Which phone company to use in USA?

the_tyrant · 07-24-12, 08:44 AM

It depends on your phone. I presume you have a GSM unlocked device? (maybe give us the model, so we can look up the bands)

I'm not American, so I might not have the best suggestion, but check out AT&T and T-Mobile, they are the GSM carriers.

Ok, so for at&t, the pricing is here: http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/pla...paidplans.html

Sailor Steve · 07-24-12, 08:50 AM

Net10. Ten cents per minute, no other fees, period. Phones as cheap as $20.
http://www.net10.com/

geetrue · 07-24-12, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Net10. Ten cents per minute, no other fees, period. Phones as cheap as $20.
http://www.net10.com/

I don't have a cell phone, but thinking of one. Do they charge you for incoming phone calls too or do you have to get one of those unlimted plans?

Sailor Steve · 07-24-12, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geetrue

I don't have a cell phone, but thinking of one. Do they charge you for incoming phone calls too or do you have to get one of those unlimted plans?

Yes they do. Ten cents per minute going or coming, fifteen cents for oversees calls. I actually get a discount because I use an automated monthly download: $15 for 200 minutes. It's a terrible plan if you talk a lot, but I talk less than 100 minutes per month, so for me it's a great deal. The minutes roll over so I have around 800 minutes in reserve right now.

If you talk a lot a real monthly plan is the better way to go. Currently they run about $50 for an unlimited plan. If I used it more I'd probably go back to T-Mobile.

Gargamel · 07-24-12, 07:00 PM

What about data Steve?

I use about 10-15 gigs a months, but talk less than 30 minutes.

McBeck · 07-24-12, 07:13 PM

I have brought my own (unlocked) phone, so I just need a place to buy a SIM card and some minutes. A bonus would be like 1Gb of data as well

Gargamel · 07-24-12, 07:36 PM

I'm not sure if vurgin uses gsm. But they're known for prepaid.

Sailor Steve · 07-24-12, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gargamel

What about data Steve?

I use about 10-15 gigs a months, but talk less than 30 minutes.

I'm not sure, as I only use my phone for talking. This is the page they provide. Sorry if it doesn't tell you what you need to know, but it's all I have.
http://www.net10.com/data_svs/price_chart.jsp

PeriscopeDepth · 07-26-12, 01:03 AM

T-Mobile or AT&T prepaid is likely your best option. T-mobile operates on a bizarro GSM band for 3G so you may not get 3G depending on your phone. AT&T has a prepaid brand (GoPhone I think?) and operates Euro style GSM, may be your surest bet for compatibility.

To my knowledge all the other major/minor American carriers are CDMA and likely a no go for you.

PD

07-24-12, 08:44 AM	#1
the_tyrant Admiral Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 2,272 Downloads: 58 Uploads: 0	It depends on your phone. I presume you have a GSM unlocked device? (maybe give us the model, so we can look up the bands) I'm not American, so I might not have the best suggestion, but check out AT&T and T-Mobile, they are the GSM carriers. Ok, so for at&t, the pricing is here: http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/pla...paidplans.html __________________ My own open source project on Sourceforge OTP.net KGB grade encryption for the rest of us

07-24-12, 08:50 AM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Net10. Ten cents per minute, no other fees, period. Phones as cheap as $20. http://www.net10.com/ __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

07-24-12, 07:00 PM	#5
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	What about data Steve? I use about 10-15 gigs a months, but talk less than 30 minutes. __________________ Luck is a residue of Design.

07-24-12, 07:13 PM	#6
McBeck Admiral Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,027 Downloads: 15 Uploads: 0	I have brought my own (unlocked) phone, so I just need a place to buy a SIM card and some minutes. A bonus would be like 1Gb of data as well __________________ "I like subcommanders...they dont have time for bull**!" Proud member of the Subsim army of zombies Becks website

07-24-12, 07:36 PM	#7
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	I'm not sure if vurgin uses gsm. But they're known for prepaid. __________________ Luck is a residue of Design.

07-26-12, 01:03 AM	#9
PeriscopeDepth Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,894 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	T-Mobile or AT&T prepaid is likely your best option. T-mobile operates on a bizarro GSM band for 3G so you may not get 3G depending on your phone. AT&T has a prepaid brand (GoPhone I think?) and operates Euro style GSM, may be your surest bet for compatibility. To my knowledge all the other major/minor American carriers are CDMA and likely a no go for you. PD