Cell phone service help

dabuddha

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
19,579
17
81
So I'm looking for some new cell phones/plans for me and the wife. Currently, I'm on an old AT&T plan (was there before AT&T became Cingular then became AT&T again).

1200 anytime minutes
unlimited nights and weekends
unlimited mobile
nights start at 7pm.
(no texting including).

This costs me $69/month ($80 / month with fees and taxes).

I'm looking for 2 phones. I want one to be unlimited everything if possible. My wife's phone can be a pay as you go since she either uses the home phone usually (unlimited calling) or just a few minutes a day at most on the cell. I saw AT&T go phone which is $2/day but that won't keep it cheap for me if she uses it daily. I'd like texting with both phones and web on one at least if not both. I was thinking of doing the boostmobile for both phones since they have the reducing monthly fee every 6 months. Starts out at $50/month and eventually goes down to $35/month. Another idea was the straight talk deal for $45 for me which is unlimited everything and I can use the Nokia E71 which would let me use any unlocked GSM phone afterwards. For my wife, I was thinking of the virginmobile deal thats $25/month with unlimited everything (cept minutes. You get 300 minutes which should be more than enough).

That'll make my monthly $45 + $25 = $70 + any fees. BTW anyone know how much in fees/taxes I'd have to pay for straight talk and/or virgin mobile?

Also, any other suggestions or does the above seem like the best solution.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
pssst: GG&P

Check out Tmo though. If you get service where you need it, you can't beat their plans and phone selection.
 

dabuddha

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
19,579
17
81
pssst: GG&P

Check out Tmo though. If you get service where you need it, you can't beat their plans and phone selection.

I was gonna post it there but thought that forum was for the phones themselves :) I'm trying to figure out what plans would be cheapest overall for my situation
 

TwiceOver

Lifer
Dec 20, 2002
13,544
44
91
Not 100% positive for your area, but I believe the Virgin Mobile $25 deal is for ONLY sprint network, no roaming. So if you have crappy sprint service in your area (like me) then it is nearly useless. But if you live in a huge city, shouldn't be a problem.

I've had no problem with my straight talk, but it is the Verizon version and not the AT&T which you are looking at with the e71 sim card switcharoo.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
The Virgin Mobile is straight $25/month, no fees (or whatever plan you choose)

I'd actually hold off a few months if you can or get the wife a cheap pay as you go for now...
 

dabuddha

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
19,579
17
81
The Virgin Mobile is straight $25/month, no fees (or whatever plan you choose)

I'd actually hold off a few months if you can or get the wife a cheap pay as you go for now...

I forgot to mention I live in Woodbridge, VA which is in the Washington DC metro area.

So you'd recommend against the virgin mobile plan?
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
Metro pcs just announced a $40 everything plan, I think more will follow.

The phones on Virgins plan are entry level so far, I'd wait for a better phone than the intercept
 

dabuddha

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
19,579
17
81
Ended up picking up 2 E71s for me and the wife. Paying $12 more per month but with this we have unlimited everything. And holy moley I love the web access! I was able to stick my sim card in an unlocked phone and have it work just fine so at least Ill have the freedom to change my phones in the future.

Thanks all for the help/advice.
 

uli2000

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2006
1,257
1
71
Ended up picking up 2 E71s for me and the wife. Paying $12 more per month but with this we have unlimited everything. And holy moley I love the web access! I was able to stick my sim card in an unlocked phone and have it work just fine so at least Ill have the freedom to change my phones in the future.

Thanks all for the help/advice.

So is that the Straight Talk E71's? So the SIM will work with any unlocked GSM/UTMS phone? Hmm, this may be my next phone...
 

dabuddha

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
19,579
17
81
Sorry for the late response. From what I can tell, it should. I put my straight talk sim card in my motorola slvr phone and it worked fine.