Topic '"cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier' in forum 'VOIP Tech Chat' - dslreports.com

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 19:08:50 EDT

PX Eliezer posted : This is very true, but cell phones without plans may be treated less seriously for 911 calls.

That is because PSAP have been receiving fake calls.

I posted in this forum about this previously.

Unfortunately the original news story---[Tennessee Leads Fight Against Prank 911 Calls From Disconnected Cell Phones]---is no longer posted, but other stories are around.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 18:39:48 EDT

hoolahoous posted :

said by PogiJones :

*9. Maybe get a prepaid phone to keep around for emergencies (since, I believe, VoIP can't call 911).

just a reminder, any cell phone (even without any plan) can call 911.

Re: "cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:48:09 EDT

SCADAGeo posted : Thank you PX Eliezer, JoeSchmoe007, gbh2o, and hardly for the Page Plus information.

Re: "cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:51:08 EDT

PX Eliezer posted :

said by JoeSchmoe007:

You are correct. Sorry for the mistake. :)

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:48:52 EDT

bbbc posted : Hope your girl knows how to deal with tech headaches.

--
Consumerist.com | Consumers Union

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:16:33 EDT

morbo posted :

said by PogiJones :

So after looking over everything, even though Republic Wireless would be a lot simpler, I'm going to give my plan a shot.

Good luck :huh:

Re: "cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:02:50 EDT

JoeSchmoe007 posted :

said by SCADAGeo:

said by PX Eliezer:

said by JoeSchmoe007:

Another option for light users is Page Plus Cellular (MVNO on Verizon network) - $80 card gives you 2,000 minutes, doesn't expire for a year

I already said that, Joe. :)

But the only reason I'm writing now is to note that the 2,000 minute card to which you refer usually is not available directly from Page Plus, but it is from dealers such as Kitty Wireless and others.

That's a better value than T-Mobile's $100 for 1,000 minutes per year.

Do unused minutes roll over to the next year?

Sorry, but PX E is incorrect - unused minutes on Page Plus roll over to the next year IF you refill before the year is up - I know this for a fact. This is a general rule for all Page Plus pay-per-minute refills - if you refill before expiration date your balance rolls over. They also have monthly plans and there is no rollover for monthly plans.

He was correct about $0.50/month fee to keep your account active.

Re: "cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:40:37 EDT

hardly posted : As an additional data point for PagePlus, I use a smartphone (Palm Pixi +) with data disabled on my account to eliminate data charges. I have all the goodies for free when Wi-Fi is available.
As an additional data point for no paid carrier, I use an Optimus T (I think an Optimus V or S would also work) without an account (911 still works). When Wi-Fi is available I have full internet connectivity along with Google Voice via GrooVe IP.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:40:30 EDT

bbbc posted : Free or cheap mobile hotspot service on Sprint's network:
FreedomPop - »www.freedompop.com

A hardware deposit is required, but it's refundable.

--
Consumerist.com | Consumers Union

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:33:45 EDT

dcurrey posted : Ting also uses Sprints network. They use a subset of Verizon and other partners for roaming. »help.ting.com/entries/21928032-r···-verizon

Not sure how much of Verizon network RW uses for roaming but no additional charge also.

Think both prevent roaming for data.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:42:24 EDT

gbh2o posted : Some additional items for consideration:

PagePlus has great coverage with the Verizon network. Pretty decent prices with rollover as long as you add more $ before time is up. I tend to use Pinzoo to order different service versions for different phones with a small rebate and usually a discount. My androids use allotted data only when no WiFi is available, so I've never run out on my main accounts. For our basic phones with little use I use the $80 plan! Lots of reasonably priced old CDMA phones out there that will work (not pre-paid Verizon).

I would point out a major difference I see between Republic and Ting is the roaming coverage. Note that Ting provides roaming at no extra cost currently, and generally seems to follow Verizon coverage areas (much bigger than Sprints). ;-) I'm sure you can find the details if you dig through the web pages and forum comments. That feature would _really_ be important where I live and travel. I am considering using them when the BYO(Sprint)D is really available for lower use lines.

If you have pricier left-over AT&T GSM phones left over then I would suggest taking a look at AirVoice Wireless for 'medium' use, either Voice and text only or with data sufficient again for those that use WiFi.

Also H2O Wireless has a 'lower' cost AT&T coverage plan that is sufficient for the thrifty 'lower-medium use folks.

