Are You Listening?

**calicotabby** · 05-25-2012, 02:56 PM

I can't be the only one out there! I just need a phone that gets a reasonable signal, lets me text and it's nice to take a photo and send it sometimes. Really, I need 5 phones that do this so my kids have phones, too. I live in a rural-ish area, but not too far from a couple of small cities. The kid's phones are for staying in touch with friends and for fun, but also so I can keep track of them and they can call help if they need it. Don't WANT them to have internet & as a single parent, I couldn't begin to afford it!

Getting a very strong feeling that my carrier is looking to rid itself of the basic phone service accounts and only do droids/iphones, etc. It's like they're making it unpleasant and exhausting to deal with them. Last time my contract got close to date, they actively solicited my re-signing. This time they really don't seem to be interested.

If somebody was to offer just good phone service with decent coverage, a reasonably priced and consistent (I don't want to have to re-think what I'm paying for very often) plan, stores that were not a miserable "used car lot" high pressure environment, a reliable, consistent phone replacement plan (really, it's kind of a hassle getting a new phone set up the way you want it to work and I don't need to "upgrade" as much as I need to occasionally replace worn out or broken - why can't the phones be a little sturdier and last longer?) - I bet they'd have a hard time keeping up with all the people who'd be happy to sign up and pay regularly and reliably for years to have that service.

Anybody out there know of anything like this? Any clever company want to cash in on a quiet, reliable market? My contract expires in Nov!

**tmobiley** · 05-26-2012, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by calicotabby

I can't be the only one out there! I just need a phone that gets a reasonable signal, lets me text and it's nice to take a photo and send it sometimes. Really, I need 5 phones that do this so my kids have phones, too. I live in a rural-ish area, but not too far from a couple of small cities. The kid's phones are for staying in touch with friends and for fun, but also so I can keep track of them and they can call help if they need it. Don't WANT them to have internet & as a single parent, I couldn't begin to afford it!

Getting a very strong feeling that my carrier is looking to rid itself of the basic phone service accounts and only do droids/iphones, etc. It's like they're making it unpleasant and exhausting to deal with them. Last time my contract got close to date, they actively solicited my re-signing. This time they really don't seem to be interested.

If somebody was to offer just good phone service with decent coverage, a reasonably priced and consistent (I don't want to have to re-think what I'm paying for very often) plan, stores that were not a miserable "used car lot" high pressure environment, a reliable, consistent phone replacement plan (really, it's kind of a hassle getting a new phone set up the way you want it to work and I don't need to "upgrade" as much as I need to occasionally replace worn out or broken - why can't the phones be a little sturdier and last longer?) - I bet they'd have a hard time keeping up with all the people who'd be happy to sign up and pay regularly and reliably for years to have that service.

Anybody out there know of anything like this? Any clever company want to cash in on a quiet, reliable market? My contract expires in Nov!

It would be of great assistance to know your zip code, so we can see who provides service in your area. Without knowing your location, I can make the following suggestions:

MetroPCS (no contract, monthly could be good): www.metropcs.com

Cricket (no contract, monthly - just like MetroPCS): http://www.mycricket.com/

T-Mobile (prepaid plans are good for what you want): http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans

Virgin Mobile (uses Sprint PCS) might also be an option: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-...talk-plans.jsp

ALLTEL/USCC (this could be great for you!): http://www.uprepaid.net/

WalMart Family Mobile (I think they use T-Mobile): http://www.walmart.com/cp/Family-Mobile/1076544

Ting (pay for what you use): https://ting.com/

Voyager Mobile (they look good, if they are legit): http://www.airvoicewireless.com/

**calicotabby** · 05-26-2012, 09:48 AM

As far as I know, the only provider that gets a reasonable signal out here is verizon :(
Kind of limits my possibilities!

**calicotabby** · 05-26-2012, 09:53 AM

and Thank You! for your detailed reply!

**tmobiley** · 05-26-2012, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by calicotabby

As far as I know, the only provider that gets a reasonable signal out here is verizon

Kind of limits my possibilities!

I looked, and you seem to have T-Mobile coverage in your area, with that you may want to look into getting a WiFi-enabled phone (they currently only offer smartphones, but you can get a dumbphone with Hotspot@Home from Ebay for inexpensive). That would give you WiFi signal where you have no/low cellular service, subject to WiFi availability.

I would see if you can get a prepaid T-Mobile plan and use a wifi phone with it. That may work for you. I am not sure though for 100% if UMA (WiFi) works on T-Mobile prepaid... although, last I remember it did.

Originally Posted by calicotabby

and Thank You! for your detailed reply!

You are welcomed!

Any questions, I am here to help. I live one state south of you!

**calicotabby** · 05-26-2012, 03:31 PM

Thanks for the idea, but wifi s are few and far between out here and I'd like the kids to be able to go off and do fun things with friends, etc. and still be able to stay in touch and get help if need be.

My contract expires in Nov. Three of the kids need new phones. I seem to be stuck with my current provider as the only real signal out here, so these look like my options:

I could sign up with verizon again and get a set of rather cheap phones from a very limited selection with the $50 credit that is the raggedy remains of their "new every two" program, but I guess we better keep all the old phones for backups! Maybe there will be more options in 2014 after that contract expires, but that feels a bit like hoping for a christmas pony!

or

I could buy some ebay phones and let the contract expire in Nov and just go month to month, but I if this company is really looking to get rid of these kind (basic phone) accounts, might I find myself at the mercy of a company who doesn't really want to support this kind of business and cuts off service at some point? Or changes rates unexpectedly because I don't have a contract that holds them to anything.

These things are not cheap as it is. I'd love to find a less expensive option, and we don't really use all the minutes we have, but we use more than the next lower plan, and by getting the 1400 min, we have 10 numbers we can call without charges. And the $19.99 unlimited text is really nice for all of us to share. I don't mind paying fairly for good service, even if it represents a real investment for me. What I don't feel very good about is the sense that this company is phasing out this service and that it's going to cost a LOT more for phone service because all that's available forces you to buy not only the more expensive service, but an elaborate phone with bunch of features I don't need. Kind of like signing up for cable and not being able to select a basic package, but only the 10,000 chanel super package. Great if you have the $, but pretty much impossible on a budget.

It still seems like that budget market has got to be a big one and one of these companies would WANT that business!

Any input?