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-   -   Prepaid wireless-What phone? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/prepaid-wireless-what-phone-629605/)

123go_ Jul 9th, 2006 02:17 PM

Prepaid wireless-What phone?
 
I plan to purchase a prepaid wireless phone to use mostly while traveling. My question is, what is the difference in the phones? In the paper today, Tracphone has their cards advertised along with two phones, a Nokia ($19.00) and a Motorola ($29.00). I am leaning towards T-Mobile, however noticed different prices on their phones also. Is it just the fancy things they have on them, or will I receive better reception with a higher priced phone? I see some are around $100.00. I did a search here, and did post on another thread, however didn't get an answer. Can I use any phone or are they just programmed for one company only? Thanks

Orlando_Vic Jul 9th, 2006 02:44 PM

If you plan any foreign travel, please make sure you get an UNLOCKED GSM phone. T-mobile sim cards can just be popped in for all of your domestic calling using "T-Mobile To Go" prepaid minutes.

rkkwan Jul 9th, 2006 03:59 PM

Usually just means better featuers and/or smaller size. Price rarely has anything to do with signal reception strength.

Keith Jul 10th, 2006 08:03 AM

The financial terms are best in the Virgin Mobile program, though it doesn't have the coverage I would like in rural areas.

Keith

123go_ Jul 10th, 2006 09:21 AM

Thanks for the info - I'm off to check them out.

wallacefl Jul 10th, 2006 10:07 AM

According to Virgin Mobile website, prepaid is 18 cents a minute. T-mobile prepaid is 10 cent a minute. Not sure about tracfone.

Keith Jul 10th, 2006 10:25 AM

Virgin is 25 cents for the first 10 minutes on a given day, and 10 cents thereafter. They have other options avaiable.

BUT whatever you don't use is carried over forever, as long as you add at least $20 every 90 days. A good deal for someone that rarely uses it.

Keith


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