Posted on 10/21/2012 11:03:20 AM PDT by MarkL
Have any Freepers used "Straight Talk" cellular service, and if so, what has your experience been like?
Streaming audio is ONE primary reason I would want a smart phone/data plan. I would LOVE to have Pandora running in my car while working. Or Rush or Glen Beck. According to the “wall of text” above, this is forbidden? WTH good is a data plan if you cannot use it? Check my freaking email and facebook?
Is anyone using this streaming audio?
Here’s the deal. You might get away with it, but technically their service agreement prohibits you from streaming, well, anything.
Essentially, if you do anything other than, “Specifically, Straight Talk Unlimited services are provided solely for live dialogue between, and initiated by, two individuals for personal use and as otherwise described in this policy.”, you are at risk of having your service canceled.
You might be getting away with using it as you would a full service plan from a carrier, but there is no guarantee that you won’t get caught tomorrow if you are. With my data use, they’d catch me within hours.
Exactly. And if you search the net, you’ll find plenty of, “I streamed audio/video for months, and then they cut me off.” stories. Sort of like calling people names on FR. Always some guy who’s done it for months and can’t understand why he suddenly got banned. He just assumed that since he didn’t get banned immediately, the rule wasn’t enforced.
I’m in my 24th month of using Straight Talk. I have just POTS, i.e, “plain ol telephone service” with their $39 flip phone. No camera, etc. I used the $30 per month card. Have never had even the first problem with my service and don’t normally come close to using the 1000 minute limit. As I understand it, Verizon is the backbone of my service although I’ve heard that might change. If it has, it has not affected my service.
I still have a land line with no long distance service but that is only because my internet is through the phone.
While you prefer an Android service, I would recommend you try ST. At $45, it is a bargain.
We have used nothing but straight talk for years. We do not have a home phone my wife, our son, and I all carry android smart phones and they work perfectly. Take a look at Kim Komando’s research on ST. It does almost everything the very expensive plans do as provided and know that there is an app for what little is not provided. We have been playing with the mobile hot spot app lately. It may be against their rules but it works.
I bought a Straight Talk setup for my son when he was a teenager. We’ve been really happy with it. It lets him take responsibility for his own phone charges without racking up charges on my Verizon plan. His phone is nicer than mine. It works great. Very pleased.
HOWEVER, when we first started with this 2 years ago there was a billing problem as our phone number somehow got connected to the account of someone else. It was a huge pain to straighten out because we didn’t (of course) have the answers to the other person’s security questions, and Straight Talk’s customer service people in India were not able to understand this. They thought we were scamming them in some way. We were paying for the other guy’s phone service! It was exasperating. We had to close the account and start all over.
Apart from that initial glitch, things have been far simpler than with any other provider. Excellent coverage, unlimited service, and no nasty bills to ambush you with mysterious, unexpected charges.
You seem to be an expert on this... all I know is my own family’s experience - It is curious to me why they would even sell “smart” phones with all of the streaming capabilities if it was prohibited.... Anyway.... we’re happy with our phones and have had no problems..
My teenage daughter uses it and loves it! no problems what so ever. her phone is the same as her friends who have contracts. Its totally unlimited talk, text and web (and a teenage girl should know)
highly recommend it. I make her pay for it herself and if she doesn’t have the money one month, then her service is down till she gets the money.
So, no contract, and I run my phone as a data provider for my computer for surfing as well, it beats the hell out of Verizon.
While I'm certain that is sarcasm on your part. I am indeed a self-confessed technophile. I love technology and immerse myself in it. I could talk all day about the virtues of the Tegra 3 GPU vs the PowerVR SGX540. Actually I am, in another forum.
It is curious to me why they would even sell “smart” phones with all of the streaming capabilities if it was prohibited
I don't claim to know why. I did however copy that policy directly from Straight Talk's service agreement. Now if you want to make the case that they don't really mean it, be my guest.
I share a plan with my teen daughter, too. It’s been pretty reliable (we have had a couple of minor issues, but their customer support has been able to handle them) and for unlimited everything, $45 a month is not so bad.
One thing to be aware of is that ST sells phones on all the main providers’ networks. Ours are on Verizon and the coverage is very good. I have read reviews on the Sprint models that coverage can be lacking. Their first Android phone in our area was only on Sprint. They also have AT&T versions. So make sure you know which service your phone will be on. It does make a difference.
Virgin mobile for me. 300 min talk, Unlimited text, unlimited data.
Daughter uses VM too. She is a massive tester.
Purchase the Groove IP app it is a VoIP app that gives you unlimited calling.
My son uses Net10 for $15/mo. He doesn’t use his phone much & the customer service is marginal at best.
No... no sarcasm at all - I am just high school English teacher with a sick husband and 2 kids in college. So, we are always looking for ways to cut costs. I thought Mark's question was directed at people who had used Straight Talk and that is why i answered.
Now if you want to make the case that they don't really mean it, be my guest.
That sounds sarcastic/snarky to me!
I have used Consumer Cellular ( http://www.consumercellular.com ) for several years now. They resell AT&T bandwidth at very reasonable costs. There is no contract and you can change your service plan as needed. Additional lines are only $10/month. I have a refurbished iPhone 3GS from them, and my wife uses a Motorola Krazer. They also sell SIM cards if you already have an AT&T capable phone. I am very pleased with the company and with the service.
bttt
I have Virgin Mobile’s $35 pay as you go. My phone is an LG Optimus Android. I was expecting sketchy service but I haven’t had a bit of trouble. I have limited voice minutes (300?), unlimited texting, and unlimited internet. I have a signal everywhere I go in Virginia, Maryland, and Tennessee. Use my GPS all day long for my job and it rarely fails.
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