Insp_Gadget
Inspector Gadget
Re: Anyone using Nexus4 on Straight Talk?
Okay, this is going to be a small novel, but here goes....
Whether you port to ST or to GV is really up to you. With GV, you CAN receive calls whether or not you have data. Not having data doesn't prevent your phone from receiving a forwarded GV call. If you try to place a call without data, then the GV app won't be able to route your outbound call with your GV number. (Your call will go out using your ST-provided number.) There are ways around that issue. You can always call your GV number directly and then dial the number you wish to call, and it will be routed through GV that way. And there are apps in the Play Store that will automate that process. I used to do that before the latest update to the GV app (which seems more reliable now than it has been in the past). I ported my number from Sprint (integrated w/GV) to Google Voice (more on that in a bit).
It is true that ST doesn't roam. I use an AT&T-compatible SIM from ST and I haven't been without coverage yet. My coverage has been better than what I had with Sprint. Of course your mileage may vary. Location is everything. If AT&T doesn't work where you are, try a T-Mobile SIM. (If you've ported your number to GV, you won't even have to worry about re-porting your number if you decide to switch SIMs or carriers later.)
There is no LTE with ST yet. My 3G (HSPA+) speed on ST (AT&T) has been about 5-6Mbps, which is plenty fast for me...especially when I consider the abysmal slowness (0.5Mbps) I had with Sprint. If you absolutely require faster speed than HSPA+21 can provide, then you'll need to go with T-Mobile (which supports HSPA+42). Again, coverage varies by location. That's something you'll have to test. For me, I haven't missed it. I can do everything I need to do (streaming, etc.) with the coverage I'm getting on the AT&T-compatible SIM.
Now, back to the Sprint/GV integration... Since ST is unlimited voice and text, you don't really need to use GV to make free calls. GV by itself won't allow you to make free calls anyway, because GV is not a carrier. You would need a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application, like GrooveIP, in combination with GV in order to make calls over the Internet (via VoIP). But again, since ST has unlimited voice and text, there's really no need, unless you intend to make international calls. Also, keep in mind that if you wish, you can always make calls from your computer via Google Talk. I do this a lot at work because I don't have very good coverage inside my office building (It's an old building with heavy shielding and lots of concrete. No one's carrier works very well, if at all.)
I chose to port my number from Sprint to GV. There are some things you'll need to consider if you do this:
Porting from Sprint/GV-integration to Google:
Now that I've scared you half-to-death about porting to Google Voice, I will tell you that I haven't had any problems. It's more about understanding what to expect. Sprint's integration with Google Voice did indeed make it a seamless experience. It's not quite as seamless without Sprint, but you can make and receive calls using your normal phone dialer and text using the native messenger or GoSMS Pro (with the help of the GV Integration app). I don't even think about it any more. I just use my phone as I did with Sprint--only I'm paying much less.
Hope this helped.
This thread has been amazingly useful. Thanks everyone! I was going to use Net10 with my nexus 4, but it looks like you all are happy with Straight Talk - i'll give that a shot. I'm going to go from Sprint to ST (ATT) using my new Nexus 4 (when it delivers!). Should I port my number from Sprint to GV or to ST? I have never ported a number before, so call me a n00b I'm guessing porting my number to ST would be best because then I can receive calls when I don't have data coverage?
A lot of talk about no roaming scares me a little. I don't care about roaming data - I can do without this. But what about roaming voice? I would prefer my phone to be able to make/receive calls when I am out of ATT's range, but I guess that isn't a deal breaker for me because of the cost savings.
Has anyone activated the LTE band for the Nexus 4 to use with ATT using ST? I would like to do this and get the higher speeds if it works. I'm kinda surprised it hasn't been discussed in this thread!
With Sprint right now my Gvoice works seamlessly. Am I going to need another app to make calls for free? I read something about talkatone being needed with Gvoice to make free calls over wifi. Is that still the case? I am usually on wifi and would rather make my calls through that and not use my minutes!
Thanks again everyone. I lurk here all the time, but don't have too much to contribute!
Okay, this is going to be a small novel, but here goes....
Whether you port to ST or to GV is really up to you. With GV, you CAN receive calls whether or not you have data. Not having data doesn't prevent your phone from receiving a forwarded GV call. If you try to place a call without data, then the GV app won't be able to route your outbound call with your GV number. (Your call will go out using your ST-provided number.) There are ways around that issue. You can always call your GV number directly and then dial the number you wish to call, and it will be routed through GV that way. And there are apps in the Play Store that will automate that process. I used to do that before the latest update to the GV app (which seems more reliable now than it has been in the past). I ported my number from Sprint (integrated w/GV) to Google Voice (more on that in a bit).
