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Skype over 3G Data Only plan

I've always liked the versatility of a PDA/smartphone but I could never justify the cost of a voice plan that I barely use and a data plan. It occurred to me to try getting a data only plan and running Skype with a subscription for the few voice calls I get. I'm hoping someone here has tried this before and can give me some feedback on their experience.
AT&T's coverage maps claim Houston is blanketed in 3G/HSPDA. For the majority of my day I'm in a WiFi area and not really mobile too much, but the quality of both the call and 3G service when driving around Houston is still a slight concern.
What will happen to my phone number when I switch to a data only plan? If I keep it, what happens when someone tries to call it or send me a text message?
I can't really upgrade to a smartphone to try it out and drop the data plan if it doesn't work, considering AT&T has made data plans mandatory for smartphones, and I'll be stuck paying for one.

Huh, that's very nice!

nathanpc said:
Huh, that's very nice!
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Yes I suppose it is. Instead of paying $50 for a bunch of minutes I don't use, I can pay $35 for unlimited data and messaging and a couple $ more for unlimited calling and a phone number with Skype. I end up paying about the same amount but getting a much better deal.
IF it works. I've been able to test a call on Verizon but that doesn't tell me anything about AT&T's data network. I tried streaming Pandora while driving when I got my current phone and that was a disappointment - though I think the Pandora app was the majority of the problem. Still, I have no idea if the call quality will be terrible or if calls will be dropping on me while having full signal, etc, etc. Has anyone tried this recently?

It's a little bit expansive...

Just to make sure, I'll drop it after this: There is no one out there who has tried this already?

haven't / cant try it here, often wondered about this too. id say double check att's buyer remorse policy (i think its 30 days return) make sure you can undo any contract changes, but take the phone and try it. all you would stand to lose is the time lost with returning bureaucracy, a small risk given the potential reward

Sprint sell smartphones with data only plans
including plam pre and touch pro 1 & 2 with 2 year contract what's great about it's the data plan is just $30
http://www.sprintrelaystore.com/
they don't ask for proof that you are really are deaf

Still being under contract with AT&T kind of limits me to sticking with them. As soon as I can get some pricing for upgrade on the LG Expo's, I'll probably be moving ahead with this. I spoke with three people at AT&T to make sure there wouldn't be any trouble and confirmed I'll be able to get the data only plan on a smartphone and fulfill the data plan requirement.
The plan isn't actually just data with voice disabled, it's really the reverse of a regular voice plan: package with minutes, billed per Kb of data usage VS unlimited data package, voice/messages billed per minute/message. Beauty of it is that you can forward incoming calls on your cellphone and you won't be charged - which solves the problem of everyone still calling me on my cellphone.
Unfortunately sms/mms will still go through and I'll be charged. Still working out the kinks on that. I figure I'll have to start giving out a different number at some point in time so I'll probably use Google Voice for this and forward SMS to email, but that doesn't work for MMS. Maybe I'll just have to get the cheap messaging plan, or maybe just eat the cost of the occasional MMS. Unless I can also forward messages to a different number or email from the phone which would just solve everything.
Of course, none of this is a problem for me, but trying to make this seamless and hassle free for people calling me is the goal.

llvllerlin said:
I've always liked the versatility of a PDA/smartphone but I could never justify the cost of a voice plan that I barely use and a data plan. It occurred to me to try getting a data only plan and running Skype with a subscription for the few voice calls I get. I'm hoping someone here has tried this before and can give me some feedback on their experience.
AT&T's coverage maps claim Houston is blanketed in 3G/HSPDA. For the majority of my day I'm in a WiFi area and not really mobile too much, but the quality of both the call and 3G service when driving around Houston is still a slight concern.
What will happen to my phone number when I switch to a data only plan? If I keep it, what happens when someone tries to call it or send me a text message?
I can't really upgrade to a smartphone to try it out and drop the data plan if it doesn't work, considering AT&T has made data plans mandatory for smartphones, and I'll be stuck paying for one.
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does not work very well.
also - skype absolutely drains the battery. we are talking 1-2 hours of standby time before the battery goes from 100% to 0%.

