T-Mo $30 & the GSM GNex slush fund reserve?

[project.in.process]

hey guys,
been researching the T-Mo $30 plan (100 min, unlim messages, first 5GB @ 4g speeds) and have a plan in place to purchase a GSM Gnex w/i the next month after ETF w/ Verizon in the first week of August.
(reading the XDA posts & other AC forum posts about T-Mo, but haven't seen an answer for this).

my question is this:
i've heard several people online say keep a balance ($ in account) so that when your 100 minutes runs out, you have a reserve (slush fund, if you will) of $ that can take care of the additional minutes.

However, talking to a store T-Mo rep, he said even if i use 1 minute, and purchase additional minutes, i basically killed my first 100 minutes and only have 100 minutes & a brand new 30 days of service.

anyone able to provide clarification or advice on how they handle this type of service?
is it smarter to just have refill cards handy for the times that you run out of minutes or do you have it linked to a debit card which automatically refills the account ahead of time?

 

[chuckiewuckie]

I keep mine on the automatic refill. BTW, the $30, 100 minute plan is for online purchase only, which caused me a headache. Seems T-Mobile sent me a simm card with an invalid activation code, so when I had it activated by phone, there was a problem getting me the plan I wanted. Everyone told me that that plan was an online special only and I said that I would've gladly activated my phone online if they hadn't screwed up the activation code. After some lengthy hell raising, I finally got through to someone who was more accommodating and realized that what I was asking for was completely reasonable.

 

[project.in.process]

thanks.
i was perisistent in my "this says only available online, are you sure you can do it?" and they kept replying yes.
i'll ask 5 times straight and have her show me the screen allowing for the $30 plan i want before i start the process in-store.

automatic-refill is a great idea.

have you gone over on minutes? if so, is your card charged the .10c/minute fee or does your phone portion of the service just stop?

 

[jpr]

The guy you talked to didn't know what he was talking about. The monthly plans renew after 30 days. You have to have money/refill minutes in your account before this for them to renew. They do not renew early by adding refill minutes. And yes, you should keep additional minutes in the account to make sure you do not get calling cut off in an emergency unless you have another phone or method that you use for calls. I personally plan on keeping 2 months worth of refills in my account, one for the next renewal and one for cushion in case of xtra minutes or forgetting to refill one month. Refill minutes are good for 90 days upon renewal of a monthly plan.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

If you hit 100 minutes, you will not be able to make calls unless you have money in your account. They won't send you a bill or bill you later. You must have money loaded on the account. Not just a CC# on file, money has to be transferred. They charge you at $0.10/min for those minutes over 100.

Every month you get those 100 minutes. Nothing you do (adding or removing funds, etc.) can change that you get 100 minutes. When you put money on there, you're not "buying minutes". You're just putting money on the account. Unfortunately, the 100 minutes don't "roll over" to the next month. So don't worry about using them up every month.

For example, I use this plan and often buy refills through CallingMart (for 5% off face value, recommend it). I'll buy a $60 card and put it on the account. When you load $$ on there, it is there for 90 days to use. That $60 will sit there, and at the start of a new month it'll pull $30 off. I'll then have $30 in my account. At the start of the next month, it'll pull another $30 off. You can do this from refill cards, CC, or over text or on the My Account app or online. Any way you add it, funds are good for 90 days and can be used for monthly refills, minutes, or other features. Money is money.

 

[project.in.process]

For example, I use this plan and often buy refills through CallingMart (for 5% off face value, recommend it)..

mind my question--but so i am clearly understanding--

looking at Calling Mart, i see 3 T-mo options.

any advantage 1 over the other or 1 that doesn't apply to this type of service? (ie is T-mo TO GO different than T-Mo Monthly Plan?) i've read that some have had luck with any card they chose.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

mind my question--but so i am clearly understanding--

looking at Calling Mart, i see 3 T-mo options.

any advantage 1 over the other or 1 that doesn't apply to this type of service? (ie is T-mo TO GO different than T-Mo Monthly Plan?) i've read that some have had luck with any card they chose.

I've not had any issue using any of them. Like I said, T-Mobile doesn't really care. These cards are all just $$. For CallingMart, I'd recommend checking out the various coupon sites, as they almost always have a 5% off for CallingMart refills. Anyways, I recently used their new option here: Calling Mart - T-Mobile To Go RTR/Topup - Auto Load To Phone

Where it auto-loads to your phone, which is nice. You add your T-Mobile Phone # to the order process when you add it to your account. As soon as you hit the button (for me via PayPal) to finalize purchase, you'll receive a text from T-Mobile saying you've added the $$ to your account, and it'll show up in T-Mobile My Account online.

 

[Dumpshock]

If you don't want have the hassle of the 100 minute limit, take a look at Groove IP. Paid version allows you to route your calls on mobile data through a VoIP with Google Voice, by passing the minutes.

