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I'm currently in the group of people still using an unlocked phone (Galaxy SII GT-i9100) on AT&T's $10/mo medianet plan. My wife uses an iPhone 4s on the grandfathered $30/mo unlimited plan. Between the two of us, 550 minutes, and unlimited text, our bill comes to $125.20 every month. It's not bad at all and I have no complaints. However, I'd like an exit strategy in case AT&T yanks the medianet plan as they've recently done to SGS3 and Galaxy Nexus owners.
Two of my options are to accept the $30/mo 3GB limit, or move to the 4GB family share plan. My wife typically uses 200-500MB of data and I average about 1.2GB a month with spikes up to 2GB. Getting raised to the $30/plan brings our bill to about $145/mo (our discount seems to negate the taxes), whereas going to the 4GB family share plan will put us at about $150, and takes away my wife's unlimited. Also, me going to the $10 medianet plan was out of principal, as I previously had the $30/mo unlimited plan, suspended my account during deployment, and then AT&T took it away, claiming that "military lose their grandfathered plans on deployments." I know that's not true, I just got a bad CS rep, but that's what I was told and I've been paying AT&T back ever since.
So, my other options are to try another GSM carrier. I'm in the Seattle area now and T-Mobile has excellent coverage up here, and by proxy, their MVNO carrier, Simple Mobile. In the case of Simple Mobile we could save quite a bit of money as well. But, as many people know, neither the iPhone 4S nor the SGSII support AWS bands. However, T-Mobile has been switching over to 1900mhz lately. Ideally, our phones should already support 3G/fake 4G in this area on T-Mobile. Can any Simple Mobile users comment on whether or not SM is using this new (to them) frequency?
Lastly, in the case of not being able to use 3G/fake 4G on Simple Mobile, are there any other GSM MVNOs worth considering?
I believe Straight Talk is unlimited everything for $45/month, and has support for (your choice of) AT&T, T Mobile, and Verizon (?).
So if you were to take both your phones, dumb them on two different ST plans for $45, you'd end up spending $90 a month for both your phone. Blam!
(Btw, I heard something about cutting you off or throttling at 3 to 4 GB of data usage, but since that's not in your range, I wouldn't worry)
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium
T-Mobile refarmed Seattle already I think (check airportal.de to verify) so I would switch to them. If you both get on the $30 plan and port your number to Google Voice you can use Talkatone or GrooveIP to talk on the phone. And if you get stuck on Edge Talkatone still works good.
Found what I want from T-Mobile.
http://explore.t-mobile.com/phone-sim-card
Two lines, 1000 minutes, unlimited text, unlimited data w/throttling after 2GB for $79.98/mo. No throttling if you pay $99.98/mo. In both cases, I'm eligible for a 15% military discount, unlike prepaid plans like Simple Mobile and straight Talk. However, I believe T-Mobile hides more below the line fees, making it nearly a wash in terms of advertised price. The difference being, unlike SM and ST, T-Mo won't kill my account for using more than 2Gb on an unlimited plan.
Also, they require a 2-year contract with a $200/line cancellation fee despite it being "bring your own phone," which is some straight up bull****.
As of today, I can save $25/mo moving to their unlimited plan, or $45/mo if I go to the 2GB throttling plan. I'd prefer the unlimited, so at $25/mo, it's only $300/year saved. However, I'd get slightly less coverage, and my wife wouldn't get her $200 iPhone upgrade every 2 years, which pretty much negates the savings (and she would miss her visual voice mail). So, unless AT&T rate jacks me by taking me off Medianet, we're not switching to this plan.
I'm currently on the $25 Virgin Mobile plan (Unlimited data/text, $300 minutes), and I was planning on upgrading my phone. With the recent announcement of the price of the Nexus 4, I think I might get on that. However is there any plan that is comparable to my Virgin Mobile plan? Seems all carriers have ridiculously expensive plans.
TMobile has some pretty good plans.
Tmobile 30 dollars for unlimited text/data (first 5 gb at "4g speeds") and 100 minutes is what I use. Only available from t mobiles website and walmart. I use Groove IP at home for free calls, but I also already used GV for years so the number is the same for me.
I'm pretty happy with my $45 straight talk unlimited minutes, text and unlimited data (it's really limited to about 2-2.5gb per month then your thottled) on the at&t side of things. You can get the same deal on straight talk with a t-mobile sim card and I hear they are lot more lenient on data consumption. I read about people routinely using 5-7gb's and not being throttled. That's my two cents.
IT's hard to beat the tmobile $30 unlim data/text plan.
where are you people getting these prices for prepaid? All I see is $70 a month for 5GB data
Basically buy the prepaid activation sim kit from T-Mobile website (only .99 cents) then when you activate it it's one of the options.
