Anybody using Consumer Cellular? Their plans are priced quite reasonable.

Good God, cell phones and plans are expensive in the U.S. There must be some kind of collusion going on. Also, after 12 years overseas in 5 countries, I am really disappointed at the call quality here. It's like talking on a walkie talkie, if someone talks at the same time as the other person, it all goes to shit. You almost have to say, "over" after you're done speaking. I think its because the calls are transmitted very cheaply over the internet.

It is not like this in other countries. I feel ripped off here. And I especially miss talking on landlines, when you felt as if you were right there with the person.

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.

I just worry that if I buy an Iphone on Craigslist or ebay it will be a stolen phone, and I want no part of that.

Change your usage habits by using the phone for talk only as necessary and switch to a pay as you go plan. $100/year (~ $8/mo).

Wow I had no idea smart phones were so expensive!

Call verizon and ask about customer loyalty discounts. A secret verizon perk that might be available if you've had them for awhile.

We pay AT&T $174/month. I grandfathered in unlimited data from my high school plan, DH has the lowest data plan, unlimited texting and 700 minutes, I think.

Anonymous wrote:We have a family plan with two iPhones on AT&T. With data, texting and fees we're paying $158 a month.

My question: Can I use the iPhone on any of the pay-as-you-go plans when my contract is up?

I am using my out of contract iphone on straight talk.

Anonymous wrote:We have a family plan with two iPhones on AT&T. With data, texting and fees we're paying $158 a month.

My question: Can I use the iPhone on any of the pay-as-you-go plans when my contract is up?

Yes, I have an iphone 4 on a pay as you go plan. If the phone uses a sim card, you can go pay as you go.
In some cases, the phone may need to be unlocked.

Yeah, I know you definitely can't use AT&T phones on Verizon and vice versa. They use different cell phone technologies. Not sure about the other carriers.

Anonymous wrote:We have a family plan with two iPhones on AT&T. With data, texting and fees we're paying $158 a month.

My question: Can I use the iPhone on any of the pay-as-you-go plans when my contract is up?

I just looked into this and it seems that you can only use iPhone specifically purchased for their network - at lease with Virgin Mobile.

We have Boost... 2 smart phones.... unlimited everything... Android.... $55/month each.... pay as you go. Plus, for every 6 months you pay on time, they drop your monthly by $5.... so we'll each end up paying $50, this month!

We have a family plan with two iPhones on AT&T. With data, texting and fees we're paying $158 a month.

My question: Can I use the iPhone on any of the pay-as-you-go plans when my contract is up?

For those of you who have gone off-contract, are there any providers that use the Verizon network (so you get reception on Metro?) My contract with AT & T is up and I don't want to re-up with them, but I'm going to be spending a LOT of time on Metro for work and want to be reachable by our babysitter/kids.

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.

I have Virgin Mobile. It's on the Sprint network. Coverage is better than when I had T-mobile.