Inexpensive Pre-Paid Plan for AT&T iPhones!

[bohbot16]

Here’s how I cut my monthly iPhone bill to $20. This is only useful for people who are fairly light users and rely on WiFi for almost all of their data usage.

I switched from AT&T to the Airvoice Wireless $10/month plan. Airvoice Wireless is an AT&T MVNO, which means that they run on AT&T’s network. It also means that you can use an AT&T iPhone without the need to jailbreak or unlock it. You also don't need to play any games with the provider since Airvoice allows you to use an iPhone with their service.

Here are the charges:
$0.04 per minute
$0.02 per sms
$0.10 per mms
$0.33 per MB

You need to add a minimum of $10 every 30 days to the account. Any unused funds roll over when you add another $10.

What you will need:

Airvoice Wireless SIM Card
Noosy Micro SIM card cutter (for iPhone 4 or 4S)
Airvoice Wireless refill card

You will need to cut the Airvoice Wireless SIM down to a MicroSIM using the Noosy. The Noosy comes with the instructions. It’s just like using a hole punch.

Go to the Airvoice Wireless web site http://www.airvoicewireless.com and click on either New Activation (to get a new phone number) or Port Your Number (if you want to keep your phone number from your existing provider). For the plan select 250 TALK OR 500 TEXT 30 DAYS. Fill in all of your info and submit it. Wait an hour then call 1-888-944-2355 to speak to a customer service representative. Have them double check that your account is set up properly and ask them to enable data on the account.

Next you will need to configure your phone to log in to AT&T’s cell towers as an Airvoice subscriber. Make sure that your iPhone is connected to WiFi. Open Safari and go to http://www.unlockit.co.nz. Select Custom APN then go to the Carrier menu and select Airvoice. Select Create Profile, which will bring you to the Install Profile menu on your phone. Select Install and enter your phone’s password if prompted.

You’re all set. Enjoy the savings!

[chiefpavvy]

Yes, a very reasonable deal. Just be careful - data at 33 cents per megabyte gets expensive REAL quick. Also you get those annoying reminders every time you use some data, and they can't be turned off.

This same advice applies by the way to ALL AT&T MVNOs...Red Pocket, Jolt, Air Voice, PureTalk, Straight Talk, etc. Any of these will work without jailbreaking or doing any modification to the phone. Sometimes a little work is required to get MMS working but voice and data are easy.

[BiggAW]

HAHAHA I would get 75MB/mo at my current cost. I use that in a day.

[quietstormSD]

Great post. But like you said, works really if barely use any data. I use about 1 GB a month that would cost 330 dollars at .33 for each MB of data used.

I think you would essentially need to turn data off and just use wifi and only turn it on only for dire emergencies. If that works some people and they are out of contract with at&t, it's a great option.

[bohbot16]

You're all correct about the data usage. I leave cellular data off most of the time and turn it on when I know I want to use it. I work from home so I have WiFi most of the time, plus when I'm out somewhere there's often WiFi available. There are also a lot of CableWiFi hotspots available where I live.
It's not for most people, but it's the least expensive legitimate option I've found.

[BiggAW]

Originally Posted by bohbot16

You're all correct about the data usage. I leave cellular data off most of the time and turn it on when I know I want to use it. I work from home so I have WiFi most of the time, plus when I'm out somewhere there's often WiFi available. There are also a lot of CableWiFi hotspots available where I live.
It's not for most people, but it's the least expensive legitimate option I've found.

Having a smartphone that doesn't work as a smartphone... that's real useful. Just get ST, then you have sort-of "unlimited" data for $45/mo, plus unlimited everything else.

[bohbot16]

Originally Posted by BiggAW

Having a smartphone that doesn't work as a smartphone... that's real useful. Just get ST, then you have sort-of "unlimited" data for $45/mo, plus unlimited everything else.

Straight Talk is a better option for people who use lots of minutes, text, and data. I just don't need to use a cell tower that often.

[AR999]

Originally Posted by bohbot16

Straight Talk is a better option for people who use lots of minutes, text, and data. I just don't need to use a cell tower that often.

You guys have it rough, in the UK we can get 600 mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data (no fair usage policy, tethering allowed) from "3" for £12 per month in a 12 month contract or £15 with no contract.

OUCH!

[Daveoc64]

Originally Posted by AR999

You guys have it rough, in the UK we can get 600 mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data (no fair usage policy, tethering allowed) from "3" for £12 per month in a 12 month contract or £15 with no contract.

OUCH!

That plan does not include Tethering.

[AR999]

Originally Posted by Daveoc64

That plan does not include Tethering.

