't work, time to do some shopping.

 
Contract with Verizon up in a month. Looking to take my iPhone 6 w/ SIM elsewhere.

Currently leaning toward Straight Talk Wireless' BYOP Plans. I use 3-5GB range monthly... so I'm on the fence between their $45 (5GB) and $55 (10GB) plan. What I want to avoid is getting throttled down to 2G after 5GB. Can you bump up to $55/plan mid-month? 

Also interested in other options where I could take my iPhone 6. Excellent signal/service coverage and fast 4G data is important to me. I don't talk on the phone much. I text a lot. I use 3-5GB of data on average... sometimes a bit more/less. 

Thoughts? Suggestions? 
 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
heckmanm said:
Get on a chat with Ting and see what they suggest.  You can do a service update thru the phone.  Just did this with my daughter's iPhone to address a problem with text messaging.  ##873283# was the number for me, but I don't know if that's phone-specific.
Click to expand...
Ting's customer service is fantastic.  Definitely contact them.

 
[icon] said:
Contract with Verizon up in a month. Looking to take my iPhone 6 w/ SIM elsewhere.

Currently leaning toward Straight Talk Wireless' BYOP Plans. I use 3-5GB range monthly... so I'm on the fence between their $45 (5GB) and $55 (10GB) plan. What I want to avoid is getting throttled down to 2G after 5GB. Can you bump up to $55/plan mid-month? 

Also interested in other options where I could take my iPhone 6. Excellent signal/service coverage and fast 4G data is important to me. I don't talk on the phone much. I text a lot. I use 3-5GB of data on average... sometimes a bit more/less. 

Thoughts? Suggestions? 
 
Click to expand...
Is the i6 compatible with other networks than Verizon?  If not, you only have a small handful of options.

 
(HULK) said:
Is the i6 compatible with other networks than Verizon?  If not, you only have a small handful of options.
Click to expand...
I don't know how to check this? I'm  I know it's Verizon.. but it uses a SIM card.  Suggestions on how to find out what it's compatible with? 

Thanks GB. 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
[icon] said:
Contract with Verizon up in a month. Looking to take my iPhone 6 w/ SIM elsewhere.

Currently leaning toward Straight Talk Wireless' BYOP Plans. I use 3-5GB range monthly... so I'm on the fence between their $45 (5GB) and $55 (10GB) plan. What I want to avoid is getting throttled down to 2G after 5GB. Can you bump up to $55/plan mid-month? 

Also interested in other options where I could take my iPhone 6. Excellent signal/service coverage and fast 4G data is important to me. I don't talk on the phone much. I text a lot. I use 3-5GB of data on average... sometimes a bit more/less. 

Thoughts? Suggestions? 
 
Click to expand...
I know nothing about these guys, but it is worth checking out for VZW users: http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2016/08/boom-mobile-adds-prepaid-plans-with.html

ETA: I just actually, you know, read the link... and this sucks: " Data is hard capped and, as with all Verizon MVNOs, throttled to a maximum of approximately 5 Mbps. "

 
Last edited by a moderator:
[icon] said:
I don't know how to check this? I'm  I know it's Verizon.. but it uses a SIM card.  Suggestions on how to find out what it's compatible with? 

Thanks GB. 
Click to expand...
The manual it came with?  Box?  Does it have GSM/HSPA radios?  If not, you're locked in.

 
[icon] said:
I'll check into that... 
Is straight talk prob my best option if locked in? 
Best 5-10GB option if not locked in? 
Click to expand...
You've been a customer for a while, and the phone is paid off, right?  Worst case scenario you can ask VZW to SIM unlock it for you.

I am fairly certain that all newer VZW phones have at least some GSM support built in... maybe not all bands, but most.

ETA: check for your exact model here to confirm, but GSM appears to be a go: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_6-6378.php

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Good.  Then you can get away from Verizon.  Their MVNOs are sub optimal imo.  Usually throttle speeds AND cost and arm and a leg.

 
(HULK) said:
Good.  Then you can get away from Verizon.  Their MVNOs are sub optimal imo.  Usually throttle speeds AND cost and arm and a leg.
Click to expand...
Straight Talk offers a "verizon" option above... is that different than what you're talking about? Looks like 10GB of LTE before throttling? 

 
[icon] said:
Straight Talk offers a "verizon" option above... is that different than what you're talking about? Looks like 10GB of LTE before throttling? 
Click to expand...
I'm pretty certain the 10GB of "LTE" is already throttled to a speed maximum of 5 MBps.  Which is about 1/4 of what you're used to.

