Immediate (almost) Advice Needed - Cell

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

Hi.  I know there is a ton of info here that I should read but don't have the time.  I really thought I would do that before my phone plan would be ending but you know, there was a trailer to build.

I am getting rid of Sprint as I dislike so very many things about them and their service and their products.

So, I know Bob says currently Verizon plus T-mobile is awesome.  But at the moment we will only get one.  So, Verizon?  If so,what kind of plan?  I I will be uploading videos as I have all the building of the trailer to get to when we are finally out of this house (soon).

I am not tech savy (although I used to be and am trying to get back there).  

I need to make a decision tomorrow 5/2.  Oh, will be getting new phones as I don't like the Sprint phone either so suggestions there if you don't mind.

:heart: :heart: :huh: :heart: :heart:

 

[Almost There]

I seriously recommend Verizon to anyone travelling in the west and it did me well when I was up and down the eastern seaboard as well.

2 of us were travelling throughout the south of Arizona this winter, me with Verizon and Sally with AT&T. 95% of the time I had Verizon service, probably 10% of the time she had AT&T.

Because I don't want a contract I use their prepaid monthly plan that gets me 10 G of data, unlimited talk and text north american wide (important for  me cause I'm a Canadian). That plan costs me $60.00 a month plus tax and I use it as a hotspot for my laptop and kindle.

AFAIK if I was willing to have a contract I could get 'unlimited' data for only a little more. Important if you want to stream videos/movies.

When you're looking at phones and plans make sure that the phone can be used as a mobile hotspot so you don't have to also buy a jetpack.

I've added a WeBoost to my system but mostly didn't need to use it at all this past winter.

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

Thanks - that was exactly what I needed to know. I will make sure we get the mobile hotspot.

Anyone have comments on current phone choices, like, dislike?

 

[Firtree]

I now have Visible. Runs on the Verizon network and has the same coverage as PrePaid Verizon plans. (It’s owned or partly owned by Verizon but no official connection at stores)
Visible works with several iPhone models and several Android phones.
Unlimited calls, texts and unlimited data. The data is limited to a speed of 5mbs. Good enough for SD (standard) but not HD (high definition) video.
Flat $40 per month no extra fees or taxes. Have to use autopay and signup online. They will send you a SIM in 2 days.
Oh and use can use the phone’s hotspot, no limit on that.
I’ve had for couple months and it works everywhere my old Verizon PrePaid plan worked. The data works well as does the Hotspot.
Right now they have a $20 off the first month of service, so first month is just $20. If ‘a friend’ referred you both of you get the $20 off.
Read about it I think it’s very good
https://www.visible.com/

I’m just a user, don’t work for Visible or Verizon, no connection

 

[cyndi]

I've had Verizon for going on 20 years. It's never let me down. Their customer service, to the best of my knowledge, live in the US . They've always been quick to rectify any problem or issue I've had. Those have been few and far between. Pricier than some, but worth it

 

[B and C]

Verizon with a postpaid plan gets my vote. I do have an AT&T Mobley (hotspot only) that I use when I can but my Verizon works almost everywhere. It works when the prepaid Verizon plans don't.

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

Verizon with a postpaid plan gets my vote.  I do have an AT&T Mobley (hotspot only) that I use when I can but my Verizon works almost everywhere.  It works when the prepaid Verizon plans don't.

What is a postpaid?

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

I would like unlimited talk, text and data I think. Isn't this what I would want if uploading a lot of videos and sending a lot of texts, using a lot of web browsing?

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

I googled postpaid. I would want to pay upfront and regular I think. I won't yet rule it out though as I'm trying to look at several options as I learn.

 

[Firtree]

As far as phones, if you go with Visible service, you need to get a phone they say will work on their service. Likely you will need to get a new phone. My older iPhone was on their list of OK models so I used that.

If you go with some other cellular service I'd say look at the Moto G6 – 64 GB – Unlocked (AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile/Verizon) – Deep Indigo –
If you are an Amazon Prime member the price is currently $160+ state taxes.
If you are not a Prime member (or don't have a family member to buy for you) they have some 'Very Good' Used for $148+ tax
This is an unlocked phone so you can change service if you want to go with RedPocket (uses Verizon towers) instead of Verizon Prepaid; or are in an area for a long period and only ATT service works.
I think this is a nice Android phone. You can add more memory but 64GB of storage is good for a phone.

