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Carrier Dad's first cell (79) an iPhone but he doesn't want the cell (what cell plan?)

P

phillyman

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 17, 2008
203
115
Hi All,

My dad has used macs since the 80s (though all the dark ages). He uses an iMac and MacBook air for his daily needs etc. So he is proficient in using tech he likes (LOVES Apple TV).

He does NOT want a cellphone BUT his click wheel iPod is dying (and eBay prices are insane for those) which he uses for audible. I was able to convince him of an iPod touch (he uses an iPad JUST FOR AUDIBLE). In the end I found a cheaper and newer iPhone SE (2020) on eBay than a new iPod touch from Apple.

I like that he has the ability down the line if he wants/needs it. Esp since when he walks he can call 911 without a cell plan. BUT the more I think about it, Iwould like to add a VERY basic cell plan. He will not use any data outside of the home. What is the cheapest prepaid you can recommend? My hope would be to find a cheap prepay, where the credit/minutes expire after a year (min 6 months)... I know that might be very tough and I haven't seen anything obvious just curious.

I looked at mint mobile and might just get that. It would be overkill but ... My preference would be a MVNO with Verizon network (just better coverage in his neck of the woods).. Again if he EVER would use it.. Probably less than an hour in two months, wouldn't be surprised if it was zero in a year.

Another idea would be a data only plan and then he could just use FaceTime audio/video (uses that often on macs).. If that is a cheaper or better idea.

Curious have other users had the same reticence of their "senior" parents refusing cellphones? I know early on most of his friends didn't get one but after a couple of years of the iPhone being out, they all joined and sometimes are "worse" than the younger generations ;-) . Some jointly own one... He is the only person I still know that has NEVER had a cell of any type. I actually appreciate that, but the older he gets (and goes for long walks alone), the more I worry (he has had some health issues)..

I'd appreciate any and all ideas/thoughts.

Thanks,
Philly

PS: I would not surreptitiously add it, I hope if it is VERY cheap, he would be OK with it.
 
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You may want to look into Visible - a pre-paid branch of Verizon - maybe not cheap at $40/month, but reported to be unlimited data. The data side of the plan is going to be the most costly.
 
Steven-iphone said:
You may want to look into Visible - a pre-paid branch of Verizon - maybe not cheap at $40/month, but reported to be unlimited data. The data side of the plan is going to be the most costly.
Click to expand...
He doesn’t need data.

Op: sorry dont know about the states. In the EU we have plenty prepaids for bout 10€ min/6months
 
Consumer Cellular specifically targets the older generations. Plans start at $20 a month unlimited talk, text, 500 MB of data. $27.50 for 10 GB.
 
Hi all,

Thank you for your replies, yes I’m looking at pay as you go. Sorry I wasn’t very clear in my original post I looked at consumer cellular and other prepay options and thought they were too expensive. @Maerz Exactly what Im looking for in the states... around 10-20 bucks for six months... In the states pay as you go options tend not to really be much cheaper or flexible for low usage people. The prices would be OK but their low minute plans are monthly so add up.

BTW: US telecom prices always have stunned me. I remember when you had to pay for incoming calls on cell.

Now for just landline and 100Mb (And no TV) I pay I think $95. In Switzerland (Not known to be a cheap country), I could get 1GB, 270 TV Channels, unlimited calls domestic AND to 27 countries (incl. USA).

I’ll keep looking, I might be able to find some cheapo data only plan?

Thank you for taking the time to reply.
D
 
After some more research usmobile.com looks very promising and mobi.com (for unlimited)

hope it helps others
 
Thanks Steven. First place I checked! Yes for most users that is a decent option. So much so, it is MY carrier 😃! He needs even less but thank you for replying. Also T-Mobile (mint’s network) is a bit iffy in his area.

philly
 
Unfortunately, $10-20/6 months isn’t really available in the US.

You could try the RedPocket annual plans on ebay. They’ve got Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile SIMs available. Cheapest is $60/yr for 500 MIN/500 TXT/500 MB per month.
[automerge]1600546510[/automerge]
 
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rui no onna said:
Unfortunately, $10-20/6 months isn’t really available in the US.

