OT - Who is your cell phone carrier?
I have been looking into cell phone options and I am not liking what I am seeing. I currently have Verizon but I am not very thrilled with it. Everyone talks about cutting the cord for cable TV because of the cost but cell phone plans aren't much better! The price keeps going up for service that isn't that great.
What carrier do you use for your cell phone? Are there any budget carriers that are decent?
Verizon, mostly since it gives me the best reception in the nether regions of the U.P. and northern Wisconsin. I'm a captive Verizon audience until the budgets can compete in rural areas (maybe some decent budget options out there now that I don't know about?).
Google Fi. Best life decision I've made.
I have never heard of Google Fi.
I'll add to the praises of Google Fi. High-level overview:
- You get a combination of Sprint and T-Mobile networks and it seamlessly transitions between them.
- Wifi calling and texting is included, so if you're in a concrete building or in the middle of nowhere, you can connect to wifi to make your calls. I've only had to do this once.
- $20/month for unlimited calling and text on your first phone, $15 for each thereafter.
- $10/GB of data, prorated for actual use.
- These details are essentially the same in other countries, although you may get charged $.10 per text or minute; data is usually the same. This makes it really nice going to Canada (or another country) and not having to do anything.
My wife and I were on the T-Mobile unlimited plan before this for $100/month. When we switched, it was still $20/month for her phone, so I figured we'd need to both use 3GB/month to break even. The first month, she used 5GB and I used 1GB. I tuned a few apps on her phone to not autoplay video except on wifi and we now both use ~1GB/month, which makes our bill ~$55/month. Caveat: we both have great access to wifi.
I have Fi too. The service is maybe a small step down from Verizon but the cost makes it worth switching. I love my Pixel 3 also.
I switched from Verizon to Fi and haven't looked back. Travel internationally quite a bit and I never bother to even look at costs - it's always cheap and reliable.
Interesting. Five minutes ago I had never heard of Google Fi and now half the board seems to have it. Your comment really piqued my interest as I spend between 4-5 months overseas and I have always changed out my sim when I got to the country and traveled with a mobile hotspot for emergencies. I spend a month or so in each country so changing out the sim makes sense.
I was really excited to check out the Fi network but it looks like, with the amount of data I use, it wouldn't be any cheaper than having the Verizon plan I have now and switching out sim cards. In some countries, you can get 20 GB of data for $30.
I was on Google Fi for two years and I'm glad I'm not anymore. It got way too expensive with three people. If you use a moderate amount of data (2-3 GB per person) your bill will be upwards of $125-$150 for three lines, not counting the price of your phones if you go that route. One problem is if someone on your plan accidentally has their wifi off and watches three hours of Netflix, you will end up with a huge bill. (I might know this from experience).
If you always use very little data Google Fi does have some benefits.
I ended up switching to Cricket's speed capped unlimited data plan and we have all found it to be plenty fast for us. Was able to add a fourth line for my daughter and we pay $100 flat rate every month for 4 lines.
But that's not really a problem of the service. That's just not paying attention to the phone. You just have to become more aware of when you are connected and when you are not.
Same here. Metro PCS has $50 no limit on text calls and data. Once in a while they throw a free phone in there as well. T Mobile bought them but no changes to plan. I got a iPhone 5 SE free to switch.
On the Fi train too. Dumped Verizon after being with them for about 15 years. We went over our limit by .1 GB when we moved in our new house and didn't have WiFi set up right away and they wouldn't cut us a one time break (and it was the ONLY time we ever asked them for anything). Peaced out after that. Don't regret it in the least. My Pixel 3XL is amazing as was the OG Pixel XL.
+1 for Google Fi. I'm in SoCal. Had Sprint unlimited before paying roughly $120 for two lines, paying for one of the phones on the plan. 2 lines on Google Fi and our bill is roughly $95 a month. Wifi at home, but not at work for me.
Fi runs specials on phones pretty often. If you're ok to switch to Android (lots of Apple fanboys out there), they have their non-premium phone, the Pixel 3a/3aXL for $400. One of the best cameras on the market, great battery life, pretty decent screen.
You can also bring your own phone (as long as it's unlocked). Android phones are obviously easier, but it's also compatible with most iPhones
https://fi.google.com/compatibility
Straight Talk
I was a long time Verizon guy but I switched and a few months ago and I'm pretty happy
No contract is the only way to go
This. StraightTalk for the past 5 years. Saved so much money and the service is better.
