What are
/r/NoContract's
favorite Products & Services?
From 3.5 billion Reddit comments
The most popular Products mentioned in /r/NoContract:
The most popular Services mentioned in /r/NoContract:
Slickdeals
TextNow
Meteor
Airtable
Fast.com
Speedtest by Ookla
GSMArena
Walmart
Privacy.com
StackSocial
Kimovil
Lifehacker
Trustpilot
Terminal
CNET
The most popular Android Apps mentioned in /r/NoContract:
Android Messages
Phone
LTE Discovery
Google Voice
FoxFi (WiFi Tether w/o Root)
CellMapper
Hangouts Dialer - Call Phones
TextNow - free text + calls
4G WiFi Maps & Speed Test. Find Signal & Data Now.
AT&T Visual Voicemail
PdaNet+
Wiser – Simple Senior Launcher
myCricket
My Data Manager - Data Usage
HERE WeGo - Offline Maps & GPS
The most popular VPNs mentioned in /r/NoContract:
The most popular reviews in /r/NoContract:
Get a t-mobile starter kit for 99¢ at https://www.amazon.com/Mint-Mobile-Starter-Verify-Compatibility/dp/B0786RD524
Activate the 7-day trial SIM, which will give you a cell number good for a week, which you can use for verification of GV.
> Are you enjoying Google Plus? Hows those new games on Google Stadia? Hows Google Hangouts? Enjoying Google Chrome Apps? Google Cloud Print? Google Play Music? Google Fiber TV?
Were you in some kind of Faraday Cage or something, and suddenly came out to find those things gone?
NONE of those things went away "without notice". There were many months of notice.
Also, Hangouts didn't go away at all (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.talk&hl=en_US&gl=US), and there was more than a year warning before GV integration was removed.
I think you need to evaluate your grasp on reality, because what you posted is completely untrue with regard to the statement "a free Google service that may evaporate without notice", because so far NO free Google service has evaporated without notice.
They don't stock it anymore because the Slickdeals crowd pretty much depleted the online stock over a week ago.
How many gb are you using? redpocket have annual plans and you could just get a verizon plan with unlimited talk/text and 3gb data a month for $255 a year off amazon. Save you messing with dual sim adapters.
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Pocket-Prepaid-Wireless-Unlmtd/dp/B01D50H1L2
Otherwise to answer your question-
pageplus - $30 min a year as a $10 top up lasts 120 days. 6c a minute
ebay redpocket annual plan $60 for 100mins/100texts/500mb a month. SO you get a lot more for your money. Get it when ebay are having a coupon and get it for even less.
Static IP, on cellular? Good luck. You’re better off creating a AWS VPS and creating your own VPN and vpn-ing into it for a static IP when on cellular. Private Internet Access also offers a static IP option but I haven’t used it.
I currently use the ipad plan. Ive used it for the last 6 months and it's been amazing!
The only other internet choice I had was a local WISP, who charges around $80 for 2mpbs and installation was $300.(ad said it was perfect for gaming!)
The initially start up cost around $130, that includes a Netgear 815s, ts9 mimo antenna, sim and $30 auto refill plan. My speeds average around 20mbps download and upload is around 5 mbps. 5ghz wifi speed is around 45mbps.
My usage varies from 250gb to 1tb. I run a couple of tvs, my phone and gaming pc at the same time with no problem
If you're a gameror your significant other is a game, look into getting a VPN to get rid of the strict NAT. I use NordVPN.
I honestly think it's worth it, especially if you have no other means for internet or your speeds are super slow.
Oh, congrats on your baby boy and my condolences on your mother.
Tldr: it's super worth it, my speeds are 20mbps down 5mbps up, used up to 1tb with no problems.
Using /u/StetsDogg's table at https://airtable.com/shrraH105YVJQF2Yr/tblEszFJtM4p2YEvP/viw85pfNFchbpo9o9 and filter on eSIM=True and Networks=T-Mobile, the only ones are Mint, T-Mobile, and Google Fi. Sorry to confirm your suspicion, but cheapest is T-Mobile connect and Mint. As others said you can get T-Mobile connect 2.5GB plan to start then downgrade to 500MB.
I use r/Tello and like it. Affordable, has all the features I need, reliable phone service, and good customer service. If you decide to go with r/Tello, there’s a promo going on right now. Also, definitely use a referral code so you can get $10 in credit and so does the other person. If you need one, send me a chat and I’ll share mine.
Do not turn on the phone with the VZ SIM inside -- buy the phone, remove VZ SIM, get an unlock code from eBay for few bucks, put in Cric SIM (or any non-VZ SIM) and enter unlock code.
It should work fine on Cric according to others:
https://slickdeals.net/f/10656676-verizon-moto-e4-and-e4-plus-at-target-for-39-99-99-99?v=1
Yeah it's not on their whitelist, so they won't let VoLTE and wifi calling work on it. Plus looking at this compatibility chart, it doesn't support a lot of the US cellular bands. The only US 5G band it supports is band n41, which is a T-Mobile 5G band. It cannot use 5G on AT&T and Verizon. Next time you want to buy a grey market phone, please do your research on carrier compatibility before buying it.
