Considering switch to Virgin Mobile from Verizon

[PGK]

My current Verizon usage less than 500 min per month talk with data 400 mb.
Considering switch to Virgin Mobile Beyond talk plan for cost saving.
1)Coverage- I understand the VM uses Sprint towers but not sure of the coverage. How good is coverage on the VM network as you travel in the U.S.? Is it the same as coverage for Sprint network plan?
2)Receiving calls from Canada- Can you receive calls from Canada on the VM network; any charges?
3)Switching cell phone from VM to another carrier- considering the Galaxy S3.
If I at later date switch to another carrier will I be able to us the Galaxy 3 on that network?

 

[jhawkkw]

My current Verizon usage less than 500 min per month talk with data 400 mb.
Considering switch to Virgin Mobile Beyond talk plan for cost saving.
1)Coverage- I understand the VM uses Sprint towers but not sure of the coverage. How good is coverage on the VM network as you travel in the U.S.? Is it the same as coverage for Sprint network plan?
2)Receiving calls from Canada- Can you receive calls from Canada on the VM network; any charges?
3)Switching cell phone from VM to another carrier- considering the Galaxy S3.
If I at later date switch to another carrier will I be able to us the Galaxy 3 on that network?

With Virgin Mobile being a CDMA carrier, that leaves your options at other carriers very small. I believe mainline Sprint &/or Boost might be your only options. That's the problem with the locked down CDMA networks, the devices tend to only work on that network. If you want to be able to take your device to another network, you need to look at the GSM carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, or any of their prepaid/MVNO's. Just make sure to buy an SIM unlocked device or else you're in the same situation.

 

[tcomotcom]

1)Coverage- I understand the VM uses Sprint towers but not sure of the coverage. How good is coverage on the VM network as you travel in the U.S.? Is it the same as coverage for Sprint network plan?

VM USA plans do not include roaming (roaming is not available, even at extra cost). Sprint plans include roaming and therefore offer a larger coverage footprint. Generally speaking, the Sprint network has decent coverage in cities and along major highways, but out in the boonies, especially in the western U.S. you won't have service. Look at the national coverage map here: Check Nationwide Prepaid Voice, Data & 4G Coverage | Virgin Mobile

2)Receiving calls from Canada- Can you receive calls from Canada on the VM network; any charges?

Yes, you can receive international calls. You will use up airtime, but there are no additional charges beyond that.

3)Switching cell phone from VM to another carrier- considering the Galaxy S3. If I at later date switch to another carrier will I be able to us the Galaxy 3 on that network?

Very unlikely.

There are both technical and company policy reasons that make it a huge pain in the neck/not possible to take a Virgin Mobile CDMA handset to another CDMA carrier. Device portability is not a strength of CDMA networks, so many people sell their VM USA device when they upgrade or leave for another carrier.

 

[SuperAfnan]

You are going to have very bad coverage unless you are in a big city. Sprint roams on Verizon but it actually doesn't have that much coverage...

At least they're trying to improve on it.

You definitely get a better price, but be prepared to talk to Filipinos or Indians via customer service.

Verizon is expensive, but it still has a lot of perks like excellent service, a huge CDMA network, and roaming!

You could go to Virgin but the people who switched from Virgin to T-Mobile prepaid are pretty satisfied (including me ).

 

[PGK]

Thanks everyone for feedback
Was also considering moving to Straight Talk- will get more information about that option

 

[mogelijk]

My current Verizon usage less than 500 min per month talk with data 400 mb.
Considering switch to Virgin Mobile Beyond talk plan for cost saving.
1)Coverage- I understand the VM uses Sprint towers but not sure of the coverage. How good is coverage on the VM network as you travel in the U.S.? Is it the same as coverage for Sprint network plan?
2)Receiving calls from Canada- Can you receive calls from Canada on the VM network; any charges?
3)Switching cell phone from VM to another carrier- considering the Galaxy S3.
If I at later date switch to another carrier will I be able to us the Galaxy 3 on that network?

I would definitely go with a GSM carrier, if I were you, and I'd likely buy a T-Mobile phone -- most T-Mobile phones will work on both T-Mobile's and AT&T's networks, most AT&T phones do not have the proper frequencies to run 3G (or "4G" HSPA+) on T-Mobile's network.

It looks like you would want more minutes than the T-Mobile $30 plan (100 min. talk, unlimited text and data with the first 5 GB at up to 4G speeds), which is largely the cheapest option.

I might suggest the AT&T GoPhone $40 smartphone plan, which offers 500 minutes talk and 500 MB data -- one of the advantages of this over Straight Talk is that you get LTE (I don't believe any of the GSM MVNOs are LTE). You can buy cards through places like Callingmart.com and get as much as a 10% discount (so $34 instead of $40) and no tax.

Another option would be MetroPCS, which has a $40 unlimited prepaid plan, with the first 500 MB of data at up to 4G speeds. As they are now part of T-Mobile, as long as you have a GSM phone you will be on the T-Mobile network and be able to use LTE.

