Re:Prepaid Cellphones Are Cheaper. Why Aren't They Popular?
by dwang on Sunday August 05, 2012 @11:25PM
(#4343570)
I'm using an Optimus V on VM as well, but my experience with their "unlimited" data is disappointing. I have been using the service since May, 2011, and the bandwidth typically doesn't serve more than 40 KB/s consistently around my area. For instance, listening to a stream via TuneIn is unbearable, because VM data service can't even stream at 32 K without buffering every few seconds. It doesn't matter that VM advertises unlimited data or have a 2.5 GB fast cap when the service can't even be used besides reading email.
If I were a new user, I'd go with T-Mobile instead of Virgin Mobile. T-Mobile uses GSM so switching to a new phone won't require calling up VM for activation -- just pop in the SIMM card. Right now there's no way to use a newer CDMA phone without losing my grandfathered $25/mon plan.
Re:Prepaid Cellphones Are Cheaper. Why Aren't They Popular?
by angryasian on Sunday August 05, 2012 @11:23PM
(#4343565)
im also another doing the same thing, except I bought my optimus v for $40 off ebay. Using roms, I get excellent performance and battery life (beating even my wifes iphone4 with similar usage). Completely worth it except I'll be probably switching to a gsm pre paid only because I'd like to take my phone with me when I travel.
$25 a month for 300 voice minutes and unlimited data (after a few gigabytes this usage is throttled, but still remains relatively fast for a phone data connection when you aren't constantly watching streaming netflix or whatever, which I never do with my phone anyway).
As a full-on Google Voice/VOIP user, the fact that I have "only" 300 minutes is pretty much meaningless, I consume almost entirely "data". As an Android fanboy/Cynaogenmod user my phone is running Ice Cream Sandwich even though the Optimus V is old enough to ship with Froyo standard. I use the tethering features available in CM/Android daily.
Granted, I'm not saying my setup would work for everyone, you have to be fairly technical to take advantage of unofficial ROM upgrades and I'm probably bending if not breaking terms of usage with my tethering usage (even though I only use it for basic web browsing and stuff, I'm not running torrents or anything goofy like that), but my current deal is the best I've ever seen for a smartphone.
The phone cost $150 no-contract and I've been paying $25 a month for the past year and a half or so. The phone's hardware pales in comparison to the latest iPhone or high-end Android phone, but it does everything I need including the full Google Nav GPS experience, pocket browser, pocket tethering modem, etc.
Sadly they upped the monthly rate to $35 (still a great deal!) but as long as I stay on my Optimus I'm "grandfathered" in at the old rate, which is pretty cool considering I'm not on any contract to start with.