Thanks for the great summary of whats out there. The only one missing that I can see is Net10, I think they fit well into the 'moderate user' category (where I fit in too). They also finally offer an unlimited plan, so in months when I need a lot I can get it (like Christmas), but most months their $25 card is enough. Thanks for all the great info though, I feel like an educated consumer now.

wow that summary is really helpful! so nice to be able to see waht is out there all in one snapshot. i have heard amazing stuff about straight talk- seems like page plus just beats them price wise but i only ever hear about straight talk. does anyone know what page plus are like? customer service wise etc? how do you choose between the two..

Nice to know there are choices, but you really do need to do your homework. You need to pay close attention to the terms and policies of each company. Some have fees that are not disclosed to you upfront and you find out about them after the fact. This usually means you'll be paying more than you thought. As a "heavy user", I'm leaning toward straight talk, mostly because the have better phone selection, especially the smart phones. What I like about the prepaid option is that there is no contract, so if I change my mind, there is no cancellation fee.

I think the only reason Straight Talk isn't listed in the best unlimited text section is because their unlimited text is offered in their complete unlimited package. Since leaving my contract carrier, I did do my homework and have found Straight Talk to be the best deal for me.

Neither Page Plus or Straight Talk have great customer service, but what phone company does?

Page Plus suffers from long wait times when calling. Some of their reps don't seem willing to help but others are great. I never call though. It's easier to use a good online Page Plus dealer like Kitty Wireless for activations and phone swaps, the website or automated 800 number to apply refill PINS and Page's online ticket system for issues with the service.

I haven't used Straight Talk myself but I've heard that the reps are polite and answer the phone promptly but don't seem to have the authority or tools to fix technical or billing issues.

pre-paid carriers such as cricket, metro pcs, and page plus either have their own phones or allow a multitude of different phones FROM OTHER CARRIERS on their networks, including smartphones. changing the phone isn't necessarily that difficult. i am no longer impressed nor believe in this "GSM freedom" of phones.

Alice, GSM freedom is real.

True, Metro PCS and Cricket allow some other operator's handsets, but only after they have been flashed which takes time and money.

PagePlus doesn't require flashing but blocks some phones (Motorola E816, iPhone, Verizon prepaid models and until recently BlackBerrys).

Straight Talk, Vergin and Verizon Inpluse do not allow any "foreign" phones.

Swapping a CDMA phone also requires either logging into a web site or a CS interaction.

GSM SIM swapping is user friendly and can be done in the field. Much better, IMHO.

Do these tips apply to visitors from overseas coming for a month? We'll need a phone number but have a US phone (as well as a "foreign" one). What's the best deal for a number + prepaid plan?
Thanks.

Any of the services and plans mentioned in this post can be used by international visitors.

However, your best choices are probably T-Mobile or AT&T as these are GSM operators and you can just put their SIM in your unlocked phone. Please refer to my post US Prepaid GSM Voice, Text and Data Options For International Visitors for more information.

PagePlus, Virgin and Boost are CDMA and you would need to buy one of their phones to use them.

Simple mobile definitely deserves to be on here also. GSM carrier with $40 unlimited talk/text, including global text, and $50 for unlimited talk/text/2G.

Could you also compare PlatinumTel?
Are they any good?

I'm planning on reviewing both Simple Mobile and PlatinumTel in the new future.

They are both over very good pricing and are fairly new. I seen a few people complaining of a 2GB data cap on Simple's Unlimuted plan but other than that users seem to like both services.

PlatimumTel uses the Sprint network, Simple uses T-Mobile. Neither allow any off network roaming.

Yeswap;
Could you point me a link or direction to "AT&T MVNO H20 Wireless" prepaid plan? I could not find any where including AT&T web site.
Thank you!

yeh_oo@yahoo.com

https://www.h2owirelessnow.com/pageControl.php?page=plans"

Yeswap, What are the options i have among the MVNOs if i have an iphone 4S and need a verizon network in my area? I heard that pageplus blocks iphones? What about android phone and verizon network?

All Verizon MVNOs block iPhones. Android phones are OK.

What about Sprint MVNO's like Platimum Tel? Do they block iphones too?