If you want to stay on AT&T, you'll probably have to get a new phone. Otherwise if you're willing to switch carriers, you'll have the most compatibility on T-Mobile, since they'll let any phone use their VoLTE and wifi calling if it supports those. I used a Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 on Mint Mobile/T-Mobile for around two years, that phone literally only had two T-Mobile LTE bands, but coverage was decent and VoLTE worked. And before anyone asks, yes I was aware of this before buying it and intended to only use it on the T-Mobile network.
Here is the link so that people can skip a few steps to access the deal: https://www.target.com/p/cricket-wireless-service-payment-card/-/A-52966246
If you are interested in the slickdeals forum discussion, click here: https://slickdeals.net/f/10612996-target-cricket-wireless-prepaid-bogo-25-off
For each iPhone model since the 5, there has been only one GSM model sold in the US. They will all work equally well on T-Mobile and AT&T for both HSPA and LTE.
For future reference, AT&T uses bands 4 and 17 for LTE, while T-Mobile uses only band 4.
Look at https://www.textnow.com/
They say "No credit card needed"
Also,
How can your service start at 0$? What’s the catch?
Customers with eligible Sprint® devices can get our Nationwide Talk & Text service, free of charge by just downloading the TextNow app. This service is paid for by unobtrusive ads, so there is no subscription and no billing information required! And you can still connect to the Nationwide Sprint Network for phone service away from wi-fi.
They also have 5GB LTE for $16.67/mo & 10GB for $20/mo
Use code FREESHIP when adding sim to cart for free shipping
*Sim needs to be activated within 45 days of purchase
She's going to make friends so she's going to want a local number. That's not to say that there aren't options like WhatsApp, but it'll make life easier for whatever official things she may need to do with a local number.
For yourself, I've picked up sim cards from Amazon for European travel. Stupid cheap for gigs of data from 3UK, with international roaming for pretty much all of Europe. I'll go find the link and edit my post.
$15/month for 3GB of data.
If you're unfamiliar w/ the service you need to pay for 12 months in order to get it for $15, not an issue for me. It's nice paying for a year of phone service and not having to think about it at all. Or think about data use and credits (like you I use very little data at all). I dont think I've ever used more than 1/2 of my data allowance.
I'm on my 2nd year. Have had zero issues. It was nice being able to get basically any phone I wanted as well. Not being locked down to 2 or 3 phone choices.
It runs on T-mobile's network so check their coverage for your area. I ran the Signal Spy app on my phone for my last few months on Fi and I was on a T-mobile network 100% of the time. So it was a no brainer for me.
Most Samsung phones come with the option for "Easy Mode". It's designed to make the phone easier to use, especially for seniors.
And any Android phone can install launchers/skins that make the phone very easy to use, with extra big buttons, and simplifying the choices on screen, like Big Launcher or Large Launcher.
I'd stay away from Consumer Cellular phones. Those are locked to Consumer Cellular for one year, and Consumer Cellular is an expensive service and not worth it except for a few specific uses.
Plus, with Consumer Cellular, if she uses a lot of data one month, then she will pay for that same high amount of data every future month until she resets her plan back to the lower level of data.
If she wants a nice sized phone, Cricket is giving away the moto e5 Cruise free, and then you can install one of those launchers I linked above on it.
they are accepting a lot of other phones. I'd suggest reading the wiki https://slickdeals.net/f/10235008-sprint-byod-1-year-unlimited-talk-text-data-free-w-eligible-device-sim-req?p=100910948#edit100910948 its going to be a long read but probably covers every question imaginable
US Mobile perhaps? On Verizon, 12GB plan for $20, 1GB plan for $12. Doesn't include taxes and fees I think.
Another option for the high data line, if your phone is compatible, Visible is Verizon network unlimited $25/month, taxes & fees included, if you (anonymously) join a 4 member party pay group, /r/visiblepartypay can help with this.
Other ideas here:
https://airtable.com/shrraH105YVJQF2Yr/tblEszFJtM4p2YEvP/viwU8oUsB6GMWcxcE
You can get the unlock code for a few bucks on eBay and it will work on Mint.
There is a $15 off $75 code on ebay using code PSHOPAPP. https://slickdeals.net/f/10885811-ebay-15-off-75-purchase-or-more?v=1&src=pdw
Works on Redpocket ebay plans - I put the 500 min/text/MB plan in my cart for $85 and it reduced it to $70.
Less than $6 per month. Looks like a good deal to me.
Check this site:
https://opensignal.com/networks
It's basically users that report real life coverages they get. So it's much more accurate then the estimated coverage maps by the providers themselves. If there is no color that means no one tested this area, if it's red it means it's a bad coverage. If it's green it means its good.
You could try sensorly and opensignal
Unfortunately, a lot of the online tools (even the one I mentioned) aren't actually accurate. The best way to test is actually getting prepaid sim with the particular network.
