Problems with simple cell

[AMandM]

I'm trying to help my 90yo father with his cell phone, but I'm old enough that all cell phones are newfangled to me and I haven't kept up with the changes since I got a phone that works for my limited needs.

He has an ancient flip phone (Alcatel Go Flip) that has developed problems connecting calls. Some calls are fine, some he can hear the other person but they can't hear him, some calls don't go through at all.  I wonder whether the problem is that his phone is too old to handle the new networks that carry calls--it uses LTE. Is that a reasonable explanation? I admit that I don't really understand these networks. Another possible explanation is that the service is based in Canada (Bell Mobility) but he now lives in the US, so he's constantly roaming.

For that and other reasons, he is considering buying a new US-based phone. But all he wants is to make calls, he never uses text or data. He cannot handle a touchscreen, so we're looking at phones with large number buttons that are advertised as for seniors. I know I will have to check whether the phone is compatible with whichever service he signs up with (probably Ting, because I know that he can call to and from Canada on that). What network capability should it have? I see some for 2G, 4G, and I know that 5G exists. Does the network matter if all he does is make calls?

[Daley]

First, most of his problems are probably because he's roaming, not because of the phone itself. If he's happy with the phone, the phone is functional, and the phone is carrier unlocked, and is potentially compatible with either AT&T or T-Mobile (probably only T-Mo, truthfully, AT&T may or may not), that's always a potential option.... but I'd need to know what the exact model of Alcatel Flip being used to find that out, and you'd need to make sure that it was carrier unlocked by the current carrier up in Canada first.

4G LTE is really all he needs and the lowest end network in the States now, and all you'll be able to get network wise on modern feature phones.

No matter what network works best in your area, I'd highly recommend looking into US Mobile as well as Ting, since their plans can be gotten on all three major networks (DarkStar=AT&T, Warp=Verizon, LightSpeed=T-Mo), and they have an "unlimited" light plan for $10/month or $96/year with a $3/month or $36/year international calling add-on that provides unlimited calling to Canada, and that includes all taxes and fees. They also include free international roaming with some of their plans, and offer an optional $15/month international roaming add-on that provides 150 minutes, 150SMS, and 1GB of data that'll largely go unused under the circumstances. May or may not work out cheaper than Ting, but it's definitely an option if AT&T winds up being your best coverage network in the area. But still, run the numbers with his usage history. US Mobile might work out to be cheaper than Ting depending on the plan and roaming minutes.

If the phone needs to be replaced, however? There's not a lot of unlocked, big button feature phones with 4G LTE support anymore. There are vendor lock-in MVNO options like Lively's Jitterbug Flip 2 (which I don't believe Lively's calling plans have international calling options), or more mainstream feature phones with smaller buttons that aren't so elderly friendly (a good way to find a good assortment of these sorts of feature phones would be searching for "kosher phones" which, if nothing else can help you find specific model numbers of phones if you don't want it locked down on data and features) but of the unlocked independent type with big buttons? Due to the LTE switch and network vendor lock-in, the generics really can't use anything but T-Mobile as the network anymore. Of those options, Easyfone has the widest selection with the following three models, but you'll need to use a T-Mobile based MVNO which may or may not work in your area as well as other networks:

Easyfone Prime A1
Easyfone Prime A6
Easyfone T6

Otherwise, there's the Nokia 2780 Flip, which should work on either T-Mobile or Verizon's network (Verizon being the safest network suggestion bet not knowing where you are), and US Mobile has it available in their store for $90, which is the same price as HMD has it for sale directly.

Otherwise, if you cave and give up and go smartphone anyway, be aware of Grand Launcher and BIG Launcher as ways of making a smartphone more elderly friendly. Unfortunately, the open source Baldphone I used to recommend is now a dead project.

Hope this helps!

[Daley]

Additional bits of info.

1) I went scrounging for more phone options. I found the AGM M8 Flip, which is a rugged flip phone with large buttons, and looks like it should be compatible with both Verizon and T-Mobile's networks, as well as Bell Wireless and Telus. Why mention Canadian networks (other than for roaming)? The unique thing about this phone is that it's dual SIM, as in it can have two SIM cards at the same time. Doesn't have to, but it can. I only mention it as a possible hack/option for cheaper outbound calling while roaming the Great White North, as you could use a native carrier instead. Probably too complicated a setup for your father using two SIM cards, but I'm mentioning it potentially for others as well, as a feature beyond just a senior friendly flip phone.

2) If AT&T is a potentially needed/wanted carrier option (even though I can't really recommend any senior friendly AT&T flip phones - only mention the two AT&T Prepaid flip phone models available currently, the TCL Classic and Sonim XP3plus, which should still work with other AT&T MVNOs in theory like they used to unless something's changed on that front), H2O Wireless has an $18/month "unlimited" talk and text plan with a ton of useless data on a feature phone, but includes unlimited international calling/texting to Canada and $5 in international roaming credits a month, which roaming up in Canada gets billed at 2¢/minute/SMS/MB data. So, that's like 250 available roaming minutes a month for Canada included in that base price.

That's all I got.

[AMandM]

Thank you so much!

He lives permanently in the US, so it really makes the most sense for his phone service t be US-based. Plus it would be a lot cheaper, not that that matters much to him. I will ask Bell whether his phone is unlocked, and then we'll check out Ting and USMobile. Thank you!

[Daley]

Thank you so much!

He lives permanently in the US, so it really makes the most sense for his phone service t be US-based. Plus it would be a lot cheaper, not that that matters much to him. I will ask Bell whether his phone is unlocked, and then we'll check out Ting and USMobile. Thank you!

If you're willing to PM me a ZIP code, I can look to see who the best cellular network provider(s) are in the area too... that might help with network/plan selection as well.