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I'm thinking of getting a Nexus 4 in the very near future, and I'm interested in seeing what might be the best provider for my needs.
My main interest is data. Having unlimited of it would be perfect (actually unlimited, not like 2GB and then shut-off notice or something like that).
I am also interested in tethering. Currently, I would only be interested in using my Nexus 10, and nothing else, but perhaps later on down the road I might get a laptop as well. Just want a plan that doesn't charge an additional fee for tethering (or at the least, a one-time fee; nothing recurring), and allows for tethering even. I don't plan to use huge amounts of data while tethering either, just maybe check some emails, G+, play some multiplayer games (GW2, PoE, etc.), and chat to friends over XMPP and Steam. No "major" downloading or anything like that (or very little of it; maybe the occasional 100MB game might need updating on my tablet like Shadowgun).
Voice minutes isn't too dire for me. Don't plan on talking too much, and if the minutes aren't unlimited, I'd just hope texting is, or I can fallback to Google Voice even.
I've checked out StraightTalk, Simple Mobile, and T-Mobile prepaid. From what I hear, the first two aren't too keen on tethering, and have some invisible data limit that if hit, they can cancel your service (but perhaps I've heard wrong, or maybe this was in the past). There was another plan I checked out (Solavi or something) but their privacy policy on shared info didn't seem too good, and I hear they too don't like tethering and have an invisible data limit.
I'm somewhat interested in T-Mobile's $30 prepaid plan. Unlimited data is pretty nice (the 4G is also nice, but my area is only 2G only according to their map). Not entirely sure on T-Mo's stance on tethering. I don't really see myself using more than 100 voice minutes a month, but if I understand right, it's like $0.33 per minute after that, or I can buy minutes with a T-Mo prepaid card. I currently have an old full-sized T-Mo prepaid SIM card lying around. Hoping I can just make this micro, pop it in, and then sign-up for the $30/month prepaid thing on T-Mo's site without problem.
But simply put, I need a plan with unlimited data, calling/text (doesn't have to be unlimited, but I need them nonetheless) and no strict-stance on tethering. Being under $50/month would be awesome I'm also in the United States, and don't plan on doing anything international, in the near future anyway. Should I go with T-Mobile's $30/month prepaid plan, or is there another provider I should look at instead?
espionage724 said:
I'm thinking of getting a Nexus 4 in the very near future, and I'm interested in seeing what might be the best provider for my needs.
My main interest is data. Having unlimited of it would be perfect (actually unlimited, not like 2GB and then shut-off notice or something like that).
I am also interested in tethering. Currently, I would only be interested in using my Nexus 10, and nothing else, but perhaps later on down the road I might get a laptop as well. Just want a plan that doesn't charge an additional fee for tethering (or at the least, a one-time fee; nothing recurring), and allows for tethering even. I don't plan to use huge amounts of data while tethering either, just maybe check some emails, G+, play some multiplayer games (GW2, PoE, etc.), and chat to friends over XMPP and Steam. No "major" downloading or anything like that (or very little of it; maybe the occasional 100MB game might need updating on my tablet like Shadowgun).
Voice minutes isn't too dire for me. Don't plan on talking too much, and if the minutes aren't unlimited, I'd just hope texting is, or I can fallback to Google Voice even.
I've checked out StraightTalk, Simple Mobile, and T-Mobile prepaid. From what I hear, the first two aren't too keen on tethering, and have some invisible data limit that if hit, they can cancel your service (but perhaps I've heard wrong, or maybe this was in the past). There was another plan I checked out (Solavi or something) but their privacy policy on shared info didn't seem too good, and I hear they too don't like tethering and have an invisible data limit.
I'm somewhat interested in T-Mobile's $30 prepaid plan. Unlimited data is pretty nice (the 4G is also nice, but my area is only 2G only according to their map). Not entirely sure on T-Mo's stance on tethering. I don't really see myself using more than 100 voice minutes a month, but if I understand right, it's like $0.33 per minute after that, or I can buy minutes with a T-Mo prepaid card. I currently have an old full-sized T-Mo prepaid SIM card lying around. Hoping I can just make this micro, pop it in, and then sign-up for the $30/month prepaid thing on T-Mo's site without problem.
But simply put, I need a plan with unlimited data, calling/text (doesn't have to be unlimited, but I need them nonetheless) and no strict-stance on tethering. Being under $50/month would be awesome I'm also in the United States, and don't plan on doing anything international, in the near future anyway. Should I go with T-Mobile's $30/month prepaid plan, or is there another provider I should look at instead?
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Here in Canada, I'm paying $30/mo. for service which includes unlimited local, canada-wide text and "unlimited" data. They say unlimited, but my speed is severely capped at 5GB (to about 10 kb/s, unusable). Well I don't know too much about US Providers, with the $30 I'm paying it sounds similar to T-Mobile's plan, BUT something I didn't know when I got my service was how limited the coverage would be. Even in Toronto there are spots where data is dropped because of poor reception, and I guess this is why the service is so "cheap" relative to other providers in canada. So I guess what's I'm saying is t-mobile's $30 data might not be as good and reliable as other carriers (maybe). It would be nice to hear from someone who actually has tried this plan though.
