I use US Cellular. It is the only one in my area that is halfway usable in these mountains.
Advice on new cell phone and carrier, PLEASE
- Thread starter old bear
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If you are transitioning from a flip phone, I assume you don't need a lot of data. We use consumer cellular. Unlimited talk, text, and some data for $25. Additional line $15. They use AT&T towers, great customer service. You can order phone from them or buy at Target.
Right now there are essentially three carriers. AT&T, Verizon, and T Mobile. T Mobile bought Sprint and now owns all of the Sprint cell sites. At some point, Sprint users will probably have to buy new phones as T Mobile updates the former Sprint sites.
Everyone of the discount companies, Metro, H2O, Cricket, Pure Talk, etc... buy air time from one of those three and then resell it along with mostly last generation phones.
In general, right now Verizon has the best overall coverage. Keep in mind that the paths along or near Interstates and other highways get priority for equipment upgrades since that's where most users are.
Note that my comment about Verizon reflects my area, your area may be different. Last I knew, my son had AT&T because his employer pays for his phone and they decide who the carrier is. He hates it. Sprint was worse, and Verizon was the best. Again, that's very often location based.
As to phones, I have a 5 year old Galaxy Note 5 because it's all I need. If I need to do heavy duty computing, I'll use my laptop if I'm on the road and desktop at home.
Everyone of the discount companies, Metro, H2O, Cricket, Pure Talk, etc... buy air time from one of those three and then resell it along with mostly last generation phones.
In general, right now Verizon has the best overall coverage. Keep in mind that the paths along or near Interstates and other highways get priority for equipment upgrades since that's where most users are.
Note that my comment about Verizon reflects my area, your area may be different. Last I knew, my son had AT&T because his employer pays for his phone and they decide who the carrier is. He hates it. Sprint was worse, and Verizon was the best. Again, that's very often location based.
As to phones, I have a 5 year old Galaxy Note 5 because it's all I need. If I need to do heavy duty computing, I'll use my laptop if I'm on the road and desktop at home.
Ole Joe Clark
Absent Comrade
My MBH and I are on a "family" plan with our daughter. AT&T coverage, which is pretty good for our area, unlimited data and stuff. Well under 50 bucks per month for both of us. I am not a heavy user, I can't say the same for the MBH.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
Have a blessed day,
Leon
I switched my son and I to T-Mobile's 55+ plan a few years ago. Two lines with unlimited everything for $60.month. It's since been increased to $70/month but some new features have been added, too. All taxes and fees are included in the price, You have to set up autopay to get that price.
As far as a smartphone, the Motorola G series is hard to beat for a relatively low cost but still powerful phone. I had a G Power for quite awhile, and it was a great phone until I dropped it and shattered the screen. Then I decided I wanted 5G, so I bought a Samsung A71 5G, It's a nice phone, and 5G is pretty fast compared to LTE, but I miss some of the things the Motorola did that the Sammy doesn't despite its much higher cost.
Another good phone at a good price is the One Plus Nord series. Relatively low priced and full featured. They have one that's LTE only and another one with 5G for a bit more money.
Neither the Motorola nor the OnePlus have the newest and fastest processors, but they work well and reliably, and they are fast enough for anything you will want to do with them.
As far as a smartphone, the Motorola G series is hard to beat for a relatively low cost but still powerful phone. I had a G Power for quite awhile, and it was a great phone until I dropped it and shattered the screen. Then I decided I wanted 5G, so I bought a Samsung A71 5G, It's a nice phone, and 5G is pretty fast compared to LTE, but I miss some of the things the Motorola did that the Sammy doesn't despite its much higher cost.
Another good phone at a good price is the One Plus Nord series. Relatively low priced and full featured. They have one that's LTE only and another one with 5G for a bit more money.
Neither the Motorola nor the OnePlus have the newest and fastest processors, but they work well and reliably, and they are fast enough for anything you will want to do with them.
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I have no hate for iPhones but I think unless you also use Apple computers they don't mesh well with Windows/Chromebooks. They try, and it can work but it's a bit more trouble. My wife has a mixed platform environment and it's always something.
It also depends if you want a mobile hotspot. We originally got the mobile hotspot plan because we were living in our RV and it was the least expensive option by far for internet. We've just continued to use it. We each get 15gb of hotspot data a month and neither of us have ever run out. But it's not enough if you stream video on your TV. As far as web-surfing goes it's more than enough. I'm on quite a bit since I'm retired and it hasn't been an issue.
