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I have been a long time customer (more than 10 years) with Iowa Wireless. I LOVE the plan I have, and the rate I haven't been able to find a match to. I'm a big fan of GSM and how I can change phones at will, but alas, I am moving to an area of North Dakota that doesn't have any GSM data, and very poor GSM voice coverage.
I have to move to Verizon (or any other CDMA provider), so I have taken this as my chance to get a new Rhodium to upgrade from my Kaiser to. Yay me.
BUT...
I don't like it, but I have had some financial difficulty, and now must pay a heafty deposit to get 'normal' service from Verizon (which is over priced to begin with).
If I get the Verizon pre-pay unlimited plan *shudders*, can I add a TP2 from eBay by just providing the correct serial numbers?
What about other pre-pay CDMA providers? Wal-Mart's Straight Talk is the right plan at a reasonable price, but can I mount a CMDA TP2 to thier network?
If you have access to MetroPCS in your area, and are willing to jump through a few hoops in getting the device configured, you can use a TP2 there. I have a Sprint TP2 that I bought on eBay running on MPS without issue. Data speeds will take you back to 2003, but the $40 unlimited call/text/data plan is hard to beat.
goldenu said:
If you have access to MetroPCS in your area, and are willing to jump through a few hoops in getting the device configured, you can use a TP2 there. I have a Sprint TP2 that I bought on eBay running on MPS without issue. Data speeds will take you back to 2003, but the $40 unlimited call/text/data plan is hard to beat.
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Click to collapse
Wow, I'll have to check them out. Is MetroPCS GSM, or CDMA based? Unfortunatly (in this case) the TP2 can run both GSM and CDMA... as for speeds, I'm used to a trunkated 20K, so anything is fine with me. *chuckles*
Thanks for the pointers!
Check out Page Plus it resells Verizon service thier data plans are crap 20megs and 50 megs and then prepaid $3 a meg (I think) lol but if you setup you phone right you can get allo the free data you can use. I had some issues but had it working pm me if you want details. thei unlimited plan talk and txt with 20megs of data is ~$40
Otherwise see if US Cellular is in the area still expensive for my plan but better than Verizon.
1000 anytime National plan, free nights and weekends starting at 7pm, free incoming calls txts and pics~$45
+txt plan 750 msgs ~$10
+data $24
+phone insurance ~$6
+taxes ~however much the government steals
gets my bill ~$100 per month
But I do pull about a 1megabit down and reasonable upload with 200ms to 250ms latency in my service area when tethered on my pc and I've only been in two places in all of america I did not get coverage so I like them allso the costumer service is the best I've ever had from ANY COMPANY HANDS DOWN.
If their was one company that deserves a hug in the whole world is US Cellular they are the best!
sorry for typos it's late I'm tired and lazy.
How do you get free unlimited data from Page Plus?
I am also curious as to whether or not you can tie an unlocked Touch Pro 2 to the Straight Talk network. Anybody have any ideas?
Verizon Wireless Basic Pre-Paid Plan
I've got a Blackberry through work and use that to read my work mails and for calls. I was still using the HTC P3600 as my PDA/MP3 player/Navigation/snapshots/movies/games/etc. and was thinking it's time for an upgrade. The TP2 seemed to be a worthy successor... thank god - I was waiting long enough. Anyway, I was also looking for a plan that I could use every now and then without any monthly commitments and related high charges. So the Verizon basic pre-paid plan seemed ideal for my situation - it costs 99 cents per day you use it - while giving you unlimited data for that day. I'd get a $100 charge so they let me keep my number for 1 year and I'd get OTA data for every third day during that year. So much for the plan...
First attempt: Try to get the Vz TP2 with the basic pre-paid plan. FAILED ... although the pre-paid guys told me the phone would work with the plan, they wouldn't be able to sell it to me without a monthly plan. I could have gotten it for the month-to-month price and then cancelled the plan after the first month - but I didn't want to go that far.
So I bought the phone through eBay. Slight complication - but I am very happy with my new phone so far!