Sprint MVNO's BYOD is very limited. Sprint supposedly doesn't permit it and PlatinumTel doesn't allow it. ZappUnlimited.net claims they can "usually" activate any Sprint phone. Haven't tied it and I'm a bit wary. If you do try Zapp be sure any phone you buy can be returned in case activation fails. Also there is no data available on Zapp PAYGO. To get data you have have a Zapp Unlimited plan.

If I were to get the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus phone, which is the new android 4.0 operating system and designed to take advantage of 4G LTE networks, is there a reseller you would recommend?

There are no resellers with LTE at this time.

The only US model of the Galaxy Nexus that's been announced is the one for Verizon. It will probably work on Page Plus if you remove the LTE SIM, but we won't know for sure until someone tries it. Of course you won't get LTE speeds that way, only Verizon itself can provide that and I don't think they will activate any LTE phones on their overpriced prepaid smartphone plans.

The unlocked GSM version will work on AT&T and T-Mobile and their MVNOs but doesn't support LTE. T-Mobile's HSPA+ is 4G and pretty fast, though Verizon LTE is faster.

so if you were to get this new phone, perhaps buying an unlocked version in next few months, and your goals were: 1)Ice Cream Sandwich (android 4.0) experience, 2) inexpensive phone/data plan, 3) speed of network that would take advantage of said phone's capabiiities, what plan would you gravitate to and whY? thanks.

I'd get the GSM version and put it on the T-Mobile $30 5GB, 100 minute plan or if I needed more minutes the $60 or $70 unlimited plan. Where I am T-Mobile has the fastest and cheapest pre-paid data. AT&T is also a good choice with $25 data feature packs and whichever voice option (PAYGO, $25 or $50 Monthly Plan) works for you.

thank you Yeswap. I am told by a friend who works for T-mobile to expect this phone in Feb or March, so... that is likely my wait. Any suggestions of a couple of places other than ebay to find this phone in the next month unlocked?

PlatinumTel seems very cheap!

First of all Zapp is gone...dead out of biz, second AT&T is trying to get rid of all its MVNO's, they started to charge them for international text, while on their own $50 unlimited plan its free, so its actually cheaper to go with the network owner than its MVNO.

I'm unable to confirm that Zapp (zappunlimited.com has shut down. Their site is up and there are no complaints from users on Howard Forums or ACRS (Zapp Master distributor) Forums.

All the AT&T MVNOs lost free international texting at the same time so AT&T probably is to blame.

AT&T MVNOs are no longer competitive for plans that include unlimited voice, messaging and international SMS.

However they still beat AT&T for at least 3 types of plans:
Unlimited talk, text w/o data ($40 vs $50/mo)
Unlimited talk, text and smartphone data ($60/mo for 2GB vs $75/mo for 500 MB)
Light usage PAYGO (10¢ vs 20¢ texts, $3.33 vs $8.33 minimum monthly cost)

http://www.phonenews.com/straight-talk-to-launch-lg-optimus-2x-first-high-end-prepaid-lte-android-phone-19718/

http://www.tmonews.com/2012/01/t-mobile-and-walmart-upgrade-to-unlimited-web-on-family-mobile-plan/

http://www.bgr.com/2012/01/17/t-mobile-and-walmart-add-new-45-unlimited-plan-with-a-catch/

Interesting, though I'm pretty sure that
Walmart Family Mobile is postpaid, not prepaid.

My Zapp PAYGO phones are alive and well, thank you. There is a problem with Zapp's days-of-use counter: it erroneously counts down from 180 days, not the 365 day term offered by the PAYGO plan. When the counters on my three lines reached zero, service was suspended and I had to phone C.S. on another line to get it back.

While I did not forfeit any money/minutes or phone numbers, the need to do this for three lines prematurely expiring on different dates has been a nuisance. This counter bug has been experienced for a long time by Zapp users and was acknowledged by Zapp correspondence with me in Sept. 2011.

At the time of my suspended service conversations with Zapp C.S. in mid-Feb. '12, I was told that the website is in the process of being revamped to reflect that Zapp is changing to "a new system," for whatever that's worth.

The phone service is reliable.

-------------

Page Plus
With the Unlimited Talk n Text plan's teething pains past, C.S. is prompt, courteous and...domestic. The Verizon-sourced service itself is nearly flawless, thus, I only need to call C.S. to change features (shut off data, for instance) or port numbers.

