Which Provider (USA) ? Note 4 - Galaxy Note 4 General

I am currently out of contract with Verizon and am debating whether or not I should switch carriers. I was originally with a single line, 2GB paying roughly $55.00/mo with my VZW Note 3. Now that I am married, and have to take care of my mother, I need to change to a family plan (mother uses very little to no data). I'd much rather outright purchase the Note 4 and am debating between the following: VZW/TMo/AT&T.
-I like the fact that I can swap out SIM cards if I were to travel abroad, (not all that often mind you, but nice to have).
-I like the fact knowing I won't have issues running into data caps/limits, (2GB I REALLY had to limit my use to only WiFi for the most part).
-I would like a reasonable family plan that would allow more than 2GB/line, (I'd have to get 3 lines regardless whether on single lines or family with either of the providers listed).
-I like the fact that the device has multiple antennas should I want to swap my provider after buying the phone.
-I like the fact that there will be strong support in the rooting community.
With that said, VZW/AT&T have the strongest signal/service quality in my area with TMo coming in 2-3rd place in some categories. I suppose my question is, what do you guys feel would be suit me? I know with the VZW Note 3 you could pop in a GSM SIM and change out APN's to allow usage on, say, tmobile and thus was a great version to buy.
What do you guys think? Any input would be great!

I have cricket which are owned by att and use their signal. 3 lines with unlimited talk text and 3gb data for each line (throttled to edge after 3gb) is 120 (no taxes or fees charged its already included). If someone doesn't use much data drop that line to 1gb to save 10 bucks bringing it to $110.

natienn said:
I have cricket which are owned by att and use their signal. 3 lines with unlimited talk text and 3gb data for each line (throttled to edge after 3gb) is 120 (no taxes or fees charged its already included). If someone doesn't use much data drop that line to 1gb to save 10 bucks bringing it to $110.
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This is what your monthly would be on T-Mobile for the exact same plan (if you plan on purchasing the device outright) FWIW.

mtpktz said:
This is what your monthly would be on T-Mobile for the exact same plan (if you plan on purchasing the device outright) FWIW.
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I know of T-Mobiles pricing and tried them but signal here is horrendous. Dealbreaker

Well I would say t-mobile of you don't mind the reception in your area, and if got are going to root since the bootloader should not be locked down like att and vzw. If you don't mind that the bootloader might be locked then I would say go with att since now they have a promo with their shared plans... You get double the data. The promo ends Oct 31. The promo starts with their 15gb plans and up. So you would get 30gb for the price of the 15gb and so forth... Hope this helps...
Sent from my Note3 Rocking DynamicKat or my G3

I would say T-Mobile and just get one of the new cellspot routers for voice over WiFi. I got one of the cellspot routers, the range on the WiFi is really nice. With my old Netgear wndr4300, I would barely get 2.4ghz signal upstairs, and 5ghz wouldn't connect most of the time. With the T-Mobile (rebranded Asus) router, I am able to have almost full 5ghz signal all over my house and even reaches halfway across my yard.

Related

Thanks Nexus 5, Because of You I Dumped Sprint

I've had a Sprint SERO plan for years. Service was always crappy here in the SF Bay Area, but, the price was cheap (SERO is a good deal) and there was always the promise that things would get better - the current promise being Spark.
I bought a Nexus 5 thinking it was the phone I wanted, and that I would recoup some of the Sprint subsidy I wasn't getting by getting a subsidized iPhone and then selling it on ebay.
Since the phone was unlocked and GSM capable, I thought, what the heck, I'll buy a Straight Talk prepaid AT&T SIM and try it for a month. After a week I terminated Sprint (I was out of contract.)
It was a whole new world. I could drive from San Francisco across the Bay Bridge and back without the call dropping once. I could drive from San Francisco to Marin County across the Golden Gate Bridge and up the Waldo grade without the call dropping 3 times. I could take out the phone practically anywhere and the internet would work reasonably fast, rather than having about a 50% chance of getting the webpage I wanted.
I could get the phone on the network by simply inserting the SIM card, no hassle of reading long MEID numbers to a phone agent, no scrounging around for a SIM card that was always out of stock. I had LTE service right away, rather than at some indeterminate point in the future when they would fix the towers so that they could work with my phone.
I can be on the internet and talk on the phone at the same time.
I don't mean this to be a rant, but to inspire others. If you are on Sprint and out of contract, try a prepaid AT&T SIM and see if you see the radical difference I did (this would include AT&T Gophone, AIO, Straight Talk, and others, Straight Talk being the chepaest of the bunch at $45 per month.)
Did the same but went with T-Mobile and their $30 prepaid plan (5g of 4G data but only 100 min talk) and have not looked back. Sprint was, to a degree, a failed service for me and at close to $90 a month for unlimited but unusable data and talk, life now just seems easy.
As a note, the 100 mins of talk time seem limiting and might be for some who need to talk on the road. For me, as a Google Voice user, I have the Obi box at home and call forwarding to my work phone. Additional minutes are 10 cents/min extra, so if you keep some extra dough in your T-Mo account, you won't see any cutoffs as it'll just debit your account. Either way, Sprint was just too full of promises and too slow on the implementation.
Congratz! Sprint sux's!
I guess this is an illustration of how locked phones are dangerous for the carriers - makes it too easy to shop around.
You really hit the nail on the head when you said "life now just seems easy." After being on Sprint, reliability and dependability is a welcome change. You just know it will work.
jgreemo said:
Did the same but went with T-Mobile and their $30 prepaid plan (5g of 4G data but only 100 min talk) and have not looked back. Sprint was, to a degree, a failed service for me and at close to $90 a month for unlimited but unusable data and talk, life now just seems easy.
As a note, the 100 mins of talk time seem limiting and might be for some who need to talk on the road. For me, as a Google Voice user, I have the Obi box at home and call forwarding to my work phone. Additional minutes are 10 cents/min extra, so if you keep some extra dough in your T-Mo account, you won't see any cutoffs as it'll just debit your account. Either way, Sprint was just too full of promises and too slow on the implementation.
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I just did the same, but dropped for Aio instead ($55 for unlim talk/text and 2gb at high speed before throttled). I'd been with Sprint for 10+ years, so was a little hesitant, but coverage was so bad that I dropped ASAP, even paying an ETF. Turns out, I should have been more brave months ago, as Aio has better coverage in my area than Sprint ever did. I can actually use data inside buildings, what?! I agree with the OP on this being a whole new world. Having a shiny new N5 definitely isn't hurting my opinion either.
breannesp said:
I just did the same, but dropped for Aio instead ($55 for unlim talk/text and 2gb at high speed before throttled). I'd been with Sprint for 10+ years, so was a little hesitant, but coverage was so bad that I dropped ASAP, even paying an ETF. Turns out, I should have been more brave months ago, as Aio has better coverage in my area than Sprint ever did. I can actually use data inside buildings, what?! I agree with the OP on this being a whole new world. Having a shiny new N5 definitely isn't hurting my opinion either.
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Does AIO have LTE?
Man do you guys live in 3rd world countries? J/k tell us how things are in a year from now. Its just crazy how different parts of the country are at n t sucks here almost bad as t mobile. To much interference with the gsm signals.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I preordered the N5 a month before my Verizon contract ended and hopped on the GSM ship. Has been smooth sailing thus far!!!
Went with Aio's $55/month plan and have been LOVING IT. Verizon's ~$100/month with unlimited data just wasn't worth it after all.
I have been reassured that when Aio (who is owned by AT&T) get's absorbed by Cricket (who's parent company is now owned by AT&T) in the near future my plan will stay the same, and continue to use AT&T's nationwide LTE.
I will gauge my experience when the switch happens and decide whether to try GoPhone (another AT&T prepaid, assuming AT&T doesn't fold it in with the Cricket brand name as well) or try T-Mobile's $60 plans. That is the beauty of GSM + Nexus devices. Freedom. That plus the dev support and international compatibility. Ya, I realize some Verizon phones can accomplish that as well, but come on. Verizon = they control you and your device
When I was on Verizon (Galaxy Nexus) I was streaming a lot of music in the car using 6-8 gigs/month. Never thought I could give up my grandfathered unlimited data! When I switched to Aio I started pinning (caching) my music when I got my Nexus 5 instead of streaming it, and now I only use about 800mb/month. Couldn't believe it!
I encourage everyone to join the GSM bandwagon :good:
I bought the Nexus 5 for the same reason I am going to ride my contract out on Sprint until March(cuz I'm a cheap bastard and don't want to pay an etf) but have been weighing my options in the meantime can't wait to be off this **** network. Side note I am on a family plan with 4 family members and pay my mom $30/month for unlimited everything and I still need to switch unlimited is a joke when you can't call or connect to anything.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
You're right that GSM is just so much nicer than CDMA.
yeah..... im on sprint and regretting it. still stuck on bloody 56k quality 3g. ****.

