Verizon postpaid to Straight Talk Proclaim...Should I switch

**RowdyYates** · 07-10-2012, 11:58 PM

Help! I live in a rural area where I can only use Verizon. I pay $65 (have employer discounts) a month for 450min/250text and unlimited data on postpaid verizon.
I never have any overages and rarely use over 1 gig of data except when need to tether 3-4 times/yr.
I have been looking at ST Proclaim, it is comparable to my Droidx2, just smaller. I realize this is a personal decision but am scared to leave unlimited data on verizon as I could never get it back. I would save $20 a month and never have to pay evil Verizon again. Has anyone left verizon and is using the Proclaim on Straight Talk?

Should I switch? Help!!!

**october262** · 07-11-2012, 01:01 AM

you are not going to get the same coverage as postpaid verizon. the ST Proclaim is prepaid native coverage only (no roaming)

**oldnoob** · 07-11-2012, 02:55 AM

Keep in mind that tethering is against ST terms of service. Don't know how picky they are on the Verizon side. On the AT&T side they are known for not having much of a sense of humor about excessive data usage.

**maestroteague** · 07-11-2012, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by RowdyYates

Help! I live in a rural area where I can only use Verizon. I pay $65 (have employer discounts) a month for 450min/250text and unlimited data on postpaid verizon.
I never have any overages and rarely use over 1 gig of data except when need to tether 3-4 times/yr.
I have been looking at ST Proclaim, it is comparable to my Droidx2, just smaller. I realize this is a personal decision but am scared to leave unlimited data on verizon as I could never get it back. I would save $20 a month and never have to pay evil Verizon again. Has anyone left verizon and is using the Proclaim on Straight Talk?

Should I switch? Help!!!

Another thing to consider is that the next Tim you upgrade your phone, you'll lose your unlimited data anyway. I believe that's part of their new shared data plans - the next time you upgrade, you'll be forced to one of the new plans. Don't know how this affects your decision, but something to be aware of.

**jamesstarks15** · 07-11-2012, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by maestroteague

Another thing to consider is that the next Tim you upgrade your phone, you'll lose your unlimited data anyway. I believe that's part of their new shared data plans - the next time you upgrade, you'll be forced to one of the new plans. Don't know how this affects your decision, but something to be aware of.

Certainly not forced into new plans. OP can choose 2GB/30 and keep the current call/text plan. Can also keep unlimited data by paying retail or buying used phones.

**RowdyYates** · 07-11-2012, 08:10 AM

October-Good point I hadn't thought about, live in Ozark Mountains, I lose reception in a few areas just driving to town on postpaid. Our cell choices are so limited here that the closest Walmart only sells Straight Talk that runs on Verizon.
Oldnoob-Another good point, sure don't want to get kicked off if I tether when we are in our camper down by a lake.
Eddie- thanks for the wishes, would love to leave Verizon and be able to buy a three or six month card at a time and have one less monthly bill, appreciate everyones input so I can make an educated decision.
Maestro-I wondered about that, if my months of unlimited are numbered anyway until I get a new phone. If I bought new phone full price or off ebay say in a year or so, would I lose unlimited then anyway? I read the thread about that.
James- just read your comment after I posted, so sounds like I could hang on to my postpaid unlimited. Thanks for your info!

Thanks, any other comment/thoughts appreciated. I want to be frugal but not stupid and give up a good thing.

**maestroteague** · 07-11-2012, 09:46 PM

James, you are probably right. I didn't think about the possibility of him paying full price for a phone to keep his unlimited. However, if it was me, there's no way I would pay full price for a phone to then stay on postpaid. But then again, if he's paid full price, he hasn't signed a new contract and could leave at any time. You just have to decide if unlimited is worth paying several hundred dollars up front to keep.

**pzwnyc** · 07-11-2012, 10:19 PM

I would think that, in the US, paying full price for a CDMA phone is not value added; since there are only 2 CDMA carriers. With a GSM phone, at least you can "take it with you" to another carrier.

**sectime** · 07-11-2012, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by RowdyYates

Help! I live in a rural area where I can only use Verizon. I pay $65 (have employer discounts) a month for 450min/250text and unlimited data on postpaid verizon.
I never have any overages and rarely use over 1 gig of data except when need to tether 3-4 times/yr.
I have been looking at ST Proclaim, it is comparable to my Droidx2, just smaller. I realize this is a personal decision but am scared to leave unlimited data on verizon as I could never get it back. I would save $20 a month and never have to pay evil Verizon again. Has anyone left verizon and is using the Proclaim on Straight Talk?

Should I switch? Help!!!

I have the same plan I pay $2.00 more per month with my corp discount. I too am thinking of switching to ST AT&T with Google Nexus.The idea of unlimited data is compelling. I never go over 2 to 3 GB why have it? Do you pay for tethering? I am a phone whore so I never last two years for an upgrade. The $22 difference would be knocked out by phone purchases. After having 4G data I could not go back to 3G Verizon speeds. AT&T works well in my area fast data and good coverage. Google Nexus will get fast updates, new phones in the fall from Google. BUT I have unlimited data for $26.50. Help!!!

**keyz16b** · 07-12-2012, 08:53 AM

@RowdyYates: Have you considered PagePlus Cellular? They're a Verizon MVNO company. You can keep using the Droid X2 and save some money (unless you want a new phone). They have an $55 monthly plan with unlimited talk and text plus 2gb data. They also offer other plans to fit your budget.

**RowdyYates** · 07-12-2012, 09:39 PM

All the Walmarts in SW MO seem to be sold out of the Proclaim. I drove to two stores and called a few others, empty racks where the Proclaim hangs. I wish ATT would work for me but just too many dead areas around here. Will think about Page Plus but in the mean time guess I will just stay put. To make matters worse while I was in Walmart today hunting the Proclaim I saw the new white Galaxy 3 phone. Wow, it was beautiful.

**labjr** · 07-12-2012, 10:04 PM

Order it Site-to-store from Walmart.com

**alphamale-b** · 07-12-2012, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by labjr

Order it Site-to-store from Walmart.com

proclaim is out online at wallymart. just checked.

**kamann** · 07-13-2012, 02:21 AM

I would just stay with Verizon. $65 a month is not bad.

**Mr.Cell** · 07-13-2012, 02:29 AM

Originally Posted by keyz16b

@RowdyYates: Have you considered PagePlus Cellular? They're a Verizon MVNO company. You can keep using the Droid X2 and save some money (unless you want a new phone). They have an $55 monthly plan with unlimited talk and text plus 2gb data. They also offer other plans to fit your budget.

PagePlus is a good website to compare Verizon's Native coverage vs roaming