One last note; the best deal on a GSM phone is to buy the Google Nexus, which comes unlocked and has the frequencies for both T-Mobile and AT&T. Unfortunately, the Nexus 4 is now out of stock, though the Nexus 5 should be introduced sometime next month -- they appear to have sold them out to prepare to stock the Nexus 5.

 

[PGK]

I would definitely go with a GSM carrier, if I were you, and I'd likely buy a T-Mobile phone -- most T-Mobile phones will work on both T-Mobile's and AT&T's networks, most AT&T phones do not have the proper frequencies to run 3G (or "4G" HSPA+) on T-Mobile's network.

It looks like you would want more minutes than the T-Mobile $30 plan (100 min. talk, unlimited text and data with the first 5 GB at up to 4G speeds), which is largely the cheapest option.

I might suggest the AT&T GoPhone $40 smartphone plan, which offers 500 minutes talk and 500 MB data -- one of the advantages of this over Straight Talk is that you get LTE (I don't believe any of the GSM MVNOs are LTE). You can buy cards through places like Callingmart.com and get as much as a 10% discount (so $34 instead of $40) and no tax.

Another option would be MetroPCS, which has a $40 unlimited prepaid plan, with the first 500 MB of data at up to 4G speeds. As they are now part of T-Mobile, as long as you have a GSM phone you will be on the T-Mobile network and be able to use LTE.

One last note; the best deal on a GSM phone is to buy the Google Nexus, which comes unlocked and has the frequencies for both T-Mobile and AT&T. Unfortunately, the Nexus 4 is now out of stock, though the Nexus 5 should be introduced sometime next month -- they appear to have sold them out to prepare to stock the Nexus 5.

My understanding is that an unlocked phone can be used with overseas travel
(cheapest way is to purchase a Sims card in the country you are visiting)
Can I purchase any unlocked GSM phone with the correct frequencies and then use the phone on the T-mobile or AT&T networks ?

 

[notebooko]

Believe it or not Straight Talk actually gets LTE now. It was only implemented last week I think. To the OP, check coverage for all the pre-paid carriers and choose the service based on what will work best for you. All of them have their ups and downs (coverage being the most important) and find one that will work best in your area.

 

[mikeca]

If you are looking to save money VM is the way to go. Data coverage is often slow but seems to be getting better as network vision slowly goes into effect. Hopefully will be up there with the big boys soon as far as coverage goes but right now it depends where you are as to what kind of coverage you will get. Can't beat the beyond talk plan though! Been on that for years and I can't believe what others are paying!

 

[kate]

1)Coverage- I understand the VM uses Sprint towers but not sure of the coverage.

VM does not offer any roaming so the coverage is not that great.

3)Switching cell phone from VM to another carrier- considering the Galaxy S3.
If I at later date switch to another carrier will I be able to us the Galaxy 3 on that network?

I remember reading that VM phones can not be used with other carriers.

My current Verizon usage less than 500 min per month talk with data 400 mb.

Mogelijk had some good suggestions for GSM carriers, but if you want to stay with CDMA check out Ting. They charge biased on what you use - at your usage you'd be paying $28 per month (although you didn't mention texts). Ting has free voice roaming, but not data roaming, on Verizon so their coverage is much better then VM. If Ting looks good you'll be interested in my signature.

The biggest downside to Ting service compared to VM is that using tons of data can get expensive, but if you manage to stay under 500MB, and/or mostly use WiFi, you can save money.

 

[mogelijk]

My understanding is that an unlocked phone can be used with overseas travel
(cheapest way is to purchase a Sims card in the country you are visiting)
Can I purchase any unlocked GSM phone with the correct frequencies and then use the phone on the T-mobile or AT&T networks ?

Yes, an unlocked GSM phone can typically be used on any GSM carrier, both in the US and Internationally. The phone just needs to have the right frequencies to work on that carrier.

Unlike CDMA, which uses the IMEI of the phone to determine if it gets service, it is typically the SIM card on GSM phones that the carriers care about. This also allows you, if you own more than one GSM phone, to switch your SIM to a different phone, and use it, without needing to call customer support.

So, yes, you can use an unlocked GSM phone on either AT&T or T-Mobile, so long as the phone supports the right frequencies. I'll add that AT&T phones will "work" on T-Mobile, just that most do not have the right frequencies for 3G/HSPA+ (both 2G and LTE work fine). T-Mobile has been refarming their 2G frequency in many cities (see map) so that you can get 3G/HSPA+ on the T-Mobile network from AT&T phones.

 

[mogelijk]

If you are looking to save money VM is the way to go. Data coverage is often slow but seems to be getting better as network vision slowly goes into effect. Hopefully will be up there with the big boys soon as far as coverage goes but right now it depends where you are as to what kind of coverage you will get. Can't beat the beyond talk plan though! Been on that for years and I can't believe what others are paying!

I just can't agree with this. Virgin Mobile can be a good option, but only in the cities that have good coverage and decent speeds on the Sprint network. I left Virgin Mobile for T-Mobile, paid less ($30 compared to $35), had better coverage for where I live/work/shop and much faster speeds. Additionally, Virgin Mobile has zero roaming, T-Mobile (and many other prepaid carriers) has voice and text roaming, so you can have some coverage in "the boonies".

