yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] rock7632:
I am enrolled in auto-pay and have been since I got straight talk. Is there any way to opt out of it and start using refill cards from Walmart without having to call them? I looked on their site in my account but could not find any place to take my card info out without entering another card

---------- Post added at 07:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:01 PM ----------

Yeah, please do keep posting updates. I don't know about anyone else but I appreciate all the updates from everyone in this thread
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] jonathan3579:
I'll probably just give them a call to see how it works. Hopefully I can get the sim card before the weekend. If it doesn't work with Straight Talk then I'll be right back to my $30 plan, lol.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] spiritcrusher33:
Well I activated a T-Mobile 30 dollar plan. But I get no reception what so ever in my house lol. Might be good in town at work. Etc but useless at my house in the country. Att coverage rules at my house. My straight talk sim will arrive wed. Gonna use the T-Mobile plan in my galaxy tab. Wife's micro sum for her iPhone will arrive Monday so she will be on straight talk also.. can't wait to save a lot of cash vs our att family plan.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] :
Thanks for all the info in this thread. I'm looking forward to giving this a shot.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] zulu657:
I read the entire 150 pages of this thread before posting. And yes, it did take awhile. My situation is a bit unique & while some post came close, none hit it.

I have been with T-Mobile ever since I got a cell & have been more than happy with them. Most of the time has been out of contract. I travel by motorcycle in the spring & summer months & use my phone to call home or find campgrounds in remote areas. Never had a problem until the ATT thing.... Since then, my phone has had no service more often than not--and this in areas where I had service before. I now keep it turned off to save the battery.

Unlike most, I want to try Straight Talk, hoping for better/some coverage than I have. Again, mostly for phone but also to check weather radar for storms, etc.

The question is this: If I get ST using my SoCal zip will the phone work in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, etc.? The ST coverage map shows that it should work in most areas. I have read posts about NO roaming, voice roaming,maybe some data roaming.

I just got a new Gnex so I should be good to go on any GSM network.

Thanks for any help.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] 3rdstring:
My understanding in no roaming means that if you use an ATT sim only ATT netork coverage, it wouldn't roam to the T-mobile network.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] harveydent:
CMIIW, but I believe the zipcode part is only them to determine whether to send you which sim (ATT vs TMo) that would work best for your area when you choose the unlocked phone option. It won't matter if you choose ATT/TMo sim when you buy it. As long as there are native cell towers for whichever sim you pick at the area you're at, you'll get service whatever state you're in. (I have a VA Tmo number, it still works when I go to DC every weekend, and it worked when I went to CA and NV last winter.)

The no roaming clause applies in areas where there are no ATT or TMo towers and the national carriers have roaming agreements with regional carriers to use their towers. This is usually more common in rural and wilderness areas where it isn't cost-effective for ATT (and especially TMo) to set up towers. For postpaid customers, you still get ATT or TMo signal when in an area of a regional that they have an agreement with. For prepaid, you're basically screwed.

ATT usually has a bigger nationwide footprint, especially in rural areas. Maybe someone can post the prepaid network maps for the 2 to help you decide
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] zulu657:
Thanks, much appreciated. I've looked at the coverage maps for both. It seems if you are close to the interstate hwys or bigger cities you have good coverage--if not, not so good....

I suppose it's worth it to try the ST SIM for a month just to check it out. ATT bought up one of the local carriers in CO where my phone used to work but now doesn't. They just told them, "Starting Monday your phone will no longer work. Better buy an ATT phone." Nice....
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] co.ag.2005:
What part of Colorado? Just curious, as I live in Colorado and travel around the state quite frequently. I'm contemplating switching once my wife's contract is up.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] mystax:
interesting read =). just got off my contract with sprint. might just buy the galaxy nexus from google. and jump onto one of these prepaid. Seems to offer enough minute + unlimited text and data for my usage.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] martonikaj:
http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/06/prepaid-mobile-phone-users-in-america-hit-record-high/

Big prepaid post on Ars today.

---------- Post added at 11:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:34 PM ----------

You get nationwide coverage

. The ZIP is only for them to determine if they offer better AT&T or T-Mobile coverage in your area, and send you the more appropriate one. You can also just specifically choose one. The ZIP isn't important...

