Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] cell phones: unlimited data plan plus prepaid voice?

["Jonathan King" <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On 9/3/07, Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED> wrote:
> On Mon, 3 Sep 2007, Jonathan King wrote:
>
> > Does anybody know of a carrier that would let you combine an unlimited
> > data plan with a prepaid voice plan on the same phone?
>
> I'm surprised that unlimited data plans aren't widespread.  I've been
> using a $15/mo Sprint data plan for a few years, but it is not a fast data
> connection -- maybe about the same as 50kb modem, though that has been
> adequate for most purposes.  The problem is that it is not very consistent
> in that it tends to stick during transmission, so it's really fast for a
> second, then really slow for a second, etc.  I would say that it has been
> OK for $15/mo though, given the way I use the thing.

The main use here is to do stuff like check gmail, google maps, etc.
and not downloading huge files. I think this would be working with
either T-Mobile or AT&T's EDGE network, which is moderately fast.

> Maybe I'm not clear on what a "prepaid voice plan" is -- does that mean
> that you pay per minute used?  That kind of plan might be harder to find
> because most plans give you so many minutes for so many dollars.

Yes, that's it. We really don't make or receive that many calls, but
half of the calls we receive (including important ones, like from
schools) are when nobody's home. By my calculations, we would be ahead
at $.10 per minute, and behind at $.20 per minute.

> What's the deal with BlackBerry?  Is it GSM/GPRS?  Can it do WiFi?  VOIP?
> Can you use any ISP and any company's voice plan?

GSM and EDGE for data; I think some Blackberries can do WiFi. I don't
think VOIP. You can get unlocked Blackberries, but the most popular
models are now free with either AT&T or T-mobile, so that seems the
way to go.

> General question:  Is it possible to do voice with one carrier and data
> with a different carrier?

I doubt it, because both would depend on the SIM card (I think) which
is locked to one carrier?

> I never thought about it before, but it seems
> like it might be technically doable even if the companies don't make it
> affordable.

I have heard of people who have wifi phones who use VOIP for some or
all of their voice and then get data from a cell phone company, but
that's not actually the same thing. T-mobile is actually pushing
combination cell/VOIP phones right now, which is interesting.

jking

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