Clark Howard Article - "Struggling to Pay Your Cell Phone Bill?"

[TnTWalter]

better phone and cheaper!

I switched when Sprint stopped letting me upgrade because I had an old plan...$40 month unlimited talk text data but data didn't matter because phone I had was too old to use...the only way I could upgrade phone was to switch to $60 per month...NO THANKS. So my almost 15 years of loyalty didn't matter to them! Switched without looking back.

I pay $25 month [now $35] have a cool android phone...and even have free wifi hotspot which is great in a pinch.

300 minutes a month unlimited text and data...

I surf web, check email, read books on kindle app, text all the time and talk enough...for $25 a month!

you can also talk free using google voice whenever you have wifi so you can get more minutes...

I cannot upgrade phones with this plan...luckily I bought a 2nd Optimus V in case this one breaks for cheap...after that I'll shop again...no more loyalty!

Trish

 

[SaraJayne]

better phone and cheaper!

I switched when Sprint stopped letting me upgrade because I had an old plan...$40 month unlimited talk text data but data didn't matter because phone I had was too old to use...the only way I could upgrade phone was to switch to $60 per month...NO THANKS. So my almost 15 years of loyalty didn't matter to them! Switched without looking back.

I pay $25 month [now $35] have a cool android phone...and even have free wifi hotspot which is great in a pinch.

300 minutes a month unlimited text and data...

I surf web, check email, read books on kindle app, text all the time and talk enough...for $25 a month!

you can also talk free using google voice whenever you have wifi so you can get more minutes...

I cannot upgrade phones with this plan...luckily I bought a 2nd Optimus V in case this one breaks for cheap...after that I'll shop again...no more loyalty!

Trish

If Virgin Mobile has good coverage in your area, that's great. They have very limited coverage here, and since I travel a lot, I want a phone I can use almost anywhere.

 

[Pigeon]

better phone and cheaper!

I switched when Sprint stopped letting me upgrade because I had an old plan...$40 month unlimited talk text data but data didn't matter because phone I had was too old to use...the only way I could upgrade phone was to switch to $60 per month...NO THANKS. So my almost 15 years of loyalty didn't matter to them! Switched without looking back.

I pay $25 month [now $35] have a cool android phone...and even have free wifi hotspot which is great in a pinch.

300 minutes a month unlimited text and data...

I surf web, check email, read books on kindle app, text all the time and talk enough...for $25 a month!

you can also talk free using google voice whenever you have wifi so you can get more minutes...

I cannot upgrade phones with this plan...luckily I bought a 2nd Optimus V in case this one breaks for cheap...after that I'll shop again...no more loyalty!

Trish

How do you get the free wifi hotspot? Ive got VM and have never seen that as an option.

 

[SpecialK]

I use PagePlus, they use the Verizon network. My coverage is the same as it was when I used Verizon. However I could never use Straight Talk, or Virgin or any other small carrier, since I'd get horrible coverage. You need to shop around to make sure its worth it.

I thought Straight Talk also used the Verizon network. Does coverage vary by carrier even on the same network?

I''ve been looking into PagePlus. Where did you get your phones? The only stores I find around here are convenience stores or gas stations, and that makes me nervous about making the switch.

 

[Lewisc]

While I sometimes like Clark Howard, I found this article to be pretty odd. Sort of like giving advice to ditch your car and just ride a bike. Just like for some people owning a car may be worth what it costs, so to for some people owning an iPhone may be worth what it costs.

For me personally, my current bill with ATT for 2 iPhones with unlimited data is less than what I paid T-mobile for a Palm smartphone and a dumb phone. -- Suzanne

You can use an iPhone with Virgin. The article doesn't comment on saving money by using a non-smartphone. The article talks about a way to get service at a discount. Subsidized hardware is reflected in higher monthly costs. People willing to pay upfront for hardware and/or use older phones can save money.

I thought Straight Talk also used the Verizon network. Does coverage vary by carrier even on the same network?

Straight Talk is a Tracfone company which markets through Walmart. They use different carriers in different parts of the country.

 

[furb & dez]

You can use an iPhone with Virgin. The article doesn't comment on saving money by using a non-smartphone. The article talks about a way to get service at a discount. Subsidized hardware is reflected in higher monthly costs. People willing to pay upfront for hardware and/or use older phones can save money.