I'm using a straight talk att sim that was cut down. I've heard they have a 2 gig limit but I have never hit it. Their service is $50.05 after tax. I don't think you will find your service for less than $50 but curious if you do. I was on t mobile but once new buildings started being put up at my work it was unusable. Att in my area has broad coverage just a clogged network. IMO having unlimited 2g tmobile seems like a waste. If you are on wifi and don't live on YouTube you should be fine.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Sounds like a stupid question, but I have been on Net10 and it is terrible... MMS receive doesn't work, data is spotty (excellent connection to HSPA+, just loses data flow) and their customer service is total crap, so I am looking for a different prepaid carrier but it must be on AT&T's network as T-Mobile has no service here (well, voice and 2G roaming, but they do not market here), so what are my options?
Currently I am looking at GoPhone and AIO Wireless, but what other options are there out there that will allow for a minimum of 1.5-2GB of data, 500 minutes/month, and and at least 1000 SMS/MMS messages per month that just works reliably for ALL services? BTW, this is Bismarck, North Dakota, so it pretty much has to be a nation-wide provider.
acejavelin said:
Sounds like a stupid question, but I have been on Net10 and it is terrible... MMS receive doesn't work, data is spotty (excellent connection to HSPA+, just loses data flow) and their customer service is total crap, so I am looking for a different prepaid carrier but it must be on AT&T's network as T-Mobile has no service here (well, voice and 2G roaming, but they do not market here), so what are my options?
Currently I am looking at GoPhone and AIO Wireless, but what other options are there out there that will allow for a minimum of 1.5-2GB of data, 500 minutes/month, and and at least 1000 SMS/MMS messages per month that just works reliably for ALL services? BTW, this is Bismarck, North Dakota, so it pretty much has to be a nation-wide provider.
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I live in Pierre, South Dakota and I just bought my AIO SIM card yesterday. I was using GoPhone for a few months and I don't have one complaint about their service. Speeds were more than what I needed (I pulled down around 6-8 mbps around town). I simply wanted to try AIO because of their 3rd free month promo, plus I like switching service a lot just to test out options. If AIO doesn't work for me, I'll go back to GoPhone. So my advice? Go buy an AIO SIM + plan now, activate before Sept 29 to qualify for the third free month, then switch to GoPhone if AIO isn't working out.
i have had straight talk(att sim) no issues whatsoever in my area. Wifey has straight talk (Tmobile sim) with same results. My second alternative(if ST starts giving me crap) would be the new at&t $60 prepaid(gophone) plan. Cant go wrong with that.
Johmama said:
I live in Pierre, South Dakota and I just bought my AIO SIM card yesterday. I was using GoPhone for a few months and I don't have one complaint about their service. Speeds were more than what I needed (I pulled down around 6-8 mbps around town). I simply wanted to try AIO because of their 3rd free month promo, plus I like switching service a lot just to test out options. If AIO doesn't work for me, I'll go back to GoPhone. So my advice? Go buy an AIO SIM + plan now, activate before Sept 29 to qualify for the third free month, then switch to GoPhone if AIO isn't working out.
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Hmm... interesting, worth checking out...
It seems that promo requires you to buy 2 consecutive months up front though, so $110 for first three months then $55/month after that. Not sure if I am comfortable with that...
Offer ends 9/29/13. New customers only. One month free per customer. Auto-pay enrollment required for in-store activations. Purchase of two consecutive months of service on a qualifying Rate Plan required. Third month free applies to Aio's Rate Plans (Basic, Smart and Pro) and does not include features or other services...
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acejavelin said:
Hmm... interesting, worth checking out...
It seems that promo requires you to buy 2 consecutive months up front though, so $110 for first three months then $55/month after that. Not sure if I am comfortable with that...
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Hm, I interpreted that as you just buy the first two months when you need to, meaning $55 now, $55 next month, then the third is free. I could be wrong though, and if I am I guess I don't qualify. I assumed it was like that because I don't see any way to buy two months at once.
1slow4G said:
i have had straight talk(att sim) no issues whatsoever in my area. Wifey has straight talk (Tmobile sim) with same results. My second alternative(if ST starts giving me crap) would be the new at&t $60 prepaid(gophone) plan. Cant go wrong with that.
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GoPhone or AIO are really all I am hearing about here... Tracfone (and it's variations) are not going to be an option anymore for me, their service, for whatever reason, just doesn't work properly for me for receiving MMS messages, everything else is OK except the spotty data link (not HSPA+ link, that is always rock solid).
GoPhone I am fairly confident will work, AIO Wireless seems to have a fairly good rep as well.
go with gophone. its 2 or 3gb cant remember and unlimited everything else for $60 you get WAY better customer service. As far as coverage ive heard its the same as Tracfone or any other MVNO. I use to have gophone begining of last year and it was pretty much same coverage as my current ST att sim. Not sure if anything changed from then and now.
1slow4G said:
go with gophone. its 2 or 3gb cant remember and unlimited everything else for $60 you get WAY better customer service. As far as coverage ive heard its the same as Tracfone or any other MVNO. I use to have gophone begining of last year and it was pretty much same coverage as my current ST att sim. Not sure if anything changed from then and now.
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It's 2GB on GoPhone, AIO wireless is also 2GB... AIO states you get 2GB at full speed and "reduced speeds" if you exceed it, extra data can be purchased at $10/GB and they will send a message if you hit 75% of your limit. I assume GoPhone does something similar? Also, although it's not for me, AIO has a 7GB/month plan for $70 per month.
acejavelin said:
It's 2GB on GoPhone, AIO wireless is also 2GB... AIO states you get 2GB at full speed and "reduced speeds" if you exceed it, extra data can be purchased at $10/GB and they will send a message if you hit 75% of your limit. I assume GoPhone does something similar? Also, although it's not for me, AIO has a 7GB/month plan for $70 per month.
