I use, and like, T-Mobile to go. I much prefer prepaid. Problem is, I want to go to a 3G phone. T-Mobile says I have to go to a fairly expensive monthly plan to get this. Anybody know how I can get around this requirement? Can I use an unlocked phone from another supplier like Tiger Direct? Please help, as my current phone is dead.
Is the problem getting a phone out of T-Mobile or are they saying they're not activating a 3G connection for you if you don't have a contract?
I do not have a contract other than I buy minutes and they provide service. They want a two year contract to use the 3g functions. No, I don't think so. And, minmum monthly is 75.00 for 300 minutes. I want this type of service because my new line of video recorders allows viewing of your cameras via internet connection on a Blackberry or similar phone. I want to be able to demonstrate this function. But I don't like any long term agreement with a cell phone provider. I am willing to change providers, but want to retain pre-paid and want the 3G service.
Ouch! And here's me thinking that cell phone stuff over here is expensive. Unfortunately in that case I'm fresh out of ideas...
With you on the prepay way of doing things, I even switched my business cell over and it's certainly been worth it from the financial side of things.
Edit: Almost forgot - if you go 3G and rely on features that require 3G, ensure that you've got 3G reception in the places where you need those features. I find 3G reception varies more than 2G (not a surprise) and you might be in for an unexpected surprise.
Yes, you can get an unlocked phone from Tiger Direct. Also consider finding a local independent retailer who carries T-Mobile. Preferably a retailer that carrier more products than just T-Mobile. These retailers often take handsets in on trade toward the other products and may have the used phone in stock that you want.
Source: http://www.intomobile.com/2009/05/20/t-mobile-3g-network-expansion-list-of-us-cities-going-3g-in-2009.html
T-Mobile has been late, compared to other carriers, to roll out a 3G network (3rd generation wireless). The article above gives some lists of cities to expect services in soon. If your local towers are not built for 3G then having a 3G handset will do you no good. By "no good" I mean you will not see the improvements in data speeds but the 3G phone will work just like a 2G phone.
What do you think that 3G will bring you?
What to expect:
Increased Capacity:
Fewer fast busies. This is where you try to place a call but it does not go through. This is because of capacity issues or too many people trying to use the same tower at the same time.
The reverse is fewer times where you get a voice mail but the phone never rang. This happens when you have an incoming call but there are too many people using the tower so the call is not delivered to you but rather sent directly to voicemail.
Increased Data Speeds:
3G's main cool thing is that it moves data faster. To really reap the benefits you have to either have a smart phone (blackberry, touch screen phone, G1 Android, or similar.) The best things noticed are when you hook the phone up to a laptop and run the computer internet through the phone.
3G will not:
Make your phone work in places it has not worked in the past.
It will not really make your calls sound better.
It will not help with dropped calls due to no tower being there or due to in-building penetration issues. It will only help with dropped calls caused by too many users (examples given earlier.)
T-Mobile will want to charge you more for the data services of 3G. Think of it this way. When you pull data via 2G it moves slow and you are sipping from the resources fountain. When you are pulling data via 3G you are gulping down the resources and you can drink down quite a bit.
cwh wrote: I do not have a contract other than I buy minutes and they provide service. They want a two year contract to use the 3g functions. No, I don't think so. And, minmum monthly is 75.00 for 300 minutes. I want this type of service because my new line of video recorders allows viewing of your cameras via internet connection on a Blackberry or similar phone. I want to be able to demonstrate this function. But I don't like any long term agreement with a cell phone provider. I am willing to change providers, but want to retain pre-paid and want the 3G service.
Based on what you wrote, look into Virgin Mobile but expect it to cost $80 per month/ Unlimited/pre-paid ($50 voice, $10 Text, $10 Data plus tax.) Virgin runs on Sprint's 3G network (if that is good for you) but requires that you operate off a Virgin phone. Your T-Mo phone has a different type of receiver built into it and therefore can not be used with Virgin/Sprint's service.
I guess I need to check out a Virgin. Yeah Boxhead, cell is expensive here compared to a lot of areas. My Caribbean customers pay a fraction of what I do. Makes no sense.
Anybody have any experiance with Virgin? Wifey says they suck, but I can't find any info.
Virgin is a billing system and marketing company. The real resources are owned by Sprint. Ask around to what people think of Sprint and be specific to your area since these things vary around the country.
I see you are in Florida. Sprint should be great in Florida (and every other major state/city in the US)
Go to www.sprint.com to get detailed coverage maps.
If you want information overload, check out:
www.howardforums.com THE Forum for US Cellphone.
www.phonescoop.com Cell Phone Industry information in an unbiased manner.
didn't know Virgin was in fact Sprint.... what I do know is Virgin doesn't work in the places I need it to work... so I guess Sprint won't work in those places too
Virgin Mobile is an MVNO targeting young consumers with pay-as-you-go (PAYG) service. As an MVNO, they use Sprint's CDMA network. In 2008, Virgin acquired Helio, another MVNO.
MVNO means Mobile Virtual Network Operator.
Source: http://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/carrier.php?c=10
So, yes, if Virgin does not work there, Sprint does not work there as well because it is really Sprint's resources that you are using. What area of the country is this happening for you?
"Bodies to not get time to booty a blow for a while"? canoe
zombie thread. ignore
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