Exactly. I'll never understand the mentality of "OOOH, I NEEEEEEEED A FREE PHONE" followed by 2 years of complaining your bill is too high.

That "free" phone is paid for by your higher cell phone bill. It's just like buying a car... if you don't put money down, your payment will be higher.

Not rocket science...

 

[JB2K]

Most people don't use discount cell providers because they stink. Coverage is terrible, dropped calls, texts don't go through, etc. so how good a deal is that phone when you can't use it?

Ummmmmm...

...in many cases, these carriers offer identical services as the companies you're signing 2 years of your life away to...

Granted, Metro PCS and Cricket are available in limited areas (though I understand Cricket customers can roam on the Sprint network).

Ditto for Virgin/Boost Mobile, since both companies are Sprint-owned.

As for Straight Talk, their service (depending on where you live) is provided by some of the nation's biggest carriers.

Sometimes, I can't help but wonder if having a certain carrier's logo stamped on a phone is a status symbol, of sorts...

 

[bettymae1121]

I have the original iPhone I got used off of eBay for $100 and pay $30 a month with T-Mobile. Never a droped call, never a missed text, always get a signal no matter where I am.

The phone is so old now that I can't use the new aps on it, so I'll likely get a newer phone for Christmas (I'm hoping to snag a iPhone 4 cheap with the 5 out now), then have DH unlock it and just swap out the SIM card.

 

[JB2K]

I thought Straight Talk also used the Verizon network. Does coverage vary by carrier even on the same network?

The long and short of Straight Talk is (depending on your location), YMMV.

I know first-hand of ST offering phones carried on all four major networks (though, they tend to favor provisioning their "dumbphones" on AT&T/T-Mobile and Sprint for most Androids except for the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim, which is carried exclusively over the Verizon network).

Also, if you happen to live in Western Montana, you're more than likely to get a phone powered by Verizon, since the other carriers have little/no coverage, there.

I''ve been looking into PagePlus. Where did you get your phones? The only stores I find around here are convenience stores or gas stations, and that makes me nervous about making the switch.

Page Plus will accept any Verizon 3G smart/dumbphone on their network, except for the iPhone. Though you don't see their refill cards in most retailers (I have seen them at Walgreeens), they are one of the big no-contract carriers, and have been in business for a long time.

 

[RitaE]

I thought Straight Talk also used the Verizon network. Does coverage vary by carrier even on the same network?

I''ve been looking into PagePlus. Where did you get your phones? The only stores I find around here are convenience stores or gas stations, and that makes me nervous about making the switch.

We have a phone that is the lowest cost PagePlus Standard plan($10/100 minutes every 3 months, no texting, no data).

I bought the phone used on EBAY. It is just a basic Verizon flip phone. Be careful of the feedback of the seller to make sure it isn't blacklisted.

 

[luvmy3]

I thought Straight Talk also used the Verizon network. Does coverage vary by carrier even on the same network?

I''ve been looking into PagePlus. Where did you get your phones? The only stores I find around here are convenience stores or gas stations, and that makes me nervous about making the switch.

You can use a Verizon phone, but there are some exceptions like iPhones and Blackberries. Also you can't purchase a pre-paid VZ phone in a blister pack and activate it on Page Plus. I picked up a non contract phone (not a pre-paid) online. I have good luck on ebay find refurbished ones. I don't have a super fancy one or a current year phone but it works for me. I can't beat $12 a month.

I think Straight Talk does use Verizon in some areas. If you have a Straight Talk CDMA phone it uses Verizon.

 

[Lewisc]

Ummmmmm...

...in many cases, these carriers offer identical services as the companies you're signing 2 years of your life away to...

The major carriers roam, generally at no extra charge, to fill in holes in their coverage. The other companies don't roam. No coverage from Sprint in that area means you don't get to make the call. Looks like 4G LTE coverage isn't being offered.

Plans offered by companies like Virgin won't work if there are holes in coverage in areas you travel. They won't work if you want to be the first on your block to get the newest iPhone.

 

[JB2K]

Looks like 4G LTE coverage isn't being offered.

No, not yet -- but rumor already has it 4G LTE will be making its' way to the prepaid world sometime in 2013...

 

[NorCalGal]

Most people don't use discount cell providers because they stink. Coverage is terrible, dropped calls, texts don't go through, etc. so how good a deal is that phone when you can't use it?