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That 70 gb sounds much better IMO. Depending on how much data you need. I personally dont use much, I have wifi available 90% of the time lol. Go to http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php/325-US-Prepaid-MVNO-Discussion, they have all the answers you might have.
1slow4G said:
That 70 gb sounds much better IMO. Depending on how much data you need. I personally dont use much, I have wifi available 90% of the time lol. Go to http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php/325-US-Prepaid-MVNO-Discussion, they have all the answers you might have.
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I only use about 1-1.5 GB per month, I broke 2GB once and that was when I was travelling for work for two weeks in one month about 2 years ago, other than that $70 plan would be a waste... Thanks for the HowardForums link, I used to use that forum long ago but it kind of got filed away and lost in my memory in the last few years.
acejavelin said:
I only use about 1-1.5 GB per month, I broke 2GB once and that was when I was travelling for work for two weeks in one month about 2 years ago, other than that $70 plan would be a waste... Thanks for the HowardForums link, I used to use that forum long ago but it kind of got filed away and lost in my memory in the last few years.
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cool, yeah i dont even use 500mb a month lol, so yeah it would be a waste.
As I posted earlier, I used GoPhone for the past few months and it's great. I have the 2GB plan and it's more than enough. I bought an AIO SIM yesterday with the $70 plan just because it was $15 more. Being prepaid, if I can't find a way to reach anywhere near that, even being completely wasteful, I'll switch to the $55 plan.
Anyway, one thing to keep in mind OP: AIO throttles you before you reach your data limit. From their website regarding data speeds:
4G LTE service currently offers download speeds up to 8 Mbps and our 4G HSPA+ service currently offers download speeds up to a maximum of 4 Mbps. On our 3G HSPA/UMTS service, typical download speeds range from approximately 700 Kbps up to 1.7 Mbps.
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Those speeds are good enough for me, the most data I use is streaming Pandora and that might change now that I have 7gb to waste, but it's just something you should keep in mind when deciding.
acejavelin said:
It's 2GB on GoPhone, AIO wireless is also 2GB... AIO states you get 2GB at full speed and "reduced speeds" if you exceed it, extra data can be purchased at $10/GB and they will send a message if you hit 75% of your limit. I assume GoPhone does something similar? Also, although it's not for me, AIO has a 7GB/month plan for $70 per month.
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GoPhone texts you when you're at 70% of data and you can add more data at any time. With GoPhone you have an AT&T account and go through their customer service, its their own pay-as-you go plan whereas they are trying to market AIO as a separate service.
kzoodroid said:
GoPhone texts you when you're at 70% of data and you can add more data at any time. With GoPhone you have an AT&T account and go through their customer service, its their own pay-as-you go plan whereas they are trying to market AIO as a separate service.
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GoPhone sounds like the way to go, think I will stop in the store Monday... Can't do that on AIO, here at least.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
acejavelin said:
GoPhone sounds like the way to go, think I will stop in the store Monday... Can't do that on AIO, here at least.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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Good Choice! I will switch to gophone in a heartbeat once i start getting crap from straight talk, its gonna happen eventually lol
acejavelin said:
GoPhone sounds like the way to go, think I will stop in the store Monday... Can't do that on AIO, here at least.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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Another thing with GoPhone is you can use the self serve kiosks in AT&T stores to refill your account (or do it by phone, text, on-line or ask a customer service rep in the store to do it). Here in MI you don't pay taxes at the kiosks and I'm not sure if that works in other states.
What's wrong with straight talk? $45 a month, unlimited talk and text with your choice of at&t or tmobile sim. Data is supposed to be unlimited as well, but some users report being throttled after 2 gigabytes, others seem unaffected (google it). But seeing as how u don't normally go over 2 gigs, this sounds like the perfect plan for you! Other than some users being throttled after 2 gigs I haven't heard anything bad about straight talk. For $45 a month u can't beat it
Edit: Just to clarify, I'm currently using straight talk on my one x with no issues! Like the O.P. I'm mainly on WiFi and never go over 2 gigs of mobile data. ST is perfect for me and I am considering ST for my nexus 4 as well.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
JayDream said:
What's wrong with straight talk? $45 a month, unlimited talk and text with your choice of at&t or tmobile sim. Data is supposed to be unlimited as well, but some users report being throttled after 2 gigabytes, others seem unaffected (google it). But seeing as how u don't normally go over 2 gigs, this sounds like the perfect plan for you! Other than some users being throttled after 2 gigs I haven't heard anything bad about straight talk. For $45 a month u can't beat it
Edit: Just to clarify, I'm currently using straight talk on my one x with no issues! Like the O.P. I'm mainly on WiFi and never go over 2 gigs of mobile data. ST is perfect for me and I am considering ST for my nexus 4 as well.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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Can't get MMS receive to work, tried every setting I could find, along with GoSMS and Handcent, worked with their tech support for half a day and the came back in the end with "sorry, but we don't guarantee MMS to work" after two tech support people and a supervisor failed to be able to fix my problem. Plus the data is unreliable, I am in an area with excellent coverage and the data stream just stops for minutes at a time well I have full signal, then just comes back.
I have just lost faith in Net10/Straight Talk to be honest.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
acejavelin said:
Can't get MMS receive to work, tried every setting I could find, along with GoSMS and Handcent, worked with their tech support for half a day and the came back in the end with "sorry, but we don't guarantee MMS to work" after two tech support people and a supervisor failed to be able to fix my problem. Plus the data is unreliable, I am in an area with excellent coverage and the data stream just stops for minutes at a time well I have full signal, then just comes back.