On top of this, Virgin Mobile phones typically can only be used on Virgin Mobile. If your circumstances change, they can't be moved to another carrier because of the way Virgin locks the phones down -- not even to Sprint. Most other carriers, the phone can be taken to another carrier; though it is much easier and you have more choices with a GSM phone than a CDMA phone.

You best bet is to look at what carriers have the best coverage/speeds in your area and then find a cheap plan that works for you. Unfortunately, no carrier is the best everywhere or for every circumstance and blind loyalty to a carrier can keep you from finding the deal that works best for you.

 

[PGK]

The above information will help me decide on my plan.
If I do not end up with an unlocked GSM phone with the U.S. carrier, would want to buy an inexpensive unlocked GSM basic phone for only international use and get a SIM card in the overseas country. Many phones are listed when I search Amazon for "unlocked GSM international cell phones". Would all these phones be suitable or do I need to look for additional technical details.

 

[jhawkkw]

If they're unlocked, they should work as long as they support the correct frequencies. That will require looking at the specs, with the frequencies you're looking for being 850 for AT&T or 1900 for T-Mobile. If looking for a smartphone, there's other frequencies that should be considered as well, but those two are the most important.

 

[mogelijk]

If they're unlocked, they should work as long as they support the correct frequencies. That will require looking at the specs, with the frequencies you're looking for being 850 for AT&T or 1900 for T-Mobile. If looking for a smartphone, there's other frequencies that should be considered as well, but those two are the most important.

Actually it is 850 Mhz and 1900 Mhz for AT&T and 1700/2100 Mhz for T-Mobile 3G.

As a general rule, AT&T uses 850 Mhz in non-urban areas and 1900 Mhz in urban areas -- though it isn't a hard and fast rule and some areas do have both frequencies.

T-Mobile uses 1700 Mhz for upstream traffic and 2100 Mhz for downstream traffic -- so you have to have both or you will not have 3G. Additionally, they have refarmed their 2G band (1900 Mhz) in some areas for 3G use, primarily so people with AT&T phones can use T-Mobile.

As for LTE, AT&T and T-Mobile both use Band 4, with AT&T also using some Band 17.

 

[jhawkkw]

Actually it is 850 Mhz and 1900 Mhz for AT&T and 1700/2100 Mhz for T-Mobile 3G.

As a general rule, AT&T uses 850 Mhz in non-urban areas and 1900 Mhz in urban areas -- though it isn't a hard and fast rule and some areas do have both frequencies.

T-Mobile uses 1700 Mhz for upstream traffic and 2100 Mhz for downstream traffic -- so you have to have both or you will not have 3G. Additionally, they have refarmed their 2G band (1900 Mhz) in some areas for 3G use, primarily so people with AT&T phones can use T-Mobile.

As for LTE, AT&T and T-Mobile both use Band 4, with AT&T also using some Band 17.

The OP said in his last post that he was looking for a basic gsm phone, which would mean GPRS/EDGE is what he'd be looking for.

 

[vmforlife]

Virgin is a great alternative to contracted plans if you don't travel much and you have decent coverage in your area, or if you happen to travel in the U.S. where Virgin has decent coverage.

As stated earlier by many posters, you will not be able to roam with Virgin. It's locked to the Sprint Digital Network, period. The footprint can be fairly small, so be careful and look closely at the coverage map before you jump to Virgin.

Yes, Virgin (Sprint) is a CDMA carrier and not a GSM carrier. I prefer GSM as I can pop SIM cards in and out of unlocked devices as I wish without having to contact anyone or go online and make a switch. And if I am in Canada or Europe, I can get a foreign SIM, pop it in and off I go.

Simple Mobile is an MVNO of T-Mobile and seems to offer the best GSM plans in the U.S. Like Virgin, they only operate on the T-Mo digital network and do NOT roam to ATT. And they won't work in Canada or Mexico or Europe. But, if your GSM phone is unlocked, you can use a foreign SIM like "Orange" in the U.K. and France or "Rogers" in Canada and you are set.

I compare Virgin and Simple Mobile coverage all the time. They both have good and bad areas. For example, if you are traveling through West Virginia, you can't use Simple Mobile as T-Mobile has no coverage in that state, whereas Virgin Mobile does, as long as you are on the main highways or near the main towns.

One perk on Simple Mobile, all of their unlimited plans happen to include BlackBerry, so if you are a BlackBerry fan, you can swap a SIM between, say, an Android and a BlackBerry and both phones will work as they are supposed to. On other carriers, you have to Add or Remove BlackBerry plans as you change between phones, as BlackBerry is a proprietary network and you can't use a BlackBerry phone on a network that does not support a BlackBerry Internet Service plan.

The one distinct advantage you have with Verizon is their coverage. In my opinion, they are the best nationally in the U.S, and they know it, thus, they price accordingly. That's why I jumped from their ship many years ago. With WiFi and with not traveling much off interstates, I don't need their coverage any longer. It's not worth the extra money to me.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[mistichunter]

if you want international coverga. get a unlocked gsm phone.