Straight Talk Wireless – Another TracFone Brand
[EDIT: More Straight Talk Wireless Info is now available here.]
TracFone has also been busy launching a new brand. Not much info is available yet, but Straight Talk Wireless offers CDMA coverage (through Verizon’s network) in a prepaid format. This brand is geared toward a higher useage level than the typical TracFone or Net10 customer, but may be appealing to some.
The format is a little unusual for prepaid – it costs $30 every 30 days, and that will get you 1000 minutes, 1000 text messages (total incoming and outgoing, sms or mms), and 30 megs of internet usage. These minutes do NOT rollover – so everytime you pay $30, you’ll top out at the 1000 mins, 1000 texts, and 30 megs referenced above. If you should happen to run out of credit in any one of those three categories before the 30 days are up, and wish to use more of whatever you’ve depleted, you’ll have to pay another $30. Then your next due date will be 30 days from that payment – NOT 30 days added on to your previous due date.
As you can see, there are a few catches that make it a little more like a post-paid plan and less like TracFone, but it still might appeal to some users who are routinely in the 300+ mins/month category. For now, though, the phones can only be bought from Walmart and are not available in all areas. Further, there are some big questions that remain to be answered.
The biggest question is whether Straight Talk users will have the use of Verizon’s “full” network, or if the Straight Talk coverage will be more limited than TracFone or Net10 CDMA service. The coverage map shows that Straight Talk does NOT cover some areas where TracFone CDMA service is available, but whether the map is accurate remains to be seen.
Others are also waiting to see if a wider variety of phones will be offered or if, though I think this is very unlikely, users might be able to bring their own phones to the service. For now, there are only the LG 200c (this model is also available for TracFone and Net10) for $29.98, Motorola w385 for $79.00, and Motorola Razr V3c for $99.98.
As usual, I’ll keep you up to date about any developments regarding this brand. Hopefully we’ll learn more as consumers (maybe even me!) sign on for this new service and compare it to existing options.
Motorola EM 326g Review under way
Motorola EM326g
The long-awaited mp3 player phone was released for Net10 in some areas a few weeks ago. The distribution seems to be spotty, and it took me a while to track one down. Just today the phone became available from Net10’s site, and it has made its way to the shelves of some Sears and KMart stores. But it was hard for me to find one a few weeks ago, and ultimately I had to rely on a favor from a friend a few states away to pick up a phone in his area and mail it to me. I now have the EM 326g in my possession and will be writing a review soon.
For now, you can check out my EM 326g review pictoral on flickr to get a look at the mp3-playing slider phone. To see if this phone is available in your area, click here and enter your ZIP code.
I also played around with a service called Animoto, that takes a collection of photos and makes a video slideshow. It was kind of fun, and created a nice-looking short video. It’s just the same pics as what are in the Flickr slideshow, but you might want to watch the video too (and if you like, comment on the video and rate it):
For now, though, the phones can only be bought from Walmart and are not available in all areas.
Not strictly true. Though the retail rollout is limited to certain areas, the phones and cards can be purchased online from anywhere in the US: http://tinyurl.com/talkstraight
well hey, thanks for doing a preview on the new em326g! i’ve been wanting to know a little more and more about this mp3/slider..i would just like to try and see TracFone grab this neat phone (even though i’ll try to switch to Boost). It’s kinda weird how Net10 says it doesn’t support USB and/or BlueTooth connection to computers, yet i read some (rumor)comments that it can support computer-connection (via BlueTooth and USB)..on a forum site; that just somewhat confuses me. But, anyways it looks/seems like a pretty neat prepaid Motorola MP3/Slider! great preview!
you CAN connect this phone to a PC by bluetooth. I don’t know for sure, but I suspect the reason that Net10 tells it won’t work is so they don’t have to deal with tech support calls from people trying to get it set up. Just a guess, though – maybe it’s actually a typo.
I bought one of the MotoRazr V3a models and while the service is great at home here in SW PA, I had NO SERVICE driving home yesterday from about Frederick MD to past Frostburg MD. I had to get nearly home before I got service back.
