Ok, so I have a rooted HTC Thunderbolt with Gingeritis 3D and is getting pretty old. I want to upgrade to the S3, but the problem is that i'll lose my unlimited (bastards). I've looked into getting a cheap plan from other carriers that have the S3 and then modifying it to work with verizon and use the other carrier as a business phone, but I can't find a plan cheap enough. I really hate the tiered plans with verizon so I'm trying to avoid that at all costs, but I don't feel like paying $700 for a freakin phone. Anyone have any ideas on a work around of some sort?
You're most likely screwed, I just lost my unlimited data recently because someone on my plan upgraded, so we all lost it, you might as well suck it up, no offense, Verizon is closing all loopholes to keep unlimited.
-Sent from Marino's Galaxy Nexus-
Phones from sprint and virgin mobile generally tend to be cheaper. Im not sure how you plan on modifying GSM units to function on CDMA networks (then again, im not very tech savvy) but chances are buying an off contract phone is the way to go. The CDMA variant of the galaxy nexus is always a cheap viable option. My 2 cents.
buckfuddy said:
Phones from sprint and virgin mobile generally tend to be cheaper. Im not sure how you plan on modifying GSM units to function on CDMA networks (then again, im not very tech savvy) but chances are buying an off contract phone is the way to go. The CDMA variant of the galaxy nexus is always a cheap viable option. My 2 cents.
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Click to collapse
You can't, because:
1. You'd have to do something I can't mention her for legal reasons to get the Sprint version to work on Verizon.
2. The Sprint version has an embedded SIM, so no SIM slot that the Verizon version uses/needs for the LTE SIM.
3. Different frequency of LTE, so you wouldn't even get LTE.
4. Sprint has terrible data speeds and close to no LTE coverage (take it from me, I used to work for them).
5. Verizon is crazy expensive all in the name of "coverage" (take it from me again, because I used to work for them too, even though it doesn't take a genius to see it).
I say buy an AT&T/T-Mobile version unlocked (or international i9300 if you want) and hop onto Straight Talk. $45 a month unlimited everything (ok, well they'll throttle you if you use a lot of data), and you can choose if you want an AT&T or T-Mobile-based SIM. By a lot of data I mean generally over 2-3GB. But you can go on their Facebook page and make a support ticket lying and saying some app used a lot of data, and they'll usually un-throttle you in a day or less.
I tell people not to go for Verizon unless no other carrier has decent service in their area or unless their company is paying the bill. Because they have horrible customer service, destroy blockbuster devices with branding and bloatware (and locked bootloaders), and are crazy expensive.
Product F(RED) said:
You can't, because:
1. You'd have to do something I can't mention her for legal reasons to get the Sprint version to work on Verizon.
2. The Sprint version has an embedded SIM, so no SIM slot that the Verizon version uses/needs for the LTE SIM.
3. Different frequency of LTE, so you wouldn't even get LTE.
4. Sprint has terrible data speeds and close to no LTE coverage (take it from me, I used to work for them).
5. Verizon is crazy expensive all in the name of "coverage" (take it from me again, because I used to work for them too, even though it doesn't take a genius to see it).
I say buy an AT&T/T-Mobile version unlocked (or international i9300 if you want) and hop onto Straight Talk. $45 a month unlimited everything (ok, well they'll throttle you if you use a lot of data), and you can choose if you want an AT&T or T-Mobile-based SIM. By a lot of data I mean generally over 2-3GB. But you can go on their Facebook page and make a support ticket lying and saying some app used a lot of data, and they'll usually un-throttle you in a day or less.
I tell people not to go for Verizon unless no other carrier has decent service in their area or unless their company is paying the bill. Because they have horrible customer service, destroy blockbuster devices with branding and bloatware (and locked bootloaders), and are crazy expensive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe Virgin Mobile has a $25 plan that might suit one's needs. Then again, I'm not sure about the compatibility of VMs phones with Verizons network.
buckfuddy said:
I believe Virgin Mobile has a $25 plan that might suit one's needs. Then again, I'm not sure about the compatibility of VMs phones with Verizons network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For 3G they'd work, if you can do the thing that I can't mention. But VM uses WiMax for 4G, not LTE, so it wouldn't work.