If you are sure u like it, you can buy one year service for $255 through Amazon or $21.25 per month taxes included. Best available deal on AT&T or Verizon currently available with 3GB data. Link- https://www.amazon.com/Red-Pocket-Mobile-Contract-Unlimited/dp/B01D50H1L2
I have used the Orange Travel SIM and the 3 Travel SIM which are both available on Amazon. They give you a decent amount of data, texts, minutes, and an EU number. They also offer roaming throughout the EU for free. The Orange SIM assigns a French number, the 3 SIM a UK number. They both offer different allotments for very different prices so check them out! I definitely recommend the 3 SIM if you’re going to be in major cities, but if you plan on traveling into rural areas Orange is partnered with better carriers.
Orange SIM
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XBYMX58/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5Ff6Cb9KH7ME9
3 SIM
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pHf6Cb3617S6J
That's what I do and it works pretty well. I did have to change the APN though. Id put the Sim card in the phone and try to enable hotspot/tethering.
If that doesn't work, you may need to change the APN. I had to use the APN for tablets on this page https://bestmvno.com/apn-settings/att-att-gophone-apn-settings/
If for some reason you try it and your devices don't get an internet connection despite connecting to the phone, try enabling the option "hide tethering" in PDANet https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pdanet
Yeah but now do a speed test with Netflix's app
Or just google "speed test" in chrome. I'm pretty sure this is to Youtube's servers.
In either case you will get 4mbps. They throttle video speed.
All that bandwidth & data is pointless if you can't use it for video.
Don't feel bad I got suckered into it too. I have the same plan. My fault for not reading the fine print.
Yeah, VPN should do the trick (I'd suggest something like NordVPN or Safer). Can't say for sure, but I think that whenever way you're using (tethering or mobile data) it will count for the one you chose to use, no? Anyway, read some feedback about metroPCS and VPNs more, as I heard that not every provider works with it.
Verizon prepaid phones come locked and you need to either pay a fee or have service for a certain time to unlock it.
You maybe able to grab a Spint phone on sale next week on Black Friday.
Good luck.
Only since December. We use it in a RV and needed to find something to use a lot of data while in Mexico for 2 weeks. Probably won’t keep it as we won’t use the RV again until summer. 2+ months away. We have Verizon postpaid and I have an iPad/hotspot line that’s only $10/month but after 15GB it slows to 600kps. Which is fine for most weekend trips we take but the 2 weeks over the winter it’s not good enough.
Speeds are great. Post paid priority for first 22GB. In my home area I get 100Mbps+ and most places while driving is 20Mbps+ even after 22GB. Here’s a Speedtest while in Vegas about 4 blocks from the strip sitting at about 35Gb usage.
There was a referral based MVNO called Solavei, which already went belly up and had to merge with another company.
What phone do you have? Does a Freedompop LTE SIM or Sprint’s One-Year Free service work?
You get 200MB for free from Freedompop however you can use this guide. I got like 2GB for free every month and I still have a lot of requests left to get more..
ATT has a great LTE network so VoIP with Google Voice should work fine.. The Freedompop SIM has only data.. The voice and text MUST go over the internet, use their service or your own.
See if you can get on this deal. It depends on whether your local Walmart offers the promo and has the Moto E4 in stock.
I live in a rural area and these are the two best options I have found.
I have both and they both work well if you read the forums and follow the advice on setting up everything properly.
AT&T Mobley Unlimited data deprioritized at 22GB, $22.01/month
4gcommunity.org Unlimited data deprioritized at 30GB, $168/year after first year buy-in of $250.
Make sure you have good 4G-LTE (not 4G, not 3G) coverage where you are before you purchase!
here's some stats:
https://opensignal.com/reports/2018/07/usa/state-of-the-mobile-network
It varies across the country and even the state. Once you know what network you want check out the sticky
Have you called them to have HD video enabled? I think that's what's going on. Even in your plan 480p is ON by default, and Teltik has to explicitly enable it. This is a T-Mobile policy for some reason ... not really Teltik problem
I had the same issue, called them to enable HD video, and speeds where the same on VPN/non-VPN on the video CDN sites ( fast.com ... )
Two free providers:
TextNow ad supported free talk and text using TextNow app on an unlocked T-mo compatible smartphone. Choice of US or Canadian incoming number. VoIP over WiFi with fallback to VoIP over T-Mo data. Five bucks for the sim and zero dollar invoice each month. Some caveats; look at r/TextNow for reviews.
FreedomPop on AT&T. 10 minutes, 10 text, 25 mb free a month. Over that they will charge payment on file.
Also possible to do minimal cost on PagePlus/Verizon at $10 refill for 120 days, Mint/T-mo sim 7 day trial kit typically for a buck, some Red Pocket eBay annual cheap deals in various carriers, some TracFone/NET10 deals through HSN or QVC, etc
Also for people who qualify (modest income or government assistance program) there are government subsidized cell phone services and a federal broadband subsidy.
