So I am getting a LG G2 paid for by my work on Verizon. I won't have unlimited talk & text but pretty much will (along with 2gb of data). I want to keep my nexus 5 and personal phone number (didn't want to port over my number).
Anyways I want to drop the service down to a cheaper plan that my current straight talk one. I was thinking maybe h20 wireless with the unlimited talk/text w/ 500mb of data for $27 with autopay. Or maybe the tmobile $30 plan.
What do you guys think? Any cheap plans suggestions?
It completely depends on your usage and what networks get decent coverage near you.
For AT&T's network, I don't think H2O gives you anywhere close to 4G speeds, but that may be old information. Aio is $35 a month with 500MB at 8Mbps and unlimited at 128kbps.
On T-Mobile's network, the $30 a month plan is good if you don't need a lot of talk.
I'm on the $30 a month t mobile plan currently, it is a great plan since I don't talk on the phone.
Sadly I live in an area where T mobile service just doesn't cut it. I get full LTE out doors but as soon as I step inside I am down to 1 bar of 'e' or '3g'.
I will be moving to Straight talk (AT&T) for $45 a month in a couple of weeks to compare, definitely worried about ST throttling my data though as I have read they do quite often.
My husband is on the $30 tmo plan. Don't think you can really beat that currently for service...as long as you don't need the minutes.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
As long as the area you live in has good T-Mobile coverage, I'd say go with them. I'm paying $80 a month with them, which includes unlimited everything (LTE data as well) and insurance. If you can settle with slower data the $30 plan cannot be beat.
Related
Posting this here since it's specific to the Inspire, but it applies to AT&T's smart phone policy in general. I'm looking for input from those of you who have managed to somehow get your data plans grandfathered successfully.
Here's the deal.
After some 6 years with Cingular/AT&T, four years of which were off contract while using a Kaiser (not a Tilt) and HD2 (Telstra) I upgraded last month to the Inspire. While I have no beef with the phone, I do have a problem with the data plan.
My problem is this. I'm 'Goldilocks'. I need a plan that's "juuuust right" for me, but AT&T is hammering me into one of three cubbyholes, none of which fit my needs.
I have spent over two hours on the phone over the past couple weeks with line reps and one supervisor to explain to them that for those 4 years I was on a MEdia Net unlimited plan at $20/month, never did I exceed 200MB of data. In fact, there were months when I used no data or text at all, but still paid for the plan. But my concern is that I can see exceeding 200MB/month on occasion with the new phone, therefore my point to them is that they should let me use the MEdia Net plan, or risk losing my account entirely.
So after all that time on the phone and almost two weeks of waiting for them to see what they were going to do, they 'Grandfathered' me into a $30/month unlimited data plan with no text.
Now, I don't mind paying another $5/month more than I used to, to cover myself for up to 2Gig of data, though I doubt I'd ever use that much. For my usage pattern, 2Gig is virtually unlimited to me. But I have no messaging units and I resent spending $10 for 1000 messages when I only use about 20 or so per month.
What I'd be perfectly content with is $25/month for 2Gig and 200 (or even just 50!) messages. But none of the rocket scientists there can figure out how to make it happen. Interestingly enough, Tmobile is offering $80/month with unlimited data, unlimited voice and unlimited texting.
So, here I am with these choices:
1) Take the $25/month plan and just tell my friends to not text me as much anymore.
2) Take the $30/month unlimited plan and use the crap out of it just for spite.
3) Tell AT&T to go pound salt, return the phone, revert to my MEdia Net plan and use my Kaiser until I go with Tmobile at $80 unlimited for voice/data/text and get the upcoming HTC Sensation
Hoping y'all have some advice for me.
Thanks!
Sign up for the 200mb plan. If you exceed your data, you can retroactively upgrade to the 2gig plan for $25 and not pay any overage.
And then you can lower it down to the 200mb plan for the next billing cycle.
Edit, also, with unlimited data from tmobile, you get 2gigs of full speed data, after which you are throttled until the end of the billing cycle.
