Solavei?

[lopri]

Has anyone used their service before? From the coverage map, their network looks identical to T-Mobile's in my area. (North Jersey) Their unlimited prepaid is $20 cheaper than T-Mobile's. ($50 v. $70) I am trying to find a service for my parents' now-unlocked iPhones. If their service is identical to T-Mobile's as the map shows, I don't see a drawback.

Basically my questions here are: It's clear from the coverage map that this company borrows from T-Mobile, yet provides cheaper services. (1) How do they do it (providing same service for less), (2) is there a catch? (3) is this company - Solavei - pleasant to deal with?

 

[ImDonly1]

1. It is a t-mobile prepaid MVNO. There are lots of them. Every provider has them.
Here are some other tmobile ones
http://www.straighttalksim.com/shop.php (unknown data limit could be as high as 5-9GB)
https://www.gosmartmobile.com/compare-prepaid-cell-phone-plans (owned by t-mobile themselves, 5GB of data, slower speeds than others? 1Mbps max on $45 plan?)
http://www.mysimplemobile.com/Simple-Mobile-Plan.aspx (not really a highly regarded provider/shady practices in the past)

If they have an iPhone and don't use much data/stream and want ATT network then you can try this (2GB data limit)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Straight-T...-Card/21550824 (you would have to cut it to microSIM size).

2. They aren't technically unlimited. No provider is. Solavei throttles after 4GB to 2G speeds. Still lots of data. Does t-mobile support 1900mhz 3g in your area yet? Most prepaid providers don't offer roaming, Solavei seems to? So does straight talk I think.

3. Never used them. Nice place to read about them would be here
http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php/325-US-Prepaid-MVNO-Discussion

 

[lopri]

Yes, I realized 4GB is a lot when your device is around Wi-Fi like 90% of the time. How do I check whether T-Mobile has 1900 MHz band in my area?

Thank you for the link. It looks quite resourceful.

 

[ImDonly1]

Yes, I realized 4GB is a lot when your device is around Wi-Fi like 90% of the time. How do I check whether T-Mobile has 1900 MHz band in my area?

Thank you for the link. It looks quite resourceful.

www.airportal.de (user made map)

 

[lopri]

BTW I prefer T-Mobile to AT&T for it's more reliable here. My parents can go with any of $50~$70 plans that T-Mobile offers since they don't use data that much. Most data-heavy activity is probably facetime calls, but they usually do that at home (Wi-Fi).

I got curious about Solavei because theoretically their $50 service is equal to T-Mobile's $70 service, and they have a referral program that I might be able to use. But if there is anything shady I won't bother since I've already got a great plan w/ T-Mobile anyway.

Hmm.. GoSmart's $35 plan from the link you provided looks OK for my parents, too. They're T-Mobile?

Edit 1: I think I'm close enough to one of the posts. What is the benefit of 1900 MHz band? Is it something I can check on my own?
Edit 2: My parents are definitely buried in 1900 MHz area according to the map.
Edit 3: According to this site, I am under 1900 MHz band as well. I guess I answered my own question in the earlier edit.

 

[ImDonly1]

BTW I prefer T-Mobile to AT&T for it's more reliable here. My parents can go with any of $50~$70 plans that T-Mobile offers since they don't use data that much. Most data-heavy activity is probably facetime calls, but they usually do that at home (Wi-Fi).

I got curious about Solavei because theoretically their $50 service is equal to T-Mobile's $70 service, and they have a referral program that I might be able to use. But if there is anything shady I won't bother since I've already got a great plan w/ T-Mobile anyway.

Hmm.. GoSmart's $35 plan from the link you provided looks OK for my parents, too. They're T-Mobile?

Edit 1: I think I'm close enough to one of the posts. What is the benefit of 1900 MHz band? Is it something I can check on my own?
Edit 2: My parents are definitely buried in 1900 MHz area according to the map.
Edit 3: According to this site, I am under 1900 MHz band as well. I guess I answered my own question in the earlier edit.