I'm going to second the Straight Talk suggestion. While they don't guaranty you will have reliable service, it is certainly worth the savings and is usually pretty reliable. If you put up the cash to buy a phone outright, you will save more then that then if you were to stick with Verizon.
I have my Infuse on ST right now, and it's been just fine. I've been getting speeds equal to my service when I was on AT&T and have only had a few hiccups when it comes to data, bet never when it comes to actual phone service.
There are particular data heavy apps I've used that seemed to kick me off the data network, which I think is the only reason I had issues with my data. It usually resolves itself after a while though. One of those apps was a remote desktop app that I was just testing out from work for the first time on my phone (always used my tablet for it before), and my data pretty much stopped working as soon as I tried using it. Then after about an hour or so I was able to use data again. Tried calling in the issue, but I spent about 30 minutes on hold and just hung up. Which brings up another downfall of ST, it's usually not a good idea to attempt to call customer service in the middle of the day.
el_roy1985 said:
I'm going to second the Straight Talk suggestion. While they don't guaranty you will have reliable service, it is certainly worth the savings and is usually pretty reliable. If you put up the cash to buy a phone outright, you will save more then that then if you were to stick with Verizon.
I have my Infuse on ST right now, and it's been just fine. I've been getting speeds equal to my service when I was on AT&T and have only had a few hiccups when it comes to data, bet never when it comes to actual phone service.
There are particular data heavy apps I've used that seemed to kick me off the data network, which I think is the only reason I had issues with my data. It usually resolves itself after a while though. One of those apps was a remote desktop app that I was just testing out from work for the first time on my phone (always used my tablet for it before), and my data pretty much stopped working as soon as I tried using it. Then after about an hour or so I was able to use data again. Tried calling in the issue, but I spent about 30 minutes on hold and just hung up. Which brings up another downfall of ST, it's usually not a good idea to attempt to call customer service in the middle of the day.
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Click to collapse
When you fill in the APN, remove any "Proxy" fields except for "MMS Proxy." It's one way they try to limit what apps can connect to the network. But other than that they're good. It's full AT&T or T-Mobile service (you choose the SIM type), running on the base network, not the Prepaid/slow-network. So if you have good AT&T or T-Mobile service in your area, you'll the same coverage/speeds on Straight Talk.
I bought a used (T-Mobile) GS3 for $450 and use T-Mobile's $30/mo pay-as-you-go 4G plan (100 minutes, unlimited texting, 5Gb data before throttling). There are other no-contract plans out there for other types of users as well. Doing the math, just buying the phone instead of paying higher rates for the carrier to subsidise some of it easily evens-out over its lifespan - or comes way ahead. I would have paid about $1000/yr at Verizon. Now I'm paying about $580/yr considering the price of the phone. If I keep the phone after two years, this drops to $360/yr. And I get better service quality over-all.
I'm sure you can find a used Verizon GS3 - heck, you can even get them NEW for less than "$700".
If you're actually getting a good deal with Verizon, then just buy the phone out-right.
Related
Hey guys, my 1st post here.
i am on AT&T and i am going for galaxy s device, obvious choice being captivate, but i want to know if i have basic unlimited data plan (the one for my current SE w760, $15/month) will continue to work? i am going to buy captivate from ebay, not directly from AT&T, so can i still use non-smartphone data plan for captivate? cuz if im not getting unlimited data, i will prefer going to Vibrant.
It will work fine, but AT&T will eventually notice and switch you to an "appropriate" plan.
thank you for the reply, but then what if i go for Vibrant instead of captivate? that way AT&T cant change my plan to smartphone plan right?
It depends on whether they have the Vibrant's IMEIs in their database. It's possible they don't, but it's possible they do.
But then you would have to get an unlocked Vibrant, and would you even be able to use the 200MB on the smartphone $15 plan since you'd be using EDGE (I'm assuming the Vibrant doesn't have AT&T 3G).