I have just lost faith in Net10/Straight Talk to be honest.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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Hm interesting, I did not know that thanks. It appears mms is a bit of a problem for many ppl when using tmobile prepaid, or straigh talk, with the nexus 4. But Many people were able to resolve their issues using the fixes suggested on this reddit thread http://www.reddit.com/r/nexus4/comments/1iwgx6/cant_receive_mms_messages_with_my_att_straight/ it appears to be random tho bcuz some still experienced issues after trying this.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
JayDream said:
Hm interesting, I did not know that thanks. It appears mms is a bit of a problem for many ppl when using tmobile prepaid, or straigh talk, with the nexus 4. But Many people were able to resolve their issues using the fixes suggested on this reddit thread http://www.reddit.com/r/nexus4/comments/1iwgx6/cant_receive_mms_messages_with_my_att_straight/ it appears to be random tho bcuz some still experienced issues after trying this.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
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Thanks for the link... I'll give that idea a shot, hadn't found it in my searching.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Greetings fellow XDA'ers
I'll be writing breifly about my exprience with AIO using the XT1053. So first off, it's completely compatible and you probably knew that already if you're on XDA. All speeds work as advertised. then the prices you pay for AT&T service are amazing! but here's the thing.
I've been with them for 3-4 months. and the issues are constant and as follows:
MMS messaging constantly fails to send with correct APN settings input
several occassions of no service! (Emergency call only) while in places that I know have great coverage because I 've used my phone there before. like my college campus
Like most MNVO's they have bad customer service, didn't matter if I chatted or called in.
The ZTE prelude they advertised has Major MMS issues & runs super slow!
They also had an outage once for a whole night even though AT&T network was fine I have suspicions that they are having constant outages and not reporting this to users, which explains me having dropouts and no service!
Lastly I have had the issues, not using customs ROMS, across 3 phones, ZTE Prelude, Moto X XT1053, and the Samsung Skyrocket I727 which gives me very good credibility!
As a member of XDA, a believer in saving money and great quality service! I felt the need to report my issues to my friends and the great community that is XDA and the internet. AIO is not the way to go.
UPDATE!!!
:::Follow up report:::
1. The issue's I had existed for me with T-mobile as well. Therefore it certainly is a phone issue (I had 3 replacement phones is how I know it's a phone issue)
2. I have confirmed with Motorola Level 2 the stock messaging app has bugs in it [no ETA on a fix]. and I have confirmed thru reading a google plus thread that AIO APN settings were unsupported until recently, I think 4.4.2 supported it. idk and I can't find the post again lol.
consider yourself updated!
ANOTHER UPDATE!!! The signal loss was also a Moto X issue. There is a thread somewhere around here about it. I got a refund being that Motorola couldn't fix any of the above problems. They were fine to give it to me, you just have to push them a bit.
i live kinda remote. inside my house i get 1 bar from tmo at best. was with att but couldnt afford any more. my only question is does aio have the complete signal coverage as att does?
drago10029 said:
Greetings fellow XDA'ers
I'll be writing breifly about my exprience with AIO using the XT1053. So first off, it's completely compatible and you probably knew that already if you're on XDA. All speeds work as advertised. then the prices you pay for AT&T service are amazing! but here's the thing.
I've been with them for 3-4 months. and the issues are constant and as follows:
MMS messaging constantly fails to send with correct APN settings input
several occassions of no service! (Emergency call only) while in places that I know have great coverage because I 've used my phone there before. like my college campus
Like most MNVO's they have bad customer service, didn't matter if I chatted or called in.
The ZTE prelude they advertised has Major MMS issues & runs super slow!
They also had an outage once for a whole night even though AT&T network was fine I have suspicions that they are having constant outages and not reporting this to users, which explains me having dropouts and no service!
Lastly I have had the issues, not using customs ROMS, across 3 phones, ZTE Prelude, Moto X XT1053, and the Samsung Skyrocket I727 which gives me very good credibility!
As a member of XDA, a believer in saving money and great quality service! I felt the need to report my issues to my friends and the great community that is XDA and the internet. AIO is not the way to go.
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I have none of those issue. Motox works as expected
Sent from my XT1049 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
DrDecoy said:
i live kinda remote. inside my house i get 1 bar from tmo at best. was with att but couldnt afford any more. my only question is does aio have the complete signal coverage as att does?
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Yes, they use AT&T's network and the company is actually owned by AT&T. You could join straight talk, AIO, H20, net10, and there are more just google "AT&T mvno". Hope that helps.
krsmit0 said:
I have none of those issue. Motox works as expected
Sent from my XT1049 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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maybe the issue is regional or sporatic, but still something I expreienced and being that thgey're are owned directly by AT&T I would'nt expect those kinds of issues. I'm in New York City.
krsmit0 said:
I have none of those issue. Motox works as expected
Sent from my XT1049 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Agreed. I have experienced none of those issues either, the phone works great on (AIO) At&t. Consistent LTE connection, even 20 miles out of town.
Save yourself the hassle and just grab the $60 AT&T GoPhone plan, yea you get less data but you make up for it with being on pre-paid AT&T, as you get better support than an MVNO, plus the ability to go to any AT&T corporate store to get help.
Oh and you can get refills on callingmart for like $54ish.
