>100 Mins with $30/100mins/5gb 4G plan?

**iso1600** · 05-19-2012, 03:24 PM

Wife and I are going to ditch VZW and go GSM/Prepaid. Looking at the $30 Monthly4G plan, as it has the most reasonable data limits and seems to give us the coverage we will need.
We don't normally use more than 200 mins total between us in a month, but i'm wondering if it would be cost effective to just pay ~$10 overage on this plan each month (so like $70 before taxes), or do they have something else i could do to give us more minutes?

I see on their Monthly4G page they have a $10 INTERNATIONAL unlimited plan- does this also cover domestic? So could i get two $30 plans, and one of those $10 add-ons to cover my wife's minutes? Most of our used minutes are her calling her mom and friends.

Thanks everybody, this forum is a great resource- i've been lurking for a while now haha

Chris

**rocke86** · 05-19-2012, 08:01 PM

The $10 international add on is only for plans $50 and up which already include unlimited calling.

Here is what I'm doing while I am on the $30 plan. I setup google voice and make free outgoing calls on grooveip(small one time fee for purchase) when I can. While on wifi or high speed data(I average 1.5 mbps down/ 1 mbps up, forget about it on 2g) calls are as clear for me as the tmobile network. This is very handy when making service or other calls I think will last a long time, takes a few seconds to login before making a call but worth it. For reliability I use the tmobile line for incoming calls, you can use grooveip for incoming calls as well but that requires a consistent connection(eating battery) and I don't think I'd ever use that much time. I also have my google number set to route calls back to my tmobile number in case of call back using that number. I'm also keeping $10 in my account in case of an emergency where I'd need it.

Google voice is free till 2013 but likely to be extended past that. There are also other voip services that would work

**whatcoverage** · 05-19-2012, 09:46 PM

What's a good phone choice to get that all to work.
I'm even thinking the $15 plan as I am 99% of my time in wifi range either at work or home and just don't use data on the phone. These old eyes need a bigger screen.

**rocke86** · 05-20-2012, 07:01 AM

It depends on how much you want to spend on a phone. The exhibit II is a good value even if you don't use 4g data, it has a bigger 3.7 inch screen and would be good for wifi use with access to lots of apps. http://www.walmart.com/ip/T-Mobile-S...ndingMethod=rr

You can use any tmobile phone or unlocked att or gsm phone if you get a sim card. http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/p...Activation-Kit If you want a premium high end phone with a 4.6 in screen I'd recommend the Galaxy Nexus if you can afford $400. Just throw in the sim card and activate it.

**aurora40** · 05-20-2012, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by iso1600

We don't normally use more than 200 mins total between us in a month, but i'm wondering if it would be cost effective to just pay ~$10 overage on this plan each month (so like $70 before taxes), or do they have something else i could do to give us more minutes?

I wondered the same thing, and wondered if you could combine their PAYG minutes with a 4G plan. But their cheapest PAYG rate is $0.10/minute if you buy 1000 minutes. And if you go over your 100 minutes on the $30 plan, it is $0.10/min overage charge. So it seems like the best thing to do would be to put like $20 extra in your account, and if you need more minutes, they will deduct for them. If you don't, roll the money over to the next month.

**iso1600** · 05-20-2012, 10:52 AM

It's funny, I remembered groove IP right after making the post. we have both been using Google voice for years, so that is a no brainer. I think between groove IP and just adding a little extra on the account, we will be alright.

As far as phones I will prob be using an older one, HTC g1, nexus one, or nexus S. She really likes the galaxy nexus which is my current Verizon phone, or the galaxy note- that will work on TMobile right?

Thanks

**snobrdr2324** · 06-18-2012, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by iso1600

It's funny, I remembered groove IP right after making the post. we have both been using Google voice for years, so that is a no brainer. I think between groove IP and just adding a little extra on the account, we will be alright.

As far as phones I will prob be using an older one, HTC g1, nexus one, or nexus S. She really likes the galaxy nexus which is my current Verizon phone, or the galaxy note- that will work on TMobile right?

Thanks

Unforunately only the Galaxy nexus will work due to it being penta band HSPA+ (as in it has the 1700mhz frequency that tmobile uses for its hspa+) where the international galaxy note is missing this frequency. It will work for calls and edge data but not '4G'.
The good news however, is T-mobile announced it was moving it's HSPA+ services to the 1900 band which most international devices, galaxy note included, work with. This is up in the air if/when this will be complete though.

**mustang123** · 06-19-2012, 08:56 AM

Is there any app to chech data usage for tmobile prepaid? For Android?

**Kies** · 06-19-2012, 08:57 AM

MyAccount doesn't work?

**mustang123** · 06-19-2012, 08:59 AM

If we use skype for making calls on this plan, will it count towards the 100 mins? I am a paid Skype user and can make free calls on my computer anywhere in USA..want to know if I can use it on my mobile similar to Vonage app u people are discussing

**AncoraVa** · 06-19-2012, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by mustang123

If we use skype for making calls on this plan, will it count towards the 100 mins?

If I am not mistaken, Skype usage should not count against the 100 minutes but I would like that confirmed as I also have a Skype account but have not had any reason to consider using that on my Exhibit II.

**adam1991** · 06-19-2012, 03:51 PM

Ask yourself this: does your Skype usage at home have anything to do with your home telephone?

No.

Skype is data. It does not use the voice channel, any more than Skype at home uses your home phone for anything.

**mustang123** · 06-20-2012, 04:09 PM

Thanks adam1991. Just wanted to clarify. By the way, skype was horrible as it was getting cut on 4g. I tried Vonage app and it was very nice like a normal call. Currently it was free, but dont know how long I can use it.

**mustang123** · 06-20-2012, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Kies

MyAccount doesn't work?

It did work. I never knew about the app. Kind of new to t-mobile. thanks

**adam1991** · 06-20-2012, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by mustang123

Thanks adam1991. Just wanted to clarify. By the way, skype was horrible as it was getting cut on 4g. I tried Vonage app and it was very nice like a normal call. Currently it was free, but dont know how long I can use it.

You can use Vonage Mobile as long as they let you. When they start charging again, they'll let you know--at which point, you can compare paying their penny a minute rates to t-mo's dime a minute rates.