Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere, but I've noticed a lot of people being caught by surprise when they hear how little I pay for my data plan. I'd like to make a list of all prepaid plans, how much you pay, what you get, and what the coverage is for smartphones. Let's go!
Virgin Mobile ($35/month = 300 mins, unlimited txt+data)
Pros: Cheap, simple plans, good customer service
Cons: Not many high-end phones, have to buy VM branded phone (can't bring your own), Sprint coverage, expensive if you talk a LOT
T-Mobile's 4g plan ($30/month = 100 mins, unlimited txt+3g data, 5gb 4g data)
Pros: Perfect for people who talk very little, tons of fast data without throttling, can bring your own phone or buy through 3rd party (ebay, craigslist, amazon, etc)
Cons: Low minutes, if you go over your minutes, you are automatically upgraded to the next teir plan which only includes 300mb data and cannot switch back unless you buy a new sim card (aka, confusing plan), T-Mobile coverage
Straight Talk's BYOD Sim Card ($45/month = unlimited voice+data, ~2gb HSPA+ data)
Pros: AT&T coverage, unlimited minutes, can bring virtually any gsm device (offer both t-mobile and at&t sim cards)
Cons: Customer service is horrible, plans and coverage confusing*
*Straight Talk has deals with all major carriers, which is why they have several different coverage maps. For the prepaid android phones you buy from them, you get Sprint coverage. If you choose the BYOD sim plan, you get either T-Mobile or AT&T coverage (depending on which sim card you choose). Some of their prepaid dumbphones use Verizon's towers, so you'll see that coverage map, too. Basically, get an AT&T sim and you get AT&T coverage. Not too bad.
Also, it's worth noting that T-Mobile and Virgin are both very clear about data limits and what happens when. Straight Talk is a lot less clear, basically saying if you don't tether or stream, you have unlimited data, but if they catch you using a TON of data they do have the right to kick you off their plan. If you want to stream pandora 16 hours a day, this isn't the plan for you.
Please feel free to add to this list or make corrections if you see them. I wrote this in response to an article on Cnet today, and am basically just copying and pasting. I know there are more carriers, but there are the three I personally have experience with. If you have experience and know a carrier inside and out, send a reply! I'd like to eventually get all prepaid carriers in the US.
I just ordered an att sim for my pre2
If I don't like it I'll put it on my razr n give it to my mom
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
There are other options but none are really much better than what you posted. However, there is a pretty huge thread in the Galaxy Nexus forum: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1455014
There's also RedPocket. They run on AT&T's network. They have payAsYouGo by the minute and PayMonthly. I'm use Their Unlimited Talk, Text and 2GB Data plan for $59.99. I would suggest them if Straight Talk's nebulous data limits don't work for you and you prefer AT&T's network. I use RedPocket in my HTC One X....
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
Babydoll25 said:
There's also RedPocket. They run on AT&T's network. They have payAsYouGo by the minute and PayMonthly. I'm use Their Unlimited Talk, Text and 2GB Data plan for $59.99. I would suggest them if Straight Talk's nebulous data limits don't work for you and you prefer AT&T's network. I use RedPocket in my HTC One X....
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good stuff, but there is a little bit of misinformation here. Straight Talk has two different BYOD sim cards: one runs off of T-Mobile's network and one off of AT&T's.
With that in mind, is there any compelling reason to spend an extra $15/month? (Not trying to be a ****, just wondering if customer service is better, if they subsidize phones, or some other benefit over straight talk.)