Second attempt: Get the Vz pre-paid plan setup to my new TP2 that I bought off eBay. FAILED althought initially I was informed the pre-paid plan would WORK with the TP2 - Verizon Wireless refuses to set it up with the TP2 (which they will recognize as soon as you give them your MEID). They told me "the pre-paid network is not able to handle the traffic generated by the TP2 phone" right, like there's a separate pre-paid network....
Third attempt: PENDING I want to get some low-cost CDMA phone, either off eBay or from Vz directly (~$40 dollars one-time costs) and set that up with the basic pre-paid plan. Then I'll just "repair"/clone that phone's ESN to my TP2 and theoretically will be able to use my TP2 finally with the Verizon Wireless Basic Pre-Paid plan.
Anyone has any thoughts or - even better - real life experience? Will this work? Any ideas for a cheaper solution? I don't mind the workaround - it's fun so far...
Bizzled - THIS IS EXACTLY the kind of information I wanted to know! I'm reading this intently, I can't wait to hear how this went. I have a little bit of time before I have to change companies, I'd really like to do this...
I think I can get you a phone that is from VZ... used to be on the network, let me know if you need one, I'll go do the research on my end.
Page Plus is a prepaid service that uses the Verizon network. They will activate any unlocked CDMA phone (even phones from another carrier).
Most Verizon PDA phones work out of the box with no unlocking or anything needed.
See here:
http://www.pagepluscellular.com/
Sounds like exactly what you are looking for.
bizzled said:
I've got a Blackberry through work and use that to read my work mails and for calls. I was still using the HTC P3600 as my PDA/MP3 player/Navigation/snapshots/movies/games/etc. and was thinking it's time for an upgrade. The TP2 seemed to be a worthy successor... thank god - I was waiting long enough. Anyway, I was also looking for a plan that I could use every now and then without any monthly commitments and related high charges. So the Verizon basic pre-paid plan seemed ideal for my situation - it costs 99 cents per day you use it - while giving you unlimited data for that day. I'd get a $100 charge so they let me keep my number for 1 year and I'd get OTA data for every third day during that year. So much for the plan...
First attempt: Try to get the Vz TP2 with the basic pre-paid plan. FAILED ... although the pre-paid guys told me the phone would work with the plan, they wouldn't be able to sell it to me without a monthly plan. I could have gotten it for the month-to-month price and then cancelled the plan after the first month - but I didn't want to go that far.
So I bought the phone through eBay. Slight complication - but I am very happy with my new phone so far!
Second attempt: Get the Vz pre-paid plan setup to my new TP2 that I bought off eBay. FAILED althought initially I was informed the pre-paid plan would WORK with the TP2 - Verizon Wireless refuses to set it up with the TP2 (which they will recognize as soon as you give them your MEID). They told me "the pre-paid network is not able to handle the traffic generated by the TP2 phone" right, like there's a separate pre-paid network....
Third attempt: PENDING I want to get some low-cost CDMA phone, either off eBay or from Vz directly (~$40 dollars one-time costs) and set that up with the basic pre-paid plan. Then I'll just "repair"/clone that phone's ESN to my TP2 and theoretically will be able to use my TP2 finally with the Verizon Wireless Basic Pre-Paid plan.
Anyone has any thoughts or - even better - real life experience? Will this work? Any ideas for a cheaper solution? I don't mind the workaround - it's fun so far...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you buy a verizon branded TP2? Just curious, since I'm dealing with my own issue with verizon.
@cdmccul - I'll definitely share the results once I'm done. Got a Verizon Phone already for the cloning process... just need to figure the cloning out now. Thanks for the offer though!
@SaltyDawg - thanks for the hint. I won't go with PagePlus though since they charge you $1.20/MB for data and that's all I'm interested in for my future TP2 plan...
MadM3rlin said:
Did you buy a verizon branded TP2? Just curious, since I'm dealing with my own issue with verizon.
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Click to collapse
Yes I did.
bizzled said:
@cdmccul - I'll definitely share the results once I'm done. Got a Verizon Phone already for the cloning process... just need to figure the cloning out now. Thanks for the offer though!
@SaltyDawg - thanks for the hint. I won't go with PagePlus though since they charge you $1.20/MB for data and that's all I'm interested in for my future TP2 plan...
