Prepaid Cellphone Deals

[Athena]

Originally posted by: GTFan
For most people using prepaids this is a non-issue, since you're not (usually) taking calls on your cell, plus if your usual callers have free LD it's no biggie anyway. I wouldn't care if a cheap prepaid phone had an Alaska area code if I could get service for $10 a month or less.

I don't think any of us are qualified to say what "most" people do. My own cell phone is used more when I travel and that's as much for inbound calls from family and coworkers -- it's easier for them to have a set number to reach me -- who are using regular phone service. I do use it as a kind of convenience pay phone when I'm not traveling but that's secondary for me.

In any case, you can't open an account with Go Beyond Wireless unless you use an address in one of 9 states. You could certainly make up something but it's clear that they don't want to deal with people from other areas.

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: Athena

Originally posted by: GTFan
For most people using prepaids this is a non-issue, since you're not (usually) taking calls on your cell, plus if your usual callers have free LD it's no biggie anyway. I wouldn't care if a cheap prepaid phone had an Alaska area code if I could get service for $10 a month or less.

I don't think any of us are qualified to say what "most" people do. My own cell phone is used more when I travel and that's as much for inbound calls from family and coworkers -- it's easier for them to have a set number to reach me -- who are using regular phone service. I do use it as a kind of convenience pay phone when I'm not traveling but that's secondary for me.

In any case, you can't open an account with Go Beyond Wireless unless you use an address in one of 9 states. You could certainly make up something but it's clear that they don't want to deal with people from other areas.

They actually gladely deal with other people. You don't sign up on their site, you sign up by calling them. I got a DC number, while I live in Boston and they couldn't care less.

 

[Rumpltzer]

I have a Virgin Mobile prepaid phone for my wife to use when she's in the country. It's really just for when she's not with me and needs to call or there's an emergency or whatever.

It requires a $20 recharge every 90 days, but if you ignore their pleas to recharge beyond the 90 days, they'll let you keep the number and credit for an additional 30 days past that. However, you can't use the phone after the 90 days without recharging it.

You might get away with $60/year if you're often out of the country or something.

Others claim that Target has the $20 recharge card on sale for $15 every now and then, but I've only seen that once last year. It'd be nice if it happened again.

 

[bestfriend]

good work

 

[PELarson]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
I have a Virgin Mobile prepaid phone for my wife to use when she's in the country. It's really just for when she's not with me and needs to call or there's an emergency or whatever.

It requires a $20 recharge every 90 days, but if you ignore their pleas to recharge beyond the 90 days, they'll let you keep the number and credit for an additional 30 days past that. However, you can't use the phone after the 90 days without recharging it.

You might get away with $60/year if you're often out of the country or something.

Others claim that Target has the $20 recharge card on sale for $15 every now and then, but I've only seen that once last year. It'd be nice if it happened again.

The best option for a minimal user, with Virgin Mobile, is to do the Auto Top Up every 90 days for the minimum amount which is $15/90 days.

 

[gregtor]

if gobeyondwireless.com uses att/cingular network then shouldn't you be able to use any unlocked GSM phone?

 

[GMY]

Here is a summary of STi prepaid cell phone usage:

One time $5 activation fee. There is no connection fee, no daily, weekly, or monthly fee. NO fees.

Minutes do not expire, ever. A $10 refill card provides the same cost per minute as a $50 card. You don't have to buy a large denomination card to reduce cost per minute or extend the minutes to a longer experation date.

12 cents per minute daytime. 10 cents per minute nights and weekends. Local or U.S. long distance. 1 minute minimum, rounded up to the next whole minute.

Cost is as little as 5 cents per month. Must make 1 call every 60 days and maintain a positive balance on your phone. If you have a zero balance for 14 days, your account is closed. Costs another $5 to reactivate. You'll probably lose the phone number you had.

The network appears to be exactly the same as the Sprint PCS network. STi uses Sprint as the front end and back end, but STi has their own servers, etc. to matchup the calls, track minutes, etc.

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: gregtor
if gobeyondwireless.com uses att/cingular network then shouldn't you be able to use any unlocked GSM phone?

They use TDMA.

 

[ttown]

Just found out Virgin Mobile has another plan that costs $0.35/day (~$10.50/mo ?) and lowers the cost/min to $0.10 ALL the time (no $0.25/min conditions).
That may make VM more worthwhile for heavier phone use. (eg. breakeven when comparing VM to STI is 525min/month. More than 525min makes VM a better deal.)

But at that amount of use, net10 becomes more attractive.

Somewhere out there, there's a plan for everyone I guess.

 

[GMY]

Here is some more information about Cheapphonecards, which is selling a new (not refurb.) STi phone, the LG 1200, that is free or better after MIR. Be sure to use coupon code cell12 at the site to get your discount.

The phone comes with a $10 refill card to cover the $5 shipping fee and $4.95 activation fee. I have this phone and it iis very good at picking up the Sprint PCS network in my part of the world (MD).

All U.S. long distance calls are treated as local calls, at 12 cents per minute daytime and 10 cents nights and weekends. The minutes don't expire. The screen on the outside of the flipper lets you check who is calling without having to flip open the phone.

Link to LG1200 cell phone deal at Cheapphonecards.

 

[50]

Awww where's the poser mobile deals?

Seriously though I am going to switch to prepaid after this year, thanks for the info, Good deal

 

[bhaney]

Originally posted by: GMY
...the LG 1200...
I have this phone and it iis very good at picking up the Sprint PCS network in my part of the world (MD).

I'm currently a Virgin Mobile user and have the Audiovox "Vox 8610". The ringer is way too quiet since the placed the speaker on the inside when it's folded shut. Does this LG phone have a decent ringer? Can it be heard, for example, when you're in your car?

