Cell and/or internet plans for St. Louis area

[matjone]

Hello, I am wondering if anyone has recommendations for cheap cell phone and internet in the st. louis area?

My situation: I live with my girlfriend and we both have at&t for phone & internet.  My phone is only 45, internet is around 50 I think.  Her phone is somewhere around 80 or 90.  I travel for work to Louisiana and Texas so I'd need it to work there too.

Has anyone found a cheap alternative to the big players?  I have looked into republic, but I am wary of them because they use sprint towers and I have heard that some have had problems with roaming on the verizon network, and Sprint does not have very good coverage in this area.

Thanks in advance

[b4u2]

Look into Ting.com They use Sprint but also roam on Verizon.

[Daley]

Hello, I am wondering if anyone has recommendations for cheap cell phone and internet in the st. louis area?

Start with the first seven posts here in the Superguide:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/communications-tech-isps-voip-cell/

Your best choice would be to stay with an MVNO that uses the same network that you're already using and has a large coverage footprint. In your case, that's AT&T, so Airvoice would be your best provider choice. Get your current phones carrier unlocked, and it's just a SIM card swap and number port away.

As I stated, though... start with the Superguide, ignore MMM's Republic endorsement, and steer clear of any advice telling you that you have to switch cellphone hardware to make this work.

[Srekar]

I just switched to airvoice's $10 plan. They also have $30/40/60 plan that include unlimited min/text. I'm also using a mobile hot spot from freedompop for additional data.
I think your cheapest internet in StL is going to be ATT DSL or ATT uverse. I just moved from the area and had Charter at about $50. But depending on your usage you may be able to use a hotspot like this-
http://www.freedompop.com/travelphoton?utm_term=113669&utm_campaign=1792&utm_medium=techbargains&utm_source=impactradius

This is the device I'm using now. It only works in bigger markets on the WiMAX network. Freedompop also has devices that would allow you to have more flexibility if you're traveling outside of major cities.

[mpbaker22]

I use virgin ($35/month for unlimited text and data plus 300 minutes + free minutes if you have the right app).  The service seems to be just ok in STL and incredibly great everywhere else.

[13owie]

I use H20 Wireless. They use AT&T network. ~$10/mo paying $.05 per min and text. Keep usage low via Google voice sms & the freedom pop 4G hot spot. Still can't believe that deal 19.99 one time charge for 500 mb/Mo for free...

[Unique User]

I use Walmart Family Mobile $40 per month for unlimited talk and text.  Runs off of TMobile networks.  I think there is a 2G cap on data, but I've never come close.  Just traveled down to Louisiana and had coverage the entire way through Arkansas.  Internet is Charter, but getting ready to change that.