straight talk uses the ATT network-- $45 for all you need voice, texts, data (although I think if you are a heavy user-- streaming a lot of video for example-- you might get throttled)

We have T-Mobile, two phones, unlimited texting, 500gb of data each which we never get close to using even with using the phones a lot (not for video), 700 minutes or so (we use less than 100) and total cost including tax is just over $100.

Anonymous wrote:How is the coverage in the DC area, or even nationally, with Virgin Mobile, or any of the smaller carriers? Good coverage is the one concern I have leaving Verizon which I've had since 2000.

21:27 again. VirginMobile is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sprint and uses the Sprint network. I was a Sprint customer from 1989 (yes, pre-digital phones) until 6 weeks ago and only infrequently had problems with the network. You can check the Sprint coverage at http://coverage.sprint.com/IMPACT.jsp?.

Net10 (0n Tmobile Sim cards):
I pay $90/month, unlimited talk, wifi, text with 2 iphones.

4 months ago, using Smartphones on Verizon, I was paying $220/month.

Never going contract again!

That sounds about right. We have four smartphones on our plan. Our bill is around 250 a month.

Anonymous wrote:My spouse and I have a family plan with Verizon. We both have smart phones (one iPhone and one Samsung if it matters). The minimum shared minutes we have to have is like 700. Add the extra line, the two data plans, and taxes and fees and we usually pay about $180/ month. I just think it's too high but have not had a chance to explore alternatives. Until now.

Is there a more economical alternative out there? We would prefer to keep our phone numbers and our physical phones, but we are open.

Yours sounds the same as ours but we have 1200 minutes, two data plans, and unlimited texting paying $178/month. One iPhone and one low budget smart phone that was purchased off eBay to replace the Droid Razor that died after 16 months (no insurance plan). This is just too expensive. I hate to leave Verizon because they do have excellent reception in remote locations. ATT didn't really seem much better price wise. I was thinking of getting a pay-as-you-go phone but I'd really like to get a Samsung Galaxy 4s. It's just getting too expensive.

How is the coverage in the DC area, or even nationally, with Virgin Mobile, or any of the smaller carriers? Good coverage is the one concern I have leaving Verizon which I've had since 2000.

Anonymous wrote:I pay $26 a month for unlimited data, 300 minutes, unlimited texting. I bought my smartphone refurbished for $50 online. Virgin mobile. You can get unlimited minutes for 50 or 60 bucks a month. Even factoring in the cost of a smartphone up front, it's still cheaper than a traditional phone plan. Also check out Cricket or StraightTalk.

FYI, that plan is no longer available. However I just got (6 weeks ago) the current VirginMobile plan called BeyondTalk plan. All BeyondTalk plans include unlimited data, unlimited messaging and 3G/4G network access. For $35 you get 300 minutes of talk-time, for $45 you get 1200 minutes of talk-time and for $55 you get unlimited talk time. I'm pretty happy with this plan. Definitely saved money switching to VirginMobile from my old carrier. So, OP, you can get the same as you currently have for about half monthly cost.

http://www.boostmobile.com/shop/plans/shrinking-payments/?icamp=INTC_ShrinkingPayments_HP_Tile1

I need to do this myself. On verizon but it's all combined with the home internet and tv.

I pay $26 a month for unlimited data, 300 minutes, unlimited texting. I bought my smartphone refurbished for $50 online. Virgin mobile. You can get unlimited minutes for 50 or 60 bucks a month. Even factoring in the cost of a smartphone up front, it's still cheaper than a traditional phone plan. Also check out Cricket or StraightTalk.

If you work for the govt you can get a discount through AT&T. I agree that removing unlimited data an texting plans could lower your bill.

We have AT&T family plan with 2 smart phones, no texting plan - we limit texts and pay per text which is still less than the monthly fee- lowest level data plan and govt. discount and pay about $90 per month.

I don't get that. We have Verizon and pay a bit less than you and have 3 smart phones and 1 dumb phone on our plan.

T-mobile?

Do you have unlimited data, and if so, do you really need it? We both stepped down from unlimited and have never gone over. We pay less than you for 2 non-combined smart phone plans (switching to a family plan would save us another $10 or so but we're lazy) so it certainly can be done. We're on AT&T.

Make sure you've checked for any affiliation discounts you're eligible for ( employer, alumni association, etc). There are many if these and the phone companies do not advertise them. They save us about 10%.

Move anywhere else in the world and pay as you go.

My spouse and I have a family plan with Verizon. We both have smart phones (one iPhone and one Samsung if it matters). The minimum shared minutes we have to have is like 700. Add the extra line, the two data plans, and taxes and fees and we usually pay about $180/ month. I just think it's too high but have not had a chance to explore alternatives. Until now.

Is there a more economical alternative out there? We would prefer to keep our phone numbers and our physical phones, but we are open.