There are so many deals tomorrow and this weekend on acceptable prepaid phones, just bite the bullet already! It can't be worth the painfulness of the bad user experience for $30 -- the price of a couple pizzas or 3/4 of a tank of gas.
Lists:
http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2016/11/2016-black-friday-prepaid-and-unlocked.html
This is the number I used when porting out of Straight Talk(same parent company as Net10) and I remember there being a Net10 option I think. It was the only number I called that worked for porting out.
You may be Roaming on another Network (even if it says "Sprint" that might not be Sprint). AFIAK Sprint has agreements with loads of regional Networks in the US, but also with AT&T and T-Mobile. But National Roaming isn't available to all MVNOs, so it might be that Virgin has acces to Roaming, but Boost doesn't.
You'd need to determine what network you are connected to. On Android you can use this app to look up what network you are on.
On iOS you need to go to the dailer and dial 3001#12345# (don't worry that wont cost you anything it's just how you get into the iOS Field Test mode where it'll show you more infos about the current network connection). There you can press "Serving Cell Info" and you can find the MNC and MCC of the Network you're connected with (it may also say the full names "Mobile Network Code" and "Mobile Country Code"). If you got the two, you can find the network on this list.
The latest problem with FreedomPop is that voicemails aren't working for a lot of customers, and it's been going on for months. See the reviews of the voicemail app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.freedompop.vvm&hl=en_US
Sprint has 1yr free (just pay taxes/fees) if you want to try it out:
You could do something like this: WalMart
$10 and first month of service is included (H2O $30 plan)
Is this what you're asking?
I like Cricket better because of the multi line discount. The capped speeds at Cricket do not affect me and I do not have MMS issues. So family pricing wins out for me :).
Maybe it's worth a shot to try a month of H2O for cheap, relatively speaking.
At the moment of writing, the SIM + 1 month of the $30 plan costs $5.50. I think it's a good deal. I forget the number porting situation with this SIM card, however.
I'd get like an AT&T sim and port to that or get a T-Mobile virtual SIM thru eBay. I think you can find more information in the SlickDeals Sprint free one year thread.
If I remember correctly, you have to use your significant others SSN instead of your own or Sprint will refuse the free year offer to you.
With Sprint you can't use any Sprint SIM card that fits -- you need to buy a compatible SIM part number based on your phone model.
If you use your phone on a Sprint MVNO then your phone will be marked as prepaid and you'll have to get the phone switched back to postpaid in Sprint's system: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sprint/comments/8umdww/was_on_tello_sprint_mvno_prepaid_now_cant_use_on/
If you port to a Sprint MVNO then you can't port/switch to the free plan -- you're better off porting to the free plan directly then port out of Sprint if you don't like the service.
Online ordering sucks so you're better off getting the SIM locally then signing up for service over the phone. You can buy a Boost Mobile triple SIM kit from BB/Target (usually $10) or go to an Apple store if you have an iPhone (free) -- call the special promo number @ 866-782-8777 to sign up once you have a compatible SIM.
To be fair, the normal plans required spending over $21/mo for unlimited talk and text. It was a subset of plans created to appeal to RingPlus refugees that offered maybe a bit too much.
TPO June 2017 Promo https://store.tpo.com/promos/welcome
Admirable Plan $4.99/mo 100MB Full & Speed Unlimited (64k afterwards), 100 Talk, 100 Text
Cordial Plan $6.99/mo 250MB Full & Speed Unlimited (64k afterwards), 250 Talk, 250 Text
Benevolent Plan $7.99/mo 100MB Full & Speed Unlimited (64k afterwards), Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text
Tender Plan $12.99/mo 500MB Full & Speed Unlimited (64k afterwards), 500 Talk, 500 Text
Utility Plan $14.99/mo 500MB Full & Speed Unlimited (64k afterwards), Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text
Exceptional Plan $19.99/mo 1 GB Full & Speed Unlimited (64k afterwards), Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text
+1 for mini hamster skateboard. Actually if it were me, and i was perfectly happy with sprint, i'd buy one of the approved devices listed sign up for the free year https://slickdeals.net/f/10235008-sprint-byod-1-year-unlimited-talk-text-data-free-w-eligible-device-sim-req I signed up for it, and my bill comes to $3 and some change per month. For what its worth, I've had cricket for a few years too, and never had any issues. I've read some complaints that you mentioned, but I think some of those are people trying to buy the discounted phones to flip. 8Mbps cap was never a noticeable hindrance for my daily usage. Coverage is much better than sprint, but it all depends on where you live of course. If you do order a phone and port in give yourself about 3-5 days, for the device to be shipped to you. You could also go into a cricket store, but I think the stores charge $25 activation vs none online. But in that case you wouldn't have to wait for the device to be shipped, so might be worth the tradeoff.
The telephone that the Original Poster of this thread wants to use on these services is a Nokia E52, which does not support any 3G or 4G frequencies on T-Mobile's network.
The other phone they have suggested using is a Nokia E66, which also does not support 3G or 4G frequencies on T-Mobile.
