Best non T-mobile prepaid plan for Nexus 4?

[jolynned]

I dropped Boost mobile last month and bought a Google Nexus 4 (which I adore) and went with the T-Mobile $30 unlimited text/web 100 minutes talk plan. I found out after getting my sim card and getting all signed up that t-mobile doesn't have good coverage in my area and I can't talk on my phone in my own house.

I'm looking for a different prepaid carrier to switch to but after a ton of googling it looks like they're all using t-mobile towers which certainly doesn't help me. A straight talk service rep told me that they can't sell me a sim card because there's no coverage in my area (southeast Missouri). Not sure why an AT&T sim card through ST wouldn't work.

I did some digging and it looks like Simple Mobile and Solavei both use TM towers. Am I stuck shelling out $60/mo to Verizon?

 

[phathands]

I dropped Boost mobile last month and bought a Google Nexus 4 (which I adore) and went with the T-Mobile $30 unlimited text/web 100 minutes talk plan. I found out after getting my sim card and getting all signed up that t-mobile doesn't have good coverage in my area and I can't talk on my phone in my own house.

I'm looking for a different prepaid carrier to switch to but after a ton of googling it looks like they're all using t-mobile towers which certainly doesn't help me. A straight talk service rep told me that they can't sell me a sim card because there's no coverage in my area (southeast Missouri). Not sure why an AT&T sim card through ST wouldn't work.

I did some digging and it looks like Simple Mobile and Solavei both use TM towers. Am I stuck shelling out $60/mo to Verizon?

Welcome tp the beauty and disappointment that is T-Mobile. What about att go phone prepaid? Those are pricier but not bad deals. And you certainly won't be using the nexus 4 on Verizon towers.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[jolynned]

My eyes are going crossed from all of this internet research. I thought I read somewhere that verizon had a byop program but I guess not?

I'm looking at ATT go phone right now. This is looking like it might be my only option.

 

[phathands]

My eyes are going crossed from all of this internet research. I thought I read somewhere that verizon had a byop program but I guess not?

I'm looking at ATT go phone right now. This is looking like it might be my only option.

Verizon and Sprint are CDMA and T-Mobile and AT&T are GSM. For Verizon's prepaid you need a Verizon phone.

From what I've seen the Go Phone plans offer the best prepaid coverage. When I get sick of Verizon I may finally jump on one. Your speeds on att will only be a maximum of HSPA not HSPA+ (but still probably faster than you're getting on tmo)

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AC Forums mobile app

 

[mrgee10]

Here's a list of MVNOs.
AT&T MVNOs

 

[phathands]

Here's a list of MVNOs.
AT&T MVNOs

That's a damn fresh article too.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[trwrt]

NET10 will still sell you an AT&T SIM. The data is capped at 1.5GB/month, though. I think it's $45 for unlimited talk/text/1.5GB.

EDIT: There is also H2O Wireless

 

[booboolala2000]

Didn't AT&T just redo their prepaid plans to include HSPA+ and LTE? 2 gigs for $60/mo? I know the N4 doesn't have LTE but I thought AT&T decided to give people high speed data for prepaid.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Lclm18choir]

Do people like the go phone prepaid plans with at&t on their nexus?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Citizen Coyote]

Verizon and Sprint are CDMA and T-Mobile and AT&T are GSM. For Verizon's prepaid you need a Verizon phone.

From what I've seen the Go Phone plans offer the best prepaid coverage. When I get sick of Verizon I may finally jump on one. Your speeds on att will only be a maximum of HSPA not HSPA+ (but still probably faster than you're getting on tmo)

You should be able to pick up HSPA+21 on AT&T's network. It won't be as fast as T-Mo's HSPA+42 network, but it will get the job done (and from what the OP described, his bad T-Mo signal strength renders the HSPA+42 speed boost moot).

 

[Unicorn Rancher]

Not sure why an AT&T sim card through ST wouldn't work.