I've had AIO for 4 months with NONE of the issues you mentioned. My MMS send fine every time and I get no dropped service unless there actually is no service.
Also, AIO is not an MVNO and is owned by AT&T and I have gotten great customer support. I'm paying $45/month for 2.5gigs of data which is less than half of what I was paying with Verizon. I save ~$650 a year now and the service is as good as Verizon's if not better.
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mastarifla said:
Save yourself the hassle and just grab the $60 AT&T GoPhone plan, yea you get less data but you make up for it with being on pre-paid AT&T, as you get better support than an MVNO, plus the ability to go to any AT&T corporate store to get help.
Oh and you can get refills on callingmart for like $54ish.
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AIO is owned by AT&T and is not an MVNO.
I'm not using a Moto X, but wanted to mention my AIO experience. I moved from a $30/mo T-Mobile plan to AIO and found the signal and LTE amazingly better in the sense that I always maintain LTE (~5Mbps) vs going from LTE (>20Mpbs) to Edge as soon as I hit the highway/leave the city. Almost 0% without signal since moving to AIO.
AIO has been great for me so far. I don't use MMS as I rely on my Google Voice number, which doesn't support MMS, so I can't comment there.
bekyndnunwind said:
I've had AIO for 4 months with NONE of the issues you mentioned. My MMS send fine every time and I get no dropped service unless there actually is no service.
Also, AIO is not an MVNO and is owned by AT&T and I have gotten great customer support. I'm paying $45/month for 2.5gigs of data which is less than half of what I was paying with Verizon. I save ~$650 a year now and the service is as good as Verizon's if not better.
---------- Post added at 08:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:31 AM ----------
AIO is owned by AT&T and is not an MVNO.
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Both AIO and GoPhone are subsidiaries of AT&T correct, but AIO is not considered a pre-paid plan of AT&T, thus it is an MVNO.
However we are just bickering about semantics at this point anyways, I didn't realize that they dropped their prices recently (like literally within the past few weeks). Also, since they don't use a proxy to filter all the data (like StraightTalk), I may have to actually give them a shot; as it seems like it would save me ~$10-15 a month. I would really like to perform a speed test though to see if there are ping related issues before switching though.
mastarifla said:
Both AIO and GoPhone are subsidiaries of AT&T correct, but AIO is not considered a pre-paid plan of AT&T, thus it is an MVNO.
However we are just bickering about semantics at this point anyways, I didn't realize that they dropped their prices recently (like literally within the past few weeks). Also, since they don't use a proxy to filter all the data (like StraightTalk), I may have to actually give them a shot; as it seems like it would save me ~$10-15 a month. I would really like to perform a speed test though to see if there are ping related issues before switching though.
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They do use a Proxy for all data. Ping times are ~100-150 due to it. Never noticed an issue though. It's still about half of Straight Talk from what I have seen.
whitedragonz83 said:
They do use a Proxy for all data. Ping times are ~100-150 due to it. Never noticed an issue though. It's still about half of Straight Talk from what I have seen.
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The APN on the AIO website doesn't have any proxy information, well besides for the MMS. Kinda strange how they would leave that out, mainly since the GoPhone doesn't have such a proxy either, I tried my phone next to a carrier sim based phone and we were getting roughly the same ping times (~100ish).
Straight talk is really bad about it, but I also think it has to do with the number of customers going through the proxy itself. So if/when AIO gets more congested then it will be just as bad :/
If this is the case then maybe I'll just stick with GoPhone, I haven't really had any speed complaints and I seem to be getting really good LTE speeds. The reason the ping is so significant of an issue is because it effectively reduces your data throughput when loading videos/websites. So you may be registering ~8 Mbps on speedtest, but the effective speed is much much slower due to higher ping/latency.
I've been using the GoPhone sim in my Nexus and the T-Mobile sim in the Moto, the reception has been amazing in the Moto, I'm actually scared of how good the AT&T signal would be. However, the Nexus uses a micro and the Moto uses a nano. I don't want to jeopardize my phone with a sim adaptor, so I think I'll just keep using T-mobile for the time being
mastarifla said:
The APN on the AIO website doesn't have any proxy information, well besides for the MMS. Kinda strange how they would leave that out, mainly since the GoPhone doesn't have such a proxy either, I tried my phone next to a carrier sim based phone and we were getting roughly the same ping times (~100ish).
Straight talk is really bad about it, but I also think it has to do with the number of customers going through the proxy itself. So if/when AIO gets more congested then it will be just as bad :/
If this is the case then maybe I'll just stick with GoPhone, I haven't really had any speed complaints and I seem to be getting really good LTE speeds. The reason the ping is so significant of an issue is because it effectively reduces your data throughput when loading videos/websites. So you may be registering ~8 Mbps on speedtest, but the effective speed is much much slower due to higher ping/latency.
I don't know why, but everywhere I search, the APN has a Proxy address for AIO. It's what I use too.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/google-nexus-4/289568-nexus-4-aio-wireless-apn-settings.html
I've been using the GoPhone sim in my Nexus and the T-Mobile sim in the Moto, the reception has been amazing in the Moto, I'm actually scared of how good the AT&T signal would be. However, the Nexus uses a micro and the Moto uses a nano. I don't want to jeopardize my phone with a sim adaptor, so I think I'll just keep using T-mobile for the time being
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regardless of the effective speed, it is not noticeable in real-life usage. I'll keep an eye out if it gets a lot worse, like Straight Talk sounds.
GoPhone should be outstanding, as it is nearly the equivalent to post-paid AT&T.
