Virgin Mobile...Thanks to whoever recommended it...

[mnrose]

There was a thread a couple of days ago about Virgin Mobile, and it inspired me to do something about my high cell bills. Thanks to the recommendation, DH and I both got new phones, and I even got a "smart phone" with unlimited data, and we are saving $10 a month. So, I get WAY more of a phone, WAY more service and I'm paying less. Loved their customer service...I bought our phones at Best Buy, and within two hours they had my numbers ported over and I was up and running.

If you are looking at new cell service, and don't want to spend a ton, their service might be exactly what you are looking to have. For $40, I get unlimited web, email, text messages...and 1500 anytime minutes. Comparable service from another carrier would have been AT LEAST 70-80, maybe more. Awesome deal!

Does anyone have their broadband to go service? I'm considering that next as it looks like it would be quite the savings over what I currently pay for internet (at two homes...I think broadband to go would work from both homes).

 

[torinsmom]

Can you use Broadband to Go in a home? I would be interested in finding out about it if you can. We have Road Runner through Time Warner Cable and our connection goes in and out and it drives me crazy!

 

[cepmom]

which phone did you get? I am thinking about switching over once my Verizon contract is up

 

[rvchat]

But which phone di dyou have to buy and how much was that?

 

[MommyBell08]

I was one of the op's that recommended the switch and Im glad you like it. We switched last month. The phone was 219.00 but best buy has lots of coupons and promos. We got a 50 dollar gift card with ours because my husband and I both purchased the phones. As I stated on the last cell phone thread, it was cheaper for us to get new phones, pay to get out of our contract and pay for service, plus we have data now which we never had with sprint, and the phones are way cooler. We were locked in a contract for another 23 mts as DH was eligible for a "free upgrade" and to sign another 2 year contract...lol DH got the 25 a month plan, and its perfect for him as he is at wrk and mostly tx's. I pay 40 a month for 1200 minutes and unlimited text and data....Yeah for Virgin Mobile! Love having my smart phone! (and my undercover tourist Disney World wait time app!

 

[Green Tea]

I highly recommend it as well! We have Smasung Intercepts, Android OS phones. Great plans, great service, great savings, great change!

 

[seven dwarfs]

My family is really interested in this company. But, I am so worried about coverage. My husbands won't matter as much but my clients use my cell # a lot. Mostly text but some calls. Anyone have any issues with coverage in Maryland? That is my only concern. This deal would save us $$ and I would love not having a contract. Both my hubby and myself are with Verizon now which we love except the bill!

 

[MommyBell08]

My family is really interested in this company. But, I am so worried about coverage. My husbands won't matter as much but my clients use my cell # a lot. Mostly text but some calls. Anyone have any issues with coverage in Maryland? That is my only concern. This deal would save us $$ and I would love not having a contract. Both my hubby and myself are with Verizon now which we love except the bill!

On the last thread someone said that they have a map on their page that shows like Best, Average, and Poor or something. Virgin Mobile runs off Sprint towers, so depending on which carrier you have or if you know someone you could ask with Sprint. The phone does not roam tho' so if it would normally roam, it will just not pick up a signal. I have great service and haven't have any problems, but live in Michigan. Good Luck. Hope it can save you some $$$...

 

[rszdtrvl]

Glad you like it!

I have had VM for over 6 years now, and will not switch carriers.

DS also has VM, although he does have a monthly plan because he goes through texting phases (I use a pay as you go plan).

DH plans on switching to VM at the end of this month when his T-Mobile contract is up. He currently is paying $45/month and that is only for web access - no phone. Which stinks. He will probably end up with a smartphone, as he uses his phone mostly for internet access.

I always tell people how happy I am with VM - I rarely get dropped calls and the service is great!

 

[seven dwarfs]

On the last thread someone said that they have a map on their page that shows like Best, Average, and Poor or something. Virgin Mobile runs off Sprint towers, so depending on which carrier you have or if you know someone you could ask with Sprint. The phone does not roam tho' so if it would normally roam, it will just not pick up a signal. I have great service and haven't have any problems, but live in Michigan. Good Luck. Hope it can save you some $$$...

I checked the map and it does look like some white around the area I live. But I wasn't sure how accurate that was. I just worry about changing and having issues. My plan with Verizon is an old one and I would hate to lose it. I am not sure if I know anyone with sprint but I will check around. Everyone I know has Verizon. Maybe the coverage will continue to get better. I would love to save $$. Our cell phone bill is the last big bill we haven't been able to cut.

 

[pigletof4]

I have broadband on the go and love it. They have two differnet internet devices. A single which only runs one computer and a bigger one that runs I think up to five computers. I have the single one which was about $70-$75 at Wal-mart to purchase. I think the bigger one cost about $140.00 which I might upgrade to later in the summer if I get the desktop fixed. It only took a couple of minutes to set up. Verizon also has a broadband to go, but it was a little more expensive per month and you didn't get unlimited usage like Virgin Mobile offers.

 

[mnrose]

I highly recommend it as well! We have Smasung Intercepts, Android OS phones. Great plans, great service, great savings, great change!

This is the phone I got. It was $169. Sure, that is not cheap...OTOH, I can pay for the phone in less than 5 months compared to the savings over a comparable plan with a "free" phone from another carrier. And, I'm not locked into a plan. I got one with 1500 minutes for talk. If I find I'm using less than that, I can step it down to a 300 minute plan (may not be enough...not sure) for $25.00, plus 10 cents a minute for over 300. The data (email, text, internet) is unlimited on either plan.

