Temporary Cell Service

[BigDaddy1951]

I work in a position where I need to be available by phone, text, or email all the time. My employer provides an iPhone on AT&T’s First Net. Most places we camp are solid and sometimes I do use an amplifier. My problem is one place we camp is in a mountain valley and has a Verizon tower, nothing else, even amplified.

For about one week a year, I need access to Verizon for cell, text, and limited data.
I have two questions.

1. Is there a reasonable way to get a “burner” phone that will hotspot or mifi cheaply without a contract?

2. Can I connect my current phone to wifi calling and if so will texts come through also?

Thanks in advance. I’m somewhat text savvy, but far from an expert.

[Gdetrailer]

wanderingaimlessly wrote:
Get a cheap phone either from Verizon, or straight talk, ensure that its a cdma phone if you go straight talk because they work with either vz or att depending what address you give them
straighttalk plans
Verizon prepaid plans
As to the phones, any android that is a current build should work, the Moto e I have had, and found it to be a decent reliable phone.

CDMA is an old 2G-3G service, with 4G LTE there is no longer CDMA vs GSM, and now everything is going to 4G VoLTE service with ATT starting the 3G shutdown as of end of FEB 2022.

SEE HERE FOR CDMA VS GSM DETAILS

Tracphone, Straight talk are both Verizon only, at one point Trac did sell specific phones for ATT towers, they no longer do that.

As far as the OPs questions, Trac and Straight talk and a few other Verizon resellers that offer cheap phones with no contract will be your cheapest way but there may be some catches.. Trac when I had them a few yrs ago locked their phones so you could not tether or use it as a hotspot.. You will need to readup on their rules..

[Lwiddis]

Clearly a business expense if not paid for by your employer.

[wanderingaimles]

Get a cheap phone either from Verizon, or straight talk, ensure that its a cdma phone if you go straight talk because they work with either vz or att depending what address you give them
straighttalk plans
Verizon prepaid plans
As to the phones, any android that is a current build should work, the Moto e I have had, and found it to be a decent reliable phone.

[Ramblin__Ralph]

Try Visible, which uses Verizon towers. No contract. $40/mo but easy to get it down to $25/mo.