Prepaid Cellphones Are Cheaper. Why Aren't They Popular?

Re:Prepaid Cellphones Are Cheaper. Why Aren't They Popular? by klipt on Sunday August 05, 2012 @10:34PM (#4343463)

I'm on T-mobile's $30/month prepaid plan for unlimited texts and 4G data (you get throttled to EDGE speeds after 5GB but ... 5GB is a lot.) Voice calls are "limited" but that's what VOIP is for!

Unfortunately this plan is "web exclusive" and limited to new activations only, so you have to order a new SIM online and activate it with a new number to switch to it. (You can port the number afterwards; I just route everything through Google Voice).

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Prepaid Cellphones Are Cheaper. Why Aren't They Popular? by masonhensley on Sunday August 05, 2012 @10:43PM (#4343481)

What is your GVoice-VOIP setup?

I've been on that t-mobile plan for a few months using GrooveIP for GVoice-VOIP, but keep thinking there is a better way.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Prepaid Cellphones Are Cheaper. Why Aren't They Popular? by baggachipz on Monday August 06, 2012 @12:28AM (#4343727)

I've tried Talkatone, Sipdroid, and Groove IP. GrooveIP is easily the best (sadly). Tighter integration sure would be swell, but it seems a lost cause. It works well enough, especially for receiving calls while on Wifi. Beats the hell out of paying for minutes, though.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Prepaid Cellphones Are Cheaper. Why Aren't They Popular? by klipt on Sunday August 05, 2012 @10:48PM (#4343487)

Have you tried Talkatone? It's not perfect but seems to be working pretty well for me so far...

I've also been texting more on my smartphone than I did on the dumbphone, especially since installing TouchPal.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Prepaid Cellphones Are Cheaper. Why Aren't They Popular? by sjs382 on Monday August 06, 2012 @10:41AM (#4345360)

So you can't port an existing number to the 30/month Monthly4G plan?

[ Parent | on HN ]