Not photography...prepay cell phone service query

01/07/2006 08:25:02 PM · #1

Not related to photography, but we have a large body of knowledgeable and helpful people here, so I'll try here (yes, I've searched the web).

Anyone have t-mobile pay-as you go service? We are looking for a pay as you go service for my daughter; we have verizon pay as you go, and the service is good, but they changed the plans, and it's now much more expensive. T-mobile looks pretty good on paper, but the $200 phone is nonrefundable. We are looking at the Motorola V330 flip phone.

Also, does anyone have experience moving a phone from one service to another? Presumably, the guy on the phone with t-mobile told me I can look online (and buy) an unlock code, then I need to get a "sim card" for the new service. Which sounds doable, but will I really be able to get another prepay service to give me a SIM card for a phone I bought for t-mobile?

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

01/07/2006 08:27:21 PM · #2

How old is your daughter?

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/07/2006 08:29:09 PM · #3

Originally posted by rex:

How old is your daughter?

She just started driving, hence the cell phone!

wavelength

Nikon D300

01/07/2006 08:30:55 PM · #4

You can buy SIM card semi grey market, they're not illegal though. They're used much more overseas than here.

I have not used any prepay services though, but they always seem so expensive to me at at least 25c a minute.

When you get the new SIM card specific to your phone and service, all you have to do is then call and have it activated. I'm not sure which services prohibit these practices, or have measures against them. I'll go a-Googling though.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/07/2006 08:34:24 PM · #5

Thanks. Actually, prepay is cheap on some plans, especially if your main use is for "keeping tabs" and emergency. $100 for 1000 minutes, lasts 365 days, (and includes long distance). Also, you can rollover any minutes you don't use. And there are no additional fees or taxes, and no contract.

But also no refunds :(

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/07/2006 08:47:24 PM · #6

we have one T-mobile prepaid phone that we use for visitors, or our daughters, whenever oe of them is on a sleepover or some other outing.

We took the $100 option (which wasn't an entirely straight forward undertaking, by the way) so the credit would be good for a whole year.
We'll probably never actually go through that money, but it is good to know it is there and we won't have to worry about the phone for a whole year.

I don't like your chances with the sim card. Coming from Australia we were used to simply transferring sim cards from one phone to another, and were very disappointed that here in the States we are forced to buy a new phone every time we change providers.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

01/07/2006 09:10:39 PM · #7

In your area T-Mobile has phones starting at $79.99 with a $30.00 mail-in rebate making it $49.99. I would suggest looking at the "pay as you go coverage map" and see if it will cover the areas she will be in. If so I would buy the $100.00 card good for 1000 min. or 365 days (which ever comes first). Here is the map near your area.

Phone in your area

Message edited by author 2006-01-07 21:11:44.

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

01/07/2006 11:56:40 PM · #8

Thanks everyone!

vikas

Apple iPhone 13

01/08/2006 12:14:21 AM · #9

Once your phone is unlocked, you should be able to use a SIM card from any provider. The trouble is only Cingular and T-mobile offer GSM services here.

As for the coverage, T-mobile is pretty horrible around where I live I don't know how it is around Albany, but better find out as it might just defeat the entire purpose of getting your daughter a phone if it doesnt work.

Check ebay, you might get some unlocked phones pretty cheap. Another website that I have used (and my friends have) is
Inphonic.com

jab119

01/08/2006 12:26:05 AM · #10

with prepaid service you will get the exact same network quality as regular rate plan customers for any wireless company you chose. your calls just get routed through the pre-paid box to track the minutes of use.

the reason you have to pay so much for a cool phone is you are NOT signing a 2 year contract. so you are paying the "no commit" price.

wireless companies dont like it when you get an unlocked phone to take from company to company, but they cant stop you. you do have to buy a SIM card from or for the company you want to use it with as the sim has network specific coding in it to make it work properly for that network.

so basically get an unlocked phone and chose the company that has the best quality where you will use it most.

oh and yes you want to get a GSM phone. all the companies are turning down their TDMA, CDMA or what ever they have and going to GSM so the old stuff is not really maintained and kept working like it was several years ago, all efforts are going to improving and expanding the GSM network.

James

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/08/2006 01:09:12 AM · #11

Originally posted by jab119:

GSM is what they use in Europe I believe and the reason many US phones will not work over there. If you gave a GSM phone, you have to get a simcard for the country you're in or pay more for one that works all over Europe.

I bought my last phone on ebay and got it for 1/3 of what Nextel wanted. You still have to get the right sim card and stuff, but it saved a lot.

01/08/2006 08:27:14 AM · #12

Thanks. Since the companies don't really want you to have an unlocked phone from someone else, can't they refuse to sell you a SIM card?

BTW - The Motorola V330 we are looking at is a trimode phone.

jab119

01/08/2006 10:28:20 AM · #13

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Thanks. Since the companies don't really want you to have an unlocked phone from someone else, can't they refuse to sell you a SIM card?

BTW - The Motorola V330 we are looking at is a trimode phone.

Im sure you might get some resistance, but the sales people still get a little commission on selling the sim card so im sure they will sell it to you.

I, like many people dont like the locked phones and I work for a wireless company. I feel you should be able to buy any phone and use it on any network you want

James

jab119

01/08/2006 10:35:33 AM · #14

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Yes Europe has been using GSM for a long time. Actually Europe is pretty far ahead of the USA in wireless communications.

GSM = Global Standard for Mobil Communications

In the US you typically have to buy your phone from the wireless company, but in Europe the wireless companies dont sell phones, only service and Sim cards (i think) Im sure some of our friends from Europe can verify this. It allows the consumers a lot more freedom Vs. how we do things here.

the US companies make a TON of money off the phones and accessories, and thats why they dont like you to bring in your own phone for service.

James