Looks like Target's Brightspot is trying to compete with VM

mogelijk · Jun 12, 2014

Target's Brightspot Mobile has introduced a new $35 plan that gives 300 minutes talk, unlimited texting, and 3GB of data before throttling -- very similar, but slightly more data, than Virgin Mobile's $35 plan.

Is this plan something that would make you think about switching; particularly since you can bring any compatible phone, including the Nexus 5 or Oneplus One?

bobsc · Jun 12, 2014

Does it offer 4G LTE or just HSPA+? I can't find the answer anywhere. Assuming Google Hangouts for Android introduces VOIP integration (as has been the case for iOS Hangouts since October) soon, I'd rather just move to T-Mobile's $30 5GB plan and save $5 a month.

mogelijk · Jun 12, 2014

bobsc said:
Does it offer 4G LTE or just HSPA+? I can't find the answer anywhere. Assuming Google Hangouts for Android introduces VOIP integration (as has been the case for iOS Hangouts since October) soon, I'd rather just move to T-Mobile's $30 5GB plan and save $5 a month.

It should include LTE. While Brightspot merely states "4G", they say that for all their plans, and they do have LTE. Of course, it can be argued that T-Mobile's HSPA+ is as fast as Sprint's LTE in many areas.

kate · Jun 12, 2014

I'd pick this over VM mostly because of having a larger phone selection, and being able to keep using your phone if you decide to leave is always a bonus.

Interesting that it's even a better deal then T-Mobile's own GoSmart Mobile plans ($35 for 500MB 3G, $40 for 3GB 3G).

TDOW · Jun 16, 2014

kate said:
I'd pick this over VM mostly because of having a larger phone selection, and being able to keep using your phone if you decide to leave is always a bonus.

Interesting that it's even a better deal then T-Mobile's own GoSmart Mobile plans ($35 for 500MB 3G, $40 for 3GB 3G).

I believe Target's Bright Spot is on T-Mobile's network. And I think you need to have a GSM phone to take advantage of the bring your own device.

mogelijk · Jun 16, 2014

TDOW said:
I believe Target's Bright Spot is on T-Mobile's network. And I think you need to have a GSM phone to take advantage of the bring your own device.

Yes, it is T-Mobile's network and you do need a GSM phone. The trick is, you can use any GSM phone with the right frequencies -- which is most American models of GSM phones.

If you want a phablet, you can get a Note 2, a Note 3, or even the huge Sony Ultra Z (which is $449 from the Google Play version). You can buy brand new, high end phones, like the LG G3, the GS5, or the HTC One (M8). You can buy higher end phones that are cheaper, such as the Nexus 5, Oneplus One, or Moto X. You can get lower end phones, like the Moto G or Moto E.

Sure, a lot of people would likely wait to switch until they are ready to buy a new phone anyway but, when they do switch, going this route gives a lot more choice. It just seems like it provides an interesting choice for VM users.

TDOW · Jun 17, 2014

mogelijk said:
Yes, it is T-Mobile's network and you do need a GSM phone. The trick is, you can use any GSM phone with the right frequencies -- which is most American models of GSM phones.

If you want a phablet, you can get a Note 2, a Note 3, or even the huge Sony Ultra Z (which is $449 from the Google Play version). You can buy brand new, high end phones, like the LG G3, the GS5, or the HTC One (M8). You can buy higher end phones that are cheaper, such as the Nexus 5, Oneplus One, or Moto X. You can get lower end phones, like the Moto G or Moto E.

Sure, a lot of people would likely wait to switch until they are ready to buy a new phone anyway but, when they do switch, going this route gives a lot more choice. It just seems like it provides an interesting choice for VM users.

Definitely. When I am ready for a new phone, I am likely to jump ship over to Bright Spot, especially if they are able to port my Minneapolis area code over even though I live in Orange County, CA. MetroPCS was unable to do that because their software would not allow it.

mrnyjet · Jun 24, 2014

mogelijk said:
It should include LTE. While Brightspot merely states "4G", they say that for all their plans, and they do have LTE. Of course, it can be argued that T-Mobile's HSPA+ is as fast as Sprint's LTE in many areas.

It is 4g but not LTE.

MacFett · Jul 23, 2014

bobsc said:
I'd rather just move to T-Mobile's $30 5GB plan and save $5 a month.

The T-Mobile $30 plan only offers 100 minutes of talk, so it is a trade off of minutes for data. I am considering trying this myself. I am currently on T-Mobile's unlimited talk as the 100 minutes was just far too few. But I rarely go over 300 minutes and my data is right around 3gb.