Re: "cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:17:09 EDT

PX Eliezer posted :

said by SCADAGeo:

That's a better value than T-Mobile's $100 for 1,000 minutes per year.

Do unused minutes roll over to the next year?

No, 365 days.

There's also a trivial service fee of 50 cents a month, so for the year it's actually $ 86 for the 2000 minutes.

PagePlus has lower value cards which are (such as $ 10 or $20) which cost more per minute, and which are good for 120 days.

They [do] also have data plans at pretty good rates. Again, it is advantageous to use a Page Plus dealer like Kitty, they often have options not offered by the company itself. And again, it's riding on the Verizon Wireless network.
»www.kittywireless.com/pageplus/p···ans.html

"cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 02:59:12 EDT

SCADAGeo posted :

said by PX Eliezer:

said by JoeSchmoe007:

Another option for light users is Page Plus Cellular (MVNO on Verizon network) - $80 card gives you 2,000 minutes, doesn't expire for a year

That's a better value than T-Mobile's $100 for 1,000 minutes per year.

Do unused minutes roll over to the next year?

said by ConstantineM:

T-Mobile.com online exclusive 30$/month Monthly4G plan with 5GB of data at 4G speeds, together with the free wifi hotspot (thanks to the unlocked Google Nexus)

This plan also includes 100 minutes of talk time per month.

SIM and Micro SIM cards are available for $0.99 on T-Mobile's web site.

"cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:57:25 EDT

ConstantineM posted : First off, I would highly advise against an individual mobile hotspot device and a long-term hotspot contract (especially with Sprint and their "4G" network with 3G speeds). Mobile hotspots are just way too expensive, and offer very limited functionality and a very poor battery life.

On the other hand, a Google Nexus 4 phone (requires no contract, goes for 299$ for 8GB, and 349$ for 16GB (more storage for pictures)), and a T-Mobile.com online exclusive 30$/month Monthly4G plan with 5GB of data at 4G speeds, together with the free wifi hotspot (thanks to the unlocked Google Nexus) would be a much better choice to implement your (awesome, might I add!) plan of cutting the cord on your postpaid wireless carrier.

Look at it this way: the price is basically the same as a hotspot service (it's actually cheaper per month; after only a modest initial investment on the unlocked phone), yet you get more data, better coverage (last I checked with their maps and reps, prepaid Sprint and AT&T had no data coverage whatsoever on I-80 in Nevada, i.e. between SLC and Sacramento), plus you even get an extra 100 minutes of extra talk time in case you're travelling and there's no (or limited) data coverage, plus a free (and unmetered!) 911 calling.

An extra benefit of Monthly4G is that you don't actually have to refill it every month right on time (they simply disable your access when you run out, but they still keep your account subscribed to the 5GB@4G@30$ plan for a couple of more months, waiting for your 30$ refill), so, if you're really trying to save, you might even skip a couple of days or weeks from having to activate another 30$ refill card.

And T-Mobile does actually seem to have their own 2G data coverage on I-80 in Nevada. »prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-coverage Sprint only has roaming on I-80 in Nevada, so, they're definitely aren't going to give you your 3GB of data over there, that's pretty much guaranteed!

I would strongly advise you to go with the 5GB@4G@30$ T-Mo plan and an unlocked Google Nexus 4 at 349$ (or even 299$), at 299 USD they're basically selling this phone with no profit margin. I got Google Nexus 3 16GB @ 349$ earlier this summer, and although it's clearly not as polished as an iPhone with random bugs here and there, I'm very happy with my deal and how convenient it is to have a fast mobile hotspot ready by your side. Did you know that these Nexus phones have a screen with a resolution higher than MacBooks and ThinkPads? :-) Well, almost — my 13" Aluminium MacBook is 1280x800, my 4.65" Google Nexus 3 is 1280x720. Nexus 4 is 1280x768 @ 4.7". The 349$/299$ price tag for that phone is an Everyday Steal™! By comparison, a 100+$ individual mobile hotspot device with no screen, no phone, no camera, no web-browser, no weather forecast, no SIP client, no Google Voice, no apps, yet same form factor, same battery life, plus more expensive and limited monthly service, plus possibly a long-term contract and activation, termination and overage fees, is not a good deal in my book.

Good luck!