I was with ST for two months a few years ago and switched right back to Sprint. My phone didn’t work and they kept refusing to swap them out, so I took the loss and went back. Some of the worst customer experience I have ever experienced.
My sister and her family have been on straight talk for a decade though with no complaints.
What I wanna know is how it is possible in this digital and technological age that there are areas with no service? It’s honestly baffling to me.
Also, the fact that unlimited data isn't standard. It costs them almost nothing to give people unlimited data, but I guess they have to make money some way
I read an article within the last few years that there were some areas of rural Louisiana that didn't even have local telephone service--not cell service, just regular landline service--until very recently. The story got some national attention because a guy there had a some type of medical issue and died because he had no way to contact emergency services. I believe there was some sort of grant provided shortly after that to extend local telephone service to the area to avoid having that happen again. I believe the article said that was the last inhabited area in the continental US to have access to phone service.
If you have Spectrum in your area and they offer it, their cell service is pretty good, especially if you don't rely on data that much (or up to 1GB). $14 for unlimited text/talk and up to 1gb data. $14 for every gig after.
Only drawback, and huge one, is that you either have to buy one of their phones are have a specific iphone/samsung that you can transfer over.
Great price, but as a data hog, that would never works for me. I commute on public transit and that alone means I'm probably consuming data for 45 min each work day on the commute alone
I use T-Mobile and I love them. I don't know what your situation is, but I'm single with no other phone lines, and that's where most carriers get you. I've been with them for a long time, and have an older plan that gives me everything I need. They are a great deal if you need multiple lines. Most services get for the cost of the phone. That alone is an extra $28.00 a month
Guido. I just hand it to him and he brings it wherever I go. It's not heavy, but it's annoying in my pocket. He doesn't charge much. I didn't make him do an I-9.
Sprint. I've had no issues.
If you're a low-volume user Ting or an equivalent is the way to go.
Totally agree. I'm a low-volume user and we use use Ting. Usually around $39/mo total for my wife and me. I've learned to connect to wi-fi and not use data unless I really need it.
My daughter uses T-Mobile and gets unlimited for $33/mo. (The data slows down each month after 4 gigs.)They don't publish that rate, but if you engage the T-Mobile sales people using the online chat function, ask a lot of questions regarding price, and take your time during the chat, the sales person will eventually offer the $30/mo (plus tax) deal.
T-Mobile, works great and seems pretty price competitive. However, I haven't shopped around in a while.
I'm mulling over a switch from Verizon to GoogleFi, already have the device/Pixel3, just waiting to see how 5G shakes out between them. I'll stick with VZW longer if they launch here fairly quickly, but ultimately whoever has better 5G coverage here in San Francisco is going to get my business long term. GoogleFi will use Sprints 5G implementation, which looks like it could be wonky using MIMO to get LTE and 5G on the same radio, so a pretty big TBD. Not sure if/when they will incorporate T-Mobile 5G?
I'll be curious to see if Google Fi changes their rate of $10 per gigabyte once 5G comes out. I would imagine you would burn through data a lot faster with 5G.
I'm on Sprint and have been forever.
Interested in seeing what the merger does to the company.
T-Mobile switched from Verizon last year, and I’ve been super happy. The cost for our family is $700 / year cheaper for a better plan that also pays for my Netflix account. The customer service has been incredible, international data works well and is free, and you get free Gogo internet on planes. Yes, network is less reliable. But I mostly use in urban areas with no issues.
Yep, the T-Mobile included international plan is great. Also, I believe you can stream Netlfix from your phone and it doesn't count towards your data allowance
I travel a lot internationally and even cheaper than that is getting a SIM card for the country you're traveling too.
Although at one time I had a 2 DoCoMo cards (one for Japan and one for Pacific islands), an Orange card, & an O2 card. That became a bit to manage but I'm frugal so it was worth it.
Agreed. T-Mobile worked great in Europe without any need for changing SIMs, unlimited data especially nice for the kids, and has WiFi calling, which solved my problems of really poor signals for ATT, Sprint, and Verizon at my house, and much cheaper than comparable Verizon plans.
Verizon for years...after having AT&T, Nextelthen Sprint when they bought Nextel out. Sprint was the worst by far to me.
Sprint when they bought Nextel out. Sprint was the worst by far to me.