Don't base your opinion of Page Plus on reviews from a couple years ago -- look at recent reviews and the Verizon Prepaid coverage map. It's hard to beat reliable VZW service for a minimal $30 a year, and the ability to use most off-contract VZW phones.

Thank you very much for compiling this very informative and helpful page.

I have 2 LG290C CDMA phones. 1 is on TracFone the other Straight Talk. Can they be activated on Page Plus?

Wish that the tables included Tracfone as well. Their PAYGO rates with the DMFL and TMFL offerings with bonus minutes promo codes way beat the standard .10 min Sprint and AT&T MVNO's.

why you don't list/recommend H2O Wireless? It is as good as (if not better than) REDPOCK.

I went to the local T-Mobile store today to pick up a SIM activation kit and was told they could not sell it without attatching it to a plan. So, I ordered one of the website and will give it a try when it gets here.

I bought the Nexus from Google directly -- and made 3 calls with Talkaphone and my GV account over WI-FI. Have yet to install a SIM - as I Have been looking for the right deal.

David

H2O and Straight talk are suppose to be best.. But they both have catches.. H2O bad costumer services and always changing policies.. Straight Talk secretly having data cap and only obtainable online or by buying one of there cheap phones.. Compared to all the stores that sell h2O cards with sim...

Have a Sony Experia pro GSM. I only talk about 300 mins a month and do not text. Have wifi, no need for data plan.
Which plan best for my situation?

Quality & Informative resource
I do have a question concerning a Prepaid Unlimited Text Plan if you please. Concerning PagePlus's PowerText plan...Is it possible to take my existing Android phone and attach this to the PowerText plan for $15/month and just pay the $.04-.10 per min talk and the $.99/mb data whenever needed?
Many thousand texts may come in/out but almost no minutes of call time & extremely limited data usage.If this option is viable then that would be a very tempting deal for my situation.
Thank you for your time & consideration

This is all extremely informative, thanks for the summary. However, I just was given an android (5 days ago) and am on Verizon month at a time. Is there any service available for just talk & text and no data? Also, when I first got it (it had been actived but discontinued contract when relocated months ago)I could surf the web and was also getting gmail as long as I was near a wifi source. How?
Lastly, what is 'flashing'.
Thanks so much if you can help at all,
Total Novice

Great! That cleared up so much that I have been unable to get a straight answer to. I am going through your other articles (as I locate them) for other questions rathr than tie you up here. I have already turned on a number of my likewise 'challanged' friends to you. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge, especially in such an easy to understand mannner. Keep up the good work!
Total Novice
Total Novice

I was looking for only prepaid voice plan. No data and no text. Which provider would be best suited for me since I want the lowest price, but also want my minutes to rollover after 90 days.

Is anyone else having trouble with their (no contract) Verizon $50 per month unlimited talk, text, and web? The email app expires. Every month since February, 2012, I go to my local Verizon store to have email reinstalled on my cell phone.

Why don't you mention my simple mobile? We recently returned stateside after living overseas for a year with 4 unlocked GSM phones and do not want a plan. We have used my simple $40 talk, text, and data for the last month and have had no problems. Since we have old phones, I don't use the data and would rather have just talk and text for about $25 but can't find it.

My only other question is do you know of somewhere to get a break on 3 phones; I want to have another line for my child and not pay an add'l $40/month.
Thanks.

Interesting about the Airvoice plan. It's very hard to find directly from their website (it's not listed under their pay, but the link in your article goes there). I mistakenly went to the site and clicked on the pay as you go option and the plan listed there is very different ($0.10/minute and $0.10 per text). Your link works and goes to a different plan though.

Are there still cheap light usage plan available? (around 500 text+minutes)

Hi Yeswap,
Do you know if AirVoice has automatic renewal on the $10/month plan?



Thanks.

Which would you recommend, AT&T GoPhone, or TMobile Prepaid if I live in the Bay Area in terms of coverage, voice quality, network traffic, and features?