xxBrun0xx said:
Straight Talk's BYOD Sim Card ($45/month = unlimited voice+data, ~2gb HSPA+ data)
Pros: AT&T coverage, unlimited minutes, can bring virtually any gsm device (offer both t-mobile and at&t sim cards)
Cons: Customer service is horrible, plans and coverage confusing*
*Straight Talk has deals with all major carriers, which is why they have several different coverage maps. For the prepaid android phones you buy from them, you get Sprint coverage. If you choose the BYOD sim plan, you get either T-Mobile or AT&T coverage (depending on which sim card you choose). Some of their prepaid dumbphones use Verizon's towers, so you'll see that coverage map, too. Basically, get an AT&T sim and you get AT&T coverage. Not too bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
corrections:
old ST android phones run on Sprint for ST actually only 2 of them does,
the LG Optimus Q and Samsung Galaxy Precedent
we use verizon and TMO for newer android phones (though i was not able to catch up since i transfered to AT&T, last time i was there the LG Optimus Black runs on TMO networks)
Verizon Tower Phones-
all CDMA dumbphones
AT&T & TMO Tower phones-
sim card dependent
Sprint Tower Phones-
Only LG Optimus Q and Samsung Galaxy Precedent
CS is well trained if they are tier 2-3 (that is the supervisors and managers desk)
if you call CS ask immediately to be transfered to a supervisor if you are not contented to a supervisor ask for a manager
tier 1 reps or beginners are the main reason why people say the CS is horrible
they are actually the front-liners and will recieve every given call
30% of tier 1 reps are actually on training (new hires on the job with no experience)
50% of them are less than 6 months tenure
So you think if I switch to ST and do just that I would get good CS?
Sent from my XT862 using xda app-developers app
Haha, I've gotten a manager who insisted that the byod att sim card wouldn't work with my Galaxy Nexus. They might be "well trained", but if they don't understand English, then they aren't helpful. And to be fair, I have had a few good managers, but you really take your chances.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
MrObvious said:
So you think if I switch to ST and do just that I would get good CS?
Sent from my XT862 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont know,
i hate thier management, thats why i left
xxBrun0xx said:
Haha, I've gotten a manager who insisted that the byod att sim card wouldn't work with my Galaxy Nexus. They might be "well trained", but if they don't understand English, then they aren't helpful. And to be fair, I have had a few good managers, but you really take your chances.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you happen to ask where was he from?
Yeah. I like T-Mobile but my phone doesn't get 3g. Im hoping the 1900 refarm will fix that. The only other downside is I have 100 minutes, no nights and weekends. I can use Sipdroid but I hate having two numbers and don't use my GV number because it doesn't do MMS or things like how you can text your Facebook status to 32665. Idk. Sorry I just was ranting.
Sent from my XT883 using xda app-developers app
deathnotice01 said:
i dont know,
i hate thier management, thats why i left
did you happen to ask where was he from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
She was quite obviously from India lol.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
xxBrun0xx said:
She was quite obviously from India lol.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
we don't have a center from india
you must have misinterpreted her voice
it was from south america maybe guatemala or bogota
Really? I thought for sure her accent was Indian. Do people from those other countries have Indian-sounding accents? I definitely could be wrong about that.
Regardless of where she was from, I have had quite a few atrocious experiences with their customer service.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
xxBrun0xx said:
Really? I thought for sure her accent was Indian. Do people from those other countries have Indian-sounding accents? I definitely could be wrong about that.
Regardless of where she was from, I have had quite a few atrocious experiences with their customer service.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea,
tracfone does not contract a center in india cuz they prefer south america for the reason that the head office of our center is in mexico and tracfone is a mexican company
yea, south american agents who are our contact partners does sound indian-like, they are mostly in port related, fraud and android support group,
xxBrun0xx said:
Good stuff, but there is a little bit of misinformation here. Straight Talk has two different BYOD sim cards: one runs off of T-Mobile's network and one off of AT&T's.
With that in mind, is there any compelling reason to spend an extra $15/month? (Not trying to be a ****, just wondering if customer service is better, if they subsidize phones, or some other benefit over straight talk.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I wasn't clear enough in my first post.
I know they do, however they don't seem to be quite as strict with data use on T-Mobile's network. Also, most people I know prefer Simple Mobile as the MVNO of choice for T-Mobile.
I think the extra 15$ is worth it to have a defined data allotment. On HoFo there are complaints of ST harassing them over as little 1.3GB of usage in a month. I don't like nebulous ToS.....
