Anyone use StraightTalk for Cell service?

[bruceb58]

I just found out about StraightTalk mobile service. Basically, its GSM and they lease the ATT network. The cost is $15 for the sim card(one time charge) and $45/month for unlimited data, voice and text. I for one don't see a downside other than the possibility of data throttling after 1.5GB which you would have with ATT anyway.

Anyone else use this service?

Website is straighttalk.com

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

Our daughter's cell phone is through them. Service seems to be okay. We did have a problem with one of the phones that was bought through Wal Mart and customer service was not the best but that's because they didn't speak good English. LOL. Overall, not bad for the price. I don't know how well the internet service works on the phones, never tried it and have never asked.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

I don't know how well the internet service works on the phones, never tried it and have never asked.

I am assuming it would be the same as it is now since I would be putting the SIM card in my iPhone 4 and still using existing network since they are using the same ATT network. Am I wrong thinking that?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

I am assuming it would be the same as it is now since I would be putting the SIM card in my iPhone 4 and still using existing network since they are using the same ATT network. Am I wrong thinking that?

Hmmmmm. Checking it out now.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

Hmmmmm. Checking it out now.

Would save me over $50/month as I have a 900 minute plan. I only have a couple months before my 2 years is up. May actually be cheaper to pay the early termination fee. I may actually just try it for a month. I would only be out $65 if I decided it wasn't working.

 

[jkust]

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

For our 11 year old we just went with Kajeet. Basically a program for kids that mostly text with limited talk time and pay for a data package if you want any. We went with the unlimited texting, 160 minutes of talk and no data meaning no internet or email. It is $20 per month. You can pay .99 for per gps phone locate or pay 7$ for unlimited locates. Kajeet uses the Sprint network, the available phones are pretty bad for adults but ok for kids and you pay retail for the phone. We couldn't add our son onto our plans as my wife and I each have different carriers but are grandfathered with unlimited everything plans that we would lose if we added anybody. When you really dig into it, all the cell plans are a rip off now compared to what we pay for our completely unlimited plans. Like driving a Mercedes and being told you are 'upgrading' to a Kia. To get the straight story on what we'd lose I literally had to talk to 3 people at the same company. The guy at the Sams Club phone kiosk was the only honest guy I found.

As a comparison, my Tmobile package costs $79.00 for as as much data as I can possibly use and they can't slow me down, plus unlimited texts and minutes. The new plans on Verizon and Tmobile have nowhere near unlimited data that is unthrottled.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

The lady friend and most of her family utilize Straight Talk. Other than having to buy a phone out right up front (if memory serves me), it works as well as any contract carrier based service. Calls, Text and internet.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

Since I already have my iphone 4(as long as I don't need the latests and greatest)seems like a good way to go.

My boss is going to do it so I will let him get a month into it and report back.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

So here is an update so far. My boss actually bought a used iPhone 4S and put his new sim card from StraightTalk into it. We put my iPhone 4 next to his 4S with the new sim card in it and found that the StraightTalk has a slight delay getting the data started when loading a page on a browser or other network access but seems to have a higher rate of speed than my iPhone 4 going staright to ATT. Since StraightTalk is also on the ATT network, we figure the delayis due to the extra time it takes to get authorized to use the network. You really notice it when you do a speed test. Once the speed test gets going, however, its just as fast or faster. Just takes a half second longer to start. He will be going to Hawaii soon so will see if he has any issues when he leaves his home area.

 

[scoyt]

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

Re: Anyone use StraightTalk?

I have been using Straight talk for about a year now. I bought a CDMI version though, and I believe that uses the Verizon towers. It is the way to go for cheap cell service. I don't get real good signal where I live, but I do get texts in the house....just not calls. Overall, I wish I would have switched a long time ago. I have saved quite a bit of money through Straight Talk.