Lower Your Mobile & Land Line Phone Costs
The purpose of this program is to explore ways to lower your communication costs. You will discover several alternatives to the expensive cellular providers you may be using. I will also discuss options for very low-cost VoIP (Voice Over IP) landline equivalent service. Mobile service possibly costing half of what you're now paying and calls using your home internet can be free after one time (under $50 cost).
Low-Cost Wireless Providers Land-line Phone – MagicJack OL
- Picking the carrier that works where you need it to work most often.
- Match your phone with the right network.
- You might need to get your phone unlocked.
- Know how much data you need?
- What happens if you use all of your data for the month?
- Some things like tethering your phone or using your phone to call and text with someone outside of the U.S may cost extra or not be available.
- MVNO stands for "mobile virtual network operator." It's the term used for a cell phone carrier that operates off another network.
- MVNOs buy wholesale voice, text, and data minutes from one of the big network operators AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon and resell to their customers.
– – Google Fi Cell Service
- Use this link to signup for Google FI as a new subscriber,
Fi will credit you and Glenn $20 after you've been active for 30 days.
by Explainosphere – Published on Feb 3, 2019
Google Fi is a wireless service that Google set up to offer mobile service directly to users.
Google is charging $20 per month for talk, text, Wi-Fi tethering, and international coverage, then an additional $10 per GB of data each month. Global voice calls when traveling (non-Wi-Fi) $0.20 per minute in most overseas locations; your phone number works in 200+ destinations.
If your data usage at the end of the month is less than your data budget, you'll get a credit of one cent per MB. For example, if your data budget is 2GB and you use 1.265GB, you'll get a $7.35 rebate on next month's bill. Note: My Fi bill is about $30 a month, including taxes.
Google Fi puts you on the best available network between Wi-Fi and three 4G LTE networks, Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular carriers in the US. You can view Fi's US coverage map.
Phones from Google designed for Fi have your favorite features, from smart cameras to powerful batteries. All of them are built with Google Fi’s unique technology to keep you on the best signal.
You can also bring your existing phone to Google Fi, Check the compatibility of a phone you already have.
Use this link to signup for Google FI as a new subscriber; Fi will credit you and Glenn $20 after you've been active for 30 days.
– – Mint Mobile Cell Service
Mint Mobile uses fast nationwide 4G LTE data coverage and unlimited talk and text. You don’t need a new phone, get a new Mint Mobile GSM SIM card, and you’re ready to go!
Unlimited talk and text plans with 3Gb of data. 3 month $75 ($25/mo), 6 month $120 ($20/mo), 12 month $180 ($15/mo) – Plus Regulatory Recovery Fee and taxes. Note: As of Sept 2019, the $180 plan tax+fees is $21 in the 19460 zip code.
They also offer 12 month, 8Gb Plan, $240 ($20/mo) — 12 month, 12Gb Plan, $300 ($25/mo) plans.
Mint Mobile plan gives you unlimited talk and text, 4g LTE high-speed data. Your choice of 3Gb, 8Gb, or 12Gb each month. Coast to coast on the nation’s fastest, most-advanced 4g LTE network.
With Mint Mobile’s bring your own phone (BYOB) program, you can bring your current unlocked GSM phone to Mint Mobile and keep your existing number, too. Just switch out the sim card.
Mint Mobile offers a $5 trial SIM to test your phone with their service. You need to install the Mint Mobile App to order the trial SIM, please go to your Google Play Store or Apple App Store of your device.
– – What is Ting?
Ting is a mobile phone service that caters to people tired of dealing with complicated billing plans from carriers like AT&T or Verizon. Their slogan is ‘Mobile That Makes Sense.’
We have used this service for three years. It worked everywhere on our driving trip from Florida to Pennsylvania and Portland, Oregon visits. Here is the Coverage map.
It is important to note; Ting does not operate their networks. Instead, they lease the use of Sprint or T-Mobile mobile networks. Ting is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). The virtual part means the use of another company's system, in this case, Sprint or T-Mobile.
If you are a huge data user, Ting may not be for you. If you are using 1-2 Gigabytes a month or more of data, the price stops being as competitive.
Tech Support: Here is another area where Ting shines. No phone trees, no overseas call centers, and seldom any wait. The support personnel knows the business, are not following scripts, and get things done.
Other Ting Advantages: Like most other providers, Ting provides free voice mail, caller ID, call waiting, etc. Ting does not care how many devices you tether to your phone. You pay for the data you use, period.
Use this link to Ting and get $25 off your first device.
