Experiences with Verizon Prepaid?

[SpongeBob]

My contract on verizon ends in 10 days. Thinking of switching to verizon prepaid (ALLSET plan for $45/mo - unlimited talk/text + 500MB data). I typically use between 500MB-1GB in data a month, but figure I can always purchase another 500MB for $5.

Anyone have experience with coverage/speed? Are they gimped at all on pre-paid?

Other MVNOs are out since my in-laws live in the middle-of-nowhere Iowa (have tried AT&T and T-Mo there with no service).

 

[NutBucket]

Do you in-laws have native VZW coverage or is there a roaming agreement in place? I think VZW prepaid has gimped roaming agreements.

 

[SpongeBob]

They have U.S. Cellular and get 4G coverage. When i visit them, I am not roaming on verizon, however, i am on contract. I get a weak 4G signal, bounces to 3G a lot and sometimes even to 2G. I have an AT&T smartphone for work and that gets no service. My wife is on straight talk and gets roaming service but i believe it uses a T-Mobile network.

 

[vi edit]

Check to see if their loyalty plans still exist. I pay $50/mth (ok..$56 after taxes) for the unlimited talk + text and 1 gig of data. Still can use subsidies for new phones with the plan too. You do go back to a contract at that price though.