Need a new wireless provider

[Sulame66]

Apparently Verizon didn't have me on a 'contract' in the sense of the word 'contract' where I though I was locked in for two years. I bought a phone in May of 2015 and just paid it off last week, thinking I had to go that two year period before swapping.

Nope, it was a 'month to month contract'. Because that makes sense. I know when I go buy food one time at the store, that's a contract. And then when I purchase gas, that's a contract. Because a contract is definitely something you can leave at any time and has no legal ramifications if you leave. And it would never be used in a disingenuous situation like this to con somebody into staying rather than leaving.

So I basically have an S6, no desire to upgrade my phone or swap, and I just need a new provider.

I've been paying $50 a month for a 1 GB plan, because it apparently costs $50 in 2017 to give me 1 GB of data. I don't use a ton, but sometimes I go over, so 2 GB would be nice. I don't need anything above that. I don't really use the data for anything other than browsing at lunch, google maps, and the occasional youtube clips while away from Wi-Fi.

I live in Texas

What are some good options?

[Spork]

The long answer: read IP Dailey's guide: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/communications-tech-son-of-the-superguide!/

It goes into all sorts of detail based on your usage/area/etc.

Personal answer: I'm in Texas and use Consumer Cellular.  It runs on ATT network (as a coverage comparison).  2 adults with very mild data usage spend $50/mo for 2 phones with more minutes, more SMS's and more data than we can consume.  I know there are LOTS of other options based on your expected usage, so read through the guide. 

[MMMarbleheader]

I have a work phone but my wife tried republic wireless. It was cheap but a little too beta for her. The wifi glitches a lot and it was difficult to transition from the iPhone. We switched to metro pcs which you can bring your own iPhone. It's $30/mo for 1gb data and unlimited talk/text. If you go over the 1gb they don't charge you, they just put u on 3G. It's a T-Mobile network. Overall we have been very happy

[Davids]

Virgin Mobile, Boost Mobile, Metro PCS, Cricket are all solid prepaid wireless providers. Look online and see which one suits you best.

[HipGnosis]

I had Verizon.  Quite a while ago.

I switched to PagePlus.  It's a MVNO, which is the industrys term for a 3rd party reseller.   It uses the Verizon network and therefore can use verizon phones (except pre-pay phones).  Same coverage as Verizon.   It's MUCH cheaper than Verizon.   $30 for 1500 minutes, unlimited text, and 1 GB of data.
I've been very happy with them.  Even with the customer support.  I even ported my home, landline # to them when I got a new phone (the old cell phone now has my 'home' #).

But... PagePlus was recently bought out by a big, heartless corporation.  I've read multiple people say the customer service is going to go to hell.  I haven't experienced that, but I have researched who to switch to if it does.  SelecTel.   Also $30 for  1500 minutes, unlimited text, and 1 GB of data.

[inline five]

Total Wireless runs on VZ towers, they are under the Carlos Slim America Movil umbrella along with Straight Talk, Net10, Tracfone, PagePlus and probably more.

$35/month for unlimited talk, text and I think 5gb data with a little savings on autopay that covers taxes. About the best deal going for VZ service using a VZ phone. I've been under Net10 and now Total for around seven years, except for transferring the number and setting up firsts months service which can be dicey unless you do it online it works extremely well. Limited taxes on prepaid as well.

[FiftyIsTheNewTwenty]

No one has suggested Ting yet?  I switched a couple of years ago after 25 years on Verizon (since it was Airtouch).  I couldn't be happier.

I stayed with Verizon for such a long time because they had the best coverage -- I traveled a lot, well off the beaten path.  But I've had no issues with Ting all over the Southeast, and around the DC metro area.

Ting cut my bill by 2/3.  More this month, when it will be only $15.

Check out Ting through my referral link:

https://z3ic8c4p6ac.ting.com/

[sokoloff]

I'm also a very happy Ting user. 4 phones, 2 of which get a fair amount of "normal" use, 1 of which gets emergency use only, and one that gets almost no use and our bill (total) comes to $55-65/mo for all that.

I won't post my referral code, as 50isnew20 already did, but two thumbs up for Ting!

[sokoloff]

On your S6, do some research and definitively determine if your phone is CDMA, GSM, or "both".

If it's CDMA-only and not locked to Verizon, you can use Verizon or Sprint or their MVNOs.
If it's GSM and not locked, you can use AT&T, T-mobile, or their MVNOs.

If it's Verizon, it's probably CDMA or both. My experience on Ting's (Sprint's) CDMA network was a little spotty in some areas and the Ting GSM (running on T-mobile's network) has better coverage.

[Sulame66]

Total Wireless runs on VZ towers, they are under the Carlos Slim America Movil umbrella along with Straight Talk, Net10, Tracfone, PagePlus and probably more.

$35/month for unlimited talk, text and I think 5gb data with a little savings on autopay that covers taxes. About the best deal going for VZ service using a VZ phone. I've been under Net10 and now Total for around seven years, except for transferring the number and setting up firsts months service which can be dicey unless you do it online it works extremely well. Limited taxes on prepaid as well.

So do I need to use a service like this because I have a VZ phone? I tried looking up Cricket and when I dial *#06# on my phone it says it can't complete the call, which Cricket says probably means incompatibility