I also have yet to get the browser to work on this phone and am still waiting for tech support to find an answer.
So far, I would say to stick with the OTHER Motorola model, as this one seems to have some software issues. I have not been able to access the web, even in areas where I had “full bars”.
And be sure to have a “back-up” phone if you are traveling. That was quite a few miles I would have been without ANY service at all if I had not had my trusty GSM LG600 Tracfone!
It remains to be seen whether this will be the end of my search for my perfect cell phone carrier…and I am a Tracfone fanatic!
Thanks for sharing that experience. Hopefully it will help others to decide whether Straight Talk is a good value for them.
Do you happen to know whether post-paid verizon service, or TracFone CDMA service, is good in the areas where you had no service?
Just as I’m getting used to my new LG 600 and learning how to use Bluetooth.
Could you check to see if the Bluetooth earpiece that came with the LG 600 will work on this new phone?
Please check out the Flashlight feature. I live out in the woods and really got a lot of use out of the flashlight built into one of my previous Tracfones.
If the battery were compatible with the LG 600 battery, this would help justify the purchase.
And of course the audio quality of the MP3 player.
Thank You for your efforts!
Do you happen to know whether the handset in the nice package for Straight Talk comes with the initial 30 days included? Thanks!
I’m not in one of the selected “roll out areas” where these phones are sold in-store, so I haven’t seen anything more than what’s on Straight Talk’s and Walmart’s websites. So I haven’t seen anything to indicate that the initial time is included. Would be nice though, wouldn’t it?
No, it just includes the “activation code”.
You must buy your first 30 days, but you can do it online if you so choose…
Hello. I wanted to know if anyone could give me some feedback concerning boost mobile. As I’m starting to use my cell phone more (job hunting) Tracfone is becoming a bit expensive. I would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thank U MucH
I haven’t used boost personally, nor have I heard from many people that have, but the biggest complaints that I hear are that the network is not very comprehensive, and some people have had problems with dropped calls. Boost uses Sprint’s network.
I use Boost Mobile and it works very well. I have been a Boost customer since April. Now that they have worked out their text messaging problems, it has the same quality as a post-paid plan. The monthly unlimited plan at 50.00 a month obsoletes the land line and coverage is very good. I made calls from Alcatraz Island. Boost Mobile uses the iDEN network whereas Net10 uses GSM. Coverage tends to be best in major metropolitan areas and near major thoroughfares as iDEN was originally the preferred network for government.
You can get Straight talk phones from walmart.com.
I have the service now and it works great. Its the best deal out there right now.
Mark, that’s great. Thanks for posting about this. From what you can tell, is the coverage as good as the “real” Verizon network?
I can’t wait for your review of the Motorola EM326G. Straight Talk Wireless seems perfect for me. I hope they do have full access to the Verizon Wireless network. Since the Verizon-Alltel merger their coverage seems almost seamless (my friend has a BlackBerry Storm), but Verizon has zero EV-DO coverage in my area despite that the metropolitan area consists of nearly 600,000 people and that they are deploying their first 4G Long Term Evolution network in my state’s capital. The closest Wal-Mart that sells their phones is about an hour away, but you can get site-to-store from Wal-Mart’s website. The three phones that they are currently offering don’t appeal to me, but they have to get new phones eventually. I hope they will allow customers to use their own phones. I have never had a CDMA carrier, but I have been eyeing the Motorola RAZR2 V9m and the Samsung Alias 2 on Amazon.
Currently a Net10 user with a small dilemma. Their international call program does not include the country I wish to call. I also text a lot.
Was planning to get an unlocked cellphone and either use T-Mobile or AT&T prepaid but the prepay or pay as you go plans are around $60+ for either (T-Mobile) 300 minutes/unlimited text/discounted international calls or (AT&T) 200 rollover minutes/unlimited text/discounted international calls.
I recently saw the Straight Talk booth at my local walmart and was wowed by the 1000 minutes, 1000 texts, 30mb data, etc. BUT it doesn’t use GSM technology, which is what my unlocked cellphone will use.