Yes you are.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] mystax:
hey marton after reading through this thread and the introduction i'm really digging the prepaid thing plus a google nexus is never bad =P. But going through some of the plans i was wondering if simple talk 60 dollar with 5-8gb cap will suffice for avg use.

Looking through my recent bills my usage goes anywhere from 1gb - 15 depending on if i'm traveling or desperately need a connection. Plus avg around 400 minutes a month mostly about 100-150 for anytime and the rest were mobile to mobile which i believe doesn't exist on prepaid.

At the moment i pay 72 for 450 minutes/unlimited text and data from spring. But i do love the idea of being free of a contract and being able to hop around networks if you want to try new things.

=P i think those are all the things i want to ask. sorry if some of the questions i have are repetitive
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] luftrofl:
I think you answered your own question - it won't be enough if you need 15GB.

Sidenote: T-Mobile USA users: since when have we been able to authenticate without entering any account details at m.t-mobile.com?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] mystax:
it depends im okay with 5gb @ 4g and throttle after that if it means 30-35cheaper a month.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] deathinc:
Does Good Mobile Messaging (Good For Enterprise) work with Straight Talk, T-mobile or any of the other pre-paid vendors? ATT, Verizon, and Sprint all charge extra if you go through them because it is "enterprise" email.

Thank you.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] codesplice:
I saw this question posted a few days ago, and seeing that there haven't been any responses to it I don't think anyone here knows. You may be better off asking the prepaid carriers. I know that T-Mobile at least charges extra for Blackberry Internet Services. I'm not terribly familiar with Good, but I imagine it shouldn't be a problem as long as your company is actually hosting the Good server rather than relying on the carrier. Don't quote me on that though.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Zorachus:
I need to switch off from Verizon ASAP. Every month I pay the bill for my Wife and I get sick to my stomach the raping I pay.

My Brother picked up the Nexus from Google he's on Straight Talk for two months now @$45/month. Said it works perfectly. No contract...no commitment...So two phones would be like $90/month.

Right now my Wife and both on full unlimited with Verizon on our Nexus phones, we ****ing pay approx $240/month for the 2 phones without taxes, etc...
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] codesplice:
Sounds like you know what to do.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Cabal_:
Few other good articles highlighting similar news, as well:

U.S. Prepaid Plans Soar to Record Levels, Postpaid Plans See First-Ever Decline

http://www.itechpost.com/articles/2791/20120616/u-s-prepaid-plans-soar-record-levels.htm
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] zulu657:
Southwestern Colorado, Cortez. Our daughter & her boyfriend both work for the sheriffs dept there.

I will order the ST SIM this week & get it activated before the end of the month.

Thanks to all for the info. This is a great thread.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Zorachus:
Very good articles, thank-you. My Brother did just that two months ago, says in Chicago and suburbs no problem at all with Straight Talk, and his new Nexus. His bill has easily been cut in half.

I can see this gaining traction here in the U.S. more and more in this poor economy. And just feels good to not be handcuffed into a 2yr contract, my Brother said is nice to be free.

I need to do this soon, and ditch Verizon, I pay so much per month, for no reason, except watch my bank account get drained each month.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] roxxosteen:
clear proxy and port?

sorry if this has been answered already but searching for "port" just gives results about porting numbers...

when setting up the apn for straight talk, they have you fill in the proxy and port. it has been advised to leave blank (or clear) the proxy, is it also advised to leave blank (or clear) the port as well? the same goes for the mms proxy and port.

i'm asking because while waiting for my st sim to come in the mail, i've been using a tmo pay per day sim and in the apn settings for tmo, the proxy and port (and mms proxy and port) are both blank.

OR is this something i just need to mess around with when my st sim comes in??:)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] RawHideAndSeek:
http://www.straighttalksim.com/pdf/ST_SIMCard_ActCard_AT&T_R3.pdf
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] mystax:
looks like i'll be hoping on to straight talk =). Checked my previous 2 year of sprint bills and looks like i only avg 400-500 minute total overall talk time and my data avg out to 2.5gb a month which in most case looks to only be .5 over the cap so i'm okay with that.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] roxxosteen:
My question is whether we should clear that port setting since it also seems to be a good idea to clear out the proxy setting.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] spiritcrusher33:
Well t-mobile at my work 10 miles away from my house. pretty much rocks. great signal everywhere in the building. and pretty even data speeds. just sucks that my house i get no signal. but then again. everyone I talk to ( wife kids etc ) live at home so im kinda stuck as to stay with the 30 buck tmobile plan or on friday try out the ST sim for att. which i know will get a great signal everywhere for 45 bucks lol
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] codesplice:
Do you have good wifi at the house?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] 3rdstring:
I have the same issue at home with the 3G radio but I connect to WiFi & turn off the 3g radio (Use only 2G networks) & get a good signal.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] jazzruby:
Hi roxxosteen,

