That was my thought also.
I was suprised to find out how little data Google Voice uses.
From "Google Voice Help" page:
You can make a Google Voice call from a computer or mobile device. Calls use about 0.2 MB of data per minute.
I wish one could rely solely on GV for primary line service. I do like and use it.
Problems I've experienced are having the # rejected for 2FA in automated and live help verification systems, can't send short video clip (also multiple pictures, an inconvenience) and needing a GV credit balance to call into some conference calling services.
I ported a former landline # to TextNow and haven't experienced those issues.
I've done that exactly since 2017, except I've always used a $10/mo T-Mobile data plan, first 2GB/mo, and then unlimited since 2023. Before I switched to T-Mobile Data, I used free FreedomPop AT&T data plans.
This new Liberty Wireless plan is amazing. $50 for a year ($4.17/mo) to get 10GB/mo. Wow!
And just like that, it's gone.
"This listing was ended by the seller on Sat, Nov 16 at 10:14 AM because the item is no longer available."
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Hello SeanW.
Since ST is a VZ company - are these phone limited to ONLY VZ service ??
(We now live within a total VZ dead zone...need AT&T.)
Also - did you pay for ONLY 1 month, then end their services ??
I see today that either the motorola edge or moto g play are Free when you activate a line of service on any Extended Silver Unlimited plan.
Links:
https://www.straighttalk.com/all-phones/moto-g-play
https://www.straighttalk.com/all-phones/motorola-edge-2024-prepaid
If this may work for us I might consider the g play deal with Android 10 rather than the aggravating FP free or $10 deals.
Opinions ??
Thanks
Hello One. Good to hear from you!
Yes, I only paid for one month, and then let the phone sit for another month and it automatically unlocked on the 61st day.
The phone I got (and those you are looking at) will work on all networks once unlocked (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile).
You may also wish to consider the Samsung A15 5G which is free with a one month plan payment of $45 ($42.50 if you click auto pay)
https://www.straighttalk.com/all-phones/samsung-galaxy-a15-5g-prepaid
Best of luck on whatever you decide upon!
Hi SeanW & Thanks for your helpful reply.
My preference would be for the g play deal with Android 10 => maybe 'cuz I'm an old fart ?!?
Is that 1st month on VZ ??
(It'd spend a month as a paperweight here !!)
Thanks Again.
Mine was and I don't remember any option to select another network.
FWIW, I've tested my recently unlocked Moto G 5G with a Tello SIM. Other than VVM not working with Google's Phone app, all is good.
@One
Be aware that the moto edge requires a multi month silver plan (min. 3 months) purchase to be "free" vs. moto play 1 mo., so it will be a more expensive paperweight, it should still unlock in 60 days.
AFAIK it is not possible to activate a new Verizon compatible phone & plan TF family of brands bundle on anything other than VZW.
From the edge offer page details --
Offer valid through 1/20/25 while supplies last. Must purchase a Straight Talk single line on any Extended Silver Unlimited plan (3-month, 6-month or 1-year).....
If it was just one month needed I probably would have jumped on it already.
Also, as you may be aware, AT&T whitelist is a real thing and there is no guarantee that the moto play will be accepted by AT&T or after swapping in an AT&T SIM, service being rejected after a week or a few of working perfectly fine, as some have experienced. Reports are mixed with various models being accepted/rejected, especially now that some of these Motos from TF model number ends in "V". Just be aware it is a gamble.
I also got a few of those moto G power 5g phones via the ST deal, free with one month service purchase. They took a bit longer than 60 days to unlock because, TF being TF there was a bit of a fiasco with that phone for many purchasers. Only one month paid sevice from the bundle deal was sufficient.
I stuck a borrowed Red Pocket AT&T service SIM in after unlock and it worked but it was just a 5 min. test so no idea if it would have been fine long term.
Thanks for the great, added info Folks !!
For me, the words 'free' & 'unlocked' always catch my attention in the cellular realm...BUT=>
Truth be told we don't actually need a new phone - rather, some relief from the too regular FP annoyances would work out very well.
I balk at paying FP $10/month to have it minus the annoyances, and at the same time have seen no really good, cheap AT&T service I can grab instead.
It may be that if I tolerate FP several more months that she'll qualify for a free gov. phone & that would perfectly fill the AT&T need.
Right now she hasn't yet noticed that her FP phone is 'expired' - hopefully their stinky servers will get back online soon so I can renew that for her.
Only time will tell.
US Mobile now has "dark star" AKA AT&T service available.
I'd give them my $10/mo. over FP
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Sincerest Thanks Redrotors !!
100% agree.
We can change the (now) FP using phone to USM easily for AT&T - the new SIM is being sent via Fedex.
It'll be their Light Plan @$96 for 12 months ($8/mo) with 2 GB Premium Data
& Unlimited Talk & Text - an even better deal...phew !!
The same cost as our previous 360 day Redpocket but there'll be no need to manually renew as there had been.
Thus far our time using US Mobile for VZ has gone very well.
Thanks Again.
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...... 20 character minimum
Also & BTW
The principal or owner of USM has stated on Reddit that USM is not bound to AT&T whitelisted phones. Plenty of skeptics but I don't think anyone has posted (yet) about their phone being rejected after successful activation or service suspended after successfully working (SIM swap). I should clarify, mostly working, as the usual visual voicemail & WiFi calling issues have come up. Not unique to just AT&T, maybe happening more often with them though but I really don't know. If broken VVM or WiFi calling don't really bother you then you don't have to go phone hunting. If he is being truthful then USM might be the best AT&T MVNO choice out there right now.
Personally I like to have WiFi calling working.
VVM is nice, one thing that iPhones do nicely where you can read the VM as someone is leaving it and pick up if you want, but really couldn't care, not a deal breaker for me.
Almost all Tracfone family phones released in the last year are not able to be activated on AT&T network, even after they unlock, with the possible exception of US Mobile, if what the owner has stated is true. After unlock, they CAN be used on the Verizon and T-Mobile networks.
As I indicated in one of my earlier posts, I purchased a "Moto G Power 5G 2024" on deal from Straight Talk this year , which later became unlocked. That phone has now been in use for the last 5 weeks on my uncle's RedPocket/AT&T plan.
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Do you know if that ST Moto G Power 5G 2024 was officially activated by providing an ICCID and IMEI, or was a previously/already activated SIM card put into it? Thanks.
I received the phone un-activated. Not sure if the SIM was already in the phone , or included separately in the pkg,
I had to activate on-line, which I did about a week after receiving it.
I don't remember the specific steps I had to take to activate it.
I'm pretty sure the question was re RP AT&T service. Not original ST activation.
Was it a new RP AT&T based service activated with the moto g power 5g 2024 after unlocked by ST?
Or
SIM swap to the moto g power 5g of already active RP AT&T from another phone?
SIM swap to the Moto G Power 5G of already active RP AT&T from another phone