Author Topic: Please help with picking new cell plan  (Read 3809 times)

AceStache

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Please help with picking new cell plan
« on: May 14, 2015, 04:57:55 PM »
I am with Verizon and have been with Alltel/Verizon since getting my first cell phone about 14 years ago.  I've always been happy with their service and the coverage in my area (Michigan) is top notch.  Got my first smartphone (Galaxy S5) seven months ago on a 2 year contract.  My bill is $65/month total for unlimited talk, text, and 2 GB data.  I would really like to get in the $30-$35 range, now that I realize there are actually options to do this.  Since I signed this before Nov. 2014, I believe I am on the pro-rated ETF schedule, meaning I'd owe $280 instead of $350. Here is my average usage since adopting this plan:

Minutes: 280/avg (highest was 516, only once in a month with many job interviews)
Text: 2,100/avg (highest was 2,549)
Data: 186 MB/avg (almost all of my Internet use is on WIFI)

Does anybody know if I cancel the contract and pay the ETF if they will unlock the phone?  I was mostly thinking going to a Verizon MNVO would be my best play, because I could then use the phone still, I think. lol.  Page Plus seemed to be the best bet with their $30 plan for 1,200 min, 3,000 texts, and 500 MB data.  I had pretty much determined that was the best bet until reading a lot of negative articles about them since they were bought.  I've searched the forums here for comments, and almost all were very positive, but most were also before the buyout.  So can anybody still vouch for them today?

Anybody have any input on any carriers/plans given my circumstances?

Thank you for your time!

Davin

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Re: Please help with picking new cell plan
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2015, 12:38:36 AM »
I have been using Page Plus for the last two years. Anecdotally, I can say I have not noticed any changes. The $30 plan seems right for your usage. Their customer service is slow, but they have been helpful enough. You should really consult I.P. Daley's superguide, though; it is the definitive mustachian telecom resource.

nitsuj1225

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Re: Please help with picking new cell plan
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2015, 07:56:16 AM »
Based on your data being mostly on Wi-Fi, you have to at least look into Republic Wireless.  If you're on Wi-Fi most of the time, you can probably get the $10/month unlimited talk/text plan and still have data over Wi-Fi.  That's what I have and haven't looked back from Verizon.  Great value and perfect for Wi-Fi users.  They even have cheap (but good) phones available.  I think the cheapest is $99 all the way up to the high-end Moto X for $399.  They use Sprint cell towers when Wi-Fi isn't available.

Hoberto

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Re: Please help with picking new cell plan
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2015, 06:06:32 AM »
I've had Republic with Moto X for a few years.  I have unlimited wireless data/talk/text for $11.75 total per month.  There is no contract.  If I'm going somewhere I'm not confident of having wireless service I'll change my plan for a few days, and then change my plan back to unlimited wireless.

I highly recommend them.

AceStache

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Re: Please help with picking new cell plan
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2015, 07:49:25 AM »
I have been using Page Plus for the last two years. Anecdotally, I can say I have not noticed any changes. The $30 plan seems right for your usage. Their customer service is slow, but they have been helpful enough. You should really consult I.P. Daley's superguide, though; it is the definitive mustachian telecom resource.

Thank you for chiming in.  Yes, I did check out Daley's superguide, which is what pretty much led me to the MNVO's, but man, with so many of the major carriers doing everything they can to lure customers (especially from Verizon), and no MNVO seemingly superior (some don't offer 4G, some have this but not that, and changing almost monthly), I was just hoping for some direction or suggestions.  From what I've seen Page Plus seems to be the winner, but it sounds like their roaming rate are outrageous and I really have no idea how often I'd roam because I've never had to worry about it.  Between that and reading articles about a downhill spiral since being purchased has left me a tad leery.

Based on your data being mostly on Wi-Fi, you have to at least look into Republic Wireless.  If you're on Wi-Fi most of the time, you can probably get the $10/month unlimited talk/text plan and still have data over Wi-Fi.  That's what I have and haven't looked back from Verizon.  Great value and perfect for Wi-Fi users.  They even have cheap (but good) phones available.  I think the cheapest is $99 all the way up to the high-end Moto X for $399.  They use Sprint cell towers when Wi-Fi isn't available.

I've had Republic with Moto X for a few years.  I have unlimited wireless data/talk/text for $11.75 total per month.  There is no contract.  If I'm going somewhere I'm not confident of having wireless service I'll change my plan for a few days, and then change my plan back to unlimited wireless.

I highly recommend them.

Thank you both for the suggestion.  My biggest issue with doing that is I will already be paying the ETF, so I hate then to shell out another couple hundred dollars for a new phone when I'd already have a Galaxy S5.  I will take another peak at them though. Thanks!

Davin

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Re: Please help with picking new cell plan
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2015, 01:19:09 PM »
I have been using Page Plus for the last two years. Anecdotally, I can say I have not noticed any changes. The $30 plan seems right for your usage. Their customer service is slow, but they have been helpful enough. You should really consult I.P. Daley's superguide, though; it is the definitive mustachian telecom resource.

Thank you for chiming in.  Yes, I did check out Daley's superguide, which is what pretty much led me to the MNVO's, but man, with so many of the major carriers doing everything they can to lure customers (especially from Verizon), and no MNVO seemingly superior (some don't offer 4G, some have this but not that, and changing almost monthly), I was just hoping for some direction or suggestions.  From what I've seen Page Plus seems to be the winner, but it sounds like their roaming rate are outrageous and I really have no idea how often I'd roam because I've never had to worry about it.  Between that and reading articles about a downhill spiral since being purchased has left me a tad leery.


It is good you are leery, I don't trust any of them that much. Your roaming on Page Plus would occur with the exact same frequency as with Verizon since they use the same network. It was their coverage in my area and the ease of bringing my own device that led me to go with Page Plus. My S.O. decided to go with Republic and has been having regrets due to lousy service and even worse customer service, but she is sticking with them for now because she already shelled out for the phone. As I said before, this is anecdotal, and your situation may be different, but I would like to point out that one of the reasons I decided to try Page Plus was that with no contract and being able to bring my own device, it didn't cost anything to try it out other than a one month payment. If you find you don't like it or it doesn't meet your needs, there is no reason not to just try something else.