Google Voice + Talkatone App + Mobile Hotspot = Win

[James81]

Just wanted to share this. I took MMM recommendation to try Republic Wireless. Tried it for about a week and the only complaint I had was that my area has super terrible Sprint coverage, so I was going to have to offload most of my calls and text onto wifi anyway. So, I sent the phone back and got my money back (and they were awesome about it...I would wholeheartedly recommend Republic Wireless to anybody who DOES have decent sprint coverage in their area).

Instead, I went back to my ole Galaxy S3. But instead of paying for a $100 per month full throttle plan, I decided to sign up for Google Voice, got a free number, and axed my plan entirely. Found an app in google store (Talkatone app) that allows me to use google voice on my phone just like a regular talk and text app and I have essentially free, awesome smart phone service.

But since I did not want to handcuff myself to wifi (the places where I spend most of my time have wifi, but I wanted to be able to use my phone anywhere), I signed up for a mobile hotspot. You can get them as low as $25 per month for 2 gigs, but I got the 5 gig plan for $50 through AT&T (because that was the lowest they would allow me to go). Sliced my phone bill in half, but I still have my full horsepower smartphone for well under half the cost.

I wrote a full article about it on my website (link is in my sig if you are interested). But I'm pretty pleased with it. Google Voice works ok. It has its glitches, but I'll take those glitches for the money I save.

[Daley]

So wait... you're paying $50 a month for 5GB of AT&T data through a WiFi hotspot just to get GV and Talkatone to work on your phone for "unlimited" calling and texting via a VoIP solution?

I just want to make sure I'm understanding this right.

[James81]

So wait... you're paying $50 a month for 5GB of AT&T data through a WiFi hotspot just to get GV and Talkatone to work on your phone for "unlimited" calling and texting via a VoIP solution?

I just want to make sure I'm understanding this right.

I am paying that, but I don't necessarily HAVE to pay that.

I could treat my cell phone sort of like an old landline (where I only use it where there's wifi service and don't necessarily have service EVERYWHERE I go) and it would be entirely free (sans the cost of the phone that is).

I could have went with another wireless carrier and got a 2 gig hotspot for $25 a month (roughly the same cost as a Republic Wireless plan but with a way more awesome phone), but I opted for a 5 gig data plan mostly because I tether a lot to my laptop, so it's both a hook up for my phone and on the go internet service for my laptop as well.

I like this way of doing it for two reasons:

1. You no longer have just one "phone." With google voice, any device can become your phone really. You can use your laptop as a phone. Your tablet as a phone. You can get an ipod touch and use it as a phone (ipod touch is way cheaper than an iphone). Or you can find awesome used smartphones if you want. You could have one device as your phone or four or five (not very mustachian I know) that you rotate. There's a ton of flexibility there.

2. It kind of kills two birds with one stone. I get internet service in conjunction with a phone service for one low price.

[destron]

I thought about doing something like that, but I found the audio quality to be quite poor compared to standard voice calls and I had a difficult time talking on the phone. I just got cheaper phone service instead.

It is a fun technical project. On the other hand, it is always an option to drop cell service and only use my phone over wi-fi if I lose my job / need to fully minimize my expenditures.

[Daley]

I am paying that, but I don't necessarily HAVE to pay that.

You're right, you don't have to pay that.

[arebelspy]

My wife uses Google Voice and Talkatone as her primary phone, but she uses FreedomPop for her mobile host, completely free.

Though if you're not in a 4G area it's like $3/mo. for 3G/4G, IIRC.

$50/mo. seems a little ridiculous to pay for this sort of hackney'd setup (she only does it because it's completely free, $0/mo.)

[frugteacher]

I have Airvoice, pay $9.70 a month to reload it on my iPhone, use Talkatone for almost all my calls and texts, and also have FreedomPop for when I'm out and about. Been doing this almost a year and have had no hiccups, love it!

[James81]

My wife uses Google Voice and Talkatone as her primary phone, but she uses FreedomPop for her mobile host, completely free.

Though if you're not in a 4G area it's like $3/mo. for 3G/4G, IIRC.

$50/mo. seems a little ridiculous to pay for this sort of hackney'd setup (she only does it because it's completely free, $0/mo.)

Oh, whoah, I did not know about Freedom Pop. Cliffs on how that works?

[Daley]

$50/mo. seems a little ridiculous to pay for this sort of hackney'd setup (she only does it because it's completely free, $0/mo.)

Quite... especially when there's "unlimited" plans with real phone and SMS service like these and these... then of course, that's assuming you actually use the phone enough to actually need "unlimited" service in the first place.

[James81]

$50/mo. seems a little ridiculous to pay for this sort of hackney'd setup (she only does it because it's completely free, $0/mo.)

Quite... especially when there's "unlimited" plans with real phone and SMS service like these and these... then of course, that's assuming you actually use the phone enough to actually need "unlimited" service in the first place.