llvllerlin said:
Still being under contract with AT&T kind of limits me to sticking with them. As soon as I can get some pricing for upgrade on the LG Expo's, I'll probably be moving ahead with this. I spoke with three people at AT&T to make sure there wouldn't be any trouble and confirmed I'll be able to get the data only plan on a smartphone and fulfill the data plan requirement.
The plan isn't actually just data with voice disabled, it's really the reverse of a regular voice plan: package with minutes, billed per Kb of data usage VS unlimited data package, voice/messages billed per minute/message. Beauty of it is that you can forward incoming calls on your cellphone and you won't be charged - which solves the problem of everyone still calling me on my cellphone.
Unfortunately sms/mms will still go through and I'll be charged. Still working out the kinks on that. I figure I'll have to start giving out a different number at some point in time so I'll probably use Google Voice for this and forward SMS to email, but that doesn't work for MMS. Maybe I'll just have to get the cheap messaging plan, or maybe just eat the cost of the occasional MMS. Unless I can also forward messages to a different number or email from the phone which would just solve everything.
Of course, none of this is a problem for me, but trying to make this seamless and hassle free for people calling me is the goal.
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FYI, AT&T still doesn't have the eXpo, but RadioShack is selling it right now. I upgraded mine for $149.

In the UK we have "Three", They allow skype calls on their mobile phones and offer plans for as little as £15 with unlimited texts, unlimited internet, 200 minutes and unlimited skype usage (I believe it comes with "SkypeOUt" or whatever it's called). Skype to skype calls are always free even if you are on pay as you go (Prepay) and have no credit!
If you don't have something similar in the US then it will more than likely come soon as this sort of thing is starting to catch on. It's actually quite encouraging because if Google Voice does launch over here and google plans on having a "google voice" only mobile phone then three would be a network willing to consider it.

coolVariable said:
does not work very well.
also - skype absolutely drains the battery. we are talking 1-2 hours of standby time before the battery goes from 100% to 0%.
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I take it you've tried it out then. My phones are usually docked while I'm at work and when I get home they might go 3 hours before it's back on the charger for the night.
If you don't mind, what carrier and city, and around when did you try it out? Was it over WiFi or 3G?
SPIDERTECH said:
FYI, AT&T still doesn't have the eXpo, but RadioShack is selling it right now. I upgraded mine for $149.
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I'll have to check it out then. I still haven't seen a single word on availability yet and RadioShack's website shows nothing about it. What city?

llvllerlin said:
I take it you've tried it out then. My phones are usually docked while I'm at work and when I get home they might go 3 hours before it's back on the charger for the night.
If you don't mind, what carrier and city, and around when did you try it out? Was it over WiFi or 3G?
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3G. AT&T. Tried it pretty much all over SoCal, primarily LA, San Diego and Santa Barbara.
Just doesn't work.

vacations out of US

Hi,
in a few days I will be going in vacations (lucky me) in Mexico. But I don't want to pay for international Datas. I want to use my phone only has a phone and will contect thru Wifi when available.
ma question is: If the "Data roaming" (settings-wireless and network- mobile networks) is un checked, is that mean it will "cut" the datas as soon as I'm not with ATT?
Thanks

Yes, but you'll still be subject to roaming charges for voice and messaging.

- Dial *#*#INFO#*#* which is *#*#4636#*#*
- Go to Phone Info
- You can hit your "More" softkey and there will be a menu with an option called More
There should be an option that says disable data on boot. Now any time you restart your phone you should not be getting data network

LinuxNewb said:
- Dial *#*#INFO#*#* which is *#*#4636#*#*
- Go to Phone Info
- You can hit your "More" softkey and there will be a menu with an option called More
There should be an option that says disable data on boot. Now any time you restart your phone you should not be getting data network
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I tried this code but it doesn't seems to work on my captivate

xargs1 said:
Yes, but you'll still be subject to roaming charges for voice and messaging.
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Thanks, it was what I tough.

Just keep it in airplane mode. I travel mostly out of the country and that's what I do. You can enable wifi while in airplane mode.

a_fuegon said:
Just keep it in airplane mode. I travel mostly out of the country and that's what I do. You can enable wifi while in airplane mode.
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yes, but in my case I have to be able to anwer calls

Duh, I guess I selectively absorb content I read. I just get sim cards locally and pass that number to the people I need to stay in touch with. Granted it's only a select few though, perhaps that's why it's practical for me. It's the more cost efficient way for me. I do have an unlocked winmo phone that I use abroad for this.

Turn off data, and call at&t and sign up for the international plan. You can cancel it after the vacation and it is pro-rated. I went on a cruise to mexico and ended up paying like $120 on less than a half hour of calls back home.