I was with Cingular when it started and then AT&T when they bought 'em. I was lucky enough when my wife and I got our first iPhone 3g's we got the unlimited plan. At that time, texting was included. A few years later, while upgrading our phones...they told us that the unlimited data would stay the same, but we would have to pay for the texting...so we got the Unlimited Texting Family Plan. Its a few dollars more, but well worth it.
I say go for it!
Get the 2 gig plan for 25...its 10 bux for each gig after...So what...... i pay 5 dollars a month for 200 text messages. I can still see that offer when I hit upgrade.
Perhaps the bigger question is why do you need a smart phone since you don't want to pay for the best features. Internet, email, texting....
harlenm said:
Sign up for the 200mb plan. If you exceed your data, you can retroactively upgrade to the 2gig plan for $25 and not pay any overage.
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Click to collapse
Only partially correct. Here it is, straight from the AT&T website:
On the 200MB plan:
DataPlus 200MB for Smartphone includes 200MB. Once 200MB is exceeded, an additional 200MB is automatically provided at a rate of $15 for each additional 200MB provided. Unused data usage does not carry over. For HSPA+/4G SmartPhones ONLY.
On the 2G Plan:
DataPro 2GB for HSPA+/4G Smartphone includes 2GB. Once 2GB is exceeded, an additional 1GB is automatically provided at a rate of $10 for each additional 1GB provided. Unused data usage does not carry over. For HSPA+/4G SmartPhones ONLY.
So, you're right, but only as it applies to the 2Gig plan at $25/month.
tweaked said:
Perhaps the bigger question is why do you need a smart phone since you don't want to pay for the best features. Internet, email, texting....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you missed my point. I am willing pay for data. In fact, if anything, I have overpaid. My problem is that I'll probably use a bit more than the $15 plan, but not as much as the $25 plan. I wouldn't even mind it so much if they bumped me automatically to the 2G plan and charged me an extra $15 on those months where I go over the 200MB base plan. But it's the little 'scumbaggy' business of giving the modest users the shaft. Does the first byte of data over 200MB cost any more to deliver than the first byte of data over 2 Gig? Of course not. Yet they charge $15/200MB (7.5 cents/meg) for those on the base plan, and $10/GIG (ONE CENT PER MEG!!!) for those on the 2G plan. I'd really like to hear the explanation for how they justify charging nearly EIGHT TIMES the rate per meg for data overages from one plan as opposed to the other.
I work for an AT&T Authorized Reseller. IMHO take the $30 Data package if you are offered it.
As long as you can keep the Unlimited Package use the crap out of it. It really is true from what I see that the overwhelming majority (not on XDA of course) will never approach the 2GB threshold. If, however, you want to use your phone for something other than Facebook and TXTing having the Grandfatherd $30 Unlimited is SOOO worth it!
Even if you returned the phone at this point, you would be in for a hella battle with Customer Service to get your MediaNet Unlimited re-instated. In retrospect I would have purchased the phone outright without anyone touching your account. You may not have had "4G" provisioned on your phone, but thats what WiFi's are for.
Hope this helps a little ...
sraitter said:
I work for an AT&T Authorized Reseller. IMHO take the $30 Data package if you are offered it... As long as you can keep the Unlimited Package use the crap out of it...
In retrospect I would have purchased the phone outright without anyone touching your account...
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Click to collapse
Ah, an expert authority!
Yes, the unlimited plan at $30 is an option in my 'features' section in the web account manager.
Well, here's the deal. I can still return the phone, revert to my previous plan by using my Kaiser, then next month go with Tmobile and an HTC Sensation for $80 a month for unlimted data/text/talk. And since AT&T will be buying Tmoble shortly, I'll have the benefit of the expanded network when customer accounts are migrated.
Does that make sense in your experience, or am I overthinking this?
I gotta say with your story I would return the phone and wait for the sensation. Don't get me wrong the inspire is the best phone I have ever owned and I love it but if I had the choice to revert to my captivate for a couple months and didn't have a family plan with ATT I would be gone. Tmobile has faster hspa and has way higher customer satisfaction not to mention that the sensation is gonna be the best thing out, and will probably stay that way for a while. And to top it all off this time next year your quad band sensation, that's assuming that's what tmobile is getting, you will have the benefit of two networks combined. Look at this way, no matter what you do u will be with ATT this time next year lol.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
BillTheCat said:
Ah, an expert authority!