I looked into keeping my Net10 simcard, but further research suggests that it is impossible.
Kind of at a loss as of what to do. Straight Talk plan is great, phones are mediocre. I can get the phone I want without a contract, but at $60 a month, which is kinda steep. Still debating if I should bite the bullet and go with T-Mobile or AT&T. Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
hey ej –
Sounds like you’ve done a lot of research. I”m not sure I have a lot to add to that, it seems like now it just comes down to whether you’re willing to pay that much extra for the benefit of having your preferred phone. For me personally, it wouldn’t be worth $360 a year ($60 for ATT-$30 for Straight Talk x 12 months in a year). I would go with the cheaper plan, and use the savings to buy an Ipod or some other gadget that services a similar purpose of the phone you were looking at. But then again, I’m a stereotypical TracFone user.
Here’s a couple of problems with Straight Talk…
NO Call Forwarding …..period!
Porting you number: When you decide port your number you will LOSE any remaining minutes on your existing card. You will have to purchase a new card for $30.00 + tax. If you wait until a few days before the end of the 30 days you are still paying your former service. Customer service is in India.
Tigerpilot,
Thanks for weighing in and sharing your thoughts on this service.
Call forwarding would be a nice feature for sure, but I’ve never known a prepaid service to include that as an option. Are you aware of any prepaids that offer forwarding? It seems to me that you could just set up forwarding to go to a landline or other number with free incoming calls, and therefore bypass the fees of the prepaid.
Also, could you explain what you mean about porting? Are you talking about porting in or out? I think that what you are saying is if, for example, you activate the phone to test it out and decide you like it, then you port your old number in, you’ll have to refill your airtime when the port is completed, correct? So the only solution for this would be to start the port before you ever test out the service, right?
Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience. Hopefully it will help others to make a more informed decision on this new service.
Call forwarding is included on Straight Talk handsets. If yours isn’t working, you might want to refer to the manual.
There is NO call forwarding on any of my Razr Straight Talk menus. I will appreciate any additional information regarding this.
Thanks…
My wife has Prepaid T-Mobile(T-Mobile To Go). Absolutely has CALL FORWARDING! I happen to live in a pretty bad area for T-Mobile and usually transfer my Cell to my landline when I get near home. I don’t know of any way my customers can reach me otherwise.
Regarding the porting situation….Yes, I am referring to taking your number from your present service and transferring it to your Straight Talk service. I’m not sure if you can do this in the beginning ’cause no one offered it to me when I spoke to India to buy my first card and register the Razr. They said it could take a few hours or 5-6 days.
The reason I didn’t even think of doing that was because I wanted to try the service out with the supplied phone number. It sure seemed reasonable to me rather than to port the number right away and lose my original T-Mobile monthly plan if I didn’t like Straight Talk.
Looking forward to further comments.
Regards…
Hi again Tiger
T-Mobile doesn’t work in my area, but I’ve been meaning to give it a try anyway (using a non-local number and, hopefully, roaming when I’m at home). Does the call forwarding cost minutes on your T-Mo account?
Regarding the forwarding on ST, see the comment below from another ST user that has forwarding working. Sorry I can’t help you out on this one, but it sounds like it might be worth another look.
I also understand your concerns about not wanting to mess with your number until you were sure about the coverage quality. What do you think of the coverage? Have you had any chance to compare it to “real” Verizon phones, i.e. contract phones?
I have a connectivity question about the EM 326g.
My first Net10 phone was the Motorola C139 cheapy. I thought I’d get it to “test out” Net10. Not only was I happy with Net10, but the C139 has great connectivity — I was able to get bars in locations my previous Cingular phone was unable to receive.
I’m now using a Motorola V176 on Net10. It’s not quite as sensitive as the C139, but I’m happy with it.
How sensitive is the EM 326g? Any comparison to the V176?