Debating switching from ATT/S4 to Tmobile/Note 4, would you recommend Note 4?

Hating ATT, locked bootloader S4 and my $215 bill for 700 min, unlimited text and 2g data on one line and 3g on other. Would like to switch to tmobile and main question is do you guys think Note 4 is best phone offered right now or upcoming? Are bootloaders still unlocked with tmobile?
Smokeyla1 said:
Hating ATT, locked bootloader S4 and my $215 bill for 700 min, unlimited text and 2g data on one line and 3g on other. Would like to switch to tmobile and main question is do you guys think Note 4 is best phone offered right now or upcoming? Are bootloaders still unlocked with tmobile?
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do it. still unlocked.
get sub pricing pay on new phone with att 2 year contract if your no longer on contract, pay full price- sub out of pocket and not lease, then sell phone on CL/ebay. Pocket extra cash.
Have t-mobile pay termination fee. Get T-mobile 2-line $100 Unlimited 4G lte offer. Trade in crap phone. Lease a new one with t-mobile using extra cash.
yeah switch. tmobile is great and cheap. best switch I ever made from verizon
monkeyass408 said:
do it. still unlocked.
get sub pricing pay on new phone with att 2 year contract if your no longer on contract, pay full price- sub out of pocket and not lease, then sell phone on CL/ebay. Pocket extra cash.
Have t-mobile pay termination fee. Get T-mobile 2-line $100 Unlimited 4G lte offer. Trade in crap phone. Lease a new one with t-mobile using extra cash.
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So get a new phone and new 2 - yr contract, switch to T-Mobile and trade in S4, sell new phone and get new phone through T-Mobile? Thought I read that they require you to show bill from ATT which shows which phone you currently have?
Smokeyla1 said:
So get a new phone and new 2 - yr contract, switch to T-Mobile and trade in S4, sell new phone and get new phone through T-Mobile? Thought I read that they require you to show bill from ATT which shows which phone you currently have?
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thats why dont lease the new phone with att because you dont own it and when t-mobile pays the phone lease they require you to trade in that same phone leaving your back at square one.
For your s4, you can sell it for more money on ebay/swappa/CL. T-mobile just requires any smartphone or flip phone to trade in even if its not working as part of their paying your termination fees. You will just get zero credit for trading in a non working phone.
If you are eyeing the note 4 get it. If not get the s6 and take advantage of the latest and greatest software and design. Plus a year free of netflix promo if you got the s6 route.
GL.
I'm on cricket with 3 lines. Unlimited talk/text and 2.5 GB a month for each line and I only pay 90 a month. I picked up and unlocked a tmob Note 4 for 300 dollars after I traded in my Note 3. You would be able to pop and play sims in your other ATT phones too since Cricket is an ATT mvno. I just got a Gear S like new on eBay for 140 and will be adding it to my plan for an extra 5 dollars a month for 2.5 GB. If you like ATT service I highly recommend this. The only caveat is they limit the LTE dl speed to 8 mbps but it's never held me back. Just another option for ya!
Edit: Oh it only cost me 20 to get the phone unlocked, which you would have to do to use it on the network.
Bladerunner1825us said:
I'm on cricket with 3 lines. Unlimited talk/text and 2.5 GB a month for each line and I only pay 90 a month. I picked up and unlocked a tmob Note 4 for 300 dollars after I traded in my Note 3. You would be able to pop and play sims in your other ATT phones too since Cricket is an ATT mvno. I just got a Gear S like new on eBay for 140 and will be adding it to my plan for an extra 5 dollars a month for 2.5 GB. If you like ATT service I highly recommend this. The only caveat is they limit the LTE dl speed to 8 mbps but it's never held me back. Just another option for ya!
Edit: Oh it only cost me 20 to get the phone unlocked, which you would have to do to use it on the network.
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I also have this in motion atm. "Cricket" sims being shipped now to switch from T-Mobile any day now. I have basically no data in my entire area & I rely on Wi-Fi calling to even receive or make a call in my house and that is when Wi-Fi calling actually seems to work on two different phones.
lazer9 said:
I also have this in motion atm. "Cricket" sims being shipped now to switch from T-Mobile any day now. I have basically no data in my entire area & I rely on Wi-Fi calling to even receive or make a call in my house and that is when Wi-Fi calling actually seems to work on two different phones.
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Its been great so far...if I had to make any complaint it would be that the online account doesnt keep track of calls and texts...only data use. Not a deal breaker by any means but was useful when I had it with AT&T. I have the same coverage as i used to so theres no transition at all