Been testing this out for the last week so far and the effect on the 5gb of data is very minimal I've found with almost no loss of call quality.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

 

[project.in.process]

If you don't want have the hassle of the 100 minute limit, take a look at Groove IP. Paid version allows you to route your calls on mobile data through a VoIP with Google Voice, by passing the minutes.

Been testing this out for the last week so far and the effect on the 5gb of data is very minimal I've found with almost no loss of call quality.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

i was wondering about that. i planned on using a VOIP more often than T-Mo minutes (obviously, with so low of minutes)--i was just hesitant with 1) call quality and 2) ability over 3g/4g. but you've covered those--so that is awesome.
and for only $4.99 or whatever, GrooveIP is at least worth checking out.

dang. so ready to begin this. thanks so much

 

[Andrew Martonik]

i was wondering about that. i planned on using a VOIP more often than T-Mo minutes (obviously, with so low of minutes)--i was just hesitant with 1) call quality and 2) ability over 3g/4g. but you've covered those--so that is awesome.
and for only $4.99 or whatever, GrooveIP is at least worth checking out.

dang. so ready to begin this. thanks so much

I would not rely on GrooVe IP to make all of your calls. The codecs that these cheap/free apps use are vastly subpar to the regular voice network, and unfortunately do not work well when routing to a phone. Call quality will be good if you're on a very fast WiFi network, other than that I wouldn't count on it. Even in a very solid HSPA+ signal, any hiccup in ping times (100-150ms is borderline for VOIP) or steady stream of data will degrade the call immensely. Remember (and I'll tell you from personal experience with this stuff), that people do not put up with shifty call quality, dropped calls, and "let me call you back to save minutes". If I make a call, I should be 99%+ certain that my calls will go through and hold the entire time when I dial.

The only VOIP solution I would recommend if you're using it for all of your calls is something like Skype or Vonage. These monthly paid services actually have good enough codecs to provide consistent calls, and they should considering that you're actually paying for the service.

If you need to make a lot of calls, this is not the plan for you. There are plenty of other options with unlimited calls like the Straight Talk $45 plan, and the T-Mobile $60 plan. You'll never have to worry about VOIP or any of that crap just to make your calls. Sometimes you just need your phone to work without any hassle. Unfortunately, VOIP just can't do that right now.

-------
Anyways, that aside, I stay under my 100 minutes by using VOIP on my computer when I'm at home. I make/receive calls via Google Talk whenever I'm at home, and is 100% seamless to the other party. This really only works because I use my Google Voice # as my primary #.

 

[NoNameFace]

I don't bother with putting extra in there for minutes. I don't use them. Google Voice + GrooVeIP = free calls. Can't beat that with a stick.

Just an FYI: I've not had one single problem with GrooveIP. It works just fine and sounds crystal clear when I make long distance calls.

 

[False_Aesop]

Hey my Galaxy Nexus is currently at some UPS shipping hub somewhere, so soon I was going to be going to activate mine. I talk very rarely (looking at my records at Verzion over the last year I maxed one month at 89 minutes and averaged 54 minutes a month) but mainly communicate through text and email so I figured the $30 plan is perfect for me.

Thing is you guys are saying the $30 plan is web exclusive? Because when I went to T-Mobile's site it said "New activations only. Available exclusively in-store at Walmart, on Walmart.com, and T-Mobile.com" So I was just planning on jogging over to the Wal-Mart rather than bothering with the shipping of a SIM Card.

That is an option right? I don't want to get the phone then find out I have to send away for a SIM.

 

[Dumpshock]

Good question, but no. Walmart will Only activate that plan if you purchase a phone with it.

I already tried.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

 

[jpr]

Yeah, what Dumpshock said. So your choices are to either purchase the cheapest walmart prepaid phone and activate it in store, then take the sim out and put it in your nexus, or order the sim activation kit online from tmobile. You'll pay a lot more at walmart but won't have to wait to use your new phone. But if you can wait an extra couple days for the sim kit to be shipped to you, it only costs 99 cents plus tax. If you need or want a cheap backup phone, go with walmart, but otherwise, I'd order that sim kit today so it can get to you asap.

When I ordered my sim kit last weekend, I got it on the 3rd business day (Wednesday) by USPS. It was shipped out of Texas, so you can figure out when you think you would get it.

 

[False_Aesop]

Thank you guys you just saved me a useless detour. Well my Verizon contract isn't out until the end of the month. So I still have some time before I need the phone activated. Enough time for the SIM to arrive. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

Hey my Galaxy Nexus is currently at some UPS shipping hub somewhere, so soon I was going to be going to activate mine. I talk very rarely (looking at my records at Verzion over the last year I maxed one month at 89 minutes and averaged 54 minutes a month) but mainly communicate through text and email so I figured the $30 plan is perfect for me.