Do you have one?

 

[Scott7217]

Didn't AT&T just redo their prepaid plans to include HSPA+ and LTE? 2 gigs for $60/mo? I know the N4 doesn't have LTE but I thought AT&T decided to give people high speed data for prepaid.

Posted via Android Central App

Yes, AT&T has new prepaid smartphone plans at $60 (2 GB), $40 (200 MB), and $30 (50 MB) per month. They are promoting the LTE-capable Samsung Galaxy Express ($250) on their website.

Since the Nexus 4 is compatible with AT&T's network, you can put it on any of their prepaid smartphone plans. As you mentioned, you won't get LTE on AT&T, but you will get HSPA+.

 

[Only1Z]

Verizon and Sprint are CDMA and T-Mobile and AT&T are GSM. For Verizon's prepaid you need a Verizon phone.

From what I've seen the Go Phone plans offer the best prepaid coverage. When I get sick of Verizon I may finally jump on one. Your speeds on att will only be a maximum of HSPA not HSPA+ (but still probably faster than you're getting on tmo)

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AC Forums mobile app

False. Even LTE works on GoPhone if you have an LTE equipped phone.

 

[booboolala2000]

Yes, AT&T has new prepaid smartphone plans at $60 (2 GB), $40 (200 MB), and $30 (50 MB) per month. They are promoting the LTE-capable Samsung Galaxy Express ($250) on their website.

Since the Nexus 4 is compatible with AT&T's network, you can put it on any of their prepaid smartphone plans. As you mentioned, you won't get LTE on AT&T, but you will get HSPA+.

Sweet. Its nice to have options. I figure I will live with my $70 no contact unlimited plan with T-Mobile did the next couple of months and if I don't like it, maybe try out at&t. So far glad to dump Verizon.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Lclm18choir]

I decided to switch to the new AT&T go phone plans with my Nexus, and I'm loving it so far. I get very consistent signal in Chicago, and the ping time is much faster. Thus far, I'm getting 2-5 mb down and 1-3 mb up while at home, and I get 6-10 mb down and 2-4 mb up while I'm out. This is great and speedy. Let's see how I feel after a month test drive.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[phathands]

False. Even LTE works on GoPhone if you have an LTE equipped phone.

Wrong. I know words are tricky but try reading in context next time. We were talking about the nexus 4 that OP has. No LTE there. Comprehension is tough but it pays off so try harder.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AC Forums mobile app

 

[Scott7217]

Sweet. Its nice to have options. I figure I will live with my $70 no contact unlimited plan with T-Mobile did the next couple of months and if I don't like it, maybe try out at&t. So far glad to dump Verizon.

Posted via Android Central App

That's the beauty of not having to deal with a contract. If you have a Google Voice number, it's even easier to switch between AT&T and T-Mobile. You just update your forwarding phone number.

 

[Only1Z]

Wrong. I know words are tricky but try reading in context next time. We were talking about the nexus 4 that OP has. No LTE there. Comprehension is tough but it pays off so try harder.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AC Forums mobile app

Just as it's really tough for you to see that your comment could be interpreted both ways. Just wanted to make it clear that GoPhone offers LTE which your post didn't mention. Read your post again and tell me if you can't see how it can be interpreted both ways. Reading comprehension is really tough for some people.

 

[phathands]

Just as it's really tough for you to see that your comment could be interpreted both ways. Just wanted to make it clear that GoPhone offers LTE which your post didn't mention. Read your post again and tell me if you can't see how it can be interpreted both ways. Reading comprehension is really tough for some people.

Again, for the context of this post that was asking about prepaid N4 plans, LTE doesn't matter much.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AC Forums mobile app

 

[plasticarmyman]

Again, for the context of this post that was asking about prepaid N4 plans, LTE doesn't matter much.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AC Forums mobile app

the N4 has LTE...just because the specs don't say so doesn't mean it doesn't work...you just have to use a few small mods...