$25 unlimited data, texts, & calls too good to be true or not?

[QuarterMillionMan]

https://hellomobile.com

Hello Mobile is part of T-Mobile's 4G LTE/5G network.

[Jluke]

I pay $30 for Boost Mobile. Similar offerings.

[cypher1]

Mint Mobile (also T-Mobile) is $30 per month for unlimited data, so that is pretty awesome for 25.

[mumof2]

we have this in australia and it usually includes around 20 international calls

[HundredK]

The problem I find with most deals like this is that coverage is lacking. We actually got cell phone service for free from comcast for a couple of years and just used wifi. It was ok, but spotty even though they use the Verizon network. And then they started charging and it wasn't worth it to put up with the hassle anymore, so we went directly to Verizon and now the service is much better. The thing is, when you use the 3rd party mobile sellers, they get low priority on the towers with whoever they are reselling. So I think that's why we had so many issues with comcast - we were just being put last in line behind the people who paid Verizon directly. Probably depends a great deal on where you live and what your needs are as to whether it's worth it.

[disneysteve]

The problem I find with most deals like this is that coverage is lacking.
we were just being put last in line behind the people who paid Verizon directly.

I've always wondered about that, when some no-name company advertises a super cheap price and says they use the same network as Verizon/AT&T/Sprint. If you're providing the same service with the same equipment, how can you charge a fraction of the price? I figure there has to be some catch.

I also wonder if they throttle your service at a certain point.

[kork13]

I've always wondered about that, when some no-name company advertises a super cheap price and says they use the same network as Verizon/AT&T/Sprint. If you're providing the same service with the same equipment, how can you charge a fraction of the price? I figure there has to be some catch.

I also wonder if they throttle your service at a certain point.

From a technical standpoint, there are a variety of ways to provide MVNO services with a lower fidelity. Most often it's done as an "advantaged user" or not. Prime carrier customers basically get first dibs on bandwidth. MVNO customers ("disadvantaged users") will get booted or restricted bandwidth if the system becomes congested/overwhelmed. In most cases, it's fairly transparent, and not a problem. But in congested areas like near an event center on game night, or during/after a natural disaster, MVNO customers are likely to have greater problems. It's a fairly common construct, and normally allows for more efficient use of available bandwidth by getting more customers using it. MVNO customers get a cut rate by tacitly accepting the chance that they'll have reduced access to the cell network. We do the same/similar thing in military communications in a variety of applications, which is how I learned about it. I'm sticking with Verizon.

[amarowsky]

seems about accurate. It's not all that difficult to find a phone plan for less than $40 per person these days. We have unlimited everything (as far as I know) with like 8 people on our plan. and it's like $215-230 a month (cheaper if EVERYONE is able to stay less than 2gb on lte, which happens maybe once a year). But I think it saves like $20-40 bucks, which is negligible among 8 people). FYI We're on T-mobile. You can really get a ton of savings if you lump em all on one. (last bill was $216, and that includes some wifi crap my big bro has on his account).

If I recall, I used to be a bit bummed when it use to cost closer to $60-80 per person w/ smart phone. Glad that the price has slid down a bit. I have no real complaints w/ T-Mobile. They haven't tried to rope us into a contract in years. So we have not had a need to switch carriers for those B.S. entry period decent contracts.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I wonder if it's worth it for us to go to mint or cricket? I think so but my DH is changing jobs so it might be worth it soon.

[rennigade]

Ive been using mint now for approx 2 months. Havent had any issues. $15/month for unlimited talk/text and 4gb of data. To get the $15 rate, you have to prepay for 1 year...well, its $45 for 3 months, then after that, you have to prepay for 1 year, so $180 up front.

I needed one of these off brand carriers to allow wifi calling, which mint does. The reception is horrible at my house with any carrier, so wifi calling is a must if I want to make phone calls. If you want to switch to mint, let me know. I can provide a referral link. You get $15 applied to your account. Or, find anyone with mint service and ask them for a referral just so you can get the money, doesnt have to come from me.

[cypher1]

Ive been using mint now for approx 2 months. Havent had any issues. $15/month for unlimited talk/text and 4gb of data. To get the $15 rate, you have to prepay for 1 year...well, its $45 for 3 months, then after that, you have to prepay for 1 year, so $180 up front.

I needed one of these off brand carriers to allow wifi calling, which mint does. The reception is horrible at my house with any carrier, so wifi calling is a must if I want to make phone calls. If you want to switch to mint, let me know. I can provide a referral link. You get $15 applied to your account. Or, find anyone with mint service and ask them for a referral just so you can get the money, doesnt have to come from me.

I've had the same $15 plan with Mint for 20 months now and still love it. Even when they upped data plan to 4GB, I still never go over 3. When traveling I've had some reception issues while in the desert, yet same buddy has direct T-Mobile account and LTE was solid signal. So I think that goes back to lower priority of service with Mint than T-Mobile. I also depend on wifi calls with Signal at home. Talked another buddy to switch over to Mint in Los Angeles and has no issues.

[QuarterMillionMan]

After I did more research into this carrier I decided to stay with Cricket since it provides service in Tijuana as well where I travel to at least once a month. This carrier only provides service in USA.

[rennigade]

I've had the same $15 plan with Mint for 20 months now and still love it. Even when they upped data plan to 4GB, I still never go over 3. When traveling I've had some reception issues while in the desert, yet same buddy has direct T-Mobile account and LTE was solid signal. So I think that goes back to lower priority of service with Mint than T-Mobile. I also depend on wifi calls with Signal at home. Talked another buddy to switch over to Mint in Los Angeles and has no issues.

Ive been averaging around 700mb a month for data. Im almost always on wifi. And when im not on wifi, im not glued to my phone either. Amazes me how some people can kill 4gb within a week. Lot of streaming I suppose. Not my cup of tea to watch a show on a 5 inch screen.

[cypher1]

Ive been averaging around 700mb a month for data. Im almost always on wifi. And when im not on wifi, im not glued to my phone either. Amazes me how some people can kill 4gb within a week. Lot of streaming I suppose. Not my cup of tea to watch a show on a 5 inch screen.

I don't get that either. And yes, it's all from streaming. I WFH, and use gym's wifi, so most of the data used is for directions when driving. But even on road trips or out of state I download directions offline, same for longer podcasts on Spotify.

[disneysteve]

Amazes me how some people can kill 4gb within a week. Lot of streaming I suppose. Not my cup of tea to watch a show on a 5 inch screen.

I watch Netflix on my phone all the time, though most of the time I've got wifi either at home or at work. The main time I stream on cellular is when we're traveling because hotel wifi usually sucks.