[edit]I decided to look at brightspot's plans, they have 3:

$35, unlimited talk and text NO data
$45 unlimited talk and text 1GB data @ 4G speeds
$55 unlimited talk and text 3GB data @ 4G speeds

Every 6 months you use their plan you get a $25 Target gift card.

SIM kits are $9.99 each, they have a standard/micro kit and a nano kit.

mogelijk · Jul 23, 2014

MacFett said:
The T-Mobile $30 plan only offers 100 minutes of talk, so it is a trade off of minutes for data. I am considering trying this myself. I am currently on T-Mobile's unlimited talk as the 100 minutes was just far too few. But I rarely go over 300 minutes and my data is right around 3gb.

[edit]I decided to look at brightspot's plans, they have 3:

$35, unlimited talk and text NO data

$45 unlimited talk and text 1GB data @ 4G speeds

$55 unlimited talk and text 3GB data @ 4G speeds

Every 6 months you use their plan you get a $25 Target gift card.

SIM kits are $9.99 each, they have a standard/micro kit and a nano kit.

They also have a fourth plan, a $35, 300 minute talk, unlimited test, 3GB data. And the Unlimited talk and text with no data is only $30, not $35. At least, unless their prices are different in your area.

MacFett · Jul 24, 2014

Looking at the brightspot page that fourth plan is not listed and the no data plan is $35.

Brightspot, mobile, DVM : Target Template1|C:CMS&intc=1590063|null

mogelijk · Jul 24, 2014

MacFett said:
Looking at the brightspot page that fourth plan is not listed and the no data plan is $35.

Brightspot, mobile, DVM : Target Template1|C:CMS&intc=1590063|null

I believe it is merely that Target hasn't updated their stores webpage; as you can see from this thread, the new $35 plan is just over a month old. Notice that you cannot sign up on Target's webpage and, if you click on the "plans", it merely takes you to Brightspot's prepaid cards. Again, if you go to the Brightspot Mobile webpage, you will see the four plans listed and have the ability to sign up for them.

redgjm · Jul 24, 2014

Also looks like target has their top up cards for 20 percent off. That's pretty good. Very tempted to switch.

mogelijk · Jul 24, 2014

redgjm said:
Also looks like target has their top up cards for 20 percent off. That's pretty good. Very tempted to switch.

Yes, Target has a 20% sale on the prepaid cards this week. They seem to do this fairly regularly, maybe every two or three months.

Revenant Ghost · Jul 25, 2014

bobsc said:
I'd rather just move to T-Mobile's $30 5GB plan and save $5 a month.

T-Mobile would be my second choice for a carrier. 3GB of data just isn't enough. And I can always use a landline at my job just in case.

marco562 · Jul 31, 2014

cool.. ill probably switch since it offers more data usage before throttle and I get more freedom on phone options.. for this i need an unlocked phone or t;mobile phone right?

also can i transfer my vm phone number?

MacFett · Jul 31, 2014

marco562 said:
i need an unlocked phone or t;mobile phone right?

Yes, you need to make sure the unlocked device has a radio that uses T-Mobile's frequencies.

marco562 said:
also can i transfer my vm phone number?

You should be able to port the number. You will need to cal VMU and get your account number unless the account screen on their website lists it now. Your mobile number is not your account number.

marco562 · Aug 6, 2014

what do you guys think about this phone since im thinking of switching to bright spot.
New Blu Studio 6 0 HD D650 Unlocked Black GSM Dual Sim Android Cell Phone | eBay

I think I should be able to use it with bright spot since is the phone is unlocked.

MacFett · Aug 6, 2014

marco562 said:
what do you guys think about this phone since im thinking of switching to bright spot.
New Blu Studio 6 0 HD D650 Unlocked Black GSM Dual Sim Android Cell Phone | eBay

I think I should be able to use it with bright spot since is the phone is unlocked.

Why not get a Motorola G LTE? It has 8gb where as that one has 4 and that only has 3g.

mogelijk · Aug 7, 2014

marco562 said:
what do you guys think about this phone since im thinking of switching to bright spot.
New Blu Studio 6 0 HD D650 Unlocked Black GSM Dual Sim Android Cell Phone | eBay

I think I should be able to use it with bright spot since is the phone is unlocked.

I agree with MacFett, for that price get a Moto G LTE direct from Motorola or from Amazon. If you don't want to pay extra for LTE (since Brightspot currently doesn't have LTE) and don't care about an SD card, just get the normal Moto G with 16GB memory. The Moto G is a great phone, and even splash resistant.

If you are willing to pay a bit more money, you might also look at the Moto X, which Motorola is currently selling for $299 (for the 16GB version); you can even customize the phone.

The Motorola phones are absolutely the best phones in that price range at the moment.

Looks like Target's Brightspot is trying to compete with VM

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