Going without a Cell Plan | Is it possible?

[noloans]

Has anyone here gone without a cell phone plan just using data and wifi to communicate with Facebook messenger? Do you have any tips for going no cell plan?  Cheers.

[Ives]

We use tracfones and pay like $30 every 3 months for a certain amount of minutes and texts. I'm not sure if that's what you mean.   We don't have contracts, but I guess maybe that's considered a plan.

[undercover]

No, you don't need a "plan" unless you do use a lot of data. There are plenty of pay as you go services that offer data. And yes data is generally cheaper for text communication than texts, so sticking to Facebook Messenger (or Google Hangouts) is a good idea. Everyone I know uses it except my parents.

P'Tel, Ting, and Airvoice are good places to start if you want a good chance at keeping your existing phone. Ting is a Sprint MVNO so it will work on CDMA networks (generally broader coverage into rural areas vs GSM only services). Check coverage before you try of course.

Google FI is a another Sprint MVNO that's a better option than Ting if you think you'll use 1GB of data a month since you get unlimited talk/text as well. If not, Ting is cheaper. Only problem with FI is limited phone compatibility, although that's not really a problem since something like the Moto G6 which will last you years only retails for ~$200.

[Daley]

Do you have any tips for going no cell plan?

Yup. Start by just leaving your phone at home. If you don't have it, you won't use it. Eventually, you can either scale back on a mobile plan, or stop using it entirely.

P'Tel, Ting, and Airvoice are good places to start if you want a good chance at keeping your existing phone. Ting is a Sprint MVNO so it will work on CDMA networks (generally broader coverage into rural areas vs GSM only services). Check coverage before you try of course.

Google FI is a another Sprint MVNO that's a better option than Ting if you think you'll use 1GB of data a month since you get unlimited talk/text as well. If not, Ting is cheaper. Only problem with FI is limited phone compatibility, although that's not really a problem since something like the Moto G6 which will last you years only retails for ~$200.

Some corrections/updates for your (and others) information and edification:

P'tel went under two years ago.
Ting offers either T-Mobile GSM or Sprint CDMA plans.
GoogleFi is actually a VoIP-first T-Mobile/Sprint/USCC mishmash of network roaming.
Red Pocket offers plans on all four networks, and has some of the cheapest low-end offerings currently.

[ElleFiji]

Depending on where you live and how family/friends live.... You may want a phone number and voicemail. Very easy to get cheap pay as you go.

But if you have a home phone... You have this stuff already :)

[MaaS]

I do think it's possible, but, unlimited talk and text with 1 GB of data is $20/month through Republic Wireless. For that cost, I see no reason to go through any inconvenience.