TracFone Update (Page 4): We use Nettalk which is a similar price to Magic Jack. They provide a modem which plugs into an Ethernet jack on the router. Works well with unlimited calls...

geezer7 Loc: Michigan

We use Nettalk which is a similar price to Magic Jack. They provide a modem which plugs into an Ethernet jack on the router. Works well with unlimited calls to US and Canada. Overseas is extra but very reasonable.
We also use Trac Phone which works for someone not using much 3g/4g. I found it necessary to turn off mobile when not in use because I was getting messages about new email and news updates which gobbled up my data allowance.

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

I use Tracfone and turn mobile data off and use wifi as much as possible, only turn on mobile when away from wifi spots.

bigwolf40 Loc: Effort, Pa.

bobmcculloch wrote:

OH , I'm sure Magic Jack will work, however, with flat rate Long distance and the cell phones and Skype it would just be another item and redundent, lately most of the LD is on Skype or cell to cell, Bob.

I know what you are saying. But if you have a phone line in your house you are still getting a phone bill. Before I got M.J. my bill was around 40 dollars a month which became 480 dollars a year compared to 42 dollars a year that is quite a big difference. I also have Skype but it is not always convenient to use and it does cost to use it as a phone to phone plus when I'm on the computer or out and my friend wants to make a call she can without any trouble just like she was when using the land line phone before. I'm not trying to talk any body into it. All I'm saying is that I found it is the most reasonable to use for me. As I said I can call anyone in the country to their land line or cellphone and it doesn't cost any more then the original 42 dollars....Rich

Bmarsh Loc: Bellaire, MI

No one has yet mentioned StraightTalk which is part of TracFone I think and mainly sold thru Walmart.

I had a simple Tracfone for about 5 yrs and was quite happy with it but wanted an iPhone... Yet I didn't want to pay about $130/mo for Verizon service.

With STraightTalk, for $40/mo, I get unlimited everything including data. The only catch is that once you go over 5GB in a month, they will slow down the data speed a bit. Ok by me because I ran the phone totally on the cell network for a month and never came close to 5GB.

They service both CDMA (Verizon) and GSM (AT&T) phones and the coverage is the same as tracfone. And you can bring your own phone. I bought an iPhone 5s from Gazelle.com and love it.

jimga Loc: Toms River NJ

Straight Talk is the way to go, we left Verizon 4 years ago but still use their network with the Samsung phones. For $45.00 a month you get unlimited everything Verizon was charging $98.00 for 450 minutes,250 texts and limited slow data. They are owned by Tracfone an only avalible at Wal-Mart.

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

I have had Tracfone for four years now. I have a triple minute phone and once a year I buy a one year 400 minute card which gives me 1200 minutes. I only use it for talk and always have minutes left over at the end of the year. The phone cost me less then $8 a month.

tiger1640 Loc: Michigan

jerryc41 wrote:

I posted before about my son and me leaving Verizo... (show quote)

I have always used TracFone. Turn off your data setting and then use other apps that can use your wifi. Lots of apps that you have on your phone use your data up without you knowing so if you turn it off your data will last lots longer. Read the fine print with apps that want you to ALLOW them to use your location so they are always using your data.Before I figured this out I would run out of data in days. Now that I turn it off I have lots of data minutes left. Oh I also use magicjack and their app there by saving phone minutes when I am at home or even when I am by wifi hot spots I can use my magicjack without using minutes.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

jerryc41 wrote:

Yes, and for good reason.

http://www.howtogeek.com/178696/why-using-a-public-wi-fi-network-can-be-dangerous-even-when-accessing-encrypted-websites/
http://usa.kaspersky.com/internet-security-center/internet-safety/public-wifi-risks
http://www.privatewifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/PWF_whitepaper_v6.pdf

C'mon Jerry...ripoffs occur everywhere.

Have you ever used a credit card to pay for a meal and watched the waiter walk off with it before bringing it back?

Yep...that's a huge risk. They have your name, card number, CCV number, the works.

And they can use it online anytime.

Risk is everywhere...you are being paranoid.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

buckbrush wrote:

I live in the country and find the ONLY cell phone provider that gives somewhat consistent service is US Cellular.
Have checked with over 500 people here (we have a community e-mail system where people have consistently agreed on that carrier).
Has anyone on UHH used Cricket while using US cellular towers?
ATT & Verizon both have poor tower reception/placement here.

I haven't.

buckbrush Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon

Has anyone on UHH used Cricket while using US cellular towers?
ATT & Verizon both have poor tower reception/placement here.

I haven't.

Thanks rpavich,
Maybe someday we'll get coverage.

handgunner Loc: Windsor Locks, Connecticut

jerryc41 wrote:

We had two lines with limited data for $168.

Jerry ... I have Verizon. We have 2 phones with unlimited talk and text. Our bill is $68/month. We have no need for data. Linda has a flat screen phone that she hates. The contract is up and she wanted a basic flip phone. Verizon sells them online for $49.99. We went to the Verizon store yesterday and they wanted to sell me the same phone for $150 with no contract. I bought one online yesterday and when it comes I will have Verizon activate it.

Bmarsh Loc: Bellaire, MI

handgunner wrote:

Jerry ... I have Verizon. We have 2 phones with unlimited talk and text. Our bill is $68/month. We have no need for data. Linda has a flat screen phone that she hates. The contract is up and she wanted a basic flip phone. Verizon sells them online for $49.99. We went to the Verizon store yesterday and they wanted to sell me the same phone for $150 with no contract. I bought one online yesterday and when it comes I will have Verizon activate it.

With your type of usage... You should think about Tracfone... We had 2 phones for years on TF for about $17/mon with more than enough minutes. In fact, I had 5000+ minutes left on my TracFone when I switched to StraightTalk.