Cell phone plans: Talk, Text, Data

[Friendly Frog]

The majority of the ST Androids you buy from either ST or Walmart use the Sprint National Network -- best to check for coverage on the Sprint website (Sprint does cover all major cities, as well as the nation's interstate highways...

Yes, it is -- the ST phones (non-smartphone) utilize either the Verizon Wireless or AT&T network (all depending-upon where you live). As I previously stated, all smartphones operate on Sprint's network.

Every single smartphone in the U.S. works on the Sprint network?? So if I can't get good coverage on a Sprint tower, no smart phone will work for me in that area?

Does that also mean that if I go with Pageplus and a smart phone, I will be "roaming" ( at an additional cost) for a Sprint (data) tower?

I am so confused...then again I am not even sure I can use a smart phone with Pageplus. Ug.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Every single smartphone in the U.S. works on the Sprint network?? So if I can't get good coverage on a Sprint tower, no smart phone will work for me in that area?

Does that also mean that if I go with Pageplus and a smart phone, I will be "roaming" ( at an additional cost) for a Sprint (data) tower?

I am so confused...then again I am not even sure I can use a smart phone with Pageplus. Ug.

No, the poster was saying that Straight Talk smart phones operate on Sprint. I have no knowledge of that. He/she was not saying that ALL smart phones in general use Sprint.

 

[JB2K]

No, the poster was saying that Straight Talk smart phones operate on Sprint. I have no knowledge of that. He/she was not saying that ALL smart phones in general use Sprint.

Yes, that was exactly the message I was trying to convey -- all Straight Talk smartphones are provisioned to operate on the Sprint network.

As for Page Plus, I understand they will accept any Verizon phone expect for VZW iPhones...

 

[Friendly Frog]

Doh..( slaps head).

Well I have embarrassed myself already...so... I am guessing VZW is Verizon wireless? I can go out and purchase any android phone except for a Verizon wireless one? Isn't there a couple of different types like cmda vs. something else? Or do I need to worry about this when looking at a phone ?

I REALLY appreciate all the help and I am sure this thread will help a lot of other people too.

I think I am going to give Pageplus a try, because I need Verizon towers but don't want to pay 80.00 for one gb of data and Pageplus offers 2 gb. Great Dis members, what cell phone do you recommend? I need a large screen for my poor eyes, a decent camera ( memory space?) cause I plan on using the phone as my only camera, and battery life is important to me....

 

[JB2K]

Doh..( slaps head).

Well I have embarrassed myself already...so... I am guessing VZW is Verizon wireless? I can go out and purchase any android phone except for a Verizon wireless one? Isn't there a couple of different types like cmda vs. something else? Or do I need to worry about this when looking at a phone ?

No problem -- and, yes "VZW" is Verizon Wireless. CDMA is one of two types of cell phones commonly-used in North America (CDMA is for Verizon/Sprint towers, while GSM, a.k.a. SIM Cards are for AT&T and T-Mobile towers).

I think I am going to give Pageplus a try, because I need Verizon towers but don't want to pay 80.00 for one gb of data and Pageplus offers 2 gb. Great Dis members, what cell phone do you recommend? I need a large screen for my poor eyes, a decent camera ( memory space?) cause I plan on using the phone as my only camera, and battery life is important to me....

If you decide to make the jump to Page Plus, I recommend these guys for excellent customer service.

 

[robinb]

I think I am going to give Pageplus a try, because I need Verizon towers but don't want to pay 80.00 for one gb of data and Pageplus offers 2 gb. Great Dis members, what cell phone do you recommend? I need a large screen for my poor eyes, a decent camera ( memory space?) cause I plan on using the phone as my only camera, and battery life is important to me....

I have had Page Plus for my DD's phone for over 2 years. They have been very reliable.

Here is a link to the Page Plus forums on the Howard Forums:
http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php/364-Page-Plus-Cellular

They have a list of phones that will work with PP as well as how to set those phones up here: http://www.howardforums.com/showthr...D-BEFORE-ASKING-Phones-That-Work-On-Page-Plus . In general, Verizon's prepaid handsets are all banned.

 

[Friendly Frog]

Thank you for all the great info.

 

[Friendly Frog]

Just when I thought I had it all figured out... I see where in the past a lot of people were dropped without warning from the plan for using too much of their " unlimited" plan. Since my data and phone usage will be sporadic, very light most of the time, then very heavy when out at lake house, I worry about getting dropped from the plan. Anyone else use the Page Plus unlimited data plan?

 

[luvmy3]

Just when I thought I had it all figured out... I see where in the past a lot of people were dropped without warning from the plan for using too much of their " unlimited" plan. Since my data and phone usage will be sporadic, very light most of the time, then very heavy when out at lake house, I worry about getting dropped from the plan. Anyone else use the Page Plus unlimited data plan?

I don't have unlimited but one way I limit my data use is switch it off and just use wi-fi wherever its available. Only turn on data when you need it

 

[JB2K]

Just when I thought I had it all figured out... I see where in the past a lot of people were dropped without warning from the plan for using too much of their " unlimited" plan. Since my data and phone usage will be sporadic, very light most of the time, then very heavy when out at lake house, I worry about getting dropped from the plan. Anyone else use the Page Plus unlimited data plan?

A good rule of thumb is as long as you aren't using the wireless network to stream video, or listen to Pandora 18 hours a day, you should be OK...

I have heard that Page Plus does not support the iPhone (and if you put one on their network, it is subject to cut-off with no-notice)...

 

[Friendly Frog]

Good advice. I will turn off data when not in use.

I think what worries me most is that my usage will very greatly and that has been known to " trigger" the service being canceled. ( in other words spikes in service, without high usage has triggered cancellations.)

I share my time between two homes. In one home I will have a land line and a pc, so my phone use will be very limited. I would say that is 2/3 of my time. When I am at the other home the stay may be a month or more at a time and I will have no land line or Internet except for the phone. At these times I might use most if not all of my data plan. It is this spike between usage that I fear will get me canceled.

I swear, unlimited, or 1GB or 2 GB or whatever, should be just what it says.