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:00:03 EDT

PX Eliezer posted :

said by JoeSchmoe007:

Another option for light users is Page Plus Cellular (MVNO on Verizon network) - $80 card gives you 2,000 minutes, doesn't expire for a year

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:44:34 EDT

JoeSchmoe007 posted : Another option for light users is Page Plus Cellular (MVNO on Verizon network) - $80 card gives you 2,000 minutes, doesn't expire for a year

»www.pagepluscellular.com/

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:29:21 EDT

Trev posted :

said by dcurrey:

If just looking to dial 911 in an emergency any phone will do even without an active plane. Someone may want to chime in on this. I read somewhere that all cells are required to have 911 active even with no service and/or locked.

Yep, as long as the cell phone can find a tower to talk to, it'll be able to call 911 irregardless of an active service plan or being locked to a specific carrier.

An old analog cell phone from the early 90s might not work very well, however, as I'm not sure how many towers still support AMPS and similar analog technology ;)
--
Wondering what I do? Find out at »www.digitalcon.ca
Get your Obihai ATA in Canada.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:18:14 EDT

dcurrey posted : Instead of pointing the google voice number to your parents just point it to the prepaid phone. If you get one.

If just looking to dial 911 in an emergency any phone will do even without an active plan. Someone may want to chime in on this. I read somewhere that all cells are required to have 911 active even with no service and/or locked.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:54:18 EDT

anon posted : So after looking over everything, even though Republic Wireless would be a lot simpler, I'm going to give my plan a shot. It would be cheaper for us (because of our discount) and it allows us to get better phones. I didn't like the look of RW's phone. But either way, I really am surrounded by WiFi probably 95% of my day, so I think this is the way to go.

Thanks, everyone, for your help!

(And no, we don't NEED smartphones, but my wife really wants one so she can quickly take and post pictures of our new son. That's why I started looking into this stuff.)

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:29:19 EDT

dcurrey posted : Need, no. But many times I was out and wished I had one to check for certain things online. With my limited data use no way would I pay for data plan. Guess I could get something like kindle fire and use free wifi spots but that would require another device so that is not happening.

With both RW or Ting I now will have this ability and lower my overall cost its a win win. If I keep data usage to under100 megs (This is the wildcard for me) I would still cut my Sprint bill in half. Still have the same amount of texting and voice. Actually gives me exta 250 minutes of voice.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:23:11 EDT

VexorgTR posted : The whole GV/android plan is way too messy and will likely be a tech mess. I vote to go pre-paid too.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:20:04 EDT

PX Eliezer posted : If you are light users, do you [need] smartphones?

I use a refurbished LG enV2 (VX-9100) which I bought through an Amazon seller for something like $ 50.

I use PagePlus wireless which is a virtual operator that uses the excellent Verizon network. (You need CDMA phones for this network, such as the enV2).

I use a PagePlus dealer online, Kitty Wireless, that will sell me 2,000 minutes for $ 80----that covers me for a year. So I get plenty of phone service for about $ 7 a month.

[They also sell minutes in lower quantities, and have various other monthly plans available].

To me, my dirt-cheap basic phone IS a "smart" phone.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:14:54 EDT

dcurrey posted : I myself was going to go with RW until I noticed Ting has started allowing certain sprint phones to be moved over. If I can get my ariave over I will likely go with Ting.

Not a heavy phone user myself, hell I still have a 6 year old katana flip phone. But don't think I would want to deal with the small oddities RW has. Most you can work around but given the fact I would spend about the same each month Think thing looks like the way to go for me.

Either way I finally get a smartphone. :D

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:13:53 EDT

jimk posted :

said by PogiJones :

I hadn't ever heard of either of these services. I'm going to look into it. For Republic Wireless, is it buggy when you're on WiFi, or only when you're on the network? Or transitioning between the two?

Still don't know what ting is... I'm going to research it now. Thanks, guys!

Republic Wireless isn't perfect, but it will be a lot better than using Google Voice over a mobile hotspot when you're away from home. $19 is a very good deal for everything that it includes.

There is a short list of issues with the service, but Google Voice will also have its share of annoyances (probably far more than RW) in your usage scenario.

Republic Wireless is run by Bandwidth.com. They are a CLEC that specializes in VoIP services. This is most likely why they are able to keep the costs for this service so low. They actually provide many (maybe all) of the numbers that Google Voice uses.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:02:13 EDT

gweidenh posted : Ting is a virtual operator that uses the Sprint Network. It is a PAYG service. You pay for minutes, texts, and data in different buckets.