Cheaper phones and plans just don't seem to work, so in actuality, you may be spending more money in the long run. Tiger

unfortunately, none of those are available in my little, rural community. even AT&T barely gets decent service out here. sure, you can buy their phones and minutes cards at wal-mart, but there's no signal for any of them out here.

a couple years ago, DD15 had a kajeet prepaid phone, which is on the sprint network, and she could NEVER find a signal to make a call or send a text. it was horrible.

Sorry you all had such bad experiences with the cheaper phones and plans. I have had the opposite experience in my small, rural community in No. Calif. I bought a TracFone about 10 years ago, and never had a problem with it. The phone was about $20, and it cost me anywhere from $15 - $35 (if I needed to make/receive a lot of calls) for service. Never a dropped call or text. I use it when I travel and have never had a problem getting a signal. The only reason I bought a new phone this year is because I realized that the phones they sell now offer double or triple minutes, so I paid $10 for another phone in April. Still never a dropped call or text (data is available on this phone but I don't have it), and no roaming charges!! Extra bonus. I couldn't be happier, but I don't do major amounts of texting or calling, so I don't need an unlimited plan.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

You can use a Verizon phone, but there are some exceptions like iPhones and Blackberries. Also you can't purchase a pre-paid VZ phone in a blister pack and activate it on Page Plus. I picked up a non contract phone (not a pre-paid) online. I have good luck on ebay find refurbished ones. I don't have a super fancy one or a current year phone but it works for me. I can't beat $12 a month.

I think Straight Talk does use Verizon in some areas. If you have a Straight Talk CDMA phone it uses Verizon.

I believe the Blackberry restriction has been removed. For our phones I ended up getting 2 Droid Incredibles off Ebay. Nice phone , decent size, and has all the useful features - gps, wifi, bluetooth, etc. I use one of the online Page Plus providers/resellers and have been happy - I set up the account with them to auto refill and then I don't have to worry about it. Just like having a contract phone without the contract price.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I live in Western Montana and think Straight Talk is through Verizon towers. My daughter wants to know if her friends will have unlimited texting with her (if with ST) if they are with Verizon? (some plans are unltd txting between Verizon plans). I guess it wouldn't be?

 

[DawnM]

No since you aren't technically a Verizon customer.

I live in Western Montana and think Straight Talk is through Verizon towers. My daughter wants to know if her friends will have unlimited texting with her (if with ST) if they are with Verizon? (some plans are unltd txting between Verizon plans). I guess it wouldn't be?

 

[mermaidwannabe]

No since you aren't technically a Verizon customer.

Thanks that would have been too good to be true.

 

[MomToOne]

Most people don't use discount cell providers because they stink. Coverage is terrible, dropped calls, texts don't go through, etc. so how good a deal is that phone when you can't use it?

And you base this on what???

I've used Virgin Mobile for 10+ years, never had a significant problem with coverage, dropped calls or lost texts. Either here in our home area, or while travelling. My daughter has been on PlatinumTel for almost a year now and has never had a problem either.

But now for those poor soles on AT&T plans around my area, well, you can hear them swearing daily in the hallways here at work about not being able to get a signal, dropped calls, etc.

Discount carriers are no better or worse than the big boys. It just all depends on whose network you are on, and how good the coverage is in the area you are in.

 

[Colleen27]

Discount carriers are no better or worse than the big boys. It just all depends on whose network you are on, and how good the coverage is in the area you are in.

Yep. Coverage issues usually boil down to location - some carriers are better than others in one place but far worse in others. I do think you have to use a little more caution in buying cheaper phones, though, because they tend to offer bottom-of-the-line options that aren't up to the quality offered by contract carriers.

We've had both good and bad experiences with our discount carrier (MetroPCS); I love my service but paid the price for not doing my homework on a phone purchase, and DH ended up changing carriers because his new job has him spending too much time in areas without coverage. But we had bad experiences with Sprint too to the point of dumping them as soon as we could. I'm much happier with MetroPCS - if you're looking for reliable service that will be used only/mostly in a major metro area they're great, and at $110 for 4 lines of unlimited talk/text/web it is a great deal. I'm hoping Straight Talk works out to be a good middle ground for DH, with the better coverage area but at a still affordable price.