Good cellphone plan for long-distance relationship? Best answer on the web

Author: jack     07 30th, 2010 in xn--00t609f.com     edit

  • .

    My significant other lives in Las Vegas. I live in another state. She calls me (or I call her) very frequently, thereby recently causing obscene cellphone charges.
    Please find a better cellphone a) device and/or b) company and/or c) plan (any combo of the three) for her.

    --) She talks to one phone number (mine) probably for 3000 minutes a month. (LD relationships are strange, aren't they?) :-)
    --) We text each other a once a day (averaged out).

    --) She currently has Verizon and a Kyocera 2300, but is willing to outlay cash for a new phone in trade for long-term savings.
    --) #1 Priority: cost of plan, ie, ~3000 minutes of airtime (to one LD number; see below).
    --) #2 Priority: Good QoS on SMS delivery, both to and from the device

    --) #3 Priority: Send SMS to phone via email

    --) #4 Priority: Use her current phone (Kyocera 2300)




    --) IMPORTANT: I don't use a cellphone, so all calls are always between my landline and her cellphone. I will be purchasing this...
    http://www.qwest.com/pcat/for_home/product/1,1354,2035_1_13,00.html

    ... so that the long-distance is "free". When she wishes to "originate" the call, she'll call me (LD) and I'll call her back. I may purchase "Distinctive Ring" as well. (See below.)
    --) THEREFORE, she doesn't need mondo free LD minutes, but simply a small number of free minutes and/or a low per-minute fee to originate calls (which will then immediately end because I will call her back).
    --) THEREFORE, a company that a) charges airtime in in partial minutes **from the first partial minute** AND/OR b) doesn't charge airtime for uncompleted calls (see Distinctive Ring above) would be very beneficial.


    Please provide five recommendations* of devices/companies/plans that you believe would effectively meet our needs.
    Thank you for your time and synaptical energy expenditure. I recognize that the firings of your neurons ultimately contributes to the heat-death of the universe, and I'm grateful for your willingness to make the best of it until then.
    Don


    * The a) number of requested recommendations and b) the price of this question reflect the comprehensiveness of research I'm requesting. Do your due diligence and show your work. :-)


  • I assist consumers regularly with consumer purchases such as this and would be happy to recommend a cell phone plan based on apples-to-apples comparisons. Would that be acceptable? Also, fyi: after my initial review of your question, i can pretty much assure you that if you switch cell phone providers, you will need to buy a new phone unit. Most phones are created - and able to be used with - only one cell phone provider.
    darrel-ga


  • The "free incoming calls" is a great idea. Thank you very much.

    1) Cingular SuperHome 300 doesn't have free incoming calls. Why did you recommend it? Am I missing something?
    2) The letstalk Nextel link is wrong.

    3) Your idea for cell companies outside the country is really creative. Too creative. IMO, common sense (and common usage as well) dictates that "free long distance" is domestic-only. I give you big ups for thinking very creatively, but wish you would applied a little common sense, or at the least, confirm your *assumption* to take "free long distance" so literally (but not pragmatically).
    4) Since the international recommendations are a complete loss, I'm left with, essentially, 1) the Cingular recommendation (which is baffling, apparently lacking ICF), 2) the Nextel recommendation (a good recommendation -- the only one) and 3) some helpful links. Not exactly a good answer, nor an answer worth $40. :-/
    5) Therefore, please provide a table of a)companies, b)plans and c) monthly prices that offer the following features...
    a) free incoming calls
    b) free long distance
    c) >2000 Night and Weekend minutes
    d) 600-1000 day minutes
    e) two-way texting

    If generating such a list would exceed what you think is equitable for the fee, let me know what price you'd consider equitable (I THINK that's ok with the GA rules).


  • Questions and clarification requests are gladly welcome and will promptly addressed.


  • Hello donphiltrodt--

    Thank you for your additional questions.

    I will break out your individual questions and answer them.

    "The "free incoming calls" is a great idea. Thank you very much."

    Yes, more consumers could take advantage of "free incoming call" plans, but they either don't think of it or they can't find such a plan. Very few wireless companies offer such plans.
    "1) Cingular SuperHome 300 doesn't have free incoming calls. Why did
    you recommend it? Am I missing something?"