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
So I can put my T-Mobile sim card in a tracfone and it will operate?Do they run on the same frequencies as T-Mobile?how much for just a data plan with tracfone that I can use in my T-Mobile phone.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G
I use Platinumtel with my Nexus S 4G.
It's:
Sprint's Network
BYOD
$0.05 per minute
$ 0.02 per text
$.10 per Mb data
---------- Post added at 10:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:50 AM ----------
I use Platinumtel with my Nexus S 4G.
It's:
Sprint's Network
BYOD
$0.05 per minute
$ 0.02 per text
$.10 per Mb data
deathnotice01 said:
yea,
tracfone does not contract a center in india cuz they prefer south america for the reason that the head office of our center is in mexico and tracfone is a mexican company
yea, south american agents who are our contact partners does sound indian-like, they are mostly in port related, fraud and android support group,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had no idea Tracphone was a base out of Mexico. Cool
booda3000 said:
I use Platinumtel with my Nexus S 4G.
It's:
Sprint's Network
BYOD
$0.05 per minute
$ 0.02 per text
$.10 per Mb data
---------- Post added at 10:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:50 AM ----------
I use Platinumtel with my Nexus S 4G.
It's:
Sprint's Network
BYOD
$0.05 per minute
$ 0.02 per text
$.10 per Mb data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems to be a pretty terrible deal, and here's my logic (correct me if I'm wrong):
Let's compare to Virgin Mobile, since they also use Sprint's Network. So with VM, you pay for data and voice, and basically get charged $0 per text. Let's do some math!
Assuming you're going with VM's $35/month plan, you're getting 100 minutes and 2.5gb of data (until they throttle you, after which is unlimited. But let's pretend throttled data doesn't exist and they hard capped you instead). Let's look at how much it would cost to use 100 minutes and 2.5gb data on Platinumtel:
100 mins x $0.05/minute = $5
2.5gb data x $0.10/mb x (1000mb/gb) = $250
Total: $5 + $250 = $255/month
Keep in mind this doesn't include texts, which are "free" through VM. Now, let's say you're big on talking. Let's jump up to Virgin's next plan, 1200 minutes for $45.
1200 mins x $0.05/minute = $60
Total: $60 + $255 = $315/month
And the it's really downhill from there (VM has a final plan, which is $55/month with unlimited minutes, but you get the idea).
This plan also fares very poorly against every other prepaid plan, unless you don't do much of anything other than use wifi with your phone and simply need something for emergencies.
But still, if you use 0 minutes, 0 texts, and only 450 mb per month, you're paying as much as you would for Straight Talk, or Virgin's 2nd plan, or a host of other more competitive plans. While pay as you go smartphone plans are cool, this is just way too expensive for what you get.
xxBrun0xx said:
I had no idea Tracphone was a base out of Mexico. Cool
This seems to be a pretty terrible deal, and here's my logic (correct me if I'm wrong):
Let's compare to Virgin Mobile, since they also use Sprint's Network. So with VM, you pay for data and voice, and basically get charged $0 per text. Let's do some math!
Assuming you're going with VM's $35/month plan, you're getting 100 minutes and 2.5gb of data (until they throttle you, after which is unlimited. But let's pretend throttled data doesn't exist and they hard capped you instead). Let's look at how much it would cost to use 100 minutes and 2.5gb data on Platinumtel:
100 mins x $0.05/minute = $5
2.5gb data x $0.10/mb x (1000mb/gb) = $250
Total: $5 + $250 = $255/month
Keep in mind this doesn't include texts, which are "free" through VM. Now, let's say you're big on talking. Let's jump up to Virgin's next plan, 1200 minutes for $45.
1200 mins x $0.05/minute = $60
Total: $60 + $255 = $315/month
And the it's really downhill from there (VM has a final plan, which is $55/month with unlimited minutes, but you get the idea).
This plan also fares very poorly against every other prepaid plan, unless you don't do much of anything other than use wifi with your phone and simply need something for emergencies.
