Thinking about switching to StraightTalk....anyone used it?

[Scarpozzi]

Long story short....I'm with Verizon on an unlimited data plan. I hear they're doing away with those the next time I switch phones and forcing everyone to switch to the 2gig, 4gig pricing.

Straight Talk is $45 plus a $15 sim card. I'll have to figure out what phone to get and buy it somewhere for cheap, but I figure I'll make that money back eventually. I want a android-based phone for Google Music/Bluetooth, ConnectBot/SSH and USB Tethering.

Just looking for feedback from anyone who's tried it....or who might know the best Tmobile 4G/Android-based phone.

 

[NetGuySC]

From what I understand some straight talk phones will use the verizon network, others will use ATT or Tmobile. Make sure you know which you're getting and try to get one that matches the best network in your area. Perhaps someone else could provide you with more detailed info.

 

[Chrono]

Don't do it. Their service/support sucks ass. I was on ST for 6 months before I decided to bail and went Tmobile prepaid.

 

[ImDonly1]

Don't do it. Their service/support sucks ass. I was on ST for 6 months before I decided to bail and went Tmobile prepaid.

True, but once you get running and (hopefully) don't get throttled you never have to call them.

Also, OP are you looking at their ATT or t-mobile SIMs?
You can't get ATT sims anymore, but can get t-mobile.

I'm on ST ATT sim and it works ok except for the 2 times I got throttled. I have had some trouble in the past with them and it was a PITA because their support really is awful. All is good now.

TBH if another MVNO sold a $50 plan with a 2GB do whatever you want with it cap, I would switch to them. Having to worry about being throttled and their crap support on ST is kind of annoying.

I'm waiting until att rolls this out
http://www.aiowireless.com/home.html
It is in trials in texas, florida, and somewhere else only right now.
Or you can try ATT gophone, you get LTE, 2GB of data, but it costs $60/mo (maybe less if you buy online).

 

[Scarpozzi]

TBH if another MVNO sold a $50 plan with a 2GB do whatever you want with it cap, I would switch to them. Having to worry about being throttled and their crap support on ST is kind of annoying.

I noticed TMobile Prepaid has a $50 unlimited plan:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/15443360?w...599990&veh=sem

I don't know what the throttling would be after 100MB... I typically use my phone to stream music, but can handle slower speeds as long as the coverage is good at home and around my lake property (where I need 3G tethering minimum for RDP connections and SSH).

 

[Scarpozzi]

I think I'm gonna stick to Verizon a little longer and keep my Droid Razr....maybe 6-9 more months. I'm gonna keep checking out ST and TMobile and see which network provides the best deal. I like the concept of going no-contract.

 

[Red Storm]

Keep in mind T-Mobile prepaid does not have the same coverage as normal T-Mobile. It's a lot worse (at least in Northern VA).

I had Straight Talk for a few months, had no issues with service. Was on AT&T's network so overall coverage was not bad at all.

I think Net 10 is another option for the ~$50/month unlimited (2GB data) plan.

 

[DefDC]

If you want to keep your unlimited, just buy a nicer used phone. As long as you don't take a subsidized phone, you can keep your unlimited. If you really wanted a "new" phone now, grab a used SGS3. You can still have a really nice phone and unlimited.

My friend at work grabbed a AT&T ST SIM right before they went T-Mo only. His service seems fine, but he's definitely bummed about not having unlimited service. (It would make me crazy...)

 

[evident]

I had a good experience testing out Net10 (same as straight talk pretty much) and had a Net10 att sim card. reception was the exact same as my postpaid att account (3g/hspa+, no LTE). I would switch to that but i'm going with a no contract tmobile plan instead.

 

[dguy6789]

Just so you know you can keep your unlimited data on Verizon forever. You just can't buy a new phone from them subsidized. You either need to pay full retail price or buy a used phone but you can still keep your unlimited data indefinitely.

 

[dagamer34]

Just so you know you can keep your unlimited data on Verizon forever. You just can't buy a new phone from them subsidized. You either need to pay full retail price or buy a used phone but you can still keep your unlimited data indefinitely.

Which means you're paying an extra $240/year (your subsidy) to keep unlimited data which can't be tethered under their terms of service.

 

[dguy6789]

Which means you're paying an extra $240/year (your subsidy) to keep unlimited data which can't be tethered under their terms of service.

Unlimited data on Verizon is the single most desirable cell service to have in the US by far

 

[openwheel]

you can tether with FoxFi

keep your unlimited data.

 

[boomhower]

Which means you're paying an extra $240/year (your subsidy) to keep unlimited data which can't be tethered under their terms of service.

And I'm happy to do it. What are the alternatives? Who else can you go to and get unlimited data with a massive LTE network for the same money?

 

[gorcorps]

Thought about it, but I've gotten too used to LTE to give it up now. Plus the stories I hear about people getting cut-off or throttled at certain data caps would be a PITA if I really needed it.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I'm on StraightTalk ATT SIM and it works fine. I generally don't come close to offending StraightTalk's supposedly wonky soft data cap policy though. Net10 is owned by the same parent company and, I believe, is the exact same service -- aside from the $5 more per month and clearer data cap policy.

There are also options from Solavei (skip the pyramid scheme, but the service is fine) or AIO Wireless (a new one I just learned of that seems decent, uses ATT). Both are a bit more expensive than Straight Talk. Could also consider PagePlus and stick with the Verizon network.

If truly unlimited is really important, then maybe just suck it up and buy your own phones. Does suck to have to continue paying the subsidy/contract rate, though you would be effectively "no-contract" at that point.