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$1.20 per MB? That's only if you take the standard plan.
http://www.pagepluscellular.com/Plans/Talk n Text 1200.aspx
That says you get 1200 minutes, 1200 text messages, and 50 MB of data for $29.99 per month (which is the same as the $1.00 per day that you were talking about on Verizon). And data is billed at .60 per MB if you go over the 50 MB.
I looked at PagePlus, but the web site wasn't working well for me, and it appears as though they won't get me a phone number near where I need one. Doesn't mean I won't try a different area code, but for now, if I can get Verizon to work, that would be 'better.
However, Verizon doesn't have any LOCAL numbers to exactly where I am. The closest town to where I am moving to is considered long distance to where I will be living.
cdmccul said:
I looked at PagePlus, but the web site wasn't working well for me, and it appears as though they won't get me a phone number near where I need one. Doesn't mean I won't try a different area code, but for now, if I can get Verizon to work, that would be 'better.
However, Verizon doesn't have any LOCAL numbers to exactly where I am. The closest town to where I am moving to is considered long distance to where I will be living.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just port your number in. Keep your existing number. If you don't have an existing number, buy a cheap prepaid phone and then port that number.
SaltyDawg said:
Just port your number in. Keep your existing number. If you don't have an existing number, buy a cheap prepaid phone and then port that number.
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Click to collapse
I'll have to see if I can find any - the town I'm moving to isn't THAT small, but I haven't found any local cell numbers. I'll have to do more research, there's got to be somebody... That or I'll try to do something with the GoogleVoice thingy I read about a while ago.
Well if push comes to shove, you can port landline numbers too. So you could sign up for a landline from whoever the local phone company is, and then after a few days port it out to your cell phone.
Greetings!
First time poster, long time reader.
I have been using a SE Xperia X1a that I bought off Ebay since Sept. 2009. I have stuck with this phone because I have an unlimited Medianet HSDPA service that costs $10/Mo. I frequently tether as a wireless router for either my laptop or Ipod Touch 4g. ATT still has not recognized this despite using 2gb+/mo.
The hardware in the phone is breaking down. I am looking for a replacement device that can do a similar service for me- $10/mo/unlimited internet. Are there any foreign branded Androids that can do this?
I did do a search for about an hour before giving up and asking this. Thanks are coming your way for responding
I'm really not sure why you think your plan is tied to your phone? Just get whatever phone tickles your fancy and put your sim card in it.
I don't think my plan is tied to my phone. I'm sorry if that's how it came across.
I am able to capitalize on unlimited MediaNet data because ATT doesn't recognize my Xperia's IMEI- they think I have a dumbphone.
The hardware is failing on my Xperia, and I am looking into a replacement. I'm fully willing to buy an foreign phone out of contract if it's known that ATT can't recognize the IMEI.
If anyone could point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated :-D
They dont think you have a dunb phone(Non Smart Phone) They just havent cared to check. In my experience they only check what style of phone when upgrading services, such as data plans and such. As deathsled said, get any phone that makes you happy and insert yoour sim card. P.S. Make sure phone is able to accept a sim card, and if unlocked make sure its able to listen to the carries specific signal.
Well they do think I have a dumbphone. That's what I had to tell them when I signed up for MediaNet after purchasing the phone.
I don't want to buy a phone that they their system will instantly recognize and upgrade me from my MediaNet to a smartphone plan.
Is there a resource to check the phones that they know of? I could always just purchase the same model and continue doing what I'm doing if not.
Is the problem that nobody knows, or that nobody has seen this thread that does know?
Bamp 10char
Is there another forum I should be trying?
Donteventrii said:
Well they do think I have a dumbphone. That's what I had to tell them when I signed up for MediaNet after purchasing the phone.
I don't want to buy a phone that they their system will instantly recognize and upgrade me from my MediaNet to a smartphone plan.
Is there a resource to check the phones that they know of? I could always just purchase the same model and continue doing what I'm doing if not.
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Click to collapse
I'm rather puzzled, why can't you just buy an unlocked phone from (say) Amazon? They do sell nice Nexus One units there...