But still, if you use 0 minutes, 0 texts, and only 450 mb per month, you're paying as much as you would for Straight Talk, or Virgin's 2nd plan, or a host of other more competitive plans. While pay as you go smartphone plans are cool, this is just way too expensive for what you get.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true. PAYGO is only good for people who either don't use their phone alot or are next to WIFI enough to satisfy their needs.
I personally like to only pay for what I use and nothing more.
I don't need much data, because I'm either at work or near WIFI.
BTW, PTel has monthly plans also.
If I had WIFI at work, I could probably spend less that $2 a month.
xxBrun0xx said:
T-Mobile's 4g plan ($30/month = 100 mins, unlimited txt+3g data, 5gb 4g data)
Pros: Perfect for people who talk very little, tons of fast data without throttling, can bring your own phone or buy through 3rd party (ebay, craigslist, amazon, etc)
Cons: Low minutes, if you go over your minutes, you are automatically upgraded to the next teir plan which only includes 300mb data and cannot switch back unless you buy a new sim card (aka, confusing plan), T-Mobile coverage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a bit incorrect. If you run out of minutes they charge you $.05 a minute. They won't change your plan.
There are quite a few more prepaid providers: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1455014
Related
Didn't know if this had been posted but ST just into'd new bring your own device plans! Now we can take our unlocked GSII's and use them on ATT network for $45 unlimited talk/text/web! Obviously this is not a big deal for those that live in Tmobiles 3g/4g footprint but it is for me since I don't.
I wonder if their data speeds are like simple mobile
SevenSe7enSeven said:
I wonder if their data speeds are like simple mobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What speeds are you getting with simple mobile? Here are some reported speeds from users on ST byod.--> http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1737642-Post-Your-Straight-Talk-Speedtests
Oh I'm not on simple mobile I just remember a thread about their 3g speeds being under 200kbps. Haven't heard much good or bad with straight talk
Is there data throttle caps?
ム丹し丹メㄚ ち工工 - XDΔ ΔPP
im switching to simple mobile this month, this month's TMO bill was 119.00 dollars, i say F to that when i can pay 60.
welcome to Simple! lol i keep trolling my presence wherever SIMple is talked about. sorry deah suh.
Yeah simple isn't bad I was getting good speeds I'm on T-Mobile prepay now just because I get to have a ringback tone
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Doesn't t-mobile have a 50 dollar unlimited everything for prepaid...?
tspx23 said:
Doesn't t-mobile have a 50 dollar unlimited everything for prepaid...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think its unlimite talk and text and 200mb data
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Vinsane said:
Is there data throttle caps?
ム丹し丹メㄚ ち工工 - XDΔ ΔPP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Generally they begin capping around 2gigs. Not bad though for $45. Only reason this appeals to me is I can't get T-Mobile 3/4g service but I can get AT&T hspda service. As far as I know, this is the cheapest unlimited plan that runs on AT&T's network.
tspx23 said:
Doesn't t-mobile have a 50 dollar unlimited everything for prepaid...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does, unlimited minutes and messages, 4G with speeds throttled after the first 2G - but it's only available as a family plan: 2 phones, 2 plans, 2 x $50 / mo.
Great if you've got a family member who's interested, and you both live in the t-m ob footprint.
The same plan's available BYOD for $60/mo, which is a lot more when you consider that the family plan includes phones.
---------- Post added at 08:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:25 AM ----------
reocej said:
Didn't know if this had been posted but ST just into'd new bring your own device plans! Now we can take our unlocked GSII's and use them on ATT network for $45 unlimited talk/text/web! Obviously this is not a big deal for those that live in Tmobiles 3g/4g footprint but it is for me since I don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on the T-Mobile 'fringes', so, yeah, this is interesting.
I can use my T989 on ST? Is there an unlocker?
Got a link to the ST BYOD plan(s)?
Thanks!
Might be good add a back up
I used Simple Mobile's $40 per month plan and data speeds were horrible. It was so bad I switched to their $60 unlimited. Then this past weekend T-mo had that free phone giveaway thing for new customers, so I ended up signing up for the $60 plan for 2GB of data. Same price as Simple and I only really use about 2GB per month anyway, so it works well for me plus a free Galaxy S 2 is always cool with me.