I'm good friends with a manager from an AT&T store, and yes, it will change, unfortunately, even if you got the Vibrant... Had to ask him pretty much the same question for a friend of mine, and they manage to see that you have a data/smart phone pretty quick.
yeah that is true, clocking 200MB on EDGE is not that probable, but that is my deciding factor. if i can get unlimited 3G on captivate (i guess AT&T no longer has an unlimited plan) then i would go for captivate else i would go for Vibrant, as vibrant is better in many aspects than captivate, especially less bloatware and more useful apps pre-loaded.
And you can get an unlocked Vibrant?
thats a shame, but then in that case Vibrant is better choice, as having a limited 3G is a pain, and that was the only reason i was going for captivate over vibrant.
and yes there are lots of unlocked vibrants on ebay from pretty reputed sellers.
xargs1 said:
It will work fine, but AT&T will eventually notice and switch you to an "appropriate" plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my case they didn't. I used my at&t Tilt (Kaiser) on MEdia Net Unlimited for the last two years. I never got switched back to the smartphone data plan or got any sort of nasty note about using too much data.
I had a unlocked G1 on At&t and after configuring the APNs I had unlimited data for $15 a month. Needless to say there was no 3g but it still worked with no issues.
If you have an old unlimited data plan, its called grandfathered I think. Anyways, if you have an old smartphone plan it should just stay the same as long its the smartphone, I still had my unlimited plan when I switch from iPhone 3GS to SGS. But I don't know if you have the smartphone unlimited data plan since you mention the 15 dollars one. I would go directly to AT&T cooperate store and speak in person cuz representative on the phone are just dumb! LOL so yeah meeting in person would be good.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
mlb1988 said:
If you have an old unlimited data plan, its called grandfathered I think. Anyways, if you have an old smartphone plan it should just stay the same as long its the smartphone, I still had my unlimited plan when I switch from iPhone 3GS to SGS. But I don't know if you have the smartphone unlimited data plan since you mention the 15 dollars one. I would go directly to AT&T cooperate store and speak in person cuz representative on the phone are just dumb! LOL so yeah meeting in person would be good.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP doesn't have any smartphone plan to be grandfathered in.
chirantan.f said:
yeah that is true, clocking 200MB on EDGE is not that probable, but that is my deciding factor. if i can get unlimited 3G on captivate (i guess AT&T no longer has an unlimited plan) then i would go for captivate else i would go for Vibrant, as vibrant is better in many aspects than captivate, especially less bloatware and more useful apps pre-loaded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
200 MB on EDGE is easy to do on the Captivate. I'm already past that point and I do use Wifi at home.
so from all the posts, i think getting a captivate means i have to pay for smartphone plan, even though i should have an option to cancel the data plans totally (while some forums say that i cant cancel a data plan, but i dont believe thats the case if i have bought the phone at full price and not subsidized).
Now i am interested in seeing what will AT&T do if i go for Vibrant (instead of Captivate) and use the non-smartphone data plan on it. I doubt they will know what is connected as they wont have IMEI for Vibrant (some forums said that AT&T does differentiate their smartphones based on the list of IMEIs) so with Vibrant i should be able to use non-smartphone data-plan, what do you guys think about that?
chirantan.f said:
so from all the posts, i think getting a captivate means i have to pay for smartphone plan, even though i should have an option to cancel the data plans totally (while some forums say that i cant cancel a data plan, but i dont believe thats the case if i have bought the phone at full price and not subsidized).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T requires ALL smartphones to have data plan regardless how you purchased it. Just ask any Nexus One owners.
Now i am interested in seeing what will AT&T do if i go for Vibrant (instead of Captivate) and use the non-smartphone data plan on it. I doubt they will know what is connected as they wont have IMEI for Vibrant (some forums said that AT&T does differentiate their smartphones based on the list of IMEIs) so with Vibrant i should be able to use non-smartphone data-plan, what do you guys think about that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, if I'm only getting EDGE speed, I'll not pay any data plan for it. It's like you buy a top of line PC today and put a dialup networking for internet connection.
