📱🖥 What Do YOU Like/Dislike About YOUR Cell/WiFi PROVIDER? What DEVICE(s) Are YOU Using?

[Spring2023]

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***READ comments and/or ADD a comment***

(1) It is getting very COMPETITIVE out there with PROMISES from THEM to CUSTOMERS (affordable plans, customer service and so on...). 🙄

(2) WE would luv to hear from YOU! 🙃

Thanks, Nicole 📱🖥 (Technology Forum)

[Spring2023]

***READ comments and/or ADD a comment***

(1) It is getting very COMPETITIVE out there with PROMISES from THEM to CUSTOMERS (affordable plans, customer service and so on...). 🙄

(2) WE would luv to hear from YOU! 🙃

Thanks, Nicole 📱🖥 (Technology Forum)

[DirkB349973]

My cell provider is Visible (Verizon subsidiary). My Visible+ plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data. I believe calling to and from Mexico and Canada is included. I pay $35/month and it runs on the Verizon network. You can drop the service at any time. Support can be challenging if you encounter issues changing phones or using eSims. If you need a lot of support, this may not be the service for you.

[MsStretch]

@Tempest332 , if I recall correctly, you can skip the payment method during the set-up process.  They ask you "as a convenience" in case you want to buy apps or paid services, but it's not a requirement to register or use your iPad. I never give my payment options during set-ups.  I think Androids are the same way.

[MsStretch]

I also use Straight Talk(Verizon) with my iPhone (brought my own).  Have for years with various phones including Android and never had any problems or complaints.  With their recent merger with Verizon, I got a free month of service to do the switch, but nothing has changed on my end... yet.  I definitely prefer the no-contract thing with unlimited use.  

FIOS for internet/TV but it's included in my rent.  I have a wifi extender since the modem is in the main residence and I am in a separate structure.  I have a desktop which is hard-wired, but for phone, smart TVs, printer, etc., the extender works well no matter where I'm using the wifi.  I stream to a TV downstairs seamlessly at a point furthest away from the extender which is upstairs.

[Spring2023]

(Monday 5/22/23)

Lol, I am so glad I am OLD and now KNOW "technology" has its moments!! 🙄

When I had signed up for this site LAST November (2022) - my iPad "refused" to cooperate with this site.

So plan B - "tiny" screen on my VERY OLD Android.

Then THIS WEEKEND past, two tech savvy members of the AARP Our Front Porch Forum (@Frozenoem and @MsStretch ) HELPED me get onto this site using my iPad.

Party Time!!!! Was already wearing "glasses" and was seriously thinking of adding a "magnifying" glass when viewing this site on Android./lol 🤣😂

Nicole 🙃

[Tempest332]

So how do you set up an iPad without a Payment method?  I bought one about 5 years (or more)  back & never got past the registration, it has become a $300 paperweight. Was told just go buy a $5 Apple gift card. I do not want to purchase anything just use it for for browsing the net.  

These devices have become "Consumption Devices".  

[FrancesS575664]

Cable TV has become very expensive.  At one point I was paying over $240.00/month!!  I was able to get my bill down to $160/month but still expensive for a retiree.  I found some cheaper plans/providers but they are not available in my area!!

[Tempest332]

Use an antenna like in the old days... 100% free.   I've never had cable or paid for TV.

[Frozenoem]

@FrancesS575664 

Check out pricing of streaming service's if you have internet. Pricing on that can be cheaper, my internet broadband is $30. My Dish is $80 but, soon I’ll be switching to streaming with a seniors plan , 70 isn’t ancient but, we count As seniors.

Froze

[Frozenoem]

AT&T iPhone 13 Pro and Broadband, I’ve become a senior ? discounted plans are coming. $29 for unlimited data,text etc. $30 for internet with broadband provider. My router is mesh and I own it. Devices used 16, got tired of using patch cords and ethernet. And now perpetually running apps thru wifi or Bluetooth.

New plans come out daily seemingly. Looking at a few now all offering discounts on new smartphones of up to $1000 off, just ask for a senior (gag) discount.

