Boost Mobile: May have to try it
m...@privacy.net
what you think?
I'm looking for new cell carrier in
63401 area
Gordon
> http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shownotes/2009/01/15/14921
Intresting.
Now, does that run on the old Nextel system, or the Sprint CDMA
system? If the latter, I may convert my Sprint phone over to
Boost and save a few bucks a month.
Note that these plans are good for talkaholics. If you don't
use the phone too much, there are better pay by the minute
plans that can save you even more.
Brian Elfert
>Now, does that run on the old Nextel system, or the Sprint CDMA
>system? If the latter, I may convert my Sprint phone over to
Boost is still Nextel.
Boost has a new $50 unlimited plan, but the review I saw said it is awful
and the reviewer's wife went back to another phone before the 30 day
review period was up. The main complaint was dropped calls.
If Boost used a decent provider I would seriously consider this and drop
my VOIP home line all together.
m...@privacy.net
Don't know as I'm not a phone
techie...just came across it on Clarks
web page
m...@privacy.net
>Boost has a new $50 unlimited plan, but the review I saw said it is awful
>and the reviewer's wife went back to another phone before the 30 day
>review period was up. The main complaint was dropped calls.
have a link to this review?
www.Queensbridge.us
> m...@privacy.net wrote innews:oq4sn4ttk8ta30n4i...@4ax.com:
Wife and I use Virgin.
If you set-up automatic billing via
PayPal
Credit Card or
Bank debit
after your initial top-up payment, you can set as low as $15.00 every
90 days or $5.00 a month. Go to www.virginmobileusa.com Check out
Virgin Mobile phones and plans. Buy one of their phones and activate
it. Enter Kickbacks Code number: yQqUHOsQ to get 60 minutes of bonus
airtime after you add money to your account
Brian Elfert
>Brian Elfert <bel...@visi.com> wrote:
Sorry, but try as I might I can't find where I saw this review.
Mr Bungle 34
anyrate, I spend less than 10 bucks a month on it...
m...@privacy.net
<michael...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>A boost prepaid is my only phone. I ararely need to use a phone. At
>anyrate, I spend less than 10 bucks a month on it...
Ok but what abt this new unlimited plan
in original post?
George
I think Clark Howards days have past. He just seems to pimp stuff
whether it makes sense or not.
George
Just ask someone in your area who happens to be stuck on Sprints crappy
iDEN network which they tried to sell and no one wanted and you will
know what boost is about.
Brian Elfert
>Just ask someone in your area who happens to be stuck on Sprints crappy
>iDEN network which they tried to sell and no one wanted and you will
>know what boost is about.
My friend still has Nextel because he has lots of other friends with
Nextel for the walkie-talkie feature. I have never been dropped while
talking to him even for 30 minutes.
This doesn't mean that others aren't having trouble.
Gordon
news:glvf4u$b2l$1...@news.motzarella.org:
Sprint actually has two networks, Their CDMA network that they deployed,
and the iDen network that they acquired from Nextel. That's why I was
disapointed to hear that Boost uses the iDen network. I have a Sprint
CDMA Phone.
m...@privacy.net
> That's why I was
>disapointed to hear that Boost uses the iDen network.
How come?
Its not a good network?
SMS
You'll get the same abysmal coverage that Nextel subscribers enjoy.
SMS
> A boost prepaid is my only phone. I ararely need to use a phone. At
> anyrate, I spend less than 10 bucks a month on it...
Boost is the perfect phone when you rarely need to use a phone because
you'll rarely be able to use it!
The best deal in prepaid, by far, is PagePlus which uses the Verizon
network. As little as $10 every four months (a bit less since the
refills are often discounted a few percent). As little as 5.3 cents per
minute. But it's not just the low cost, it's that you get excellent
coverage. With any prepaid provider on the iDEN or Sprint networks
you'll get poor coverage outside of urban areas. Regular Sprint phones
can roam onto other CDMA networks in areas with no Sprint coverage, but
Virgin, which is on the Sprint network, can't roam. With Boost, there is
nowhere to roam onto, as Nextel has about the only iDEN network in the
U.S. (there are a couple of other very small iDEN networks, but none of
any size).
See "http://prepaiduswireless.com"
The prepaid providers to avoid are:
Boost
Tracfone
Virgin
Net10
Jitterbug
InPulse (Verizon)
GoPhone (AT&T)
SMS
It's unlimited, but don't ever plan to use the phone outside the core of
very urban areas. Not even on the fringes of very urban areas.
SMS
Well if Sprint offered $50 unlimited voice and data on their CDMA
network they'd have more customers than they could handle, rather than
hemorrhaging customers like they are now. If Sprint wants to reverse
their downward spiral, they could think about something similar. Maybe
limit data during peak times to avoid overwhelming their 3G network, and
keep higher ARPU customers from changing to the lower cost plan. More
likely that they'll just shut down completely and sell off their spectrum.
SMS
Look at the January Consumer Reports for the results for Nextel in each
market. That's the coverage you'll get. But it's misleading, because
coverage in urban areas is _all_ you'll get. No roaming in rural areas
(nothing to roam onto).