 

[B and C]

Postpaid is a contract service and will roam onto towers that have an agreement with VZW plus mine works in canada and mexico for no extra charge. Prepaid plans will not roam onto non VZW towers or work in canada or mexico. Be careful near borders.

 

[becida]

I'm on the Verizon system with a phone from Straightalk (get it from walmart). You need to make sure it's a verizon phone as they sell phones that will work on all the systems.. $45/month & you get 25gb of data.

This is not something that should be rushed but if you really have to you could buy a cheap phone and the $45 service then get a better phone later. It is NO problem (other than money) to swap to a different phone. This is a no contract phone deal...

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

We have the Samsung Galaxy S8+ so I think we just need a SIM card. I am not sure how that changes things. Right now I do not like my phone because I don't like Bixby and some other things. Will that change with Verizon and a new SIM?

 

[JD GUMBEE]

Either Denver-Jim right here...or this spot: https://clark.com/cell-phones/best-cell-phone-plans-deals/
Both good sources of whats out there.

There are countless used phones out there.
Mrs G and I keep spares and found it cheaper and faster to restore service after a problem than any warranty at a retail desk.
$14 a month will bring you unlimited talk and text on Verizons system.
They change towers just the same as retail Verizon phones. (For us anyway. Recently, my drivers have tested them across the country and found it to be exactly the same performance.)

Keeping the data and cell separate made more sense for us.
If we used the new unlimited plan for the jetpack, it would bring monthly cost around 90 dollars for two unlimited talk/text phones and a jetpack unlimited as well. All on the Verizon system.

I would be sure to check phone resellers.
Ebay has a bunch of them that have been selling phones forever and a day.
No hassle exchange/returns...and we were very happy with their service.

The latest/greatest phone in 2019 is not very different from those in 2017.

Jim knows a hell of a lot more than I do about this, but I've been happy with the service from this outfit...and it is the one unlimited for $14 we just tested cross country, with flawless results: www.usmobile.com/

 

[Firtree]

JD thanks for this site
https://clark.com/cell-phones/best-cell-phone-plans-deals/
The clearest I’ve seen for breaking down plans to different needs.

Wasn’t certain the talk and text only plan you are using

This site probably needs a separate thread for people to see

 

[Gr8ful]

I now have Visible. Runs on the Verizon network

I'm signing up for Visable PM me what to do so we both get $09, Thanks!

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

I kept my current phone and plan one more month so I could dive into this deeper.

So that Visible plan with Verizon looks like everythingone could want? I can upload videos unlimited and download them, is that what I am reading?

 

[Firtree]

Have not uploaded videos but downloading Netflix and such has been fine. When the home DSL has acted up have used the Visible Hotspot WiFi feature get the laptop online. Worked well.

You’re only going month to month so if turns out terrible you can search for a different provider using Verizon towers (Totalwireless, Red Pocket, StraightTalk and many more) Most of them do not allow you to use hotspot on phone or give you unlimited data.

 

[XERTYX]

I'm late in replying here but I have straight talk that uses verizon. Some but not all straight talk phones will say on the package one of the following: GSM-A, GSM-T, CDMA-S, or CDMA-V. The letter after the dash tells you which network is is. A (ATT) T (Tmobile) S (Sprint) V (verizon) Its located on the lower left hand side on the front of the box. If you find a CDMA-V Verizon model that also says its 4G LTE then its dual radio. What I mean is it has the old CDMA (no sim card) radio and the newer (sim card) radio. This is a huge deal as it will find more towers. 4G LTE towers and longer range 3G CDMA towers.

Do be aware however that without a great deal of wizardry and questionably legal modifications (in most cases) you CAN NOT use the hotspot even if it is a feature of the phone. Mine was listed as having a hotspot feature on the packaging. You can switch it on. You'll simply not get internet on the other device when connected. If you were so inclined modifying the APN settings and changing the values would remedy this but they are locked. Which requires potentially damaging modifications and is a violation of the ToS. But if you want a pricey paperweight you can that a shot. I have owned my share of them.

As far as service where I live verizon is the ONLY service that will work indoors. Sprint and tmobile sometimes only work if you go up the street a quarter mile.

 

[Amboman]

I just sighned up for Visable today. Had bought a BOGO Tracfone with 2 nice phones, wall & car chargers & 2 sets of 1200 minures of talk, text & data all for $69 so I'm trading one of those phones for the $99 Visable phone & keeping the rest.