USA Phone Providers

[WaterLeaf 199]

To the mods, sorry if this thread already exist, I didn't find it.

 

This one is going to be big discussion about the phone providers in the US and your experience of using them. That include any cell phone hardware connected to the service, and the plans/text, talk, data, etc. and the prices about everything.

 

What is your current phone plan? What is the pro/con? Is it a contract or prepaid or billed? What is the plan/cost? If you could choose to use a different provider, what would that be?

 

I'm currently using Straight Talk.

-It's prepay/no contract, no mystery bills ever. Been with this over 10 years?

-You have the choice of buying/using the phone provided from their website, or Bring Your Own Phone if it is compatible. I currently use a Samsung S7/Verizon tower phone.

-I use the whole year plan, which is basically about $550. Unlimited text, call, and data except after certain data use it go down to slower data but I had never got there.

-While I was on the $45/month plan, it just about $20 higher difference than the whole year plan due to tax reason. I do live in the area that have a bit of low tax charge so it's good.

-I do notice there is some slowed down data if I was sending a lot of pics/uploading a lot when I needed to use the phone data plan that is a disadvantage of living in the mountain if so.

-Straight Talk programmed phones are weird. They set something up in it on my S7 that I can't talk and use data at the same time, but my older/other phone can. I had to get used to this and can use Wifi with no problem.

-Straight Talk's policy states that tethering is not allowed. This is a downside for me but I also deal with it or my service get cut off.

-It's been the best deal for me/individual plan.

-I'll update if I remember anything or if anyone give me hints/questions.

 

The previous provider I used was TracFone, it's a prepay plan with limited set of call/text/data. That was over 10 yrs ago though.

 

I never used any other phone providers. I didn't trust going with the wide known providers like Verizon, AT&T, Boost, Mobile T, Sprint, etc. because of continuous complaints from the peoples that says the providers overcharged them, without details from both end.

I've tried looking at other phone plan for me and my Fiancé, but so far Sprint was getting close but Straight Talk has still been the better deal that I'd go with... convince me otherwise. I'm listening what's the good plan for 2 lines.

[TBoneTX 43,020]

TracFone is the worst.

Verizon is expensive and stinks.  They lied to me about coverage areas.

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

I use Sprint. But I also pay for a 5 line unlimited plan plus an ipad. So my bill it relatively high as anyone would expect for that much. But in the 12 years I've been with them I have never had any issues honestly. Really also depends on where you live and signal/reception. I know when I travel for work to say North Dakota, Minot to be specifc.. it usually ends up on roaming. Up there AT&t and Verizon is better coverage.. but yea. I always recommend Sprint if pricing is comparable.

Edited May 13, 2019 by Ben&Zian

[nguoivietnam2019 67]

Generally, you will see a lot of complains on any of major carriers and it is quite a fact: people only complain when they have problem  

I am using AT&T, $35/month, including taxes with unlimited data - I am quite satisfied and have not issue with AT&T for the past 10+ years.  I do not think people can lock into this type of rates anymore.

[TBoneTX 43,020]

Thread is moved from Off Topic to the "Moving to the US" forum.

[Nashvan 133]

We are on Cricket Wireless Unlimited $55/mo plan. Despite the name, we pay $80/mo for two lines ($30 discount for a second line). Reception is good but texts are sometimes delayed for hours if sent from a no signal area. Data is fast all around, even in rural areas. You can BYOP and keep your current US number. Customer service is better than T-Mobile, who bothered to charge $0.01 for the month we switched. Hubby likes it for the data, I like that it has coverage in Canada although we've yet to try. Overall I'm pretty satisfied and would recommend it for data-reliant users.

[rrobin0609 387]

33 minutes ago, Vans said:

We are on Cricket Wireless Unlimited $55/mo plan. Despite the name, we pay $80/mo for two lines ($30 discount for a second line). Reception is good but texts are sometimes delayed for hours if sent from a no signal area. Data is fast all around, even in rural areas. You can BYOP and keep your current US number. Customer service is better than T-Mobile, who bothered to charge $0.01 for the month we switched. Hubby likes it for the data, I like that it has coverage in Canada although we've yet to try. Overall I'm pretty satisfied and would recommend it for data-reliant users.

We have the same plan. I was on the $50/mo for 8GB data and unlimited talk and text (discounted to $45 for autopay) prior to adding my husband. I also have the occasional issue with texts but usually when the weather has been bad and there is potentially a tower out of commission. I bought my phone on eBay so I didn't have to get one through them. I think my husband wishes the data speed was a little faster, but its fine for me. You do have to pay $10 per sim card when you sign up, but thats the only other expense I can remember.

 

My mom and younger sister share 3 or 4GB on version and I know its way more expensive than my mom would like it to be. She's asked me about Cricket and I think has been close to switching a few times. My older sister was on T-Mobile before she moved to Spain and she loved it. My dad has Sprint but his phone and phone bill is paid for by the company he works for. Both the AFS students my parents have hosted have used AT&T BYOD which is $50 for unlimited talk and text and 3GB with rollover for one line. My parents haven't gone on vacation with my Spanish sister so I don't know how the data would be in the rural areas near the Black Hills and Yellowstone, but my Italian sister was easily frustrated with the lack of service when they went to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite.

[millefleur 5,035]

My husband uses GoogleFi. It's around $20/month plus taxes and $10/gig of Internet.

