are there any phones that can acess the internet without paying for a carrier

[Android Central Question]

Are there any android style phones that can use the internet but not pay for a carrier, maybe only pay for a carrier on demand as needed. My friend uses her phone 1 or 2 times a month and cant afford a full price service for such infrequent need.

 

[chanchan05]

Just get a prepaid sim. That's basically what you're looking for. You buy a phone outright, then a prepaid SIM.

 

[Mooncatt]

You're going to pay for mobile data one way or another if you have a smartphone. I'm not aware of any carriers that will sell you basic phone service on a smartphone without a data package. Not even on a prepaid (pay as you go) line.

You may be able buy a basic phone that only does calls and text, and some may have limited internet functionality and not be required to purchase a mobile data package unless you use that data. Those phones are often pretty cheap, so you can use your savings to also buy a tablet for those times full net capabilities are wanted, as long as you have a WiFi connection available. Some tablets do have mobile data radios, but my guess is you'll be required to have a line for that as well.

 

[Mike Dee]

You're going to pay for mobile data one way or another if you have a smartphone. I'm not aware of any carriers that will sell you basic phone service on a smartphone without a data package. Not even on a prepaid (pay as you go) line.

You may be able buy a basic phone that only does calls and text, and some may have limited internet functionality and not be required to purchase a mobile data package unless you use that data. Those phones are often pretty cheap, so you can use your savings to also buy a tablet for those times full net capabilities are wanted, as long as you have a WiFi connection available. Some tablets do have mobile data radios, but my guess is you'll be required to have a line for that as well.

Airplane mode and turning wifi back on should do the trick to keep costs down

 

[belodion]

There are at least two UK carriers who offer PAYG, the credit for which does not expire after 30d, and which you can use as little as you want...as long as you make a connection at least once every 6mo.

 

[Mooncatt]

Airplane mode and turning wifi back on should do the trick to keep costs down

True, but even if you use zero mobile data, most (if not all?) carriers still require a minimum data package purchase on a smartphone.

 

[Mike Dee]

True, but even if you use zero mobile data, most (if not all?) carriers still require a minimum data package purchase on a smartphone.

There are some minimal plans out there. Nothing will be totally free.

 

[chanchan05]

You're going to pay for mobile data one way or another if you have a smartphone. I'm not aware of any carriers that will sell you basic phone service on a smartphone without a data package. Not even on a prepaid (pay as you go) line.

You may be able buy a basic phone that only does calls and text, and some may have limited internet functionality and not be required to purchase a mobile data package unless you use that data. Those phones are often pretty cheap, so you can use your savings to also buy a tablet for those times full net capabilities are wanted, as long as you have a WiFi connection available. Some tablets do have mobile data radios, but my guess is you'll be required to have a line for that as well.

Depends where the OP lives I guess. Here in PH and other countries in SEA, it's pretty normal to buy phones straight from OEMs unlocked, then buy a prepaid sim with no data package and it will work fine. We can just top up credits for how much data we'd want to use. If I want to pay just fot 100mb data, then I can just pay for that amount.

 

[B. Diddy]

Maybe try FreedomPop?

 

[methodman89]

Are there any android style phones that can use the internet but not pay for a carrier, maybe only pay for a carrier on demand as needed. My friend uses her phone 1 or 2 times a month and cant afford a full price service for such infrequent need.

If it's only internet she wants to use, you know she can use it like a wifi tablet also?