AT&T's GoPhone Prepaid Brand to Gain iPhone and LTE/HSPA+ Support Tomorrow

[spinedoc77]

Let's see, with my new T-Mobile plan (family) I get unlimited talk and text + 500 MB of HSPA+ data for about $22.50 per month per line out the door (I get a 15% corporate discount on the plan that essentially covers taxes and fees). Even if I paid for 2 extra data to make it more similar to the GoPhone plan, that's only about $33 per month. That's $30 a month cheaper than this GoPhone plan and with 2.5 GB versus 1 GB of data. Yes, the AT&T network is better overall but not $360 per year better.

Even if I signed up with an individual plan with T-Mobile, it's still cheaper by $15 / month. It's good to have options though so keep the competition coming.

Wow that's nice. I wish I got Tmobile reception though, I think that's the sticking point for many. I'm in downtown Newark and I get 5 solid bars of LTE with ATT inside my office which is in a Hospital. With Tmobile I got a great signal until I actually stepped inside the building, and in my office I go back and forth between one bar and no bars.

 

[Coleman2010]

I am so pissed!

Last month I left my grandfathered unlimited data Pay-Go plan that I had since the first iPhone because AT&T did not offer LTE on their prepaid plans. I left and switched to T-Mobile.

If I had known I would have stayed with AT&T.

Oh well...

 

[Coleman2010]

Wow that's nice. I wish I got Tmobile reception though, I think that's the sticking point for many. I'm in downtown Newark and I get 5 solid bars of LTE with ATT inside my office which is in a Hospital. With Tmobile I got a great signal until I actually stepped inside the building, and in my office I go back and forth between one bar and no bars.

Is your T-Mobile reception with the iPhone 5 that supports AWS or the unlocked AT&T model?

When I switched my unlocked AT&T iPhone 5 to T-Mobile I got 4G in refarmed areas and Edge at work. I warranty replaced my iPhone 5 with a new unlocked model that supports AWS. Now I get fast 4G every where including my work.

 

[slu]

It is amazing how crappy this plan is compared to the other prepaid companies.

If you want ATT pre-paid, net10 is the way to go these days.

 

[spinedoc77]

Is your T-Mobile reception with the iPhone 5 that supports AWS or the unlocked AT&T model?

When I switched my unlocked AT&T iPhone 5 to T-Mobile I got 4G in refarmed areas and Edge at work. I warranty replaced my iPhone 5 with a new unlocked model that supports AWS. Now I get fast 4G every where including my work.

It was actually on a Note 2 from ATT, but I was able to enable AWS on it using a method I found on XDAdev. I was hoping it would work as Tmo has some awesome plans and the speeds were awesome outside the hospital, but once inside they were unusable.

 

[flux73]

So can I use a iPhone 4 on T-Mobile with Data and visual voice mail? Their ads only say iPhone 5

I don't see why not. The only thing is you'll be restricted to 3G data speeds at best, and only if you're in an area where T-mobile has re-farmed to 1900 MHz spectrum. Otherwise, you're stuck on EDGE. Visual voicemail will work.

Also do they allow to carry your old number over?

Yes.

 

[Coleman2010]

It was actually on a Note 2 from ATT, but I was able to enable AWS on it using a method I found on XDAdev. I was hoping it would work as Tmo has some awesome plans and the speeds were awesome outside the hospital, but once inside they were unusable.

That's too bad. I'm very happy with my unlimited data plan on T-mobile since getting an iPhone that supports AWS.

T-Mobile LTE is currently lighting up in Queens, downtown Brooklyn, midtown west Manhattan and Chinatown plus the subway stations. Once all of Manhattan is covered in LTE I'm golden.

 

[Westside guy]

When I was with AT&T Prepaid, I never got any grief for having my iPhone 3GS on their smartphone plan with data.

But man, I can't recommend them to anybody. There was a very short window where you could save money with a 10 cents/minute smartphone plan and then add data and texting to it; but they closed the window quickly, and now their prepaid data plans cost more than T-Mobile's normal plans! And their customer service... easily the worst of any major carrier (I have been with Verizon, AT&T prepaid, and T-Mobile over the past 15 years).