But if you don't get a phone with the hotspot feature and/or you just aren't going to use it the non-hotspot plans are cheaper. I find Cricket convenient since they have stores everywhere and I can go talk to somebody if I need to. I hate dealing with anybody's call center.
After having a few of the cheap phones, I find I prefer the down-market Samsung products. Something roughly in the $100 range. I had one of the low-end Tracfones and while it worked fine it didn't have enough memory for more than a few apps. You might find you use it more than you're expecting.
It also depends if you want a mobile hotspot. We originally got the mobile hotspot plan because we were living in our RV and it was the least expensive option by far for internet. We've just continued to use it. We each get 15gb of hotspot data a month and neither of us have ever run out. But it's not enough if you stream video on your TV. As far as web-surfing goes it's more than enough. I'm on quite a bit since I'm retired and it hasn't been an issue.
But if you don't get a phone with the hotspot feature and/or you just aren't going to use it the non-hotspot plans are cheaper. I find Cricket convenient since they have stores everywhere and I can go talk to somebody if I need to. I hate dealing with anybody's call center.
After having a few of the cheap phones, I find I prefer the down-market Samsung products. Something roughly in the $100 range. I had one of the low-end Tracfones and while it worked fine it didn't have enough memory for more than a few apps. You might find you use it more than you're expecting.
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cowboy4evr
Member
I hate phones , period . I still have my flip phone that is over 15 yrs old . I had an iphone " ONCE " and hated it . It wasn't long before I turned it off and just used it as an ipod . One day while on the charging dock the battery exploded and that was the end of that . Anymore , I just leave my phone turned off , unless I need to use it . Got tired of all the stupid scammer calls . Regards Paul
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
I use Tracfone. You can get a Samsung smart phone on Amazon for $59 and unlimited calls, texts, and data plan for around $30 a month. They use all the major carriers, so you don't really know which one you will get. Just depends on what area you are in. But we have never had any problems with coverage.
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The company that mfg's a cell phone that only serves as a Phone could make a fortune off most of us older folks. I seldom text, use calendar, calculator and never any of the dumb apps. For crying out loud , its a phone. Im with T mobile now, have their MI- FI internet device and am kinda satisfied.
This. I live and work in the Houston area. My work phone is on Verizon and my personal is on T-Mobile. T-Mobile is by far better in this area.
After I retired (had to give up my issued phone) I bought an iPhone 7 at wally's and a Straight talk phone card. The card is $45.00 a month and service is kind of okay here in the foothills.
Check out Jitterbug. Operates on the Verizon network. Simplest smart phone around, designed for seniors and those with low tech skills . . .
After going through several cell services over the years, I am currently with Consumer Cellular. $55 for two lines, unlimited call/texts, 2G data--which I've never gotten even close to reaching. I'm thinking of lowering to 1G for a lower rate. Service is good, occasional dropped text or call, but I don't know if it's a service or phone issue. I can't complain about it as little as I use it.
Rolex28
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I have had Sprint for the past 20 years.. Have had no coverage issues in the past 10-15 years. Some time within the next year, according to T mobile I am going to be given the option of going with T Mobile or choosing another carrier. I suspect I will go with T Mobile and stay with all their towers. Right now my area has very limited 5 G coverage so I am a relatively happy senior citizen. It's only money!!
Davwingman
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Mint Mobil for me! $15 a month when you pay by the year. Unlimited talk & text with 4 GB data.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
Get a tracfone.
Fred, here is a site I found that lists all carriers in NC. As mentioned earlier, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon own them all.
Best Cell Phone Service Coverage in North Carolina - MoneySavingPro
Best Cell Phone Service Coverage in North Carolina - MoneySavingPro
I first got Consumer Cellular when I lived in Colorado. Had it for a year. Horrible coverage. After a year I switched to Verizon and couldn't be happier. Worked everywhere, even Elk hunting around Creede, in the canyons and on mountaintops. Got a Samsung S something phone. S50 maybe, around $325. Works great up here in SD. Even in the hills. Couldn't pay Me to switch.
JcMack
Member
I'm with Tracfone and have been for years. They switched from GSM to CDMA which means they use Verison now. Home shopping Network has a veriety of Tracfone only brandname phones that come with a years service with 1500 minutes/messages/data for below $100.
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