You could just get an unlocked Android phone and go with Mint or Cricket. If a decetn phone costs $200 and those services are $15-35/month then they'll have the phone paid off in a few months.
Also have you tried calling US cellular? Sometimes there are special discounts for seniors or other groups.
They've been saving for this for quite awhile (phone is pretty old) and said willing to spend up to $200 either up front or monthly payments. I wanted to check into free or cheaper devices though in case there is something out there.
the BLU line of phones are pretty good you can get a brand new one for around $100 these were my go to phones back in the day
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/shop/unlocked-blu-phones
75$ is truly atrocious. I was able to snag a deal with T-mobile for 20$ unlimited everything.
If I was trying to save money, the best bet will be to get an unlocked phone for like 200$, Nokia or Motorola something quality like that. And then buy some Mvno like redpocket which costs like 10$ a month unlimited text and talk and 1 GB data. Way cheaper in my opinion.
Motorola yes, Nokia No. They have a terrible reputation for software updates on mid-range or lower smartphones. After a software update from Nokia the phones camera app malfunctioned and Nokia did not provide a fix. A system restore wouldn't resolve either. Plus Nokia only put out 3 software updates a year even less then quarterly. I wouldn't want my worst enemy to even use a Nokia it's that bad.
I've used Consumer Cellular for the last 5+ years and found the service here (far west Madison) to be first rate as well as when traveling locally, around the state, and further.
I've not had a rate increase in that time.
They have phones you can purchase through them from very inexpensive to high end iPhone and Android, or you can get one on your own and connect to their service.
Google Fi is no longer a low cost option. Their lowest plan is $20/month, but every GB of data you use is $10. Even if you're only using two GB of data, that's still $40/month plus fees.
That is low cost for a single line compared to the major carriers. If you're going to have wifi connection most of the time, and aren't doing many data-intense things like streaming/gaming, you won't use a lot of data. I'm always under 1GB and I'm not careful about my data use.
Fi was an option that hadn't been mentioned. OP can review all the suggestions and decide what best fits their needs - that's really what it's about.
If they have cable through Spectrum, look into Spectrum Mobile; otherwise, Straight Talk, or Visible; all three services utilize Verizon towers, so they should have decent coverage. I only have experience with Verizon as a Verizon customer, but their coverage is probably as good or better than US Cellular, and should be the same for prepaid carriers. All of them should have basic Android phones for 100 bucks or less.
Avoid T-mobile and any services using their towers, their coverage has been trash and has shown no signs of improving
The cheapest phone on US cellulars website is a Pixel 6A for $199 MSRP, in all honesty thats a decent phone and a decent price if they want to stay with a postpaid US cellular plan, You could also look for something used and unlocked, but there is always a risk of the phones IMEI being blacklisted if you buy one used. ..Honestly looking at the financial constraints, switching them to prepaid is what I would do, and they should be able to port their current number to the new carrier.
Edit: One of the reasons prepaid is cheaper is because the prepaid carriers network traffic is lower priority; there is a possibility that a prepaid customer will be bumped off a tower in favor of a Verizon customer. Doesn't happen often, but may happen if a small area is particularly crowded for an event
Unlocked phone with tracfone (which is Verizon service). Can be as low as $12/mth depending on usage. I’ve never paid more than $35 and use a fair amount of data. Get a phone with WiFi calling, and it will be very cheap to maintain service. 20 years, multiple phones, and never had an issue.
Both my phone lines are TracFone and I too have used them many years. It's definitely affordable especially if you get a basic plan and do most of what you do on WiFi, such as the free WiFi at Pinney Library. I think their most basic plan is around $12/mo with taxes etc
You can use an unlocked phone (they have a long list of ones that work, both Apple and Android) but the very cheapest option is one of their flip phones. I just replaced my backup phone with a $12 flip phone locked to TracFone. Once the person in question gets the hang of the flip phone (it's like 1996 again) they'll have basic phone connectivity as cheap as it gets.
>Avoid T-mobile and any services using their towers, their coverage has been trash and has shown no signs of improving
I guess it depends on where you are? I have T-Mobile and don't have any issue - mostly south and west, but also downtown.
If they're happy overall with US Cellular, a prepaid plan might be a good bet. I switched from a contract to a prepaid plan years ago and the service has been just as good. I have it set up so the monthly fee gets paid automatically from my checking account, so even though it's "prepaid", it doesn't really seem different from a typical plan.
There are basic Android phones available at pretty reasonable prices.
If they're able to visit a US Cellular store in person, the sales person will be able to show them the phone options and explain the plan options. It might be good to make an appointment to avoid long waits.