I know this is probably the 100th thread about forced data plans on AT&T.
My wife and I have been using our unlocked Windows Mobile phones for a couple of years now. We recently switched from Centennial Wireless to AT&T, since the two companies merged.
When we went into the AT&T store to set up our plan, we took our phones in with us. I specifically asked the sales rep if we were required a data plan, and he responded with "no". We were not put under contract since we had our own devices.
Since then, AT&T has an automated system that recognized smartphones and other similar devices. This system adds a data plan to your device and notifies you via text and email.
Neither of us use the internet on our phones. Each phone has wifi, but my wife doesn't know how to use much on her phone. We mostly use our phones for texting and thats about it.
I've called AT&T, to make a long story short, nothing happened.
Going to try to switch to the GoPhone setup and use our smartphones on that.
Getting tired of all this forced B.S.
I'm just about ready to ditch cellular companies and go back to the "string and cup" method.
Are there any programs that mask your IMEI number?
Pretty sure you're out of luck if they've already recognized your smartphones.
It's a horrendous policy...one of the main reasons I switched actually. Probably going to be forced to leave T-Mobile if the merger happens. (AT&T will surely put a stop to prepaid smartphones, won't they?)
I'm not sure, but I think hiding/altering your IMEI is illegal? Don't quote me on that, though.
I used to be on my dad's ATT plan, but he suspended the account and nixed my unlimited data and I moved to Sprint. Now I kind of have buyers remorse because they embed their SIM cards, get terrible signal inside buildings (being a non VZ CDMA carrier) unless you're right next to a window, and have a slow 3G network, and are taking forever to get LTE up. VZ is not an option, its too expensive, altho its by far the best network. I'm thinking of going to T-Mobile, because their 3G is HSPA+, which is kind of 4G, and LTE gets bad battery life anyway. They also have unlimited data, and I feel like even if I got to the point of throttling, it might STILL be faster than Sprint. I also like the idea of GSM too. But T-Mobile is going under and I wanna know more about their service.
I'm in Eastern LI right now, and probably will be in NYC later this year. I do still own a Photon, which I could use for overseas if Sprint doesn't update their GS3 like Verizon will, but I don't wanna bother owning 2 phones. Helpppp!
Please someone help me, I still have time to return the sprint s3 which I paid full price for
Curious what opinions are...
What is the best cheap provider?
I see there are some big threads about TMobile, but searching around the net, I see a lot of people who seem to like Straight Talk.
Anyone use Ting?
Any opinions? Any first hand experiences?
Thanks
www.lycamobile.us and www.gosmartmobile.com also have better deals, especially for pay-as-you-go users.
.jond said:
Curious what opinions are...
What is the best cheap provider?
I see there are some big threads about TMobile, but searching around the net, I see a lot of people who seem to like Straight Talk.
Anyone use Ting?
Any opinions? Any first hand experiences?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard too many complaints about Smart Talk to consider them a first option. They're good for basic AT&T-area coverage I guess, but not very heavy data usage. T-Mobile has less coverage but is much better about data.
Get a plan at aiowireless.com. They're owned and operated by AT&T and have great service. I've used them for 2 months now and don't regret switching from T-Mobile. I get way better coverage and LTE nearly everywhere. T-Mobile's LTE is still in infancy and only in a few markets across the USA.
AT&T is trying to buy Leap Communications which owns Cricket. If government regulators allow them to do so, AT&T will be merging Aio with Cricket. Same service, new name. Though Cricket has been viewed as a "cheap and crappy" pay as you go service for many years, if owned and operated by AT&T, I think it'll really boost it's way into competing with the bigger dogs now that it'll have better coverage and service to offer.
.jond said:
Curious what opinions are...
What is the best cheap provider?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One son switched his galaxy nexus from ST ATT to ST TMob in Dec. His coverage (Orlando, FL/UCF) improved and dl speed went from 6 to 11/12MB . In June, I switched him to TMob $30 (100 min) plan. Coverage seems the same, but now he has 5GB high speed data. I keep extra $ in the account in case he needs more minutes but he hasn't yet.
