Using My Phone Without Service

[Sly Drum Guy]

Hi,

I've got an HTC Droid Incredible 2 with service provided by Verizon. The problem is that I'm currently out of a job, and I don't have the money to pay my bill. Verizon, like most companies doesn't care that I'm going through a rough patch; they want their money, and because I don't have it, they're going to shut off my phone. I can't go without my phone; people can't call me, and I can't call them (this includes potential employers).

Lately I've been reading about how you can use Google Voice in conjunction with a Wi-Fi connection in order to use your phone to make and receive phone calls as well as send and receive text messages without actually having service from a carrier. I know you can still use other applications such as e-mail because they only require a Wi-Fi connection, but it's the phone calls and texts that are most important.

What I don't understand is exactly how it works. I've read several articles on the Internet, but I'm not quite clear on everything, and in some of the articles they've said that you actually still need a service plan. Can someone help me out here? Is this possible, or am I screwed once my service is canceled?

 

[kate]

For someone to call your phone with Google Voice you must have a phone plan.

However you can call people over WiFi with Google Voice + Groove IP without a phone plan. So people would call your Google Voice number and leave a message (since you couldn't answer it on your phone), then you could call them back using your phone over WiFi.

You can get a Google Voice number for free.

Update:
Looks like you can receive calls, see the post from DonB below.

 

[Sly Drum Guy]

For someone to call your phone with Google Voice you must have a phone plan.

However you can call people over WiFi with Google Voice + Groove IP without a phone plan. So people would call your Google Voice number and leave a message (since you couldn't answer it on your phone), then you could call them back using your phone over WiFi.

You can get a Google Voice number for free.

Ah, so in order for me to be able to answer the phone when someone calls me, I'd still need to have service through Verizon? That's what I wasn't sure of.

So, without the service plan I can still use Google Voice and Groove IP to call people back? They would simply call me, leave a message, and then I could return their call after I heard the message? Obviously I'd need to be near an active and open WiFi connection to do so, but I just want to make sure I'm understand you properly.

Text messages wouldn't be affected, right? I could use an app that sends them over WiFi (if such an app exists)?

 

[DragonSlayer95]

That sounds about right, you would get a notification of the missed call/voice mail once your in an active wifi network.

Google voice can be used to text back and forth as well.

 

[Sly Drum Guy]

That sounds about right, you would get a notification of the missed call/voice mail once your in an active wifi network.

Google voice can be used to text back and forth as well.

Oh, it can be used for text messages too? I didn't know that!

Speaking of WiFi connections, does anyone know if there are any portable hotspot devices that don't require a monthly payment? That way I could always have an active connection and never have to worry about not being able to return an important call for hours because I'm not near a connection. I'm probably reaching, but hey, maybe such a device does exist.

 

[DonB]

For someone to call your phone with Google Voice you must have a phone plan.

However you can call people over WiFi with Google Voice + Groove IP without a phone plan. So people would call your Google Voice number and leave a message (since you couldn't answer it on your phone), then you could call them back using your phone over WiFi.

You can get a Google Voice number for free.

FTR, you can use your GV number to be called on through your device, as long as you have WiFi and as long as your GoogleTalk is check marked, you can do so through 2 apps, GrooveIP, or Talkatone, both will allow your phone to ring you when someone calls your GV number and you have internet.

 

[Mayhem]

Netzero has one for $0/mo with 200MB/mo. You have to pay $99 for the hotspot though.

Wireless Internet | 4G Mobile Broadband | NetZero

 

[Sly Drum Guy]

FTR, you can use your GV number to be called on through your device, as long as you have WiFi and as long as your GoogleTalk is check marked, you can do so through 2 apps, GrooveIP, or Talkatone, both will allow your phone to ring you when someone calls your GV number and you have internet.

Oh, so as long as I was near an active and open WiFi connection, I could set the programs up so that my phone would ring and I could answer it? Great!

Netzero has one for $0/mo with 200MB/mo. You have to pay $99 for the hotspot though.

Wireless Internet | 4G Mobile Broadband | NetZero

200MB per month is the limit? That's so low...

 

[kate]

FTR, you can use your GV number to be called on through your device, as long as you have WiFi and as long as your GoogleTalk is check marked, you can do so through 2 apps, GrooveIP, or Talkatone, both will allow your phone to ring you when someone calls your GV number and you have internet.

Interesting, thanks.

I'll look into the Google Talk option.

 

[bjacks12]

It's free..... This is a game where you have to pay to play.

 

[Sly Drum Guy]

It's free..... This is a game where you have to pay to play.

I figured as much. Damn it.

 

[bjacks12]

How much per month are you paying on your contract? I would highly recommend switching to a prepaid carrier to save funds. That way you won't be locked into a contract that will hurt your credit should you fall on hard times again.

I pay $45/month right now on Straight Talk.

 

[dan330]

Oh, so as long as I was near an active and open WiFi connection, I could set the programs up so that my phone would ring and I could answer it? Great!



200MB per month is the limit? That's so low...

LOL .. it is FREE!!! enough to let you know you have messages and texting.

they will start to charge you .. when you go over.
if you going to use it for voice calls over the internet...be careful of speed of the internet.. if to slow, your conversation will be useless.. and just use up 200mb in now time!!!