This means that they will have a poor experience relying only on T-Mobile's 2G network, which is the only network TelTik can provide to them with the phones they have.
A phone that is built for the T-Mobile network would let the original poster of this thread access 3G and 4G data, but that would require purchasing a phone they don't want. They've remarked several times they don't want a phone with a touch screen.
Both phones they have already expressed an interest in using do support 3G technology on AT&T's network, so if they are adamant on using those phones, they will want to use an AT&T-powered network, rather than one powered by T-Mobile.
They come in handy. Capital One, Citi, Apple Card, and PayPal Key are the ones I have that offer VCCs. Apple Card and PayPal Key you have to dump the number and get a new one after every purchase if you want to maintain the fraud protection while Capital One and Citi you can get reusable ones. Capital One locks each to the first merchant it is used at and Citi offers options like being able to set a fixed monthly limit.
PayPal Key is nice because it can link to any card you have on your PayPal account and for months when Discover or Chase have PayPal bonuses, PayPal Key charges count towards them.
I like Capital One if for no other reason than ease of use. I installed the Eno browser extension in Chrome and every time it detects a credit card field it prompts me to make a VCC or if it is a site I already have one for, it will offer that one up.
If you're someone who uses debit cards (I use credit cards for everything to maximize cash back rewards), Privacy.com links with debit cards and seems to be popular.
I think T-Mobile still has a $20/month data plan: https://slickdeals.net/f/8620138-t-mobile-data-only-simple-choice-phone-plans-unlimited-texts-no-voice-2gb-unlimited-music-streaming-for-20-mo-6gb-unlimited-video-streaming-for-35-mo
The Nexus 6 talks to one or the other (using either T-Mobile's GSM 4G LTE or Sprint's CDMA 5G LTE whichever is "better"). At least, that's how it works with Google Fi. It is currently priced at $350.
One assumes there is a way to make the phone talk to arbitrary GSM and CDMA networks depending on the SIM card configuration.
Cricket Wireless should be a good option since you can get 4 for $100. also it has wifi calling so you should be good when you are connected to a wifi at home and work.
Check the signal strength in your area using OpenSignal
1) Where are you coming from? Is it from International? if yes your phone probably can't handle Verizon & Sprint network which are CDMA.
2) Check OpenSignal's coverage map with the places you think you might stay around or visit: https://opensignal.com/networks . Find the best network for your needs, or at least the top 2, and share it with us.
3) What is "pretty heavy internet usage"? Do you have any metrics of your usage on the current network? For me I consider 1gb a little, 5gb a lot. But I know other people are in need of 20gb. This makes a big difference in terms of plans we can help you with.
Yes coverage maps are only calculations that may be wrong. I prefer using Open Signal's maps ( https://opensignal.com/ ). You select the provider and they show real tests that have been done. Red being bad coverage green being good.
Free. Cheapest would be free ad supported talk and text using TextNow app on a T-mo compatible smartphone. VoIP over WiFi with fallback to VoIP over T-Mo data. Monthly invoice for zero dollars. Sim card is five bucks. Have this on a spare phone and it works well for me.
>As an UK-based telephony company, Truphone offered free incoming calls & texts. No other company providing cellular service here in the USA offers that.
Doesn't TextNow offer this, after the one-time purchase of a $5 sim?
Yes. TextNow is Waterloo, ON based. Choice of US or Canada number. Would be VoIP number.
Technically it is VoIP over WiFi with fallback to VoIP over Sprint using a Textnow app on a compatible smartphone. Sprint would just be on US Sprint towers (VoIP over Sprint data), but VoIP over WiFi can be in any country.
Phone number assigned can also be used in a tablet, PC or Mac.
The website is here.
Look at https://www.textnow.com/plans
2 Plans under "TextNow App" are VOIP based the Free one and Premium $2.99 one
The $9.99 is an actual phone subscription, it is from Sprint, not considered VOIP. But it is for Sprint/CDMA based phones only. Like it won't work on GSM only phones which work with AT&T/T-Mobile only.
You will need to enter IMEI at https://www.textnow.com/v3/wireless/sim-card to check if your phone is compatible
If you haven't maxed out your freedompop friends on both accounts, you should, as you'll get an additional 500MB of free data per month. This slickdeals thread works great. If you're brave enough to add your email to the list (I recommend a burner address since it can get craweled and spammed when you post it publicly like that) you'll max out your friends in like a couple of hours.
I went all in on their 200MB free plan, with the FP friends I get 700MB free data and use google voice and hangouts as my primary line. Hangouts uses about 0.6MB per minute. Only recommended if you have good LTE coverage. Then again if FP is working for you now for voice, so would hangouts since they're both VOIP.
https://www.amazon.com/Mint-Mobile-Starter-Verify-Compatibility/dp/B0786RD524/
​
Good for 1 week and hope it google doesn't block the number or gmail for creating multiple GV numbers.