A publication in my area (SF Bay area) did their own survey of coverage
and quality. Nextel wa always second to last, just ahead of MetroPCS,
except they beat two other carriers in sound quality.
The unlimited data is what's attractive about that offer. $50 would buy
you 934 voice minutes a month on PagePlus.
m...@privacy.net
>See "http://prepaiduswireless.com/".
Wow!
Excellent web page above! Is it yours?
Question..... what abt buying a wifi enabled cell phone
and somehow using Skype for calls when in wifi hotspot
to save on the prepaid minutes usage?
That doable?
m...@privacy.net
>
>The prepaid providers to avoid are:
>
>Boost
>Tracfone
>Virgin
>Net10
>Jitterbug
>InPulse (Verizon)
>GoPhone (AT&T)
OK thanks
I currently have T Mobile to go sim pack being used in
older GSM phone from another carrier that I dropped.
The phone is an unlocked Nokia 6010
I'm thinking of buying the Nokia E51 which is an
unlocked smart phone that has symbian and wifi built in
Have a Skype account but only setup for skype to skype
use right now. If I buy Skype credit to use so as to
call other people when my E51 is an a hotspot.... will
THAT strategy help keep my minutes usage down?
Also, T Mobile doesn't have the best of coverage
here..... works in town but poor outside of 63401.
I know you said Page Plus is best for rural areas but
I'm already into T Mobile for 30 bucks so may go ahead
and buy the $100 refill card.... if using wifi can help
keep costs down
SMS
> I'm thinking of buying the Nokia E51 which is an
> unlocked smart phone that has symbian and wifi built in
I know some wi-fi enabled phones can't run the Skype software, so be
careful with what you buy. Not sure about the E51. See
"http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=148391".
m...@privacy.net
I'm sorry.... I didn't mean to use Skype on the phone
itself
What I should have said was to use this:
Rod Speed
>> See "http://prepaiduswireless.com/".
> Wow!
Or use voip over wifi instead.
> That doable?
Yes, thats what I do myself.
Rod Speed
Mr Bungle 34
I have almost no trouble with my phone but I do live in a metro area
(Raleigh, NC). If I ever switch up I'll be following your
advice...thanks...
Mark Anderson
> The best deal in prepaid, by far, is PagePlus which uses the Verizon
> network. As little as $10 every four months (a bit less since the
> refills are often discounted a few percent). As little as 5.3 cents per
> minute. But it's not just the low cost, it's that you get excellent
> coverage. With any prepaid provider on the iDEN or Sprint networks
> you'll get poor coverage outside of urban areas. Regular Sprint phones
> can roam onto other CDMA networks in areas with no Sprint coverage, but
> Virgin, which is on the Sprint network, can't roam. With Boost, there is
> nowhere to roam onto, as Nextel has about the only iDEN network in the
> U.S. (there are a couple of other very small iDEN networks, but none of
> any size).
>
> See "http://prepaiduswireless.com"
>
> The prepaid providers to avoid are:
>
> Boost
> Tracfone
> Virgin
> Net10
> Jitterbug
> InPulse (Verizon)
> GoPhone (AT&T)
Thank you so much for this info. I've been looking into prepaid phones
and they all seem like a ripoff (greater than 20 cents/minute plus setup
charges). This site laid everything out pretty clearly and I've decided
to try PagePlus.
Now I just need to find a phone.
clams_casino
SMS is quite down on Tracfone, but I recently picked up a Tracfone,
camera phone (W376g) at Target for $30 that includes a double minute for
life plan that normally costs $50 by itself and 20 minutes for setup. I
could care less about the camera part, but really like the built-in
speaker phone and fold-over nature of the phone (also has a bluetooth
feature that we will probably never use). We were reluctant to give up
our land line because we like to be on the phone at the same time with
occasional calls to/from family members. As an added, unexpected bonus,
they included a second year's usage for an additional $50 with the
purchase of their one-year 400 minute plan (doubled to 800 minutes),
plus another 300 bonus minutes. Bottom line was a two year plan with
1120 minutes and a decent folding phone (far superior to the ones
offered at $10 & 20) for $195 up-front total cost, including taxes - no
setup fees.
Granted, that works out to 14.5cents / minute (total costs, except cost
of phone), where I doubt we will use more than 1100 minutes over two
years. It'll take me about six months to break even vs. our land-line
costs, but will then enjoy no phone costs for the next 18 months while
having the advantages of a cell phone. It's a second tracfone phone
for us where we've been very pleased with its coverage / reception which
we use very occasionally at about another $7/mo.
Our land line was costing about $10/mo for basic connection plus $16 in
taxes & fees and up to another $5/mo for long distance calls. Our total
expected cost is now under $7/mo for each phone - two phones at less
than the cost of taxes & fees alone on our land line.
clams_casino
After double checking the Page Plus site, it appears they might be as
much as $25/year cheaper than Tracfone for my expected usage (about an
hour/mo), but they also charge about $25 more for phones (if desired,
Tracfone provides free, basic refurbished phones). Considering SMS is
the only person I'm aware of in favor of (don't actually know anyone
using them vs. a number of people I know pleased with Tracfone
coverage), I'm not willing to try them just to save potentially $1-2 /
mo. From what I'm seeing on their coverage map, some of than savings
may also be lost in (double) roaming charges.