Not to mention that, on several occasions, I had substantial amounts of prepaid data and talk minutes suddenly disappear. Combine buggy software with horrid, off-shored customer service and you basically have AT&T Prepaid.

I'm now back with T-Mobile. I was on their excellent $30/unlimited (100 minutes talk) plan; but with their new family plans, and taking into account our family data usage (which isn't huge), it made more sense to switch us all over to one of those.

 

[AAPL addict]

T-Mobile is starting to have an impact.

I think T-Mobile now offering the iPhone with less costly monthly plans and optimizing there data network to work faster with the various iPhone models is starting to have an impact.

 

[tedson]

I've been using an iPhone on my GoPhone plan for years, first an iPhone 3 and now and iPhone 4s. They used to sell a $.10 per minute SmartPhone plan (GSP1) that I signed up for. (too bad it is no longer offered) I average $8.33 a month cell phone bill ($25 worth of service every 90 days). I'm a very light user of their services, averaging about 30 minutes a month voice calls @ $0.10 per minute ($3.00) and $5.00 a month for 50MB of data.

I'm at home or in the office most of the time when I use data, therefore I use free WiFi rather than paid cellular data. Since my data allotment rolls over as long as I keep my data plan current I've managed to build up nearly 500 MB of reserve data should I need it on the road, that is if I can't find a free internet cafe when I'm eating lunch). The only time I use text messages is when I am doing 2 step verification for one of my online accounts. If I were an idiot teenager who texted 100 times a day I could buy 1 month of unlimited texts for $19.99.

Why people would pay $70 or $80 a month for cell service is beyond me. I suppose if I constantly talked on the phone I would look into one of T-Mobile plan. T-Mobile sells a plan with 100 minutes of voice and unlimited text and data for $30 per month through Walmart

 

[Westside guy]

Why people would pay $70 or $80 a month for cell service is beyond me. *I suppose if I constantly talked on the phone I would look into one of T-Mobile plan. *T-Mobile sells a plan with 100 minutes of voice and unlimited text and data for $30 per month through Walmart

It's also available on their website, if you poke around enough.

 

[spinedoc77]

I've been using an iPhone on my GoPhone plan for years, first an iPhone 3 and now and iPhone 4s. They used to sell a $.10 per minute SmartPhone plan (GSP1) that I signed up for. (too bad it is no longer offered) I average $8.33 a month cell phone bill ($25 worth of service every 90 days). I'm a very light user of their services, averaging about 30 minutes a month voice calls @ $0.10 per minute ($3.00) and $5.00 a month for 50MB of data.

I'm at home or in the office most of the time when I use data, therefore I use free WiFi rather than paid cellular data. Since my data allotment rolls over as long as I keep my data plan current I've managed to build up nearly 500 MB of reserve data should I need it on the road, that is if I can't find a free internet cafe when I'm eating lunch). The only time I use text messages is when I am doing 2 step verification for one of my online accounts. If I were an idiot teenager who texted 100 times a day I could buy 1 month of unlimited texts for $19.99.

Why people would pay $70 or $80 a month for cell service is beyond me. I suppose if I constantly talked on the phone I would look into one of T-Mobile plan. T-Mobile sells a plan with 100 minutes of voice and unlimited text and data for $30 per month through Walmart

I actually use a decent amount of data during the day on the road, where there is no wifi. Also I'm not an idiot teenager, but I text message a ton, especially with kids and a wife it's much easier to text message, just with family I go thru a good 500 texts a month or more. That's why I've been holding out on my $80 plan, but now I have the choice of either the $65 gophone plan, or eventually the AIO plans. Tmo, as I mentioned due to poor reception, won't work for me.

 

[Guacamole]

Link: http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans

The plan is right below the section Pay by the day

Here is an image from another forum if you need further assistance

Image

It is pretty well hidden, maybe because T-Mobile doesn't profit as much from this plan, but nonetheless it is still there.

Thank you ! wow, indeed it's well hidden!!

