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Questions about Tmobile $30 plan

T

TriumphLance

Android Enthusiast
Hey I've just stumbled on this $30 4g plan, I'm with virgin mobile and I did not know about this plan until a couple hours ago so I'm gathering info on it. I could literally switch to a 4g phone plan for hardly any increase in money if I sell my phone.. I am just wondering a couple of things.

1. Is it only 100minutes bar none or can you talk over 100 minutes by paying extra? I usually talk under 100 a month just wondering.

2. What Android phone would you recommend $200-$250 range. Big screen. Good signal strength.

3. Can I buy a used t-mobile phone and use it on this plan?

4. What speeds do you guys get in a 3g/4g area? I'm only getting 500kbps on Virgin Mobile. I live within a mile of a huge 4g coverage area on their map.
 
TriumphLance said:
1. Is it only 100minutes bar none or can you talk over 100 minutes by paying extra?
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It will be xx cents per minute over 100. Go to T-Mobile.com for the exact rate.

2. What Android phone would you recommend $200-$250 range. Big screen. Good signal strength.
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I'd go for a used LG G2x at that price. Dual-core, 4" screen. If you want a physical keyboard a used HTC G2 is even cheaper. Single-core, 3.7" screen. Both phones run vanilla Android Gingerbread 2.3 which is a Good Thing. Google or T-Mobile.com for more details. For $250 or less you probably won't find a good phone with a larger screen unless you hit a great deal. I find 4" to be just right anyway.

3. Can I buy a used t-mobile phone and use it on this plan?
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See above. Be sure to get a T-Mobile version so the 3G-4G frequencies match or you be stuck with Edge (2G) data speed.

4. What speeds do you guys get in a 3g/4g area? I'm only getting 500kbps on Virgin Mobile. I live within a mile of a huge 4g coverage area on their map.
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Some 4G areas are faster than others. Expect at least 1-1.5mbps and as much as 5-6mbps down. At home
I get 1-15mbps both down and up. Other areas around town I can get 3-5mbps down and 1-1.5mbps up.
 
What coverage are you listed as on T-Mobiles coverage map? I thought I was in 3g but apparently its a 2g coverage area. 4g is nearby though
 
When I went from Virgin Mobile to T-Mobile, I went with the Galaxy S II T989, but that phone is $450 right now. The original Galaxy S 4G can be good too if you are willing to get it used on ebay for $200ish, I was fond of this phone for its AMOLED screen and excellent sound. Big is a relative term now, since I consider 4" screens as small.

In a good coverage area you will get great speed compared to what you're used to with Virgin's Sprint network. Best scenario, with the Galaxy S II T989 which is capable of 42Mbps, I gets 24Mbps download speed. You will likely get a phone with HSPA+ 21Mbps rating though, and can get up to 15Mbps with very good signals. Even without being in an HSPA area, I can get 6Mbps down.

If you are in 2G area, you will get EDGE speed, which is about a couple times faster than 56k modem. Realistically you'll get something like 100-250kbps.

To use T-Mobile's 3G network, just make sure your phone support the 1700 and 2100 bands. Or you can be hopeful about this news: http://www.gsmarena.com/tmobile_usa_running_1900mhz_3g_in_some_areas_iphones_invited-news-3537.php

Btw, when the carriers call it HSPA+, 4G or LTE, all of these are 3G. LTE =/= 4G.
 
does anyone in new york city area have this plan? i would like to see how well voip works on this phone!!! please...anyone?
 
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