I am on a trip in Brazil right now, and have the exact same requirements. I turn off Data Roaming so that I don't run up any data charges. Just to be safe, I also turned off sync for Google, Twitter, and Facebook. I signed up for the AT&T International Plan at $5.99 per month, which makes calls between US and Brazil at $1.99 per minute. Text messages are $.80 each. If you really want to save money on calls, take a laptop and use Skype. I can call a US landline from Skype for $.02 per minute, not quite free, but it feels like it compared to the AT&T rate.

just fff up your apn.. but remember settings.. that is what the disable/enable data widgets do anyway.. screw up something in the apn and you will get no data.

grmcgee said:
I am on a trip in Brazil right now, and have the exact same requirements. I turn off Data Roaming so that I don't run up any data charges. Just to be safe, I also turned off sync for Google, Twitter, and Facebook. I signed up for the AT&T International Plan at $5.99 per month, which makes calls between US and Brazil at $1.99 per minute. Text messages are $.80 each. If you really want to save money on calls, take a laptop and use Skype. I can call a US landline from Skype for $.02 per minute, not quite free, but it feels like it compared to the AT&T rate.
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you can use nimbuzz on your phone to connect to skype thru wifi

Simple as turning off data roaming, I went to Mexico City a few weeks ago and didn't incur any data charges. I've been there a few times with my iPhone and haven't had to pay anything extra either. Just make sure you get the AT&T Mexico feature. It's $4.99 a month and .59 a minute while roaming in Mexico.

Mexico Plans
I am currently travelling to Mexico every week for business and signed up for a voice plan.
Instead of the regular $59.99 plan giving 900 minutes, I have a $74.99 plan that allows me to use my minutes while in Mexico also. ATT has some weird scheming where they say, the first month you can use all of the 900 mins, 2nd month only 40% of the minutes, 3rd month again 900, 4th month 40% only, and so on. Go figure what the smartypants at ATT were dreaming when they created this plan.
But again, everytime I call ATT, the idiots give me a new answer. SMS and MMS, I have gotten multiple answers, so i try not to use it.
Data plan - ATT will rip you naked in a few minutes of data usage. It's like $20 per 10MB or something like that - that's if you sign up for a plan before hand. If not, it gets even more ridiculous.
So, bottom line, if you need to make/receive calls on your US #, signup for one of those international plans. Forget data. SMS - I don't know.
Turnoff data roaming - settings --> Wireless Networks --> Mobile networks --> Data roaming uncheck.
Verizon has a $35 unlimited data plan (on top of your regular plan), if you have a choice.
edit: btw, I am unable to call any toll free #s while in Mexico. Whether those calls are allowed or not seems to be dependent on the combination of ATT and local carrier (for me Telcel). Didn't have this problem with Verizon.

For what it's worth, the international plans and the flip flopping of at&t reps is what drove me to simply give up using my phone abroad. I am somewhere south of the US almost weekly, so for me it is a big issue. I eventually resorted to picking up local sim cards, which works for me. I usually spend max of $10 for the sim and a bucket of mins, which also includes texting if need be. All incoming calls are free, which is what makes it work for me.
Enough of the thread jacking for me.

Couple of questions regarding Verizon and SGIII

I just found out that my tmobile contract is over today. Therefore I'm looking to switch over to another carrier. I recently moved and the tmobile and AT&T coverage near my new home is horrible. (Besides, I'm not a big fan of AT&T)
I'm in interested in the SGIII. So started looking at either Verizon or Sprint. I like sprint, but their family plan doesn't quite fit into my cost requirements. Therefore Verizon seems to be the best bet for me in terms of monthly cost. (3 lines, unlimited talk + data).
First Question - Does Verizon still route Skype via their own voice network? I remember couple of years ago, they were blocking Skype calls via Wifi and forced the calls through their network. Not sure if they're still doing that. I travel outside of the country occasionally and would like to make Skype-Out calls via WiFi back home. Plus, I also make frequent international calls, therefore would like to use Skype-Out from home over wifi.
Second - How hard is it to side load apps without rooting on the SGIIII? Such as installing third-party apps for tethering or WiFi-sharing?
thanks

nirav82 said:
I
First Question - Does Verizon still route Skype via their own voice network? I remember couple of years ago, they were blocking Skype calls via Wifi and forced the calls through their network. Not sure if they're still doing that. I travel outside of the country occasionally and would like to make Skype-Out calls via WiFi back home. Plus, I also make frequent international calls, therefore would like to use Skype-Out from home over wifi.
Second - How hard is it to side load apps without rooting on the SGIIII? Such as installing third-party apps for tethering or WiFi-sharing?
thanks
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I would like to know the answer to that first question also, I am leaving the country in 3 weeks and will only have WiFi.
As to tethering, you need to be rooted for that on the original plans, but I believe the new data plans include that as part of the plan.