I moved two Iphones (4s) from ST ATT to GoPhone in July. The other three of us live in a rural south Florida area with decent coverage about 100 feet from our house. We usually get a signal inside the house. Local coverage/signal the same; however, I no longer have to constantly (weekly at times) re-negotiate the data connections and mms just works. (ST never fully supported GSM Iphones. ) I considered aio but went with gophone. ATT installed the sims and made certain everything was working. All I paid for was the first month ($60.+sales tax), no sim or activation fee. Since then, I have gotten refills for $54./month--no tax.
I have a Nexus 4 and am still on ST ATT. I was waiting on my last 90 day purchase to run out before moving to GoPhone, when they actually became transparent with their data policy. I just purchased another 30 days and a new LTE sim in anticipation that one day, Google will actually make the Nexus 5 available. After I experience LTE through ST, I will decide to stay or go.
My Orlando area son will take my n4 as he will be on LTE with it. I will get ATT LTE when in covered areas with n5.
We have no experience with other prepay. We had been Sprint customers for 12 years until we no longer were able to receive a signal in our house (tried TMob with same results). I do thank Sprint for not caring about our situation since it made me consider prepay. The best thing about prepay is you can leave if you don't like it. If you watch forums (howardforums is great for carrier info), you can find out when good deals are available. Last month I picked up TMob micro sim for a buck as I was considering trying them again. As I mentioned, ATT did gophone set up for free.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Great information! Very cool.
Anyone else?
Rarscaryfrosty said:
Get a plan at aiowireless.com. They're owned and operated by AT&T and have great service. I've used them for 2 months now and don't regret switching from T-Mobile. I get way better coverage and LTE nearly everywhere. T-Mobile's LTE is still in infancy and only in a few markets across the USA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also thinking of switching from regular AT&T to Aio, although it will mean the loss of some coverage since it will only talk to AT&T towers (no roaming). From a practical standpoint, however, this probably isn't a big deal since 99% of the places I'm likely to be have AT&T coverage; it's mainly on long trips to the west (Nebraska, Wyoming, etc.) where it gets thin.
How the hell is this Nexus 5 General?
ritchea said:
One son switched his galaxy nexus from ST ATT to ST TMob in Dec. His coverage (Orlando, FL/UCF) improved and dl speed went from 6 to 11/12MB . In June, I switched him to TMob $30 (100 min) plan. Coverage seems the same, but now he has 5GB high speed data. I keep extra $ in the account in case he needs more minutes but he hasn't yet.
I moved two Iphones (4s) from ST ATT to GoPhone in July. The other three of us live in a rural south Florida area with decent coverage about 100 feet from our house. We usually get a signal inside the house. Local coverage/signal the same; however, I no longer have to constantly (weekly at times) re-negotiate the data connections and mms just works. (ST never fully supported GSM Iphones. ) I considered aio but went with gophone. ATT installed the sims and made certain everything was working. All I paid for was the first month ($60.+sales tax), no sim or activation fee. Since then, I have gotten refills for $54./month--no tax.
I have a Nexus 4 and am still on ST ATT. I was waiting on my last 90 day purchase to run out before moving to GoPhone, when they actually became transparent with their data policy. I just purchased another 30 days and a new LTE sim in anticipation that one day, Google will actually make the Nexus 5 available. After I experience LTE through ST, I will decide to stay or go.
My Orlando area son will take my n4 as he will be on LTE with it. I will get ATT LTE when in covered areas with n5.