    You had requested five different options for her cell phone needs. If the "free incoming calls" plans didn't seem to work for you (even though it seemed perfect to me), I wanted to make sure you had other options like the Cingular SuperHome 300 or the other plans listed near the bottom of my answer.
    The Cingular SuperHome 300 plan allows 5,000 night-and-weekend minutes and 300 anytime minutes. And unlike other lower-end plans, this one allows you to add on the wireless web and two-way text messaging for an affordable monthly charge.
    "2) The letstalk Nextel link is wrong."

    You are correct! And now that I have tried several more times to get the correct link for you, it appears there is no set link, rather it's a rotating promotional link at that comparison tool web site.
    To access the correct link, first go to this page: http://www.letstalk.com/product/promo.htm
    Scroll down, and at the bottom-left-hand corner of the page, you'll see a pull-down menu that says "Select a different carrier." Click on the down arrow and select "Nextel." Let the new page load.
    Once the Nextel page has loaded, scroll down to the bottom of the page again. This time on the bottom right, click on the pull-down menu that says "Select a different plan." Select the plan you'd like to view. In this case it's "Nextel National Free Incoming 400." You may also wish to look at other Nextel National Free Incoming plans.
    "3) Your idea for cell companies outside the country is really
    creative. Too creative. IMO, common sense (and common usage as well)
    dictates that "free long distance" is domestic-only. I give you big
    ups for thinking very creatively, but wish you would applied a little
    common sense, or at the least, confirm your *assumption* to take "free
    long distance" so literally (but not pragmatically)."

    Well, thank you. I think.

    The point of the international cell phones is actually quite realistic, especially if you know someone in another country or are one of those who travel. (And knowing your liking of long-distance relationships... I figured I'd include them.) These international phone plans actually can work out to save a ton of money in the long-run. If you don't travel, you may know someone in one of these countries who might be able to help you out and send you the phone. You can achieve cell phone rates of $30 per month or less by using one of these phones for your needs. They can be used in the United States if you read the features. And if you don't happen to know someone in the countries I chose to post, you may find that you have a friend in another country that could help. These kinds of deals are rampant outside the U.S.
    "4) Since the international recommendations are a complete loss, I'm
    left with, essentially, 1) the Cingular recommendation (which is
    baffling, apparently lacking ICF), 2) the Nextel recommendation (a
    good recommendation -- the only one) and 3) some helpful links. Not
    exactly a good answer, nor an answer worth $40. :-/"

    Well, perhaps you overlooked the 10 or so other plans I listed. I will re-list them right here. These are other plans that meet your needs. They may not be as good as the Nextel plan (which appears to be the best), but they are fair prices considering how high of prices some people pay for wireless.
    Here are some other plans you may wish to consider. These below plans
    assume you can spend most of your phone time during the nights and
    weekends. You can conduct a comparison of many plans on the tool I
    used to find these plans online. The link is
    http://www.wirefly.com/wlnp/wlnpPriceWiz.aspx?referringdomain=wirefly&refcode1=&refcode2=&oflag=&agent=&phoneid=&planid=&marketid=&carrierid=&eid=&curcarrierID=&newplanid=&newphoneid=&uid=&zipcode=89101
    mLife National - Next Generation $74.99 - 1YR National $74.99 1200
    Unlimited Night & Weekends 25% $25.01 $300.12
    Get More Plus National $59.99 1000 Unlimited Night & Weekends 40%
    $40.01 $480.12

    Search Results Carrier Plan Name Plan Type Price Anytime Mins. Night &
    Weekend % Saved Monthly Savings Annual Savings Wirefly Market Coverage
    Customer Care
    Cost & Service Plan Options Order
    Nextel National 1000 Plan - 1yr National $54.99 1000 5000 Night &
    Weekend Minutes 45% $45.01 $540.12
    Get More Plus National $59.99 1000 Unlimited Night & Weekends 40%
    $40.01 $480.12
    PCS Free & Clear Plan $65.00 - 2YR National $65.00 1100 Unlimited
    Night & Weekends 35% $35.00 $420.00
    mLife National $74.99 - 1YR National $74.99 1200 Unlimited Night &
    Weekends 25% $25.01 $300.12
    mLife National - Next Generation $74.99 - 1YR National $74.99 1200
    Unlimited Night & Weekends 25% $25.01 $300.12
    America's Choice (sm) 1000 National $79.99 1100 Unlimited Night &
    Weekend Minutes 20% $20.01 $240.12
    Liberty 900 Unlimited National $99.99 900 Unlimited 0% $0.01 $0.12

    "5) Therefore, please provide a table of a)companies, b)plans and c)
    monthly prices that offer the following features...

    a) free incoming calls
    b) free long distance
    c) >2000 Night and Weekend minutes
    d) 600-1000 day minutes
    e) two-way texting

    If generating such a list would exceed what you think is equitable for
    the fee, let me know what price you'd consider equitable (I THINK
    that's ok with the GA rules)."