​
But if you need permanent sort of number then cheapest is Red pocket $30 plan for 1 year on Sprint with effective $2.5 pm. Or Tracfone annual plan which varies from $30 to $60 for one year plan. Or Liberty Wireless $60 1 year plan for call and text but you won't be able to make outgoing from that with GV number as to reroute, GV needs internet and that plan doesn't include internet. Or $5 pm plan from HelloMobile on Tmobile which have 500/500/500 pm. Or Tello plans starting at $5 pm on Sprint.
Ok. Lets run a hypothetical I'm not going to dig deep on the best deal, so you can probably beat my numbers.
Cricket : 2 lines, 10GB for you, 2.5GB for Dad. Cost $60+40-$10 = $90/month. (you can join a group and save more) Savings $80/month
Buy an iPhone 6S from Swappa and a Nexus 5X from Amazon you can find better deals for the 5X.
Total for phones $895.
And just over 11 months in you break even on the new phones and save from there on out. If Cricket doesn't work for coverage reasons, both phones will move to any network you go to.
Cricket is AT&T. Like literally the same towers you just don't get pocket roaming agreements. My day to day usage since switching from Verizon has been equal or even better.
Check coverage maps. Better yet get a sim and a basic account on whatever network looks good to you and pop it into your 5S and test drive it for a week. (You'll have to pay for the service, but might be worth it.)
All LTE devices need/have SIM Cards.
My suggestion is to stay with Boost and get a Moto G 4th gen, it should fit your needs and it's unlocked and cheap.
If you have Amazon Prime you can get one for $99, the ads are pretty easy to remove. Any phone try to find one that's unlocked and works will most of the carriers, so you can switch carriers.
Consider creating a family plan on T-Mobile with you and your mother. 2 lines with unlimited data is only $100 a month (taxes & fees included) and includes 10gb for a mobile hotspot if you need that. $50 per person for unlimited on a network that you say works great at your home is a great deal. If you need to pick up a new phone then just get the $99 Moto G Play from Amazon.
Moto G4 or Moto G4 Play are the best value right now. Work with every network, including Sprint which most unlocked phones don't support.
If you have Amazon Prime you can get the G4 for $149: https://www.amazon.com/Moto-4th-Generation-Exclusive-Lockscreen/dp/B01GINVN1W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487778301&sr=8-1&keywords=amazon+moto+g4
Can you show some examples?
I have used devices like this - https://www.amazon.com/Reader-Programmer-Military-Compatible-Windows/dp/B07JQ633JR
to edit sim cards, so I can adjust the APN or the region code to gain access to different markets.
I have found that the flags that change the settings the OP is talking about are usually associated with the actual account that references the sim number, and not necessarily the sim itself, and the accounting/management software is usually a portal provided by the wireless company that is reselling the services.
I think his question is a little deeper than the answer you provided.
While I'm not able to help you find a good monthly unlimited hotdog plan, I can at least point you to some apps that'll help you out:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/not-hotdog/id1212457521
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.seefoodtechnologies.nothotdog&hl=en_US
Back in the day (before any carrier allowed hotspot without paying extra, I used PDANet. The draw was it made it look like all of the data was being used on your phone and not tethered. Check them out and see if it will meet your needs.
I like the app "Blacklist Call & SMS Blocker" by Anton Kaliturin https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kaliturin.blacklist It's free, ad-free and open source and works perfectly for blocking all calls from non-contacts.
I don't think you're the only one experiencing this with TMobile MVNOs, as I've had similar no-ring voicemails show up hours later and delayed text messages on Red Pocket's GSMT network (with a honor 6x phone). /u/literallyunlimited had some suggestions as to why that match what myspaghetti123 is saying, as best i can tell.
I asked redpocket chat to investigate, possibly enable VoLTE (I'm not sure it ever really enabled since I'd see UMTS when making calls frequently). The CSR asked some questions about where I was calling from and may have adjusted something, but I still had no-ring voicemails happen.
When it was closer to the end of my service month, I asked red pocket to switch me over to the GSMA network so I'm on day 2 of using AT&T red pocket now.
https://old.reddit.com/r/NoContract/comments/agagzn/recently_noticing_lots_of_noring_voicemails/
fwiw, I have bought and installed network signal info pro which has a map overlay with (possibly very outdated) cell tower locations. It was showing my cell phone idling at towers that appeared to be double or triple the distance compared to which towers were near me. It may be speaking to the congestion issue and MVNOs having a lower priority.
You can use a Nighthawk LTE v2 modem with a connector that allows you to use a rooftop TV antenna for your cellular connection.
