Straight Talk Phone Service

I have not made the switch yet, but my understanding is that the network your smart talk phone will use depends entirely upon the network in your home area.

In my case, VZW is the only carrier available where I live...so the phones available to me through smart talk are only VZW compatible phones. Depending on where you live, you may get a less desirable network for your travel plans.

Good luck figuring it out...but the phones they offer you in your home are will tell you a lot. Below article is helpful.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2407896,00.asp

I wanted to remain on the AT&T network, I called Straight Talk customer service and they told me which phones are AT&T. The code on the phone packaging is GSM-A for AT&T.

Here is post to a blog about cheap phones. She does a good job covering Straight Talk and how to get the network you want. I used her information to get a Samsung Smart phone on the Verizon network. It has worked great for me.

http://wheelingit.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/cheap-cellphone-service-with-straight-talk-saving-severing-verizon-ties/

You might want to look her blog over carefully as she also recently posted about how she plans their routes. It was pretty interesting and I learned a few things.

Gary

Been using ST for 2 years. Would give it an 8. Would be a 10 but their customer service is a little shaky. Just be sure you get a phone on the Verison system thru ST.

I posted earlier in this thread and wanted to share some more info. The code for Verizon phones is CDMA-V. I started with a Samsung Proclaim android smart phone and it was a great phone ($149.98). I bought the Wal-Mart insurance and it was a good thing I did. Had some stuff fall on the phone and shattered the screen. I made a claim on line and in less than 24hrs I had a email gift card to buy another phone with. This time I went with an LG Optimus Showtime android smart phone. It has a 4.3 inch screen vs the 3.5 on the Samsung. Made a big difference to me. I believe the LG was $199.98. I just had to pay the difference. Awesome phone for the price.

csg11 wrote:
Here is post to a blog about cheap phones. She does a good job covering Straight Talk and how to get the network you want. I used her information to get a Samsung Smart phone on the Verizon network. It has worked great for me.

http://wheelingit.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/cheap-cellphone-service-with-straight-talk-saving-severing-verizon-ties/

You might want to look her blog over carefully as she also recently posted about how she plans their routes. It was pretty interesting and I learned a few things.

Gary

Thank you for the post & link. We will stick it out with the Cingular ST phone for the rest of this season. Coverage is not too bad in the East but next year a Verizon based ST phone will be a first purchase.

Now I know what to look for.

Long time ST user here. As mentioned, I hope you do not need customer support. I don't think their phones can be tethered to a laptop. Other than that, choose the one with the service provider you want and save some money.

Tried it and left. Makings calls seems to work OK, but if you want to send pictures or vidieos or even text many times it chokes. Get on there forum and read the posts. People are really ****** off to say the least. Have fun.

We have been on Straight Talk for the last 4 years and the last 2 it is our only phone being at were on the road full time. Have not had any problem, we are in Virginia now and our phones are on the AT&T system and work fine, in fact the last time we where here we where on Verizon and the service was not as good. You can not beat Straight Talk for $45 a month for unlimited Talk, Text and Data.

I use the texting function all the time but I don't send/download video's/Pictures(or at least very seldom post a Pic on line). Its just like anything else, its NOT for the person who wants to stream Video all the time or try to use as Much bandwidth.....just so they can say they got there 45.00 worth. If you want unlimited Data...pay the 150.00 a month someplace else.