But, I'm not 100% sure.  Check on it imo

 
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Okay so I would want to go with ATT sim on straight talk then? Or better options if I can go GSM? 

You guys are totally right in they I don't want 5MBPS cap on speed!! Thanks for the heads up on that

 
[icon] said:
Okay so I would want to go with ATT sim on straight talk then? Or better options if I can go GSM? 

You guys are totally right in they I don't want 5MBPS cap on speed!! Thanks for the heads up on that
Click to expand...
Yeah, Straight Talk or Net10 the best deal for the amount of data you use.  But if a lot of that is streaming data, maybe check T-Mobile as their streaming is free for most things.

 
(HULK) said:
Yeah, Straight Talk or Net10 the best deal for the amount of data you use.  But if a lot of that is streaming data, maybe check T-Mobile as their streaming is free for most things.
Click to expand...
Pulled it out of my Lifeproof FrePower case and confirmed it is model A1549 which apparently is a true fully unlocked GSM model which seems to be compatible with damn near every network out there. :thumbup:   Will be looking into Net10 or StraightTalk on ATT towers then, based on your suggestions. Any difference between service from the two? 

Thanks again, guys... you rock.  

Do either Net10 or StraightTalk allow for hotspot use if the phone has the capability? 

EDIT: No tethering/hotspot use on these MVNOs
• Personal Hotspot unavailable on StraightTalk (against TOS)
• Personal Hotspot unavailable on Net10 Wireless (against TOS)

 
Last edited by a moderator:
[icon] said:
Pulled it out of my Lifeproof FrePower case and confirmed it is model A1549 which apparently is a true fully unlocked GSM model which seems to be compatible with damn near every network out there. :thumbup:   Will be looking into Net10 or StraightTalk on ATT towers then, based on your suggestions. Any difference between service from the two? 

Thanks again, guys... you rock.  

Do either Net10 or StraightTalk allow for hotspot use if the phone has the capability? 
Click to expand...
I think Net10 is cheaper, especially if you enroll in the autopay - I think you have to pay taxes on that though.  CallingMart has Net10 refill carts and pushes discount codes each month via facebook - they do not charge tax.  When my wife was using Net10, calling mart was the cheaper option of the two (I have not been watching for discounts since she moved to Cricket so they may have changed).

The coverage will be exactly the same, customer support for both will be poor, be sure to check if either throttles your max speed (I do not think either do) and if they have a hard or soft data cap (pretty sure both are soft capped).

And like hulk said, if you do a lot of media consumption T-Mobile may be a decent option if they have good coverage in your area because of the whitelisted streaming apps.... but I would wager that AT&T has better coverage in your area. 

 
Jaysus said:
I think Net10 is cheaper, especially if you enroll in the autopay - I think you have to pay taxes on that though.  CallingMart has Net10 refill carts and pushes discount codes each month via facebook - they do not charge tax.  When my wife was using Net10, calling mart was the cheaper option of the two (I have not been watching for discounts since she moved to Cricket so they may have changed).

The coverage will be exactly the same, customer support for both will be poor, be sure to check if either throttles your max speed (I do not think either do) and if they have a hard or soft data cap (pretty sure both are soft capped).
Click to expand...
Good deal, thanks! I'd rather not mess with having to watch for discount codes and manually reloading my phone... convenience of having it just work is wroth a few extra bucks a month for me, personally. Coverage is huge for me, so T-Mobile isn't an option (friends have said local coverage can be spotty in areas). That said... here's what I'm seeing as my options:

• Straight Talk 5GB Plan: $42.50/mo (w/ auto-refill)

• Net10 5GB Plan: $45.00/mo (w/ auto-refill)

• Straight Talk 10GB Plan: $55.00/mo (no auto-refill discount available)

Going to look over my data usage to be sure, but the value of that 10GB straight-talk plan is tough to deny. I'm currently paying $60/mo for 2GB ($10/GB add on) on a Verizon loyalty plan. Getting 5x the data for $5 less would be damn nice. 

Awesome.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Are you a reddit user?  Check out r/nocontract if so - lots of good info there (and a lot of Cricket love too ;) )

 
My 2 years with Verizon is coming to a conclusion in September. Bought the iPhone 6 the day it came out and went with Verizon. I'm currently paying $68 a month for 2 GB of data and free texting and all that stuff. I'm curious as to what is out there now. Stay with Verizon? Go back to ATT? Or, is there another option available? I don't see my phone usage changing anytime soon as in data requirements and such. If/When MSFT brings out a new phone, I'd maybe look into buying that phone due to work and business. But, there is no MSFT phone rumors or anything like that. So, what shall I do?

 
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