Yeah... that's when they put all their eggs in the wimax basket. Took 'em years to replace those towers with LTE.
No difference between Sprint and Verizon anymore except cost.
T-Mobile. I used to have Verizon, which has great coverage and speeds, however, I switched to T-Mobile an got unlimited calls and texts, and 10 GB of data for a family of 4 for less money than my Verizon plan. I could seem some people having issues with T-Mobile coverage depending on where you live, but I have had zero issues in the Ann Arbor area (besides on game days) and the NYC area.
verizon because it covers all of LA well even up in the hills and valleys.
the other carriers have many dead spots around LA.
Does anyone have a US/Canada dual country plan? I need to have data/calling/text in both countries. Most every carrier seems to have this as an option but none of them really list it so doing research on plans/pricing/effectiveness is rather difficult.
I think Verizon still has a US/Canada plan. They also offer Travel Pass as a way to get service in Canada on the days you need it. That can get pricey if it's lots of days. Otherwise, you go all in on unlimited and all countries are covered.
I just had to fall in love with a friggin Canadian so I spend a lot of my time over in Windsor. At first just completely shutting my phone and all communication down for times was sort of relieving. But its unpractical now and I've probably procrastinated finding a dual-plan far longer than I should. The lady friend has a dual plan through Canadian carrier Tellus, but its friggin expensive and doesnt come with unlimited anything so Id really prefer an American carrier.
Sprint’s unlimited basic gives you unlimited in CAN, eh. Check it out, was there two days ago and Sprint roams seamlessly to Tellus.
All the TMobile post paid plans include Canada and Mexico.
Cricket. Which is just the prepaid service owned by AT&T so it's on AT&T network. Caught a good deal when I signed up. 5 lines with unlimited talk, text and 5 gigs of data per line for $100 a month, taxes included as long as I pre pay, which I always do.. Perfect for my family.
Been on cricket for almost two years and have had zero issues. But I'm rarely out in rural places that would really test its coverage. I think the same deal still applies but it is now 4 lines instead of 5. If you are one a budget and need a mobile plan for the family, it's hard to do much better.
For many years while I was in the wireless industry, Verizon Wireless was my customer. I worked with their national network planning team and regional network engineering teams. They had the most stringent network design and performance requirements of any U.S. carrier. They take quality of service very seriously. If we weren't delivering up to their specs, boy did we hear about it. They weren't afraid of punishing vendors that didn't support their network quality goals. So, while you can find cheaper carriers, I continue to stick with Verizon. Best coverage with the least amount of issues. Granted, football game day service in Michigan Stadium can be poor due to a lack of RF capacity. I understand the challenge and the economics of the problem. I assume 5G will finally bring a solution, but that's a few years down the road.
US Cellular. In Iowa. Its fine while at home and for the most part travelling across the country although the roaming that occurs is quite annoying. 2.5 hours from home going through North-central Illinois on the way to Chicago and I get a poor signal/roaming?!! Gtfo, that's ridiculous and right in the middle of their territory. Map says I should get 4g in Denver but at the same time I'm roaming...what?!
T-Mobile
I live in a big city, so I never have coverage issues. The pricing and lack of early termination fees were big plus points. I also travel internationally at least once a year, so having FREE data and text while overseas is huge. No SIM-swapping or anything - just turn roaming on and your phone will connect to the local Tmobile telecom partner - speeds are relatively slow, so no Netflix, but maps/email/whatsapp/etc all work like a charm. Customer service has also been excellent whenever I've gone into a store or called them up.
I second that. I also have some other bonus extras which I signed up during promotions:
"Kickback" - The line gets $10 back for using less than 5GB data that month.
Unlimted LTE data. It's actually 50G guaranteed LTE speed.
10G LTE tethering which is counted in 50G.
Tax included in T-Mobile One plan. I have 12 lines in my plan. It's a bit less than $30 per line before "kickback".
The most convenient way to contact customer services is through Twitter.
Sprint. Coverage is good, but I want to kick every single one of them in the junk. Fuck those lying bastards. We’re looking at other options now.
I use Mint Mobile. It's on the T-Mobile network. 20/month pre-paid for a year for 8 Gigs and unlimited Talk and Text. Only place I have had reception issues is Northern/Central Michigan.
Data is actually unlimited but throttled after 8 gigs. I have never come close. There is a 3 Gig plan for 15/month.