Ting + LG Viper - any one done/doing this?

[sixone]

I'm going to dump Virgin Mobile, since they don't offer LTE. The Viper is the least expensive LTE phone they offer - I'm too cheap to spend $500+ on a phone.

I use the phone for email, not much texting, and radar updates during severe weather. Occasionally TuneIn radio, once a month, maybe.

I'd like to use the phone as a hotspot, and dump my internet with Cox, if that's feasible. I'll be getting a Roku soon, too - not sure what that will do to my usage.

Anything I should know, going in?

 

[vi edit]

Ting is a sprint MVNO. Sprint has one of the worst LTE coverages of any carrier and their 3G speeds are some of the worst as well. Plus Sprint is in the works of getting a 70% buyout from a Japanese firm so who knows what the long term access of Ting is.

If you want a cheap plan with limited data & minutes without needing excellent coverage or speed it's a decent option.

But if you want reliable speeds, high data access (streaming is going to blow your caps in no time) it's not the way to go.

 

[sixone]

Ting is a sprint MVNO. Sprint has one of the worst LTE coverages of any carrier and their 3G speeds are some of the worst as well. Plus Sprint is in the works of getting a 70% buyout from a Japanese firm so who knows what the long term access of Ting is.

If you want a cheap plan with limited data & minutes without needing excellent coverage or speed it's a decent option.

But if you want reliable speeds, high data access (streaming is going to blow your caps in no time) it's not the way to go.

I don't know whether to blame Sprint or VM, but I am sick to death of their 3G. But I don't want a contract or a $100/mo bill, either.

Obviously, I have some reservations about Ting, but if they don't work out, I'll ship the phone right back to them. Too bad they don't have a walk-in location here.

And the buyout is one more reason not to spend $579 for the phone I would prefer. If I get two years out of it, I'll be happy - that'll be time to upgrade again, anyway.

 

[vi edit]

Look at Straight Talk. $45 for unlimited text, calling, and 2GB of data. Grab a Galaxy Nexus for $350 off of Google's store and that's a decent combo.

You won't get hotspotting out of the box though. That's the kicker. And if you are caught doing it they'll dump you. And major streaming daily is a no-no. It's not going to replace your cable connection.

 

[SunnyD]

I'm waiting for Ting to offer BYOD, which should be in a month or so. Then I will look at them as a potential viable alternative.

 

[sixone]

Look at Straight Talk. $45 for unlimited text, calling, and 2GB of data. Grab a Galaxy Nexus for $350 off of Google's store and that's a decent combo.

Is that Verizon's network?

 

[sixone]

I'm waiting for Ting to offer BYOD, which should be in a month or so. Then I will look at them as a potential viable alternative.

From what I've read over there, the end of the first phase of testing will be over in a month or so. No assurances that they'll be ready that quickly.

 

[vi edit]

Is that Verizon's network?

AT&T. Page Plus is Verizon's MVNO.

3G/Quasi 4G (HPSA) is much faster on Straight Talk and just about any unlocked GSM phone will work on their network. Page Plus is much more restrictive, no LTE access, and trying to get an LTE phone on them is very hard (if not impossible).

 

[sixone]

AT&T. Page Plus is Verizon's MVNO.

3G/Quasi 4G (HPSA) is much faster on Straight Talk and just about any unlocked GSM phone will work on their network. Page Plus is much more restrictive, no LTE access, and trying to get an LTE phone on them is very hard (if not impossible).

ST's coverage map looks a little sketchy, in my area. Can't zoom in to see detail. :\

 

[lothar]

ST's coverage map looks a little sketchy, in my area. Can't zoom in to see detail. :\

Which of their coverage maps are you looking at?

 

[ImDonly1]

You won't be able to ditch your home internet service and use mobile hotspot with any service provider. Especially with a roku, unless you want to just check e-mail and a few news sites daily.

 

[sixone]

You won't be able to ditch your home internet service and use mobile hotspot with any service provider. Especially with a roku, unless you want to just check e-mail and a few news sites daily.

That's okay, it would have been gravy.

I'm just tired of crappy 3G, more than anything else. Time to move up to crappy LTE. And maybe a new phone that doesn't have to be charged every eight hours.

Yeah, I'm demanding.

 

[sixone]

Update: I picked the Samsung Galaxy Victory, instead of the LG Viper.

I LOVE THIS PHONE. I was reluctant to get another Samsung, after my experience with the Intercept, but the Viper had an older version of Android, with no update in sight.

Bad news is, I signed up for 100MB of data, because I'd been using about 7 per month. I burned 85 in two days.

Good news is, I can get five times as much data for an extra $10 per month, if I find I really need it. Not bad at all. $30 per month still beats the hell out of $80.