[Q] Maybe leaving T-Mobile for Sprint - What will I lose? or Gain?

Although I have been a very satisfied T-Mobile customer for the last 7 years, it appears and tech support confirms that the tower that I connect to at home is oversold and instead of the 16 to 20 megs down that I used to get, I am now getting 1.5 meg on a good day and it goes down to .3 meg on bad days. I can't live with that as I have little other access to Internet bandwidth in my neighborhood and it gets worse every week. I use the Internet for business. The only fix appears to be another tower. Not a quick fix.
So, If I make the switch, what happens? Although it may work out better in switching if I give Sprint my existing Nexus 6, I will be using a Nexus 6 with them. I read comments that I will lose simultaneous voice and data use because of their Spark network. Is that true? What LTE speeds should I expect? I also understand that I will lose tethering if I opt for the unlimited plan (I am actually leaning toward the 20 GB family plan which I understand that I can share with my data enabled devices.) I don't read any nice things about Sprint.
Any thoughts you can share would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.
Dont do it bro, sprint is horrible. Tell me if you find 25 people you know that love sprint more than T-Mobile. Sprint is a rotting company hiding behind sales gimmicks and ideas from T-Mobile. T-Mobile is still rolling out this year with Band 12 700Mhz and its LTE footprint roll out replacing old edge areas. More people complain about sprint way more than T-Mobile. So if you dont like T-Mobile, you might as well get shartrizon or AT$$$T. I would recommend calling T-Mobile to send a tech. to your area to fix the issue or report it for fixing.
ourtech said:
Although I have been a very satisfied T-Mobile customer for the last 7 years, it appears and tech support confirms that the tower that I connect to at home is oversold and instead of the 16 to 20 megs down that I used to get, I am now getting 1.5 meg on a good day and it goes down to .3 meg on bad days. I can't live with that as I have little other access to Internet bandwidth in my neighborhood and it gets worse every week. I use the Internet for business. The only fix appears to be another tower. Not a quick fix.
So, If I make the switch, what happens? Although it may work out better in switching if I give Sprint my existing Nexus 6, I will be using a Nexus 6 with them. I read comments that I will lose simultaneous voice and data use because of their Spark network. Is that true? What LTE speeds should I expect? I also understand that I will lose tethering if I opt for the unlimited plan (I am actually leaning toward the 20 GB family plan which I understand that I can share with my data enabled devices.) I don't read any nice things about Sprint.
Any thoughts you can share would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.
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Is Cricket Wireless an option? They are essentially AT&T with throttled LTE speeds of 8Mpbs down, no throttle up. I am paying $55/month for 20GB of LTE data. They no longer offer that plan, but have the same plan at 10GB of data.
chaunold said:
Dont do it bro, sprint is horrible. Tell me if you find 25 people you know that love sprint more than T-Mobile. Sprint is a rotting company hiding behind sales gimmicks and ideas from T-Mobile. T-Mobile is still rolling out this year with Band 12 700Mhz and its LTE footprint roll out replacing old edge areas. More people complain about sprint way more than T-Mobile. So if you dont like T-Mobile, you might as well get shartrizon or AT$$$T. I would recommend calling T-Mobile to send a tech. to your area to fix the issue or report it for fixing.
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See, that is my feeling as well. I can't find anyone that has nice things to say. As to AT&T or Verizon, wow does the cost jump. And to the point about getting a tech out there, been there, done that. T-Mobile is very aware of the problem. They have bee running tests for a while. Sadly, it is oversold. Not broken. Don't have too many options. There were some numbers from Verizon that weren't horrible, but I don't think Verizon pays ETFs.
Someone is selling a CricketWireless 20GB LTE plan on Howard Forums...I have had ZERO issues using Cricket with my Nexus 6...in fact I am loving it.
I have looked at Cricket. The problem is that I do exceed 10 GB in some months and there is no provision for tethering or tablets that I could see. One of those options would be necessary.
ourtech said:
See, that is my feeling as well. I can't find anyone that has nice things to say. As to AT&T or Verizon, wow does the cost jump. And to the point about getting a tech out there, been there, done that. T-Mobile is very aware of the problem. They have bee running tests for a while. Sadly, it is oversold. Not broken. Don't have too many options. There were some numbers from Verizon that weren't horrible, but I don't think Verizon pays ETFs.
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I had verizon wireless for 10 years and left them over a year ago for T-Mobile. I didn't regret anything. I didn't switch because of price because I could afford verizon, but their plans and phones suck and they are scam artists trying to rape every penny from you just like John Legere quoted. In my area and even in rural places in georgia I get pretty decent excellent coverage and service. At home I usually get from 80-112mbps down and 7-15mbps up. Verizon couldn't match that and hell, everyone I know that has sprint hate it and are jumping to T-Mobile because they get less than 1mbps and call quality sounds like pure ****. T-Mobile has nationwide VoLTE and WiFi calling and texting and the "Uncarrier" exclusives. I have unlimited data so I use it as my home internet since I have root for tethering unlimited data and its way faster than charters fastest speeds they deliver to my house lol. Sprint is also bad just like verizon because remember they are money hungry companies and they will lock u in contracts and can only use their cdma devices or select unlocked devices like the nexus 6. I heard verizon doesn't recognize the unlocked nexus 6, idk if that is true or not.
Link? And what about tablets or tethering? I need that data sometimes when I am out in the field and I have to remote into something. Yes, even my 6 inch screen is a little small. I don't see any plans for tablets.
ourtech said:
I have looked at Cricket. The problem is that I do exceed 10 GB in some months and there is no provision for tethering or tablets that I could see. One of those options would be necessary.