It's definitely a savings over the course of a year.

 

[mnrose]

Can you use Broadband to Go in a home? I would be interested in finding out about it if you can. We have Road Runner through Time Warner Cable and our connection goes in and out and it drives me crazy!

Yes...so long as there is 3G access in your area. They have a map on their site with data coverage shown. It's pretty extensive and probably covers more than 90% of the residents of the US (not territory...this probably won't work for you if you live in more rural, sparsely populated areas).

 

[mnrose]

I have broadband on the go and love it. They have two differnet internet devices. A single which only runs one computer and a bigger one that runs I think up to five computers. I have the single one which was about $70-$75 at Wal-mart to purchase. I think the bigger one cost about $140.00 which I might upgrade to later in the summer if I get the desktop fixed. It only took a couple of minutes to set up. Verizon also has a broadband to go, but it was a little more expensive per month and you didn't get unlimited usage like Virgin Mobile offers.

I'd probably go with the 5 item one. We have three computers, one wii, and want to get an internet equipped TV...so that would make 5. Way cheaper to do it that way, I think. Right now, I pay over $90 a month for internet service for the two houses.So, $40 is looking very attractive. LOL!

 

[gshumaker]

I have broadband on the go and love it. They have two differnet internet devices. A single which only runs one computer and a bigger one that runs I think up to five computers. I have the single one which was about $70-$75 at Wal-mart to purchase. I think the bigger one cost about $140.00 which I might upgrade to later in the summer if I get the desktop fixed. It only took a couple of minutes to set up. Verizon also has a broadband to go, but it was a little more expensive per month and you didn't get unlimited usage like Virgin Mobile offers.

I think the unlimted that VM offers is now cut back on your bandwith when you hit some ceiling - so you can still use it vice getting cut off or hit with OVERAGES!!

Another option to VM is Straight Talk - either $30/month with 100 minutes, 2GB data and 100 texts or $45/month for unlimted everything. ST is avail only at Walmart or online. And as far as coverage goes all their phones are on either the Verizon or ATT network. We've had ST for a while with no issues and the coverage has been great. Not trying to hijack the VM thread - just giving another option.

 

[MommyBell08]

Just an FYI the Samsung Intercept is on sale at BB for 169.99 and the new LG which is more like the IPhone is on sale this week only for 159.99 then rumored to go to $300.00 Anyways we got the Intercept on Saturday so you can bet Ill be at BB tomorrow morning to get my price adjustment! Hope this helps someone!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Virgin+...5990&skuId=1409226&st=virgin mobile&cp=1&lp=6

 

[lukenick1]

I think I was the original poster.....
We bought the LG Rumor 2 phones from the virgin mobile website for only $49.99. Received them this morning, went to radio shack and bought the $25 unlimited plan for one month just to try it. I LOVE IT! I was pleasantly surprised. I would prefer a better phone so I will be returning this phone and getting one of the smart phones. I came from ATT and had only talk with no web or text. I feel so spoiled now. Can't beat the price. Both dh and I are now Virgin's. I plan to try it for a few weeks before i port my phone number from ATT just to be sure. So far

 

[mnrose]

I think the unlimted that VM offers is now cut back on your bandwith when you hit some ceiling - so you can still use it vice getting cut off or hit with OVERAGES!!

Not true of Virgin Mobile. T Mobile, Verizon and AT&T all have ways to "throttle" users on their networks. Virgin Mobile, which resells Sprint, does not. There was an article in the WSJ just today about this, and Sprint says that it does not place limits on users, and does not have the capability in it's network to do that. Since Sprint does not, there is no way for Virgin Mobile to place limits (as the reseller).

The article was quite fascinating...turns out that the top 3% of users on Verizon's network account for 40% of the network usage. Isn't that astounding?

And, the article also said that AT&T is no longer offering an unlimited data option to new customers. All their experience with the iphone has led them to conclude that it is way too costly to do that. So, now, new customers can only buy volume limited data plans.

It will be interesting to see whether Verizon will experience the same thing with their iphone offering. Already, of course, they have changed their terms of service to say they will "throttle" bandwidth to heavy users (or rather, not that they "will", but that they reserve the right to do so).

 

[EllenFrasier]

How much do they charge per month for each extra phone? I have a phone and dd and ds have a phone. Our other ds is due to get a phone in the Spring, so that will be 4 phones. I'd like Dh to get a his own phone - he has one from his job, but cannot use it for personal calls much.

 

[Suz D]

I will preface my post by saying that we are not your average cell phone users in my family. No texting and DH & DD only use their phone on occasion. Our DD (15) has it for emergency use only and DH uses his only when he's traveling. It made no sense for us to even add them to my bottom of the line AT&T plan ($40/month) because it was $20/month for the 1st add'l phone and I believe $10/month for the second.

I got them both a Virgin Mobile phone with what they call a service preserver. You just need to "top up" $90.00 all at once (I believe it's actually in a 72 hour period but we just do it all at once). That gives us a year of service at 18 cents a minute (deducted from the $90.00). Less than $8.00/month for them to have a phone for emergency or occasional use. We can add more money at any time. Neither one has ever used the whole $90.00 for the year so when we add another $90.00 to the phone for the next year, the leftover from the year before carries over. It's truly a budget way to have a cell phone.