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Need help with off contract plan

Hi, I will be off contract with T-Mo in a few days, July 1, 2013. I presently have the unlimited talk/text/Internet plan (with 2 GB high speed Internet allowance) for $79 a month plus taxes. I have a rooted HTC Sensation 4G that I want to keep using for now, I don't want the expense of a new phone and/or contract. With taxes and 2 add-ons (warranty and phone finder) at $4 each, bill coming to $96 a month. I want to shave as much off my bill as possible keeping unlimited talk and text and at least 2 GB high speed Internet, but 3 or 5 GB would be ideal, as I now monitor a home security camera/DVR system with my phone, and I'm not always around wi-fi. Included tethering would be nice, but I know all plans don't have it, and my phone is rooted, so I can tether when I need, which may be once or twice a month, but would rather do it "legally" if included.

I know there is a new T-Mo offering called "Go Smart Mobile", but I hear you only have access to T-Mo's towers, no roaming on other networks, and no tethering offered and I hear it doesn't work rooted either. Also that service may be EDGE or "mobile web" only? I also hear there's other cheaper secondary carriers that contract with T-Mo. Any advice to give me? Any discounted AT&T plans my phone and criteria would be compatible with, since I'm asking. I don't want to compromise coverage. Thanks much.
 
Hi, I will be off contract with T-Mo in a few days, July 1, 2013. I presently have the unlimited talk/text/Internet plan (with 2 GB high speed Internet allowance) for $79 a month plus taxes. I have a rooted HTC Sensation 4G that I want to keep using for now, I don't want the expense of a new phone and/or contract. With taxes and 2 add-ons (warranty and phone finder) at $4 each, bill coming to $96 a month. I want to shave as much off my bill as possible keeping unlimited talk and text and at least 2 GB high speed Internet, but 3 or 5 GB would be ideal, as I now monitor a home security camera/DVR system with my phone, and I'm not always around wi-fi. Included tethering would be nice, but I know all plans don't have it, and my phone is rooted, so I can tether when I need, which may be once or twice a month, but would rather do it "legally" if included.

I know there is a new T-Mo offering called "Go Smart Mobile", but I hear you only have access to T-Mo's towers, no roaming on other networks, and no tethering offered and I hear it doesn't work rooted either. Also that service may be EDGE or "mobile web" only? I also hear there's other cheaper secondary carriers that contract with T-Mo. Any advice to give me? Any discounted AT&T plans my phone and criteria would be compatible with, since I'm asking. I don't want to compromise coverage. Thanks much.
A few questions does your phone support hspa on the 1700/1900 AWS band? if not your speeds will be edge only unless your in a refarmed area, tmo has a $60 plan that has 2.5 gbs of full speed data, edge speed after that. Or you could go with straight talk (using tmo towers) $45 month. Its undetermined what point they throttle, if your not a "heavy" user they may never throttle. One guy reports he has 4-6gbs monthly and spikes at 12 on occasion Never been throttled.
Or you could go with Solavei. 4g then throttled $50.

All those I mentioned are unlimited calls text and data.
Most Att options are going to have a 1.5 to 2 gb cap, so no more data til the next month.
 
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You can keep T-Mobile postpaid without a contract now, also with no phone subsidy. If you want a new phone, it is now basically a no interest loan and, once the phone is paid off, the extra charge on the bill comes off.

Under the postpaid (or even prepaid, as the costs are the same) plans, you get 2.5 GB for $60+tax or true unlimited (no throttling) for $70+tax. Additionally, if you have discounts, those can be applied to lower the cost.

Go Smart Mobile is 3G speeds for their top plans, and by 3G I mean that it does not include HSPA speeds. It is capped around 2 Mbps. Basically, it is cheaper because of the lower speeds.

Of the prepaid options, Solavei is likely the best (at least that I am aware of) for your needs. It is $49/month unlimited talk and text, and 4 GB of full speed data. It also offers data roaming and call forwarding, something not offered by most prepaid plans. While Straight Talk is less expensive, they do not publish at what point the throttle/cut off data and there have been many complaints about it.
 
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From what I can tell, You were paying more for less.

T-Mobile no longer requires contracts for post paid service.

They now have a few plans you can choose from.
$50 for unlimited talk text and web(4g speeds for first 500mb then 2g speeds)
You can add $10 for 4g speeds for 2GB or $20 for unlimited 4g data.
Prepaid and Postpaid sorta cost the same.
Prepaid in reality is cheaper. Taxes and surcharges do not cost as much on prepaid.
However on postpaid you do get the ability to tether(500MB of tether free).

Like others have stated the contracts t-mobile has now are actually more like loans.
They front you a new phone with a down payment, You then pay for that phone over 24 months.
Instead of a early cancellation fee you have to pay the cost of the phone.

If you have less than perfect credit the post paid plans will require a deposit.
 
Upvote 0
From what I can tell, You were paying more for less.

T-Mobile no longer requires contracts for post paid service.

