Need new phone service

[SunnyD]

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

Lyca Mobile for PAYG data. Rides T-Mo (need an unlocked phone though), but has the BEST PAYG data rates of any carrier out there right now at $0.06/MB.

Talk and Text rates are equally impressive at $0.02/minute and $0.04/text respectively. Customer service isn't terribly great, and they're going through some growing pains as they're fairly new to North America... but they are one of the world's largest prepaid carriers.

PTel (PlatinumTel) would have been my next suggestion, however they are no longer offering what amounted to 50% off their $40 unlimited plans anymore. You can still get 25% off, but, well, that's $10 more.

 

[lxskllr]

Lyca Mobile for PAYG data. Rides T-Mo (need an unlocked phone though), but has the BEST PAYG data rates of any carrier out there right now at $0.06/MB.

Talk and Text rates are equally impressive at $0.02/minute and $0.04/text respectively. Customer service isn't terribly great, and they're going through some growing pains as they're fairly new to North America... but they are one of the world's largest prepaid carriers.

PTel (PlatinumTel) would have been my next suggestion, however they are no longer offering what amounted to 50% off their $40 unlimited plans anymore. You can still get 25% off, but, well, that's $10 more.

That doesn't look too bad for my use. The $16 dollar plan would work, but I'd love to tweak it a bit more. Either lower price, or more data with fewer minutes.

 

[podspi]

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That is what I am currently on but, you only have access to one outdated phone.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

How do you like Republic Wireless? I really want to try them but I'd hate to have to depend on Sprint's network while I'm away from wifi...

 

[cronos]

That doesn't look too bad for my use. The $16 dollar plan would work, but I'd love to tweak it a bit more. Either lower price, or more data with fewer minutes.

Instead of getting the monthly plan, just put in their paygo rates on a spreadsheet and see if your usage will fit.

I like to only pay what I use as well, and I'll never be satisfied with any kinds of monthly plans on any carrier as they all include more stuff than I need.

For very light users looking for paygo options, PTel and Lyca are one of the best ones right now (T-Mobile network), and H2O Wireless (AT&T network) is also pretty amazing now with their recent changes ($10 PIN is now good for 90 days, plus they lowered their data rates from $0.3/MB to $0.1/MB).

I will never recommend a CDMA-based carriers or MVNOs for light users/tweakers/frequent-carrier-jump-looking-for-the-cheapest-option people.

 

[cardiac]

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.

As pontifex said, Pageplus is awesome. They have a $12 plan, which is 250 minutes, 250 texts, and 10mb of data (Emergency). It uses the Verizon network, and you bring your own phone. https://www.pagepluscellular.com/plans/the-12/

 

[pcsavvy]

Have you looked at Boost mobile (Sprint network), it starts out at $55 a month unlimited everything and every 6 months paying on time, Boost reduces your bill by $5.00. Your monthly bill can go from $55-$40 a month and for $10 a month extra if you have a phone capable you can use your phone as mobile hotspot.

Of course if you read the fine print, they throttle your data if you go over 2.5 Gigs within a month. This price is for smart phones while basic phones a little bit cheaper.

 

[Malak]

Have you looked at Boost mobile (Sprint network), it starts out at $55 a month unlimited everything and every 6 months paying on time, Boost reduces your bill by $5.00. Your monthly bill can go from $55-$40 a month and for $10 a month extra if you have a phone capable you can use your phone as mobile hotspot.

Of course if you read the fine print, they throttle your data if you go over 2.5 Gigs within a month. This price is for smart phones while basic phones a little bit cheaper.

Well first the Sprint network sucks, so anything using it is out. But also T-Mobile starts cheap and doesn't charge overages on data so I would just go for them if anyone for monthly at this point. One thing I forgot to mention is this is for 2 phones.

I'm going to see if I can discover how much data I actually use on a monthly basis. I rarely make calls, probably less than 40 texts a month...