The one thing about t-mo I really like is that if you call them there are a lot more options than what you see on the web. For example, I use Google Voice so I don't need SMS. That cuts $10 out of the bill right there, but you have to call to get them to take that out, can't do it via the web I don't think.
When is the Straight Talk SIM plan coming out?! Will they do 4G? God, I hope so, $45 bucks for all the **** they offer is a STEAL, especially if you use it with a smartphone... Unlike I am doing with GoPhone ATM
olm3ca said:
The one thing about t-mo I really like is that if you call them there are a lot more options than what you see on the web. For example, I use Google Voice so I don't need SMS. That cuts $10 out of the bill right there, but you have to call to get them to take that out, can't do it via the web I don't think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hadn't realized there were call-only deals. I'll have to call them. No idea if they're flexible on their BYOD plans (I don't need SMS either)
funziebear said:
i think its unlimite talk and text and 200mb data
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the 200mb is 4g, but its unlimited internet access just slows to edge. but the $60 optioin is better, comes w/2gb of 4g speeds then edge. About $64.80 after taxes on monthly 4g plan.
thebigcheese44 said:
When is the Straight Talk SIM plan coming out?! Will they do 4G? God, I hope so, $45 bucks for all the **** they offer is a STEAL, especially if you use it with a smartphone... Unlike I am doing with GoPhone ATM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Knowing AT&T, if you use Straight Talk, the data speeds are probably capped at 512kbps.
Didn't work for me. I cannot even use SMS with their unlimited $45 plan. Data is down as well. I'm on Straighttalk AT&T SIM card. Customer support reset the options on their side twice, but it didn't help. I tried two different phones with this SIM card to no avail.
texts should be working but for data, did you put in the new APNs? Data wont just work if you just insert the SIM card in since AT&T and ST have different APN's
Sorry If has been asked, I searched and found no thread similar with the name.
But my T Mobile 2 year contract expires soon, and I was thinking of switching BACK over to Simple Mobile, Unlimited everything 50$ a month.
I am guessing there shouldn't be a problem since simple mobile use t mobiles network towers, but I just want to make sure. Thank You.
it will be fine, simple mobile runs on tmobile. Just do some research on howard forums on prepaid networks. Simple mobile is good if you have to do some international calls as they give u 5 bix a month credit for their unlimited plam.
However based on reports i have read, their unlimited is really about 2gigs. And sometimes they may even cut off data completely. With Straight talk you can choose between tmobile and att and they only throttle you.....
ijip said:
it will be fine, simple mobile runs on tmobile. Just do some research on howard forums on prepaid networks. Simple mobile is good if you have to do some international calls as they give u 5 bix a month credit for their unlimited plam.
However based on reports i have read, their unlimited is really about 2gigs. And sometimes they may even cut off data completely. With Straight talk you can choose between tmobile and att and they only throttle you.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So are you saying simple mobile's data on their $50 plan is only 2 gig? How about their $40 plan...im planning on getting that!!!!
sLiKK said:
So are you saying simple mobile's data on their $50 plan is only 2 gig? How about their $40 plan...im planning on getting that!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, not he $50 SimpleMobile plan is not limited to 2gigs, its "Unlimited" - To what they define as "Unlimited" I can not say for certain.
They claim to be truly Unlimited; After speaking with their Customer Service, they stated they have not data cap. They will have ever Throttle your speeds (from 4G to 3G) if you violate their TOU/T&C (which you can find on their website; and states crap like do not run a server over their network [technically t-mobiles network] no pirating stuff, etc.. the usual stuff)
With the $40 plan, you are limited to 250mb of 4G, so why not spend the extra $10 and have "Unlimited"
My cousin uses Simple Mobile in Florida, he uses the hell out of it.. He turns his Nexus7 into a Hotspot and connects his laptop to it (while this is a violation of the T&C) and he has yet to be throttled or had service terminated... (the trick to the Hotspot/Tether is to mirror your laptops MAC to that of the device you have the data service through, so they don't notice 2 different device accessing the same data connection)
So you get the $50 Unlimited plan, you max out your usage, they throttle you, you wait until the next month to start fresh, or you Port your number to a new carrier and max out that internet.. No where in the US will you find truly Unlimited Data anymore (Sprint Lies!)