Is that including mobile to mobile and nights/weekends? Remember, prepaid plans have no minute promotions or anything. You get 100 minutes. That's it.

Thing is you guys are saying the $30 plan is web exclusive? Because when I went to T-Mobile's site it said "New activations only. Available exclusively in-store at Walmart, on Walmart.com, and T-Mobile.com" So I was just planning on jogging over to the Wal-Mart rather than bothering with the shipping of a SIM Card.

That is an option right? I don't want to get the phone then find out I have to send away for a SIM.

Just buy the SIM card activation kit online for $0.99. It comes with about $3.50 of airtime preloaded on it too.

When you get it, activate it online here. Be sure to select the proper $30 plan with 5GB data, not the other $30 plan with 1500 minutes.

 

[False_Aesop]

Yes, I totaled up all the minutes used, plan, night and weekend, mobile to mobile everything. I just really don't use the phone much. I work in an industrial setting where I wear earplugs all day, people know if they want to get ahold of me to text rather than call. So for me the 100 minute plan will work.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

Yes, I totaled up all the minutes used, plan, night and weekend, mobile to mobile everything. I just really don't use the phone much. I work in an industrial setting where I wear earplugs all day, people know if they want to get ahold of me to text rather than call. So for me the 100 minute plan will work.

Well good. Then choose that plan and activate how I told you

 

[drhere]

I would not rely on GrooVe IP to make all of your calls. The codecs that these cheap/free apps use are vastly subpar to the regular voice network, and unfortunately do not work well when routing to a phone. Call quality will be good if you're on a very fast WiFi network, other than that I wouldn't count on it. Even in a very solid HSPA+ signal, any hiccup in ping times (100-150ms is borderline for VOIP) or steady stream of data will degrade the call immensely. Remember (and I'll tell you from personal experience with this stuff), that people do not put up with shifty call quality, dropped calls, and "let me call you back to save minutes". If I make a call, I should be 99%+ certain that my calls will go through and hold the entire time when I dial.

The only VOIP solution I would recommend if you're using it for all of your calls is something like Skype or Vonage. These monthly paid services actually have good enough codecs to provide consistent calls, and they should considering that you're actually paying for the service.

If you need to make a lot of calls, this is not the plan for you. There are plenty of other options with unlimited calls like the Straight Talk $45 plan, and the T-Mobile $60 plan. You'll never have to worry about VOIP or any of that crap just to make your calls. Sometimes you just need your phone to work without any hassle. Unfortunately, VOIP just can't do that right now.

-------
Anyways, that aside, I stay under my 100 minutes by using VOIP on my computer when I'm at home. I make/receive calls via Google Talk whenever I'm at home, and is 100% seamless to the other party. This really only works because I use my Google Voice # as my primary #.

I agree.
I am trying out this plan, and I probably will go to the $60 plan if I get close to 100 on a constant basis. I have GrooveIP Pro I got from Amazon (used a credit I had with Amazon). I have used it on an old Android phones I had (a T-Bolt) ,and tried with my Gnex. The app has improved since I had it last year with my old Thunderbolt, but it is still unreliable.
I went to the site's support page, and adjusted the app settings per their suggestion, but again even having a strong HSPA+ signal (I am in a major metro area), it is not the best.
I am interviewing for a job so I can get home (I am working, but located 3000 miles away from my home because of a family emergency, another story), and I can't use GrooveIP during a possible phone screening interview, if the call quality is horrible, or it drops, a prospective employer will move on.
I also use a VoIP service for home .I got a Magicjack+--no computer needed, as a gift, honestly for it's shortcomings, it is pretty good and stable. I won't renew when my year is up, but it serves it's purpose.

I would like to see GrooveIP improve to the point it works well, me having the Pro version and all, I just can't reply on it.

 

[buzzman]

Hi all! I have had this t-mo plan for the last 2 months. The $3.34 that came with the starter sim is still on my account. Everytime I renew my plan, that $3.34 keeps rolling over. So that is my extra kitty fund if I ever go over my 100 minutes. That's an extra 30 min. So even if you guys go over your minutes by 50 additional minutes, it will only cost you an extra $5.00 per month at 10 cents/minute. Let them keep their $60. plans!!!

I had no problems activating my account online.

The only problem I had was the last refill. I had put a calling mart refill card on 2 weeks early, and for some reason t-mo did not refill immediately. I had no service for about 8 hrs. The site was down, the chat line was closed. When I would call they were happy to sell me a new refil by the automatic robotic voice on the call line. I decided to wait and by morning it was straightened out, but the web site was still showing not paid. The phone app for t-mo was showing paid status. It took the website 24 hrs to catch up.