Looking for an alternative

[snowmoon]

H2O and Airvoice both seem like alternatives, but is there any way to disable "end of call notification" and/or voicemail ( completely ) like on GoPhone?

[Zoomer]

I did a comparison of the choices on google docs for light users:
docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0At5aFl28TiQMdHZhTWJubExyQ3JyVk9pSEx6Z1IyM Gc&output=html

So far, it looks like airvoice / H20 are both reasonable choices.
Airvoice:
PAYG Allows flexibility of going to very low usage mode, with min charge of $40++ per year.

H20:
Lower cost calls, probably a wash for data even if headline data rates are slightly lower at 30 vs 33¢ since min charge is 1¢.
Intl calls to a list of countries included with the standard minutes.
No intl sms.

Tru:
Not considering tru as the 100KB min charge isn't that great when my phone uses 2 blocks of data according to ATT PAYG tool a couple of times per day.
True postpaid like roaming to 220 countries!

How are the web interfaces for H20/Airvoice? International roaming is also unclear!
If there are any other MVNOs with similar plans that should be included, let me know!

[newcronos]

Zoomer, I just chatted with H2O online customer support yesterday and he stated that you apparently now can do international sms on the minute plan, and the rate is $0.15/txt (both sending and receiving).

I have no way of confirming that claim, but it's what H2O support told me. Here's my post in H2O forum regarding this:
http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...4#post14796774

Edit: It was confirmed that the rate is actually $0.15/txt sending, and $0.05 receiving.

[snowmoon]

$0.15/txt and $0.15/mb data should be an option for all H20 users by loading $10 "feature cards" into the account ( if I'm understanding the pricing ).

See the help page

FEATURE CARD

BASICS

What is an H2O® Wireless Feature Card?

H2O® Wireless Feature Card is a supplement to your existing H2O® Wireless account, compatible with all H2O® plans, MONTH, MINUTE and $2/DAY. This card can be used to have additional access to features not included in your plan such as data or international text messaging or as backup if you have exceeded the limit of features on your plan.

Still, anyone know if you can turn off balance notifications and/or voicemail with either Airvoice or H2o?

[1earful]

don't know anything about these two carriers, but re voicemail: i'm on at&t $2/day and decided that checking voicemail is not a good reason to trigger the fee. so i signed up for google voice light, which allows my voicemails to be redirected. i can check them on my phone without calling the at&t voicemail number. i'm on an android phone. have no idea how it works on anything else, but might be worth a look.

[kev4z]

Made the big switch to Airvoice today after checking all the alternatives....and for my use...it seems to be the best.
What really impressed me was that while filling out the "number porting" page, I ran into a problem with the ATT account number, so ended up using the Customer Service telephone line.

It is so refreshing to to talk with a CSR that actually knows what they are talking about, and not reading from a script. I was all setup in the matter of a few minutes and they did a great job in helping me switch over.

As others have said....be sure to tell them you want data, and texting when you are setting up the account.

All in all, a great experience, and in the current wireless climate....that is saying something !!

[PDBreske]

Made the big switch to Airvoice today after checking all the alternatives....and for my use...it seems to be the best.
What really impressed me was that while filling out the "number porting" page, I ran into a problem with the ATT account number, so ended up using the Customer Service telephone line.

It is so refreshing to to talk with a CSR that actually knows what they are talking about, and not reading from a script. I was all setup in the matter of a few minutes and they did a great job in helping me switch over.

As others have said....be sure to tell them you want data, and texting when you are setting up the account.

All in all, a great experience, and in the current wireless climate....that is saying something !!

You mention that one has to ask for data and texting. I knew about the data, but can you explain the texting request?

[kev4z]

You mention that one has to ask for data and texting. I knew about the data, but can you explain the texting request?

Sorry....my wording was not clear
If you want to add MMS (adding pictures etc) you need to activate that service at the same time as data

[Jairzinho]

Sorry for cross-posting this with the Airvoice thread at the main prepaid forum but I think it's relevant to the topic.

Ok. I've been testing Airvoice with my iPhone 3GS and their PAYG plan and works fine as people said. This is going to be for me for now the alternative to the lack of data in at&t Gophone PAYG once they cut me off.

I know data is expensive so I'll limit use to when I really need it and can't wait to find wifi. I wish their monthly plans allowed data (and minutes) rollover (they don't, right?), otherwise I'd consider buying the $60/5000m/500MB the first month and then keep it alive with the $10/month. I know, data still expensive but better than the 33c/MB PPU rate if I estimate using those 500MB in six months.

Also the lack of OLAM with call history disqualify them as a candidate for my kid's phone. Years ago you could check call histories for many at&t MVNOs by going to the regular GoPhone OLAM. Not anymore.

[mrcchan]

Hi all,

I too am disappointed with AT&T's requirement for $25 and up voice plans for use of the data packages. Previously, I had been signed up for the 10c/min plan and converting all my calls and texts to data using the app, Line2. So basically, I wasn't paying for voice at all (unless I had to make emergency calls), and my data usage was still very low since I'm around wifi alot. I was thinking a good alternative for this kind of usage would be NetZero. Right now they're offering 200 MB/month for free as long as you purchase a mobile broadband device (which would be $100 for the hotspot). Has anyone had any experience with this service? Besides coverage not being as good, the only other downside I see is that I'd have a 2nd device I'd need to remember to charge and carry around.

[msrhulot]

I did a comparison of the choices on google docs for light users:
docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0At5aFl28TiQMdHZhTWJubExyQ3JyVk9pSEx6Z1IyM Gc&output=html

Thanks, for this. On my own little grid, I was also considering Red Pocket and Straight Talk, as MVNOs, but otherwise generally agree with your assessments.

If I can verify that my 4s wouldn't be stuck on EDGE on TMO's $30, that will be a contender too.

In any case, I haven't yet decided which way I'll go. Like most of us, this isn't a decision that I wanted to have to make.

[snowmoon]

H20:
Lower cost calls, probably a wash for data even if headline data rates are slightly lower at 30 vs 33¢ since min charge is 1¢.
Intl calls to a list of countries included with the standard minutes.
No intl sms.

H2o + feature card bring down data costs and gives you international SMS.

[newcronos]

H2o + feature card bring down data costs and gives you international SMS.

If you're talking about the minute plan then:

a. It already has access to international sms for $0.15/txt (sending) and regular $0.05/txt (receiving)
b. You can't add feature card to the minute plan

I tested these two myself. And yes, I'm aware about the Help page you quoted above about the feature card being available for the minute plan, but I tried to do that just now and it gives me an error: "The feature card is not avaialble for your wireless number"