Verizon

[tlombard]

I honestly don't have any serious complaints with Sprint. They have worked with me when I needed an upgrade. I think they screw with my bill, but every telecommunications company (and financial company, for that matter) does, imo.

I do wish some company offered a reasonable wifi device. Something that could be offered as an add-on for under $20 a month that would allow wireless access anywhere to laptops and tablets and kindles. Is that out there?

If you have an iPhone, I think you might be able to jailbreak and tether but I am not a big iOS fan so I'm not 100% sure.

There are a couple of options with Android however. If you root your phone then you can get a free app that will allow you to use the app as a portable wi-fi hotspot. I've used it before and it has worked pretty darn good.

Most of the time I just use an app called PDA Net which is also free because (I don't have a tablet and just have my personal laptop). With PDA Net you just install a small program on your computer and then plug in your phone and it will install an app on your phone. Then you just basically use your phone as a modem that is plugged into the computer. It works really well and I prefer that to messing with wi-fi through the phone. Plus since I got this phone I haven't bothered with rooting it yet.

Now that I think about it, I might actually root my phone and install another wireless tether app so that I can get access with my work laptop anywhere. It is locked down so that only IS can actually install anything so PDA Net isn't an option.

[Diddy]

My wife put my iPhone through the washing machine wed night. I've got insurance but id like to upgrade to the 32 gig and make some changes to our plan. I've had some luck changing things with Verizon in the past they would just extend our contract. Hope I find someone nice when I go in this weekend.

[wart57]

Check on tigerdirect.com, I got a new phone for free when I renewed my contract - about 3 or 4 months sooner then Verizon said I could. Don't know if it will work for you, but it is worth a try. I got may last phone in Aug od 2011, tiger is saying I can upgrade next April, 5 months early.

[lukethedrifter]

Bah. They got me again. Just figured out that my 20% discount only counts on the share plan so it's $22 not nearly $60. I should have known.

[slide_into_first]

Two years ago the Verizon store talked my daughter into adding a 5th phone number, with no device, to our account so she could get an early upgrade. Today I was looking at the bill and noticed we have been paying $8 per month for loss/theft/breakage insurance on that 5th line. I called to cancel the insurance and complain and they refunded the past 6 months but would not refund the charge for the year and a half prior. "You agreed to the terms and conditions which state you can't dispute a charge over 180 days old," I was told. Yeah, but the salesman knew there was no device on that line when he slipped in the insurance charge.

[Schlich]

y'all need to join me in the wonderful bliss that is carrier contractless-ness.

[sighyoung]

y'all need to join me in the wonderful bliss that is carrier contractless-ness.

Tell me more. I will prostitute myself to the lowest bidder.

[Schlich]

I'm on t mobile prepaid, $30 month for unlimited data and text + 100 minutes and ten cents a minute after. They have other very affordable (prepaid) plans (maybe even a family plan?) and I think Verizon has some not quite as affordable ones. I've been using the nexus line of phones and can replace them whenever I want just by swapping the sim card. If I want a top of the line phone, I can definitely justify the extra cost with the money I'm saving on the plan

[lukethedrifter]

I need to find a prepaid - or not- plan that isn't all about unlimited data, etc but about minimal $$$ for my mother. Smart phone plan but will use hardly any data, will text and use phone. Seems like every one I see out there is all about unltd data.

[Schlich]

The "allset" plan here and the "simple starter" plan here sound right up your alley