FYI, the $35 plan on gosmartmobile I think is throttled to 2G/Edge speeds (0.12 Mbps, near dialup speeds). Which is why it is so cheap and it says "web" and the $45 plan says "highspeed/3G web." Yes, it is t-mobile.

1900Mhz is what the iPhone uses for 3G, otherwise you will only get edge/2g speeds. T-mobile is in the process of converting their network to 1900mhz.

You can check by ordering a microsim card from t-mobile for $1. It comes with a $3 balance and you can put it in your phone and see what the signal is like around your area. If you are getting 3G on an iPhone on t-mobile, then it has 1900mhz. It is is not 1900mhz, then the iPhone will show E (2G).

 

[lopri]

I'll check their bills to see how much data they use on the road. If there is any sizable amount (doubtful), between GoSmart's $45 plan and T-Mobile's $50 plan, I'd get them T-Mobile.

On my N4/N7, T-Mobile data shows up with "H" above the signal bars in the notification area. Very occasionally I see 3G. Is there any relation between 1900 MHz band and 3G/H notification icons? I don't have an iPhone 4 at the moment, but if I pop in a similar SIM I sould see 3G, I suppose? (Then again, data speed means little to nothing for my parents for aforementioned reasons)

Thank you for your help, ImDonly1.

 

[lopri]

BTW I have never seen "+" sign next to "H" signal icon. Does anyone w/ T-Mobile service see the plus sign next to H?

 

[ImDonly1]

I'll check their bills to see how much data they use on the road. If there is any sizable amount (doubtful), between GoSmart's $45 plan and T-Mobile's $50 plan, I'd get them T-Mobile.

On my N4/N7, T-Mobile data shows up with "H" above the signal bars in the notification area. Very occasionally I see 3G. Is there any relation between 1900 MHz band and 3G/H notification icons? I don't have an iPhone 4 at the moment, but if I pop in a similar SIM I sould see 3G, I suppose? (Then again, data speed means little to nothing for my parents for aforementioned reasons)

Thank you for your help, ImDonly1.

"H" is "3G" different phones/different providers display it differently.
"E" is "2G."

You will only be able to see if it's 1900Mhz if you use an iPhone. If you use a T-mobile branded phone, it will support 3G on other frequencies and 3G will show up (but not on 1900). Unless in the diagnostic menu you force 1900Mhz (would have to look that up on how to do it for your specific phone).

 

[lopri]

My last question is limited to whether there is a H+ label in T-moble's service. (but not limited to iPhones) I do see H all the time but occasionally see 3G as I drive by sparsely populated area. I am just wondering whether there is a speed labeled faster than H. (e.g. H+)

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

BTW I have never seen "+" sign next to "H" signal icon. Does anyone w/ T-Mobile service see the plus sign next to H?

CyanogenMod added the H+ icon. Otherwise you can go into Phone Status to check the state of your modem I believe.

 

[lopri]

This is what I get on my N7.

What is HSPA 10? Are there HSPA 8,9,10,11, etc,.?

Edit: And my phone just now.

 

[ImDonly1]

HSPA 10 = HSPA
HSPA 15 = HSPA+

If you are not using data, the phone will be in HSPA for power savings. Once you load a website or download something, it will switch over to HSPA+. Try and download something and check it again, it might switch to HSPA+.

 

[Eric498]

Has anyone used their service before? From the coverage map, their network looks identical to T-Mobile's in my area. (North Jersey) Their unlimited prepaid is $20 cheaper than T-Mobile's. ($50 v. $70) I am trying to find a service for my parents' now-unlocked iPhones. If their service is identical to T-Mobile's as the map shows, I don't see a drawback.

Basically my questions here are: It's clear from the coverage map that this company borrows from T-Mobile, yet provides cheaper services. (1) How do they do it (providing same service for less), (2) is there a catch? (3) is this company - Solavei - pleasant to deal with?

I have heard about $49 plan in solavei, I want to offer it to others but is solavei scam free now.