Can anyone recommend a good US GSM wireless provider?

[ultimatebob]

I currently have Straight Talk as my wireless carrier, and I hate them with a passion. Their MMS service is unreliable, their billing system and web site is unreliable, and their tech support just flat out sucks. The T-Mobile network coverage is pretty lousy as well once you get about 5 miles away from a major highway.

Can someone recommend a good "unlimited" plan that provides at least 3 GB of data a month that runs on the AT&T network? I only want to pay about $50 a month, and continue to use my GSM iPhone 6.

 

[vi edit]

Cricket is probably your next choice. Uses AT&T network. Not unlimited, but reasonable data rates.

 

[ultimatebob]

Cricket is probably your next choice. Uses AT&T network. Not unlimited, but reasonable data rates.

I used "unlimited" in quotes, because nobody really seems to have a real unlimited data plan that costs less than $100 a month. They'll always throttle you at some point.

 

[pm]

I agree. Cricket.

 

[cronos]

I used "unlimited" in quotes, because nobody really seems to have a real unlimited data plan that costs less than $100 a month. They'll always throttle you at some point.

GoPhone - full speed LTE (up to 60+ Mbps in some places) throttled to 128 kbps after the limit:
$45 - 1.5 GB
$60 - 4 GB

Cricket - poor man 'LTE' (max of ~8Mbps) throttled to 128 kbps after the limit:
$45 (with autopay) - 5 GB
$55 (with autopay) - 10 GB

Those two are the best for big data consumption on AT&T network.

 

[RossMAN]

Another vote for Cricket, however should be aware their tech and billing support is freaking awful. However if you're able to escalate your request to their Alpharetta, GA headquarters they are competent and wable to help. Otherwise you will regret any and all interactions with their offshore support.

 

[cronos]

Another vote for Cricket, however should be aware their tech and billing support is freaking awful. However if you're able to escalate your request to their Alpharetta, GA headquarters they are competent and wable to help. Otherwise you will regret any and all interactions with their offshore support.

Yeah, basically for Cricket vs. GoPhone it's:

1. More data vs. More speed
2. So-so support vs. postpaid-rated support (phone support is AT&T, and you could also go to any AT&T store and they'll help)

 

[midwestfisherman]

I've been a GoPhone customer for about 6 months now. Excellent data speed and coverage. If I ever need assistance I just drop by my local ATT store, that way I dont have to deal with the idiots they put on the phone support.

 

[Artdeco]

Throwing a curve here, sell the phone, get a used Verizon phone, assume an unlimited Verizon plan off of eBay.

 

[ultimatebob]

Throwing a curve here, sell the phone, get a used Verizon phone, assume an unlimited Verizon plan off of eBay.

I used to have an unlimited Verizon plan, which was $85 a month. I was hoping to pay less than that.

 

[Artdeco]

I'd be temped to try Cricket then...

 

[thetuna]

I'll give another +1 to Cricket.
I just switched last month.
I am now getting 5 lines for less than I was paying for 2 lines, with more data on each line!
Maybe it is 'slower'; I have not noticed it because I barely have LTE in my area as it is.
The phone coverage has been the same as it was before with actual AT&T.

 

[RecycledElectro]

Ting is my phone company.

Republic Wireless

FreedomPop

 

[cronos]

Ting is my phone company.

Republic Wireless

FreedomPop

Neither of those are GSM, much less AT&T.

 

[ImDonly1]

Neither of those are GSM, much less AT&T.

Ting offers t-mobile service now I believe.

If anyone here wants referral code for cricket PM me. $25 for you and me.

 

[ultimatebob]

Ting is my phone company.

Republic Wireless

FreedomPop

Yeah, if Ting resold AT&T service, I'd be all over that.

 

[lopri]

Red Pocket sells both AT&T and T-Mobile based services. Not the cheapest but they offer variety of plans that might better suit individual needs. There was no speed difference between their T-Mobile based service and actual T-Mobile service when I tested.