On another note, we have been using FreedomPop as our phone service but it just is not working al...

[G+_Rud Dog]

On another note, we have been using FreedomPop as our phone service but it just is not working all the time. Now it is time to come out of the cave. How to select phone service? What are the hidden costs? Generally best practices for getting into the cell phone market?

[G+_Rud Dog]

Wayne Hobbins This is the great part of KHC so much knowledge so much so my knowledge hole is suffering from traffic. 

So Ting going there to see what all is happening and to ask if my wife's and my phone can be used with their service. They both have the sim card thing.

Thank you Wayne.

[G+_Rob Conn]

Take a look at Ting www.ting.com It really is as cheap as they claim, and it works MUCH better than Freedom Pop. You can use with WiFi and not pay much at all! And still have full service when not in WiFi. Been using them for many years now. If you decide to try it, contact me here, I have a coupon!

[G+_Rob Conn]

Here is a link for 25.00 off! Full disclosure, if you use it, I get 25.00 too! https://ztea6i4ijrc.ting.com/

[G+_Scott W]

Make sure there are T-Mobile cell towers in your area: http://www.cellreception.com/towers/

[G+_Doug Wagner]

One other option to consider is Google's Project fi. I've had a "fi phone" for months now and have only experienced degradation of voice service once. Was it the carrier (one of two, get to that later) or was it the Nexus phone? Anyway I am thrilled with Project fi and it closely follows Ting in it's cost profile. Upfront phone cost and relatively low data rate. $20/mo + $10/g. NOT a great deal if you are a Heavy data user but for most other folks it's great. All 'fi phones' are unlocked and can jump back and forth betw Sprint & T-mobile. Sure, $500 up front for a fi phone hurts plenty, but with some Big Name carriers you will spend far more than that each year in excessive charges. Project fi has an active forum for users on G+.

[G+_Rud Dog]

While I read through the Network-Project Fi website was wondering if you could shortcut an answer for me? It that 20 a month per phone and are the services pooled?

[G+_Rud Dog]

While on wifi connection is  your data used up or do you not get charged when using you home wifi?

[G+_Doug Wagner]

WiFi traffic isn't charged to data plan on fi. Don't understand your pooled question. Clarify?

[G+_Rud Dog]

Thanks Wayne, after reading up on the web site for this service have to say it is interesting so much so asked to be added. Now all I have to do is request an invite for my wife. 

If you get any thing for telling me about this service let me know and will mention you name other wise thanks

[G+_Ben Reese]

Probably best to check coverage in your area for the different carriers. Ting uses Sprint, but I'm pretty sure they just added T-mobile as an option too.

 

Didn't freedom pop use Sprint and WiMax primarily? You may just have bad Sprint coverage in your area. With that in mind, Google Fi might be a good fit too since it uses Sprint and T-mobile - whichever is stronger wherever you're at. I believe Fi is $20/mo base then $10/GB after that. Most MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operators - i.e. Ting, Fi, Freedom Pop, Republic, Boost...) use Sprint or T-mobile's towers, but there are a few that use AT&T or Verizon.

 

But really, your experience will be different than someone elsewhere in the country. I have Sprint for my personal phone and AT&T for work. Some places I get better service on one and other places are better on the other.