However, I can see where that $1-2/mo savings (or somewhat more) may be
worthy if one is interested a very limited usage phone (the 83 minute/4
month $10 plan at 12 cents/min appears to be a good deal for 20 min/mo
usage) - after buying a phone & provided coverage is adequate. A lot
of that savings, however, could be eaten up, depending on the cost of
the phone.
clams_casino
I also just noticed a $10 activation fee (no charge via tracfone), plus
in inability to transfer / port a current phone number (no fee via
Tracfone).
Bottom line - It's quite difficult to compare plans, as their costs of
features vary significantly.
SMS
> SMS is quite down on Tracfone, but I recently picked up a Tracfone,
> camera phone (W376g) at Target for $30 that includes a double minute for
> life plan that normally costs $50 by itself and 20 minutes for setup.
That's a very good deal. Remember, the DB4L goes with the phone. Every
time you get a new phone, you have to buy DB4L again.
It's true that if you look for bonus deals that Tracfone can come down
in per minute price.
To me, it's a lot of rigmarole with all the promotions, bonuses, etc.
They make you work to get a per minute rate that's still fairly high.
SMS
> After double checking the Page Plus site, it appears they might be as
> much as $25/year cheaper than Tracfone for my expected usage (about an
> hour/mo), but they also charge about $25 more for phones (if desired,
> Tracfone provides free, basic refurbished phones).
It's true that the PagePlus phones have an initially higher price,
though remember, you can use any phone that was previously used on
Verizon, so free and very low cost used phones are readily available
(freecycle and craigslist). You can also buy a new Verizon InPulse phone
and use it on PagePlus in most cases (try activating prior to opening
the package).
Actually, the cheapest way to get started is on T-Mobile, where you can
get a phone and a $25 airtime card for about $30 (this special is on
their web site several times a month). After the first $100 you spend,
you can buy one $10 airtime card per year.
SMS
> After double checking the Page Plus site, it appears they might be as
> much as $25/year cheaper than Tracfone for my expected usage (about an
> hour/mo), but they also charge about $25 more for phones (if desired,
> Tracfone provides free, basic refurbished phones). Considering SMS is
> the only person I'm aware of in favor of (don't actually know anyone
> using them vs. a number of people I know pleased with Tracfone
Check "http://www.prepaidreviews.com/" for reviews of all the different
prepaid providers.
m...@privacy.net
>Bottom line - It's quite difficult to compare plans, as their costs of
>features vary significantly.
AGREE!!
Almost impossible for average Joe like me!
That's why I was happy abt the web page SMS gave us!
m...@privacy.net
>Actually, the cheapest way to get started is on T-Mobile, where you can
>get a phone and a $25 airtime card for about $30 (this special is on
>their web site several times a month). After the first $100 you spend,
>you can buy one $10 airtime card per year.
I'm going to go ahead and buy $100 refill card for T
Mobile above
However, I'm still interested in anyone's experience
using wifi capable phones and Skype in ADDITION to
their prepaid cell service to keep cell usage down.
Anyone else?
m...@privacy.net
>The unlimited data is what's attractive about that offer. $50 would buy
>you 934 voice minutes a month on PagePlus.
Point well taken!
I was attracted to the unlimited web access with Boost
I guess
m...@privacy.net
>The best deal in prepaid, by far, is PagePlus which uses the Verizon
>network.
Crap looks like Verizon isn't available in my area.....
63401 zip code..... right?
If yes, does this mean PagePlus is a no go for me as
far as prepaid?
m...@privacy.net
>I use the builtin voip on a Nokia N95 8GB.
Wow the N95!
That's quite a phone. Did you buy it unlocked?
How you like it?
George
But isn't iDEN data something like a screaming fast 9kb if all of the
planets are properly aligned?
Rod Speed
> Rod Speed <rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote
>> I use the builtin voip on a Nokia N95 8GB.
> Wow the N95!
Thats what almost everyone says, specially kids |-)
> That's quite a phone.
It is indeed.
> Did you buy it unlocked?
Yep.
> How you like it?
Love it. Its got a couple of downsides that I would prefer were done differently.
No touch screen is the main one.
No card slot. Superficially you dont need one since its the 8GB, but a card
is a very quick way of moving very big stuff like a long video recording etc.
Leaves the iphone for dead in a number of areas.
Main irritation is that the damned thing costs as much as a laptop.
Not very surprising given that its as capable as a laptop, just with a much smaller screen.
Zuke
I too was curious about why Tracfone would be listed as a bad
deal. I've had mine for about three years and have had no
problems. Of course I don't do a lot of travelling outside
of the major cities but I have never heard of coverage problems
with Tracfone.
In addition, I have had really good luck with their customer service.
And having had a phone go dead I was able to buy a new one at Meijer
and transfer without any problem.
Admittedly I am paying a bit higher for minutes but since I don't
burn up the phone lines it's not that big an issue for me.