TracFone offers new cut-rate prepaid cell plan

[ComicalMoodyDan]

TracFone offers new cut-rate prepaid cell plan

Looking for a hot wireless deal? Right now you can get 1,000 wireless minutes, 1,000 texts/MMS and 30 MB of data over Verizon’s network for just $30 a month.

The new pre-paid plan, called “Straight Talk,” is being offered by TracFone, a budget wireless operator. You’ll need a special handset – three are available, from $30-$100. There are other freebies, like free 411 calls, which normally cost $1.50 apiece or more.

In his “Fierce Wireless” e-bulletin, wireless analyst Mark Lowenstein says Straight Talk is a bargain, even by the cut-rate standards of the dirt-cheap pre-paid world.

“It is the best deal in the business,” he writes.

According to Lowenstein, one major advantage of Straight Talk is the Verizon network – considered tops in the industry. Then there’s the price -- $30. That’s significantly cheaper than other pre-paid plans, including Boost’s super-hot $50 offering. Boost’s service runs on Sprint’s Nextel network. (Boost is the pre-paid division of Sprint.)

Straight Talk can be purchased through Wal-Mart, or via the Web (Welcome To Straight Talk). The service is doing a limited rollout; for now it’s only available in limited markets, including Atlanta, Phoenix and Denver, Lowenstein notes.

TracFone offers new cut-rate prepaid cell plan - Technology Live - USATODAY.com

[tigerpilot]

[B]Be Aware that Straight Talk does NOT offer call forwarding with their service!

[danielkarluk]

now this is very interesting. anyone that has straight talk needs to post here because i have some questions. sounds like a great deal but i have my doubts. does the wireless web feature have access to the entire internet or just "select content" like some prepaid companies do. (i believe t-zones for prepaid is limited to select content: ringtones, wallpapers, etc. someone clarify for me please) how is the customer service for straight talk?
Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; .NET CLR 1.1.4322)

[danielkarluk]

are you happy with straight talk service tiger pilot?
Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; .NET CLR 1.1.4322)

[tigerpilot]

Not really. Pretty crappy customer service. I have not been able to check my usage online for 7 days now. Fortunately I don't need customer service very often. The good thing is that the Verizon network works perfectly and the browser is finally working O.K.... so I just figure to save the bucks you have to give up something.
Regards.

[danielkarluk]

straighttalk.com the website itself is unimpressive. how do you refill your account? can you refill online without fooling with a refill card? how is the web browser, can you go to any site you wish, or only the web content straighttalk wants you to see (ringtones, wallpapers, stuff that costs money).

[danielkarluk]

i called straighttalks toll free # and the employee said that he thinks the browser can go to any site i wish, but he wasnt sure. he had apparently never used a straighttalk phone for web browsing. he had what i think was an indian accent and it was challenging to understand what he said, but he was very polite.

[tigerpilot]

Ypu can refill your account automatically or....buy a refill card fom Walmart and refill online or by phone. Call the cust. support line and ask for the corporate number. Be assertive and you'll get the number. Ask them the questions.

[danielkarluk]

where have you gone on the browser, tigerpilot? I want to know if its a typical browser before i order a straighttalk phone. i have virginmobile service right now. if the browser isnt as good as virgin mobile i'm not going to order it.

[danielkarluk]

ok. thanks for the advice.

[danielkarluk]

straighttalk customer svc says i cannot activate a verizon wireless phone on straighttalk service. does anyone know if there's a way to make a verizon phone work on straighttalk service? does straight talk have an airtime balance display since its a tracfone? thank you.

[tigerpilot]

You cannot make a Verizon phone work with Straight Talk. Also there is no airtime balance display on their system.
You must either call or check online.

[danielkarluk]

ok.-------------

[danielkarluk]

is the browser on the phone as good as other phones with a basic browser?

[danielkarluk]

do you know if straighttalk phones will run the opera mini browser?