More info here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1297804
Prepaid options here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1455014
Value Plan for T-Mo is not bad if you need multiple lines.
I use red pocket which gives unlimted text/calls,25mb data and 250 min of international calling for 39.99$
Hello,
I'm planning on purchasing the Nexus 7 w/ HSPA+ once it's available. As as far pre-paid plans go, it would seem T-Mobile has the best 4G plans available. I know T-Mobile has specific pre-paid tablet plans available, but the amount of data per dollar seems less then what I could get with their "Pay By The Day" $3/day plan.. Now obviously that plan is setup with phones in mind as it includes Talk + Text, but I don't plan on using the cell radio everyday on the tablet because on most days I'm covered by Wifi.
I don't like their tablet broadband plans because the data is offered in 7 day blocks and I'd rather pay a premium price for unlimited data for the day vs paying 5x the cost for a measly 300MB of data.
I'm just curious, Is there any reason why this plan wouldn't work w/ a tablet?
Thanks in advance,
- Mitalis
Since this is not a T-mobile device you may get away with a SIM set up with a phone plan. But it's popularity may induce t-mobile to block it as they have done recently blocking Nexus Phones to be used with broadband plans. It's a wait and see really.
On the other hand, I'm my self planning to use my planned Nexus 7 3G with a combination of ATT Broadband plan, Tmobile broadband and freedom pop.
I will have to see....with broadband plans only you get more data for your money...the bad side is the period limit.
Tip: Tmobile has a special 60 days vs 30 days if you buy your broadband card from Walmart only on the $35 3.5gb and 50 5gb plans. After that you can renew them online without having to go thru Walmart.
The other option I will look into...(which negate the benefit of 3G Nexus) is the Internet on the go plans which use Sprint...but recent changes make them very competitive in a sense you pay like 1.13 cents per MB.....and the gb you buy will never expire....The cons are you have to buy a $80 hotspot device, carry it around and you only get EVDO Rev A...thru sprint...Not as fast as tmobile.
Mitalis said:
Hello,
I'm planning on purchasing the Nexus 7 w/ HSPA+ once it's available. As as far pre-paid plans go, it would seem T-Mobile has the best 4G plans available. I know T-Mobile has specific pre-paid tablet plans available, but the amount of data per dollar seems less then what I could get with their "Pay By The Day" $3/day plan.. Now obviously that plan is setup with phones in mind as it includes Talk + Text, but I don't plan on using the cell radio everyday on the tablet because on most days I'm covered by Wifi.
I don't like their tablet broadband plans because the data is offered in 7 day blocks and I'd rather pay a premium price for unlimited data for the day vs paying 5x the cost for a measly 300MB of data.
I'm just curious, Is there any reason why this plan wouldn't work w/ a tablet?
Thanks in advance,
- Mitalis
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats about $80 a month (assuming you go a few days without using the 3G Coverage)
You are going to realize after getting your Nexus 7 it will be used more often than you think... I bought mine, thinking it would be something to keep around the house, watch movies, listen to music on occasion, and take it on road trips. But it turned out I hardly put it down, I use it more than my cell phone. So I will certainly be getting the 3G model as soon as google makes it available for order.
The T-mobile "Classic – Overage-Free Plus" has a 2gb 4G limit, but it doesn't cut you off or charge you more when you use of the 2gb, it just drops you to 3G (maybe 2G) speeds until the next month. So you have Unlimited Data, just not always a High(er) speeds. Its gonna cost you 40$/mo but atleast it doesnt charge you more or cut you off completely like most other Wireless Carriers do. (http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/mobile-broadband-plans.aspx)
I ordered a StraightTalk (US Based) SIM Card, and will see how well it works, and how service is in my small town.
But if that does not work, I have T-mobiles Completely Unlimited Service Plan (Unlimited Talk/Text/Data) for $89. I can just add a new line (to get a another SIM Card) for $10 more a month, and share the Data with the Nexus 7 3G
nashi20002003 said:
Since this is not a T-mobile device you may get away with a SIM set up with a phone plan. But it's popularity may induce t-mobile to block it as they have done recently blocking Nexus Phones to be used with broadband plans. It's a wait and see really.
On the other hand, I'm my self planning to use my planned Nexus 7 3G with a combination of ATT Broadband plan, Tmobile broadband and freedom pop.
I will have to see....with broadband plans only you get more data for your money...the bad side is the period limit.
Tip: Tmobile has a special 60 days vs 30 days if you buy your broadband card from Walmart only on the $35 3.5gb and 50 5gb plans. After that you can renew them online without having to go thru Walmart.
The other option I will look into...(which negate the benefit of 3G Nexus) is the Internet on the go plans which use Sprint...but recent changes make them very competitive in a sense you pay like 1.13 cents per MB.....and the gb you buy will never expire....The cons are you have to buy a $80 hotspot device, carry it around and you only get EVDO Rev A...thru sprint...Not as fast as tmobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You dont want to do that sprint EVDO is slower than a snail... Its unlimited but your battery on the device will run out before you can get anything real accomplished.