UberSlackr said:
No where in the US will you find truly Unlimited Data anymore (Sprint Lies!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprints definitely unlimited...I once used 30gb of their 4g wimax in a month tethering a dd-wrt router to my whole house while time warner was down. But that apartment seemed to be the only place in the city where 4g worked well. Everywhere else its 100kbps max 3g. Lots of places barely get 10kbps and have >1 sec ping. Really hope my nexus 4 gets here soon so I can kick sprint to the curb.
Also check your crappy local stores for simple mobile sims. I just bought one from a shady liquor store for less than the website.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
From personal experience the $40 plan is capped at 2gigs then throttled and $50 plan is capped at 5gigs then they cut it of completely so I switched to T-Mobile $30 100 minutes unlimited text and 5gigs of 4g data then I get throttled
(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻
SENT FROM THE HYPERBOLIC TIME CHAMBER
OK IMHO if you're considering simple mobile, which is a tracfone, I would recommend getting straight talk/telcel $45 or net10 $50 byop tmobile Sim instead (also tracfone). You can use telcel or net10 that can be bought on ebay for $1 interchanably. NOTE this is NOT the same when using the AT&T byop Sim.
At least they are sorta *unlimited... Simple mobile has these issues; 2gb high speed then throttled, 2gb cap, or instant throttle at 119Kbs from day one.
I am in Florida and I speak from experience, but this may have changed since tmobile themselves changed their $70 from 5gb to unlimited recently.
*I've seen a data screen cap or someone claiming having used 100gb without issues.
I also used T-Mobile/Walmart $30 plan but 100 min was not enough for me, even when using VoIP calling. I also hit the 5gb data limit.
Switched back to st but using tmo byop Sim this time. Got refills currently from $33-42/m no taxes but its not always the case.
YMMV
clockcycle said:
OK IMHO if you're considering simple mobile, which is a tracfone, I would recommend getting straight talk/telcel $45 or net10 $50 byop tmobile Sim instead (also tracfone). You can use telcel or net10 that can be bought on ebay for $1 interchanably. NOTE this is NOT the same when using the AT&T byop Sim.
At least they are sorta *unlimited... Simple mobile has these issues; 2gb high speed then throttled, 2gb cap, or instant throttle at 119Kbs from day one.
I am in Florida and I speak from experience, but this may have changed since tmkbile themselves changed their $70 from 5gb to unlimited.
*I've seen a data screen cap or someone claiming having used 100gb without issues.
YMMV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can live with the data cap look into ptel. Their $40.00 unlimited plan is the same as simple mobile's. Your can order a sim and $40.00 pin and use the promo code "ptelslick20" and pay $20.00. The pins are good for a year so order 12 of these. I am switching when my 30 days expire with simple mobile
Simple Mobile raised their 50 dollar plan to 55 dollars after taxes and fees etc. Thinking about switching to Straight Talk.
joelcop said:
If you can live with the data cap look into ptel. Their $40.00 unlimited plan is the same as simple mobile's. Your can order a sim and $40.00 pin and use the promo code "ptelslick20" and pay $20.00. The pins are good for a year so order 12 of these. I am switching when my 30 days expire with simple mobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice find, thanks for sharing. I got some of the $99/90day refills for straight talk. But that might not be bad for mom or dad, anyone that doesn't use much but likes the choice..
clockcycle said:
Nice find, thanks for sharing. I got some of the $99/90day refills for straight talk. But that might not be bad for mom or dad, anyone that doesn't use much but likes the choice..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I order so many pins for my family and friends that they called me to make sure it wasn't a mistake
Simple Mobile Sim
I didn't want to create another thread but hoping someone can answer this since it's related to my Nexus 4 and Simple mobile.