Port 80 - see HERE

I believe leaving it blank (Port ) will default to Port 80

Proxy [proxy.mvno.tracfone.com] - I leave this blank

MMS Proxy [66.209.11.33] 'resolves' to [rds-proxy.mycingular.net]

RDS = Radio Data System

I don't know how T-Mobile handles MMS, but with ST AT&T, I could not send/receive pics/videos without the MMS Proxy [66.209.11.33]

I think the MMS Proxy is using one of the 'High-level RDS APIs'

Note:

[proxy.mvno.tracfone.com] resolves to [66.209.11.32]

Reverse lookup:

[66.209.11.32] 'resolves' to [vdispwap2.mycingular.net]

[66.209.11.33] 'resolves' to [rds-proxy.mycingular.net]

HTH,

-JR-
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Gene_Bailey:
So is there a difference as to which one works better when it comes to the proxies? Or is it 66.209.11.33 that's the only one working for MMS?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Goodfella80:
Dunno exactly when did they start doing it but I've been doing it since the 1st day I signed up with them (nearly 1 month ago)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] martonikaj:
No idea. I just use the MyAccount app for my usage/billing stuff.

That's interesting/useful though.

---------- Post added at 05:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:49 PM ----------

CallingMart added a new T-Mobile refill option that when purchased, auto-loads the funds onto your T-Mobile account, rather than E-Mailing you a PIN or calling you for confirmation. You simply add/confirm your phone # when adding the card to your shopping cart. Within seconds of hitting "Pay Now" via PayPal, I received a text from T-Mobile saying $30 was added. Super slick.

http://www.callingmart.com/products...T-Mobile-To-Go-RTR/Topup---Auto-Load-To-Phone

There's also a 5% off coupon ("dad125") until June 20th. Picked up my $30 refill for $28.50.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] abugarcias:
Google voice latency

Thanks for all the info and tutorial setting this up.

I am up and running, but experience some latency using google voice over wifi and groove ip. Is there any way to tweak this? I have a dsl 3mb/s connection.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Goodfella80:
Most likely the wifi power saving mode that kicks in when the screen turns off during a voice call using Groove IP. Download and install "WiFi High Performance Widget" from the market, it should help getting rid of the latency.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] jgrinst1:
What are your Wifi ping times? Start there...

As Goodfella said, you may need a Wifi Hi performance wake lock. Groove has this option under the Troubleshooting menu. Try that first before any 3rd party apps.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] spiritcrusher33:
Yup have wifi at the house. Prolly gonna keep the T-Mobile plan for a bit. 30 bucks a month rocks.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] ndwgs:
OK, scoured all the thread, ALL ARE SO HELPFUL INFO!!

Now, my question, if I get the GS3 International Unlock version, I wonder if this would work? Or it has to be a Penta band phone (like GNex?)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] harveydent:
The main advantage of Pentaband is that you're free to switch between ATT and TMo (and their MVNOs). I'm not sure what the GS3's frequencies are, anyone feel free to chime in
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] ndwgs:
The thing is, I already got my GNex on Prepaid plan, and technically, I'm "renting" this beast out. Long story short, the GS3 will be mine, i'm paying it full, and it'll be unlocked version, not the US Variants.

Maybe I should just skip on the GS3 and finally just pay the Full remaining balance on my GNex?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Husam2011:
I buy cards from walmart for my mums iphone. I put a address where they don't have walmarts in that state, so theres no tax. straight $45.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] martonikaj:
Its just an issue with the codecs these VOIP services are using. They're just not that efficient. You can try tweaking with the settings in the app. High ping times can hurt you. Its also important that you have a consistent download

and

upload speed.

The international unlocked version only has 850mhz/1900mhz HSPA+, so you'll have to use an AT&T MVNO. You'll only get EDGE on T-Mobile. You could always wait and buy a T-Mobile version and get T-Mobile HSPA+. But then you'll not be able to use AT&T MVNO's.