Thanks, Alan
Alan – I think that the coverage on the EM326g is as good as the V176, if not better. There was one time, in the bottom of a parking ramp, where I could make a call using my Trac Samsung T301, but the EM326g would not dial out. Other than that instance, I think that the reception has been good for me – comparable to other recent Motorola phones.
Hi:
Call forwarding always costs minutes. I think the coverage is the same as Verizon but don’t have any way to check on this.
I spoke to the tech people twice and their Razr phone does NOT have forwarding in any of the menus so?????
The browser seems to work O.K. I wonder if it’s possible to tether the Razr to my laptop?
Regards…
Just picked up my EM 326g. I was reading the Sunday paper this morning (Monday) & saw the K-Mart ad in our local Santa Rosa, CA paper. They had th EM 326g on sale for $10 off — that’s $49.99, & cheaper than the price from the Net 10 web site with the $8.00 off promotional codes mentioned on this site.
Of course I have to pay CA sales tax at K-Mart, but I also have to pay it ordering from Net 10.
Cheers,
–Alan
does it have a full good big screen…or how big is it in size
The screen is about the same size as on the recent motorola’s – w470, w175, w260, 375, w376g, w377.
Hey, uhm, my friend just gave me this phone, the Straight Talk Prepaid Motorola MOTORAZR V3a, I think. And I went to go buy a new SIM card and then I tried to reactivate it, but it said I needed an activation code. Somebody already told me that I would need to go buy an activation code at a T-Mobile store, but I was wondering if all the activation codes for that certain phone were the same? Because if they were I was going to ask my other friend who has the same phone, if I could use her activation code. Does anyone know?
Chey – I don’t know if you’ll be able to do what you are attempting. The Straight Talk phones are CDMA phones, while T-Mobile uses GSM networks. This would be similar to using an FM radio to try and listen to an AM station.
Would like to know about how good the coverage is in houston texas with the “straight talk”. Does the coverage work well?
Adrianna – the coverage is very good with Straight Talk. It uses the Verizon and Alltel networks, so if you know someone with a Verizon phone ask them how their coverage is. Your Straight Talk phone should have coverage as good as that Verizon phone.
On Call Forwarding, has anyone used *71 or *72 and the number your forwarding your calls to? Example: *722065551212 then press send. If Straight Talk uses the Verizon Wireless network, it will use this format. FYI for anyone wanting to know. Reply ? – karldorman@live.com
Karl – I just tried *72 and it worked like a charm. *73 then deactivated the forwarding.
Thanks, for the nice comment. Ya, I know the Verizon Wireless network. There based out of Bellevue, WA, the same as T-Mobile there in Bellevue too. I’m in Tacoma, WA
I will recommend Page Plus Cellular. I do have them now, I’m very happy with there service. They also run on Verizon Wireless Network. They are alot cheaper too. Go to PagePluscellular.com and you’ll find 1200 minute plan for only $29.95. Thats 1200 minutes of talk and 1200 SMS MMS messaging. I do admit that I was going to go with Straight Talk, but did some more research and found Page Plus Cellular. It only took about 20 Minutes to port my phone number over to Page Plus Cellular from Verizon Pre-Paid service. Make sure you have all the correct info before porting. Also be aware that customer service is hard to get ahold of because they only have about 145 reps for the whole company. Just figure that with a plan so great, that you’ll have a hard time getting ahold of them. Please be patient if you try to call them, you may get a recording saying “All circuits are busy”. This is because there overwelmed with the plan there offering. And figure that there is only 145 reps for the whole country calling, you get the idea, right? Any questions or comments e-mail me at karldorman@live.com, Thanks.
I have 2 straighttalk phones.The lg for my teenage daughter and the MottoV3a for myself. and I have had nothing but problems with this phone since day one.It has never been fixed from the first day. The website doesn’t recognize my 2 phone numbers and my web access i8s void. I can’t even buy ringtones because of their screw-up.
Tell me how to get this access to Verizon
I just wanted to add here that from what I’ve been hearing and reading, Straight Talk users appear to have access to the entire Verizon Network, including what was formerly Alltel. This is very good news for anyone considering Straight Talk.