So much for trying to save money on cell phones

[GetSmart]

We have one flip phone and one iPhone on ATT.  The flip phone went off contract some time ago and after a lot of research (obviously not well done in hindsight!)  I decided to port this phone to Ting.  Unfortunately I ordered the sim card and requested the port before I contacted ATT to unlock the phone - yes, my own stupidity - I know now.  Then begins the phone run around from hell.  ATT cut the phone off within seconds of the Ting request, but now after 8 attempts over 6 days to get it unlocked I am told on each try that my information doesn’t match their information, so:  request denied.  No specifics as to what information doesn’t match.  This includes 2 lengthy phone calls with customer (non)-service.

While on a call with ATT service I asked if I can get the iPhone billing reduced as my usage is very low.  I find out that not only is it already at the lowest price ($40 for unlimited talk&text 300mb data), but $20 of what I thought was part of the flip phone charges will stay on the bill just for the privilege of having a phone.  That is not obvious on the bill: each phone is listed at $40; the flip phone has 2 charges at $20 each, so it appears that these charges are related to that phone and owner, but obviously that is not the case.

So in the end by moving one phone to Ting I might save $5 / month given the usage on that phone.  Voice only - no text, no data needed.  In the meantime, I’ve wasted hours of my time and now I’m just going to ask ATT to add the flip phone back on to the account and wait until August when the iPhone goes off contract and switch them both to something else.  On top of that Ting’s coverage may not be that great here - it was the potential rate across both phones that got me hooked and it now seems that Airvoice Wireless might be better.  As my husband said I’d be better off making more money than spending hours trying to save $5 here and there - I’m almost inclined to agree with him :)

(And yes IP Dailey, I have read everything you’ve written; that’s what got me started down this road in the first place! Maybe I should work on my reading comprehension?)

Rant over :/

[fields]

It's very frustrating, no matter how much IP Daley one reads!  I switched to Republic about six months ago, and I'm only moderately satisfied with the service and savings. Now I'm trying to find the best alternative for my partner, who currently has Verizon and doesn't want to give up her iphone--its all so tedious and confusing! 

[Cassie]

WE did the switch for a year & the coverage sucked. eventually we just went back to AT &T so I feel your pain.

[Retired To Win]

WE did the switch for a year & the coverage sucked. eventually we just went back to AT &T so I feel your pain.

I guess it just depends where you are located.  My wife switched her smartphone over to Republic and is thrilled with the service and the savings.  (I don't do cell phones :O).

One thing I've learned from this and other threads on this topic: stay away from AT&T.  They have contracts from hell.

[PatronWizard11]

I freaking love Republic Wireless. i was paying $120 a month to Verizon with unlimited data on both line...I now pay $24 and also rent both of my Verizon lines to people off ebay for $130 ea. per month. Best $ switch I've made in a very long time. I did buy 2 new moto x's but we sold our iphones to recoup cost. So instead on an outflow of $120 a month, our phone service will be an inflow of $116

[NotJen]

Sorry you are having a bad experience with Ting.  I'm a few days from finishing up my first month with them, and it was pretty easy to switch over, though I was scared going through the process that I would break something.  I did make sure to unlock my phone (iPhone with AT&T) first, but I had lots of time to do that since the GSM service with Ting was not available when I first started thinking about switching.

My only issue is with coverage - so far, it's been fine where I live.  Less bars than usual at home, but all my calls have gone through fine.  However, when I zoomed in on the coverage map where my family lives (just got back from a visit), I found that Ting coverage was non-existent there!  In actuality, cell coverage was better than reported on the map.  Didn't cause me any problems the few times I was without service.

Hope you can eventually find a service that works for you and saves you money.

[kpd905]

I now pay $24 and also rent both of my Verizon lines to people off ebay for $130 ea. per month.

Why is there a market for that?  People with horrible credit?

[johnny847]

I freaking love Republic Wireless. i was paying $120 a month to Verizon with unlimited data on both line...I now pay $24 and also rent both of my Verizon lines to people off ebay for $130 ea. per month. Best $ switch I've made in a very long time. I did buy 2 new moto x's but we sold our iphones to recoup cost. So instead on an outflow of $120 a month, our phone service will be an inflow of $116

WIthout actually having read the terms and conditions of Verizon's service, I'd guess that this is against their policy.

Whether they will actually catch you is of course a different story. But more importantly, if either of the people you rent your service to does any illegal activity through their phone, the police are first going to come knocking on your door, not theirs.

[Retire-Canada]

As my husband said I’d be better off making more money than spending hours trying to save $5 here and there - I’m almost inclined to agree with him :)

At first it's easier to save money than make money, but that switches after a certain point in the frugality process.

Bottom line you tried to make a positive change and it wasn't what you thought it was going to be.

Shit happens.

I'd rather try and fail than sit on my ass and slide into mediocrity.