Here's an example of a F-female to TS9 male connector:
https://www.amazon.com/Female-Connector-Coaxial-Wireless-Antenna/dp/B00MOGJ89M
For your plan, consider the AT&T $30 unlimited data plan:
https://buyasession.att.com/sbd/Common/ShopRatePlans.action
> Domestic DataConnect Pass Auto Renew Plans
> Unlimited MB for 30 days
> Renews every 30 days
> After 22GB of data usage, AT&T may slow speeds
> $29.99
> Monthly recurring
It can be done over the phone. Take a look at the wiki here. It'll be a long read, but pretty much any question is answered within https://slickdeals.net/f/10235008-sprint-byod-1-year-unlimited-talk-text-data-free-w-eligible-device-sim-req?p=100910948#edit100910948
If Sprint is good in your area, and if Sprint works with your particular phone bands wise... might be worth doing their "free" year. You only pay tax and regulatory fees. Unlimited data etc. I think signups end before mid November, unless they extend it again
try reading the wiki (in the link) or asking here https://slickdeals.net/f/10235008-sprint-byod-1-year-unlimited-talk-text-data-free-w-eligible-device-sim-req?v=1
hope you get it sorted b/c the rumor is last day for activating new lines is on the 13th
I'm thinking you can't make any changes to the free plan, w/o switching the plan itself. But I'd ask in the sd thread if you can https://slickdeals.net/f/10235008-sprint-byod-1-year-unlimited-talk-text-data-free-w-eligible-device-sim-req?v=1
Signing up over the phone is the best way to go - 1-866-782-8777. You can find tons of information in this Slickdeals thread. https://slickdeals.net/f/10235008-sprint-byod-1-year-unlimited-talk-text-data-free-w-eligible-device-sim-req?p=100910948#edit100910948
Ting is one of the few that have domestic roaming. I'm currently using Ting, that's what drew me to them. T-Mobile Connect, while technically not an MVNO but rather ultra-cheap prepaid, also has domestic roaming. US Mobile supposedly does, but I've never looked into them.
Check this thing out, filter it by Domestic Roaming = Yes. https://airtable.com/shrraH105YVJQF2Yr/tblEszFJtM4p2YEvP/viwU8oUsB6GMWcxcE
They sell a triple SIM kit.
You can get it on Amazon too.
Tracfone Keep Your Own Phone 3-in-1 Prepaid SIM Kit, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0728N8PT9/
You are correct! This article states that the speeds are throttled to 128kbps. This can be considered either Edge or 2G, so I have updated the document to say "unlimited 2G data" instead of "unlimited 3G data."
Then why does their hotspot card say you have to get a $50 or $60 plan if you can't actually use it as a hotspot?
https://www.cricketwireless.com/legal-info/mobile-hotspot-terms-and-conditions.html Mobile Hotspot requires a qualifying plan and a compatible device. Mobile Hotspot is available to new and existing Cricket customers only on our $50 and $60 rate plans.
Apparently, on the walmart website, those plans say they are unlimited, but on cricket, they are not. wtf.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cricket-Wireless-Web-50-Email-Delivery/40549480#about-item
I saw it at Slickdeals.net, It is only for phones which will accept CDMA/Sprint. You will get 14-day Trial of Unlimited Talk, Text, & Data + 3GB LTE. Total is $0 Today
Unreal Mobile is launched by FreedomPop.
There's a lot more info about this sprint deal on slickdeals.
ANYBODY THAT HAS BOUGHT A PHONE BOUGHT INITIALLY THROUGH PROJECT FI (GOOGLE) - You have to call them and ask them to deregister the phone. Because Sprint is part of the FI network it looks like the phone is already active on there. Takes 24-48 hours to happen once you open a ticket by calling 1-844-TALK-2FI. Note: When I called, the CSR did not understand when I asked about "deregistering" my phone. Probably the most efficient way to go about this is to explain that you are trying to switch to Sprint and need to be removed from the Project fi list or whatever. My case had to be elevated to a higher up CSR/tech, and after a brief hold, I was told it was taken care of. I was then able to activate on Sprint just 9 hours later. It probably would have worked right away, but I didn't have a chance to try just then.
I use this site to compare once I've gotten a couple options down. take the battery endurance test with a grain of salt though, for example it says the xz1c lasts 30 hours longer than the regular xz1 which is sort of unfounded anywhere else. other than that I think you should ask real people for suggestions so they can tailormake specific ideas for you. include your carrier, your budget, and features you want in a phone (headphone jack, the latest android OS, stereo speakers, etc). there are subreddits for exactly that purpose. from there, you can start googling reviews and see what fits.
I don't know your mom's needs, but Walmart has quite a few phones under $100. I believe any Straight Talk phone will work with Total Wireless as well.
https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=total%20wireless&typeahead=total%20wireless&cat_id=0
I have the Cricket Wireless unlimited plan and I plopped the sim card into this AT&T Hotspot https://www.walmart.com/ip/AT-T-Unite-Express/44465713
My Walmart had a few of em. Any AT&T Hotspot would work with Cricket.
Works great, been using it as my home internet because I live out in the middle of nowhere with zero internet options.
If you've been happy with Visible, just use a virtual card to pay. Privacy.com if you have a debit card, many Citi credit cards also have a virtual account numbers feature that allows you to set a spending limit like Privacy. You should really be using something like this everywhere you use cards because it's not a matter of IF a company gets hacked but when.