Hi Yeswap,
Since AirVoice doesn't offer auto refill, then will I get reminders when I place a call that I need to refill when it comes close to my expiration date? Also, based on my understanding, Pure Talk does offer automatic renewal on its $10 plan right? Another question: Is it possible to turn off balance notifications on H2O Minute Plan. And last question: AirVoice Pay as you go says that $100 buys you 1200 minutes. Is the 1200 minutes after the $1/month 911 fee or before?


Thank you so much.

Hi Yeswap. Thanks for the amazing job that you are doing. I'm planning to visit US for a week. I have unlocked Iphone 4 (Unlocked using Gevey Sim interposer). I need a plan which should cover mostly incoming calls (5-10 a day each lasting 5 mins), outgoing calls to Canada/UK (5 max/day lasting couple of mins), data for accessing Google maps and checking emails. I am evaluating T-Mobile pay by the day ($2/day plan as T-mobile's 3G will not be supported on my Iphone 4). I have following questions:
1. I will be visiting Dallas in TA and New York in NY. Howz T-mobile connectivity there?
2. How much minimum do I need to purchase to get waiver of $10 SIM/Activation fee?
3. Since International calls/texts are very expensive (standard rate in pay by the day plan), is there any top-up which I can use for making international calls/texts. If no top-up is available, request you to please suggest an alternate plan.
Needless to say, i want to keep the costs as low as possible.

Thanks in advance.

P.S.: I may have to call 112(for less than a second) after inserting a new sim in my Iphone. Is that illegal in US?

Thanks for your answer above. Which calling card you suggest for international calling. Considering that I may not use even 100 mins during my stay, what would be the minimum denomination that I can buy? Also, will the access numbers of calling cards be charged by T-Mobile even if I take $2/day unlimited calling and text plan?
Thanks.

Hi Yeswap,
Which offers better coverage, Page Plus or Tracfone on the Verizon network? I know that Page plus is the same as verizon prepaid, and they charge for roaming. Does Tracfone charge for roaming? I heard from somewhere that Tracfone uses the postpaid network? Is this true? Does tracfone charge for roaming?


Thanks.

The phone itself is not roaming. I travel alot for my job and had problems in South Central Wisconsin with the Page Plus coverage (Although PP offers roaming service in that area). My Net10 phone is getting very decent coverage in the same area.

Which carrier has the best coverage in the SF Bay Area? Since T-Mobile roams on ATT, does T-Mobile have coverage whereever there is ATT network coverage? And since Sprint roams on Verizon, does Sprint have the same coverage as Verizon? If so, why would people pay more for Verizon and ATT if Sprint and tmobile offer the same coverage? Does CDMA have better reception/indoor coverage?

Is it true that Att and Verizon's lower frequencies have better building penetration.

Sorry for the bother, but I read online that some places have ATT coverage but not Tmobile coverage because Tmobile doesn't have a roaming agreement with ATT in that area. Why does Tmobile not have roaming agreements in some places, but it does have them in others? WOuld the Tmobile coiverage map be accurate for those places that don't have roaming agreements? Would if be unsafe to use Tmobile if I traveled a lot and were to get lost in the middle of nowhere while traveling or something?

Yeswap, I want to leave metro because theyre coverage is really bad. And im contemplating in between page plus and t-mobile. Who should i chose? I mainly want good service and good internet for navigation apps or quick look up on google. But mainly good service. Can you help me out bro?

Yeswap, Thank you, I live in Corona Ca which is southern Ca. Im so sorry i ment to put boost mobile not t-mobile. Theirs coverage in my area in both I believe. So what would you personally chose? Is page plus a safe bet or the whole limited data a bummer,I l know boost has unlimited web.

Thanks a lot for your help sir, God bless.

does page plus support verizon good esn iphone?

Page Plus official position is that it does not allow Iphones on their network. However there are a number of people who are doing it. As longt as it is a verizon iphone, it will work.

Is a shared plan comparison in the works for light users (<500 voice min. & texts, no data)? Or would 2 or 3 prepaid plans be the best option for price, coverage (Cincinnati) and roaming?

Great topic. Thanks. Although it's postpaid, Walmart Family Mobile on T-Mobile has no contract requirements. At least on the legacy plan the price is $45 + N*$25 with no additional charges for data (at least at the speeds and data volumes we use). Not an option for new customers,though.

