We have had T-Mob forever, and gradually added more lines as the kids got older.

 

Right now, we have 4 phones, with a fixed amount of minutes, unlimited texting, but only data on one line (daughter off at school).  Everything is nickel and dimed and my bill reaches north of $170 or more.  Considering that we use very few minutes on average, a few texts here and there, but the data would be more useful even if capped at xMB per month.  My own Samsung Galaxy has no data plan because they want an extra $20 per month just to add it on the one line.  Once in a while I might want to do a bit of browsing, but not at $20.

 

So I got a brochure from Metro PCS the other day (I guess that was formerly Sprint?)  for unlimited talk, text, and data for around $100 per month on all 4 lines

 

Seems like a much better deal, but I don't know the gotchas.

 

T-Mob may advertise a competitive rate for new subscribers, but they basically flip the bird when a 15-year customer asks for the same offer.  We still owe a bit on the phone payments, but otherwise are month-to-month since the original contract ended years ago.

 

Any suggestions?

I am not sure that's the case.  I have been with t-mobile since they were voicestream and I was able to get the new service without question.  Right now I have 5 phones with unlimited voice, text and data(2.5gig high speed per phone), with accidental damage for 3 phones ($30 total) and paying a little over $160 after fees and taxes. 

I was just looking for something cheaper and came across this article.

 

http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/technology/clarks-review-republic-wireless/nb8zx/

 

I have to do some more research...

I was just looking for something cheaper and came across this article.

 

http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/technology/clarks-review-republic-wireless/nb8zx/

 

I have to do some more research...

That is an interesting option, although I don't need new phones, just to port over the existing numbers since tey are all GSM-based.

Not meaning to hijack, but...

I'm on Verizon with 3 iPhones. We're very happy with the reliability but we'd like to cut expenses. How is T-Mobile's service?

Not meaning to hijack, but...

I'm on Verizon with 3 iPhones. We're very happy with the reliability but we'd like to cut expenses. How is T-Mobile's service?

Depends are where you are.  I have had no problems anywhere I went from atlantic city to paramus, only had weak connections in heavily wooded or out of the way areas.  Almost no service in certain parts of southern upstate NY.

T-Mobile in my area (Morris County) is worthless.  You might as well carry paper cups and an a long line of string.  My wife had a Blackberry on T-mobile and could never use it in our area.

T-Mobile in my area (Morris County) is worthless.  You might as well carry paper cups and an a long line of string.  My wife had a Blackberry on T-mobile and could never use it in our area.

My friend had the same problem in manalapan with AT&T.  Every carrier has their own dead spots.  But as to the OPs question, I don't see how t-mobile can deny you the $100 for 4 lines promotion, it's not for new customers only, I would call them out on that, and if necessary talk to a supervisor.

While my kids have Verizon Wireless because they can't live without their internet connection, smart phones, etc.,my wife and I prefer a much simpler plan.  We only talk and text and I moved phones from Verizon over to Pageplus Wireless.  Pageplus uses the Verizon network so there is really no change in service, just the price.  We used to pay $72 month total for 500 combined minutes and I didn't have texting.  Now I do and I pay buy slice, $80 year for 2000 units, and my wife is 250/250 month for just over $13.  Don't know how much you use your phone, just offering information. 

All the major carriers suck. Our Verizon bill is about $155/month, with 5 lines and no smart phones.

 

You should check out Consumer Cellular. My father and mother in law have them. The cheapest service is $14/month; they have the $18/month service.

 

I say service and not plan because there is no plan. The gotcha is you have to buy the phone. But one very nice thing is if you buy a smart phone you do not need to get a data plan. So you can have that cool little computer in your pocket, take photos, talk, browse from WiFi spots, text. If you want a data plan they start at $10 I believe.

 

We are switching to them next year, when our last Verizon contract expires.

MetroPCS is T-Mobile's offshoot.  I use it for my work phone using a Nexus 5.  It's ok.  I lose signal in places where my Verizon iPhone has full bars.

I don't have any personal experience with them but I have heard good things about Ting. They use the Sprint network and you pay as you go based on what you actually use. Depending on what phone you have you may be able to port it over.

Virgin Mobile - $35 a month, 300 minutes, unlimited text & internet. On the Sprint network. I joined about a week befor the prices went up (about 2.5 years ago). As long as I keep my current phone I pay $25. When I uggrade to a 4G phone it will be $35.

 

You have to buy the phone from them. Just wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday for deals.

My friend had the same problem in manalapan with AT&T.  Every carrier has their own dead spots.  But as to the OPs question, I don't see how t-mobile can deny you the $100 for 4 lines promotion, it's not for new customers only, I would call them out on that, and if necessary talk to a supervisor.

I went through a couple of reps (but all of them were helpful) and got the new plan as of next week.  I got the 4.5gb data on each line for a little extra, but I have no idea if that is overkill or underkill.

I went through a couple of reps (but all of them were helpful) and got the new plan as of next week.  I got the 4.5gb data on each line for a little extra, but I have no idea if that is overkill or underkill.

The only time I needed 4.5gb was when I was downloading full length movies (ultraviolet) to my phone, I solved that issue by only doing it via wifi.  I am on the web often on my phone and the only time I get close to the 2.5gb max is if I start streaming or downloading movies.  If you don't stream or download movies 2.5gb should be more than enough

Virgin Mobile - $35 a month, 300 minutes, unlimited text & internet. On the Sprint network. I joined about a week befor the prices went up (about 2.5 years ago). As long as I keep my current phone I pay $25. When I uggrade to a 4G phone it will be $35.

 

You have to buy the phone from them. Just wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday for deals.

 

Yeahhhhh.... Sprint Network is the worst....  I would pick MetroPCS/T-Mobile over Sprint.  Sprint's 4G Coverage in NYC is nearly nonexistent.

Yeahhhhh.... Sprint Network is the worst.... I would pick MetroPCS/T-Mobile over Sprint. Sprint's 4G Coverage in NYC is nearly nonexistent.

I have full bars in Mid Town. Actually better signal.than at my house.

Maybe check into Page Plus and see if they have something for you. It's pre-pay and they use Verizon's network. I've been with them for roughly 7 years now and only had 1 problem a long time ago. I've gotten my brother, Mom, sister, and some friends on them now and they don't have any problems either. You can manage phones from their site or add minutes via site or your phone(s). Highly recommended.

If you are on Verizon with no contract (month to month), you pay $20 per basic line - unlimited calls and text plus $15 for 250mb data (don't ask why)..

 

If you take their 10GB shared data plan, on month to month, bring your own phones its $15 per smart phone line plus cost of data plan - $100 per 10GB.

 

I don't work for any telecom.

As far as coverage, vzw has always been the best for me. Been on vzw for personal cell well over a decade, from early 2000s to last year I carried a company cell as well. Originally nextel, then sprint. I covered the east coast, but spent most of my time in NE from Northern Virginia to Massachusetts area. The nextel was useless, sprint better, but still horrible coverage compared to vzw. I found myself using personal cell on vzw as much or more than the company cell, for work calls.