    There is only one U.S. wireless company that currently is offering "free incoming calls." That's why I believe the Nextel plan would best meet your needs, if you do in fact have free long-distance to call her.
    If you would like me to create a table based on your other needs listed in your clarification question #5, I'd be happy to. Just let me know.
    I look forward to hearing back from you.
    darrel-ga


  • Researchers,

    A good starting point to narrow down the plans to analyze would be:

    http://www.inphonic.com/WLNP/WLNPRatePlanList.aspx?minplanminutes=2001&maxplanminutes=99999&eid=&ReferringDomain=numberportability&ci=&zipcode=89117
    (based on zipcode 89117 in LV, NV)

    aht-ga


  • Hello donphiltrodt--

    I have carefully considered your needs, researched your question and have your answer. I've ultimately found about a dozen different options for you.
    The biggest need you have that will ultimately save you the most, I'm sure you'll agree, is for free incoming calls. I've worked on this project off-and-on for the past two days.
    My goal in this research was to find a phone and service plan that would allow for free incoming calls (which eliminates the need for the 3000 monthly minutes), moderately priced outgoing calls, good QoS on SMS delivery both to and from the phone, and the ability to send SMS to the phone via E-mail.
    The first plan I would recommend is the Cingular SuperHome 300 plan. This costs $29.99 per month, plus a few dollars extra per month for text messaging . The link is http://www.letstalk.com/product/product.htm?depId=2&pgId=101&prId=23696


    I conducted a Google search for the following terms: "cell phone" plan "free incoming calls"
    You may view the results of my search online. The link is ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22cell+phone%22+plan+%22free+incoming+calls%22
    One site that proved fruitful was http://www.free-cell-phones-wireless-cellular-services-plan.com/nextel-wireless-service-plans.html
    This site led me to your first option: the Nextel National Free Incoming Plan.

    Free incoming calls and included nationwide long distance and unlimited Nextel Direct Connect (Private Call). Cellular Minutes
    (mn) Direct Connect
    Minutes
    (mn) Night &
    Weekend
    Minutes
    (mn) National Long
    Distance Free
    Incoming
    Calls Nextel
    Online
    Web
    Browsing
    (mn)
    300 (New!)
    500
    700
    99-1000
    Unlimited NA Included Included Web
    $3.50
    Premium
    Web
    $10.00


    The Nextel Free Incoming Call Plan with 400 Anytime minutes can be also be viewed at http://www.letstalk.com/product/promo.htm/depId=1/pgId=100/mt=/tNav=1/showNoProductsMessage=0/promo.htm/depId=1/pgId=100/mt=/tNav=1/showNoProductsMessage=0/nc=
    This plan includes
    Nextel National Free Incoming 400
    400 Cellular minutes
    Free Incoming minutes
    Unlimited Direct Connect minutes
    Free Long Distance and Roaming throughout Nextel's nationwide network!
    Includes: VoiceMail and Caller ID
    View Coverage Maps:
    Monthly Fee only $59.99

    If you decide you need more monthly Anytime minutes, you can change your Free Incoming Call Plan. Below is the chart.
    Nextel Free Incoming 400 $59.99 400 NA Included Unlimited
    Nextel Free Incoming 600 $69.99 600 NA Included Unlimited
    Nextel Free Incoming 800 $89.99 800 NA Included Unlimited
    Nextel Free Incoming 1100 $119.99 1100 NA Included Unlimited