I know exactly what you are talking about Donteventrii
I can give you a list of phones that might be suitable for you, that are unlocked and use AT&T 3G but their IMEI will still not be recognizable and therefore, you get to keep your $10 unlimited MEdiaNet data plan
Amazon: Any Nokia Phone - E72, N8, E7, E6 etc
NExus S - the one for AT&T which will have the 850/1900 3G bands - http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Googl..._1_1?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1310519566&sr=1-1
T-mobile Galaxy S vibrant - Unlocked. It has AT&T's 3G 1900 band so you will be able to get 3G speeds in many areas since 1900 is the more widespread one.
Any Rogers (Canadian telephone service provider) smartphone unlocked since it uses the same bands as AT&T for it's 3G. I'm using a Rogers unlocked Xperia Play that I bought off a guy who'd bought it off Ebay.
That's just the ones I can think off the top of my head. I'll post again if I remember some more
Thank you very much Abudabu!
I may have some follow ups, but I'm heading to bed.
I would just get another phone like tmobile
Abudabu, do you also use MediaNet for your Xperia Play? I see that ATT is getting Xperia play, do you think this will cause problems for you?
The Nexus S is quite costly still, though 2.3 has me drooling. I believe the Galaxy S may be my best option. I might buy it online and unlock it myself.
Any thoughts?
I don't use MediaNet actually. I'm on the $30 unlimited data plan that I opted for when I went with the iPhone 3GS.
You can swap your SIM card out of your current phne to any phone that does not have an AT&T logo on it and you should be fine. AT&T has the IMEI's of all the phones that IT sells, in it's database. So if you put your sim in an Unlocked Xperia Play from Rogers or from United Kingdom, you can continue using the MediaNet without any hassle. If however, you put your SIM card in a AT&T Xperia Play, the SIM recognizes the IMEI of the phone, and will transmit this data back to AT&T indicating you need to upgrade your plan since you are on a smartphone
Any reason you don't switch back to MediaNet?
I'm aware of the 10$ Medianet plan. But for those that use it with unlocked smartphones, how do you get around the texting?
I see a $30 unlimited data and messaging plan which defeats the purpose of the thread. Are you combining this with the 1000 messages for $10?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Donteventrii said:
Any reason you don't switch back to MediaNet?
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Well couple of reasons:
1) I wasn't sure if they even offer it anymore. I was under the impression they have tiered data plans now. $15 for 200 mb, $25 for 2GB, etc.
2) I switch phones quite a bit. So I prefer to just have the $30 unlimited data plan standard and I switch sim's in and out irregardless.
Ah if you switch phones that makes sense.
But yes, they do indeed offer MediaNet unlimited for 10/month. I am sitting at 2.5gb this month with a week left in my billing cycle.
I mainly use it to tether my laptop while at work. We don't have wifi, and I don't want to use my work computer for personal business. In fact, I'm tethering it right now from work
so where can I find a list of smartphones, compatible with AT&T, not in the IMEI database?
Just to be clear, I can purchase a dumbphone with:
$30 unlimited messaging/mobile to mobile
+
$15 unlimited data
with no voice plan (like the $39.99 for 450 minutes), go home and pop the SIM card to one of these unlisted phones and done.
$45 + tax for unlimited everything on a smartphone.
I can use Google Voice for landlines and international without incurring call forwarding fees and such.
I don't think there is a list other than what's been provided already. I use the Unlimited family messaging and 10/mo unlimited internet.
Hey guys...I've lurked on this forum for a while...But this is my first post. Sorry if this has already been asked a million times or if it's in the wrong forum. But I need help asap.
I had a Verizon Galaxy Nexus but just cancelled my plan because it was getting too expensive. I was going to sign up with Sprint because I get a huge company discount, but a friend of mine just gave me his Verizon S4 because he bought a G2. Anyways...I would rather bring the S4 to a carrier like Straight Talk and avoid getting a new phone an plan with Sprint.
