Monthly 4G or Family Value Plan for two Google Nexus Phones

**Oilw30** · 06-21-2012, 09:48 AM

Hi Everyone,

My wife and and I are moving from Verizon to T-Mobile (Verizon is too expensive). We're going to buy unlocked nexus phones from Google. My question is should we go for the value plan ($80 for two lines with shared 1000 mins + unlimited texts + 2gb data) or the monthly 4G ($60 for two lines with 100 minutes of voice each + unlimited text and data)? Are the major pros or cons in favor of one or the other?

200 mins should be fine if we use Skype over wifi, etc., but my real concern is the coverage quality for both voice and data on prepaid v. Postpaid. Is postpaid coverage/speeds/call quality better on T-Mobile? Going from Verizon postpaid to T-Mobile prepaid, am I going to notice a big difference in quality? I live in the Philly area.

Also, how much in taxes and fees can I expect to be added to each bill? Will these be much higher on the value plan?

Thanks!

**PL1** · 06-21-2012, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by Oilw30

Also, how much in taxes and fees can I expect to be added to each bill? Will these be much higher on the value plan? Thanks!

Here are two questions I can answer. You are not charged any tax for the Walmart 4G plan other than the sales tax you may incur when buying your prepaid funds. If you buy from TMO, and your state requires it, you will pay that tax. For example, where I live, it is 6.25%, if I purchase $100, I pay 6.25 tax. To get around this, I buy pin numbers from callingmart.com (with a discount and no sales tax). So, if I purchase $100, it costs me $95, no tax. No other "fees".

As far as the 100 minutes, all additional minutes are only .10 per minute, the same price as your standard PAYG plan.

**Oilw30** · 06-21-2012, 11:12 AM

Well, that certainly sounds compelling. I suppose the main question for me is whether there is a noticeable difference in service between the prepaid and postpaid t-Mobile options.

Thanks again!

**Willow16** · 06-21-2012, 11:18 AM

If you buy top up pins at a retailer like callingmart.com , the $30 monthly plan will be $29.70 minus any coupon codes plus you get points for every purchase. There are no taxes if you buy it this way.

**mtmjr90** · 06-21-2012, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by Oilw30

Well, that certainly sounds compelling. I suppose the main question for me is whether there is a noticeable difference in service between the prepaid and postpaid t-Mobile options.

Thanks again!

That really depends on where you live. Most metropolitan areas and nearby suburbs tend to be fine in my experience. I'm near Cleveland and I've got solid coverage...except when I'm deep inside a large building like a mall sometimes all coverage drops.

Just a note, I would suggest Google Voice if you're running low on minutes. I've also got the $30 plan but I have all my calls blocked and instead have them forwarded to my Skype number. I pay next to nothing for unlimited Skype calling and the sound quality via the Skype app is far superior to any standard mobile network's IMHO.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**Chop-Chop** · 06-21-2012, 12:16 PM

This is what I can think of right now:

Voice:
Postpaid - roam
Prepaid - limited roaming (I have not details on the limits but have read about it here). It probably happens in some low traffic areas.

Data
Postpaid - roam
Prepaid - no roaming

Taxes:
Postpaid - Taxes and Fees
Prepaid - mostly no taxes and no fees. Plus discounts using etailers

Visual Voice Mail
Postpaid - Yes
Prepaid - No

Billing
Postpaid - detailed billing
Prepaid - no detailed billing

**sjv** · 06-21-2012, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by mtmjr90

That really depends on where you live. Most metropolitan areas and nearby suburbs tend to be fine in my experience. I'm near Cleveland and I've got solid coverage...except when I'm deep inside a large building like a mall sometimes all coverage drops.

Just a note, I would suggest Google Voice if you're running low on minutes. I've also got the $30 plan but I have all my calls blocked and instead have them forwarded to my Skype number. I pay next to nothing for unlimited Skype calling and the sound quality via the Skype app is far superior to any standard mobile network's IMHO.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

You can't use Google Voice with TMO prepaid as I have just found out and I thought call forwarding was disallowed but I'm new to this so maybe it works with Skype somehow.

**mtmjr90** · 06-21-2012, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by sjv

You can't use Google Voice with TMO prepaid as I have just found out and I thought call forwarding was disallowed but I'm new to this so maybe it works with Skype somehow.

Forwarding does not work in that you cannot have calls made to your TMo number forwarded elsewhere. However, you can have calls made to your GV number forwarded to your TMo number (or Skype number or...well any number).

Also technically GV's voicemail service relies on forwarding calls made to your TMo number to your GV voicemail account. You can get around this by calling TMo customer service and having them completely disable TMo voicemail, then make sure GV voicemail is enabled via the GV website. There will be many rings on the caller's end but it will eventually go to your GV voicemail. I can confirm all of this works because...well I've been using this setup just fine for months

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**Oilw30** · 06-21-2012, 02:35 PM

Thanks everyone. This is all very helpful. What does roaming mean in this context? I don't think I ever use roaming on my Verizon phone unless I leave the country. Is that not the case for T-Mobile?