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Although tethering is not supported, it does work.
There also would be no issue popping in a Cricket SIM in a Nexus 9. I've considered selling my WiFi N9 and getting a LTE N9 with a 20GB Cricket SIM.
metaphz said:
Is Cricket Wireless an option? They are essentially AT&T with throttled LTE speeds of 8Mpbs down, no throttle up. I am paying $55/month for 20GB of LTE data. They no longer offer that plan, but have the same plan at 10GB of data.
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metaphz said:
Someone is selling a CricketWireless 20GB LTE plan on Howard Forums...I have had ZERO issues using Cricket with my Nexus 6...in fact I am loving it.
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From what I could see in the Howard forums, the 20 GB promo expired in April. Thanks though.
ourtech said:
From what I could see in the Howard forums, the 20 GB promo expired in April.
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It did expire, someone is selling their account.
ourtech said:
Link? And what about tablets or tethering? I need that data sometimes when I am out in the field and I have to remote into something. Yes, even my 6 inch screen is a little small. I don't see any plans for tablets.
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There is an app on the playstore if you have root called "WiFi Tether Router" which will work or if you want unlimited native tethering.
#1 in SQL lite go to /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db/global
#2 add " tether_dun required " and set the value to 0
#3 in your APN settings add " dun " to APN type and set your APN to IPv4 only since IPv6 doesnt support this.
Either use OpenSignal app or their site and zoom in on your neighborhood. They have a list of carriers with their average upload and download speed.
Personally I wouldn't use Sprint as OpenSignal and Rootmetrics has shown it is the slowest network across the country.
Get a AT&T GoPhone sim and try them out for a month. Walmart sells the sims. They now have rollover data on prepaid just like T-mobile. Plus they're not throttled like Cricket.
I wait for Callingmart to announce their monthly 10% off GoPhone refills on Twitter. Then refill each month saving me $6.
Just my 2ยข but I have been with Sprint for going on 8 years. Their service is great in my area (now) and their customer service has always been outstanding. While I do agree that they don't have the best coverage, they have come a long way in my time with them. You can get unlimited, TRULY unlimited data with them for a good price. They offer payment plans on the top devices and as I said, customer service has bent over backwards for me more than once. Choice is yours, OP, just do your homework and choose wisely.
I have no complaints with Sprint. They recently upgraded my area to LTE and its fast. Its really pointless to ask random people on the internet because they more than likely do not live in your state much less your city. Signal strength is the most important aspect of cell phone service and you wont find that answer here. I would find a coverage map and compare the carriers, make sure it is a legitimate coverage map and not advertising. I would also ask people in your area with Sprint so you can compare.
bob2300nx said:
I have no complaints with Sprint. They recently upgraded my area to LTE and its fast. Its really pointless to ask random people on the internet because they more than likely do not live in your state much less your city. Signal strength is the most important aspect of cell phone service and you wont find that answer here. I would find a coverage map and compare the carriers, make sure it is a legitimate coverage map and not advertising. I would also ask people in your area with Sprint so you can compare.
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To each his own. I have learned a lot from this, coverage map aside (I am in a Spark enabled area of moderate strength, the same as I am for T-Mobile and for that matter, likely AT&T, which tells me little that I didn't already know. It is a topology issue.) My question wasn't about coverage. It was about the experience. I have learned that, unlike T-Mobile, Sprint customer service is out of country, but some have had good experiences with the company. I have also received useful suggestions about alternatives. This has been very useful to me. Sprint could have the strongest signal in my area and still be a company to avoid like the plague.
Free data after you reach your limit, and free music service streaming
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
ceo4eva said:
Free data after you reach your limit, and free music service streaming
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
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Good point. Hadn't thought about those. Thanks.
This morning my Speed Tests were decidedly better. At least 8 and as high as 12 meg. I haven't seen those numbers in months. So, (holding breath), perhaps my last call got something changed. I won't make changes unless I am sure there is no hope for change.
ourtech said:
To each his own. I have learned a lot from this, coverage map aside (I am in a Spark enabled area of moderate strength, the same as I am for T-Mobile and for that matter, likely AT&T, which tells me little that I didn't already know. It is a topology issue.) My question wasn't about coverage. It was about the experience. I have learned that, unlike T-Mobile, Sprint customer service is out of country, but some have had good experiences with the company. I have also received useful suggestions about alternatives. This has been very useful to me. Sprint could have the strongest signal in my area and still be a company to avoid like the plague.
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Other than calling to activate new phones, I have only had to call once in all my years with Sprint and I have no complaints on it. I don't generally need service, I pay my bill and use my phone lol. As far as overseas call centers, that's not entirely true; there is a Sprint call center in my city (along with a T-Mobile call center). To each their own.
I switched from Sprint to Verizon as my family plan 4 years ago, best decision of my life. Sprint will frustrate you beyond belief with their slow data, you won't even be able to load Google. I know you said the big 2 cost too much, so I'd stay with T-Mobile if I were you, avoid Sprint at all costs. I personally love Verizon, have 5 off contract smartphones with them, 15GB shared data, and pay $153+tax a month.

Who is your MVNO?