It is true that ST doesn't roam. I use an AT&T-compatible SIM from ST and I haven't been without coverage yet. My coverage has been better than what I had with Sprint. Of course your mileage may vary. Location is everything. If AT&T doesn't work where you are, try a T-Mobile SIM. (If you've ported your number to GV, you won't even have to worry about re-porting your number if you decide to switch SIMs or carriers later.)
There is no LTE with ST yet. My 3G (HSPA+) speed on ST (AT&T) has been about 5-6Mbps, which is plenty fast for me...especially when I consider the abysmal slowness (0.5Mbps) I had with Sprint. If you absolutely require faster speed than HSPA+21 can provide, then you'll need to go with T-Mobile (which supports HSPA+42). Again, coverage varies by location. That's something you'll have to test. For me, I haven't missed it. I can do everything I need to do (streaming, etc.) with the coverage I'm getting on the AT&T-compatible SIM.
Now, back to the Sprint/GV integration... Since ST is unlimited voice and text, you don't really need to use GV to make free calls. GV by itself won't allow you to make free calls anyway, because GV is not a carrier. You would need a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application, like GrooveIP, in combination with GV in order to make calls over the Internet (via VoIP). But again, since ST has unlimited voice and text, there's really no need, unless you intend to make international calls. Also, keep in mind that if you wish, you can always make calls from your computer via Google Talk. I do this a lot at work because I don't have very good coverage inside my office building (It's an old building with heavy shielding and lots of concrete. No one's carrier works very well, if at all.)
I chose to port my number from Sprint to GV. There are some things you'll need to consider if you do this:
- First, you won't be able to send or receive MMS from your GV number. If that is a deal-breaker, then don't port your number to GV. There is no telling when Google will get around to adding that capability, but it doesn't appear to be any time soon.
- Second, if you want to text from your GV number, you will need to either use the GV app or use an app like GV Integration (I use this) to allow you to use the native messaging app (or GoSMS Pro) to do text messaging. Also, keep in mind, that data is required to send text via GV.
- Lastly, porting your Sprint/GV-integrated number to Google is easy, but it is not documented very well, because Sprint obviously doesn't want you to leave, and Google doesn't want to upset Sprint by telling people how to leave. Since, I've done it, I'll list the basic steps below.
Porting from Sprint/GV-integration to Google:
- Once you have your new phone and SIM, you will be ready to do the porting. The first thing you will need to do is undo the Sprint/GV integration. Go into your Google Voice account page on your desktop and remove the integration. This is important. If you don't remove the integration, the porting process will be hampered.
- Follow Google's instructions (fill out the porting form) to port your number from Sprint to Google. It will cost $20 (one-time fee) to do the porting. That can be charged to your Google Wallet (online) account. DO NOT contact Sprint first to cancel service! If you do that you'll permanently lose your Sprint phone number. Instead, just fill out the Google porting form and work through the porting process. You'll be asked for your Sprint account number and the access PIN (the PIN that you use when calling Sprint's customer service). Once you provide that information, Google will contact Sprint for you, and they will port your number from Sprint.
- When you initiate the porting process, it may look like you're actually deleting your number. Don't worry, it's still there. You're starting a port and you'll be asked if you want to port the number or get a new one. You'll also be prompted to check off several acknowledgements about what you are doing, so that there is no misunderstanding. When you port your number to Google, you are immediately terminating your Sprint account/contract. Google just wants to make sure you realize that before proceeding.
- After you are notified by Google that the port is complete, test it out on GV, to ensure it's working. Normally, the company who gives up the number (Sprint in this case) will automatically cancel your service, but you can contact them a few days after porting, just to be sure your account is closed out. Remember that if you are still under contract with Sprint, early termination fees will apply.
- When you initiate the porting process, there will be a period of time (several hours) that your GV account will revert to a Google Voice Lite account (no dedicated phone number or text messaging capability). Don't worry. Your text messages and call history will remain intact. Once the porting process has completed, you'll regain your full functionality. Text messaging can take up to three days to start working again, but you'll be able to make calls right away. Just keep that in mind.
Now that I've scared you half-to-death about porting to Google Voice, I will tell you that I haven't had any problems. It's more about understanding what to expect. Sprint's integration with Google Voice did indeed make it a seamless experience. It's not quite as seamless without Sprint, but you can make and receive calls using your normal phone dialer and text using the native messenger or GoSMS Pro (with the help of the GV Integration app). I don't even think about it any more. I just use my phone as I did with Sprint--only I'm paying much less.
Hope this helped.