Walmart offers a cell phone program called “Straight Talk”. It doesn’t require a contract. You can go to the website listed below for prices and conditions, but, in general, the cost is $35/mo for a limited amount of use -though probably set high enough that most of us wouldn’t reach the limit- and $45 for unlimited data and cellphone use. This is all within the US. However, if you buy a GSM phone, then you can slip in a SIM card for any country you visit.
I had some questions after I looked over the web site, which I sent on to the web site customer service. The questions were:
1. Can I use my own cell phone, like a blackberry? Short answer: NO.
2. Does the company offer packages for more than 1 phone? Short answer: NO
3. What service providers does the company actually use? See below.
The reply from Straight Talk Customer Support:
As of the moment, Straight Talk does not offer any Joint Plans. You will
need to refill each phone with a Service Card/Plan. The Straight Talk
service cards are available at participating Wal-Mart retailers or on
our website at www.straighttalk.com.
Straight Talk Wireless products are set-up with a pre-paid feature and
we will not be able to combine another service provider's settings to
our phones. We are only able to activate handsets manufactured
specifically for Straight Talk Wireless. You can purchase a Straight
Talk phone on our website at www.straighttalk.com/ShopPhones or at a
participating Wal-Mart retailer.
Upon checking on your ZIP Code 29356, it appears that the available
towers on your area are Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. We would like to
inform you that Straight Talk is using the CDMA and GSM technologies.
The Straight Talk phones that are under the CDMA network do not have a
SIM Card. These phones are powered by Verizon. However, the phones under
the GSM network have a SIM Card and they are powered by AT&T or
T-Mobile.
For any further questions or comments, please contact one of our
customer care representatives at 1-888-251-8163. For your convenience,
our representatives are available Monday ? Sunday from 8:00 AM to 11:45
PM EST. You can also visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
section on our website: http://www.straighttalk.com/FAQ
need to refill each phone with a Service Card/Plan. The Straight Talk
service cards are available at participating Wal-Mart retailers or on
our website at www.straighttalk.com.
Straight Talk Wireless products are set-up with a pre-paid feature and
we will not be able to combine another service provider's settings to
our phones. We are only able to activate handsets manufactured
specifically for Straight Talk Wireless. You can purchase a Straight
Talk phone on our website at www.straighttalk.com/ShopPhones or at a
participating Wal-Mart retailer.
Upon checking on your ZIP Code 29356, it appears that the available
towers on your area are Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. We would like to
inform you that Straight Talk is using the CDMA and GSM technologies.
The Straight Talk phones that are under the CDMA network do not have a
SIM Card. These phones are powered by Verizon. However, the phones under
the GSM network have a SIM Card and they are powered by AT&T or
T-Mobile.
For any further questions or comments, please contact one of our
customer care representatives at 1-888-251-8163. For your convenience,
our representatives are available Monday ? Sunday from 8:00 AM to 11:45
PM EST. You can also visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
section on our website: http://www.straighttalk.com/FAQ
Interesting read. I agree it not cool that you can't use a blackeberry with this straight talk service. On a side note, i think its cool that they dont lock you into a contract so you can leave straight talk anytime you want. In 3 months if you want to use your blackberry again straight talk does not tie you down!
ReplyDeleteThis is an really super service that straighttalk offer. You might not be able to use certain phones on the service but there is no need to when you have the Nokia 71. This is a really great phone offering everything and on the unlimited plan it is a bargain. Straighttalk offer an unlimited plan at $45 a month giving unlimited talk, text and data connection with no being tied down to a contract - I have freedom of my phone with straighttalk
ReplyDeleteI have the Samsung R355c from Straight Talk and it gives incredible savings. The $45 a month unlimited plan is all I need per month. No contract, no charges that make you sick and surprises, only what you pay is what you get. At Wal-mart they carry different cellphones to choose from. Make the switch today and you will save instantly.
ReplyDeleteI think you can see that Straight Talk probably has some employees or corporate friends trolling the internet in order to support Straight Talk. It does look good and it would be really attractive if they offered an Android phone. But the main drawback is that they don't offer a bundled service. My current service is so much for 1 phone and $10 more for a second. So, if I change, I will be increasing my cellphone expense by $35, not decreasing it. If my wife changes, the cost is just about the same as now. So... I'm going to keep my service until we can bundle the service. The key decision point will be if Straight talk can match my current cost but give me the unlimited plan. (My wife doesn't need more than text; I could make good use of the unlimited service, especially if they offer an android.)
ReplyDeleteDiddo. Except there are four in our family...two of us need data plans; the other two do not. Still, Straight talk ends up costing us more because there is no bundle. And, the kids would love to have better phones (as they describe them).
ReplyDelete