Looking for a cheap cell phone plan that uses a smartphone? So was I. I didn't want to pay $40 a month per additional phone to Verizon to share the data that I have on my main phones. Or $60 a month for a stand-alone plan. Yes, my teenager and soon-to-be teenager wanted/needed phones, and they wouldn't settle for less than a smartphone. An Android smartphone.
First, what are their NEEDS? In our case, the primary purpose was to have a way to call (or text) home when they were out and needed something. Walking home from school - extra security. Practice or school event done early, and need a ride home? We need to find out where you are, or why you're not where we thought? Then come the WANTS: texting friends, email, Facebook, surfing the web…
After looking at many plans, and many reviews, I determined that Republic Wireless was our best option. Their contract-free phones are all Motorola phones, run the latest version of Android, and start at $99 with a 4.3" HD display. They have a middle-of-the-road option at $149, and go up to a high-end phone for $299. Again, no contracts, no 2-year commitment. Cancel anytime, and you still have a decent wifi "tablet".
Republic Wireless is a "wifi first" service. This means that they will use a wifi signal for everything (talk, text, data) first, and only if a wifi signal is not available will it move to use cellular (over the Sprint network). Wifi is available at many place, including many homes (you probably already have wifi for a laptop or phone, or a game console), businesses (McDonalds, Buffalo Wild Wings, coffee shops, the library, Mayo Clinic, etc.), or at friend's homes. So when you're connected to a wifi signal, your phone uses that.
For only $5/month, you get unlimited talk/text/data over wifi, but nothing else if you're not within range of a wifi signal. This may be a good option to replace a home (landline) phone if you have wifi already.
$10/month gets you all that, plus unlimited talk/text over cellular (this must be their most popular choice); you get data (i.e. to use Facebook) only over wifi. This is the plan that my walk-to-school son has - he can call or text us on his way to or from school if he needs to, and can do everything else that a smart phone can do when he's at home connected to wifi.
The next level up is $25/month, and that gives you everything in the $10/month plan, plus unlimited 3G data (so you can use Facebook or Snapchat on the bus or in the car, or example). Finally, for $40/month you get everything in the $10/month plan, plus unlimited 4G data (if you have a 4G signal, and a 4G-capable phone).
No other hidden fees, just some standard taxes that you pay for all phones. And you can easily change plans twice a month at no cost (the plans would be pro-rated) - this would be useful if you're normally a home-data-user ($10/month), but are going on vacation away from a steady wifi signal.
It's worth checking out! No contracts, cancel anytime. By using Republic's $10/month plan, instead of the Verizon $60/month plan, you'll save $1,200 over two years! If you use this link to sign up, you'll get a $20 statement credit (full disclosure: so will I!). Post comments here if you have questions, and contact My Techie Buddy if you need help learning to use your new phone!
First, what are their NEEDS? In our case, the primary purpose was to have a way to call (or text) home when they were out and needed something. Walking home from school - extra security. Practice or school event done early, and need a ride home? We need to find out where you are, or why you're not where we thought? Then come the WANTS: texting friends, email, Facebook, surfing the web…
After looking at many plans, and many reviews, I determined that Republic Wireless was our best option. Their contract-free phones are all Motorola phones, run the latest version of Android, and start at $99 with a 4.3" HD display. They have a middle-of-the-road option at $149, and go up to a high-end phone for $299. Again, no contracts, no 2-year commitment. Cancel anytime, and you still have a decent wifi "tablet".
Republic Wireless is a "wifi first" service. This means that they will use a wifi signal for everything (talk, text, data) first, and only if a wifi signal is not available will it move to use cellular (over the Sprint network). Wifi is available at many place, including many homes (you probably already have wifi for a laptop or phone, or a game console), businesses (McDonalds, Buffalo Wild Wings, coffee shops, the library, Mayo Clinic, etc.), or at friend's homes. So when you're connected to a wifi signal, your phone uses that.
For only $5/month, you get unlimited talk/text/data over wifi, but nothing else if you're not within range of a wifi signal. This may be a good option to replace a home (landline) phone if you have wifi already.
$10/month gets you all that, plus unlimited talk/text over cellular (this must be their most popular choice); you get data (i.e. to use Facebook) only over wifi. This is the plan that my walk-to-school son has - he can call or text us on his way to or from school if he needs to, and can do everything else that a smart phone can do when he's at home connected to wifi.
The next level up is $25/month, and that gives you everything in the $10/month plan, plus unlimited 3G data (so you can use Facebook or Snapchat on the bus or in the car, or example). Finally, for $40/month you get everything in the $10/month plan, plus unlimited 4G data (if you have a 4G signal, and a 4G-capable phone).
No other hidden fees, just some standard taxes that you pay for all phones. And you can easily change plans twice a month at no cost (the plans would be pro-rated) - this would be useful if you're normally a home-data-user ($10/month), but are going on vacation away from a steady wifi signal.
It's worth checking out! No contracts, cancel anytime. By using Republic's $10/month plan, instead of the Verizon $60/month plan, you'll save $1,200 over two years! If you use this link to sign up, you'll get a $20 statement credit (full disclosure: so will I!). Post comments here if you have questions, and contact My Techie Buddy if you need help learning to use your new phone!
RSS Feed