--mohawkTrail

I need to call landlines in mexico and mobiles, Blackberry 9310 BOOST MOBILE is Good Option With International Connect $10 plus $45 Plan, Thanks

Thanks, but the Promotion of BOOST MOBILE Calling a Mobiles Mexico 5 Cents x minute EXPIRED,I talked a Rep. Sales of Boost MOBILE, But TEXTING is free Sending/Receiving with Plan $45 and International connect $5 Dlls.

Thank Again YESWAP, BUT the promotion is a HOOK,

Is false ADVERTISING? After I set up or Signed with Boost Mobile, I Called Boost Mobile Central office and asked: if my plan Could Call a Mexican Mobiles(Movistar,Telcel,Unefon etc..)at the price Minute 5 cents;;The operator told me: "That Promotion is Expired" She changed my international connect plan to $5 dlls month,but this change will be next month.because I paid..I have Now the $10 Dlls.international connect plan, but the rate is different from the website.

COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK TO CHECK NEWS BOOST MOBILE http://newsroom.boostmobile.com/press-release/products-offers/boost-mobile-blackberry-bbm-and-international-calls-perfect-combinatio

Since my wife needed a new phone I went looking for another Straight Talk phone, but they didn't have what I wanted so I switched her over to Net10's unlimited plan, which also costs $45 per month if you auto pay with a credit card. Her previous phone and this one were on the AT&T network, but she seems to be getting better service in some locations with the Net10 version. I can only conclude that is because Net10 is allowing her to roam when there isn't good AT&T coverage.

WhatsApp Messenger: WhatsApp is an alternative to SMS and MMS, that works via the Internet, thus avoiding any charges that normal messages incur.Chat with your friends all over the world as long as they have WhatsApp Messenger installed and avoid those pesky international SMS costs.

The WhatsApp is good option for Heavy texters and International people,because if you Samartphone not have Internet Data, but you smartphone have WIFI,you can use FREE Hotspot or your "Home WiFi" to be connected or available in WhatsApp.

VONAGE INTERNATIONAL CALLING CARD IS THE BEST OPTION TO CALL MOBILES OUTSIDE EE.UU

VONAGE INTERNATIONAL CALLING CARD Is GOOD OPTION but the ACCESS NUMBER that Vonage give to call is BUSY or had BAD CONNECTION,bECAUSE VONAGE SHARE YOUR ACCESS NUMBER, The Access Number is AVAILABLE 3:00AM OR 5:30AM Sometimes 11:00 pm,, This Calling Card need be ACTIVATED in Vonage.com

THANKS BLOGER ANONYMUS FOR THE ADVICE;I CALLED TO MEXICO MOBILE PHONE FOR $.8 CENTS WITH VONAGE INTERNATIONAL CALLING CARD, NO CHARGES ,NO HIDDEN FEES, NO MAINTENACE, NO TAX ,EASY ADD MONEY, CALL ACTIVITY VIA ONLINE,

Excellent information. I have a question regarding the plans for low voice minute unlimited text-data plans (i.e. Virgin Beyond Talk). We hardly use any minutes per month but do a lot of texting and data use. But we do call internationally (Ireland and sometimes Spain) once or twice and certainly text them several times per month. Is it still cost effective to choose one of these plans rather than the post-paid plan and which would be the best deal? THANKS!!

I have straight talk service. I want to port my # to page plus. Here's where it gets tricky..I used all of my $ on my straight talk plan so that I didn't loose anything. I am trying to add my LG Optimus phone and ph# to page plus. In order to port over, do I need to have an active phone on straight talk for it to work?

Ugh.....sooo much great information! Almost too much to take in at once..lol. like many moms this year, I will be giving my daughter (10 yrs old) a cellphone for the holidays....we don't have a land line so she needs one just in case. She is not a big phone user, not many friends to talk with, but I want to be prepared with the right plan so I don't get an outrageous bill one day... soooo.... I am a former boost customer. Knowing they are with sprint, ans sprint seems to be the best covered carrier in our area (tristate california, arizona, nevada) I thought about them. Then. I walk into our walmart store...and the all knowing cell guru guy recomends family mobile plan from walmart, powered by tmobile. $45 a month, unlimited talk text & web ...and is a post paid service. Payments can be made at walmart, by phone or auto pay. I'm still on the fence over the two....I have tmobile and it doesn't always have good service in my area. Mr. Yeswap, Do you know any info I should consider when making a decision between the 2?