Yes, the unlimited plan at $30 is an option in my 'features' section in the web account manager.
Well, here's the deal. I can still return the phone, revert to my previous plan by using my Kaiser, then next month go with Tmobile and an HTC Sensation for $80 a month for unlimted data/text/talk. And since AT&T will be buying Tmoble shortly, I'll have the benefit of the expanded network when customer accounts are migrated.
Does that make sense in your experience, or am I overthinking this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just noticing you live in Milford .... g'luck with TMobile there. Check with a friend who has them how decent the service is for them.
Huge fan of Tmobile and Sprints pricing ... but living the past few years in cities that are sub-metropolitan areas their service is spotty at best.
Also, going with the $30 Unlm Smartphone Data and Rooting your Inspire you will have the ability to WiFi Hotspot your android device w/o AT&T caching on (as long as you are not using it excessively). Don't use to stream Netflix on the old Laptop, but excellent for iPad or Nook use.
Hope this is helpful as this is my 10th post so I may now comment in the Dev Forms.
Happy Rooting!!!
sraitter said:
Just noticing you live in Milford .... g'luck with TMobile there. Check with a friend who has them how decent the service is for them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Point taken, but I have a 10MB cablemodem connection and wifi at home, so I'm pretty much covered in the voice/data department. Already rooted and running RCMix 5.9.x so wifi router is there, though I have to admit I haven't bothered testing it yet.
Anyway, you make sense. Utica, huh? Still got snow up there?
Sadly snowed this morning ... thought about crying.
If/when you get bored with that ROM consider the MIUI ROM. Battery life is recently meh but it so much fun... screams like an eagle and purrs like a kitten ... feels like an iPhone OS without the awful and has widgets and folders!
Enjoy!
I am still using my Vzw Galaxy Nexus on a grandfathered unlimited data plan. I have been seriously thinking of getting a new phone for a while now, and the Nexus 5 is my preference...but with the news of Verizon not supporting it (and my contract expiring in early 2014), I am strongly considering leaving Big Red. My main question is where to go next. I am currently focusing on either Sprint or T-Mobile as they do have unlimited plans available.
I have always been with Verizon as part of a family plan, so I lack firsthand experience with either. T-Mobile has the better plans, but the local coverage is not particularly good. For those who have firsthand experience with T-Mobile and Sprint, what should I be aware of? Does anyone have any specific suggestions/warnings? Any other carriers I should consider (I am located in east Tennessee)?
Since I have not yet ordered the N5, I have a little bit of time, but would like to make a decision fairly soon. Any input is greatly appreciated.
As this is not entirely a Nexus 5 question, my apologies if it should be in another forum.
I'm in the same boat as you. Download Sensorly from the play store and it will tell you who has the best coverage for your area/commute.
I'm leaning toward T Mobile for speed and good price plans for prepaid.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
do you really need 5gb of data every month? if not dont worry about the unlimited data and find what has the best coverage in your area
sheryip said:
do you really need 5gb of data every month? if not dont worry about the unlimited data and find what has the best coverage in your area
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rarely, but in some months, yes. I'm concerned more with the other members of that plan - the other one who still has unlimited averages more than that. Of course if I don't bring the rest of that group with me, it becomes a moot point.
etmccreary said:
Rarely, but in some months, yes. I'm concerned more with the other members of that plan - the other one who still has unlimited averages more than that. Of course if I don't bring the rest of that group with me, it becomes a moot point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am a VZW subscriber, and switched to TMO for the $70 a month unlimited plan. I get a corporate discount on TMO. I use my cell for work, so I needed voice minutes. I also looked at AIO Wireless for their $70 7GB plan, but I heard that ATT will be rolling them into their Leap wireless service, and pricing would be up in the air at the point. I was a long time Sprint user before VZW and their LTE rollout has been hit or miss (mostly miss in suburbs).
Will report back my findings.
bigbrown said:
I am a VZW subscriber, and switched to TMO for the $70 a month unlimited plan. I get a corporate discount on TMO. I use my cell for work, so I needed voice minutes. I also looked at AIO Wireless for their $70 7GB plan, but I heard that ATT will be rolling them into their Leap wireless service, and pricing would be up in the air at the point. I was a long time Sprint user before VZW and their LTE rollout has been hit or miss (mostly miss in suburbs).