I already am using Simple Mobile on my Gnex, but can I cut my sim that I am currently using and stick it in my N4? I am following these instructions: http://www.airportal.de/nanosim/
Any tips or tricks or warnings will be helpful.
Thanks in advance.
Hello, while being mindful of Nexus 4's LTE status, I would like to debate on what carrier is the best for general/specific purposes.
For data heavy but light on talk, it's renown that the T-Mobile $30 unlimited data/text plan with 100 minutes is the best value in that regards.
However, for someone like me who has two people on the line (my mom only uses talk, where I am more text/data heavy but still use some talk) I am curious about Straight Talk and Walmart's Family Mobile (both offered via Walmart)
My current plan is Walmart's Family Mobile at $45 / mo. + $35 line (ex. tax) which provides unlimited talk, text and 250 MB of data with options of $10 for an extra 1 GB, $20 for 3 GB or $40 for 8 GB. This is all 3g... but speeds are pretty horrible. It ranges from 0.26 to 0.8 Mbps.
Has anybody used Family Mobile and Straight Talk or another carrier that believe they have a better deal?
Thanks!
Straight talk AT&T > Tmobile since you can actually get coverage...
AshtonTS said:
Straight talk AT&T > Tmobile since you can actually get coverage...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got plenty of coverage here with ST T-Mo. Able to pull 15 Mbps down on their DC-HSPA+ 42 network in South Florida. It is awesome.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
So let me get this straight...
I pay $45 + $35 / mo. and only get 250 Mb. So with Straight Talk... I get better coverage, 2 GB of unthrottled data (vs. 250 MB) for $10 more?
How much does it cost for additional data?
Thank you so much for the replies.
SacTu said:
So let me get this straight...
I pay $45 + $35 / mo. and only get 250 Mb. So with Straight Talk... I get better coverage, 2 GB of unthrottled data (vs. 250 MB) for $10 more?
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Correct. The world of MVNOs (companies using the main carriers' networks) is a brilliant one. The saving grace of American telecom (outside of the $30 T-Mobile plan you mentioned).
Sent from my Nexus 4
1. How much does additional data cost on Straight Talk?
Also, when selecting Straight Talk's "Please choose the type of phone you have"
"Phone is CDMA..."
"Unlocked GSM Phone"
"AT&T Compatible Phone"
"T-Mobile Compatible Phone"
2. Is it better to pick Unlocked, AT&T, T-Mobile or does it not matter as they both use the same frequency and will allow you to switch between one tower or the other depending on better service?
3. I'm guessing Straight Talk doesn't have any additional line services, so I'll have to buy two separate ones for me and my mom?
Sorry for all the questions, hopefully I'll be able to relay these answers to future people as I am forever in your debt.
SacTu said:
1. How much does additional data cost on Straight Talk?
Also, when selecting Straight Talk's "Please choose the type of phone you have"
"Phone is CDMA..."
"Unlocked GSM Phone"
"AT&T Compatible Phone"
"T-Mobile Compatible Phone"
2. Is it better to pick Unlocked, AT&T, T-Mobile or does it not matter as they both use the same frequency and will allow you to switch between one tower or the other depending on better service?
3. I'm guessing Straight Talk doesn't have any additional line services, so I'll have to buy two separate ones for me and my mom?
Sorry for all the questions, hopefully I'll be able to relay these answers to future people as I am forever in your debt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When starting a Straight Talk plan, it actually DOES matter what you select here. If you choose AT&T compatible, then you will use the AT&T network. If you choose T-Mobile, then you use the T-Mobile Network. If I recall correctly, simply choosing "Unlocked GSM phone," will give you an AT&T compatible SIM.
There are benefits of each network. AT&T generally has better coverage, but instead of deploying DC-HSPA+ 42mbps, they opted for LTE. The Straight Talk MVNO does not currently have access to LTE (last time I checked).
T-Mobile, on the other hand, may not have as great of coverage but, if you happen to have good coverage, you could have access to their HSPA+ 42 speeds.