Not on one of the big 4 here in the USA with your shamu? Since the Nexus 6 is mostly not carrier subsidized, I'm thinking this is a good place to find out what MVNO's people are using to save money If so, please tell us who your with, what plan your on with them, and why your with them!! And anything else you care to share both good and bad...
In the last year I have been on the following MVNO's...
Ting - Sprint
Ting - T-Mobile
Straight talk - T-Mobile
Straight talk - Verizon
Straight talk - AT&T
Google Project Fi
Cricket - AT&T
Page Plus - Verizon
Verizon Prepaid
AT&T Gophone
And have signed up for Harbor Mobile AT&T and Red Pocket Mobile Verizon. Haven't received the Sim's yet for the last 2.. Let me know if you have questions on any of these. Will be happy to report my results
In addition to that, I was in contract with the real big red dollar sucking Verizon and also was on the real big Orange AT&T on a company business plan.
I used to be on ting, then straight talk, then project Fi, then Verizon prepaid, now I'm on post paid since my wife gets a state of California employee discount and California now taxes prepaid. I liked ting and project Fi until I moved up to an area being ruled mostly big red only. I enjoyed project Fi, but had issues when I forced it to roam on Verizon. My phone number would change to a whole different area code!
chapelfreak said:
I used to be on ting, then straight talk, then project Fi, then Verizon prepaid, now I'm on post paid since my wife gets a state of California employee discount and California now taxes prepaid. I liked ting and project Fi until I moved up to an area being ruled mostly big red only. I enjoyed project Fi, but had issues when I forced it to roam on Verizon. My phone number would change to a whole different area code!
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I can say the same for FI. I am still on FI with one of my phones and I like that fact that I can, with a little doing have 1 SIM card that I can make work on all 4 of the big carriers here in the USA in the event of really needing it. I also noticed that when roaming on Verizon that the outbound caller ID was different... Not sure why. I also really like Wifi calling and texting, it works so well. It also works great when traveling internationally and has very good rates. At least in Europe where I have tested it.
I started out on H2O Wireless because it was cheap, but low data cap and slow speeds sent me looking elsewhere. I am now on Straight Talk (AT&T) $45/month 5gb LTE and it's awesome. It was between that and the Verizon ST plan, but Verizon throttles MVNO data speeds, so AT&T won out. Just gotta remember to remove the sim card when I update so I don't get AT&T's stupid app on my phone.
putridfoetus said:
I started out on H2O Wireless because it was cheap, but low data cap and slow speeds sent me looking elsewhere. I am now on Straight Talk (AT&T) $45/month 5gb LTE and it's awesome. It was between that and the Verizon ST plan, but Verizon throttles MVNO data speeds, so AT&T won out. Just gotta remember to remove the sim card when I update so I don't get AT&T's stupid app on my phone.
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Ha, been there done that with Straight talk.. Your right on!! Did you know that Straight talk now has a 10gb plan for 55$? Pretty cool.
I'm currently on Sprint Framily postpaid- $45 (actually around $52 with taxes) for unlimited data + talk/text with Verizon roaming. Over the years I've used everything from Virgin Mobile, Straight Talk, T-Mobile prepaid $30 5GB data plan, T-Mobile postpaid, MetroPCS, Project Fi and Verizon Prepaid.
I'm on Google's Project Fi. Love everything about it - switching between T-Mobile and Sprint, occasional Google's automatic VPN when connecting to open Wi-Fi, low monthly bill (staying under $35 p/month) with heavy Wi-Fi use, Wi-Fi calling and seamless switching to cellular, etc.
I've used freedompop off and on, great service and you can't beat free
crowsnestitsupport said:
Ha, been there done that with Straight talk.. Your right on!! Did you know that Straight talk now has a 10gb plan for 55$? Pretty cool.
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Click to collapse
Woah that sounds like a great plan. I'm currently on Fi, I might just jump to Straight Talk. Now do I go CDMA with VZN or GSM with AT&T..hmmmm.
Harry44 said:
Woah that sounds like a great plan. I'm currently on Fi, I might just jump to Straight Talk. Now do I go CDMA with VZN or GSM with AT&T..hmmmm.
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Click to collapse
Yeah!! Its brand new and works great!!! Def go with AT&T. With that you get simultaneous voice and data and uncapped data speeds. With the VZW one, you have no data while on the phone and your speed it capped at 6x6 up and down.
Dopamin3 said:
I'm currently on Sprint Framily postpaid- $45 (actually around $52 with taxes) for unlimited data + talk/text with Verizon roaming. Over the years I've used everything from Virgin Mobile, Straight Talk, T-Mobile prepaid $30 5GB data plan, T-Mobile postpaid, MetroPCS, Project Fi and Verizon Prepaid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be great except that where I live Sprint coverage lacks a lot Do you get 4G LTE when you roam to Verizon?
reinaldistic said:
I've used freedompop off and on, great service and you can't beat free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell us a bit more about freedom pop.. I was reading some reviews and they looked ugly.. How does it work?
Chahk said:
I'm on Google's Project Fi. Love everything about it - switching between T-Mobile and Sprint, occasional Google's automatic VPN when connecting to open Wi-Fi, low monthly bill (staying under $35 p/month) with heavy Wi-Fi use, Wi-Fi calling and seamless switching to cellular, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FI is truly great! With root access you can force roam to all USA carriers. If you live where Tmo and Sprint have good coverage and aren't a heavy data user, its a no brainer!!
crowsnestitsupport said:
Tell us a bit more about freedom pop.. I was reading some reviews and they looked ugly.. How does it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's sprint based so take that as you may.
it's truly free (i haven't been feed at all after activation like 8 months ago ) however for free you only get 500MB data, 500txt and 200 minutes. you will get nickle and dimed at every turn and that's their bussiness model so if you understand the charges is fine.
here is the low down: they say 200 minutes and 500 texts, unlike others with which you can assume some other things you can't here: no voicemail, that's extra, calls are over data through VOIP, infrastructure calling and texting is extra, mms isn't included, that's extra, so on, you get the picture, 200 min 500 text 500 data. that's it.
that said, their fees for "the basics" are pretty reasonable: 7.99 gets you voice-mail, mms, infrastructure, tethering and data roll over. and unlimited minutes+text is only 10.99 so for $19 you get a pretty decent grandparent phone with 500 megs, 2gigs is $20 and 4 gigs is $35. which is sill cheaper than some...
i love using freedompop for my "leftover" devices, i use sprint ($45/mo for unlimited through framily) as my main phone but since I'm a phone geek i like to have extras, so once i upgrade i keep them alive on freedompop, i also have a "free" tablet from sprint that once the contract ended i put on freedompop. great experience so far.
i just realized I sound like a sales person lol but i promise I'm not. (and a sales person wouldn't say nickle and dime)
reinaldistic said:
it's sprint based so take that as you may.
it's truly free (i haven't been feed at all after activation like 8 months ago ) however for free you only get 500MB data, 500txt and 200 minutes. you will get nickle and dimed at every turn and that's their bussiness model so if you understand the charges is fine.
here is the low down: they say 200 minutes and 500 texts, unlike others with which you can assume some other things you can't here: no voicemail, that's extra, calls are over data through VOIP, infrastructure calling and texting is extra, mms isn't included, that's extra, so on, you get the picture, 200 min 500 text 500 data. that's it.
that said, their fees for "the basics" are pretty reasonable: 7.99 gets you voice-mail, mms, infrastructure, tethering and data roll over. and unlimited minutes+text is only 10.99 so for $19 you get a pretty decent grandparent phone with 500 megs, 2gigs is $20 and 4 gigs is $35. which is sill cheaper than some...
i love using freedompop for my "leftover" devices, i use sprint ($45/mo for unlimited through framily) as my main phone but since I'm a phone geek i like to have extras, so once i upgrade i keep them alive on freedompop, i also have a "free" tablet from sprint that once the contract ended i put on freedompop. great experience so far.
i just realized I sound like a sales person lol but i promise I'm not. (and a sales person wouldn't say nickle and dime)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good information!! I like it That was the whole point of this thread :good::good:
crowsnestitsupport said:
That would be great except that where I live Sprint coverage lacks a lot Do you get 4G LTE when you roam to Verizon?
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Click to collapse
Pretty sure no LTE roaming. Just 3g or 1x. Luckily where I live Sprint has a great LTE footprint.
I am on Metro PCS. It is $60 a month with taxes and fees included for true unlimited data for the phone. No cap and no throttling. It also includes 8gb of hotspot data. It runs on tmobile towers. I have had att and verizon through straight talk, but I really like the fact that I dont have to worry about my data usage anymore.
T-Mobile's $80 unlimited high-speed, 7gb tethering. For a while I was angry with this because when I signed up I was on the $70 unlimited/5gb tethering plan, but for the first couple weeks I was borrowing a phone that I couldn't root (not because it was borrowed, but because the USB connection was effed and couldn't USB tether), so I exceeded the plan and had to change it. And that's when they decided to eliminate the $70 plan and go with the $80 one. But now the same plan is $95, so I'm considering myself lucky. And frankly 7gb tethering suits me better, because I like to play a lot of games and sometimes exceed the 5gb from watching videos for free gold/gems/energy/etc (I keep my SIM in my S4, USB tethered to my computer, with my "main" phone on wifi).
I've thought about switching to MetroPCS. But at this point, with the price increase in T-Mo's plan, I don't want to "risk" switching to save a few bucks because if it doesn't work out it'd cost me more in the end to switch back. I'd probably use Google Project Fi if I had "proper" internet at home, but right now, my phone is my internet. PdaNet was the best $8 I've ever spent.
So can any one please confirm that with the Nexus 6 on Metro PCS... Does WiFi calling and VoLTE both work OK?

