need new cell service

[Mrs.Milo]

We are at the end of a 2 year contract, and would like to go no contract and save money. Has anyone tried Total Wireless yet? I think they are fairly new. Supposedly you can keep your same phone number, use your old phone or buy new (mine is 4 yrs old so need new). For $60 per month for 2 phones you get unlimited talk and text and 5 GB to share. We usually are on wifi so that is plenty. But wondering about their network, as Verizon has been great.

Any users out there?

 

[tvguy]

Their website says they use the Verizon network, which in most parts of the nation has the best coverage. And of course Verizon is now not doing contracts, so shop price, same network either way.

 

[peg110]

I can tell you that if you go to anyone other than a dedicated carrier (ATT, Verizon, Sprint, etc...) with many of these pay as you go plans, you despite the quality of the network, you (and your phones) are no longer "Priority". By this I mean that if you are on an ATT Network with your Pay as you go plan, as long as the network in the area is not congested, you will get through, however if the network gets busy, your calls are likely to get bounced until it's less busy in favor of the "Full" Customers. This may or may not be an issue.

Also depending upon what your phones are and from what provider you got the, you may or may not be able to take them to the new provider. For example, you can not take a Verizon iPhone to ATT. ATT uses Sim cards where Verizon does not, however Verizon's "Straight Talk" (Pay as you go) DOES use a SIM Card. It's actually more complicated then this too. It has to do with the underlying technology that the different companies have embraced. Many newer phones are compatible to the different technologies, but the providers won't always let you use the other networks. Sprint, last I knew, would NOT roam on anyone elses network, so if you had Sprint and Sprint wasn't in the area, you were out of luck.

Sadly I cannot speak to "Total Wireless" as I have not heard of them. I have ATT and for the most part I am happy with them. Particularly because I get a huge discount as a result of my employment. That's something else to check on too. My discount is 20% off my bill and 50% of accessories (some limitations though) as well as things like activation charges and account change charges get waived.

IMO, they are all out to get your money and they are all about the same in the end when you weigh out the value/service. Just do your research on all costs and if you can use your phones on their network. See if they have a good coverage map, etc...

Good luck in whatever direction you go with it.

 

[smadath]

For the record, you can keep your number no matter where you go. It's called porting, and it's an FCC rule, so it applies to whichever provider you choose.

As to Total Wireless, sorry, but I haven't heard of them either. But, I do use Virgin Mobile (Sprint) and have never had any issues with them!

 

[DawnM]

Head over to HowardForums.com and see if they can help you with the service. Those folks know about every possible plan out there.

 

[peg110]

For the record, you can keep your number no matter where you go. It's called porting, and it's an FCC rule, so it applies to whichever provider you choose.

This is true, but sometimes it's not very simple and can literally take days to complete. In which case there could be a significant period of time where you can't use your number and won't receive any calls. It's NOT (usually) an "INSTANT" change over.