jmorton10 said:
I would like to know the answer to that first question also, I am leaving the country in 3 weeks and will only have WiFi.
As to tethering, you need to be rooted for that on the original plans, but I believe the new data plans include that as part of the plan.
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You don't need to be rooted to tether. There are several programs out there. Foxfi, easy tether, and a few more I would think.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

1. Skype actually didn't come preloaded on the phone. you can check the play store and find 2 versions, 1 from verizon - which only works on the verizon network. and 1 that's actually from skype and works with either wifi or verizon's network.
And I can confirm it works great over wifi - use it almost daily.
2. You don't have to root to tether, but you need root access for some apps.. like adblockers.. etc.
Hope this helps.

Help deciding LTE vs Bluetooth version

I've been searching all over the web trying to find the answers to my dilemma, but I'm still can't decide which is better. Paying monthly for LTE or Bluetooth version is better. So far I know that with LTE you can make calls, text, etc. without connected to your phone. As for the Bluetooth version, Can it make call and text over Bluetooth? And can it also make calls and text over Wifi when my phone is on the same network but not connected via Bluetooth? Is it possible to connect the S3 to Google voice and make calls that way as long as I'm on wifi? I hope someone out there could help me answers these questions. Thank you all!!!

same thing i've been wanting to ask before i get one. if i get the wifi/bluetooth version of the frontier, will i be able to use the watch to make a phone call as long as my phone is paired with the watch? how about if my phone is currently paired with my car stereo? do i need to manually switch the pairing from car stereo to watch when i get home? i'm still debating whether i really need the LTE version or just the regular one. any help would be appreciated. ty!

beryenbeh said:
same thing i've been wanting to ask before i get one. if i get the wifi/bluetooth version of the frontier, will i be able to use the watch to make a phone call as long as my phone is paired with the watch? how about if my phone is currently paired with my car stereo? do i need to manually switch the pairing from car stereo to watch when i get home? i'm still debating whether i really need the LTE version or just the regular one. any help would be appreciated. ty!
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From what I know research, you can pair to both your car and watch at the same time and able to switch back and forth similar to pairing a headset and watch at the same time. but then, its from an LTE watch connected via bluetooth.

I have the LTE version and when it is connected to the phone via Bluetooth it actually disconnects from LTE. So while connected to the phone it is using the phone to make/receive calls and send/receive texts instead of the cellular network. I'm not sure about wifi.

I have the non LTE version. I can make and answer calls as well as make, receive and reply to text messages when connected to my phone via Bluetooth.
I can still make, receive and respond to text messages when my watch is connected via Wifi, but I can't make or receive phone calls from the watch. This is a little disappointing, but it is not enough of a reason for me to get the LTE version and pay the monthly fee.

Not able to make call via WiFi is disappointing but I don't think it's enough to convince me to pay more and commit to monthly for the LTE version.

dungtran88 said:
Not able to make call via WiFi is disappointing but I don't think it's enough to convince me to pay more and commit to monthly for the LTE version.
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For many they never leave their cell phone so a BT/WIFI version is perfect (and a little cheaper). I am a runner and also tend to leave my phone on my desk at work when I am going to meetings, etc... The LTE version has been great.
I am on T-Mobile so it only cost an additional $5 per month for a wearable plan.
Good luck either way you will enjoy the watch.