Their have also been reports of users getting throttled at different points depending on what network they chose with Straight Talk.
depends on the coverage in your area. Straight talk ATT in my area has great coverage but data speed is slow. tmobile runs fast like most advertised here but its spotty in a lot of places i travel to. since u can purchase a tmobile sim for $30 you wont lose much to test it out.
1. Pick at&t micro SIM.
2. See #1. No switching between at&t and T-Mobile since they mostly use different frequencies and prepaid MVNO don't data roam.
3. Yes.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Straight talk has a 100mb per day limit as well..... Go above it several times and they reserve the right to outright just kill service. Something to keep in mind.
I've been pleasantly surprised by tmo coverage in Indianapolis. I thought I was going to see a bunch of dead spots. I've only seen one. Out of the city may be different.
How do you go about getting the T-Mobile $30 a month plan without having to actually buy a phone from them/Walmart? I don't see this option anywhere
facetubespam said:
How do you go about getting the T-Mobile $30 a month plan without having to actually buy a phone from them/Walmart? I don't see this option anywhere
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Tmobile offers a microSIM activation kit on their website, and once you get it you can activate it online
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
ST Tmo is hard to beat IMO, in your situation though I'd go $45 ST plan + pageplus for your mom.
AshtonTS said:
Straight talk AT&T > Tmobile since you can actually get coverage...
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I get the same coverage but better call quality with Tmo.
I'm on the $30 tmo plan and it is pretty awesome. Coverage in the wild is slim to none, but in metro areas the speeds are excellent and I don't ever find myself wishing for LTE.
Getting the plan is a little tricky, as tmo won't sell it to you in the store. But you can activate it online (ironically enough.. inside their store too) or through walmart website.
If you can get coverage, T-Mobile is the best one in the US. I'm pulling 22Mbps here in Tampa, it's insane.
Pheno.menon said:
I'm on the $30 tmo plan and it is pretty awesome. Coverage in the wild is slim to none, but in metro areas the speeds are excellent and I don't ever find myself wishing for LTE.
Getting the plan is a little tricky, as tmo won't sell it to you in the store. But you can activate it online (ironically enough.. inside their store too) or through walmart website.
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nevermind i found the answer to my question.
svengalis said:
I know the $30 plan is only available to new customers. I am already on tmobile now with a g2x, would i be able to get on the $30 plan with the Nexus 4?
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Yes, but you would have to get a new number
If you want to keep your number, you need to port over to google voice and then activate the account with the plan and port the number from GV into the account with the $30 plan
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
gagdude said:
Yes, but you would have to get a new number
If you want to keep your number, you need to port over to google voice and then activate the account with the plan and port the number from GV into the account with the $30 plan
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
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Okay thank you!
gagdude said:
Tmobile offers a microSIM activation kit on their website, and once you get it you can activate it online
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
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Thanks!
I want to try out how T-Mobile's service fares here vs my current AT&T which is serving me very well, but always looking to maximize the N4
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 $70 unlimited 4g.
steadly2004 said:
I've got just a few more months on my ATT contract. I searched and did not find a straight answer. Straight talk was my plan but it seems they are not selling the ATT sim cards anymore. I don't think the T-Mobile network is as good in the Charlotte area. What network does net 10 use? Is it as good as straight talk? Is anybody in the Charlotte area using the T-Mobile straight talk or net 10 on the nexus 4?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
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Net10 and straight talk are the same service/company, both tracfone parent. Straight talk is just a deal with Walmart giving a slight discount.
Recently net10 announced att byop would no longer be unlimited and capped at 1.5g data.
Straight talk no longer offers the att byop Sim on their site. You can still find and activate them. So far st has not followed with any changes, although we know att does indeed throttle data speeds randomly at their whim.. YMMV
Here's some details;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2120957
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1996686
Damn. Thanks for the info. I hate that ST stopped selling att sims. I would do T-Mobile but I don't think their coverage is as good in this area. More dead spots and such.
I'd definitely go net 10, but they are killing us with the new data cap. BS. I don't know what to do now. I already pay 150$ 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.
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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
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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.
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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?
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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.