Is anyone using a Nexus 6 on Total Wireless?

Total Wireless is looking like a great deal. $35 for 1 line with 5GB of data on Verizon! Granted it's capped to 5mbps down but that's enough for my needs.
Just curious- is anybody running it and what is your experience? Does MMS work reliable? Does data work reliably? Do you have to mess around with APNs to get it working?
That's barely even LTE speeds... Glad the speeds work for you, it would never work for me for $5 more a month I have AT&T service, 5GB of data and over 25Mbps. When you're away from home (especially on vacation or visiting a relative for the weekend) that extra 20Mbps is very nice to have.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Just to let you know, all Verizon mvno's are capped at 5mb/s but I can tell you that AT&T, T-Mobile and I believe Sprint do not cap second rate customers.
taPpEd fROM mY nExUs 6
andrewjt19 said:
Just to let you know, all Verizon mvno's are capped at 5mb/s but I can tell you that AT&T, T-Mobile and I believe Sprint do not cap second rate customers.
taPpEd fROM mY nExUs 6
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Click to collapse
they all cap their mvnos, just at differing rates. for example, in my neighborhood i get around 60mbps download speeds on tmobile, yet my buddy whos on metropcs(also tmobile) gets around 8mbps download.
simms22 said:
they all cap their mvnos, just at differing rates. for example, in my neighborhood i get around 60mbps download speeds on tmobile, yet my buddy whos on metropcs(also tmobile) gets around 8mbps download.
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Click to collapse
I have Straight Talk AT&T. I get 50-60 mbps with a strong signal.
I'm glad I found this thread. I was thinking about trying Total Wireless but 5 mbps, no thanks.
Anyone ever end up connecting their Nexus 6 to total wireless? Their website says its not compatible but I don't believe that since it's an unlocked phone.
snarl16 said:
Anyone ever end up connecting their Nexus 6 to total wireless? Their website says its not compatible but I don't believe that since it's an unlocked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been trying for the better part of a month... Ended up having to pay another month on Cricket to reinstate my lapsed service.
Their compatibility checker gives me the go ahead, but i can't actually get service, just ticket numbers... Might end up buying a cheap Total Wireless phone, activate the SIM, then transfer to my unlocked N6. Wouldn't be the worst idea to have a burner around.
I enjoying my Nexus 6 with Ring plus Free $0 per month 5000 Talk/text 6 GB data 200 MMS. LTE Speed @ 25mbps. Joys!
Sent from my LG-F510L
I just switched my Nexus 6 from Metro PCS to Total Wireless. I decided to switch because Total uses Verizon wireless and we all know how much better VZW signal coverage is. In my area T-Mobile is very spotty but VZW has zero dead spots. I have been on Metro PCS for 2 years due to their unlimited data plan which used to be the only carrier that was fully unlimited without capping data or slowing speeds. On average I used 200GB-300GB a month from daily hotspot use for my Roku player. This is where I knew that owning a Nexus 6 has many hidden perks especially if it's rooted. I had the same experience with my Nexus 5 as well.
My guess is since the Nexus 5 and 6 are not carrier based or restricted by the same rules most other phones are subject to. They usually have to be manually activated for each carrier by the representative which normally have no clue what a Nexus phone is. Since my Nexus 6 is unlocked from the start the protocol is unique. I have used my Nexus on many different carriers as it can be activated with all 4 major carriers as well as any prepaid plans which use the same networks.
So my current status for 3 weeks now is Total Wireless, 35$/Mon. Unlimited talk and text with 5GB of data at full LTE speed. After 5GB you can refill data at 10$ for 3GB. By far the best deal if you are with VZW. Most plans charge 10$ per Gig.
Now that you have a good idea of my history here's the best part, which may be short lived but we will see. As I said my plan is for 5GB of data and I am currently over 260GB as Total Wi has not stopped nor throttled my speed. I have not done any type of hacks or workarounds to trick the system. My phone is rooted with a custom ROM. I use my Nexus 6 as a hotspot when at home to watch TV via Roku.
Before I realized that I was getting unlimited data I had attempted to purchase a refill of data before I reached the initial 5GB since I knew I would need more data to make it to the end of the month. When I went to my account on the TW website, which asked for my phone number or imei #, the site had no record of my phones information therefore I could not make any type of change to my account. I called and tried the automated system with the same results. Now my question is what is going to happen next week when I try and make a 35$ payment for next month. I'm not worried about TW expecting me to pay for the data used considering I have no control over when or how they limit usage. I realize that ultimately its just "data" and that's how the networks make billions by controlling the amount available. I also realize this is a nexus issue because this has happened with other carriers. This is why I will always own a Nexus phone. Not that this will always be working out in my favor, but its been 2 years and I've been able to bypass many regulations by simply owning this phone. For now I'm gonna take advantage of the current technology and I will continue to share my experience with other Nexus owners who may not be aware of the potential benefits that just happen to appear when I least expect it.
Interested in what happens at new month
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA-Developers mobile app
bchadm76 said:
I just switched my Nexus 6 from Metro PCS to Total Wireless. I decided to switch because Total uses Verizon wireless and we all know how much better VZW signal coverage is. In my area T-Mobile is very spotty but VZW has zero dead spots. I have been on Metro PCS for 2 years due to their unlimited data plan which used to be the only carrier that was fully unlimited without capping data or slowing speeds. On average I used 200GB-300GB a month from daily hotspot use for my Roku player. This is where I knew that owning a Nexus 6 has many hidden perks especially if it's rooted. I had the same experience with my Nexus 5 as well.
My guess is since the Nexus 5 and 6 are not carrier based or restricted by the same rules most other phones are subject to. They usually have to be manually activated for each carrier by the representative which normally have no clue what a Nexus phone is. Since my Nexus 6 is unlocked from the start the protocol is unique. I have used my Nexus on many different carriers as it can be activated with all 4 major carriers as well as any prepaid plans which use the same networks.
So my current status for 3 weeks now is Total Wireless, 35$/Mon. Unlimited talk and text with 5GB of data at full LTE speed. After 5GB you can refill data at 10$ for 3GB. By far the best deal if you are with VZW. Most plans charge 10$ per Gig.
Now that you have a good idea of my history here's the best part, which may be short lived but we will see. As I said my plan is for 5GB of data and I am currently over 260GB as Total Wi has not stopped nor throttled my speed. I have not done any type of hacks or workarounds to trick the system. My phone is rooted with a custom ROM. I use my Nexus 6 as a hotspot when at home to watch TV via Roku.
Before I realized that I was getting unlimited data I had attempted to purchase a refill of data before I reached the initial 5GB since I knew I would need more data to make it to the end of the month. When I went to my account on the TW website, which asked for my phone number or imei #, the site had no record of my phones information therefore I could not make any type of change to my account. I called and tried the automated system with the same results. Now my question is what is going to happen next week when I try and make a 35$ payment for next month. I'm not worried about TW expecting me to pay for the data used considering I have no control over when or how they limit usage. I realize that ultimately its just "data" and that's how the networks make billions by controlling the amount available. I also realize this is a nexus issue because this has happened with other carriers. This is why I will always own a Nexus phone. Not that this will always be working out in my favor, but its been 2 years and I've been able to bypass many regulations by simply owning this phone. For now I'm gonna take advantage of the current technology and I will continue to share my experience with other Nexus owners who may not be aware of the potential benefits that just happen to appear when I least expect it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think being able to go over the data limit was because of the Nexus phone. I once have a 1GB/month hotspot plan with StraightTalk. For the first month, I was able to go 20GB above the 1GB limit and not getting blocked at all. I didn't renew the next month. However, 2 months later, I reactivated my hotspot account and was blocked off at 0.99GB. Apparently, there must be some kind of delay in setting up quota checking for new accounts. After a few months, the check will be put in and the quota will be enforced. I was not penalized for going over 20GB though.
