Proper order for setting up N4 on prepaid while cancelling Sprint?

[jeffandpamsmith]

I have 2 N4s, no SIMs yet,want to leave Sprint and keep same numbers. I would consider Google voice keeping the same number, dont know if wife would. She just wants a good phone that works.

I am leaning toward Solevei for both, not to do the sales thing, but they seem to have the best data per dollar plan.

I would consider trying T Mobiles $30 plan with 100 minutes and 5gb data using GrooveIP, but think my wife would think its too much hassle.

Can I try Solevei or T Mobile with a generic number, keep sprint for a few weeks till I find a favorite, and later cancel sprint and have the same old number on whatever new plan?

I know to use google voice would instantly cancel my sprint (contract is over anyway), but I would like to try the GrooveIP before settling on TMs $30 plan, in case the minor issues with GV and G IP bug me. Also, do I understand GV cant send pictures in text messages? Pam may not go for that (yes I know we could send by email, but that's just her).

Would it be best to port to GV, try Solevei, try grooveIP on their data plan first while I still have unlimited calls in case I dont like the G-IP quality? Then if it works go to the TM 100 min 5GB $30 plan.

Any words of advice from learned experiences would be welcome. I really dont even know what questions to ask. I'm smart, but not a phone geek, but I want to try the Nexus and keep it simple,efficient, glitch free, and save money. Always liked Sprint, but they still have no real date for LTE in my area. I have used smart phones since the Treo 300, now HTC EVO 3D.

Thoughts on Google Voice, GrooveIP, and the choiceof carriers? I have the 42 speed in my area fromTM.

Thanks in advance

Jeff

 

[Mobius360]

I'm in the same boat. Going to try my N4 on T-Mobile before cancelling my Sprint account. Would like to keep my Sprint number though in the end. Don't really want to port my number to Google Voice.

In the end If I receive voice mail through Google Voice or through whatever else doesn't really matter to me. I do want to be able to send MMS messages though.

60% of the time it works every time!
*Sprint HIGH Speed 3G/LTE Nexus*

 

[Citizen Coyote]

Can I try Solevei or T Mobile with a generic number, keep sprint for a few weeks till I find a favorite, and later cancel sprint and have the same old number on whatever new plan?

Yes with T-Mobile, and I assume the same with Solevei. With T-Mo, you have to call them or use the online chat if you want to port your number over after activation (as opposed to during). You'll need your Sprint account number and access code.

I know to use google voice would instantly cancel my sprint (contract is over anyway), but I would like to try the GrooveIP before settling on TMs $30 plan, in case the minor issues with GV and G IP bug me. Also, do I understand GV cant send pictures in text messages? Pam may not go for that (yes I know we could send by email, but that's just her).

Correct, Google Voice does not handle MMS (pics in texts)*. You will have to use email for that or some other method of sharing.

As for what's best, I've never been a fan of VoIP but some people love it. Remember that you can always add funds to your T-Mo prepaid account to cover extra minutes, at a rate of $0.10/min. Even if you use 200 extra minutes, that's only $50 total for the month. One word of caution, though: there are no free minutes unless explicitly stated as such (or 911). Every call, no matter what time or to whom, will count against your minutes. Check your call usage history with Sprint, making sure to add up all minutes (they nicely break it down for you so you can see) and see how much time you need. If you're regularly using more than 300 minutes a month, you might consider a more expensive plan or another carrier like Straight Talk.


*GV can handle MMS if the user is on Sprint, has integrated their number, and is messaging another Sprint customer. It will show up as an email. That's the only case I know of however, and doesn't help anyone with a Nexus 4.

 

[klau25]

what you can do is use the Sprint Google voice integration option before switching. This way you can use the he forwarding call features without canceling your sprint contract. When you know which service you want, then port the number to that one.

I just canceled my Sprint service also. It was a pain for me cause I ported over to Google and try tmo. found out 100 min just isn't enough, voip sound quality isn't good enough, and need mms and group messages. although tmo data speed was super fast, their service is just too spotty. so I switched over to straight talk att. that took about a week to port because they consider Google voice number as land line. lesson learned. so don't port your number to Google unless you are absolutely sure you will keep using Google voice as your main number.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[klau25]

also there is a $50 setup fee for solevei, in addition to their monthly fees. If you aren't doing the selling thing for solevei, i would go with straight talk. You can get a 3 months card from Walmart in store or online for 126, which is 42 a month.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[vansmack]

I tried the same for a couple weeks. In the end, I cancelled my Sprint/GV implementation, and ported my Sprint # to T-Mo. I have wonderful T-mo coverage where I live.

VOIP was not reliable for my business needs, however.

I use Desk SMS to text from my browser and tablet, and at $60 a month, I'm still saving money over Sprint.

 

[limdoug]

You can definitely try as many prepaid carriers as you'd like. Just get a new phone number every time and have it forward to your existing Sprint number via google voice. Once you find a provider you like, then ask them to port your number from Sprint and replace the temporary number you've been using. Just keep your Sprint account open the entire time. Once you port, that will end your service with Sprint. It's pretty painless surprisingly. Might just take a few hours for the port to go through, but I think that's totally acceptable.