Now what to do. Tripped and fell yesterday and kinda broke my cell phone. Got to get a new one...but considering other companies other than Verizon. Got a really good deal at Costco but it is with AT&T...anyone that can give me a suggestion for a good cell company...While we're at it...a good phone. The phone I had was a Samsung S 10 and it was good. All kinds of deals out there and I'm kind of a luddite with new fangled electronics. Anyone have any suggestions with companies and phones? I really do need help.. Verizon works ok here in Wyoming. I do think they are expensive though!

No, I have an old flip phone that still w0rks after many falls. I better not change now.

We have been with T-Mobile for a very long time. I currently use a Samsung Galaxy S22+ and Ruthie has a Samsung Z Flip.

We are well pleased.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I like my Motorola and I like Consumer Cellular. I don't want or need unlimited data so I don't need an expensive plan. Consumer Cellular, iirc, is owned by ATT and uses their towers. I have good reception here in the South but I wouldn't know about your area.

I bought a protective cover for my phone that absorbs shock. The advertisement shows them being dropped repeatedly from 20 feet iirc. It's fallen from my lap onto the driveway several times as I exited my truck and no damage.

Two friends of mine love T-mobile. I'm fed up with Verizon and may change.

I just switched from AT&T to Mint Mobile. $15/month vs $76 and I can’t tell a difference. I just feel stupid for not having done it before.

You can buy a phone that’s unlocked so you can use it with most carriers. If you buy it through the carrier, it may be locked so changing carriers is a hassle.

I’ve used Apple IPhones for years mostly because they’re so user friendly. I bought my first after reading an article in the NYT about picking a cellphone. They described the iPhone of the day as the phone best for people who don’t like reading instruction books.

I know we pay to much for cell service. With Verizon now. I have wondered about Consumer Cellular. I just want to talk and text and am not interested in or use all the app stuff.

Went from Verizon to spectrum mobile saved a lot. I had a flip phone and she a smart phone unlimited use, Verizon charged 120 a month. Spectrum is 60 a month and we both have smart phones now with unlimited usage. Huge savings. Actually bundled Spectrum for TV, phone, internet and mobile. Larry

Since 1999, I've had six or seven between personal and business. In Central Ohio, the only company that has service absolutely everywhere is Verizon! T-Mobil & AT&T were the worst of the big boys and the small ones all had "Holes" in their coverage locations. I thought it was just a dead tower until I would have both my personal and business phones on me.

Driving to other metro areas, I'd find whole stretches of Interstate without coverage. My brother has one so bad his land line (through Cable TV) and cell will both fail and leave him without service for up to 3 days at a time. I gave him one of my obsolete Verizon phones so he can call 911 for emergencies.

Ivan

We left Verizon about 8 months ago for T Mobile. I think the coverage is similar between them (at least in this area). T Mobile had a deal with new phones and gift cards so we went that way. I believe they are about 15 bucks cheaper per phone line than we were paying.
Go with whomever has the best deal at the time (and the shortest contract). I have a iPhone 15 pro. It's OK, but I still miss the days of my old Android Galaxy.

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paws for friendship

I've had TracFone Samsung Galaxy for years. $19.95 a month, unlimited text and data, 5G, wireless, bluetooth, good service. Piggybacks on At&T in my area, and when I travel, I've noticed it piggybacks on Verizon as well, if AT&T is out of range.

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Heavily armed old man.

I had Verizon for years,but they aren’t who they used to be.I’ve been using google fi and it costs me + or- $30/month. Check if they offer coverage in your area

I'm sticking with Verizon and my S10e. No problems yet.

My wife and I have T-Mobile and are very happy with it. They have a senior plan that is very reasonable. My work phone is Verizon and I’m not as happy with Verizon as I am with T-Mobile which could vary in your area. I’m also an iPhone fan. They are very user-friendly.

I had a Tracfone for a long time. The $100 airtime card would last me six months or more. I loved it. Then I needed data and a hotspot, Tracfone is crazy expensive for that.

We moved to Cricket. It's been good. Two lines with unlimited data and more hotspot data than we use is $90 all in, taxes and fees included. Runs on the AT&T network.

There are some billing things that irk me about it but it works well. One is their $35 "transaction fee" they tack on to every transaction, in store or online! I'll get less if I switch, and I won't save a lot by the time you add the fees and taxes. But that transaction fee ticks me off.

I'm thinking the T-Mobile 55+ plan is probably where I'll go.

I use the bare bones Tello plan/company. They use T-Mobiles network ... might work for you. I also have fiber optic at the house and use wifi for calls at home.

