Can I pay month-to-month without signing a contract, if I buy a phone outright 100%?

[kercmerk]

I've been without a cellphone for almost 2 years now, and working full time now I have the ability to buy myself a new fancy phone and get hooked up with a sleek plan. My plan is to purchase the Samsung Galaxy S3 for its FULL PRICE (meaning NO 2/3 year contract/term), and pre-pay monthly for my monthly plan (ie. going to a Virgin store, paying for 1-3 months IN CASH, then coming back 1-3 months later and paying IN CASH again).

Is this possible? My only option as of right now is WIND Mobile, but after doing extensive research it seems that MANY WIND Mobile customers are jumping ship. With WIND, I can purchase the S3 from them, and pay month to month in cash at the age of 17. I was going to stick with them until November (when I turn 18), then maybe jump ship to Robellus.

I like Virgin's $60 plan and I wouldn't mind signing with them if it's possible.

tl;dr - I'm looking to buy the S3 outright (no term/contract) and pay on a month to month basis for my monthly plan IN CASH at a Virgin store, without signing a contract (I'm only 17). Is this possible with Virgin?

Thanks in advance

[jattdesi]

^ Depending on where you live, in some province its 18 and some are 19, so you are not able to sign up a plan where you get a monthly bill. You can go for any Prepaid Plan with any Provider, However Prepaid plan are not the greatest.

Since prepaid is your only option, I would highly consider Wind or Mobilicity because with these provider you can go into the store and pay what ever amount you want in Cash and all there plans are the Same for a monthly bill or prepaid.

[kercmerk]

^ Depending on where you live, in some province its 18 and some are 19, so you are not able to sign up a plan where you get a monthly bill. You can go for any Prepaid Plan with any Provider, However Prepaid plan are not the greatest.

Since prepaid is your only option, I would highly consider Wind or Mobilicity because with these provider you can go into the store and pay what ever amount you want in Cash and all there plans are the Same for a monthly bill or prepaid.

Looks like I'm going to have to go with WIND until I'm 18. Sucks but eh, what can ya do.

Edit: Will the AWS/1700 phone from WIND Mobile work with Virgin like it will with Robellus?

[jattdesi]

^Most phones will not work on Bellus, however all will work with Rogers & Fido 2G Network.

From the current list of Wind & Mobilicity Line up that is compatible with Robellus 3G/4G Network are

1) Nokia Lumia 710
2) Samsung Galaxy Nexus (comes factory unlocked)
3) HTC Amaze 4G
4) Samsung Galaxy S3
5) Huawei Ascend P1
6) Huawei U8651
7) Samsung C414
8) Nokia 500

[kercmerk]

^Most phones will not work on Bellus, however all will work with Rogers & Fido 2G Network.

From the current list of Wind & Mobilicity Line up that is compatible with Robellus 3G/4G Network are

1) Nokia Lumia 710
2) Samsung Galaxy Nexus (comes factory unlocked)
3) HTC Amaze 4G
4) Samsung Galaxy S3
5) Huawei Ascend P1
6) Huawei U8651
7) Samsung C414
8) Nokia 500

I will be picking up the Samsung Galaxy S3.

I've been told that the Wind S3 isn't LTE compatible? So if I switch over to Robellus in a few months, and I'm on an LTE plan, I will still be getting 3G speeds?

[LouisR]

Exactly, the T999 has 42 Mbps DC-HSPA and AWS HSPA support, whereas the I747 has 24 Mbps HSPA and AWS LTE instead.

So depending on your location, you might actually be better off with the Wind variant even after porting to Robelusfivirkoo...

Another suggestion: how about having mom or dad (or any willing adult, really) either endorse you or sign on your behalf and do a transfer of responsibility upon your 18th birthday? If you've got either a checking account or a credit card you can pay your bill. Don't forget about e-banking as well.

[kercmerk]

Exactly, the T999 has 42 Mbps DC-HSPA and AWS HSPA support, whereas the I747 has 24 Mbps HSPA and AWS LTE instead.

So depending on your location, you might actually be better off with the Wind variant even after porting to Robelusfivirkoo...

Another suggestion: how about having mom or dad (or any willing adult, really) either endorse you or sign on your behalf and do a transfer of responsibility upon your 18th birthday? If you've got either a checking account or a credit card you can pay your bill. Don't forget about e-banking as well.

Thanks for the suggestion but I'm doing everything solo dolo, no parents/consenting adults involved.

How come I would be better off getting the WIND variant if the connection speed wouldn't be as good as a Robelusfivirkoo (very nice name btw ) phone?

[jattdesi]

^Don't get your self confused, just buy the Wind & or Mobilicity Samsung S3, it will work Just Fine on Robelus's Dual Chanel 42Mbps HSPA+/3G/4G Network once unlocked, if you decide to leave Wind and or Mobilicity.

[IDEA_NXT]

^Don't get your self confused, just buy the Wind & or Mobilicity Samsung S3, it will work Just Fine on Robelus's Dual Chanel 42Mbps HSPA+/3G/4G Network once unlocked, if you decide to leave Wind and or Mobilicity.

1. Mobi currently does not unlock customers' phones.
2. Wind does (although they want 6 months of service + $10).
3. Many of the unlocking vendors have difficulties in getting unlock codes for Wind and Mobi phones.

So if you are thinking of jumping ship later on, go with Wind.

Regarding DC-HSPA, personally I find that it is overrated; while the max. speed is listed as 42mbps, in practice your actual speed will reach nowhere need that.

[kercmerk]

^Don't get your self confused, just buy the Wind & or Mobilicity Samsung S3, it will work Just Fine on Robelus's Dual Chanel 42Mbps HSPA+/3G/4G Network once unlocked, if you decide to leave Wind and or Mobilicity.

Thank you for being extremely clear, I do not want to go and drop $735 on a phone and have it not work a few months down the road with a new carrier.

I have purchased unlock codes before online, so I will most likely be doing that again (they are about $8~) so I don't have to worry about getting it unlocked from Wind or anything.

Thanks for the help guys, much much appreciated!

2 more days! WOO (I'm almost giddy like a girl thinking about a new phone)