So, we've been saving a ton of money using Ting. However, I've had ongoing issues with spotty connections and have reached maximum frustration where something needs to change. I think what I want to do is just switch from Ting's T-mobile to Sprint networks, but wanted to run that by you all to see if others have had success with this solution, plus I'm looking for recommendations on a new phone.
Right now I'm using an iphone 4 on the Ting T-mobile network, and - with a cell phone booster - get a weak connection in my office and a good connection that occasionally disappears and drops the call in other areas around my house. I use the phone for work, so the dropped calls are usually meetings where my boss is present. NOT GOOD. We never had problems with connectivity with Verizon. I tried to find a Ting-like alternative that uses Verizon, and found that a) such a thing doesn't exist b) Ting supposedly will switch phone/text to draw on the Verizon network when you are on the Sprint network and there's a gap. If b is true and works as advertised, switching to a CDMA-sprint phone will solve all my problems. Yes?
But, assuming that works, I have a new problem. My 30 minutes of googling and research told me that the iphone 4 won't work on the Sprint network and I need a CDMA-specific phone, but that Sprint and Verizon's CDMA are different somehow and I should buy a Sprint-compatible phone. Great. Went to Amazon and did a search for Sprint phones in my $150ish price range, and got...a bunch of phones that aren't compatible with Sprint. Ting's in-store CDMA phones are all $300+. If that's truly the only price range, I'll consider it, but I'm really hoping for something cheaper.
Anyone out there using Ting's CDMA network or Sprint with a phone they like that won't break the bank? I value good battery life and the ability to use Waze/Google maps smoothly, plus the occasional ability to look up info when I don't have a wireless connection. So, a reliable smart phone but nothing top of the line, and I'd really prefer to keep it to <$200.