T mobile has increased their presence in the Rocky Mountains. An acquaintance used to have to drive 50 miles to Dillon to get service, now its only 30.

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Front sight and squeeze

Skeet -- rule #1: don't fall.

You could break a lot more than your phone.

I've been with Union Wireless for at least 15 years. Good Wyoming company!
Shares towers with AT&T.
Unlimited talk, text 'n' data for $26.34/month.

Verizon doesn't work where I live.

I bought Samsung's cheapest phone last time I needed a new one.

Will you be in Riverton on Memorial Day?

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I have been with Mint Mobile for several years. Works well for me!

Choosing a cell phone provider is like choosing among deck chairs on the Titanic.

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Possum—The other white meat!

Cricket - Since 2015 - Two phones - Android - Unlimited - $60/mo. Works for me.

Don't you find it a little refreshing to be without a cell phone, at least for a while?

I'm sure the U.S.Cellular Co we have in the Midwest isn't out there in your area, but it has been pretty good. I just got a new Samsung Galaxy S25, and it more like a pocket computer than a phone. Unlimited talk and text and data for $40 a month.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Have Verizon through Comcast.
Sucker play - Free Phone service, unlimited talk-text.
Data costs.
So I signed up, turned off data and paid under $3 a month (taxes) for about 2 years.
Then some eager bean counter told the boss that some bottom feeders who think they are cute really ain’t paying anything!
Now I get charged for a Gig of data. If I need data I turn it on, use it then turn it off.
$15 a month.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

No 5G here yet. T-Mobile is sketchy as best, Consumer Cellular is a joke. ATT is ok. Up in the Colorado high country only Verizon had coverage everywhere. I was the only one who had it. My hunting buddies used My phone to call home. Verizon may not be what it once was, but it's still better than all the rest.

My wife and I have had Walmart Family Mobile forever.

We're both retired. Neither one of us is a Instagram influencer. We don't need our phones for work.

I don't remember what we paid but we get what's considered the basics. We have unlimited data unlimited text unlimited talk. More so because when we're at home we run our phone off our home internet.

We bought the phones that we have now two or three years ago and I think they cost us $200 each they're Samsung A135Gs

ETA I just asked my wife, we pay $86.10 a month for two lines

Having coverage where you mostly go is a big issue. Here in Vegas AT&T has a couple of infamous deadspots. One is at the Spaghetti Bowl where the I-15 and US-95 meet right in the middle of the city! My buddy's house is in a Verizon deadspot. His employer pretty much didn't believe him. The contractors working in my house are all on T-Mobile and have to step outside to get a consistent signal.

It's a real lottery outside the city. There are parts of US-95 north towards Reno that are major flaky. I-40 has plenty of deadspots between here and Texas. The Red Rock park used to be signal free at one time, but I think it's got better as the county/state pressured the cell companies to improve coverage after a couple of "somebody had to hike out a few miles to get coverage" type incidents.

For better or worse, large chunks of our society has an expectation of cell service. As somebody who has done quite a lot of mobile radio stuff, all I can say is good luck with that plan.

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Release the Kraken

We have been on T-Mobile for over two years, no complaints. We severed our AT&T land line at the same time. Our two iPhones (unlimited everything) cost us somewhat less each month than our landline did.

BTW, we have the wireless "Hot Spot" feature where you can access the internet through your IPhone using your laptop anywhere you have cell phone service. I don't use it much, but it's nice to know I can.

T -Mobile has a MANY plans that will give you a free phone if you switch carriers. I am a veteran and I have a "GREAT" plan. Their coverage is outstanding.

I can't believe that no one has asked "What caliber for cell phones?"

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

The Luddite's preferred weapon.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I have kicked my cell phone, banged it against anything hard nearby, thrown it across the room more times than I can count, and the piece of junk refuses to die. I hate electronic gadgets.

Plain no extra garbage cell phone are making a come back. Check around online. T-Mobil has one or two IIRC. My current cell phone is getting the 2 45 solution once things calm down.

We switched from AT&T to T-Mobile about 3 years ago, cut the bill almost in half. We have the senior plan and 2 phones. We've had zero problems with reception here in New England. Our last few phones have been Samsung.

I believe the websites of most, if not all, of the wireless carriers provide service coverage maps. You shouldn't have to guess about dead zone locations for your carrier. At this state of the art, I'd assume nearly all carriers provide nearly 100% coverage in all areas containing any population. For sure, my T-Mobile service covers lots of desolate areas in West Texas.

I've wanted to kill my cell phone a few times.

