What Pre-Paid (by the minute) Carrier uses GSM

[smitbret]

My 11 year old daughter has to fly cross country to see her Mom a handful of times a year and I need to find a cell phone provider that I can pre-pay for minutes and uses GSM so I can just import our old Nexus 4.

I had been using T-Mobile Pre-Paid but I let it expire in October and the store says that you can no longer renew the pay by the minute programs.

I just don't want to wast $240 a year for another line on my existing account when I can just buy a few hours up front.

 

[Midwayman]

Any tmobile or att MVNO. straight talk has sims from both. ATT has their own branded prepaid.

 

[paperwastage]

Lycamobile (uses T_mobile)

~$0.02-$0.05 cents per minute or text... zero data possible

ToC says topup $10 every 90 days, but some people say just use it every 90 days to keep it active



Some MVNOs have "free" plans - but you need to get a compatible phone

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story...free-plan-supported-ringback-tones/2015-06-11

 

[smitbret]

Any tmobile or att MVNO. straight talk has sims from both. ATT has their own branded prepaid.

Unless my rep lied to me (a distinct possibility) T-Mobile doesn't sell by the minute anymore. I will look at AT&T. Thanks.

 

[ElFenix]

Unless my rep lied to me (a distinct possibility) T-Mobile doesn't sell by the minute anymore. I will look at AT&T. Thanks.

no no, he's saying use an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator). MVNOs are companies that operate as phone companies but don't operate any towers. they lease time on towers and resell it.

 

[cronos]

If you want to stay with T-Mobile network, Ptel is a good choice.

If you want to try AT&T, Airvoice and H2O wireless are the choices.

Considering it's a few times per year, I'd recommend H2O. You can keep it up for $10 for 90 days ($40/year). The minutes/txt rate isn't super cheap at 5c per, but it rolls over when you refill and the expiration date stacks, so it's perfect for use once in a while.