New $40.00 3G plan, SLOW 3G download speed!!

[DannyNY]

I was about to purchase the $40 Simple Mobile plan. But, from the feedback here, it looks like the data speeds would be really slow. It looks like the next cheapest option seems to be Straight Talk ($45).

I have a few questions on the Straight Talk plan. Could you please help me?

1. Which network does ST use? AT&T or T-mobile or both?
2. It asks me what phone I have (Unlocked, T-mobile or AT&T). Does it mean I can use the carrier-locked phone instead of an unlocked phone?
3. From data speed and voice/data signal coverage perspective, is there any advantage between getting Unlocked, T-mobile or AT&T phones?

Thanks.

1. Straight Talk uses all 4 national networks. In order to use Verizon or Sprint you must purchase a handset from them...Their Android devices run on Sprint and their models ending in "C" are on Verizon. If you're using the BYOD offering then you have an option on whether you would like to use T-Mobile or AT&T networks.

2. You can use the carrier locked phones without a problem as long as you order the appropriate sim card for that carrier. It all depends on which network you prefer and what device you're going to use. T-Mobile branded phones don't support AT&T 3G and vice versa so if you have an iPhone for example then you would need an AT&T sim if you want to get 3G data speeds.

3. From data speeds and voice/data signal coverage perspective - both T-Mobile and AT&T BYOD plans will give you the same you'd get with postpaid from those carriers. Once again, if you want the most optimal experience then make sure the phone you're planning to use has the 3G bands of the carrier you want to use.
T-Mobile: 1700 Mhz
AT&T: 850/1900 Mhz

Do you know which phone you would like to use? Then we can figure out what's best for you.
Keep in mind that the BYOD program doesn't support: CDMA, Tracfone, BlackBerry, and International GSM (if they are locked to an international carrier, but can easily be unlocked) handsets.

[Ray999]

1. Straight Talk uses all 4 national networks. In order to use Verizon or Sprint you must purchase a handset from them...Their Android devices run on Sprint and their models ending in "C" are on Verizon. If you're using the BYOD offering then you have an option on whether you would like to use T-Mobile or AT&T networks.

2. You can use the carrier locked phones without a problem as long as you order the appropriate sim card for that carrier. It all depends on which network you prefer and what device you're going to use. T-Mobile branded phones don't support AT&T 3G and vice versa so if you have an iPhone for example then you would need an AT&T sim if you want to get 3G data speeds.

3. From data speeds and voice/data signal coverage perspective - both T-Mobile and AT&T BYOD plans will give you the same you'd get with postpaid from those carriers. Once again, if you want the most optimal experience then make sure the phone you're planning to use has the 3G bands of the carrier you want to use.
T-Mobile: 1700 Mhz
AT&T: 850/1900 Mhz

Do you know which phone you would like to use? Then we can figure out what's best for you.
Keep in mind that the BYOD program doesn't support: CDMA, Tracfone, BlackBerry, and International GSM (if they are locked to an international carrier, but can easily be unlocked) handsets.

Hi Danny,

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. I really appreciate it.

I don't have a phone yet but I am planning to use the BYOD offering, which means that I have to choose between AT&T and T-Mobile. I am ok with either of the two since there is decent coverage of signal in my area. But, do I get any better data speeds if I go with T-mobile vs. AT&T sim? What about data caps? Does T-mobile SIM have higher cap than the AT&T one? I am planning to buy a 3G phone. I am open to either of the phones (AT&T or T-mobile). I prefer to buy an android phone. From what you are saying, if I want to use T-mobile, the phone should have 1700Mhz band; if I want to use AT&T, it should have 850/1900, correct? As long as that is the case, then the data speeds should be comparable between the two?

Thanks.
Ray

[DannyNY]

Hi Danny,

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. I really appreciate it.

I don't have a phone yet but I am planning to use the BYOD offering, which means that I have to choose between AT&T and T-Mobile. I am ok with either of the two since there is decent coverage of signal in my area. But, do I get any better data speeds if I go with T-mobile vs. AT&T sim? What about data caps? Does T-mobile SIM have higher cap than the AT&T one? I am planning to buy a 3G phone. I am open to either of the phones (AT&T or T-mobile). I prefer to buy an android phone. From what you are saying, if I want to use T-mobile, the phone should have 1700Mhz band; if I want to use AT&T, it should have 850/1900, correct? As long as that is the case, then the data speeds should be comparable between the two?

