Comparing prepaid cell phone plans again.

[darkoshi]

Based on coverage maps of the major networks, it looks like Verizon has the best coverage in the southeast U.S., followed by AT&T, then by Sprint and T-Mobile.

Coverage maps for pre-paid carriers - the URL is dated 2011, the post is dated 2014, and the post says last updated 2016. So I'm not sure how up-to-date all the maps are. Best to double-check on the individual carrier websites.

List of United States mobile virtual network operators - shows which major networks each one uses. But even if a particular operator uses one of those networks, I'm not sure if that means their coverage area is the same as that network, or if it may only be a subset of it.

As of today (I'm only listing ones under $40, as I don't plan to get a more expensive one):

PagePlus (uses Verizon network):
$27 (with auto-pay) for 1 GB high-speed data per month (no extra throttled data). 1500 minutes, unlimited domestic & international texts.
$36 (with auto-pay) for 3 GB high-speed data per month plus unlimited slower 2G data. Unlimited domestic talk, unlimited domestic & international texts.

Boostmobile (uses Sprint network):
$30 (with auto-pay) for 2 GB high-speed data per month plus unlimited slower 2G data. Unlimited domestic talk & text.
Can add an extra 1GB/month for $5.

Cricket (uses AT&T network):
$30 for 1GB high-speed data per month plus unlimited slower data. Unlimited domestic talk & text.
$35 (with auto-pay) for 2.5 GB high-speed data per month plus unlimited slower data. Unlimited domestic talk & text.

Boom mobile (has plans for all 4 major networks):
I'm only listing the V network plans here:
$20 for 250 MB per month, unlimited talk & text.
$25 for 1 GB per month, unlimited talk & text.
$30 for 2 GB per month, unlimited talk & text.
$40 for 5 GB per month, unlimited talk & text.
$10 for extra 1 GB; $14 for extra 2 GB (these expire 90 days from purchase)

$35 for 2 GB per month plus unlimited slower 2G data, unlimited talk & text.

I had never heard of Boom before, but based on this HowardForums thread, they sound like a very good deal. In particular, they include voice and data roaming.

H2O wireless (uses AT&T network):
$27 (with auto-pay) for 3 GB high-speed data per month plus unlimited slower 2G data. Unlimited domestic talk (incl. 50 other countries), unlimited domestic & international texts.

$36 (with auto-pay) for 8 GB high-speed data per month plus unlimited slower 2G data. Unlimited domestic talk (incl. 50 other countries), unlimited domestic & international texts.

Envie mobile (part of H2O, uses AT&T network):
$25 for 1 GB high-speed data per month, 500 minutes, unlimited texts.

ECOmobile:
$30 for 1 GB high-speed data per month plus unlimited slower 2G data. Unlimited talk & text.
(Per ECO Mobile Unveils New Plans):
$25 for 500 MB high-speed data per month plus unlimited slower data. Unlimited talk & text. (Not listed on the official website yet).

I don't know what network they use. Per this page they use T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint, but I can't find any coverage maps on the official site to verify it.
The site says "Nationwide Coverage Available on the applicable carrier Home Network based on the device compatibility, Off Network and International Roaming not available"

Lycamobile (uses T-Mobile network):
$23 for 500 MB high-speed data per month plus unlimited slower data. Unlimited talk & text. Some unlimited international. (plus a 6% regulatory surcharge?)

Simple Mobile (uses T-Mobile network):
$37.50 (with auto-pay) for 4 GB high-speed data per month plus unlimited slower 2G data. Unlimited domestic (and a good bit of international) talk. Unlimited domestic & international text.

Airvoice Wireless (uses AT&T network):
$20 for 100 MB data (half high-speed, half low), unlimited talk & text (domestic & int'l).
$30 for 1 GB data (half high-speed, half low), unlimited talk (including some international) & text (domestic & int'l)

ATT GoPhone:
$40 (with auto-pay) for 4 GB data per month plus unlimited slower 128kbps data, unlimited domestic talk & text. Unlimited texts to over 100 countries.

TracFone:
$15 for 200MB, 200 minutes, 500 texts per 30 days.
$25 for 500MB, 500 minutes, 1000 texts per 60 days.
$35 for 1 GB, 750 minutes, 1000 texts per 90 days.
$125 for 1.4 GB, 1500 minutes, 1500 texts per 365 days.

$10 per extra 1 GB
$5 per extra 1000 texts

I can't get their Coverage Map page to actually display any coverage maps. This reminds me of the problems I had with their website way back when I used to use them.

Net 10 - their site will only show you coverage maps for particular phone models, after you select each phone.
RedPocket Mobile - I can't find a coverage map on their site. Based on my old notes, their coverage area isn't good.
Selectel Wireless - the coverage map on their home page doesn't let you zoom in.
Telcel - their site will only show you coverage maps for particular phone models, after you select each phone.

Comments

[subbes]

this is good info to have, thank you

[darkoshi]

I had decided which company to go with, but then read about others and was unsure again. So I hoped that listing them out like this would help me make up my mind :)
But don't rely completely on what I listed; best to check the actual sites, especially for any fine print.

[marahmarie]

Tracfone sure is becoming a ripoff. I used to pay around $50 a month for unlimited everything, or so they called it, though who knows what you actually got. This was up until maybe two years ago. I've been with AT&T ever since and while their rates are not the greatest (I'm paying, when I can afford to, $45 a month, pre-paid, for 2GB with rollover unused data, and unlimited minutes and texts) it's better than what Tracfone is charging now.

I'm very interested in Boom and H20, based on the prices quoted. But I guess any switch to them means buying another phone, as my Windows phone is tied to the Go! phone plan on AT&T.

I'm trying to think, didn't a law pass last year that all carriers have to unlock phones now? And wondering if that's true, and if so, if pre-paid phones must be unlocked upon request, as well.

My phone's not even in that great shape (several huge scratches on glass from dropping it on pavement, dings), nor a great phone (I got it on clearance for $13 at Walmart a few summers back; it's many models behind the latest/greatest) but putting another company's plan on it beats spending to replace it.

Plus I don't want to have to move from Windows to Android for a daily driver type phone, as Android isn't very secure. Windows probably isn't, either, but no one uses it, so no one bothers hacking it, I'd imagine. :\

[darkoshi]

I've been leaning towards Boom myself. I don't know about the unlocking laws. My next step is to decide on what make/model phone to get. I plan to get an Android, mainly to have access to all the Android apps. Based on some criteria, I've narrowed it down to a smallish list of models that I could get at reasonable used prices.

[darkoshi]

Check this:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-unlock-your-phone-for-use-with-another-carrier/
"With AT&T, you can avoid calling customer service and use its Device Unlock Portal to unlock your phone.

Although the law states that a carrier can't lock prepaid phone customers more more than 12 months, AT&T cuts that service time in half. For prepaid or GoPhone accounts with AT&T, you can unlock your phone after six months of service."

[marahmarie]

Wow, that sounds really good. So maybe I can keep the phone and get a new plan on it, after all. That would be awesome because for the money I'm not getting enough, especially data-wise, to make continuing to buy Go! phone plans worth it. Thanks for the link and info.