The funny thing with our T- Mobile $5/month plan, is that $7 taxes are added, making it $12/month. A bit crazy to think that a service costs less than regulating taxes for it. Thank you Uncle Sam...
Sent from a TMo V20

vagelis said:
The funny thing with our T- Mobile $5/month plan, is that $7 taxes are added, making it $12/month. A bit crazy to think that a service costs less than regulating taxes for it. Thank you Uncle Sam...
Sent from a TMo V20
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I'm so tempted to get the LTE because it said if I do Autopay(EasyPay? something like that) then its only $5 a month but then taxes doesn't make sense and plus I have to pay $100 extra for the LTE version. It hurts not having the LTE version, but I think I will just have to bite my tongue and endure the pain and get the BT/Wifi version. :crying::crying::crying:

i have the frontier lte version through tmobile and i pay a monthly bill of $20 for unlimited data.
i dont have a line other than my watch through tmobile which is why its $20 ($15 for a data allowence). i actually like the lte version, i origianlly had the bluetooth version ordred through samsung. They kept changing my delivery dates so i got irritated and on a whim called tmobile and they had one more left. LTE version gets its on phone number and can have call fowarding set up through the gear app. only real difference between the two is one has the ability to act as a completely stand alone device and the other needs to have BT or wifii connection. I guess the question to ask is, how busy or how often do you NOT have your phone on you that a data plan for a watch is needed?

I am nvr without my phone. So i plan on getting the bt version

With LTE carrier controls the firmware, they may take forever to update when there is an update.

beryenbeh said:
same thing i've been wanting to ask before i get one. if i get the wifi/bluetooth version of the frontier, will i be able to use the watch to make a phone call as long as my phone is paired with the watch? how about if my phone is currently paired with my car stereo? do i need to manually switch the pairing from car stereo to watch when i get home? i'm still debating whether i really need the LTE version or just the regular one. any help would be appreciated. ty!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with bluetooth version: (I have an old gear 2 neo).
1. I can make calls when paired with the phone.
2. I don't need to manually switch the pairing from car to watch.
3. I ordered the Classic model (please make sure that you buy the international one), since I like how it looks, and don't want to pay to the cellular company. The Frontier has 2 variants, if you like it more than the classic - you should make your choise.

Thank you so much, guys. I've finally decided to get the BT version of the watch. No matter how much I convince myself, I can't seem to go with the LTE with $100 more and commitment to a monthly payment without much benefits other than not the stand alone function. Love yall Love the community. :victory::victory::victory::victory::victory:

Y0sHii said:
I guess the question to ask is, how busy or how often do you NOT have your phone on you that a data plan for a watch is needed?
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It's a little bit like, which came first, the chicken or the egg? We always have our phone because there is no other viable option. When there is another option, we'll find numerous reasons to leave our phone behind.

afblangley said:
It's a little bit like, which came first, the chicken or the egg? We always have our phone because there is no other viable option. When there is another option, we'll find numerous reasons to leave our phone behind.
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True i went for the LTE version because i just hate not getting the most out of a device. Im going to Try to leave my phone home one day and go a complete day with just a watch.

Y0sHii said:
True i went for the LTE version because i just hate not getting the most out of a device. Im going to Try to leave my phone home one day and go a complete day with just a watch.
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Having a 3G allows me to keep my phone nearby but not on me. So it's somewhere in the house when I'm at home, it's left in the car when I'm out and about, it's in the desk when I'm running around at work...

I would prefer the LTE version, if it was available in Germany. The reason is that my phone as well as the Gear S3 can hold only ONE bt connection. My phone, however, needs the bt connection. This means that every time I enter my car I must disable the bt connectivity in the Gear S3. Very complicated and time consuming. If the Gear S3 has an own LTE modul, a wifi connection (hotspot open in the phone) suffices in order to receive and reply to notifications (WhatsApp, SMS and others). I am wondering whether I can find a solution for my problem in IFTTT...

tommy1945 said:
with bluetooth version: (I have an old gear 2 neo).
1. I can make calls when paired with the phone.
2. I don't need to manually switch the pairing from car to watch.
3. I ordered the Classic model (please make sure that you buy the international one), since I like how it looks, and don't want to pay to the cellular company. The Frontier has 2 variants, if you like it more than the classic - you should make your choise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for this! i'm leaning towards getting the LTE version. the extra $100 i dont mind paying. but i thought it was only $5/month? how come someone else said $12/month. is this true?
i'd like to try not having my phone with me all the time. problem with this is, i have a few group chats with friends through whatsapp and also have to be on my phone to check my fantasy basketball league lol

beryenbeh said:
thanks for this! i'm leaning towards getting the LTE version. the extra $100 i dont mind paying. but i thought it was only $5/month? how come someone else said $12/month. is this true?
i'd like to try not having my phone with me all the time. problem with this is, i have a few group chats with friends through whatsapp and also have to be on my phone to check my fantasy basketball league lol
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I bought a Gear S3 classic (no LTE). I don't think that the watch could replace the phone. By the way - the Classic has GPS and WiFi connections.