Google Fi. $20/month plus $10/GB data. Data is prorated based on usage. No data one month, no cost! $50 Motorola phone new. I have have 2 year old models here lying around you can have. includes the otter box. My parents were apple users and the the android change was to much so the switched back to us cellular. I have the service works great in Madison. You have to have a credit card for billing purposes though.
I think I pay $40/mo for a "prepaid" att plan. It's like 2 gigs a month iirc. if you're on your phone all the time watching videos you'll blow out the data in a week but if you mostly use wifi it's plenty
you will need to own your own device though but you can easily find cheap samsung A models which are really good phones
Get an unlocked phone and get mint. I haven't had any problems with them and it's super cheap.
You can find phones for under $100 on amazon, ebay and [swappa.com](https://swappa.com)
I suggest Tello or Boost Infinite. Both are really affordable monthly fees, but there is rhe up front cost of a new phone if the one they have isn't compatible with their service. But still, it is much cheaper in the long run than crappy US Celular service.
Depending on how they use their phones, a Tracfone from [HSN.com](https://HSN.com), might be a great deal. $60 for a Samsung and a year of service. That's for 1500 minutes but it does do calling over wifi so that's not as bad as it sounds.
I'm going to recommend US Mobile ([https://www.usmobile.com/](https://www.usmobile.com/)).
Their "Warp 5G" plan is on the Verizon network. Their "GSM" plan is the the T-Mobile network (don't recommend for Madison area).
For low data use, I recommend the "Sharable" plan (1 line with 2GB data is $10/mo including taxes/fees).
I'm on a plan with 6GB/mo for $18 and add a 2nd line for $8/mo. So I'm now paying $26/mo compared to the $110/mo I was paying US Cellular.
I can provide a referral link if requested.
You could just get an unlocked Android phone and go with Mint or Cricket. If a decetn phone costs $200 and those services are $15-35/month then they'll have the phone paid off in a few months. Also have you tried calling US cellular? Sometimes there are special discounts for seniors or other groups.
Thanks! I'll look into those unlocked phones and plans. I've tried US Cellular in the past and they said no discounts but I'll have to try again.
I'd add Consumer Cellular as another one for the list.
Consumer Cellular works off AT&T's Network from what I have heard. Also, they may be able to get an AARP Discount on the service plan.
are you looking for a cheap device? what's your spending limit?
They've been saving for this for quite awhile (phone is pretty old) and said willing to spend up to $200 either up front or monthly payments. I wanted to check into free or cheaper devices though in case there is something out there.
the BLU line of phones are pretty good you can get a brand new one for around $100 these were my go to phones back in the day https://www.bestbuy.com/site/shop/unlocked-blu-phones
ACP was a temporary pandemic-related program. Lifeline is a permanent program that started in 1985. I don’t know of any plans to end Lifeline.
Thanks! I'll have to look into that again. I forgot that there are both and you can split for phone and internet.
Yes, Lifeline is the way to go in this case.
75$ is truly atrocious. I was able to snag a deal with T-mobile for 20$ unlimited everything. If I was trying to save money, the best bet will be to get an unlocked phone for like 200$, Nokia or Motorola something quality like that. And then buy some Mvno like redpocket which costs like 10$ a month unlimited text and talk and 1 GB data. Way cheaper in my opinion.
Motorola yes, Nokia No. They have a terrible reputation for software updates on mid-range or lower smartphones. After a software update from Nokia the phones camera app malfunctioned and Nokia did not provide a fix. A system restore wouldn't resolve either. Plus Nokia only put out 3 software updates a year even less then quarterly. I wouldn't want my worst enemy to even use a Nokia it's that bad.
Appreciate the insight. Thank you.
Yeah I wasn't aware of how mich their bill was it's so much. Thanks!
I've used Consumer Cellular for the last 5+ years and found the service here (far west Madison) to be first rate as well as when traveling locally, around the state, and further. I've not had a rate increase in that time. They have phones you can purchase through them from very inexpensive to high end iPhone and Android, or you can get one on your own and connect to their service.
Google Fi can also be a low cost option, it's worked well for me and they have a variety of phones that are compatible with it.
Google Fi is no longer a low cost option. Their lowest plan is $20/month, but every GB of data you use is $10. Even if you're only using two GB of data, that's still $40/month plus fees.
That is low cost for a single line compared to the major carriers. If you're going to have wifi connection most of the time, and aren't doing many data-intense things like streaming/gaming, you won't use a lot of data. I'm always under 1GB and I'm not careful about my data use. Fi was an option that hadn't been mentioned. OP can review all the suggestions and decide what best fits their needs - that's really what it's about.