I have a refurb Samsung J3 Orbit that I paid $30 for at Net10/Tracphone. I've been with Net10 for close to 15 years. $20 bucks a month. Does everything I need it to do.

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Thread Killer.

If you like Verizon's service and coverage, my recommendation would be to buy a refurbished Verizon phone that is a couple of generations old on eBay for around one hundred bucks, and then sign up for US Mobile service. US Mobile uses Verizon's network, but only costs $9 per line per month plus $2 per Gb of shared data.

We have 3 lines (3x$9=$27 per month) and 6Gb of shared data (6x$2=$12 per month) so we pay about $39 per month total for 3 phones. Add in the fees and taxes and the total cost is under $45 per month for 3 phones.

We almost never need more than our 6Gb data limit, and if we do it is just $2 per Gb to add more data.

With just 2 lines, it would be $18 for 2 phones plus $8-$12 for 4-6 GB of data (depending on what you feel you need), so it would be $26 - $30 total per month.

As for what phone to get, my wife and I both have LG phones, and our son has a Samsung. The choice is up to what brand you are comfortable or familiar with. You can buy a wide variety of refurbished phones from a wide variety of brands/manufacturers on eBay.

JMO, and YMMV. Good luck picking a new phone and carrier!

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

Sorry for not responding till now. In Cody at the cardiologist getting the PM checked etc. Iwas snowing in Cody. Finally got home...started snowing here too.. Hope it stops. I've done all kinds of checking and it seems most people in this area are happy with Verizon. AT&T had best deals T mobile too. I've had Verizon since the 80s when I took fishing and hunting parties as a Just in case thing. I kind of think they take advantage of their customers more than others...but Wyoming is last to get all the new things. We only have 5-600 thousand people. I do know T Mobile has pretty good service here in the west along the interstates and larger "cities". which translates to not near me. Thanks for all the help. Will make a decision soon....... I don't live by the phone but have many contacts in it...even my ex-wife(deceased) who doesn't answer anyway. I know...That was cold! A question what is a mobile hotspot? Is that like my computer wi-fi setup?

Oh another question...If I bought an unlocked phone how do I get my stored contacts etc into the new phone. Is all that info on the little cards that can be removed??

A cell phone hotspot is exactly that. The cell phone turns into an internet source. Just like going into a McDonalds or an airport and using their Wi-Fi hotspot with your laptop. You just tune your laptop into your cell phone's hotspot. It is slightly more complicated than that, but not by much. Basically, all you have to do is activate your cell phone's hotspot and your laptop links into it.

Just another dumb ?..Is it like taking a laptop and seach for wi-fi's in the area?? then sign in...you just don't need a pass code?

You got it.

Anywhere you have cell phone service, you also have an internet connection. Like Magic. How to use a smartphone as a mobile hotspot – Computerworld

Since you're on a Samsung, that's Android. All your contacts should be saved in your Google account. Once you sign in to the account on the new phone you can import your contacts to the new phone.

No, your contacts are not on the SIM card. I only buy unlocked phones, but you have to make certain that whatever phone you get is compatible with and acceptable to Verizon assuming you're going to stay with them. They can be picky about what phones they will work with. T-Mo and AT&T are a bit easier going in that regard. When I change phones I just take the SIM card out of the old phone, stick it into the new one, sign into my Google account on the new phone, and get going.

I'm on T-Mobile's "Over 55" plan. You get a really good price - IF you need 2 lines. If you only need one line the price isn't as good.

But regardless of price, if the coverage is poor in your area, it's not a good deal.

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Or something like that . . .

These are the coverage maps supplied by the 3 majors in WY. ATT is blue, Verizon orangish, T-Mo pink.

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Or something like that . . .

The different colors, intensities, and striations on the various maps mean what, exactly.

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Release the Kraken

Bought a mobile wi- fi hot spot from T- Mobil. Small cell phone sized device that one charges just like a cell phone. Talk about a absolutely wonderful device! Can go Anywhere and get online with my old i- pad. $70 a month and no,zero outtage as with other standard internet services I hear buddies complaining about. T- Mobile cell service has been just as good. Coastal Florida, Georgia, S.C., NC and Va even in Roanoke area. I’m happy as a pig in slop. Check them out. BTW, T- Mobile customer service has also been great the few times needed.

My guess is 4G, 5G, or no G.

What google account? If I have one I never use it...that I know of.

We live about a half-mile from a T-Mobile store. We have encountered several iPhone related questions and problems (not associated with T-Mobile's service), and have gone to he T-Mobile store for help. The people there have always helped us without question, no charge.