Please clarify for me: Smartwatch on Sprint.

looking to purchase a smartwatch. Ive decided to become more active for weight loss purpose. hiking, walking/ jogging and cycling isn't a place i wanna carry my new/expensive s8+.
this is where i thought a smart watch would come in. But from what I'm understanding is Sprint doesn't have LTE plan for smartwatches, only BT connection.
correct me if I'm wrong
LTE connection: I can leave my phone in the car while I'm out being active with my smartwatch, and still be connected to phone calls. txt and can stream music to my BT head set.
BT connection: phone has to be near smartwatch to have forwarding txt/call/stream. which to me seems redundant and stupid.
I just upgraded this past weekend. so I can go back, return everything and walk away from sprint and start a new line with either AT&T, T-mobile, or Verizon.
if thats the case (being here in L.A. area) which provider has had better success rate with the s8+/LTE frontier connection, or is it too early to tell yet.
I'm open to other smartwatches, mainly looking for something that'll connect to Myfitnesspal app and maybe someday pokemon go lol.
any and all help appreciated.

Sprint hasn't supported a smart watch from Samsung since I think the first gear s. I don't think there's a way to put it on sprint since they don't even sell this watch or support it. If someone does find a way that would be awesome but I suggest to not get your hopes up. Out of the 4 biggest US carrier sprint doesn't seem Intrested in smart watches at this time. I'm pretty sure they'll eventually allow smart watches in the future since it is a growing market right now

zune70 said:
Sprint hasn't supported a smart watch from Samsung since I think the first gear s. I don't think there's a way to put it on sprint since they don't even sell this watch or support it. If someone does find a way that would be awesome but I suggest to not get your hopes up. Out of the 4 biggest US carrier sprint doesn't seem Intrested in smart watches at this time. I'm pretty sure they'll eventually allow smart watches in the future since it is a growing market right now
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Damn. and i really liked Sprint too.

The Gear S3 is only available on AT&T and T-Mobile. Rumor is Verizon will offer it sometime in the future, but whoever truly knows when, isn't saying.
The watch and phone do not have to be on the same network. Mine isn't, and there a couple of folks here who have a phone on Verizon and their Frontier LTE on T-Mobile. T-Mobile (and Verizon) offer standalone wearable plans for $15/mo. AT&T only offers a wearable line as an add on line.
So your phone could remain on Sprint while your S3 is on T-Mobile.

afblangley said:
The watch and phone do not have to be on the same network. Mine isn't, and there a couple of folks here who have a phone on Verizon and their Frontier LTE on T-Mobile. T-Mobile (and Verizon) offer standalone wearable plans for $15/mo. AT&T only offers a wearable line as an add on line.
So your phone could remain on Sprint while your S3 is on T-Mobile.
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OK, so this was my next question. I've seen verizon to t-mobile, But i haven't seen Sprint to any T-mobile or At&t. but again, everywhere i call i don't get a clear answer, obviously trying to keep themselves from promising something they can't deliver.
So my next questions are(and please understand I'm a novice so your help is greatly appreciated) :
1. if i go with T-mobile and keep my Sprint line, the LTE functions will all work normally WITH T-MOBILES plan?
2. and are there any special steps/ procedures to make it work ?
I'm happy to search it, just wondering if there are any key words to search for this.

Think of watch as a 1" smartphone with it's own plan (with talk, text, and data). The Frontier LTE is capable of operating on its own without a phone, though most folks don't.
If you have two phones, you can put one on Sprint and the other one on T-Mobile. Ditto with the S3.
A Bluetooth connection is not effected by carrier selection.

afblangley said:
Think of watch as a 1" smartphone with it's own plan (with talk, text, and data). The Frontier LTE is capable of operating on its own without a phone, though most folks don't.
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right, so ill pretty much have my current phone plan with sprint for the s8+, and a phone plan for the Frontier, but ill be able to link them so that my s8+ calls/text/data (maybe not data since it has its own right?) get sent to the Frontier.
afblangley said:
If you have two phones, you can put one on Sprint and the other one on T-Mobile. Ditto with the S3.
A Bluetooth connection is not effected by carrier selection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which I've done with prior service offers, the only thing confusing me is those are 2 separate lines that don't need to be linked, I.E. I'm not getting info from phone B on phone A and vice versa. while with the S8+ i want it to forward to the s3 gear.
again your patience with my lack of understanding is GREATLY appreciated.
so if it is possible, how do you link them?
i hope you know I've been trying my damnedest to search this before i leave my current provider or do as you say and get service and watch from Tmobile/verizon, which to me would be the best since it would be the most cost effective.