    You can view this chart online. The link is http://www.compare-phone-plan.com/nextel.htm
    I was unable to find any plan that offered a price lower than this $59.99 for 3,000 "anytime" minutes. It appears your best bet is to find a plan that includes unlimited free incoming calls.
    The second plan I found that best meets your needs isn't in the United States but offers free incoming calls, a daily charge, and a 39-cent-per-minute charge to U.S. phone numbers. This is ideal as long as she would make only one-minute calls to you, and you turn around and call her back. If she's a student, she may qualify for the lower 25.9 cent per minute rate. If you stick to these perimeters, you can get away with paying only $1.20 or less per day, or less than $40.00 per month. This deal is called Travel Deal Israel. You would be getting an Israeli phone number. But as long as you're getting unlimited long-distance, it shouldn't matter.
    You may read more about this phone and service plan online. The link is http://www.traveldealisrael.com/cell_phone_deals.html
    The next plan is out of Ireland. Like the Israeli plan, the Irish plan doesn't require you to be in the country to purchase or use the phone. This plan meets all your perimeters, as well, and may even be cheaper than the Israeli plan. Below are the included features:
    The Ready to Go SIM card (Network Access Card) for your phone
    Includes ?20 / $20 FREE call credit ($10 already applied and $10 with mail-in)
    FREE incoming calls
    Voicemail
    SMS (Text Messaging)
    WAP and e-mail
    Choice of 2 Tariff plans: Standard (default) or Work & Leisure
    International roaming available!
    No yearly contract, monthly charges or credit check

    You may view more information about this phone and plan online. The link is http://www.220-electronics.com/simcards/ireland.htm
    Here are some other plans you may wish to consider. These below plans assume you can spend most of your phone time during the nights and weekends. You can conduct a comparison of many plans on the tool I used to find these plans online. The link is http://www.wirefly.com/wlnp/wlnpPriceWiz.aspx?referringdomain=wirefly&refcode1=&refcode2=&oflag=&agent=&phoneid=&planid=&marketid=&carrierid=&eid=&curcarrierID=&newplanid=&newphoneid=&uid=&zipcode=89101
    mLife National - Next Generation $74.99 - 1YR National $74.99 1200 Unlimited Night & Weekends 25% $25.01 $300.12 Get More Plus National $59.99 1000 Unlimited Night & Weekends 40% $40.01 $480.12
    Search Results Carrier Plan Name Plan Type Price Anytime Mins. Night & Weekend % Saved Monthly Savings Annual Savings Wirefly Market Coverage Customer Care
    Cost & Service Plan Options Order
    Nextel National 1000 Plan - 1yr National $54.99 1000 5000 Night & Weekend Minutes 45% $45.01 $540.12 Get More Plus National $59.99 1000 Unlimited Night & Weekends 40% $40.01 $480.12 PCS Free & Clear Plan $65.00 - 2YR National $65.00 1100 Unlimited Night & Weekends 35% $35.00 $420.00 mLife National $74.99 - 1YR National $74.99 1200 Unlimited Night & Weekends 25% $25.01 $300.12 mLife National - Next Generation $74.99 - 1YR National $74.99 1200 Unlimited Night & Weekends 25% $25.01 $300.12 America's Choice (sm) 1000 National $79.99 1100 Unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes 20% $20.01 $240.12 Liberty 900 Unlimited National $99.99 900 Unlimited 0% $0.01 $0.12

    Further, one of the best cellular rate comparison tools I've used over the years for consumers is SaveOnPhone.com. With this tool, you simply type in your zip code and it does the rest of the work. The direct link to this site is http://saveonphone.com/wireless.html
    And along the way I found a site called Cellular Search Guide. They claim to be able to find you a better deal. And if they can't, they claim to pay you $50. The link to this site is http://www.cellularsearchguide.com/
    WireFly.com will have the most information on offers by the seven major U.S. carriers, plus service and network quality ratings from J.D. Power and Associates data. The link to that site is http://www.wirefly.com/
    I hope this helps. If you need further information or any clarification, please don't hesitate to click the "clarify" button.
    Thanks,

    darrel-ga


  • >would be happy to recommend a cell phone
    >plan based on apples-to-apples comparisons.
    >Would that be acceptable?

    Thanks for your interest.

    I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to clarify, but, yes, I am still looking for a cell plan recommendation(s).


  • The cover story in the current (January) issue of CONSUMER REPORTS is an indepth analysis of current cell phones, cell phone plans, including a breakdown of costs, drop outs, customer satisfaction,etc. all over the U.S.









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