Need a cell phone that works in my house

mrsstats79

Mouseketeer
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Messages
342
My sister has AT&T and can't get cell service in my house ((others in the area complain of the same thing). I would like to buy her a phone just to use at my house when she stays to dog sit. Don't want a plan, just a pay and go type thing. Must be Verizon as I know that will work. What do I look for and where can I find it?
 
My sister has AT&T and can't get cell service in my house ((others in the area complain of the same thing). I would like to buy her a phone just to use at my house when she stays to dog sit. Don't want a plan, just a pay and go type thing. Must be Verizon as I know that will work. What do I look for and where can I find it?

How about Wi-Fi calling on the AT&T phone?
Does she plan to use it a lot for text/data/etc?

You can get a Tracfone that runs on the Verizon network (make sure to get the specific phone that runs on that network because Tracfone uses Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile).

If you have internet, maybe the Magic Jack?
 
You can get a Tracfone that runs on the Verizon network (make sure to get the specific phone that runs on that network because Tracfone uses Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile).

I am also suggesting Tracfone. I have had various Tracfones for decades now, making sure I always get one that works on the Verizon network.

Yet Tracfone, over the past several months has been phasing out of T-Mobile and AT&T to be a totally Verizon company now, as I think Verizon bought Tracfone. So, it's likely ALL new smartphones only work on the Verizon network by now.

Buy one of their cheaper smartphones. Refurbished works fine. In the top right corner, for zip code while LOOKING for smartphones enter: 51355. It is a very small area that is totally dedicated to Verizon. So all the phones that pop up will be Verizon. (Again, this is if the company hasn't switched over totally to Verizon.) Don't worry that YOUR real zip code is different. You input the right zip code when activating the phone. But the phone model you will have bought will be a Verizon carrier Tracfone. (That is what I have always done for decades to insure I have always had the Verizon as my carrier with Tracfones.)

Buy a one year card service card for $50. This makes sure the phone stays on for a full year. If the smartphone has Wi-Fi calling, it will work off your Wi-Fi and not use up Tracfone minutes. Otherwise, add a minutes card now and then, depending on how long people talk on the phone.

https://www.tracfone.com/smartphones
 

Also, check HSN or QVC for really good deals. Like smartphone, 1500 minutes, texts, and 1.5 GB of data, good for one year, for less than $100 shipped
 
I believe somewhere like Best Buy or Walmart would have something appropriate. You could find a TracFone or some other disposable phone for fairly cheap that would work on the Verizon network. I believe an associate at the store could guide you as to which ones will work on Verizon. Phones like that can be found at like the supermarkets, CVS or Dollar General stores too, but I am not sure about how to find guidance on which ones would use which network. I am guessing that something about the serial number on the phone or the map pictured on the package would reveal what network the individual phones use. You might take that information with you and not trust the word of a store associate because I believe those things cannot be returned.
 
If she has AT&T, she has WiFi calling capabilities. Just connect her to your home WiFi when she visits and she can make and receive calls with no issues. It will store your wifi password so every time she visits, it will autoconnect.

I have lived in my current home for 8 years with AT&T and a very poor signal (we are in a dead zone in our neighborhood, basically). WiFi calling has worked flawlessly. I've never had a landline here. My husband and kids also all have WiFi calling enabled.

She will have to set it up at her home, and provide her home address for 911 calls. Once she does that, she can utilize a wifi network anywhere to use wifi calling.

She doesn't have to do anything once she has set it up, it will automatically switch over to wifi when she is in your home and the call signal is weak. It shows up as a little "+" symbol next to her wifi symbol on the top of her phone.
 
My sister has AT&T and can't get cell service in my house ((others in the area complain of the same thing). I would like to buy her a phone just to use at my house when she stays to dog sit. Don't want a plan, just a pay and go type thing. Must be Verizon as I know that will work. What do I look for and where can I find it?
I looked extensively for a new phone and a plan a while ago.
I had a bad experience at Comsumer Cellular.
I went to every store there is in our area that sells phones.
One phone company had to check if I had their cell coverage at my home!!! Well, it turned out they didn't, but at least they checked. It was T-Mobile, BTW.
So I would advise you to have the cell store person check to see if you have coverage with their plan.
I ended up getting an Iphone from Walmart and using Straight Talk. The best thing I ever did. They are reasonable and very helpful if you have a question.
Good luck!
 












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