Thanks.
Ray

Ray:

Data cap would be the same on either sim, around 2GB or so therefore it doesn't make a difference which sim you chose in regards to the amount of usage you'll be getting.

The difference between the two in regards to coverage/speed is dependent on your area...some places T-Mobile can be faster than AT&T and some AT&T can be faster than T-Mobile.
Straight Talk gives you exactly what you'd get if you went directly with the carrier so you have to ask around what people in your area use and what works best.

Plug you zip code into the coverage maps on www.att.com and www.tmobile.com and see how the coverage is in your area and what speeds they provide. If you're going with an Android then either of the carriers can work for you. If you're going with an iPhone then only AT&T sim would be appropriate.

Let me know if you were able to see which area has better coverage/speeds based on the carrier's maps.

[Ray999]

Ray:

Data cap would be the same on either sim, around 2GB or so therefore it doesn't make a difference which sim you chose in regards to the amount of usage you'll be getting.

The difference between the two in regards to coverage/speed is dependent on your area...some places T-Mobile can be faster than AT&T and some AT&T can be faster than T-Mobile.
Straight Talk gives you exactly what you'd get if you went directly with the carrier so you have to ask around what people in your area use and what works best.

Plug you zip code into the coverage maps att and tmobile and see how the coverage is in your area and what speeds they provide. If you're going with an Android then either of the carriers can work for you. If you're going with an iPhone then only AT&T sim would be appropriate.

Let me know if you were able to see which area has better coverage/speeds based on the carrier's maps.

Danny,

Again, thanks for the detailed response.

I looked at the coverage maps for my area. AT&T seems to be marginally better. I may talk to some of my friends to see how they feel about the coverage and data speeds. So far, I am leaning towards AT&T.

Thanks,
Ray

[yoshiki2]

Danny,

Again, thanks for the detailed response.

I looked at the coverage maps for my area. AT&T seems to be marginally better. I may talk to some of my friends to see how they feel about the coverage and data speeds. So far, I am leaning towards AT&T.

Thanks,
Ray

Usually t-mobile offers higher speeds. and better voice quality, but if you use to travel out of the city frequently att may be better for you..

[shawnlg]

I've used. 2.63gb data on the slow plan and haven't been kicked off yet. Download podcast in the background but very painful. I don't think I'll do it again next month.

Probably back to tmo $30 5gb plan.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using HowardForums

[DannyNY]

I've used. 2.63gb data on the slow plan and haven't been kicked off yet. Download podcast in the background but very painful. I don't think I'll do it again next month.

Probably back to tmo $30 5gb plan.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using HowardForums

You should be kicked off when you reach 3GB... I got the warning text when I hit 2.5GB and I'm entering my last day now and have used a total of 2.9GB, will keep using it until it's suspended.

[pindiscount]

If you want to save some money on your SIMple Mobile bill, then you can use pinDiscount,com to purchase your PIN, we have some discount codes for you.

http://www.pinDiscount.com

[shawnlg]

Yep I just hit 3 gb and got the text. Still works but will be suspended when my month is up.

Sims are cheap so I can always come back.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using HowardForums

[walcellularllc2]

Yes this is true. They tell you on thier website that the 60 plan will give you high speed 4g and 3g. Right now Simple Mobile is the Best provider for unlimited talk text and web on a real network using real phones. I dont stream often so it works for me. But if you stream often its best to go with the 60 plan. It beats the whole contract thing.

[shawnlg]

With the slow plan, only one connection at a time will work. If you are updating a podcast, Google maps won't work. I went back to tmo fast data.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using HowardForums

[groebuck]

what happened to TMO's 50 a month unlimted everything? wasn't it 5gb of data now it is 200MB at 4gish?

[pimppoet]

what happened to TMO's 50 a month unlimted everything? wasn't it 5gb of data now it is 200MB at 4gish?

no...its only 100mb of 4g...ur prolly thinking about the $30 5gb/ul text plan but it only has 100mins...the 100 needs to change to atleast a 1000 on both plans.