Are you sure you are using "GoPhone" on T-Mobile networks? GoPhone is AT&T Prepaid.
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/gophone.html
whitedragonz83 said:
Regardless of the effective speed, it is not noticeable in real-life usage. I'll keep an eye out if it gets a lot worse, like Straight Talk sounds.
GoPhone should be outstanding, as it is nearly the equivalent to post-paid AT&T.
Are you sure you are using "GoPhone" on T-Mobile networks? GoPhone is AT&T Prepaid.
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/gophone.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just hope it doesn't eventually become a factor in real life usage like ST currently is
I am currently using 2 cell phone plans, one for work and one for personal use. Personal is T-Mobile (5GB of data for $30? yes please), while the work is AT&T (mainly because of the unlimited talk time and the coverage). I'm debating on just going down to one since I have Google Voice ringing both phones currently and I don't spend 7GB a month (especially since Xposed), but I love the speeds and data connection of T-Mobile here in Dallas.
mastarifla said:
Save yourself the hassle and just grab the $60 AT&T GoPhone plan, yea you get less data but you make up for it with being on pre-paid AT&T, as you get better support than an MVNO, plus the ability to go to any AT&T corporate store to get help.
Oh and you can get refills on callingmart for like $54ish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I did when I demoed AT&T for my Nexus 5 vs. Verizon. AT&T vs. Verizon aside, I was very happy with the GoPhone plan. I was hesitant to go with AIO because I had read from multiple sources that AIO is throttled to 8mbps. Yes, it's still AT&T LTE, but your priority on their network is lower than if you were on their network directly through AT&T or their official prepaid. See the following excerpt from this Droid-Life article (http://www.droid-life.com/2013/09/06/atts-aio-wireless-prepaid-service-now-available-nationwide/) "High-speed access with download speeds up to a maximum of 8 Mbps for compatible devices. Maximum data download speeds are reduced when usage exceeds high-speed access allowance."
That is why I chose GoPhone over AIO.
laur3n.newm4n said:
That's what I did when I demoed AT&T for my Nexus 5 vs. Verizon. AT&T vs. Verizon aside, I was very happy with the GoPhone plan. I was hesitant to go with AIO because I had read from multiple sources that AIO is throttled to 8mbps. Yes, it's still AT&T LTE, but your priority on their network is lower than if you were on their network directly through AT&T or their official prepaid. See the following excerpt from this Droid-Life article (http://www.droid-life.com/2013/09/06/atts-aio-wireless-prepaid-service-now-available-nationwide/) "High-speed access with download speeds up to a maximum of 8 Mbps for compatible devices. Maximum data download speeds are reduced when usage exceeds high-speed access allowance."
That is why I chose GoPhone over AIO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The benefits are both unique though, as follows:
ATT GOPHONE: You get to surf at that high speed the whole time. when it's done you have to pay up to keep it going.
AIO: You get the reduced speed, 8 mbps which is still fast and after you eat it up, you can still browse and check email, facebook. or any other light internet activities.
I've never had any use for super fast LTE on a mobile phone. Only on gaming consoles and a PC have I benefited from it.
laur3n.newm4n said:
That's what I did when I demoed AT&T for my Nexus 5 vs. Verizon. AT&T vs. Verizon aside, I was very happy with the GoPhone plan. I was hesitant to go with AIO because I had read from multiple sources that AIO is throttled to 8mbps. Yes, it's still AT&T LTE, but your priority on their network is lower than if you were on their network directly through AT&T or their official prepaid. See the following excerpt from this Droid-Life article (http://www.droid-life.com/2013/09/06/atts-aio-wireless-prepaid-service-now-available-nationwide/) "High-speed access with download speeds up to a maximum of 8 Mbps for compatible devices. Maximum data download speeds are reduced when usage exceeds high-speed access allowance."
That is why I chose GoPhone over AIO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Price is something you can't ignore though in your comparison.
$45/mo (tax/fees included) for 2.5GB/unlimited text/unlimited minutes on AIO
$60/mo (tax fees extra?) for 2GB/unlimited text/unlimited minutes on GoPhone.
I've had AIO for a month or so now. Maybe occasionally I notice the slow speed. 95% of the time, I probably don't and just enjoy the benefits of AT&T LTE everywhere I go saving $15/mo or $180/yr(maybe more if GoPhone is also taxed). This is though $15/mo more than my previous $30/mo T-Mobile plan. I just needed better coverage for highway driving and AIO was the next best thing imo.
I've been using them since October with an XT1055, and haven't had the SMS issues many others have.
Biggest problem until this past weekend was getting the Auto Pay to stick.
But this weekend I started experiencing 3 days of loosing connection and falling into the Emergency Call Only bin. A reboot would bring me back to "4G LTE/4 Bars", which would gradually settle down to a plain 2 bars. This was similar to what I experienced with my Palm 3, which was apparently related to WiFi/Phone/Bluetooth mutual interference. But I didn't see any software changes this past week that would have kicked something like that off.
whitedragonz83 said:
Price is something you can't ignore though in your comparison.
$45/mo (tax/fees included) for 2.5GB/unlimited text/unlimited minutes on AIO
$60/mo (tax fees extra?) for 2GB/unlimited text/unlimited minutes on GoPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're willing to forego auto-refill on GoPhone (if there is such a thing), $60 GoPgon refills regularly available from Callingmart for $54 - making the difference only $9 per month.