Again, the big thing about this particular idea is the fact that I get to use whatever phone or device I please. Those unlimited pay as you go plans don't necessarily offer you very good phones. This is, essentially, my way of having a device that I absolutely love for as cheaply as I'm willing to pay for it.

At any time I could have this set up for completely free if I'm willing to go to wifi only. Or I can pay $25 a month for a hotspot and just cut back on my data consumption.

I should also note that MOST of my phone use is texting. I rarely use the actual phone.

[Daley]

$50/mo. seems a little ridiculous to pay for this sort of hackney'd setup (she only does it because it's completely free, $0/mo.)

Quite... especially when there's "unlimited" plans with real phone and SMS service like these and these... then of course, that's assuming you actually use the phone enough to actually need "unlimited" service in the first place.

Again, the big thing about this particular idea is the fact that I get to use whatever phone or device I please. Those unlimited pay as you go plans don't necessarily offer you very good phones. This is, essentially, my way of having a device that I absolutely love for as cheaply as I'm willing to pay for it.

At any time I could have this set up for completely free if I'm willing to go to wifi only. Or I can pay $25 a month for a hotspot and just cut back on my data consumption.

I should also note that MOST of my phone use is texting. I rarely use the actual phone.

Um... James? Those are both BYOD providers, you can bring any GSM phone you like.

Seriously, the first link I gave you? The links in my sigline that says "Communications Superguide"? This link again right here for the thread stickied right above your post in this very sub-forum? Take a few minutes and give it a look, it'll be worth it.

[James81]

Um... James? Those are both BYOD providers, you can bring any GSM phone you like.

Seriously, the first link I gave you? The links in my sigline that says "Communications Superguide"? This link again right here for the thread stickied right above your post in this very sub-forum? Take a few minutes and give it a look, it'll be worth it.

I read through it. Of the options listed in those two links you gave me, I really only have the choice of Airvoice (because I only have AT&T coverage in my area and US Cellular). For the type of service I am currently using and paying for, I'd have to pay $10 more ($60 a month) for basically the same type of coverage and data, but no tethering.

I like combining my cell phone data with my actual internet bill (in the long run that is way cheaper than if I bought internet at home and went to a non-tethering service).

I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm actually willing to listen to a suggestion that matches the type of service I'm looking for. Airvoice has my curiosity piqued a bit, but only a bit.

[Daley]

Well, your first mistake in approaching this is that you think you need unlimited anything. Unlimited is a sucker's game, and you need to do the math on what you actually use. Second, wireless data is always going to be more expensive and never as good as wired, and people really don't need much wireless data with a little planning and self discipline. Third, convenience will cost you, and the resulting bill will either never give you quite the service, price or service and price you could get if you're willing to break bills apart and shop.

All any of us are doing is pointing out that there's better approaches to your setup than you realize, and likely for less or much higher quality service for a fraction more (you get what you pay for). It's a well worn path, and I've tried my best to be a decent sherpa to the fine folks in these forums for a good year and a half. It's a noble start you've made, but you're still in the shallow end of possibilities.

It's time to truly develop your inner communications badass, grasshopper.

[James81]

Well, your first mistake in approaching this is that you think you need unlimited anything. Unlimited is a sucker's game, and you need to do the math on what you actually use. Second, wireless data is always going to be more expensive and never as good as wired, and people really don't need much wireless data with a little planning and self discipline. Third, convenience will cost you, and the resulting bill will either never give you quite the service, price or service and price you could get if you're willing to break bills apart and shop.

All any of us are doing is pointing out that there's better approaches to your setup than you realize, and likely for less or much higher quality service for a fraction more (you get what you pay for). It's a well worn path, and I've tried my best to be a decent sherpa to the fine folks in these forums for a good year and a half. It's a noble start you've made, but you're still in the shallow end of possibilities.

It's time to truly develop your inner communications badass, grasshopper.

At the very least, you've got me reading through your thread and considering some other options. Usually when I do that, I wind up figuring out something better. So, thanks.

As far as the unlimited thing, I already know what I basically use a month in voice, text, and data. I don't think I've ever went over a 100 minutes in a month. I've used as many as a thousand texts a month, but usually average more like 100 texts a month (now that I'm single again lol).  The data I use for both my phone and internet at home bangs in at a little over 4 GB a month, so the data plan I have actually matches that very well. I may look into the Airvoice talk and text. For less than $10 a month I could tack that on to what I have and have a more reliable voice service.

It's going to be hard to beat $50 for phone and internet service though. Starting bills for internet here are like $50 (for wired internet that is). Any major internet usage I do (youtube/netflix/etc.), I just go to a local coffee shop and hook to their internet. That's actually where I'm at right now.

[Daley]

So, thanks.

We offer service with a smile!

You're welcome.

[frugteacher]

Freedom pop is great. You have to buy the device, which varies but its $90 on amazon. That's the only cost. You get 500 mb free each month. Service has been fine for me. In some indoor locations it doesn't work but hasn't been a huge issue. I like using this with my iPad too.