If you are a light user, your wife's and your combined cell phone bill could easily be under $40/month. They have a calculator on their website.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:30:04 EDT

dcurrey posted : With RW is a new hybrid phone service. When wifi is available it routes all calls to wifi via voip. If not it uses cell. (Sprint network)

Same is true for data. SMS is routed over cell but you don't pay extra for it.

Sending picture via MMS currently doesn't work. Some public hotspots block the voip part of service. You may have to force it to make cell connection. When leaving wifi any active phone call will drop. You then have to reconnect. Not sure if they have solved this yet.

They currently only offer defy XT for $249.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:21:48 EDT

anon posted : I hadn't ever heard of either of these services. I'm going to look into it. For Republic Wireless, is it buggy when you're on WiFi, or only when you're on the network? Or transitioning between the two?

Still don't know what ting is... I'm going to research it now. Thanks, guys!

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:05:20 EDT

gweidenh posted : also look at ting.com if you are light users.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:03:18 EDT

nitzan posted : Sounds like Republic Wireless is what you're looking for.

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:00:33 EDT

dcurrey posted : Might be better of with something like ting or republic wireless. At least it would be less work. Just port number to them.

Use wifi whenever possible. With RW doesn't matter its unlimited. Might be somewhat buggy still this is a new approach. Cost about $40 for 2 lines

with ting groove ip might work also with your plan to move number to google voice. Just stay on wifi so you don't get billed for cell minutes. Cost will depend on usage.

Up front cost for both will be high since you are purchasing 2 phones. Think ting has some refurbished ones currently available for under $100

[General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:43:05 EDT

anon posted : My wife and I are with Sprint, and we've got the most basic plan because we're poor students. Even with their most basic plan (and a 27% discount due to one of her former jobs) we're still paying $80 for the two of us each month. So I want to cut costs, but I still want to keep all the functionality of being able to make phone calls from anywhere.

Here's my plan:

1. Buy two Android smartphones without plans.
2. Get us each a Google Voice account. (Check)
3. Transfer our current numbers to Google Voice, forcing Sprint to issue us a new number (I believe this is one of the options for getting a Google Voice number, rather than merging them). This way, we wouldn't have to tell everyone our number changed.
4. Get Groove IP. (Check)
5. Change our Google Voice phone affiliations to the phone of her and/or my parents (since Google Voice requires a real phone tied to it).
6. Adjust Google Voice options so that nothing ever goes to my parents' phones, and voicemail does not replace their voicemail. Essentially, a separate phone number.
7. Get a Sprint 3G/4G wireless hotspot unit that we can throw in the car whenever we're going somewhere, along with the 3 GB plan for $35/mo. (I figure 3 GB should be enough, since we'll almost always have a wireless network around us if we're not in the car.)
8. Cancel our current Sprint plan, leaving only the 3G Wireless Hotspot data plan.
*9. Maybe get a prepaid phone to keep around for emergencies (since, I believe, VoIP can't call 911).

This should allow us to keep our constant connection to the phone grid wherever we are, and still cut costs about $50/mo (after our discount), although it will require hardware investments up front. It would also essentially give us unlimited texting and data, except when we're in the car.

What do you guys think? Is this a sound plan? Do you guys see any holes that I'm not seeing, or any other more efficient way to cut costs while still having a constant connection to the grid?

Topic '&quot;cutting the cord&quot; on a postpaid wireless carrier' in forum 'VOIP Tech Chat' - dslreports.com

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: &quot;cutting the cord&quot; on a postpaid wireless carrier

Re: &quot;cutting the cord&quot; on a postpaid wireless carrier

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: &quot;cutting the cord&quot; on a postpaid wireless carrier

Re: &quot;cutting the cord&quot; on a postpaid wireless carrier

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: &quot;cutting the cord&quot; on a postpaid wireless carrier

&quot;cutting the cord&quot; on a postpaid wireless carrier

&quot;cutting the cord&quot; on a postpaid wireless carrier

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Re: [General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

[General] This plan to get rid of our phones, is it viable?

Topic '"cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier' in forum 'VOIP Tech Chat' - dslreports.com

Re: "cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

Re: "cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

Re: "cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

Re: "cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

Re: "cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

"cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier

"cutting the cord" on a postpaid wireless carrier