Low-Cost Land-line Phone
Google Voice a single phone number that rings all your phones,
- Google voicemail, voicemail like email. Voicemail transcription, read what your voicemail says. Custom greetings: vary voicemail greetings by caller
- International calling: low-cost calls to the world.
- Block calls: send unwanted callers straight to voicemail.
- Record phone calls and stores them online.
- Conference calls: join several people into a single call.
- Screen callers: hear who is calling before you pick up.
I use Google Voice with the OBi200 adaptor for a one time cost of less than $50. I do pay for GV911.COM $12 per year for the E911 service. Place and Receive Calls on Regular Phones. Once you have configured Google Voice on the OBi (web access from browser required for initial set-up), you can start calling from your regular ‘house’ phone. Free Calls to US and Canada phones and 1¢ per minute from everywhere else.
Check out Google Voice with OBi.
How It Works:
Get Free Home Phone Service with an Inexpensive OBi200 VoIP Box by Review Geek – Having a telephone other than your cell phone can be handy. If you find yourself needing one, you might as well choose a solution with no monthly cost!
Step by Step Instructions: How to Switch to VoIP and Ditch Your Home Phone Bill Forever – By Jason Fitzpatrick – howtogeek.com – You can enjoy the convenience of a whole-house phone line without shelling out your hard-earned money to your local telecommunications provider.
Setup E911 service at GV911.COM – Enhanced E911 for Google (TM) Voice Users. GV911 designed for VoIP users who would need to be able to dial 911 and reach a live local Police / Fire Department dispatcher in case of an emergency. With GV911.com, address changes are free. Enable 911 for your OBI device for $12 per year!
- Google Voice is now Officially Supported on OBi VoIP devices. – Help for OBi Devices.
You could also use the MagicJack device.
It is a stand-alone option; you don't need a Google Voice number.
MagicJack with 12 months of Unlimited Local & Long Distance Calling to the U.S. and Canada.
Renew service for $30 a year or five years for $100.
- Keep Your Number – Now, you can bring your phone number to MagicJack.
- MagicJack can be connected straight to your modem or router and is independent of your computer. You can make and receive calls, even when the computer is turned off.
- Use any standard home telephone with MagicJack: corded or cordless.
- If you have a cordless phone system in your home or office, plug in the base station, and your additional handsets will work as usual. Think of magicJack as your new phone jack; it's that simple.
How do I activate the 911 Emergency Service on my MagicJack?
- 911 Emergency Services are for the United States and Canadian addresses ONLY and is offered to you for a fee.
Articles for your reference:
- How to Switch to VoIP and Ditch Your Home Phone Bill Forever – By Jason Fitzpatrick howtogeek.com
- Get Free Home Phone Service with an Inexpensive OBi200 VoIP Box – By Russ Houberg reviewgeek.com
Having a telephone other than your cell phone can be handy. - How to Save $1,000 a Year on Your Cell-Phone Plan – By Jake Swearingen consumerreports.org
I eventually discovered I could be paying only $300 a year for a cell-phone plan instead of the $1,300 AT&T was charging me. - What are Cell Phone Plans? by lifewire.com
Understand how cell phone plans work to choose the best plan for you. - The 9 Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans by lifewire.com
Don't pay more than you need to for your wireless phone bill. - MVNOs—The Cheapest Cellphone Plans You've Never Heard Of – By Cheryl Lock valuepenguin.com
- Is a Pay-as-you-go Plan Right for You? – By Adam Fendelman lifewire.com
Plans that allow you to "pay as you go" and prepaid service plans have been popular throughout Europe. These types of programs have grown in popularity in the U.S., however. - Unlocked phones vs. carrier phones: What are the differences and benefits? – By Awards androidauthority.com
When smartphones were starting to become a thing, the most obvious way to get one in the United States was simple. Visit your wireless carrier of choice and buy whichever device the salesperson convinced you were the best.
Some Useful Items
- Car Charger, Maxboost 4.8A/24W 2 USB $7.99 sold by Amazon
- Charging Cable USB Type-C 3.1 to USB 2.0 A for Nexus 5X/6P (3.3ft) Sale:$6.95 sold by Amazon
- Charging Cable TypeC , 2 Pack [3.3ft & 6.6ft] Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X $9.99 sold by Amazon
- Wall Charger 24W 2.4A Dual USB Foldable Plug, LED indicator for Nexus $9.99 sold by Amazon
- Omars Power Bank 10000mAh USB C Portable Charger with Dual USB $15.99 sold by Amazon
- Receptacle Duplex 4.8A Ultra High Speed, Smart USB Ports, 24W, 15A $20.69 sold by Amazon
- Voltage and Current Meter USB Charger Doctor – In-line – $7.50 sold by Adafruit