Just realized that for the first time I won't be able to get the new iPhone on ATT on launch day for the fully subsidized price. I've known for years of course that the total annual and biannual price of the iPhone on ATT was far higher than the face price of the phone, but I put up with it because of the addictive effect of the subsidy. Signing a 2 year contract every year means it's never easy to escape the contract if you like having new phones. And I do.
So I've looked into MVNOs before and I am doing it again. I MUST have simultaneous voice and data. Can't do without it. So any provider that doesn't give that is a no go. No Verizon, no Sprint, no Virgin.... That leaves ATT and the MVNOs that operate on its network, as far as I know.
Straight talk seems like a decent idea, at about $45 a month for 2 GB of data (which is plenty for me) and unlimited everything else. Good start. But from what I can tell, it does not offer visual voicemail. That's a problem for me. I could work around it, if I could find an app that handles the same function similarly. I read a forum post or two that says Youmail doesn't really work that well. I'd like some personal accounts from someone who actually uses it, if anyone does.
I don't care about 4G, in fact I'm really hoping I can switch off 4G on the new iPhone to save battery life.
It will seriously affect my self-image if I have to walk around with a 4S for 6 more months (only kinda kidding... for those unable to get a joke). Running the numbers, including new iPhones every 12 months and selling old ones for $200 less than they cost new, Straight Talk works out to be about $800 cheaper over 2 years.
I don't understand why consumer reports or some other reputable organization hasn't tested the network performance of the MVNOs though. That's the big thing that keeps me from switching. If I can't be confident that my service will be as good as it is on ATT, I can't make a move. Any suggestions? Or a better provider than Straight Talk?
So I've looked into MVNOs before and I am doing it again. I MUST have simultaneous voice and data. Can't do without it. So any provider that doesn't give that is a no go. No Verizon, no Sprint, no Virgin.... That leaves ATT and the MVNOs that operate on its network, as far as I know.
Straight talk seems like a decent idea, at about $45 a month for 2 GB of data (which is plenty for me) and unlimited everything else. Good start. But from what I can tell, it does not offer visual voicemail. That's a problem for me. I could work around it, if I could find an app that handles the same function similarly. I read a forum post or two that says Youmail doesn't really work that well. I'd like some personal accounts from someone who actually uses it, if anyone does.
I don't care about 4G, in fact I'm really hoping I can switch off 4G on the new iPhone to save battery life.
It will seriously affect my self-image if I have to walk around with a 4S for 6 more months (only kinda kidding... for those unable to get a joke). Running the numbers, including new iPhones every 12 months and selling old ones for $200 less than they cost new, Straight Talk works out to be about $800 cheaper over 2 years.
I don't understand why consumer reports or some other reputable organization hasn't tested the network performance of the MVNOs though. That's the big thing that keeps me from switching. If I can't be confident that my service will be as good as it is on ATT, I can't make a move. Any suggestions? Or a better provider than Straight Talk?
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