I was on Straight Talk (AT&T) for over 1 year, but eventually moved to GoPhone due to a calling issue I was having, combined with Straight Talk's horrible support. Then when I was evaluating the Moto X and Nexus 5 as replacements for my Galaxy Nexus, I found the added cost of GoPhone to be well worth it, in that it allowed me to walk into a store and switch between mini SIM, micro SIM and nano SIM on the spot, at no charge.
UncleMike said:
If you're willing to forego auto-refill on GoPhone (if there is such a thing), $60 GoPgon refills regularly available from Callingmart for $54 - making the difference only $9 per month.
I was on Straight Talk (AT&T) for over 1 year, but eventually moved to GoPhone due to a calling issue I was having, combined with Straight Talk's horrible support. Then when I was evaluating the Moto X and Nexus 5 as replacements for my Galaxy Nexus, I found the added cost of GoPhone to be well worth it, in that it allowed me to walk into a store and switch between mini SIM, micro SIM and nano SIM on the spot, at no charge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are they always 54 ?I seem to remember seeing it closer to 60.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
Hi all,
I'm headed over to the US for a couple of weeks for work. I tend to visit every ~6 months or so. My last couple of trips I have used just my normal Australian SIM with International roaming, and it gets pretty expensive and I tend to avoid using data to keep costs down. So If I can get something that I only use and pay for this trip, and then use it again next visit, that would be good.
This trip I've decided to get a pay as you go/prepaid/30 day plan type of SIM card.
I just want to make sure I am looking at good plans, and that they will work with my Nexus 4. Please let me know if there are better options
T-Mobile SIM - http://www.walmart.com/ip/T-Mobile-Micro-and-Standard-Combo-Sim-Card-Activation-Kit/34443771
T-Mobile Unlimited - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Email-Del...0-MB-at-up-to-4G-speeds/15443360#Q&A+Exchange
Straight Talk SIM - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Straight-Talk-AT-T-Compatible-Dual-SIM-Activation-Kit/34565627
Straight Talk Unlimited - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Email-Del...k-and-Web-Access-30-Day-Service-Card/15443344
Straight talk is going to be a little cheaper, but only by $30 or so. I hear that it can be quite restrictive? But I think it uses AT&T.
International calls/texts are good for me, but then again if I have unlimited data Ill just use Viber or something.
Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks!
pieinthesky10 said:
Hi all,
I'm headed over to the US for a couple of weeks for work. I tend to visit every ~6 months or so. My last couple of trips I have used just my normal Australian SIM with International roaming, and it gets pretty expensive and I tend to avoid using data to keep costs down. So If I can get something that I only use and pay for this trip, and then use it again next visit, that would be good.
This trip I've decided to get a pay as you go/prepaid/30 day plan type of SIM card.
I just want to make sure I am looking at good plans, and that they will work with my Nexus 4. Please let me know if there are better options
T-Mobile SIM - http://www.walmart.com/ip/T-Mobile-Micro-and-Standard-Combo-Sim-Card-Activation-Kit/34443771
T-Mobile Unlimited - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Email-Del...0-MB-at-up-to-4G-speeds/15443360#Q&A+Exchange
Straight Talk SIM - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Straight-Talk-AT-T-Compatible-Dual-SIM-Activation-Kit/34565627
Straight Talk Unlimited - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Email-Del...k-and-Web-Access-30-Day-Service-Card/15443344
Straight talk is going to be a little cheaper, but only by $30 or so. I hear that it can be quite restrictive? But I think it uses AT&T.
International calls/texts are good for me, but then again if I have unlimited data Ill just use Viber or something.
Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use the T-Mobile activation kit you linked to and go to T-Mobile's website and activate their 30 dollar 5gb data, unlimited texts, and the only downside being 100 mins.
You can also check out simple mobile which is owned by the same people that own straight talk. It uses T-Mobile's towers. You can pick up their Sim card at a number of phone retailers. You can check on their website the closest retailer to you. They have a couple of cheap plans. $40 for 1gb and unlimited everything else. They also have some plans that have international for i believe 10 dollars more.
Keep in mind that the data allotments listed above are technically "unlimited" in that you'll only be throttled to edge speeds. Extremely slow.
Right now I'm alternating between the $30 T-mobile plan i listed above and the $50 Simple Mobile with 3gbs of data and unlimited everything else.
Feel free to ask me any other questions.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Thanks mate, appreciate your thoughts.
I think Ill just grab the T-Mobile starter kit, the low minutes isnt too bad for me as I will do most of my talking over data anyway. 5gb seems to be reasonable!
pieinthesky10 said:
Thanks mate, appreciate your thoughts.
I think Ill just grab the T-Mobile starter kit, the low minutes isnt too bad for me as I will do most of my talking over data anyway. 5gb seems to be reasonable!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great choice. Here is the link the plans is kind of hidden. Scroll near the bottom. http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans
Just noticed international texting is included in the plan now.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Not on one of the big 4 here in the USA with your Angler? Since the Nexus 6p is mostly not carrier subsidized, I'm thinking this is a good place to find out what MVNO's people are using to save money.... If so for you, please tell us who your with, what plan your on with them, and why your with them!! And anything else you care to share both good and bad...
In the last year I have been on the following MVNO's...