 

[Sly Drum Guy]

How much per month are you paying on your contract? I would highly recommend switching to a prepaid carrier to save funds. That way you won't be locked into a contract that will hurt your credit should you fall on hard times again.

I pay $45/month right now on Straight Talk.

I pay about $110 a month. In the past I've thought about switching to a prepaid plan, but I don't want to have to get a new phone. I like mine a lot.

LOL .. it is FREE!!! enough to let you know you have messages and texting.

they will start to charge you .. when you go over.
if you going to use it for voice calls over the internet...be careful of speed of the internet.. if to slow, your conversation will be useless.. and just use up 200mb in now time!!!

Yeah, there's no way 200MB would last. I'd go over for sure.

 

[bjacks12]

If your phone is not LTE capable(IIRC, the Droid Inc 2 is non-LTE), then you can actually get it unlocked by VZW and take it to Straight Talk.

However, I imagine your MEID is going to be blacklisted for non-payment, so that may be out the window.

 

[jhawkkw]

Since you have a Droid Incredible 2, that would be a 3g only phone. That therefore would make it compatible with Page Plus or Straight Talk's BYOP CDMA program. However, you have to get out of your contract before you can do that by either finishing it, or paying the termination fee. If you fail to pay your bill, Verizon will blacklist the ESN which will make the phone useless.

 

[Sly Drum Guy]

If your phone is not LTE capable(IIRC, the Droid Inc 2 is non-LTE), then you can actually get it unlocked by VZW and take it to Straight Talk.

However, I imagine your MEID is going to be blacklisted for non-payment, so that may be out the window.

Oh, really? I didn't know that. I'll look into it.

Since you have a Droid Incredible 2, that would be a 3g only phone. That therefore would make it compatible with Page Plus or Straight Talk's BYOP CDMA program. However, you have to get out of your contract before you can do that by either finishing it, or paying the termination fee. If you fail to pay your bill, Verizon will blacklist the ESN which will make the phone useless.

My contract expired a long time ago; I never renewed it. Therefore, I don't have a cancellation fee to pay, so I could square up my bill and then switch to a prepaid plan, I think.

 

[jhawkkw]

Yep, that definitely sounds like an option then.

 

[Sly Drum Guy]

Yep, that definitely sounds like an option then.

Would I be better off getting a prepaid plan through Verizon, or switching to Straight Talk or a similar company? I know nothing about them in terms of their coverage, reliability, problems (dropped calls), etc. in comparison to Verizon.

 

[bjacks12]

Staight Talk's CDMA BYOP is the same coverage as Verizon Prepaid. It's $45 per month. Unlimited talk, text, and they advertise unlimited. They throttle, and they do not tell you when they will throttle. I think they're more liberal on the Verizon phones, so it might be 2-3 GB before it happens.

 

[Sly Drum Guy]

Staight Talk's CDMA BYOP is the same coverage as Verizon Prepaid. It's $45 per month. Unlimited talk, text, and they advertise unlimited. They throttle, and they do not tell you when they will throttle. I think they're more liberal on the Verizon phones, so it might be 2-3 GB before it happens.

As of right now, the majority of the time that I use data, it's over WiFi because I'm usually always at home, so it doesn't really worry me too much if they throttle data a bit.

What about the Pay As You Go program from Verizon? Is that any good? Maybe if I used that in conjunction with Google Voice and Groove IP I could pay a really low amount per month, seeing as right now I'm usually always around WiFi (because I have it here at the house).

 

[blackepoxy]

I Have been using my phone without service on wi-fi with Textplus for messaging and tango and or Skype for phone calls. Phone Rings with tango and Skype when some one calls. I thought about going the google voice route but don't really need to. This is working pretty well for me. all the apps I mentioned are free on the play store too.

 

[Sly Drum Guy]

I Have been using my phone without service on wi-fi with Textplus for messaging and tango and or Skype for phone calls. Phone Rings with tango and Skype when some one calls. I thought about going the google voice route but don't really need to. This is working pretty well for me. all the apps I mentioned are free on the play store too.

How does Tango work? Can anybody call you, meaning a company or a doctor for example, or does it have to be someone else who is using Tango? If I remember right, that's how it works with Skype, which is why I don't want to go that route; I need other people (companies, doctors, etc) to be able to call me.

EDIT: If I understand correctly, Tango cannot be used without a service plan from a provider.

 

[blackepoxy]

Yeah tango works only from someone with a smartphone/ tablet that has the tango app installed on it from what I think. Unless they have web page that u now uses via pc/ laptob setup???

Skype on the other hand will work from a person using a desktop/laptop with a webcam hooked up/ enabled or phone with the app on it.

I see that you are wanting something more practical that anyone could call you from like a landline.

I know also with text plus you can pay for minutes and receive calls from anyone using any phone and it's like very cheap or something... but we want free!!!

 

[Sly Drum Guy]

Yeah tango works only from someone with a smartphone/ tablet that has the tango app installed on it from what I think. Unless they have web page that use now via pc/ laptob setup?

Skype on the other hand will work from a person using a desktop/laptop with a webcam hooked up/ enabled or phone with the app on it.

I see that you are wanting something more practical that anyone could call you from like a landline.

Yes, that's correct. I would prefer something where anyone could call me, not just people who are using the same application as I am. I need to be able to be contacted by doctors, potential employers, friends and family that don't have cell phones or the same applications, etc.