Non-contract/major carrier cellphone plans

[WaTaGuMp]

This is one of the best deals right now in cell service.

Then they reduced the price to $140, which is still going. :thumbsup:

 

[Anonemous]

This is one of the best deals right now in cell service.

Yea it's a pretty good deal if you can get the 4G-Wimax in your area. It's a so-so deal if you only get 3G since Sprint's 3G maxes out at 3Mbps (theoretically but best I've seen was 2Mbps but it averages around .3-1.3Mbps usually) and you only get 2.5 Gigs of data before the throttle. If you can get the 4G-Wimax, the data is uncapped at 4G with speeds up to 10Mbps (I usually see 6-8Mbps).

If you can get the 4G Wimax in your area go with VM. If not you have lots of other choices (T-mo, straight talk, pageplus).

 

[SunnyD]

It should be pointed out that StraightTalk NO LONGER OFFERS AT&T COMPATIBLE SIMS as of this month. T-Mo only.

 

[tboo]

It should be pointed out that StraightTalk NO LONGER OFFERS AT&T COMPATIBLE SIMS as of this month. T-Mo only.

That is true but it doesnt affect current customers using an AT&T sim.

 

[Doppel]

You could look into republic wireless but they are in beta still. I have a phone that is Verizon prepay. I pay for texts and otherwise by the minute for calls since it's rarely used for them. Costs around 20-25 and Verizon network is rock-solid. If I needed prepay smart now I would do virgin with one of the android phones. Phones are so so and Virgin network isn't top shelf but it can be quite cheap per month. I can't believe how many people pay 90+ month for an iPhone when there are indeed cheaper ways to do it since prepay cell phone is possible now.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

HTC EVO V 4G $129.99 at Radio Shack

 

[abaez]

I've been curious as to why we still have 'voice' service. Or why it's not less prominent.

Especially since anyone with a 'land line' is probably using Vonage or similar...what stops us from having data/text only plans, and using VoIP to receive our phone calls? Has anyone 'hacked' this with Vonage? Or is 'Google voice' basically the same thing?

With the trend torward megahuge 5-6"+ screen smartphones...I wanna get a cheap tablet, cheap 3G service, and use it as my phone...

HELLO?!?!

Maybe epoxy an old handset to the back for a handle.

What do you think? You think the carriers are going to easily let go $30/40 a month for the millions of people who rarely or don't use voice service?

This is why the T-Mobile 100 minute/unlimite data/text plan for $30/month is the best thing around.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

What do you think? You think the carriers are going to easily let go $30/40 a month for the millions of people who rarely or don't use voice service?

This is why the T-Mobile 100 minute/unlimite data/text plan for $30/month is the best thing around.

Got a direct link to this? Wife and I are TMo customers off contract and we're paying >$70/mo for GSM voice only.

 

[Anonemous]

Got a direct link to this? Wife and I are TMo customers off contract and we're paying >$70/mo for GSM voice only.

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans

Scroll down to the two $30 plans.

As with any service, make sure you have their '4G' coverage in your area though.

 

[Shawn]

No love for boost?

 

[Stifko]

It should be pointed out that StraightTalk NO LONGER OFFERS AT&T COMPATIBLE SIMS as of this month. T-Mo only.

so that means if I join Straight Talk now I would be stuck on the T-Mo network?
T Mo sucks where I am.

 

[CZroe]

so that means if I join Straight Talk now I would be stuck on the T-Mo network?
T Mo sucks where I am.

Yes. It also means that you can no longer bring a locked AT&T phone to the network.

 

[Ksyder]

No love for boost?

I don't keep up on them too closely, but the fact that they have no byod, and are on the Sprint 3g network which has a reputation for being slow makes them less desirable.

On the other hand, Page Plus' popularity is from the fact that it uses Verizon's network which has 3g pretty much everywhere and very good byod including 4g phones if you program them. Also they have a wider selection of plans than almost any other prepaid carrier. T-Mobile offers full byod and a very fast HSPA+ network, way faster than anything 3g, and also the fact that lots of people use unlocked phones like the Nexus 4 which are perfect to use with T-Mobile and are incompatible with Boost cdma.

