ST Unlimited Talk/Text/Data AT&T

[cricket101]

do they use the whole att network or just sum of it? will it run on att only,roaming on tmobile? is the unlimited data really unlimited with no data caps? if not whats the data cap and what speeds will they reduce u down to?

[dustman81]

It's the whole AT&T network. I've used it in areas AT&T considers "roaming" and had voice and data (EDGE). There are reports of a 2GB cap, but no one can get confirmation of that. Reportedly, you get one warning. If you exceed it again, they shut off your SIM.

[october262]

straight talk uses the AT&T network you will get the same if not better coverage as post paid AT&T
with roaming. data is rumored to be 100mb a day and 2gb a month. so no tethering/pandora /youtube ect.

[cricket101]

oh..well that sucks..guess ST is not for me then...thanks for the info tho!

[Airforcekid]

I have went over 2GB in a month without warnings. Coverage is at least the same as AT&T postpaid.

[bpaulson]

In my opinion coverage is way better than postpaid AT&T. I travel down to Iowa as my fiance's parents live there (I'm 2 hours west of the twin cities in minnesota so it's about a 350 mile drive along the interstate.)

When I had AT&T I would get down into Iowa and as soon as I got off of interstate 35 I'd be off network and have no data (because they were jerks about not telling you when you were off network.) But on Straight Talk, In the same locations I wasn't off network (was home) and had access to data and talk/text.

ST also has contracts with regional GSM carriers... so while you may only get edge service, at least you'll have service!

[Morphling27]

If you use the ATT sim, the coverage is the full ATT coverage map for voice and data. You also get 'more' coverage for at least voice/text when roaming on things like Tmobile. Tracfone being the MVNO it is, none is really roaming since they lease time for each provider to use as their network. You just get stuck with either ATT or Tmobile data depending on choice.

I used to be on Sprint thinking I needed and loved unlimited data. I looked at my use of data when I was about to leave and realized I could manage with a set amount. If you use it smart, like do your big app updates at home on wifi and download big files then to to use, you should be fine. I occassionaly stream some blurbs on hockey and read many news sites a day and never go over the 300-500mb a month.

It sucks we have this time in cellular technology that these companies are focusing on tiered data but we have to deal with it as it is. I think going to an MVNO like Tracfone is a good start, you pay a reasonable rate and you can either pick up a cheapy device of theirs or use your own that you bought without a subsidy. Even if I did need a ton of data a month, I'd find a way to cut back because I can't justify a $100 for phone when this is available for $45, plus the contract never meant anything since they raise every fee every other month and the price kept climbing anyway.

I'm getting off my soapbox now.

[bpaulson]

It really is a great service as long as you don't use much data. Can't get the same from anyone else... it's just the uncertainty of losing a number or service you've already paid for because of unannounced data limits is what makes it a little nerve-racking...