 

[SunnyD]

That doesn't look too bad for my use. The $16 dollar plan would work, but I'd love to tweak it a bit more. Either lower price, or more data with fewer minutes.

Instead of getting the monthly plan, just put in their paygo rates on a spreadsheet and see if your usage will fit.

I like to only pay what I use as well, and I'll never be satisfied with any kinds of monthly plans on any carrier as they all include more stuff than I need.

For very light users looking for paygo options, PTel and Lyca are one of the best ones right now (T-Mobile network), and H2O Wireless (AT&T network) is also pretty amazing now with their recent changes ($10 PIN is now good for 90 days, plus they lowered their data rates from $0.3/MB to $0.1/MB).

I will never recommend a CDMA-based carriers or MVNOs for light users/tweakers/frequent-carrier-jump-looking-for-the-cheapest-option people.

^^^ What he said. I was suggesting straight PAYG with Lyca, not one of their monthly plans.

 

[midwestfisherman]

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

How many pairs of shoes do you own? hehe

Just because you don't see a need for one of these devices in your life doesn't mean you need to hate on those that do. If you don't own one why are you even reading this thread?

Haters gonna hate....

 

[Chocu1a]

Just because you don't see a need for one of these devices in your life doesn't mean you need to hate on those that do. If you don't own one why are you even reading this thread?

Haters gonna hate....

Don't feed the troll. Best to just ignore him.

 

[Chocu1a]

Just because you don't see a need for one of these devices in your life doesn't mean you need to hate on those that do. If you don't own one why are you even reading this thread?

Haters gonna hate....

Don't feed the troll. Best to just ignore him.

OP, if you really just want data, the TMobile $30 plan gives you 100 talk/unlimited text/ 5Gb data.

 

[Daniel Jones]

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

I use AT&T and I love it for the services. Well said Cricket is not a good choice you may get frustrated with service quality.
T-mobile is a nice option if you want satisfying services and minimal price.

 

[John Connor]

http://cell-phone-providers-review.toptenreviews.com/prepaid-cell-phones/

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Mobile-P...at208900050014

 

[Ksyder]

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.

I don't think anyone answered this question so I will clarify the actual situation.

No post-paid carrier will allow a smartphone without a data plan as far as I know.

However, prepaid carriers will. It is not a problem at all. I have done this many times. Usually, though, many plans will include some data anyways. It really depends on which network you want to be on, or which phone you want to get. Either of these will determine which prepaid carrier will fit your needs.

Example. Page Plus. standard plan. includes data at a very expensive $.99 a minute. But, you don't need to use it. Just keep mobile data disabled and you will never use it, although it is there if you need it. Of course the downside with P+ is the cdma/lte situation and the 4g phones that aren't easily supported with P+. Another popular option mentioned is platinumtel. I use them, they are great. Same deal. Pay as you go, keep mobile data disabled and you will never have to use it, although it is there if you need it. Just enable mobile data if you are in a pinch on the road and need to look something up and you will be charged a very reasonable $.10/MB.

There is no requirement to use or pay for mobile data with these plans.

Another option is Lycamobile, although t-mobile phones must be unlocked to use them which is not the case with ptel. I don't recommend Lyca but I haven't tried it, either. I don't want to because of reports that they round up data usage which makes it more expensive that it seems. I don't know specifics, but it is detailed over at Howard Forums. (edit- it looks like every session bills a penny, no matter how small, whereas ptel accrues a certain amount before charging you)

Lastly, I know there are some At&t based mvnos like Airvoice that offer unlimited talk and text with no data for around $30. (actually I just checked, it includes 100 min.) This would be pretty ideal for a smartphone user who does not want data at all.

If you can find a decent smartphone that works on page plus the $12 plan offers the most for the money that I have ever seen.

 

[Geekbabe]

"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.

I earn a healthy second income in social media, there is nothing dumb about my choice to have a smartphone