Mitalis said:
Hello,
I'm planning on purchasing the Nexus 7 w/ HSPA+ once it's available. As as far pre-paid plans go, it would seem T-Mobile has the best 4G plans available. I know T-Mobile has specific pre-paid tablet plans available, but the amount of data per dollar seems less then what I could get with their "Pay By The Day" $3/day plan.. Now obviously that plan is setup with phones in mind as it includes Talk + Text, but I don't plan on using the cell radio everyday on the tablet because on most days I'm covered by Wifi.
I don't like their tablet broadband plans because the data is offered in 7 day blocks and I'd rather pay a premium price for unlimited data for the day vs paying 5x the cost for a measly 300MB of data.
I'm just curious, Is there any reason why this plan wouldn't work w/ a tablet?
Thanks in advance,
- Mitalis
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any updates from anyone on this.... Curious if you can use the Nexus 7 3g on a $3 daily plan... I just want to use it when I travel in the states...
It won't work. Tmo will block the tablet. Use a prepaid broadband plan instead, or tether to a phone.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I've got just a few more months on my ATT contract. I searched and did not find a straight answer. Straight talk was my plan but it seems they are not selling the ATT sim cards anymore. I don't think the T-Mobile network is as good in the Charlotte area. What network does net 10 use? Is it as good as straight talk? Is anybody in the Charlotte area using the T-Mobile straight talk or net 10 on the nexus 4?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Net10 bounces between AT&T and T-Mobile towers, making it an ideal third party hybrid service provider, since it supports both GSM networks.
However, from what I have heard they have daily data caps which when you hit it they will throttle you. Plus it's third party pre-paid, which means service will be bottom of the barrel. I'd rather pay $65 a month on AT&T prepaid if you don't want to go T-Mobile, which has $70 unlimited 4g.
steadly2004 said:
I've got just a few more months on my ATT contract. I searched and did not find a straight answer. Straight talk was my plan but it seems they are not selling the ATT sim cards anymore. I don't think the T-Mobile network is as good in the Charlotte area. What network does net 10 use? Is it as good as straight talk? Is anybody in the Charlotte area using the T-Mobile straight talk or net 10 on the nexus 4?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Net10 and straight talk are the same service/company, both tracfone parent. Straight talk is just a deal with Walmart giving a slight discount.
Recently net10 announced att byop would no longer be unlimited and capped at 1.5g data.
Straight talk no longer offers the att byop Sim on their site. You can still find and activate them. So far st has not followed with any changes, although we know att does indeed throttle data speeds randomly at their whim.. YMMV
Here's some details;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2120957
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1996686
Damn. Thanks for the info. I hate that ST stopped selling att sims. I would do T-Mobile but I don't think their coverage is as good in this area. More dead spots and such.
I'd definitely go net 10, but they are killing us with the new data cap. BS. I don't know what to do now. I already pay 150$ month for ATT unlimited with a 6 GB shared plan, 2 phones. I bought the nexus 4 intending to get away from their contract, but I don't want to get data capped on net 10, or get worse coverage with T-Mobile version of ST. I don't know what to do.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
steadly2004 said:
Damn. Thanks for the info. I hate that ST stopped selling att sims. I would do T-Mobile but I don't think their coverage is as good in this area. More dead spots and such.
I'd definitely go net 10, but they are killing us with the new data cap. BS. I don't know what to do now. I already pay 150$ month for ATT unlimited with a 6 GB shared plan, 2 phones. I bought the nexus 4 intending to get away from their contract, but I don't want to get data capped on net 10, or get worse coverage with T-Mobile version of ST. I don't know what to do.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well feeling kinda bad for you. So first are you off contract? You could try pay as you go on tmo for a month and see how it works out for you.
Another option if you're set on using att is you can buy an st byop att Sim on ebay or save money and buy a net10 att Sim. And activate it on straight talk.com instead. They should be interchangeable, and only cost $1+/- shipped..
I had att st couldn't stand being throttled randomly by att. St had no control over it either.
I switched to Walmart/tmo $30 plan which was passable.
Enough so I just switch back to st but on tmo.