**PL1** · 06-21-2012, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by mtmjr90

Forwarding does not work in that you cannot have calls made to your TMo number forwarded elsewhere. However, you can have calls made to your GV number forwarded to your TMo number (or Skype number or...well any number).

Also technically GV's voicemail service relies on forwarding calls made to your TMo number to your GV voicemail account. You can get around this by calling TMo customer service and having them completely disable TMo voicemail, then make sure GV voicemail is enabled via the GV website. There will be many rings on the caller's end but it will eventually go to your GV voicemail. I can confirm all of this works because...well I've been using this setup just fine for months

I was expecting to have to disable my TMO Voicemail, but I have both voicemails activated. If I do nothing, Google Voice picks up. If I dismiss the call, TMO Voicemail picks up. I guess the number of rings for Google Voice is shorter than the TMO Voicemail which is fine by me.

Anyway, what you said. Port your number to Google Voice for $20. Then forward your number to TMO, or any other number you want, exactly what I do.

**PL1** · 06-21-2012, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Oilw30

Thanks everyone. This is all very helpful. What does roaming mean in this context? I don't think I ever use roaming on my Verizon phone unless I leave the country. Is that not the case for T-Mobile?

There are plenty of dead spots with TMO, as I would assume is true with any carrier. If another carrier has a roaming agreement with TMO, you could dial out from the other carrier.

**mtmjr90** · 06-21-2012, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Oilw30

Thanks everyone. This is all very helpful. What does roaming mean in this context? I don't think I ever use roaming on my Verizon phone unless I leave the country. Is that not the case for T-Mobile?

Honestly, this is the advantage of monthly...just try prepaid for a month and if it isn't satisfactory, just switch to postpaid. You can do it early too if after a few days you realize prepaid just won't work.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**Oilw30** · 06-22-2012, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by mtmjr90

Honestly, this is the advantage of monthly...just try prepaid for a month and if it isn't satisfactory, just switch to postpaid. You can do it early too if after a few days you realize prepaid just won't work.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

That's a good point. I think I'll do just that. Thanks.

**IsLand_BoY** · 06-22-2012, 07:53 AM

I'm sure you've already checked your own coverage on T-Mobile's coverage checker, but the main difference between prepaid and postpaid is roaming as it's already been mentioned. Some areas only postpaid T-Mobile phones will roam onto another carrier (like AT&T) to complete calls, but if you mostly stay in the city, that shouldn't be a problem at all.

Personally, I really would not rely on Skype over WiFi for calling if you are going to use significantly more minutes than just 100 on the $30 prepaid plan. It's not going to be as reliable as just using the cell network. As it's already been pointed out, extra minutes over the 100 are just 0.10/min which is not bad.

I would do the Value plan if you know you'll use those 1000 minutes and mobile2mobile calling. You'll also be able to talk to 'regular' customer care (prepaid is outsourced exclusively, on postpaid you can still talk to reps in the US if you need to) and you can add a corporate discount (I get 14% off) if you or your wife qualifies for it. Plus you'll be able to add unlimited/free WiFi calling via T-Mobile's own app (which works well BTW) so if you have WiFi at home, you'll have unlimited minutes.

**sjv** · 06-23-2012, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by IsLand_BoY

I'm sure you've already checked your own coverage on T-Mobile's coverage checker, but the main difference between prepaid and postpaid is roaming as it's already been mentioned. Some areas only postpaid T-Mobile phones will roam onto another carrier (like AT&T) to complete calls, but if you mostly stay in the city, that shouldn't be a problem at all.

Personally, I really would not rely on Skype over WiFi for calling if you are going to use significantly more minutes than just 100 on the $30 prepaid plan. It's not going to be as reliable as just using the cell network. As it's already been pointed out, extra minutes over the 100 are just 0.10/min which is not bad.

I would do the Value plan if you know you'll use those 1000 minutes and mobile2mobile calling. You'll also be able to talk to 'regular' customer care (prepaid is outsourced exclusively, on postpaid you can still talk to reps in the US if you need to) and you can add a corporate discount (I get 14% off) if you or your wife qualifies for it. Plus you'll be able to add unlimited/free WiFi calling via T-Mobile's own app (which works well BTW) so if you have WiFi at home, you'll have unlimited minutes.

I think the value plan is a good deal too and the things you expect to work actually work like wifi calling and visual voicemail. I think coverage is better too. Just remember that postpaid hits you with taxes and fees and its a 2 year commitment but if TMO works well in your area then its a good deal. I agree that postpaid customer service is very good too.