-- Vik

[theonethatgotaway]

Ugh I switched to a low cost ($24) month carrier with a moto something (x? g?). It was possibly the worst phone ever, and the service was so spotty that I couldn't use it. Besides they kept turning off my data at the slightest of use. Nightmare. I currently just go throughout life without a phone, unsure of what to do. :) I primarily use my chromebook for calls via google and all online activity.

[johnny847]

I'd rather try and fail than sit on my ass and slide in mediocrity.

-- Vik

+1

[PatronWizard11]

I now pay $24 and also rent both of my Verizon lines to people off ebay for $130 ea. per month.

Why is there a market for that?  People with horrible credit?

the sim cards are in Verizon Jetpacks so people use them as an alternative for home/travel unlimited data.

[Scandium]

WE did the switch for a year & the coverage sucked. eventually we just went back to AT &T so I feel your pain.

Why would you go back to AT&T? Cricket and H20 both use at&t's network and are much cheaper! Same coverage, less money.

[matimeo]

I don't see how any of this is Ting's fault. I've been with them for a couple of years and have zero complaints. They've saved me a crap ton of money and done nothing but bend over backwards to be helpful.   

[firewalker]

Coverage for your vicinity can be a problem and needs to be researched first. I asked anyone and everyone before I started shopping. Turned out that only Verizon has decent coverage around here. So, I started shopping Verizon network offerings. Ended up with Straight Talk as the best match for my use. It's been great once I got past a couple of calls to their less-than-decent service department.

[tallen]

It's very frustrating, no matter how much IP Daley one reads!  I switched to Republic about six months ago, and I'm only moderately satisfied with the service and savings. Now I'm trying to find the best alternative for my partner, who currently has Verizon and doesn't want to give up her iphone--its all so tedious and confusing!

Go with PagePlus, they use the Verizon network. I tried Republic and didn't get very good signal most places and switched to pageplus and couldn't be happier.

[Daley]

(And yes IP Dailey, I have read everything you’ve written; that’s what got me started down this road in the first place! Maybe I should work on my reading comprehension?)

Sorry to hear about the problems.

One thing I typically recommend is that if you don't want to research coverage, stick with an MVNO on the same network as you're leaving from if you like the coverage. Ting GSM is T-Mobile, so it's going to unfortunately be weak in a lot of places AT&T coverage is not. That said, there's also way cheaper T-Mo MVNOs than Ting... Ting's actually kind of a ripoff in comparison to outfits like P'tel when you factor the per line cost and taxes.

In your case, Airvoice, H2O Wireless and Puretalk USA would probably be the better solutions... though you will likely run into iPhone data configuration issues, sadly. You can blame Apple for that.

Now I'm trying to find the best alternative for my partner, who currently has Verizon and doesn't want to give up her iphone--its all so tedious and confusing! 

If it's an iPhone 4S or newer, Verizon should now officially fully carrier unlock the SIM slot for domestic GSM usage now (though the 5 and newer were already carrier unlocked due to Verizon LTE auction requirements). That means GSM MVNOs if your coverage is good. Unfortunately, if it's a 5 or newer, however, and if they want to stay on Verizon... they don't have many choices, and will be restricted to plans $30 and up and cruddy carriers like PagePlus/StraightTalk. However, if it's a 4/4S, there is the potential of Selectel and BYO Wireless.

[geekette]

In your case, Airvoice, H2O Wireless and Puretalk USA would probably be the better solutions... though you will likely run into iPhone data configuration issues, sadly. You can blame Apple for that.

I think your info on this may be old.  Cellular data usage is quite configurable on the iPhone now.  I only allow a handful of apps to use cellular data.  The rest have to stick to wifi only.

[Daley]

In your case, Airvoice, H2O Wireless and Puretalk USA would probably be the better solutions... though you will likely run into iPhone data configuration issues, sadly. You can blame Apple for that.

I think your info on this may be old.  Cellular data usage is quite configurable on the iPhone now.  I only allow a handful of apps to use cellular data.  The rest have to stick to wifi only.

Last I heard, APN configurations with most AT&T MVNOs even under iOS8 was still a PITA. Has this finally changed? I'll admit, my ears haven't been as close to the ground on this front for a while.

[ltt]

We have a daughter who we switched to Republic--she can't video and no selfies----oh, well.  It's the $10 talk and text.  We pay a grand total for her of $12.46 a month.  Love it!!  Want to switch my other kids to it also once their contract runs out.

[geekette]

I don't know about APN setting, but within the iPhone settings, individual apps can be cut off from cellular data.

We may be talking about different things, but I seem to have a surplus of credit each month on the $10/month plan. I need to start using more data ;-).

[Daley]

I don't know about APN setting, but within the iPhone settings, individual apps can be cut off from cellular data.

We may be talking about different things, but I seem to have a surplus of credit each month on the $10/month plan. I need to start using more data ;-).