I agree with clock on trying tmobile out for a month and seeing if it meets your needs. You can get a micro sim activation kit for free on the tmobile website on their deals page atm. I live outside of Charlotte(Gastonia, dont judge lol) and their reception can be hit or miss but most places i go i get 1-4 bars which is good enough for me. Even at 1-2 bars i get around 10Mbps down and 1 up with a ping around 500-600ms. On another note they are going to an uncarrier strategy(no annual contract on postpaid starting late March), so basically all plans start with $50 for unl talk and text and 500mb data, anything over 500 they will charge $10 for every 2gb up to 12gb cutoff. I think there will be a $70 unl everything plan that includes mobile hotspot. I hope this helps some.
bobdarkside said:
I agree with clock on trying tmobile out for a month and seeing if it meets your needs. You can get a micro sim activation kit for free on the tmobile website on their deals page atm. I live outside of Charlotte(Gastonia, dont judge lol) and their reception can be hit or miss but most places i go i get 1-4 bars which is good enough for me. Even at 1-2 bars i get around 10Mbps down and 1 up with a ping around 500-600ms. On another note they are going to an uncarrier strategy(no annual contract on postpaid starting late March), so basically all plans start with $50 for unl talk and text and 500mb data, anything over 500 they will charge $10 for every 2gb up to 12gb cutoff. I think there will be a $70 unl everything plan that includes mobile hotspot. I hope this helps some.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually in Lowell, (close enough to Gastonia) but work in Charlotte. I do have a little bit of time left on one of the two contracts with ATT. I was going to try to buy out the remainder of the time and break the contract if I was going to save $50 on two phones because I'd make it back in a few months and get unlimited data along with the unlimited talk/text I already enjoy.
I may go ahead and try the net 10. The website still says unlimited data, I heard (on these forums) they announced a data cap but still advertise unlimited on their website. I'm not sure what's up with that. 10 down and 1 up is plenty for me. Usually I'm only downloading new ROMs to flash anyway along with general web and forum browsing.
About that plan with $50 and only 500mb, that would cost me usually 60$-70/month and at that point I might as well stay with ATT and not be on borrowed bandwidth.
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I am currently on At&t and paying about $100 a month for my Nexus 4 with 3GB of data and Unlimited texts. Now I see this straight talk by walmart for $45 unlimited everything. That is one great deal. But as usual the old saying if it sounds to good to be true it usual is comes to mind. I'm in the Bay Area so coverage is good. I usually never leave this area too much. Is Straight talk a good service and worth it or are their hidden problems with it?
I've been on it two months no issues. I'm using Tmobile on ST and I love it the only thing I hated was that I had to cut my sim card. If you stick with ATT you won't have that issue. Since you are with ATT I heard after 1.5gb ST may throttle you or contact you to in regards to your data.
ATT is data stingy.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Can I get the T-Mobile sim if I am on At&t? And do they offer LTE now or in the future?
Each sim is separate so if I took a att sim I couldn't just say I want Tmobile service.
The nexus4 isn't officially 4g compatible so.... I'm not sure how to answer your second question.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
falcon26 said:
I am currently on At&t and paying about $100 a month for my Nexus 4 with 3GB of data and Unlimited texts. Now I see this straight talk by walmart for $45 unlimited everything. That is one great deal. But as usual the old saying if it sounds to good to be true it usual is comes to mind. I'm in the Bay Area so coverage is good. I usually never leave this area too much. Is Straight talk a good service and worth it or are their hidden problems with it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ST AT&T will throttle down to 2G speeds after 1.5 GB in a month (or less as some have reported in the threads) and they also have daily data usage limits. People also report being throttled with using anywhere from 20-100 MB in one day. It all depends upon how congested your tower is. A better option if you want AT&T is to use their own GoPhone service at $25 for 250 talk minutes, unlimited texts then add the 1GB of data for another $25, total $50 a month. Or the $65 unlimited talk and text and 1 GB of data plan. These are the cheapest AT&T itself offers. Any of the MVNO's (ST, Net10, etc) your going to be capped to 1.5 GB (or less) anyways and their customer service is crap. Wait on hold for over an hour a few times to speak to one and you eventually get tired of it.
A few points
Straight Talk no longer sells AT&T-compatible SIM cards through their website. People on eBay are selling them for around $50.
Straight Talk has never made any statement about throttling people at 1.5 GB. Net10, which is owned by the same company as Straight Talk, established a 1.5 GB limit (see https://net10data.com/), but Straight Talk has not.
Different people have widely different experiences of being throttled on Straight Talk, and it seems to be highly unpredictable. I was throttled for the first time ever this month after using about .95 GB, though to be fair I used that data in less than a week, and I was tethering a lot. The weird thing is that I was throttled a few days after I was using large amounts of data.
Because of this uncertainty, I wouldn't recommend starting Straight Talk AT&T service now, especially with the high price of SIMs. You might consider Net10, which has SIMs widely available on eBay for $1. It's $50 per month, and supposedly you'll get 1.5 GB before being throttled or cut off. Other AT&T MVNOs cost $55 or $60 per month, or you can do GoPhone for $50.
If T-Mobile has good service where you live, you can get better deals on their network. I think there's a good chance they'll let prepaid/MVNO customers have access to their LTE network, something AT&T has not done yet.