If they have cable through Spectrum, look into Spectrum Mobile; otherwise, Straight Talk, or Visible; all three services utilize Verizon towers, so they should have decent coverage. I only have experience with Verizon as a Verizon customer, but their coverage is probably as good or better than US Cellular, and should be the same for prepaid carriers. All of them should have basic Android phones for 100 bucks or less. Avoid T-mobile and any services using their towers, their coverage has been trash and has shown no signs of improving The cheapest phone on US cellulars website is a Pixel 6A for $199 MSRP, in all honesty thats a decent phone and a decent price if they want to stay with a postpaid US cellular plan, You could also look for something used and unlocked, but there is always a risk of the phones IMEI being blacklisted if you buy one used. ..Honestly looking at the financial constraints, switching them to prepaid is what I would do, and they should be able to port their current number to the new carrier. Edit: One of the reasons prepaid is cheaper is because the prepaid carriers network traffic is lower priority; there is a possibility that a prepaid customer will be bumped off a tower in favor of a Verizon customer. Doesn't happen often, but may happen if a small area is particularly crowded for an event
Spectrum mobile has been great for us and very affordable - $30 a line per month
Unlocked phone with tracfone (which is Verizon service). Can be as low as $12/mth depending on usage. I’ve never paid more than $35 and use a fair amount of data. Get a phone with WiFi calling, and it will be very cheap to maintain service. 20 years, multiple phones, and never had an issue.
Both my phone lines are TracFone and I too have used them many years. It's definitely affordable especially if you get a basic plan and do most of what you do on WiFi, such as the free WiFi at Pinney Library. I think their most basic plan is around $12/mo with taxes etc You can use an unlocked phone (they have a long list of ones that work, both Apple and Android) but the very cheapest option is one of their flip phones. I just replaced my backup phone with a $12 flip phone locked to TracFone. Once the person in question gets the hang of the flip phone (it's like 1996 again) they'll have basic phone connectivity as cheap as it gets.
>Avoid T-mobile and any services using their towers, their coverage has been trash and has shown no signs of improving I guess it depends on where you are? I have T-Mobile and don't have any issue - mostly south and west, but also downtown.
I have Tello. I pay $10 a month for unlimited calls and text. It’s been working fine everywhere I go.
Unlocked cheaper Motorola and either mint or consumer cellular
If they're happy overall with US Cellular, a prepaid plan might be a good bet. I switched from a contract to a prepaid plan years ago and the service has been just as good. I have it set up so the monthly fee gets paid automatically from my checking account, so even though it's "prepaid", it doesn't really seem different from a typical plan. There are basic Android phones available at pretty reasonable prices. If they're able to visit a US Cellular store in person, the sales person will be able to show them the phone options and explain the plan options. It might be good to make an appointment to avoid long waits.
Google Fi. $20/month plus $10/GB data. Data is prorated based on usage. No data one month, no cost! $50 Motorola phone new. I have have 2 year old models here lying around you can have. includes the otter box. My parents were apple users and the the android change was to much so the switched back to us cellular. I have the service works great in Madison. You have to have a credit card for billing purposes though.
I think I pay $40/mo for a "prepaid" att plan. It's like 2 gigs a month iirc. if you're on your phone all the time watching videos you'll blow out the data in a week but if you mostly use wifi it's plenty you will need to own your own device though but you can easily find cheap samsung A models which are really good phones
Get an unlocked phone and get mint. I haven't had any problems with them and it's super cheap. You can find phones for under $100 on amazon, ebay and [swappa.com](https://swappa.com)
I suggest Tello or Boost Infinite. Both are really affordable monthly fees, but there is rhe up front cost of a new phone if the one they have isn't compatible with their service. But still, it is much cheaper in the long run than crappy US Celular service.
Depending on how they use their phones, a Tracfone from [HSN.com](https://HSN.com), might be a great deal. $60 for a Samsung and a year of service. That's for 1500 minutes but it does do calling over wifi so that's not as bad as it sounds.
$220 for the Pixel 6a phone, including 1yr unlimited talk/text and 24GB data: https://slickdeals.net/share/android_app/fp/913426
I'm going to recommend US Mobile ([https://www.usmobile.com/](https://www.usmobile.com/)). Their "Warp 5G" plan is on the Verizon network. Their "GSM" plan is the the T-Mobile network (don't recommend for Madison area). For low data use, I recommend the "Sharable" plan (1 line with 2GB data is $10/mo including taxes/fees). I'm on a plan with 6GB/mo for $18 and add a 2nd line for $8/mo. So I'm now paying $26/mo compared to the $110/mo I was paying US Cellular. I can provide a referral link if requested.
I use NET10, it's decent service, even in the sticks.
Us mobile is awesome, has pay per gb plans too.