You could try the RedPocket annual plans on ebay. They’ve got Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile SIMs available. Cheapest is $60/yr for 500 MIN/500 TXT/500 MB per month.
[automerge]1600546510[/automerge]
Click to expand...

The red pocket is the way to go. $60 for the whole year. Can’t beat it.
 
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rui no onna said:
Unfortunately, $10-20/6 months isn’t really available in the US.

You could try the RedPocket annual plans on ebay. They’ve got Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile SIMs available. Cheapest is $60/yr for 500 MIN/500 TXT/500 MB per month.
[automerge]1600546510[/automerge]
Click to expand...
Correction, I just checked and it’s 100 MIN/100 TXT/500 MB per month for $60/yr.

Pardon Our Interruption...

www.ebay.com

The 500/500/500 plan was $100/yr.

Pardon Our Interruption...

www.ebay.com

Tracfone has an introductory plan for new activations that’s $40-50 with, I believe, 1200/1200/3GB (allocation for the entire year, not monthly). However, it’s not available for renewals and I think Tracfone’s minimum regular annual plan is $120/yr.
 
phillyman said:
Hi All,

My dad has used macs since the 80s (though all the dark ages). He uses an iMac and MacBook air for his daily needs etc. So he is proficient in using tech he likes (LOVES Apple TV).

He does NOT want a cellphone BUT his click wheel iPod is dying (and eBay prices are insane for those) which he uses for audible. I was able to convince him of an iPod touch (he uses an iPad JUST FOR AUDIBLE). In the end I found a cheaper and newer iPhone SE (2020) on eBay than a new iPod touch from Apple.

I like that he has the ability down the line if he wants/needs it. Esp since when he walks he can call 911 without a cell plan. BUT the more I think about it, Iwould like to add a VERY basic cell plan. He will not use any data outside of the home. What is the cheapest prepaid you can recommend? My hope would be to find a cheap prepay, where the credit/minutes expire after a year (min 6 months)... I know that might be very tough and I haven't seen anything obvious just curious.

I looked at mint mobile and might just get that. It would be overkill but ... My preference would be a MVNO with Verizon network (just better coverage in his neck of the woods).. Again if he EVER would use it.. Probably less than an hour in two months, wouldn't be surprised if it was zero in a year.

Another idea would be a data only plan and then he could just use FaceTime audio/video (uses that often on macs).. If that is a cheaper or better idea.

Curious have other users had the same reticence of their "senior" parents refusing cellphones? I know early on most of his friends didn't get one but after a couple of years of the iPhone being out, they all joined and sometimes are "worse" than the younger generations ;-) . Some jointly own one... He is the only person I still know that has NEVER had a cell of any type. I actually appreciate that, but the older he gets (and goes for long walks alone), the more I worry (he has had some health issues)..

I'd appreciate any and all ideas/thoughts.

Thanks,
Philly

PS: I would not surreptitiously add it, I hope if it is VERY cheap, he would be OK with it.
Click to expand...

I am not quite your dad's age but at 72 I hope to get there. Here's what I think. If I specifically tell someone I don't want something but they in their infinite know-all wisdom get me it anyway then I'm likely to feel patronised and bloody annoyed. That is all.
 
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Hi Spud,

Yes that is a concern, in this case we have come along way. He did agree to getting the phone just said he wouldn’t use it. After I explained that I was looking at very cheap plans that he did not have to use if he didn’t want to, he was more receptive. I can’t even see myself calling him on the phone but if he is out walking with the device anyway it doesn’t hurt to give him the option of being reached in a pinch. But yes, it is a difficult balance for adult kids trying to take of care of their adult parents.. AND adult parents dealing with adult kids... They have earned the right to make their own decisions and we need to respect and live with them. Thanks for the feedback.

we will see. I like the red pocket solution as well. Curious has anyone used usmobile? It is a weird world of MVNOs, deals can be found if one starts digging.
 
HDFan said:
Consumer Cellular specifically targets the older generations. Plans start at $20 a month unlimited talk, text, 500 MB of data. $27.50 for 10 GB.
Click to expand...