Just found out that is true, however it is not enforced by 3, I have been tethering on it for months without issue as have many others, that could change any time though.

[BiggAW]

Originally Posted by bohbot16

Straight Talk is a better option for people who use lots of minutes, text, and data. I just don't need to use a cell tower that often.

Actually, ST is great for most single users who don't use a ton of data.

And you have a smartphone that you can't really use why?

[TheMac19]

Originally Posted by bohbot16

You need to add a minimum of $10 every 30 days to the account. Any unused funds roll over when you add another $10. You can also stack $10 credits. For instance if you add 2 $10 credits then your expiration date becomes 60 days later.

Hey - I know that I'm late to the party, but I wanted to chime in, since I made the same switch to Airvoice Wireless this summer. I'm a light user, and virtually always covered by WiFi, so I figured that I'd give it a go, and with no contracts, no worries if it didn't work out.

After a few months, it's AWESOME. For two iPhones, our total cell phone bill each month is exactly $19.90, with no taxes. It was going to be slightly more than $120 on ATT, even after several discounts. We generally keep cellular data turned off, and just turn it on whenever we need it. (We also use CityMaps2Go for fully functional GPS mapping without needing mobile data.)

One point to clarify, however: Adding credit does NOT stack the expiration dates. By that I mean that each time you add credit, it extends the expiration date to 30 days from the date credit was added - and two or more cards will not stack to make the expiration date later. No big deal, but just wanted to be clear on this! (Otherwise I'd just add a ton of cards and be done with it!) Unused credit does carry over indefinitely, so our balance will likely be slowly growing throughout the year...

And to the haters who say "Why bother with a smart phone without mobile data?"

1. Over two years my wife and I will save more than $2400.
2. Listening to Pandora while walking to work isn't worth $2k, nor is watching a youtube meme while on the bus. I can do either a few minutes later at home/work/cafe etc.
3. We can still turn on and use mobile data whenever we want to.

If you life revolves around watching youtube and netflix while walking around outside, great, stick with a major carrier. If, however, you'd like to save a good amount of cash and still have all the functionality of an iPhone, these smaller carriers are well worth a look.

[Nothlit]

Originally Posted by TheMac19

One point to clarify, however: Adding credit does NOT stack the expiration dates. By that I mean that each time you add credit, it extends the expiration date to 30 days from the date credit was added - and two or more cards will not stack to make the expiration date later. No big deal, but just wanted to be clear on this! (Otherwise I'd just add a ton of cards and be done with it!) Unused credit does carry over indefinitely, so our balance will likely be slowly growing throughout the year...

Take a look at the footnote on this blog post. It sounds like Airvoice is aware of this limitation and is looking to fix it:

We are consulting with our IT department and are working on reversing this change that has occurred. Hopefully, within the next couple of weeks, the plan will revert back to the original policy, where each $10 refill will provide an additional 30 days. For the time being, however, the expiration date will only extend as far as 30 days from the present date.

We appreciate your patience and understanding on this matter.

Thank you,
Airvoice Wireless

I should add that I've looked at Airvoice, but it doesn't really make sense for my usage patterns. Too limited for me. I have been with Straight Talk since July and it's been pretty good, and is saving me $20-25 a month vs. my old AT&T plan with FAN discount.

[bohbot16]

I've tried out both Straight Talk and Airvoice and think that there are definite pros and cons to each depending on your usage needs. I have a page @ http://www.squidoo.com/prepaid-iphone-plan which I'm trying to keep up-to-date for prepaid iPhone comparison shoppers.

[617aircav]

Originally Posted by bohbot16

Here’s how I cut my monthly iPhone bill to $20. This is only useful for people who are fairly light users and rely on WiFi for almost all of their data usage.

I switched from AT&T to the Airvoice Wireless $10/month plan. Airvoice Wireless is an AT&T MVNO, which means that they run on AT&T’s network. It also means that you can use an AT&T iPhone without the need to jailbreak or unlock it. You also don't need to play any games with the provider since Airvoice allows you to use an iPhone with their service.

Here are the charges:
$0.04 per minute
$0.02 per sms
$0.10 per mms
$0.33 per MB

You need to add a minimum of $10 every 30 days to the account. Any unused funds roll over when you add another $10. You can also stack $10 credits. For instance if you add 2 $10 credits then your expiration date becomes 60 days later.

What you will need:

Airvoice Wireless SIM Card
Noosy Micro SIM card cutter (for iPhone 4 or 4S)
Airvoice Wireless refill card

You will need to cut the Airvoice Wireless SIM down to a MicroSIM using the Noosy. The Noosy comes with the instructions. It’s just like using a hole punch.