bchadm76 said:
I just switched my Nexus 6 from Metro PCS to Total Wireless. I decided to switch because Total uses Verizon wireless and we all know how much better VZW signal coverage is. In my area T-Mobile is very spotty but VZW has zero dead spots. I have been on Metro PCS for 2 years due to their unlimited data plan which used to be the only carrier that was fully unlimited without capping data or slowing speeds. On average I used 200GB-300GB a month from daily hotspot use for my Roku player. This is where I knew that owning a Nexus 6 has many hidden perks especially if it's rooted. I had the same experience with my Nexus 5 as well.
My guess is since the Nexus 5 and 6 are not carrier based or restricted by the same rules most other phones are subject to. They usually have to be manually activated for each carrier by the representative which normally have no clue what a Nexus phone is. Since my Nexus 6 is unlocked from the start the protocol is unique. I have used my Nexus on many different carriers as it can be activated with all 4 major carriers as well as any prepaid plans which use the same networks.
So my current status for 3 weeks now is Total Wireless, 35$/Mon. Unlimited talk and text with 5GB of data at full LTE speed. After 5GB you can refill data at 10$ for 3GB. By far the best deal if you are with VZW. Most plans charge 10$ per Gig.
Now that you have a good idea of my history here's the best part, which may be short lived but we will see. As I said my plan is for 5GB of data and I am currently over 260GB as Total Wi has not stopped nor throttled my speed. I have not done any type of hacks or workarounds to trick the system. My phone is rooted with a custom ROM. I use my Nexus 6 as a hotspot when at home to watch TV via Roku.
Before I realized that I was getting unlimited data I had attempted to purchase a refill of data before I reached the initial 5GB since I knew I would need more data to make it to the end of the month. When I went to my account on the TW website, which asked for my phone number or imei #, the site had no record of my phones information therefore I could not make any type of change to my account. I called and tried the automated system with the same results. Now my question is what is going to happen next week when I try and make a 35$ payment for next month. I'm not worried about TW expecting me to pay for the data used considering I have no control over when or how they limit usage. I realize that ultimately its just "data" and that's how the networks make billions by controlling the amount available. I also realize this is a nexus issue because this has happened with other carriers. This is why I will always own a Nexus phone. Not that this will always be working out in my favor, but its been 2 years and I've been able to bypass many regulations by simply owning this phone. For now I'm gonna take advantage of the current technology and I will continue to share my experience with other Nexus owners who may not be aware of the potential benefits that just happen to appear when I least expect it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used my nexus 6 on total wireless but they wouldnt let me activate it becvause I had used it on straight talk and for some stupid reason if you used your phone on another service owned by american movil they wont let you use it on another, stupid right ? Turn down paying customers because of this was just plain stupid.
M9guy said:
I used my nexus 6 on total wireless but they wouldnt let me activate it becvause I had used it on straight talk and for some stupid reason if you used your phone on another service owned by american movil they wont let you use it on another, stupid right ? Turn down paying customers because of this was just plain stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to transfer my Nexus 6 StraightTalk Verizon service over to TotalWireless on the exact same phone. It is doable now and not too painful. You can read through my experience here
http://www.howardforums.com/showthr...et10-StraightTalk-)-VWZ-to-Total-Wireless-VWZ
sumtingwong said:
I was able to transfer my Nexus 6 StraightTalk Verizon service over to TotalWireless on the exact same phone. It is doable now and not too painful. You can read through my experience here
http://www.howardforums.com/showthr...et10-StraightTalk-)-VWZ-to-Total-Wireless-VWZ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I posted on there too, thanks for the heads up on this. I think once enough fcc complaints are filed against them on this they will either stop it or fcc will go after them I would hope at least. I say fcc should fine them. :good:
M9guy said:
I used my nexus 6 on total wireless but they wouldnt let me activate it becvause I had used it on straight talk and for some stupid reason if you used your phone on another service owned by american movil they wont let you use it on another, stupid right ? Turn down paying customers because of this was just plain stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
M9guy said:
I posted on there too, thanks for the heads up on this. I think once enough fcc complaints are filed against them on this they will either stop it or fcc will go after them I would hope at least. I say fcc should fine them. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think all the FCC complaints since Jan until now did have an effect on them. Internally, I think they now have a procedure to switch the billing from one TracFone brand to another including TW. It looks like that was exactly what Julio did for me the second time. The Mark guy probably knew that procedure too but was trying to upsell me a TW phone the first time by scaring me off with the possibility of not being able to keep my number. All in all, the experience now won't be too painful.
Turned Down
I was on straight talk & switched to Cricket , now Total will not port my # over as they say I am a ST customer. I just filed a complaint.
M9guy said:
I used my nexus 6 on total wireless but they wouldnt let me activate it becvause I had used it on straight talk and for some stupid reason if you used your phone on another service owned by american movil they wont let you use it on another, stupid right ? Turn down paying customers because of this was just plain stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus 6 is compatible on any network, whether its prepaid plan or not. If you own it which I'm sure you do then the problem is reps who don't know much about phones especially nexus brand. Most aren't branded to a specific Carrier so the reps don't always know the right answer. I've used mine on many different mvno prepaid carriers and its always the same "issue" but I make sure I get it activated. I still love this phone
---------- Post added at 05:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:58 AM ----------
pay*day said:
I was on straight talk & switched to Cricket , now Total will not port my # over as they say I am a ST customer. I just filed a complaint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know Tracfone owns Total
---------- Post added at 05:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 AM ----------
sumtingwong said:
I don't think being able to go over the data limit was because of the Nexus phone. I once have a 1GB/month hotspot plan with StraightTalk. For the first month, I was able to go 20GB above the 1GB limit and not getting blocked at all. I didn't renew the next month. However, 2 months later, I reactivated my hotspot account and was blocked off at 0.99GB. Apparently, there must be some kind of delay in setting up quota checking for new accounts. After a few months, the check will be put in and the quota will be enforced. I was not penalized for going over 20GB though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I don't see many others posting about unlimited data with other phones plus I know my phone well and its rooted also.
Just jumped on Total Wireless
I added four phones to Total Wireless last night - a Nexus 6, Note 4 and two LG G3s. PAINLESS. I actually called the customer service number and answered their questions (MEID, number to port, etc.). It went so well that my VZW number ported over WHILE I was still on the phone with the rep and dropped my call! Went to work on the road today and had no issues through the mountains of Western NC. Data speeds may be slower but that's not an issue for my family because we don't stream away from WiFi.

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