Will report back my findings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will be me.
Dropping VZW for T-Mo with this plan once my N5 comes in. $70 gets you unlimited data with no cap after Xgigs of usage.
I wish there were a lot more of us in this boat so verizon would actually notice the amount of people that are going to bail. Then maybe they'd stop raping us.
Btw, J.Guido85, thanks for the Sensorly app info. That will help me figure out true TMO coverage in my area.
Enjoy being out of contract and get Straight Talk. $45/mo unlimited* everything and you can choose service thru either at&t or T-Mobile.
MaxRabbit said:
Enjoy being out of contract and get Straight Talk. $45/mo unlimited* everything and you can choose service thru either at&t or T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Straight talk only gives you 2.5gb of data per month at high speed.
donatom3 said:
Straight talk only gives you 2.5gb of data per month at high speed.
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Click to collapse
Yes, that's why I said unlimited*. It's still a great deal.
Good article comparing the prepaid services:
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/11/04/best-prepaid-wireless-plans/
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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 $45. You get unlimited 2.5GB of 4G (LTE & HSPA+ for at&t SIM, HSPA+ for T-Mobile SIM), then 2G until the end of the month. I only had to call them once after i ported a secondary Google Voice number to them (I couldn't add a service card online). I read that the customer service is bad, but it seemed fine to me. I usually get around 5Mbps, but sometimes its faster/slower too.
I'll second Straight Talk. I've had no problems whatsoever with them. I did have to call to activate my SIM card (the online process messed up somehow), and I had to talk to the manager as the first rep had no idea what I was talking about, but overall it's been great.
Hello guys. Could somebody on the T-Mobile 30$ unlimited text and data (100min talk) please post what internet speed you get using Speedtest, and what region you live in pretty please?
I read about links to get this offer online without going to Walt-Mart, but not much more info (have searched here).
I use MetroPCS, which has improved in the last few years, and get a solid 0.52Mbps (34.3 kB/s) on another phone (Motion 4G) which is more than enough to use Tunein Radio, Pandora, or iHeartRadio nonstop in Pompano FL. Signal does drop on less rural areas, but it's not bad at all.
T-Mobile on the Moto G in the Atlanta area. Great speeds, mostly H+ 10mbps+ on average.
My moto g arrived last week. I had the gsm tmobile micro Sim and $30 prepaid refill card from Safeway kiosk ready when I called to activate (on line the plan is not shown). The rep began in forming me of many options but I politely told him I wanted the same plan we were using on wife's phone the monthly prepaid $30 5gb 100 minute plan. He said I can do that put me on hold came back in 2 more minutes we were done.
With my testing using speed test I get, depending on signal strength, from256k to 20mg. This is with 3g showing in signal strength bars. I was in Vegas last week for CES and averaged around 9mb the whole time
On my nexus 4 the signal strength indicator shows H for hspa T-Mobile lte. The moto g shows 3g which appears to be old/slower generation but I and others report speed results to be similar to hspa on the nexus4
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
showkit said:
My moto g arrived last week. I had the gsm tmobile micro Sim and $30 prepaid refill card from Safeway kiosk ready when I called to activate (on line the plan is not shown). The rep began in forming me of many options but I politely told him I wanted the same plan we were using on wife's phone the monthly prepaid $30 5gb 100 minute plan. He said I can do that put me on hold came back in 2 more minutes we were done.
With my testing using speed test I get, depending on signal strength, from256k to 20mg. This is with 3g showing in signal strength bars. I was in Vegas last week for CES and averaged around 9mb the whole time
On my nexus 4 the signal strength indicator shows H for hspa T-Mobile lte. The moto g shows 3g which appears to be old/slower generation but I and others report speed results to be similar to hspa on the nexus4
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shows 3G, but you are on HSPA+. Check under settings>about phone>status you should see "Mobile Network Type" UMTS is 3G while HSPA+ is H. The US models don't show the H in the status bar.
Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
Thanks for the info guys.
