Need new phone service

[Malak]

What are my options? I know about AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, Virgin, and Boost. Are there others I am missing, in America? I want cheap, so far T-Mobile is in the lead, not sure where else to look.


Thread moved from OT -Admin DrPizza

 

[JEDIYoda]

http://www.mycricket.com/paygo/prepaid-cell-phone-plans

 

[Malak]

Cricket is pretty much bottom of the bucket, I won't even consider them.

 

[lxskllr]

I was happy with Net10. It worked well for me the little bit I used a phone.

 

[RossMAN]

Assuming you get good TMobile/ATT coverage, check out h20wireless.com

Search SD for coupon codes.

Oh and wrong forum http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37

Edit: Was thinking of ptel not h20wireless.

 

[Malak]

I like their pay as you go service, maybe I can get an unlocked phone to use on the service.

 

[RossMAN]

I like their pay as you go service, maybe I can get an unlocked phone to use on the service.

Assuming you're not looking for bleeding edge then checkout the LG Optimus L9 for about $150-ish.

 

[lxskllr]

Anyone know about using a smart phone as a dumb phone? I'd like to have a smart phone with no data plan, and only use it on wireless, but have some minutes(very few) to use for calls. Seems like the different companies mandate a data plan, but I haven't inquired. Maybe they just assume people want one if they have a smart phone, and their plans reflect that, but aren't etched in stone.

 

[John Connor]

I was just in a Radio Shack looking at smartphones and for $35 you can get unlimited data and like 300 min. It's all I need. This is Virgin. I really don't have a use for a cell phone, but I'm considering it since I was just at On The Border and I had to wait 45 min and the way On The Border tells you there is seating available now is by text message.

I do have a Tracphone with no min to use to call 911 just in case. I have Comcast voice and sometimes it ain't reliable. Plus when I'm out and about I take it with me. All cell phones regardless if they have a plan or not can dial 911.

 

[John Connor]

Anyone know about using a smart phone as a dumb phone? I'd like to have a smart phone with no data plan, and only use it on wireless, but have some minutes(very few) to use for calls. Seems like the different companies mandate a data plan, but I haven't inquired. Maybe they just assume people want one if they have a smart phone, and their plans reflect that, but aren't etched in stone.

Check out eBay.

 

[lxskllr]

Check out eBay.

I mean for the service. It looks like the companies mandate a data plan when you use a smart phone. I'd like to use Net10's pay as you go sim, but I might not be able to.

 

[RossMAN]

Anyone know about using a smart phone as a dumb phone? I'd like to have a smart phone with no data plan, and only use it on wireless, but have some minutes(very few) to use for calls. Seems like the different companies mandate a data plan, but I haven't inquired. Maybe they just assume people want one if they have a smart phone, and their plans reflect that, but aren't etched in stone.

What's your definition of "very few minutes" and monthly budget?

 

[lxskllr]

What's your definition of "very few minutes" and monthly budget?

Budget is probably $20 a month max, and less than 150 minutes per month. When I had a dumb phone with Net10, I bought 300 minutes every two months($30), and always accumulated tons of rolled over minutes. What would really be ideal is being able to convert unused minutes to data, even if it was a poor exchange rate. That way I could get rid of the minutes I didn't use, and have an emergency backup in case I need net access, but don't have wifi.

Edit:
It's also essential that any phone I use be rooted at a minimum, and ideally a third party rom. I won't use a locked phone where I can't change the software.

 

[mnewsham]

It looks like the companies mandate a data plan when you use a smart phone.

Almost all cell companies require smartphones to have a data plan because smart phones are meant to be connected to internet most of the time to update apps, OS, etc. I am not aware of any company in the US that would allow for that, doesn't mean it doesn't exist, but your pickings would be slim if any at all

 

[boochi]

republic wireless

That is what I am currently on but, you only have access to one outdated phone.

$19 or $29/mo depending on how you buy the phone.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Budget is probably $20 a month max, and less than 150 minutes per month. When I had a dumb phone with Net10, I bought 300 minutes every two months($30), and always accumulated tons of rolled over minutes. What would really be ideal is being able to convert unused minutes to data, even if it was a poor exchange rate. That way I could get rid of the minutes I didn't use, and have an emergency backup in case I need net access, but don't have wifi.

Edit:
It's also essential that any phone I use be rooted at a minimum, and ideally a third party rom. I won't use a locked phone where I can't change the software.

"Dumb phone" is actually for smart people that live their life and don't waste their time on BS.

Smartphone is for those that have nothing better to do than Twitter, Facebook or always be connected to their job.

You tell me which one is dumb or smart.

 

[chimaxi83]

"Dumb phone" is actually for smart people that live their life and don't waste their time on BS.

Smartphone is for those that have nothing better to do than Twitter, Facebook or always be connected to their job.

You tell me which one is dumb or smart.

You sound like a cranky 93 year old who's either too dumb to use the phone, or too broke to have one.

 

[Vdubchaos]

You sound like a cranky 93 year old who's either too dumb to use the phone, or too broke to have one.

I'm 35 and what I see is these smartphones making people completely fuckin dumb (especially young folks).

I won't even get into the addiction part of it....

 

[rh71]

"Dumb phone" is actually for smart people that live their life and don't waste their time on BS.

Smartphone is for those that have nothing better to do than Twitter, Facebook or always be connected to their job.

You tell me which one is dumb or smart.

Went into payless since I was with kids buying toys at a mall... hey I do need new walking shoes for Disney next week. Found a pair I liked. Wait I can check retailmenot.com on my 4G connection. 20% off coupon to use in store - just show it to clerk. Bam, $5 saved on top of the existing sale.

GPS navigation disc decides not to read all of a sudden and I have a friend following me to a new place we've never been. Crap. Flipped on the GPS on the smartphone. Untold amount of minutes saved and 8 other people never knew it.

I work from home and am home most hours of every day but even I can see (and use) the benefit of having internet on the go. I use free wifi all the time too during waiting downtime away from home. How much "living their life" can people do while waiting for someone to finish their shopping? Dumbphone... hmm, may as well not have one - I think I use 20 minutes a month. Maybe if people stopped calling these gadgets "phones"...

 

[Vdubchaos]

Went into payless since I was with kids buying toys at a mall... hey I do need new walking shoes for Disney next week. Found a pair I liked. Wait I can check retailmenot.com on my 4G connection. 20% off coupon to use in store - just show it to clerk. Bam, $5 saved on top of the existing sale.

Wow, it's amazing how a smartphone can support your consumerism and save you some.

How many pairs of shoes do you own? hehe

 

[KeithP]

Cricket is pretty much bottom of the bucket, I won't even consider them.

Then you should probably list services you won't consider and save everyone some time and effort.

Oh, and Ting (uses Sprint and voice roams on Verizon I believe)

-KeithP

 

[rh71]

Wow, it's amazing how a smartphone can support your consumerism and save you some.

How many pairs of shoes do you own? hehe

Weak. Now you're against buying things?

I think 3. As I said, I'm always home.

 

[rh71]

as for the OP, I don't think he ever mentioned smartphone or data plan... $80/year with pageplus (VZW network) is what I have my parents on.

 

[Malak]

Well I rarely talk or text, mostly data. That's why I think pay as you go might be best for me.

 

[pontifex]

pageplus for pay as you go. uses verizon service.