Topic 'Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages' in forum 'Cellphones, Providers, and Plans' - dslreports.com

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 02:18:53 EDT

redholm posted : You need to use GV user name and password.

Googlevoice uses minutes for two reasons (IMHO)
1) Using cellular voice connection has superior quality since cellular data connection is often very poor.
2) They did not want to make the cellular provider unhappy. This decision was taken before android was a domination phone OS.

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 01:50:47 EDT

bbear2 posted :

said by redholm:

It is the provider of the VoIP functionality that decides what is counted.

E.g. t-mobiles wifi app connects to T-mobile VoIP service which counts minutes.
Google voice app (not VoIP) actually use the cellular voice call to call/connect to google voice.
Talkatone, gtalk and grooveIP connect to google voice and t-mobile can not tell.
Vonage app connects to Vonage VoIP service which current give you 3000 free outgoing minutes t-mobile can not tell

This is very interesting. I see that these services validate with Googlevoice. How do they get access to the GV credentials to validate you as a user?

I find it interesting and don't understand how GV uses minutes but the others, that use GV do not.

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 21:26:20 EDT

redholm posted : It is the provider of the VoIP functionality that decides what is counted.

E.g. t-mobiles wifi app connects to T-mobile VoIP service which counts minutes.
Google voice app (not VoIP) actually use the cellular voice call to call/connect to google voice.
Talkatone, gtalk and grooveIP connect to google voice and t-mobile can not tell.
Vonage app connects to Vonage VoIP service which current give you 3000 free outgoing minutes t-mobile can not tell

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:46:03 EDT

bbear2 posted : Not aware of Talkatone or gtalk. WIll need to look into those. Curious as to how T-Mobile can tell the difference between them.

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:05:47 EDT

redholm posted :

said by bbear2:

One thing to keep in mind is that VOIP calls (voice over internet) while really using the data part of your phone DO count towards your talk minutes. I believe this might be true even if your on a LAN and not their 4G net; which sux.

Depends on how you do your VoIP calls. The T-mobile wifi calling app do use minutes. Google voice app do use minutes. Talkatone, gtalk and others do not use minutes.

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 02:03:49 EDT

bbear2 posted :

said by Conficio:

I consider choosing the Walmart $30 unlimited data and text + 100 min talk plan. I wonder if someone with this plan can help me understand how it works in practice.

1) On my phone bill there are fees and taxes on top of the advertised price. How are those paid, when I pick up a re-fill card at Walmart?
2) If I produce overages charges for extra minutes, international calls, etc. how are those charged? Do I register an account with T-Mobile? Does it charge a credit card, or else?
3) Are those extra's charged on a monthly basis or against a pre-paid balance?

I must say they don't do a very good job in explaining or advertising the prepaid plans. So here's how it works. The T-Mobile or Walmart/T-mobile $30 unlimited text and data w/100 talk mins is simply that. No taxes. No hidden fees. Only the plan fee of $30 per month and any mins over 100 that you use at $0.10 / minute. If you don't have enough account balance for the extra mins then you cannot make the voice calls.

You can charge the phone up in a number of ways. Go do any store and purchase the T-Mobile monthly plan card in whatever value you want; go home and dial 800 number and load it up. Go to Walmart.com and order same product there but will be delivered via email; no store visits required. Or you might be able to also charge it up at T-mobile and give them a CC so they can auto bill you the $30 monthly.

I'm sure there's a method that is simple for everyone.

One thing to keep in mind is that VOIP calls (voice over internet) while really using the data part of your phone DO count towards your talk minutes. I believe this might be true even if your on a LAN and not their 4G net; which sux.

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:16:51 EDT

redholm posted : Some people have managed to switch the numbers, like you described, other ran in to issues. I think it depends on which CR you get.

I am of the opinion that you should never use/publish an email tied to you ISP or use/publish the phone number tied to your provider.

I therefor use google voice as my main number and do not care about the number t-mobile assign me.

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:03:36 EDT

IanR posted : I suppose I could open up a "new" acct for the $30pm service and meantime the prepaid number will automatically run down thru usage and remaining minutes last 360 days. So I just hold onto the few remaining minutes for visitors... Might be able to ask TMobile then to switch over the 2 numbers so I keep both accts.

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:35:04 EDT

redholm posted : I tried to find the extra minute cost but failed, they have changed their web sites.
This is for new subscribers, so you will have difficulty changing/switching her existing account.

There are ways to keep your number but they all require some effort and cost.

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:35:40 EDT

IanR posted : Wow that's pretty reasonable rate IMHO as their prepaid service is at 10 Cents if you buy $100.00 worth of time.
I could not find this rate stated anywhere on TMobile's website.

I have had the wife on a T-Mobile prepaid acct for several years and she never used $10.00 of time per month... Now our daugter has realised Mom has text feature on her phone and suddenly the wife is consuming $25.00 + per month between voice and texts and that's with data blocked from her phone.
So this means I could switch her to the $30.00 pm plan and give her 5GB of data as well. Sounds like a plan made for her:)

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:53:51 EDT

redholm posted : 10 cents/min

Minutes rounded up at end of call.

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:17:32 EDT

brg posted : Check on that via the TMo/Wallmart sites, or via Google perhaps?

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 08:41:21 EDT

IanR posted : What are overage charges per minute?

Re: Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 18:15:40 EDT

redholm posted : I have the T-mobile $30 100 min unlimited data. Bought it from T-mobile web site never dealt with Walmart.

1) No bill, no fees no taxes you prepay $30 for a month
2) You need to have a balance in our account, cannot incur charges unless you have a balance in your account.
I fill with a credit card. I started with $10 extra and refill $30 automatically every month.
I have $5 left after 3 months. You can check balance on phone or online
3) See answers to question 2

Walmart $30 Plan - Taxes/Fees/Overages

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 12:37:08 EDT

Conficio posted : I consider choosing the Walmart $30 unlimited data and text + 100 min talk plan. I wonder if someone with this plan can help me understand how it works in practice.

1) On my phone bill there are fees and taxes on top of the advertised price. How are those paid, when I pick up a re-fill card at Walmart?
2) If I produce overages charges for extra minutes, international calls, etc. how are those charged? Do I register an account with T-Mobile? Does it charge a credit card, or else?
3) Are those extra's charged on a monthly basis or against a pre-paid balance?
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