The 30$ unlimited text/data 100min a month seems to have been replaced for the 40$ a month unlimited talk/text but only 500MB of LTE, and then NO data after that unless you pay for it daily/weekly.
That is insane for me, but I guess it makes sense for people in other situations.
Does anyone have more speed results on the older 30$ plan?
thenetvines said:
Thanks for the info guys.
The 30$ unlimited text/data 100min a month seems to have been replaced for the 40$ a month unlimited talk/text but only 500MB of LTE, and then NO data after that unless you pay for it daily/weekly.
That is insane for me, but I guess it makes sense for people in other situations.
Does anyone have more speed results on the older 30$ plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this thread is a little old, but I got the Moto G off Swappa and the $30 unlimited text data and 100min "kit" at Walmart about a month ago for my teenage daughter. Perfect plan considering teenagers never use a phone for talking, lol. Works great.
The plan may only be available through Walmart now. When I call Tmobile about the plan before buying the kit, they don't me the plan wasn't available, but I had just seen it at the store. So I went back and got the kit. Made a mistake in activating, called Tmobile and the next service person totally knew what I wast talking about and fixed my mistake.
DDNV
thenetvines said:
Thanks for the info guys.
The 30$ unlimited text/data 100min a month seems to have been replaced for the 40$ a month unlimited talk/text but only 500MB of LTE, and then NO data after that unless you pay for it daily/weekly.
That is insane for me, but I guess it makes sense for people in other situations.
Does anyone have more speed results on the older 30$ plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"
100 minutes talk | Unlimited text | First 5 GB at up to 4G speeds
Now get unlimited international texting from the U.S. to virtually anywhere included in your plan—at no extra charge.
This plan is only available for devices purchased from
Wal-Mart or devices activated on T-Mobile.com"
It's still on their website same spot as always.
I was throttled a few times already when reaching 5gb on at&t's grandfathered plan. I'm still on contract with one of my phones until may but as soon as that happens I plan to leave. For now, I'm leaning towards getting rid of my grandfathered unlimited plan for the 10gb data share plan for the family and I. Has anyone made this decision before, would you recommend tmobile nowadays? And is the cheaper at&t 10gb plan in the meantime a good idea as well?
I left Sprint with it's unlimited data for T-Mo. Haven't looked back. However, it's all about coverage. T-Mo doesn't have anywhere near the coverage AT&T does. You just need to make sure you'll be in T-Mo range where ever you are most.
Sprint had spotty coverage in my area with next to no signal in my house. T-Mo is much better unless I'm traveling. Daughter is in college about 3 hours away. Complete dead zones when driving there with T-Mo.
Maybe check out cricket. You can get 20gb on att for 55 with autopay. It's limited to 8mps on lte and 4 on hspa plus but you can still do everything with 8 down.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I just switched to Cricket from att the other day. Don't really notice a difference, but it is limited to 8mb. I'll pull just over that sometimes. Saves me $600 a year so, I couldn't care less.
TMO unlimited reporting in. I get consistent speeds of 30mb/s up. And with OPO, you can tether all the time. I actually canceled my dsl with AT&T and only use TMO. I use around 100gb/m. And most importantly, there are never any weird charges on my bill, it's always exactly the same amount each month.
$55 ATT Unlimited here. i dont wanna switch/
Didn't the courts just tell AT&T that they can't throttle people on an unlimited plan? Something along the lines of unlimited should actually be unlimited. I think they fined them a buttload too.
Transmitted via Bacon
timmaaa said:
Didn't the courts just tell AT&T that they can't throttle people on an unlimited plan? Something along the lines of unlimited should actually be unlimited. I think they fined them a buttload too.
Transmitted via Bacon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FCC is suing ATT, but didn't win yet. Even if they do, after 4-5 years, everyone get a what ? $50 settlement ?
Most likely by then, more than 80% of the grandfather plan users would already switched to AT&T's new plan with 15GB or 30GB.
They simply want to make your life miserable so that you have to switch.
Thus, I made my mission to use ALL Data possible with 4G just because they did this.
I used T mobile unlimited 4G plan.. I found it great .. I downloaded like 60~80 GB in 6-7 days