We have no experience with other prepay. We had been Sprint customers for 12 years until we no longer were able to receive a signal in our house (tried TMob with same results). I do thank Sprint for not caring about our situation since it made me consider prepay. The best thing about prepay is you can leave if you don't like it. If you watch forums (howardforums is great for carrier info), you can find out when good deals are available. Last month I picked up TMob micro sim for a buck as I was considering trying them again. As I mentioned, ATT did gophone set up for free.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do you get your Gophone refills at $54?
rochrunner said:
I'm also thinking of switching from regular AT&T to Aio, although it will mean the loss of some coverage since it will only talk to AT&T towers (no roaming). From a practical standpoint, however, this probably isn't a big deal since 99% of the places I'm likely to be have AT&T coverage; it's mainly on long trips to the west (Nebraska, Wyoming, etc.) where it gets thin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, where I work, my office is in a basement. I sadly cannot get coverage in the basement with Aio Wireless, but I got 2 bars of HSPA with T-Mobile. My coworker who has Aio also can get service though, I assume this is due to antenna differences in our phones. I have a nexus 4 right now, and it's commonly known is has a crappy antenna compared to some other phones. I'm hoping the antenna on the nexus 5 will pick up reception better, but it's no big deal since I walk up to the main level of the office multiple times a day where I can get perfect coverage.
Tmobile's $30/mo prepaid is tough to beat overall if you don't use much voice. 4G, good coverage, and cheap! I'm planning to dump my Verizon plan after I see some good reviews on the Nexus 5. I'll save $53/mo even with my company's Verizon discount.
TiltedAz said:
Tmobile's $30/mo prepaid is tough to beat overall if you don't use much voice. 4G, good coverage, and cheap! I'm planning to dump my Verizon plan after I see some good reviews on the Nexus 5. I'll save $53/mo even with my company's Verizon discount.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you say good coverage?
ryude said:
Did you say good coverage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Duh.. a-yup....
Got 1 question, if you switch to tmo prepaid, would you be able to keep your number? And how long it takes for number transfer?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Lancez said:
Got 1 question, if you switch to tmo prepaid, would you be able to keep your number? And how long it takes for number transfer?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can transfer your number. Typically it takes up to 8 hours for everything to work. It took me 2 weeks to even get texting working. Once it kicked in though, I had no issues sending/receiving texts to and from people. It was a bit frustrating going 2 weeks without texts. I was surprised when I switched to Aio wireless and it only took 2 hours for me to send and receive SMS and MMS.
TiltedAz said:
Duh.. a-yup....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where I live Sprint has better coverage... and that's saying something.
Rarscaryfrosty said:
You can transfer your number. Typically it takes up to 8 hours for everything to work. It took me 2 weeks to even get texting working. Once it kicked in though, I had no issues sending/receiving texts to and from people. It was a bit frustrating going 2 weeks without texts. I was surprised when I switched to Aio wireless and it only took 2 hours for me to send and receive SMS and MMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Took me 40 seconds after I ported my number, but maybe that's because I ported my number from TMo postpaid to prepaid
.jond said:
Curious what opinions are...
What is the best cheap provider?
I see there are some big threads about TMobile, but searching around the net, I see a lot of people who seem to like Straight Talk.
Anyone use Ting?
Any opinions? Any first hand experiences?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I say try both yourself and see which best works for you. You can pick up a Tmob SIM for $1 on sales they have all the time, ST sims they go for like $6, so one month port your # into TMob and the next month port it to ST, see which one works best for you.
Tmo Pros: 5GB data, $30 bucks flat, no extra fees
Tmo Cons: only 100 mins (why i use talkatone and port my main # to GV, no mins used, only data)
ST Pros: Unlimited Mins, ATT Towers
ST Cons: $45 bucks + $3 something in fees, 2.5GB and after that they throttle like crazy (basically useless), they are picky with streaming music/vid
miamidesigner said:
I say try both yourself and see which best works for you. You can pick up a Tmob SIM for $1 on sales they have all the time, ST sims they go for like $6, so one month port your # into TMob and the next month port it to ST, see which one works best for you.
Tmo Pros: 5GB data, $30 bucks flat, no extra fees
Tmo Cons: only 100 mins (why i use talkatone and port my main # to GV, no mins used, only data)
ST Pros: Unlimited Mins, ATT Towers
ST Cons: $45 bucks + $3 something in fees, 2.5GB and after that they throttle like crazy (basically useless), they are picky with streaming music/vid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And depending where you live, ST actually has service whereas Tmo does not.