Most major carriers allow “porting” of cellphone numbers, keeping your old telephone number to new service. I’ve had my latest since 10/01 with no desire to change it.

The senior bit, ask your provider if they offer a plan for old folks, read about this offering on Facebook and jumped on it.

Froze

[MsStretch]

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@Frozenoem wrote:.

Most major carriers allow “porting” of cellphone numbers, keeping your old telephone number to new service. I’ve had my latest since 10/01 with no desire to change it.

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Me, too!  In fact, I've only had one number since my first cellphone -- a Nokia with one of those squat antennas.  Looked more like a walkie-talkie. 😁

[cat0w]

For my cell phone I use Straight Talk that I got through Wal-Mart several years ago. I have unlimited talk, text, and data. It works fine for me. I'm not sure what their starting cost is per month now. My phone is a Samsung Galaxy S20 5G. The phone works well in my Ford Explorer with sync my ride.

I have Spectrum for my cable TV and Internet service. I have their gigabit service. I own my own Modem and Router. My computers are all Dell. I have my desktop and two laptops. I have a Samsung tablet too, but it's not used a lot. I have no major complaints about the service. Over the years when I have a problem they come out and take care of it.

[Spring2023]

1 comment (5/1/23)

That is awesome @cat0w , I seem to remember Straight Talk - but have NOT heard about it lately.

I use to do the Tracfone "prepaid" cards before my daughter convinced me to go on her account.

Thanks, Nicole 🙃

[cat0w]

@Spring2023 

After I made my post here, I found an email from Verizon. They have taken over Straight Talk and Tracfone. I knew Verizon is my carrier but didn't know they had made the take over. Verizon was offering a free phone if I switch to a different plan they have. I am sticking with what I already have.

[Tempest332]

I pay about $88 a year for my service, about 1500 minutes (rarely come even close to using them), voice only no txt or data.  Some pay more than $88 a month.  The minutes roll as long as you keep buying the renewal minutes.   

This is likely going to end this year, as they are being absorbed by one of the big 3, I'll have to decide if I really want a mobile device.   

[Spring2023]

2 comments (5/1/23)

Hi @Tempest332 , I always go OVER my data (NEVER charged EXTRA) for the month as I watch alot of FREE Tubi and YouTube. No TV for years, waste for me as there is 90% on there of "zero" interest to me.

Well, I thought AT&T and T-Mobile had MERGED I think "last" year. But I am seeing discussions "online" like they are still SEPARATE. Lol, I am confused! 🤣😂

Anyway, things have NOT "slowed" down in spite of getting my MONTHLY 2 texts from T-Mobile. 1st one, I am NEAR to my limit. 2nd one, I have reached my limit. But NOTHING changes on my end. Lol, won't complain = GRATEFUL I get to watch my movies and listen to audiobooks ALL month long "in spite" of being OUT OF data...🤔

Nicole 🙃 (edited @Tempest332 )

[sc10]

For some of the data packages, there is a monthly cap on the higher data speed. After reaching the cap, the speed might slow to an unbearable speed. Looks like your provider did not exercise the speed restriction so you can do all the streaming without noticing slow down.

[Tempest332]

I still have a flip phone & will never get a monolithic one, just needed to make (or receive... yet no one has a reason to call me unless they are a telemarketer) voice calls.   The latest flip phone is considered "smart", yet now I cant see who is calling, if I block a # I have to call it, the navigation is horrible, yet I work with Software & have an EE degree. 

Gotta love Tubi, though I just never get why anyone would watch TV on one of those tiny screens.🤔 

I will probably get absorbed into Verizon, though I never want a contract & a monthly, I hardly use the phone anymore, so not worth it to me, just a vessel where telemarketers can annoy me, & why would I actually pay a lot of $$$ for that?

I was actually getting a text for my renewal (every 4 months), but since they forced me to get a 4G phone those stopped completely, if I miss my renewal I lose my minutes, so a win win for them, I once had a $250+ credit. 

[Skyway70]

I agree, seems like so many options to choose from.