cell phones--age related?

[Lulu KC]

Last edited Mon Jun 17, 2019, 05:48 PM - Edit history (2)

Final update: Thanks to all of you again! This really was helpful. I ended up with Consumer Cellular at $38/month for both of us with as much data as we need and an AARP discount. I believe they use AT&T where we usually are and that it is reliable coverage. Also happy that I don't need to deal with AT&T customer service. It was declining by the time we finally stopped using them for a landline and internet.

Thanks again--


Update: Thanks for all your thoughts. Decision made. Coverage matters, some but not a lot of data--Verizon is only $60 for 2 lines with their prepaid plan and autopay. Excellent deal and I hear everywhere that the coverage is great. It took me most of the day to work through the research but I avoided having to go to a store and stand in line so I'm happy.


Original post:
So--is it me? Is it because I'm over 30?

Trying to figure out the best cell phone plan for two people aged 64 and 65 is mind-boggling. I'm trying to research on the web because every phone store I enter has huge lines and it is very confusing there, just as it is on the web, but with crowds.

We had the need for more lines until now--two is enough for now. Our Sprint contract is ending, and it has been dropping calls like crazy for months so we are ready to move on.

I'm down to Verizon, T-Mobile and some others that have generic names. We do use phones for data and I use mine for work, so they need to be smart and reliable.

And do we need 5G or is it just hype?

Oh, and I own my Apple 7+ and we have an Essential phone we can take with us, if anyone other than Sprint knows they even exist. That was one we fell for and were totally taken.

Any advice appreciated. I think there is a niche market for cell phone consultations done by people who aren't as confused as I am.

3 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Time expired
	Verizon--economical and reliable for 2 people
	0 (0%)
	T-Mobile--economical and reliable for 2 people
	0 (0%)
	AT&T--economical and reliable for 2 people
	0 (0%)
	Other
	3 (100%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Cary]

1. They have it rigged

If you switch you will get an identical deal, or worse.

It isn't you or your age.

[snowybirdie]

2. Check out Google internet phones

Great plan for retirees. Works on internet while at home and cell towers when our of the house. We pay about $65 for two lines, including phone cost. Internet usage doesn't use up your limits.

[question everything]

3. Obvioulsy depends on your stage in life. Over 30 is very young

Both of us are retired, at home most of the time so land line is our main communications. Cell phone is only when we are out.

Tracfone, pay as you go have been our choice for many years - Thank you, DU, for pointing me the way. Flip phones. I have problem with touch screens. Also, like to use both arms. Sometimes at appear that the whole world is operating with one arm with the other holding a "smart phone.."

About $200 a year for both. I shudder when I hear an ad for "only" $100 a month. But then we do not need all the "apps" to show kids and grand kids and travels..

[Lulu KC]

12. Flip phones are the best!

When I stop needing a phone for work, I'll go back to one.

[Afromania]

4. T Mobile has a 90$ a month plan for those 55+.

Unlimited everything and Netflix to boot. Helped my aunt and uncle switch over to this and they are quite happy with it.

[CurtEastPoint]

8. That's for 2 lines, though, right? I've got only 1 line thru TM and it's $50/month unltd.

[Afromania]

10. Yep two lines, I should have added that in

2 lines are actually 100 a month with a 10 bonus for using auto pay bringing it to 90 a month.

[Kali]

5. Verizon has the best coverage

but there are other companies that have better ethics and probably better plans. The do have an unlimited data family type plan that is ~ 45 per line.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

6. I've used MetroPCS for 11 years.

They are part of the T-Mobile network, so same coverage.
We pay $80 or $90 for 3 lines. You’re looking at $60 for two lines. Unlimited talk/text. 4G I get a few gigs per line before it drops to 3g speed. I’ve personally never hit my limit, but I’m on wifi most places.

5G is only useful if you have a phone with 5G and need the faster internet speed when you’re not somewhere with wifi.

[TygrBright]

7. Consumer Cellular does a good job IF you are in an area they have good contracted service.

As with several other providers, Consumer does not maintain its own transmission infrastructure, but leases from other providers. In areas with a lot of competition this works very well. In areas where the major providers feel confident in jacking consumers hard, they're not quite so accommodating in leasing infrastruction.

But Consumer Cellular customer service reps are human beings here in North America and they will generally be candid about where their service does and doesn't work best.

helpfully,
Bright

[k8conant]

9. I have a senior plan on T-Mobile $50 (inc. tax) for 1 line unlimited

I'm not sure what 2 lines is.

[left-of-center2012]

11. I and one brother have Consumer Cellular

We each pay around $35 a month for unlimited calling and texts.
I don't know much about 'data'. Guess I don't need or use it.

I have a $100 Motorola phone and he has an expensive iPhone.

I live in New Mexico and he lives in Ohio.
Consumer Cellular in both areas uses the AT&T network.

I've used them for over 5 years and am very happy with them.
I've used their customer service a couple times and they were excellent.

https://www.consumercellular.com/

[Lulu KC]

13. Oh noooooo

I just went back and looked at Consumer Cellular and it is less than the Verizon plan I just signed up for. With AARP it's only $38/month for two lines. Can that even be real? See--this is the thing with cell phones. Too much. Seeing if I can back out of Verizon. Thanks!

[customerserviceguy]

14. I voted "Other"

and I'd say Sprint if the merger doesn't go through. I would never pay another nickel to either Verizon or T-Mobile, both of which have screwed me.

[Lulu KC]

15. Oh dear

We have not had good luck with Sprint, except when we went through Working Assets/Credo, which was expensive.

I miss Ma Bell!

[customerserviceguy]

16. Ma Bell

didn't do cell phones. In fact, she didn't handle competition very well at all.

It is a dilemma, I expect there is a high chance that the merger will go through. I get really good reception with Sprint up and down the east coast, where I travel frequently these days. I didn't have any problems when I took a round-the-country road trip just over a year ago, either, but I didn't try to make a lot of calls from Oklahoma or New Mexico.

I suppose that I might have to find some independent company that uses the Sprint network, and go with them. Right now, my main issue is being able to use my phone as a hotspot for Internet connectivity for my laptop. In SC, that's not a problem, because we have at cheap cable and Internet package through our homeowner's association. And 5 gigs of hotspot was not enough, so I bought a tablet and a plan for it. Since Sprint kicked up the smartphone's hotspot amount up to 50 gigs a month, I dropped the tablet plan.