You can also try Solavei. Offers the most data for the lowest price. (4GB for $49. First two months are $39 right now.) Best value I'd say compared to what others offer. Runs off of T-Mobile.
Disclaimer: I am an independent rep with them but I've personally used the service since November (when the Nexus 4 came out) and love it.
Link in my signature or PM me as I can get you some freebies as well.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Greetings all!
I've been a very satisfied and loyal supporter of Ting for nearly two years now. However, I've decided to get myself a 32gb Nexus 5 from the playstore (arrives tomorrow, yaay!) with the hopes that I'll eventually be able to BYOSD to Ting. For now, I'm trying to settle on an ATT MVNO since TMO coverage is awful around here for miles.
Here is my usage on Ting:
under 100 mins
no texts (I use Google voice for SMS)
150mb average data use
I pay about 15-25ish per month depending on usage.
What I'm looking for in an ATT MVNO:
Decent Customer Service
Unliminted (or even decent amount) SMS/MMS/VOICE
Decent amount of data, say 250mb-1gb.
Reliable autopay and number porting.
No more than $40/month
I would like to port my Ting number once I feel "safe" and satisfied with the ATT MVNO.
I'm thinking of going with red pocket for now since I can get a free sim from callingmart.com with 39.99 of service. However, I'm nervous about the repeated complaints about inconsistent data throttling with Red Pocket. If I like the ATT service, I'd like to port my "real number" over to AIO because I've heard they have better CS, LTE, and a more reliable data throttle of 256kbps after the plan cap. I wish they had more LTE data (in my price range), but I can deal with the 256kpbs throttle if I breach 250mb.
I like the larger data pools of Airvoice and RP but the strange stories about having to call in to reset data or restore service are unsettling. I've never had an issue with my Ting service. Ting CS kind of spoils you.
Am I being paranoid?
Aside from you owning a nexus 5, I think this thread belongs over at the Howard forums because it has nothing to do with the Nexus 5
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
Dang, was wondering the same thing.
I'm in the same boat, but migrating from Sprint. I was hoping to hear what the community had to say on the matter of AT&T MVNOs. XDA is my trusted source. :fingers-crossed:
I would also like to see what the community here thinks on this matter. I'm currently with Sprint, was considering Republic Wireless, but when the Nexus 5 came out decided that I prefer that to the MotoX and so was looking at Ting. Hopefully they will come around to allowing a Play Store Nexus on Ting, but until then I'd sure like to get away from my $85 per month plan I have with Sprint towards something in the $20-$40 range. ATT and Sprint have decent coverage where I am, T-Mobile is not an option, unfortunately.
heroisnotdead said:
What I'm looking for in an ATT MVNO:
Decent Customer Service
Unliminted (or even decent amount) SMS/MMS/VOICE
Decent amount of data, say 250mb-1gb.
Reliable autopay and number porting.
No more than $40/month
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I would highly recommend Aio Wireless. Their $40 plan fits all of your criteria, and I've been really satisfied with them after 2 months. I currently use the $70 plan and the speeds and coverage are great. I would also recommend installing their MyAio app to keep track of data/pay/etc and their Visual Voicemail app which is really great to use. I can't comment on their Autopay feature because I like to manually pay my bills to keep track of where all of my money goes, but their payment method via app and desktop is painless and quick.
About 18 months ago, I left Sprint for Straight Talk. They have everything unlimited* for $45. You get unlimited 2.5GB of 4G (LTE & HSPA+ for at&t SIM, HSPA+ for T-Mobile SIM), then 2G until the end of the month. I only had to call them once after i ported a secondary Google Voice number to them (I couldn't add a service card online). I read that the customer service is bad, but it seemed fine to me. I usually get around 5Mbps, but sometimes its faster/slower too.
I'll second Straight Talk. I've had no problems whatsoever with them. I did have to call to activate my SIM card (the online process messed up somehow), and I had to talk to the manager as the first rep had no idea what I was talking about, but overall it's been great.