 

[gba2000]

It still amazes me that, unless you sign up for an ongoing monthly plan (which, yes, you can cancel), you cant get access to data.

As a regular traveller to the US, I can't just have a prepaid amount that comes with data with ATT. Does T-Mobile allow this?

Yes you can......

 

[adeedew]

Not to mention T-mobile is already bringing LTE in. Quite a few places in LA already have LTE! Wooot!!! I switched from ATT to T-mobile and never been happier. Faster, less dropped calls etc. No more BS excuse, like we're the number 1 network, but if you don't like us drop us like you don't like it but we still better then everyone else. YES I DID and your not better! Oh yeah all my speeds with ATT are below par. Speed tests are rigged by ATT I believe. They know the sites and make them faster or something. Other then yahoo, I can hardly browse other sites. Verizon still rocks, I got 17mbps-34mpbs/15mpbs-17 upload with them. 3-15mpbs and 1-4mbps upload with ATT but websites other then yahoo ever load up! Talk about hops to the www not existing! T-mobile i get 15-26 mbps and 6-7mbps upload!

Burbank, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Gabriel, West Los angeles have LTE

Up until today I was right there with you. Have the TMO iphone 5. Hate att. Nothing pleased me more then to be on a gsm carrier that doesn't have contracts and unlimited data. I happily will pay $70/month for that, **** probably more. Saw LTE light up yesterday all through Hollywood and W Hollywood parts of valley. Couldn't be happier THEN I took a road trip today to san Francisco from LA. Pretty much dropped to Edge on most of drive! Tmo doesn't even have a 3G fallback but I can't live with Edge, it's not 2008 anymore and this is unacceptable. Pains me to say it but tmo is not ready for prime time and I'm out. Been just about everyone except sprint so this sucks to say the least

 

[lordofthereef]

Err maybe because the whole article posted is about "getting more and paying less w/Go Phone". Also we SHOULD be shocked they have managed to price themselves going the other direction. They have managed to make PrePay prices and spin it around to look like such a better deal which is way worst and not remotely competitive.


ATT offers contract unlimited for $69.99 + $30 (3GB) = $100. The GoPro 'on par' price would is $65 (include 1GB)+ $25 x 2 = $115. Geezz they are offering $15 off their full retail pricing! I am glad of the other options available. Can't stand ATT.

I disagree that it is was worse. You are looking at this from the point of view of a person who wants multiple gigabytes if data. Plenty of people, even some on this site, happily use the $20 300 mb plans. This prepaid option is a great choice for them, assuming they don't need a subsidized handset. They will save money on their monthly bill. Guaranteed.

 

[OatmealRocks]

I disagree that it is was worse. You are looking at this from the point of view of a person who wants multiple gigabytes if data. Plenty of people, even some on this site, happily use the $20 300 mb plans. This prepaid option is a great choice for them, assuming they don't need a subsidized handset. They will save money on their monthly bill. Guaranteed.

Ok let's go with your point of people who are happy to use $20 300MB plans. Again it is worst because that plan not is being offered by ATT. If these people want to save money on their bill, ATT pricing and service offered is worst than any other MVNO offerings.

ATT (Feature Phone ONLY) - $25 - 250MIN Air Time, Data Extra
TMobile - $30 - 1500MIN Air Time, 30MB Data
Virgin Mobile - $20 - 400MIN Air Time.

Also you are not forced to upgrade to a different (more money) prepay plan by ATT if you happen to inherit a smartphone. It is worst PERIOD.

 

[lordofthereef]

Ok let's go with your point of people who are happy to use $20 300MB plans. Again it is worst because that plan not is being offered by ATT. If these people want to save money on their bill, ATT pricing and service offered is worst than any other MVNO offerings.

ATT (Feature Phone ONLY) - $25 - 250MIN Air Time, Data Extra
TMobile - $30 - 1500MIN Air Time, 30MB Data
Virgin Mobile - $20 - 400MIN Air Time.

Also you are not forced to upgrade to a different (more money) prepay plan by ATT if you happen to inherit a smartphone. It is worst PERIOD.