Ting - Sprint
Ting - T-Mobile
Straight talk - T-Mobile
Straight talk - Verizon
Straight talk - AT&T
Google Project Fi
Cricket - AT&T
Page Plus - Verizon
Verizon Prepaid
AT&T Gophone
And have signed up for Harbor Mobile AT&T and Red Pocket Mobile Verizon. Haven't received the Sim's yet for the last 2.. Let me know if you have questions on any of these. Will be happy to report my results
In addition to that, I was in contract with the real big red dollar sucking Verizon and also was on the real big Orange AT&T on a company business plan.
crowsnestitsupport said:
Not on one of the big 4 here in the USA with your Angler? Since the Nexus 6p is mostly not carrier subsidized, I'm thinking this is a good place to find out what MVNO's people are using to save money.... If so for you, please tell us who your with, what plan your on with them, and why your with them!! And anything else you care to share both good and bad...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been using Straight Talk AT&T for about 3 years now.
Reasonable price ($45), 5GB of 4G data, and a strong AT&T network keeps me with them.
I switched from Sprint post-paid on December 2013 back when I bought my Nexus 5 and decided to go with Simplemobile to pay half of what I was paying with Sprint. It all went well up until 5 months in when all of a sudden I lost data connection for the better part of a month, as usual with MVNO's the customer service is flaky so I couldn't find out what was wrong.
I then switched to t-mo $30 plan but the whole 100 minutes per month had me cutting people's conversations short or forcing them to use wifi calling apps. It became too much of a hassle so I decided to go with Straighttalk using t-mobile's service. I used them for a whole year without any issues, however I kept looking for cheaper service and that's when I discovered Cricket. For $35 a month (taxes and fees included) I get everything I need and since I don't use much data, 2.5GB a month is more than enough for me.
Once this month is up I'm going to try project Fi, since I use less than 1GB of mobile data I would probably end up paying less than with Cricket.
83097markcynt said:
Been using Straight Talk AT&T for about 3 years now.
Reasonable price ($45), 5GB of 4G data, and a strong AT&T network keeps me with them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I really like Straight talk AT&T as well.. Did you know that they have a new plan, 10gb for 55$ !! Cant hardly beat that! Here are the details.
HueleSnaiL said:
I switched from Sprint post-paid on December 2013 back when I bought my Nexus 5 and decided to go with Simplemobile to pay half of what I was paying with Sprint. It all went well up until 5 months in when all of a sudden I lost data connection for the better part of a month, as usual with MVNO's the customer service is flaky so I couldn't find out what was wrong.
I then switched to t-mo $30 plan but the whole 100 minutes per month had me cutting people's conversations short or forcing them to use wifi calling apps. It became too much of a hassle so I decided to go with Straighttalk using t-mobile's service. I used them for a whole year without any issues, however I kept looking for cheaper service and that's when I discovered Cricket. For $35 a month (taxes and fees included) I get everything I need and since I don't use much data, 2.5GB a month is more than enough for me.
Once this month is up I'm going to try project Fi, since I use less than 1GB of mobile data I would probably end up paying less than with Cricket.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, Customer service is the number 1 complaint with MVNO's.. If you live where Sprint and T-mobile have good coverage and you aren't a heavy data user then Fi is an excellent choice!! I currently have it on one of my phones and really like it except that where I live both Sprint and T-mobile have less than ideal coverage. Also, FI has excellent customer service!
crowsnestitsupport said:
Yeah, I really like Straight talk AT&T as well.. Did you know that they have a new plan, 10gb for 55$ !! Cant hardly beat that! Here are the details.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that's good to know but for now 5GB is enough.
83097markcynt said:
Thanks, that's good to know but for now 5GB is enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good::good: Good for you I can never have enough data for cheap lol I take way to many speed tests
crowsnestitsupport said:
:good::good: Good for you I can never have enough data for cheap lol I take way to many speed tests
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speaking of speedtests Post your here!
I'm on the MetroPcs $60 unlimited plan. Both me and my wife are on it so I get $5 off each line. Its comes down to $110 a month. They throttle after 23gb but I always end the month at about 20gb.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
mexiking713 said:
I'm on the MetroPcs $60 unlimited plan. Both me and my wife are on it so I get $5 off each line. Its comes down to $110 a month. They throttle after 23gb but I always end the month at about 20gb.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here.. I've been using way more than 23gb though and have never been throttled... My data speed is faster than my wifi so I'm always using my mobile data
So can any one please confirm that with the Nexus 6P on Metro PCS... Does WiFi calling and VoLTE both work OK?
Im on MetroPCS I can confirm Wifi Calling works great although you have to delete all the apns then change the APN on GPRS to MetroPCS from fast.tmobile... To fast.metropcs... VoLte is enabled too not sure how to test it though. Also visual voicemail might work also in stock dialer but Im on PureNexus rom can anyone confirm it works? I flashed Google Fi Dialer.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
DroidDogg said:
Im on MetroPCS I can confirm Wifi Calling works great although you have to delete all the apns then change the APN on GPRS to MetroPCS from fast.tmobile... To fast.metropcs... VoLte is enabled too not sure how to test it though. Also visual voicemail might work also in stock dialer but Im on PureNexus rom can anyone confirm it works? I flashed Google Fi Dialer.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool! Post some screen shots of your APN settings please!! One way to test to VoLTE is check and see if you have mobile data while on a phone call. What about roaming to AT&T where T-Mobile has no coverage? Any luck there? T-Mobile had finally turned up LTE in my area and I'm considering using them in my back up phone. I have FI now, but to expensive if you use lots of data and FI has no mobile data while on the phone.
Visual Voicemail works in the stock dialer also
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/help/wifi-calling-metropcs-t3247414
(Instructions listed on page 4 of that thread)
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app