I don't know why you would be considering Unlimited Starter when you can get Unlimited Plus on prepaid with higher priority (Unlimited Starter is deprioritized QCI 9 while Unlimited Plus is QCI 8 for the first 22GB) for $5 less with autopay. Unlimited Plus even comes with 10GB of hotspot and also has 5G access like Unlimited Starter.
Usually lower speed, no domestic roaming. If you chose a carrier that has a lot of spectrum (and a phone that can use the spectrum), chances are you’d hardly see any slow downs.
Here’s an example:
AT&T prepaid this phone is missing band 14 and 4x4. Could probably get over 200 easily. AT&T 5G is in my area.
T-Mobile postpaid in the same spot. Phone has all the bands T-Mobile uses.
If you do get the verizon E4 then make sure you follow the instructions on how to unlock etc on slickdeals https://slickdeals.net/f/10418732-select-walmart-stores-16gb-moto-e4-verizon-prepaid-smartphone-39-90-w-free-store-pickup?src=SiteSearch It is an excellent phone for the price if you don't mind going through a few extra steps to unlock it etc
All no contract carriers work this way. Check out u/stetsdogg list for ideas around plans that you'd like https://airtable.com/shrraH105YVJQF2Yr/tblMT9jc52KzViC0K/viwHyz9rCOEY8L4w5
The number of carriers a user has is not really indicative of how popular a carrier is. What you should be looking at how fast a carrier is growing - showing that they are able to attract and retain a lot of new users. This way you are not giving an unnecessary advantage to incumbents. We've grown ~3400% in just the last 3 years alone.
​
u/stetsdogg has a pretty solid list here otherwise https://airtable.com/shrraH105YVJQF2Yr/tblMT9jc52KzViC0K/viwHyz9rCOEY8L4w5
Currently I'm on cricket w/ the L70.
The coverage on Cricket is stellar, especially in any sort of major metro area. The phone lacks a generous amount of space for apps but if you don't load your phone down and keep media on an external card it's fine. Recently the phone got a good review from cnet
On Cricket you get the full AT&T direct network which means that throughout Chicago and most major suburbs you should be fine. Capped data speeds are a little bit of let down but streaming youtube is fine at HSPA+ speeds.
https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_edge-7945.php#g935f
Looks like it should be pretty good with At&t or TMobile towers. Have you investigated Open Signal or Sensorly maps of your area for both of those?
10 GB of data a month is outside of the plans I normally look at, but RedPocket tends to be pretty affordable and offers AT&T-based plans, if their network would be better for you.
FYI, you can install the Sensorly app and map signal strength during trips you're making now. It might help you get a clearer picture of how "on the edge" your phone is now for 4G coverage (under TMobile/Mint, because it won't measure AT&T without being on their network/plan).
In the App Store (or similar), look for the application Whitepages ID. It powers Samsung's new filtering feature. Available for iOS or Android as far as I know. It blocks almost all the junk calls I would get.
Note: You have to open it every 24 hours to update the list of latest spam numbers.
I've never been to haiti, but I usually bring my Nexus 4 to other countries and buy a local PrePaid SIM card with Cash when I land. I usually get some talk/time and Data plan. Look around the airport before leaving the secured side. Sometimes you can find SIM cards in baggage claim.
Don't see why it would be any different in haiti.
Google got me this which, not to be an asshole, was a lot quicker than posting in a slow subreddit :)
Have a good trip
Mine came in 4 days ago. I get 25-50 mbps down and 20-40 mbps up. Checking on FAST.COM, I get 2-25 mbps so it is all over the place for streaming here. Latency varies from 30 ms to 500+ ms. I still think it is a good service so far considering my alternatives. I fluctuate between 3-4 out of 5 bars on signal strength. My tower only supports 2 frequency bands. The home router for me starts to lag usually once a day and I have to reboot it for speeds to be restored.
Let me see if I can answer your questions!
Well, I honestly don't know how much data my household uses per month. I would consider quite a bit....probably between 500GB - 1.5TB. I don't know because I have been with Spectrum and they do not have data usage stats on their customer dashboards. Also, it is mentioned in the post (but I know that's a lot of info), I just setup this plan on July 9, so I'm doing the duration testing right now to see how much data we use and if the plan can let me truly be unlimited. So, we'll see!
We are not gamers, at least not games that are reliant on low latencies. However, I just looked at my speed tests and the average ping is about 30ms. However, loaded latency on Fast.com is usually around 500ms. Honestly, I'm not too sure if unloaded or loaded is more important for gaming (probably loaded?).
I hope that helps!
In addition to others' advice about using Google Voice, unless you need 3GB and not 2GB or can't use the T-Mobile network, consider Mintsim instead. For $40 including shipping, you get three months of prepaid service so no need to swap SIMs every month. If you get longer plans, the SHOPCLEVER promo code is 20% off, so you can get (for example) a full year of 2GB service for $160. Larger allotments are available.
I would have gone with Mintsim had Sprint's offer of one year of free unlimited service not come along.
The slickdeals thread has a wiki page that contains people's feedback on fees based on zip codes. You may be able to match a zip code close to yours to make a reasonable estimate.