Thanks,
-Brett.

 

[mscdex0]

That STI Mobile seems pretty good, but my two concerns are:

1. Their coverage map isn't all that great.

2. No mention about extra roaming fees, if roaming is free, etc.

I really like the coverage that net10 has, it covers just about everywhere I travel to during the summer, and even quite a bit of area around here locally. I just wish STI Mobile had coverage like that, then it would be the perfect plan!

 

[GMY]

The STi map is way out of date. Go to Sprint PCS link below and have a look. STi uses Sprint network and has the same coverage as their digital network. All U.S. calls from anywhere to anywhere are considered local calls. In that sense there is no roaming charge. The way I understand it, the phone only works on Sprint PCS digital network and can't pickup other networks. My coverage in MD is quite good.


Check out your neck of the woods here. Look at the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network, which is the STi network.

 

[GMY]

Originally posted by: bhaney

Originally posted by: GMY
...the LG 1200...
I have this phone and it iis very good at picking up the Sprint PCS network in my part of the world (MD).

I'm currently a Virgin Mobile user and have the Audiovox "Vox 8610". The ringer is way too quiet since the placed the speaker on the inside when it's folded shut. Does this LG phone have a decent ringer? Can it be heard, for example, when you're in your car?

Thanks,
-Brett.

The LG phone ringer has several adjustments. The loudest is plenty loud for a car. The settings are: Off, Vibrate, Low, Med Low, Med High, High, and High + Vibrate (this one gets your attention two ways).

 

[mscdex0]

Originally posted by: GMY
The STi map is way out of date. Go to Sprint PCS link below and have a look. STi uses Sprint network and has the same coverage as their digital network. All U.S. calls from anywhere to anywhere are considered local calls. In that sense there is no roaming charge. The way I understand it, the phone only works on Sprint PCS digital network and can't pickup other networks. My coverage in MD is quite good.


Check out your neck of the woods here. Look at the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network, which is the STi network.

The national map looks just about the same to me. Like I said, for around here, there's pretty decent coverage, but where I travel to during the summer, there is only coverage along the highway and the like.

 

[Chevydriver]

*Calls placed while of off the Beyond Wireless Network will be billed at 4 times this rate.

Eh, thats not something I'ld make the move to. Looking at there map, it seems most areas are in the off network service area. My area is right on the border.

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: Chevydriver
*Calls placed while of off the Beyond Wireless Network will be billed at 4 times this rate.

Eh, thats not something I'ld make the move to. Looking at there map, it seems most areas are in the off network service area. My area is right on the border.

That's the standard rate with most companies when you are roaming. The good thing about beyond is they have roaming just about anywhere where there is TDMA. It uses the AT&T network and I think att actually charges 69cents a minute on their free2go roaming.

 

[mscdex0]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: Chevydriver
*Calls placed while of off the Beyond Wireless Network will be billed at 4 times this rate.

Eh, thats not something I'ld make the move to. Looking at there map, it seems most areas are in the off network service area. My area is right on the border.

That's the standard rate with most companies when you are roaming. The good thing about beyond is they have roaming just about anywhere where there is TDMA. It uses the AT&T network and I think att actually charges 69cents a minute on their free2go roaming.

Except a number of prepaid companies, e.g. net10, where roaming is free, .10/min anywhere at anytime. Too bad STI Mobile doesn't specify whether roaming is free or not.

 

[Replay]

Originally posted by: mscdex0...Too bad STI Mobile doesn't specify whether roaming is free or not.

There is no roaming on STI Mobile. It uses the Sprint PCS network, that's it. That's not bad though. Sprint has the best coverage of any non-roaming plan, better coverage than TMobile pay-as-you-go service.

Net10 is one of the most expensive prepay plans available. They advertise 10 cents per minute, but it really costs $25 or $30 each month, minimum. They should call it Net25Bucks. STI, GoBeyond, and TMobile are much cheaper for light use. Net10 is a better fit for those who will use around 300 minutes each month. I like the STI cards: $10 $20 $50, they all give you 10c 12c minutes.

"To keep your NET10 service active, you must purchase and add NET10 Airtime every 30 days, 60 days, 6 months or 1 year depending on the denomination of the airtime card.
Quantity Card Price
300 minutes and up to 30 days of service NTAPP0300 $30
600 minutes and up to 60 days of service NTAPP0600 $60
1,800 minutes and the convenience of up to 6 months of service NTAPP1800 $180
3,000 minutes and the convenience of up to 1 year of service NTAPP3000 $300"

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
[They actually gladely deal with other people. You don't sign up on their site, you sign up by calling them. I got a DC number, while I live in Boston and they couldn't care less.

They do not have numbers for the west coast or Hawaii.

 

[eLiu]

On this plan, do they charge for both incoming & outgoing calls?

Like if my friend calls me, does that go against my minutes?

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: Athena

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
[They actually gladely deal with other people. You don't sign up on their site, you sign up by calling them. I got a DC number, while I live in Boston and they couldn't care less.

They do not have numbers for the west coast or Hawaii.

They don't have numbers, but that doesn't mean they won't give you an account with an out of state area code.

 

[GMY]

Originally posted by: eLiu
On this plan, do they charge for both incoming & outgoing calls?

Like if my friend calls me, does that go against my minutes?

Yes. Both incoming and outgoing calls are charged.

 

[GMY]

cheapphonecards has added accessories to their web site.

Car charger $5.75; Leather Case $5.90; Swivel Hoster $4.99; Handsfree earbud $5.49;
and Blue or Silver Replacement Batteries $12.99

Right now the paymecell coupon code is giving a 20 per cent
discount on the telephone and each of these accessories. Shipping is $1 per item.

See Accessories link about half way down on the left side of their home page.