So overall the international version is probably a better bet, considering there are more AT&T MVNO options. You'll lose out on the $30 T-Mobile plan but other than that the others are price competitive with T-Mobile plans.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Mr.Mischief:
The T-Mobile Galaxy S II supports both AT&T and T-Mobile 3G/4G bands, maybe the S III continues this trend?

Sent from my HTC One S
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] martonikaj:
Uh... no it doesnt. The T-Mobile SGSII only supports 850, 1700/2100, 2100 MHz for UMTS/HSPA+ (no 1900 MHz).

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Samsung-Galaxy-S-II-T-Mobile_id5541

Similarly, the AT&T SGSII only supports 850, 1900, 2100 MHz for UMTS/HSPA+ (no 1700/2100 MHz). The only exception with the SGSII/Note was the LTE version on AT&T (and Rogers, afaik), which could be hacked and loaded with another radio to free up the LTE bands for use on T-Mobile HSPA+.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Dsparil:
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s_ii_t989-4129.php

Who is right?

Sent from my CM9 GSM Unlocked Photon.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Mr.Mischief:
Actually, it does. I've always found gsmarena to be more accurate. Also, read this:

http://www.tmonews.com/2011/09/t-mobile-galaxy-s-ii-arriving-with-att-compatible-umtshspa-bands/

And watch this:

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DP-NMxRG4j70&v=P-NMxRG4j70&gl=US

Sent from my HTC One S
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] martonikaj:
I've not heard of this, based on the spec sheets I see it doesn't have 1900mhz. That's interesting if it does, as it doesn't really make much sense that the T-Mobile model is pentaband and the others are quadband.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Dsparil:
Two possible reasons:

T-Mobile customers get better international support when traveling, and because of the AT&T buyout, the phone was probably designed to be pentaband to be compatible.

In either case, I'm going to wait it out for the Next Nexus.

Galaxy S 3 will probably be pentaband, but I want the Google experience next time around.

Sent from my CM9 GSM Unlocked Photon.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] DOHCtor:
The T-Mobile Galaxy S 2 works on AT&T 3G frequency. How do I know? I tested out my AT&T ST sim on my cousins unlocked T-Mobile GS2 and it shows 3G and got 3G speeds. Not sure about HSPA+ though. Maybe only HSDPA. It shows 3G instead of 4G like how it would with a T-Mobile sim card.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] roxxosteen:
thanks, that makes sense.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] kaediil:
I bought an international GNex 4 months ago after 10+ years on Sprint. So far I have done 2 months of TMobile $60/month prepaid and now two months of $45/month straight talk wireless using ATT. My experience in the DC/Northern Virginia area is that the TMo is faster in general in real life use. I had much better speeds on downloads and signal strength in many populated areas. Once I left the more populated areas the TMo coverage dropped quickly though.

The other big difference I found is the use of Google Voice. You can do conditional call forwarding on the ATT sim card but not on the TMo prepaid. What that means is that I can ignore calls on the ATT sim by swiping the call to the red phone icon and it gets sent to my Google Voice voicemail. On the TMo, if I do that it goes to my TMo voice mail - kinda annoying.

So, for the larger area of coverage I am currently using the ATT sim. I may switch back to TMo if the speeds continue to feel slow on data, but see this is the beauty of it - I can change my mind every month!

-frank
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] codesplice:
If you disable the carrier voicemail on T-Mobile, rejected/ignored/unanswered calls will get sent back to the GV voicemail (after the caller hears 4-5 rings). Otherwise a nice comparison :)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] phositadc:
What area specifically of nova? I live near crystal city and have always been curious how t mobile coverage is around here.

-Sent from a GSM Galaxy Nexus (RAScream+Trinity).-
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] shiznu:
This is a great thread, one more year and Big Red will own my soul no longer!!!
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] gray bishop:
Awesome thread...... as a cellular company employee I've been telling some of my customers this for a couple of years since the 1st Nexus arrived, unfortunately they ALWAYS get suckered into the iPhone killer hype and have to have the latest and greatest; this is after I write on paper how their now or soon to be out of contract plans will cost them alot more $$$. Never works...... I'll keep trying.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] martonikaj:
The hilarious part is that the iPhone has traditionally been one of (if not

the

) easiest unlocked device to buy directly in the US. Apple sells the new iPhone unlocked within a couple weeks of announcing the device for carrier availability, directly on their site. And with the crazy number of AT&T-based MVNO's its kind of a no-brainer.