The watch accommodates call forwarding. Since I don't use it, I'll leave that for someone else to explain. There are services that will allow sharing a number across multiple devices. NumberSync on AT&T, Digits on T-Mobile, Message + on Verizon. I believe that all require a compatible phone on their network. Since I don't use them, I'll leave that for someone else to expound on.
I use Google Voice which works with any carrier and on any device. Calls and texts are routed through Google servers and come across simultaneously to my phone, watch, iPad, Samsung tablet and laptop on AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile networks. Outgoing CID is my GV number regardless of what device it originated on. IMHO, Google Voice is more reliable and more flexible than carrier based solutions.

Hi Whopper68, I have a Samsung Note 5 on Verizon, and my Gear S3 Frontier is on T_Mobile. My Note 5 is provided by my work, my family are all on T-Mobile. T-Mobile offers a $5 per month smartwatch plan for current customers, and I believe a standalone $15 a month plan if you are not a current customer.
Think of the Gear S3 as a BT Headset. You can pair it with any phone on any carrier. Most of the time Your watch is BT connected to your phone so it is getting calls/texts/data from your phone. When I go for a run I leave my phone at home. Once the BT connection is lost I can still get all my calls/text/emails if I leave my phone at home turned on and in call forward mode. It simply sends everything to the number assigned to my watch. I can also make calls and many other things since the Gear S3 is operating almost exactly like a tiny smart phone.
Hope that helps, if you really want an S3 you can enjoy it especially since you are using a Samsung S8, it was designed to work seamlessly with Samsung products. The actual carrier is not important. It may cost you a little more for a smartwatch plan.

afblangley said:
The watch accommodates call forwarding. Since I don't use it, I'll leave that for someone else to explain. There are services that will allow sharing a number across multiple devices. NumberSync on AT&T, Digits on T-Mobile, Message + on Verizon. I believe that all require a compatible phone on their network. Since I don't use them, I'll leave that for someone else to expound on.
I use Google Voice which works with any carrier and on any device. Calls and texts are routed through Google servers and come across simultaneously to my phone, watch, iPad, Samsung tablet and laptop on AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile networks. Outgoing CID is my GV number regardless of what device it originated on. IMHO, Google Voice is more reliable and more flexible than carrier based solutions.
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ScottyKnox said:
Hi Whopper68, I have a Samsung Note 5 on Verizon, and my Gear S3 Frontier is on T_Mobile. My Note 5 is provided by my work, my family are all on T-Mobile. T-Mobile offers a $5 per month smartwatch plan for current customers, and I believe a standalone $15 a month plan if you are not a current customer.
Think of the Gear S3 as a BT Headset. You can pair it with any phone on any carrier. Most of the time Your watch is BT connected to your phone so it is getting calls/texts/data from your phone. When I go for a run I leave my phone at home. Once the BT connection is lost I can still get all my calls/text/emails if I leave my phone at home turned on and in call forward mode. It simply sends everything to the number assigned to my watch. I can also make calls and many other things since the Gear S3 is operating almost exactly like a tiny smart phone.
Hope that helps, if you really want an S3 you can enjoy it especially since you are using a Samsung S8, it was designed to work seamlessly with Samsung products. The actual carrier is not important. It may cost you a little more for a smartwatch plan.
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THANK YOU BOTH SOO MUCH!!! this answers what I needed. I'll stay on sprint and source from T-mobile.

verizon to sprint ?
afblangley said:
The Gear S3 is only available on AT&T and T-Mobile. Rumor is Verizon will offer it sometime in the future, but whoever truly knows when, isn't saying.
The watch and phone do not have to be on the same network. Mine isn't, and there a couple of folks here who have a phone on Verizon and their Frontier LTE on T-Mobile. T-Mobile (and Verizon) offer standalone wearable plans for $15/mo. AT&T only offers a wearable line as an add on line.
So your phone could remain on Sprint while your S3 is on T-Mobile.
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what about from a sprint note 8 to a Verizon gear s3 frontier LTE ?