 

[TwiceOver]

so that means if I join Straight Talk now I would be stuck on the T-Mo network?
T Mo sucks where I am.

Yes. It also means that you can no longer bring a locked AT&T phone to the network.

You just need to get your att sim card from Walmart or a seller on eBay. The att sims can still be activated.

 

[phucheneh]

I don't keep up on them too closely, but the fact that they have no byod, and are on the Sprint 3g network which has a reputation for being slow makes them less desirable.

On the other hand, Page Plus' popularity is from the fact that it uses Verizon's network which has 3g pretty much everywhere and very good byod including 4g phones if you program them. Also they have a wider selection of plans than almost any other prepaid carrier. T-Mobile offers full byod and a very fast HSPA+ network, way faster than anything 3g, and also the fact that lots of people use unlocked phones like the Nexus 4 which are perfect to use with T-Mobile and are incompatible with Boost cdma.

Last I checked, it was just VM except their plans are like $5 more expensive. Plus, VM is probably the biggest 'buy our branded device' pre-paid network, which at least means phones are very widely available new and used.

 

[Anonemous]

I don't keep up on them too closely, but the fact that they have no byod, and are on the Sprint 3g network which has a reputation for being slow makes them less desirable.

On the other hand, Page Plus' popularity is from the fact that it uses Verizon's network which has 3g pretty much everywhere and very good byod including 4g phones if you program them.

See that's the thing Verizon's 3G is about the same speed as Sprints 3G (same tech). Their 4G is fast and everywhere but it also costs $$$.

 

[phucheneh]

VM offers 4G (don't know if you were referring to Sprint, Verizon, or both in your 4G reference), you're just limited to like 2-3GB a month, then it throttles you to 3G, IIRC.

AFAIK their 'Beyond Talk' plans would be the cheapest access to 4G. Though I wouldn't be surprised if it's outclassed by the better 3G networks (as in, stuff labeled 3G that is much faster than Sprint 3G...not saying 3G as a whole is 'better,' obviously).

Does Straight Talk give you access to ATT 4G?

 

[Anonemous]

VM offers 4G (don't know if you were referring to Sprint, Verizon, or both in your 4G reference), you're just limited to like 2-3GB a month, then it throttles you to 3G, IIRC.

Hmmm, in my experience 4G is unlimited on VM (unofficially) and 3G is throttled after 2.5 GB. I've seen ppl on other forums use 10-20 gigs without throttling.

 

[phucheneh]

Hmmm, in my experience 4G is unlimited on VM and 3G is throttled after 2.5 GB. I've seen ppl on other forums use 10-20 gigs without throttling.

Really? That seems rather backwards. I means it's cool and all, but why would you throttle 3G and not 4G? Especially when your 3G is slow as dick?

 

[Anonemous]

Really? That seems rather backwards. I means it's cool and all, but why would you throttle 3G and not 4G? Especially when your 3G is slow as dick?

Well supposedly they are gonna eventually shutdown Wimax and transition to LTE/LTE-advance in the next 3 or so years. Or they could keep WIMAX up for the prepaid plans (wish that were the case) while the contract plans get LTE. So right now it doesn't seem they are limiting Wimax usage.

 

[tboo]

VM offers 4G (don't know if you were referring to Sprint, Verizon, or both in your 4G reference), you're just limited to like 2-3GB a month, then it throttles you to 3G, IIRC.

AFAIK their 'Beyond Talk' plans would be the cheapest access to 4G. Though I wouldn't be surprised if it's outclassed by the better 3G networks (as in, stuff labeled 3G that is much faster than Sprint 3G...not saying 3G as a whole is 'better,' obviously).

Does Straight Talk give you access to ATT 4G?

Yes, I have access to 4G on straight talk

 

[jpiniero]

Really? That seems rather backwards. I means it's cool and all, but why would you throttle 3G and not 4G? Especially when your 3G is slow as dick?

IIRC, if you are talking about WiMAX they have a lot of spectrum but no users since very few phones support it and you have to be almost outside and line of sight to the tower to get a signal.