Question about a basic phone and internet

[MrLaserman]

I'm asking this question for my 58 year old brother.

He wants to know what kind of internet experience he can expect from a 3G texting phone. To be specific the Sparq II.

He bought one to learn texting but where he lives his internet goes out occasionally and wants to know if it's worth it to change plans to add data. he is currently on pay as you go.

all he really wants is to be able to access his email and only occasionally visit a web site if his home internet is down... no more than that.

I told him he can get an entry level smartphone right now really cheap but he's resistant... one of those that says he'll get a smartphone when there are no other kind to get. He is looking at the $30 Tmo plan with 1500 minutes and 30 mb of data... but I don't know that would be enough data for even occasional internet use. Maybe a few emails but that's about all. He has to keep up with work emails so when his home internet goes out he has gone to the public library but would rather not have to drive somewhere to use a computer.

Is it worth it to add data to a Sparq II basic phone?

 

[Rukbat]

1) Tell him from an old person (I'm close to 72) that he's stuck in the last century.

2) He can get on TMobile with unlimited voice and text, and 2.5GB of data/month for $45. Straight Talk and a TMobile phone and SIM. Or AT&T or Sprint or Verizon - same deal, same price.

3) Picking the carrier by price or by what they offer is the worst way. Pick the carrier by the service you get where you need service. IOW, who has the best signal at his house?

4) Texting is 2G (like voice), data is 3G and 4G. (Now - my crystal ball went dead so ...) Sending pictures or other attachments by texting is data.

5) He can get about the same "not smart" phone on Straight Talk (Samsung T404G) for free. Or an LG 900G for $10. Or if he really wants to splurge (the same price as a Sparq II, but a smartphone) the Samsung Precedent for $40. I had one of those in my pocket for about 2 years. Small screen for someone who wears reading glasses, but a decent phone for the price. There are a lot of choices.

But check with others who come to his house and see what carrier they use and how the coverage is there, both for voice and for internet. Then get a phone on the best carrier. Then worry about the plan. (Remember also, there's contract and there's no contract. A free phone with no contract that doesn't work out only costs you $45 for the month. A $40 phone and a $30 no contract plan costs $70 if it doesn't work. And if it's a contract, you're stuck for 2 years with a phone you can't use.)

 

[chong67]

Nobody do texting anymore. Its too limited. Most people use Whatsapp, Viber, WeChat and perhaps Skype for video. Hangout by Google is just OK.