Anyways...I've read a bunch of different threads that have conflicting information. Am I able to active the S4 with Straight talk? I went to their website and found that the phone is indeed compatible. But I am getting two messages, "Purchase an Activation Kit which contains a 30 Day Unlimited Service Plan Card, SIM Card and Network Access Code." and "For your particular phone only the Service Plan Card and SIM Card are needed for activation. The Network Access Code is not required. The SIM Card is in the blue area for AT&T Compatible phones and the pink area for T‑Mobile Compatible phones."
Am I going to get screwed if I buy all this stuff? Has anyone tried this? And if so, do I straight up select an AT&T compatible SIM card even though it's a Verizon phone? Any help would be huge! I'd like to get this done today.
Thanks in advance.
Alright, so this is pretty simple.
First of all, people are going to say the VZW Galaxy S4 is CDMA and thus does not work on Straight Talk and other GSM carriers. They are false. Verizon has been SIM unlocking all of their phones, including the iPhones, for the past year or so.
There is one caveat. You will NOT be able to access LTE. Just HSPA+ or pseudo 4G which is actually pretty fast.
Now, when you sign up with ST, you can choose to go with AT&T or T-Mobile since they piggyback off both services. AT&T has the better coverage but there's a hard 1.5 GB data cap (or so they claim. it is unclear on what ST's data usage policies are). The T-Mobile side has spottier coverage but I hear there are less strict data rules. Mileage may vary. It's prepaid so you're free to try out both sides.
As far as the Network Access Code question, just buy the one with it. I've never used ST but as long as it doesn't cost more, it is better to have the code than not.
sorry for that
sorry for that
I'm a verizon user, but my father wants to replace his old Nokia feature phone with something newer. He's a tracfone user, and as I understand it their BYOD plans are CDMA only. You can get a VZW Moto G today, but I believe they won't unlock the device for use on other networks for 6 months.
So, I can get a GSM version, but am unfamiliar with GSM MVNO's. Which MVNO using AT&T has the least expensive (potential) plan. I don't think he's ever sent a text, and I don't see him using data on the device much, but I think he would appreciate the camera and google maps. An unlimited plan is pure overkill for him. He's the definition of the minimal user.
Probably Straight Talk Sims.
sent from my Moto G using Tapatalk
Coop9 said:
I'm a verizon user, but my father wants to replace his old Nokia feature phone with something newer. He's a tracfone user, and as I understand it their BYOD plans are CDMA only. You can get a VZW Moto G today, but I believe they won't unlock the device for use on other networks for 6 months.
So, I can get a GSM version, but am unfamiliar with GSM MVNO's. Which MVNO using AT&T has the least expensive (potential) plan. I don't think he's ever sent a text, and I don't see him using data on the device much, but I think he would appreciate the camera and google maps. An unlimited plan is pure overkill for him. He's the definition of the minimal user.
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Click to collapse
Actually I've been looking into this recently myself. I'm currently with Tracfone but I'm thinking about upgrading my phone (Moto G is one strong consideration).
Straight Talk is one option but it really depends on needs. If he's a light user, PayAsYouGo may be the best. If he's consumes quite a bit of minutes, prepaid may be the path. I would look at H2o or Airvoice also. With either you could possibly get a light user down around what TF cost (depending on the plan used there). They both also offer monthly prepaids less expensive than ST. However, I think ST is 4G and the two I mentioned may be only 3G if that matters. Both H2o and AV use AT&T GSM so that would be a consideration. Of course, Verizon and AT&T are very large providers but you would have to see what works in his area.
And yes, you are correct. The new CDMA Moto G will not work on TF. And I seen some stated that will be that way for at least one year.
wrj54 said:
Actually I've been looking into this recently myself. I'm currently with Tracfone but I'm thinking about upgrading my phone (Moto G is one strong consideration).
Straight Talk is one option but it really depends on needs. If he's a light user, PayAsYouGo may be the best. If he's consumes quite a bit of minutes, prepaid may be the path. I would look at H2o or Airvoice also. With either you could possibly get a light user down around what TF cost (depending on the plan used there). They both also offer monthly prepaids less expensive than ST. However, I think ST is 4G and the two I mentioned may be only 3G if that matters. Both H2o and AV use AT&T GSM so that would be a consideration. Of course, Verizon and AT&T are very large providers but you would have to see what works in his area.