Go to the Airvoice Wireless web site http://www.airvoicewireless.com and click on either New Activation (to get a new phone number) or Port Your Number (if you want to keep your phone number from your existing provider). For the plan select 250 TALK OR 500 TEXT 30 DAYS. Fill in all of your info and submit it. Wait an hour then call 1-888-944-2355 to speak to a customer service representative. Have them double check that your account is set up properly and ask them to enable data on the account.

Next you will need to configure your phone to log in to AT&T’s cell towers as an Airvoice subscriber. Make sure that your iPhone is connected to WiFi. Open Safari and go to http://www.unlockit.co.nz. Select Custom APN then go to the Carrier menu and select Airvoice. Select Create Profile, which will bring you to the Install Profile menu on your phone. Select Install and enter your phone’s password if prompted.

You’re all set. Enjoy the savings!

At $3.30 for 10mb seems high. At this rate you can't even use data for anything. Just using maps for 15 miles will cost you a lot. Might as well not even have data. If you only use 500 min and 500 text a month that will cost $30. Might as well pay $10 more and get unlimited somewhere else.

[bohbot16]

Yeah, you basically have to rely on WiFi and pre-load most things like maps, music, and of course videos. After a little while you forget to turn cellular data back on when leaving the house.

[vistadude]

I guess this plan makes sense if someone gives you a free iPhone, maybe an old generation one, and you want to use it only for emergency calls or like an iPod.

[bohbot16]

Here's an example for someone who has low usage needs:
100 minutes/month for $4
100 texts/month for $2
25MB/month for $8.25
Total monthly cost = $14.25

[vistadude]

100 minutes a month is not very realistic for almost anyone. These days people are getting rid of their landlines and will need a few hundred minutes a month at the minimum. Otherwise if you're a light talker, it's more savings to jump on a family plan or another prepaid provider like net10.

Originally Posted by bohbot16

Here's an example for someone who has low usage needs:
100 minutes/month for $4
100 texts/month for $2
25MB/month for $8.25
Total monthly cost = $14.25

[Mrbobb]

Thanks bohhot16!

I was looking at ST but AirVoice even works better for me. I've pushed most of my communication to email and text. If anybody needs to talk to me for more than 5 minutes, I know is a circular conversation and I lose interest.

People on a budget - Here's the way!

[Knowlege Bomb]

Originally Posted by vistadude

100 minutes a month is not very realistic for almost anyone. These days people are getting rid of their landlines and will need a few hundred minutes a month at the minimum. Otherwise if you're a light talker, it's more savings to jump on a family plan or another prepaid provider like net10.

That's way off in my opinion. Most people I know communicate through text and Facebook these days. Hell my parents and grandparents have even picked up on it. It's a sad state but its the way it is. The amount of rollover minutes I have built up over the past 6 years with AT&T is staggering.

[617aircav]

I like the minutes and text charges but you are better off just not using data at all. Without a home phone most people could not get by on 100 min a month. Most people have to have a phone that they can talk on extensively, for work and personal banter. Now if the plan included free night's and weekends then it could work.

[SoLongAndroid]

Tmobile 30/month no contract


Unlimited text
Unlimited web (throttled after 5GB)
100 minutes
Use Talkatone and a Google Voice number for free minutes. Especially if you are around wifi.

[bohbot16]

Originally Posted by 617aircav

I like the minutes and text charges but you are better off just not using data at all. Without a home phone most people could not get by on 100 min a month. Most people have to have a phone that they can talk on extensively, for work and personal banter. Now if the plan included free night's and weekends then it could work.

The data charges are high. It's useful to turn off cellular data in Settings, then only turn it on when you're already out and need to map something or email someone.

For someone that's enough of a "techie" to use these forums, they could use a Google Voice number for their home phone and make free calls over WiFi using the Talkatone app.

----------

Originally Posted by SoLongAndroid

Tmobile 30/month no contract


Unlimited text
Unlimited web (throttled after 5GB)
100 minutes
Use Talkatone and a Google Voice number for free minutes. Especially if you are around wifi.

This plan is an awesome deal, but T-Mobile is still Edge only for most iPhones. I think this plan will take off in popularity as T-Mobile completes their HSPA+ refarming to 1900MHz, which will give iPhone customers good speeds.

[dma550]

I would be ok with this myself as I am diligent with data use, but my son's 4s went haywire and used 5gb in one month, even with WIFI always on and connected. I would be in the poorhouse after one month!