They now have a few plans you can choose from.
$50 for unlimited talk text and web(4g speeds for first 500mb then 2g speeds)
You can add $10 for 4g speeds for 2GB or $20 for unlimited 4g data.
Prepaid and Postpaid sorta cost the same.
Prepaid in reality is cheaper. Taxes and surcharges do not cost as much on prepaid.
However on postpaid you do get the ability to tether(500MB of tether free).

Like others have stated the contracts t-mobile has now are actually more like loans.
They front you a new phone with a down payment, You then pay for that phone over 24 months.
Instead of a early cancellation fee you have to pay the cost of the phone.

If you have less than perfect credit the post paid plans will require a deposit.

Two other differences between postpaid and prepaid, postpaid has data roaming and call forwarding.
 
Upvote 0
I've been using Solavei since January. They use T-Mobile towers. The coverage map is the same as T-Mobile prepaid - there are roaming differences between prepaid and postpaid. It's $49 for unlimited talk/text/data unthrottled for 4GB. They don't support tethering. You do have access to T-Mobile's HSPA+ "4g" network. With taxes/fees my bill is ~$55 - this will vary based on local tax rates. I found this to be the best value for an unlimited plan with a good amount of data.

In regards to lower your bill, Solavei also has a referral program. For every three people who sign up through your link and stay customers they pay you back $20/month.

I've been very happy with them.
 
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I've been using Solavei since January. They use T-Mobile towers. The coverage map is the same as T-Mobile prepaid - there are roaming differences between prepaid and postpaid. It's $49 for unlimited talk/text/data unthrottled for 4GB. They don't support tethering. You do have access to T-Mobile's HSPA+ "4g" network. With taxes/fees my bill is ~$55 - this will vary based on local tax rates. I found this to be the best value for an unlimited plan with a good amount of data.

In regards to lower your bill, Solavei also has a referral program. For every three people who sign up through your link and stay customers they pay you back $20/month.

I've been very happy with them.

Can you get LTE on Solavei yet?
 
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Can you get LTE on Solavei yet?

Safe answer is no. I don't have any first hand experience - I'm not in an area with LTE. Some people have reported success getting LTE, but more seem to report being unsuccessful.

Solavei has stated they will be offering LTE as soon as T-Mobile makes it available to the MVNOs, but who knows what that really means.
 
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Safe answer is no. I don't have any first hand experience - I'm not in an area with LTE. Some people have reported success getting LTE, but more seem to report being unsuccessful.

Solavei has stated they will be offering LTE as soon as T-Mobile makes it available to the MVNOs, but who knows what that really means.
Denver has tmo LTE it may not be official yet but its there.
 
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ok just check sensorly

quick screen grab but put you zip in to get more accurate results.

Denver%20TMO%20LTE.PNG


and check xda for more info

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2211618
 
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lol on a unrelated note, I used to live in Loveland Co when I was a child. Fairly certain that is north west'ish from denver though.


Holy crap I just looked on Google maps at the aprox location I think we lived at, that was 30 years ago I when I was 6-8 it has changed completely.

I can only find the aprox location because we where on the south end of the lake and the lake can change to much.
 
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Are you in a MetroPCS area? They now have byod. You could get the $60 plan. That is unlimited data, and since T-Mo and Metro are together now, you can use your unlocked GSM phone. You get Metro's plans, on T-Mo's network. Course, that would only work if you are in one of the byod areas.

Nope, they don't support Cleveland yet.
 
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A few questions does your phone support hspa on the 1700/1900 AWS band? if not your speeds will be edge only unless your in a refarmed area, tmo has a $60 plan that has 2.5 gbs of full speed data, edge speed after that. Or you could go with straight talk (using tmo towers) $45 month. Its undetermined what point they throttle, if your not a "heavy" user they may never throttle. One guy reports he has 4-6gbs monthly and spikes at 12 on occasion Never been throttled.
Or you could go with Solavei. 4g then throttled $50.

All those I mentioned are unlimited calls text and data.
Most Att options are going to have a 1.5 to 2 gb cap, so no more data til the next month.

Just did some research and got some answers on another forum too, Cleveland isn't yet a 4G area for Solavei, so would be EDGE, that's out. Also found out my Sensation 4G won't get AT&T's data frequencies, so AT&T is out for data. As far as straight talk, I would need a definate idea of the throttle point, as I will be viewing my streaming security cameras. I assume the 1700/1900 AWS band is AT&T. Thanks for the input though.
 
Upvote 0
You can keep T-Mobile postpaid without a contract now, also with no phone subsidy. If you want a new phone, it is now basically a no interest loan and, once the phone is paid off, the extra charge on the bill comes off.

Under the postpaid (or even prepaid, as the costs are the same) plans, you get 2.5 GB for $60+tax or true unlimited (no throttling) for $70+tax. Additionally, if you have discounts, those can be applied to lower the cost.

Go Smart Mobile is 3G speeds for their top plans, and by 3G I mean that it does not include HSPA speeds. It is capped around 2 Mbps. Basically, it is cheaper because of the lower speeds.