And yes, you are correct. The new CDMA Moto G will not work on TF. And I seen some stated that will be that way for at least one year.
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Why won't it work on Tracfone's BYOP plan? All you should have to do is call them and let them transfer everything. Jus t because it's locked to Verizon doesn't mean you can't flash it to someone else I think... TF operates on Verizon as well.
wws12 said:
Why won't it work on Tracfone's BYOP plan? All you should have to do is call them and let them transfer everything. Jus t because it's locked to Verizon doesn't mean you can't flash it to someone else I think... TF operates on Verizon as well.
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Verizon controls what phones are allowed on their network; not TF. Page Plus wireless (which is also a Verizon MVNO provider) customers have the same issue. They want the Moto G but it's the network owner who sets the rules.
You'll find it easier to use higher end phones on MVNOs who employee T-Mobile or AT&T (GSM). That's why I suggested the ones I did. And by no means is the list limited to Airvoice, H2o, Straight Talk. There are more choices. Just not Verizon.
Coop9 said:
I'm a verizon user, but my father wants to replace his old Nokia feature phone with something newer. He's a tracfone user, and as I understand it their BYOD plans are CDMA only. You can get a VZW Moto G today, but I believe they won't unlock the device for use on other networks for 6 months.
So, I can get a GSM version, but am unfamiliar with GSM MVNO's. Which MVNO using AT&T has the least expensive (potential) plan. I don't think he's ever sent a text, and I don't see him using data on the device much, but I think he would appreciate the camera and google maps. An unlimited plan is pure overkill for him. He's the definition of the minimal user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about Ting?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium HD app
yguns76 said:
What about Ting?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I get a Moto G that will work with Ting? I know the Boost mobile version is on the Sprint bands, but it isn't listed on Ting's whitelist.
AFAIK Straight Talk has pretty much stopped selling AT&T sims (only T-Mo ones now) from what I've read recently, the same with Net10 and other AT&T-based MVNOs because it seems like AT&T is really pushing for its Gophone pre-paid as an MVNO competitor (and withdrawing its support for MVNOs it was selling access to gradually). They've revamped their prices recently to be more competitive, and that's the reason I've switched from my old provider (Virgin) --- I'm currently on the $60 unlim txt/voice/2GB data plan (cheaper when buying refills through resellers).
The cheapest Gophone plan for smartphones is $25 / mo for 250 mins unlim domestic text & MMS (and a set of countries), no data included.
If you're not averse to T-Mobile, they have a fantastic low-minutes high data plan ($30 a month for 100 mins, unlimited text & data (throttled at 5GB) but I'm unsure if you can use a Moto G you've not purchased from them with the plan.
I have a dumb question. I've been in fed prison since the smart phone epidemic and have no idea what smart phone to buy. what is the best smart phone out there? And cell phone provider? After some little research, (I am just learning how to us the internet) and some advice from some computer savvy friends I am thinking about getting the lg g2 from amazon. Its an lg g2 801 international unlocked. I have been told, getting an unlocked international will enable me to use any service provider. Is this true? I am in an area that Verizon, at&t and walmarts straight talk are the only providers and would like a phone I can use with who I choose, when I choose. All I would have to do is buy a sim card from the provider I choose, right? To many choices...... and I know nothing about this world. I will pay for the phone upfront. Help.
Hello bjroyce the phone you are looking at is a nice phone to start off with the lg g2 international will work with any carrier including the ones you listed. At&t has great coverage has a 2yr contract which means you will be locked into a 2 year agreement with them they also have a prepaid account which is you pay for the data plan you choose and cancel when you want no contract need at&t prepaid sims can be found at at&t and many other stores. Verizon also has great coverage and has a contract agreement and a pay as you option which sim cards can be found in Verizon stores or in most stores. Walmart straight talk use at&t or verzion network which is a pay as you also know as prepaid account straight talk sims use at&t or Verizon or T-Mobile network based on the sim number on the sim card which sim cards can be found online or in stores. you will aslo need a nano sim card for the lg g2 d801 international phone.
Good choice!