Pageplus is the best had boost mobile before was just terrible I have an iPhone 4 on pageplus paying only 29 dollars now that's a deal!!!

New Airvoice plans are very competitive. $30 Unl TnT; $35 with 100 MB; $40 w/500mb.

Pageplus only gives 200mb with their Unl TnT.

H20 Wireless just announced a $30 Unlimited TnT.

There are so many choices now, with so many rate break points that it is getting hard to compare plans. These charts are very helpful.
To estimate total costs, I compared 14 companies using equal numbers of voice, texts and data, my long-term pattern. I used 100-100-100 up to 500-500-500 in increments of +100 each. 14 companies X 5 rate tables. Results? Two companies scored win, place or show in 4 of 5 samples.
- Ting had the lowest total costs after adding the price for all 5 samples, $147. This is because their low use sample was half of Straight Talk at $15 vs. $30.
- Straight Talk was next lowest, at $150. They would be lowest after gov. taxes that Ting adds.

One company, Pageplus won, placed or showed in 3 samples with the 1200 TnT plan. $160 total.

One company, Ultra won, placed or showed twice. Total cost $161.20.

Three companies, Platinumtel, Spot and Virgin iPhone plan scored once. Total prices ranged from $180.50 to $206.50.

Highest total price was Pageplus 'the 12' plan at $350. Most people will switch to 1200 TnT as their usage increases. Next highest were H20 at $235, and Tmobile and PureTalk tied at $220.

Data cost was a key driver in this analysis. You can change the rankings significantly by increasing or decreasing data. Data use is increasing, so we see many MVNOs scrambling to increase data in their monthly plans and reduce PayGo data rates to stay competitive.

Hello Yeswap,

Thanks for your summary. Do you know rates of international calls for Air Voice $10 plans?

Thanks!

Ptel's new plans deserve consideration as 'best,' I think. Especially the $50 plan with 2GB fast data and unlimited slow data after that.

Great resource!

PTel (nee PlatinumTel) also deducts a $0.50 maintenance fee from your account each month; please update the Pay As You Go table.

Reference:
https://www.platinumtel.com/plans/terms
"Accounts are billed a $.50 monthly fee as a contribution to Federal Universal Service Fund and WLNP (Wireless Local Number Portability)."

I have Verizon iphone 4 with contract already expired. I need around 500 min, some text and little data to check e-mails. Which of these prepaid or any plan that will be best for me. Please advice. Thanks.

Yeswap has done all the hard work for you.
Go here:
http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2013/02/verizon-and-verizon-mvno-prepaid-plans.html to find the plan that is best for you.

Here is my situation: I want to buy a new phone (preferably a new unlocked iPhone) for my wife. Our combined usage requirements are as below:

Phone available: AT&T unlocked and out-of-contract iPhone4
Local (U.S.) minutes needed per month: less than 300
Int'l (India) minutes needed per month: less than 1000
Texting: We use iMessage/WhatsApp for almost all texting.

I'm in dilemma as to which phone and plan to go after: Vonage/PagePlus/StraightTalk?

Kajeet $14.99 unlimited sms, 60 minute voice is a $5-20/month lower price than any of the heavy texting plans listed here.
They support BYOSD and have data add-ons for $4.99, 50mb, or $9.99, 500mb. Much better data pricing than Verizon or AT&T.

The Page Plus Standard Rate Plan link does not work. I do not find any plan for $2.50 on their site.

Yeswap, is there any reason why PTel would not want to keep Sprint service? (and also offer T-Mobile), when I called them they seemed to think they were doing their customers a favor by dropping Sprint for T-Mobile. I'm happy with Sprint on PTel and don't want to mess with buying a new phone.

This prepaid GSM comparison article is a little out-of-date because it does not have all the latest plan changes, but there is still a lot of good info here, especially the comparison of international long distance.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2414494,00.asp

I activated a Droid phone (older model from 2010, and first active on Verizon, but no longer so) on Page Plus. Two issues I've experienced for the past few months will probably have me ditching Page Plus' service.

