A few questions on Prepaid that I cannot find the answers to.

[rogo22]

I have been looking at either T-mobile or AT&T prepaid, since the SIM card would mean I can switch phones easier and use it in my unlocked tour as well.
Questions I have:
-Is there a text messaging bundle for T-mobile prepaid.
-If so, how much? I have searched here and google and tmobiles site and have not found anything definitive.
-Does anyone have problems with losing minutes or anything? i have read more bad reviews than good ones about horrible customer service and minutes/balance loss.
-If I buy a SIM, can I use that in any GSM phone, or will it only work in prepaid ones? I have only ever used CDMA, so I'm not sure on SIM cards.

Does anyone recommend AT&T over T-Mobile for mostly texting usage?
At first it will be used as a main phone for primarily texting, then will be used in the tour after a year or so.

[EmployeeForG1]

-Is there a text messaging bundle for T-mobile prepaid.
No
-If so, how much? I have searched here and google and tmobiles site and have not found anything definitive.
Texts last time I checked we're 20 cents each.
-Does anyone have problems with losing minutes or anything? i have read more bad reviews than good ones about horrible customer service and minutes/balance loss.
I haven't heard of issues, But I do not work in prepaid. Just be careful.
-If I buy a SIM, can I use that in any GSM phone, or will it only work in prepaid ones? I have only ever used CDMA, so I'm not sure on SIM cards.
It is best if you use a SIM in a Tmo branded prepaid phone. Using it in an unlocked phone that wasn't intended for it may be in issue. I'm not 100% sure if thats valid, But go for it if you want.

[jamestbrewer]

You can check out all of TMos prepaid options here

You can use a prepaid SIM in any unlocked GSM phone, just make sure it works on the 1900 MHz band. 850 will help too as it can sometimes roam on ATT depending on the location.

If you are going to be texting a lot, you might want the sidekick plan which is $1/day. Regular prepaid plans are .10 to send .05 to receive and .25 for MMS.

Also, you most likely will not be able to use wireless data on a prepaid plan with a blackberry.

If you go with the Pay as you go plan, you can add $100 to your account and it will not expire for a year, plus any future refills will give you 15% more.

[Artemis68]

I would be careful with the Sidekick prepaid plan. They recently blocked access to iPhones so you can't get data on it. It's very possible that other non-SK devices, like BBs, won't be able to get access either.

[jamestbrewer]

Yeah, I agree, but even if its primarily a texting device, the SK plan is the only prepaid TMo plan with any kind of text package. If OP averages around 14 (7 in, 7 out) SMS a day, the SK plan becomes worth it.

Data really isnt an option when discussing TMo and prepaid, unless its for a sidekick.

[giantstepp]

I have a flex plan on TMo that includes data, text etc. With the flex plan, you choose the plan and pay for it up front each month to continue service. It's basically prepaid service that DOES include data seperate from those SK plans.

[rogo22]

For the bundles, I've read the tmobile site but then googled as well and heard there was a 20$ month unlimited like there was for verizon prepaid. Was just asking here to be sure.

giantstepp:
With this flex plan, Is there any way to get only texting? Without voice? Right now, data isnt important as much as texting as it will be used pretty much only for texting, and not in the blackberry until there is no need for the other phone. I looked at their site, and it only would let me price out plans if there were at minimum 30/month voice package.

[giantstepp]

Originally Posted by rogo22

For the bundles, I've read the tmobile site but then googled as well and heard there was a 20$ month unlimited like there was for verizon prepaid. Was just asking here to be sure.

giantstepp:
With this flex plan, Is there any way to get only texting? Without voice? Right now, data isnt important as much as texting as it will be used pretty much only for texting, and not in the blackberry until there is no need for the other phone. I looked at their site, and it only would let me price out plans if there were at minimum 30/month voice package.

Unfortuneately you have to get a voice plan. The lowest is 300 minutes per month, which is what I have. You can get a text plan with the voice plan with any data tho.

[rogo22]

Thanks giantstepp. That's what I was afraid of. The lowest I could get with voice and unlimited texting would be like 50 a month and that's too much. I might look into the sidekick plan prepaid tho. I know data would be a stretch, but would texting and calls still work if the sim was used in an unlocked gsm phone? (Personally hate the sidekick phone)

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[Californium89]

Don't mean to highjack but my question is simular

Would a prepaid tmo card work in a unlocked att pearl 8100 don't really care about data just voice n txt

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[BG_SnakeEyes]

The best plan if you are going to use a blackberry and prepaid is the Flexplan depending on the amount of minutes you are going to use it the same as having a contracted plean through except its month 2 month and if you are using a blackberry you can get the blackberry data plan which includes the data and text. If you are not going to use the data then go with a text package. But the only prepaid that I know of that has a text package that you can add.

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