Even at the crazy $650 price tag, an unlocked iPhone saves you quite a bit of money over time with prepaid.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] bozzykid:
Apple hasn't always provided the iPhone unlocked and they haven't made it easily available on their website until the last 2 releases. Along with this and Google now offering one on the Play store, there are finally easy to obtain unlocked phones that people aren't embarrassed to use.

MVNO's especially in the US (and especially GSM providers) have been largely a failure in the past. It hasn't been until the last 12 months or so that there has been some solid growth in this area. A lot of the growth has to do with the poor economy. Luckily more and more people are seeing the advantage of going prepaid and the major providers are taking notice.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] reuthermonkey:
The GS3 doesn't need to be pentaband, and it doesn't look like it will be. It only needs to have quadband HSPA+ support. Moreover, T-Mobile is deploying HSPA+ in the 1900mhz band. It wouldn't make much sense that the GS3 would be the first SGS without 1900 HSPA support (My samsung Vibrant had 1900mhz HSPA as well).

Pentaband = 850/900/1700/1900/2100

Quadband (presumably SGS3) = 850/1700/1900/2100
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Dsparil:
I called T-Mobile to disable voice mail, and I still can't get it transfer over Google voice.

Sent from my CM9 GSM Unlocked Photon.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] codesplice:
If people are calling your GV number, and if T-Mobile actually did disable your voicemail, it will fall back to GV voicemail after I think 5 rings.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] krazykeyur:
Correct.

Try chatting with them about disabling voicemail.. that's what I did.

They'll verify a million times.. but eventually they'll do it. You can verify right away by calling your TMobile number. It'll keep on ringing and ringing..
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] kaediil:
Specifically, my commute is along 7100 from Burke to Kingstowne/Alexandria. That much of the area, I have great coverage especially inside buildings. But then parts of Clifton it dropped to EDGE (2G) slooooow coverage on TMo. Also, I went camping in Pohick area and TMo was in and out. I slapped the StraightTalk sim in the phone and had almost full signal bars in the same location.

I had great coverage in LA and Palmdale when I was out there too. I assume Crystal City will be good too for TMo. I was pleasantly surprised by how good the coverage was in my main areas of traveling. But for those areas where it was low coverage it just disappeared, so I am constantly testing the StraighTalk and going with that for the savings of $15/mo. At some point I will probably buy a TMo StraightTalk sim card and get to use TMo for the same $45/mo.

Key to all of this was the fact that I changed over to using my Google Voice number exclusively several years ago so all this sim card changing does not affect my ability to get calls and texts.

So, it is a tough call which service is better, but I love that I have the choices.

-frank
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] harveydent:
How are the ST ATT speeds in DC/NOVA?

I'm in Kingstowne/Alexandria, and my signal has never gone lower than 3 bars. Generally, when I drive around settled areas (Fairfax, McLean, Dale City, etc.) I never lose signal. HAven't gone to Pohick or Clifton yet, though :D

+1 on no signal problems in LA/Palmdale/Hollywood/Burbank and San Diego, San Francisco, and Las Vegas
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] kaediil:
I just ran speedtest here in my office in Kingstowne and got:

Ping:218ms

Download: 2520kbps

Upload:1020kbps

I looked at my results and in March with TMo from near my home in Burke which is 9 miles from where I am now:

Ping:98ms

Download:4225kbps

Upload:3415kbps

Granted that was months ago and there were not any solar flares at the time, different time of day, etc, etc, but these are the numbers I have.

-frank
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] harveydent:
Thanks! Was just wondering if speeds would plummet when I go to DC due to congestion/tourists :D But not bad for NOVA
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] kj13569:
What's the best just Talk & Text plan, using att or tmo? thanks.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] rock7632:
Tmo has a $30 plan that gives 1500 texts and minutes
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] martonikaj:
As in.. you don't want any data? Doesn't really make much sense, considering no-data plans that T-Mobile/AT&T offer are only slightly cheaper than the $45 Straight Talk plan.

Just go with the $45 plan and have data available.