What is your mobile carrier? Looking to switch to save $$

[Tradd]

Backstory: I switched from Xfinity Internet over the summer to Verizon 5G home internet, which was only OK for a few months. Was very slow for about month (buffering when watching a video, Alexa devices would constantly go offline), so I went back to Xfinity as they have greatly reduced their prices ($50/month now). But that means the discount I got on my Verizon cell plan is gone.

Verizon cell plan will now be about $80/month. I'm wanting to reduce cost, but I use a lot of data (streaming audio when out and about and at work). Visible looks good cost wise, but I keep reading about service being deprioritized since Verizon postpaid customers get priority.

Anyone have experience with Visible by Verizon? I'm in the Chicago area and Verizon reception is pretty good here. Visible would allow me to cut my bill in half, but I'm concerned about network deprioritization for non-Verizon postpaid customers (which is what I currently have).

And no, Mint Mobile is not an option. I hear horror stories from people who've tried it.

[bae]

I use T-Mobile, because it is basically the only carrier with coverage where I live. Cell phones were essentially not useful here until about 2019.

[Tradd]

I use T-Mobile, because it is basically the only carrier with coverage where I live. Cell phones were essentially not useful here until about 2019.

Which plan are you on?

[bae]

Which plan are you on?

Some older, probably no-longer-offered family plan, which has unlimited data, and important-to-me, inexpensive international calling/texting/roaming. My daughter, who lives fulltime in the UK, is still on the family plan and it works for her fine there, and neither of us has to do any SIM-card juggling when traveling.

It also has a dataplan for one of my tablets attached, also unlimited data.

Total cost for the 2 phones/numbers, and the tablet, is ~$105/month or so.

[frugal-one]

T-Mobile Magenta for anyone over 55…. We have 3 unlimited phones for $105 (includes Mexico and Canada… haven’t called elsewhere). Believe the rate for one phone unlimited is $30. Also have internet option that I have not used because have fiber optics really cheap. Very happy with reception when in WI, when traveling, and here in TX.

https://www.t-mobile.com/

[bae]

Oh, and the international roaming feature was essential also simply at home. I live right on the US/Canada border, and you can often accidentally "roam" onto a Canadian cell tower, which can cause huge bills depending on your carrier and plan, even if you never leave the house.

[catherine]

I have AT&T. It seems that some of the ultra-frugal go for Mint Mobile. It has some disadvantages in terms of not having the bells and whistles of the top smart phones, but they are cheap. I have considered switching, at some point. Not ready yet.

[happystuff]

Google Fi here. Two phones on the plan. Pay for data as it gets used. Most we've ever paid for a month was about $76.00 and that was when I was on my cross-country driving trip and used data/gps every day. Whatever my plan is, I also had no issues when I went to Bonaire. Good luck making a decision!!!

[Tradd]

I have AT&T. It seems that some of the ultra-frugal go for Mint Mobile. It has some disadvantages in terms of not having the bells and whistles of the top smart phones, but they are cheap. I have considered switching, at some point. Not ready yet.

Mint's plan has nothing to do with the actual phone, as long as the phone can be used on the plan. I'm going with Visible by Verizon. Unlimited talk, text, data, a lot of hotspot data, and data has same priority has regular Verison customers. No throttling. $45/month, about half of what I was paying with Verizon.

[Klunick]

T-Mobile. We have the unlimited plan. Three phones for about $218 a month.