We're definitely talking about different things. I'm not speaking about granular data access control for apps, I'm talking APN configuration settings for "generic" AT&T MVNOs so the phone can use mobile data in the first place.

[geekette]

I had no problem with the APN settings - there's a site they send you to that seems to work.

Although...I don't receive group texts where one person of the 5-6 isn't on a iPhone, which is probably related to that.  Personally, I don't want the chatter, so I just get a summary of the flurry of texts later.  There's a workaround with briefly swapping in a T-Mobile Sim Card that allowed my old phone to get these group texts.  Notice I haven't done it on my new phone. 

"Nope, sorry, can't get those texts.  Just let me know what y'all come up with". 

Heh.

Now if only I could convince another friend that I "can't" get her videos of her cat....

[BBC]

Switched my wife over to T-Mobile for a week.  If you don't want to use your phone indoors it is probably a great service.  I put her back on my plan on AT&T.  Which was good since the best thing to happen to AT&T has been T-Mobile's price drops that AT&T almost always mirrors.  :)   

[RFAAOATB]

Recently I went to Best Buy looking into switching my 2 iPhones from AT&T to H20.  Instead I switched from a 10 GB plan to a 3GB plan and went from a $125 bill to a $90 bill.  Even though I cut my bill that much I still walked out of there thinking I got screwed.  I may be able to get something cheaper this summer when the phone goes off contract.

[Cassie]

AT & T is no longer doing contracts so we are not under one. I sometimes travel to remote areas for my consulting & this company was the only one with reliable coverage which I need.

[Bob W]

Just put our 3rd phone on republic.    10 bucks a phone.    Love it.

[fields]

IP Daley, thanks for your response.  My partner has an iphone 5 on Verizon, so I guess that means the choices are Page Plus or Straight Talk.  Anyone have experience with these?  What are the potential problems if we switch?

[Daley]

IP Daley, thanks for your response.  My partner has an iphone 5 on Verizon, so I guess that means the choices are Page Plus or Straight Talk.  Anyone have experience with these?  What are the potential problems if we switch?

Only if they insist on keeping Verizon coverage instead of potentially switching over to AT&T or T-Mobile coverage, which is very doable with these phones.

As for Page Plus and StraightTalk specifically, they're both sub-brands of Carlos Slim's America Movil, the 800lb. MVNO gorilla. Support is... let me put it this way: my time dealing with NET10 and Tracfone (two more AM brands) is part of the reason why I researched and eventually put the guide together in the first place. When I discovered there was cheaper and better for less, I never went back and I made a point to try and keep others from making the same mistake. To say customer service is the pits is to politely understate the truth.

Unfortunately, due to Verizon being Verizon, the only Verizon MVNOs that support the activation of Verizon LTE handsets are two sub-brands of one of the most frustrating to deal with MVNO conglomerates on the market. This is why I currently recommend Verizon LTE refugees (if the phone has GSM support and the coverage is amenable to it) switch to a GSM MVNO instead. It's cheaper, and there's better support. The Verizon iPhone 5 is already carrier unlocked, if either AT&T or T-Mobile GSM coverage works for your partner, just give Big Red the brush off and don't look back.

[Stachetastic]

My husband is currently with Verizon and he has looked at going to Straight Talk, but was told that while you can port your phone number to ST, they won't release it if you choose to leave them for another carrier. (He was told this by a Verizon employee, so it could just be a scare tactic.) Anyone have any insight on this?

[seattlecyclone]

My husband is currently with Verizon and he has looked at going to Straight Talk, but was told that while you can port your phone number to ST, they won't release it if you choose to leave them for another carrier. (He was told this by a Verizon employee, so it could just be a scare tactic.) Anyone have any insight on this?

Phone number porting is required by federal law, provided you're switching carriers within the same geographic area. Carriers have the right to charge you a fee for this service to recoup any costs they have in performing the porting.

[Daley]

My husband is currently with Verizon and he has looked at going to Straight Talk, but was told that while you can port your phone number to ST, they won't release it if you choose to leave them for another carrier. (He was told this by a Verizon employee, so it could just be a scare tactic.) Anyone have any insight on this?

Phone number porting is required by federal law, provided you're switching carriers within the same geographic area. Carriers have the right to charge you a fee for this service to recoup any costs they have in performing the porting.

Tis true legally speaking, but part of the problem is the parent company and the quality of customer service. Some MVNOs are easier to port in than out. This is pretty much the issue for pretty much all America Movil brands (Tracfone, NET10, StraightTalk, SIMple Mobile, Page Plus, SafeLink, Telcel, Total Wireless), which isn't to say that you can't port out, but it can be slow and difficult depending on the situation. Republic is another brand that's difficult to port back out of due to technical issues and mobile versus home line definitions with some carriers. This is yet another reason why I typically don't recommend these brands.

So yeah, the Verizon rep is technically spouting FUD, but all the same, ST is no prize pig to deal with amongst the gamut of MVNOs.