Check your math. CC plans start at $15 for 250 minutes/no data. $20 for unlimited talk/no data or 250 minutes and 500MB data. Network choice of either AT&T or T-Mobile.
 
phillyman said:
Hi All,

My dad has used macs since the 80s (though all the dark ages). He uses an iMac and MacBook air for his daily needs etc. So he is proficient in using tech he likes (LOVES Apple TV).

He does NOT want a cellphone BUT his click wheel iPod is dying (and eBay prices are insane for those) which he uses for audible. I was able to convince him of an iPod touch (he uses an iPad JUST FOR AUDIBLE). In the end I found a cheaper and newer iPhone SE (2020) on eBay than a new iPod touch from Apple.

I like that he has the ability down the line if he wants/needs it. Esp since when he walks he can call 911 without a cell plan. BUT the more I think about it, Iwould like to add a VERY basic cell plan. He will not use any data outside of the home. What is the cheapest prepaid you can recommend? My hope would be to find a cheap prepay, where the credit/minutes expire after a year (min 6 months)... I know that might be very tough and I haven't seen anything obvious just curious.

I looked at mint mobile and might just get that. It would be overkill but ... My preference would be a MVNO with Verizon network (just better coverage in his neck of the woods).. Again if he EVER would use it.. Probably less than an hour in two months, wouldn't be surprised if it was zero in a year.

Another idea would be a data only plan and then he could just use FaceTime audio/video (uses that often on macs).. If that is a cheaper or better idea.

Curious have other users had the same reticence of their "senior" parents refusing cellphones? I know early on most of his friends didn't get one but after a couple of years of the iPhone being out, they all joined and sometimes are "worse" than the younger generations ;-) . Some jointly own one... He is the only person I still know that has NEVER had a cell of any type. I actually appreciate that, but the older he gets (and goes for long walks alone), the more I worry (he has had some health issues)..

I'd appreciate any and all ideas/thoughts.

Thanks,
Philly

PS: I would not surreptitiously add it, I hope if it is VERY cheap, he would be OK with it.
Click to expand...
I have my son on a T-Mobile Pay-As-You-Go plan. $3/month, no data. For that you get 30 minutes or 30 texts.
 
My dad just won't upgrade to a smartphone. He always just gets a new dumbphone. Wish they would just phase them out already so he would have to get a smartphone. Even my mom has a smartphone.
 
compwiz1202 said:
My dad just won't upgrade to a smartphone. He always just gets a new dumbphone. Wish they would just phase them out already so he would have to get a smartphone. Even my mom has a smartphone.
Click to expand...
I was always the person tasked with switching my parents' (500+) contacts to their new phones when they upgraded phones. That and an accidental drop to the toilet bowl (bye bye contacts) made it fairly easy to convince them to switch to smartphones.

They've been using iPhones since 2012/2013 and I don't think either will ever want to switch back to dumb phones. :)
 
Steven-iphone said:
You may want to look into Visible - a pre-paid branch of Verizon - maybe not cheap at $40/month, but reported to be unlimited data. The data side of the plan is going to be the most costly.
Click to expand...
I have visible. You can add 3 other people (it can be strangers with a code and each pay their own bill) for $25 each. Unlimited
[automerge]1600748954[/automerge]
But he never uses the phone would be figure out how to call 911?
 
jgulla said:
I have my son on a T-Mobile Pay-As-You-Go plan. $3/month, no data. For that you get 30 minutes or 30 texts.
Click to expand...

If you're looking for some of the cheapest, Ultra Mobile has taken over managing T-Mobile's Paygo plan for new users and actually only sells the SIMs in some T-Mobile stores (but not all—some stores hadn't heard of it and I ended up reaching out to T-Mobile on Twitter to find out where):

Pay as You Go Cell Phone Plans (Paygo) | Ultra Mobile

Our pay as you go plan (PayGo) gets you all the essentials for just $3/MO. Get talk, text, data, and even keep your existing number. Additional add-ons are available. Click to learn more.
www.ultramobile.com www.ultramobile.com

Ultra is the same company as Mint and this plan is fully supported on iPhones (Wi-Fi calling, VoLTE, hotspot, etc.) For $3/month, you get 100 minutes and 100 texts and 100MB of data. You could load $40 on it and be done with it for the year.

T-Mobile's version of the plan was $3/month for 30 minutes or 30 texts with no data and additional were 10¢.
 
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