Verizon Begins Shrinking TracFone, Inc.

[ShadowyD]

We knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Say good-bye to NET10, GoSmart, & PagePlus ...

VERIZON STARTS CULLING TRAC BRANDS

https://nwida.org/verizon-starts-cul...ng-trac-brands

[hpham]

Well, at least TF will be around....for a while. I wonder why they're keeping Simple Mobile which uses T-mo.

[hapollo8]

I wonder why they're keeping Simple Mobile which uses T-mo.

they'll probably start bullying SM subscribers to move over to the VZ network too unless there was some agreement in place for the acquisition by the FCC for a more diverse portfolio to close the deal.

[SnowyWhite]

they'll probably start bullying SM subscribers to move over to the VZ network too unless there was some agreement in place for the acquisition by the FCC for a more diverse portfolio to close the deal.

They sure were bullying me to switch my Safelink which was on T-Mobile over to a Verizon SIM.


Sent from my Marvelous Moto G Stylus 2021

[jet1000]

Well, at least TF will be around....for a while. I wonder why they're keeping Simple Mobile which uses T-mo.

Simple Mobile has more customers than the three that are being eliminated. Here's a list that was posted in the General Prepaid Forum. The bottom three are getting the ax first:

Straight Talk Wireless - 9.3 million - Verizon & AT&T
Tracfone - 4 million - Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
Total Wireless - 3 million - Verizon
SIMPLE Mobile - 2 million - T-Mobile
Walmart Family Mobile - 1.4 million - T-Mobile
NET10 Wireless - 1 million - Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
Page Plus Cellular - 1 million - Verizon
GoSmart Mobile - 0.2 million - T-Mobile

[ShadowyD]

Verizon started transitioning Simple Mobile away from T-Mobile in the Spring. References to T-Mobile disappeared in Simple Mobile promotional materials in May. By August, the latest green boxes, which Simple Mobile uses for its phones, had “by T-Mobile” removed, and references to LTE-T disappeared. So, the phones in these boxes probably contain Verizon SIM cards. …Heck, before we know it, Verizon will be announcing, “Simple by Verizon!”

Simple Mobile has been the top selling prepaid brand for independent multi-carrier dealers since, if I recall correctly, sometime in 2015.

[rcentros]

I didn't realize Straight Talk was that much bigger than Tracfone. Was Straight Talk always an America Movil brand, or were they bought?

I wonder if Walmart Family Mobile will transition to Verizon (as it appears Simple Mobile is doing?).

The one I'm using is Tracfone (for my father and the new $20/year plan phone I just bought), hopefully it will be around for a while.

Weird to see Page Plus die. That was the first MVNO I used, way back when.

[cwshop]

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like only new customers cut off initially. Wonder how long before they cut off existing customers. My dad has a big balance built up on page plus.

Sent from my Z6530V using Tapatalk

[Boz1]

Yeah, it's sad about PPC. PPC was also my first MVNO, and I used PPC from 2001 to 2015. I wasn't too happy when they were purchased by TF, but it continued to work fine until I finally left.

[whacker]

Wasn't it talked about here, back when TF acquired PPC (2013?) that it was done because TF could then more fully access VZW's LTE network (or something like that), and because PPC already had those privileges they just transferred to the mother company via the sale?

Well, I've got two PAYGO lines on PPC. Unless I get an offer to gracefully migrate to TF at some point I'm just going to stay put and ride it out. It's all the service I need, and I've got a little over $150 balance on each line. I just hope I can continue to refill at Pinzoo!

[LittleBear916]

I have a Moxee Hotspot I bought from HSN and after the promotional package ran out, I am maintaining it for $10 per month in the event of an emergency so I can get information on my laptop when the power is out. Will start to look at other providers soon to see what they have.

[LittleBear916]

FYI Best Buy has the Moxee Hot Spot on sale right now for $19.99 which blows away the HSN price but does not include any data. Not sure when the sale will end.

[Boz1]

Wasn't it talked about here, back when TF acquired PPC (2013?) that it was done because TF could then more fully access VZW's LTE network (or something like that), and because PPC already had those privileges they just transferred to the mother company via the sale?

Yes, that was the story. It was true, as far as I know.

[happygrrl1]

I’m surprised that Straight Talk has so many subscribers compared to Tracfone. Actually, I would have thought that Tracfone would have had more than 4 million subscribers.

I’m sticking with Tracfone for now. I am paid up for almost two years on my phone and 3.5 years on my husband’s phone. I really enjoy not having a monthly cell phone bill. Lots to not love about TF, but I’ve been with them so long and my service is extended out so far that I don’t want to give that up. I just keep watching the changes. Hey, my last experience with add a line using chat was actually positive!

[NanaC]

I’m surprised that Straight Talk has so many subscribers compared to Tracfone

Probably because Walmart has always had a better selection of ST phones than TF phones. Nicer phone and the ST unlimited plan sealed the deal for a lot of people, especially the younger generation.