If you want to call it worse, call it worse. I'm not arguing whether its good or bad anyway. Im just saying in not surprised that this is what AT&T gave us. You asserted that we should be shocked. I say we shouldnt. They clearly want people on contracts. They aren't going to offer you something that competes dorectly with their "best" contract plans. That would be foolish.

 

[Bill.the.Cat]

...They used to sell a $.10 per minute SmartPhone plan (GSP1) that I signed up for. (too bad it is no longer offered)

The Airvoice MVNO (on AT&T's network) is pretty close to this. Their PAYGO (requires a $10 top-up every 90 days) is $.10/min, $.10/text, $.33/MB and their bare-bones monthly-ish plan ($10 top-up needed every 30 days) is $.04/min, $.02/text, $.33/MB data. Data is admittedly a bit pricey but if you're a light user and usually have wifi nearby it's sorta-comparable to the GSP1.

I was using it for a while and it was great, I probably spent $5-10 a month on the PAYGO plan, but I recently switched to Ptel (a T-Mobile MVNO) which has much cheaper data and similar voice/SMS charges.

 

[vikingjunior]

My t mobile $70 plan with TRUE/ no throttle unlimited data!

 

[Coleman2010]

My t mobile $70 plan with TRUE/ no throttle unlimited data!

LOL. You have to be tethering to use that much data. Nice! The most I've used was 6GB last month.

 

[adeedew]

My t mobile $70 plan with TRUE/ no throttle unlimited data!

Hope that continues when LTE kicks in but more importantly upgrade their damn call receptors and get rid of edge

 

[hexonxonx]

My t mobile $70 plan with TRUE/ no throttle unlimited data!

I used 10GB last month but let the plan expire at the end of the month. Now I have two $30 100 min, 5GB data plans, one for my 4S and one for my Nexus 4. Couldn't be happier. I end up throwing minutes away at the end of the month but my big things are data and text messages.

 

[oomega1]

Up until today I was right there with you. Have the TMO iphone 5. Hate att. Nothing pleased me more then to be on a gsm carrier that doesn't have contracts and unlimited data. I happily will pay $70/month for that, **** probably more. Saw LTE light up yesterday all through Hollywood and W Hollywood parts of valley. Couldn't be happier THEN I took a road trip today to san Francisco from LA. Pretty much dropped to Edge on most of drive! Tmo doesn't even have a 3G fallback but I can't live with Edge, it's not 2008 anymore and this is unacceptable. Pains me to say it but tmo is not ready for prime time and I'm out. Been just about everyone except sprint so this sucks to say the least

I would usually agree to go back but doesn't T-mobile have a contract with ATT still to fall back to ATT towers if they get bad signal? My friend just went up north and was pissed off too with ATT. Its cause they been shutting down all their towers and in transition. I was told by ATT that I couldn't get good signal cause they were in transition to LTE.

 

[617aircav]

I've been using an iPhone on my GoPhone plan for years, first an iPhone 3 and now and iPhone 4s. They used to sell a $.10 per minute SmartPhone plan (GSP1) that I signed up for. (too bad it is no longer offered) I average $8.33 a month cell phone bill ($25 worth of service every 90 days). I'm a very light user of their services, averaging about 30 minutes a month voice calls @ $0.10 per minute ($3.00) and $5.00 a month for 50MB of data.

I'm at home or in the office most of the time when I use data, therefore I use free WiFi rather than paid cellular data. Since my data allotment rolls over as long as I keep my data plan current I've managed to build up nearly 500 MB of reserve data should I need it on the road, that is if I can't find a free internet cafe when I'm eating lunch). The only time I use text messages is when I am doing 2 step verification for one of my online accounts. If I were an idiot teenager who texted 100 times a day I could buy 1 month of unlimited texts for $19.99.

Why people would pay $70 or $80 a month for cell service is beyond me. I suppose if I constantly talked on the phone I would look into one of T-Mobile plan. T-Mobile sells a plan with 100 minutes of voice and unlimited text and data for $30 per month through Walmart

Because they use more than 50mb of data a day.