Of the prepaid options, Solavei is likely the best (at least that I am aware of) for your needs. It is $49/month unlimited talk and text, and 4 GB of full speed data. It also offers data roaming and call forwarding, something not offered by most prepaid plans. While Straight Talk is less expensive, they do not publish at what point the throttle/cut off data and there have been many complaints about it.

Thanks, Cleveland not in Solavei's 4G list, so will be EDGE, and need for than 1 to 2 mbps, starting to look like a pre/post paid T-Mo account for now, but I'll still save at least $20 over what I paid on contract, and I can still switch when something better comes along.
 
Upvote 0
From what I can tell, You were paying more for less.

T-Mobile no longer requires contracts for post paid service.

They now have a few plans you can choose from.
$50 for unlimited talk text and web(4g speeds for first 500mb then 2g speeds)
You can add $10 for 4g speeds for 2GB or $20 for unlimited 4g data.
Prepaid and Postpaid sorta cost the same.
Prepaid in reality is cheaper. Taxes and surcharges do not cost as much on prepaid.
However on postpaid you do get the ability to tether(500MB of tether free).

Like others have stated the contracts t-mobile has now are actually more like loans.
They front you a new phone with a down payment, You then pay for that phone over 24 months.
Instead of a early cancellation fee you have to pay the cost of the phone.

If you have less than perfect credit the post paid plans will require a deposit.

Thanks, will prolly keep one of those 2 T-Mo plans you mentioned for the time being until I see something better. At least I know what I have with T-Mo, and I'll save something off contract using my same phone.
 
Upvote 0
I've been using Solavei since January. They use T-Mobile towers. The coverage map is the same as T-Mobile prepaid - there are roaming differences between prepaid and postpaid. It's $49 for unlimited talk/text/data unthrottled for 4GB. They don't support tethering. You do have access to T-Mobile's HSPA+ "4g" network. With taxes/fees my bill is ~$55 - this will vary based on local tax rates. I found this to be the best value for an unlimited plan with a good amount of data.

In regards to lower your bill, Solavei also has a referral program. For every three people who sign up through your link and stay customers they pay you back $20/month.

I've been very happy with them.

No 4G support in Cleveland yet with Solavei, thanks. Even if they say they have no tethering, would I still be able to do so with my root app?
 
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I'm confused, where are you seeing no 4g coverage in Cleveland with Solavei? Solavei uses Tmobile's network. I just checked the Solavei coverage map and the T-Mobile coverage map for Cleveland OH and they are the same map. (The only difference might be if you're looking at LTE coverage.)

If you're talking about HSPA+ you're going to have the same coverage with T-Mobile as with Solavei. The coverage map doesn't distinguish between 3g/4g but Cleveland is listed in the Android Central list of HSPA+ markets...

Let me start by saying I have never tried to tether my device. The official policy is no tethering. Customer service has said that they aren't actively trying to stop tethering, but T-Mobile probably is. Based on forum posts people have mixed results.
 
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I'm confused, where are you seeing no 4g coverage in Cleveland with Solavei? Solavei uses Tmobile's network. I just checked the Solavei coverage map and the T-Mobile coverage map for Cleveland OH and they are the same map. (The only difference might be if you're looking at LTE coverage.)

If you're talking about HSPA+ you're going to have the same coverage with T-Mobile as with Solavei. The coverage map doesn't distinguish between 3g/4g but Cleveland is listed in the Android Central list of HSPA+ markets...

Let me start by saying I have never tried to tether my device. The official policy is no tethering. Customer service has said that they aren't actively trying to stop tethering, but T-Mobile probably is. Based on forum posts people have mixed results.

Thanks, yep, I just looked at the actual map, and my area is in the darkest green (excellent) area with some "very strong" areas near by. I was going on the text description that the Solavei site was giving as far as 4G cities, Cleveland wasn't mentioned. I do presently get around 4mbps down with T-Mo, and that works for me, as I need to view my security cameras when out at least from time to time. Can't go under that speed, and I may NEED to tether occasionally. I can view the cameras on the Android ASee app fine, but to control or review footage, I need to connect to the laptop as need IE to do that, as any camera controls/settings use Active-X, can't do that on Android. Thanks.
 
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I don't know anything about your setup, but have you might check out the app IP cam viewer.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rcreations.WebCamViewerPaid

There's a limited free version, but I was so happy with it I went ahead and got the full version.

Thanks, I tried I think all the apps, and the only one that woks with the Defender security systems is ASee, even Defender states that in their manual. If I go Solavei, a real possibility, will be at least another month, as I will need to port my present T-Mo number and right now how I have everything set up (I also have local law enabled to view my security cameras online and contact me on my cell - due to a neighborhood matter) - I need no hiccups in the works right now. I'm thinking my best best is to go unlimited data with T-Mo till the security issues are resolved, as I know what I have now and what works, and will def. think on trying Solavei when the situation here is remedied. Thanks, will get back later.
 
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