First, I used the plan for data service, it did not work. It only accessed the internet via WiFi. Page Plus Customer service then informed me that they could only guarantee internet access on phones purchased through them, and that they were aware of the issue of phones previously active on Verizon, that is - not being able to access the internet via the Page Plus service, and only doing so via WiFi. Would have been good of them to state that fact before I blew some cash on that plan.

In addition to that issue, the phone does not always receive calls. I've experienced several times being near someone, having them call me, and the phone does not register any incoming call; neither does it go to voicemail. Nothing, nada. And it does this at the most critical of times. A definite fail.

Not cool. Hope to find another CDMA prepaid serving NYC that is fairly economical and DEPENDABLE.

Sounds like a phone I got. I returned it.

Excellent update; very useful post. Notes on tables:
1. Limited plans:
- AirVoice data *** could use a footnote.
- Virgin PayLo and Straight Talk $30 - no smartphones, I think.
2. Pay-Go
- Lyca sms should be 4c vs. 5c
- Jolt has monthly e911 fee of $.99 and $1 monthly maint. fee
- Eco and Verizon sms typo - delete 'c'

PTel "Real PayGo" with 5c/minute, 2c/txt, 10c/meg needs to be on the pay as you go chart.

Air voice now offers auto refill option. They started this feature since last month.

Wow!!! You guys forgot Ultramobile and SpotMobile. They use T-Mobiles network but the rates are great. I would say Airvoice Wireless (AT&T MVNO) is the best for coverage and domestic customer service. Airvoice has the cheapest light user plan at $10.00/month as well. Ultra has the best $29 plan around, and ILD rates I have seen are best. They also include data for their $29 plan. No other carrier except for PagePlus which is CDMA gives data at that price range. PagePlus which is CDMA lacks any decent international long distance plans. They also do not have international SMS or MMS I would not pay $1.50/min flat rate for an ILD call.
SpotMobile has the cheapest unlimited Text and Talk at $24.99.
Everyone needs to shop and compare.

I had H2O for over a year now and haven't got any problems with them even though heard complains. I think H2O is one of the main MVNOs and should be recommended. Whatever 'unfairness' they commit, same do the other MVNOs as well.

I am in need of a recommendation for a new prepaid phone service. For the last three years I have used T-Mobile prepaid, but T-Mobile has somehow cancelled my account for the second time in a year (losing my minutes, remaining service time, Gold Member status, and reassigning my long-term number). I will never use T-Mobile prepaid in itself again - the company is just incredibly ill-managed (based on my personal experience).

In short, I am currently in active duty military training. I call home once a week, lasting a hundred minutes each. When I return to the civilian sectre later this year, I will be working on the road as a technician; my weekly minute use may increase - but be no where near 2,500/month. I currently am in Texas, will be moving on to Ohio, and will likely stay in SE Wisconsin when I return to the civilian sectre (though I could move to IL if a job offer presents itself).

When I heard that Lycamobile was offering a 2-cent pay-as-you-go plan, I ordered a SIM. However, given the experiences of others, the SIM may never arrive and I need cellular service yesterday (thank you, T-Mobile). I currently possess an unused CDMA Tracfone and a basic unlocked GSM phone. The pay-as-you-go Page Plus and AirVoice plans and $25/month Net 10 plan look appealing with 4-cent-per-minute voice rates given my usage patterns - any thoughts on which is better in my case? I am resigned to the idea of purchasing another phone to work on the carrier I choose. I'd just like to choose one that will fit my needs but also not convince me to look elsewhere soon thereafter.

Thank you.

Hey Dennis, shouldn't Lycamobile have a "Minimum Monthly Cost" of 1/4 cent? You currently have $1.67.

I guess you could round it up to 1 cent, and still be close enough.

You could correct the Table to show Talk4Good overage rate for data: 6c, not 5c/mb.

Also, the Jolt Pay-Go page lists a e911 fee of $.99/month, in addition to the $1 monthly maintenance fee (listed in your footnote 3). The e911 fee is listed under Other Features in the Jolt Pay-Go webpage table.
It looks like you only have $1.34 of your minimum $3.33 monthly cost available for use.

Could you please also correct the first table for Boost Mobile? Smartphones starts at $55 per month. Data is not really Unlimited but is included and the Table shows No Data, Gracias!