[Falcon Cara 377]

I had ATT until they got bought out by Cingular, and once they became Cingular the customer service went from great to horrible.

 

I know have MetroPCS my android phone, I pay $50 per month and it prepaid and unlimited, I am also using it in Philippines right now and if I have internet connection I can call and text just like I am in the USA.

 

I carry a flip phone from that is $26 per month unlimited talk/text prepaid from ATT,  You can't really use internet with it, but it is for work only.

[millefleur 5,035]

On 5/14/2019 at 7:57 PM, Falcon Cara said:

I had ATT until they got bought out by Cingular, and once they became Cingular the customer service went from great to horrible.

Had no idea AT&T was bought by Cingular. A random guy today on the street asked me where the nearest AT&T office was, I had no clue. This probably explains it!

 

On 5/14/2019 at 7:57 PM, Falcon Cara said:

I know have MetroPCS my android phone, I pay $50 per month and it prepaid and unlimited, I am also using it in Philippines right now and if I have internet connection I can call and text just like I am in the USA.

My husband had MetroPCS until switching to GoogleFi. It was terrible, incoming calls did not go through and there were tons of robocalls. This might vary from state to state though.

[Just Paul 4,591]

We have Google Fi also.   $20 for the first line and $15 for each additional handset.   We still travel internationally and it has worked everywhere but Nepal.    I also have 3 data only sims.  Internet is pay as you go at $10 per gig.  We have never had a combo bill above $85.  When I was single my biggest bill was never over $55.

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,078]

15 hours ago, millefleur said:

Had no idea AT&T was bought by Cingular. A random guy today on the street asked me where the nearest AT&T office was, I had no clue. This probably explains it!

SBC then bought Cingular (and a few other telecom companies) ... and renamed itself AT&T.

 

So since I'm lazy about switching carriers, I went from AT&T wireless to Cingular to AT&T.

[Shiran 1,134]

US Telcos are complicated. I think there are only 4 major companies that actually own tower equipment, Verizon, AT&T (Formerly Cingular), T-Mobile, and Sprint. Companies like MetroPCS, Cricket, and Google Fi basically have a deal with those 4 to resell their signal. When it matters that in case of congestion (E.g. like on concert, coachella, or some sporting events) subscribers of "Big 4" get a priority, while others might get bumped off. But you pay premium in monthly fees for that privilege.

Also it is worth nothing that anyone using verizon or sprint phone might have issues with international travel, as those are CDMA couriers which strictly American thing, and their phones will not readily accept GSM international cards. AT&T and T-mobile won't have those issues. 

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,078]

16 hours ago, Shiran said:

US Telcos are complicated. I think there are only 4 major companies that actually own tower equipment, Verizon, AT&T (Formerly Cingular), T-Mobile, and Sprint.

Though IIRC, T-Mobile and Sprint are merging, so who knows how that will play out.

[Crazy Cat 39,191]

On 5/13/2019 at 11:36 AM, WaterLeaf said:

To the mods, sorry if this thread already exist, I didn't find it.

 

This one is going to be big discussion about the phone providers in the US and your experience of using them. That include any cell phone hardware connected to the service, and the plans/text, talk, data, etc. and the prices about everything.

 

What is your current phone plan? What is the pro/con? Is it a contract or prepaid or billed? What is the plan/cost? If you could choose to use a different provider, what would that be?

 

I'm currently using Straight Talk.

-It's prepay/no contract, no mystery bills ever. Been with this over 10 years?

-You have the choice of buying/using the phone provided from their website, or Bring Your Own Phone if it is compatible. I currently use a Samsung S7/Verizon tower phone.

-I use the whole year plan, which is basically about $550. Unlimited text, call, and data except after certain data use it go down to slower data but I had never got there.

-While I was on the $45/month plan, it just about $20 higher difference than the whole year plan due to tax reason. I do live in the area that have a bit of low tax charge so it's good.

-I do notice there is some slowed down data if I was sending a lot of pics/uploading a lot when I needed to use the phone data plan that is a disadvantage of living in the mountain if so.

-Straight Talk programmed phones are weird. They set something up in it on my S7 that I can't talk and use data at the same time, but my older/other phone can. I had to get used to this and can use Wifi with no problem.

-Straight Talk's policy states that tethering is not allowed. This is a downside for me but I also deal with it or my service get cut off.

-It's been the best deal for me/individual plan.

-I'll update if I remember anything or if anyone give me hints/questions.

 

The previous provider I used was TracFone, it's a prepay plan with limited set of call/text/data. That was over 10 yrs ago though.

 

I never used any other phone providers. I didn't trust going with the wide known providers like Verizon, AT&T, Boost, Mobile T, Sprint, etc. because of continuous complaints from the peoples that says the providers overcharged them, without details from both end.

I've tried looking at other phone plan for me and my Fiancé, but so far Sprint was getting close but Straight Talk has still been the better deal that I'd go with... convince me otherwise. I'm listening what's the good plan for 2 lines.

I had Straight Talk, and their customer service was horrible.  I had a very difficult time getting a phone replaced under their insurance plan.  I switched to Verizon, and I love it!!   Customer service is great, their web site is 100 better than ST, and I received $200 discount on a  Pixel 3 XL..........I have zero cons with Verizon....

Edited May 17, 2019 by missileman