Switched from AT&T back to AT&T via Cricket Wireless

[joeekaitis]

 

A Space Gray unlocked SIM-free iPhone SE for me, ditto, Rose Gold for Cathy.  Barely chewing through our Rollover Data allotment and now able to use WiFi Calling, we dumped AT&T for Cricket Wireless, which means we're back on the AT&T network.  Plentiful coverage where we live and travel regularly.

 

Saving at least 20 bucks a month on the $30.00 2GB each plan versus a measly single Rollover GB  ($60.00 vs $82.00).  Only thing we gave up: Mobile Hotspot.  We can read emails on the phone and send a more detailed reply later from our computers.

 

A couple notes for those contemplating the switch: DO NOT click the "Activate online" link in the email you receive until you've installed the SIM from Cricket, especially if you're porting your phone number.  Instead of taking you to a webpage where you verify your identity before making such a drastic change, the link sends you to a page that starts the irreversible process.  Thus we lost a day and a half of cell phone use.  Turns out it happens quite a lot and Cricket has yet to reword the email.

 

Either because we were grandfathered in as previous AT&T (and Cingular and SBC Wireless)  customers or because they haven't updated the information page, Wi-Fi Calling is working on both of our BYOP iPhones, contrary to the info that you must buy the phone from Cricket.  My workplace is in a known cellular "armpit" for multiple carriers, so Wi-Fi Calling is definitely a plus.  If it works for you, best not to call Customer Support and ask about it. 

 

[spookiness]

I've had Cricket for a couple years now and no issues or complaints. Have done BYOP with a Motorola and now a Sony. Will never go back to a contract again.

 

[fan-of-fans]

I'm thinking about doing this too. My father has Cricket and has been happy with it.

Currently I have AT&T and paying $80, out of contract for forever now. I forget how much data I'm getting but I think it's the lowest one. Only thing I'm getting for the money is unlimited calling and texting which is silly because I barely make any calls or texts.

Since Cricket is on the AT&T network sounds like a win since I'll be saving $40 a month and not losing anything.

Can anyone recommend a phone? I'm currently on a Samsung Android Galaxy S3 phone and probably will stay with Android. My father has a cheapie smartphone and seems to be okay with it. I'd like to stay with Samsung but don't want to pay for the new Galaxy 9, I don't need that much phone anyway. Or should I go with Apple?

I notice with these prepaid providers they really get you for the "big name" phones since it's not subsidized. But heck, AT&T doesn't even subsidize phones anymore with contracts, so what's the difference. I guess a cheapie phone might serve me just as well as a iPhone or Galaxy. Maybe I can just try a cheapie and then switch if I don't like it?

 

[launderess]

Before choosing a phone

It helps to decide what features you want, need, and then could live without.

Believe it or not flip phones are making a comeback among the younger generation and others. http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2018/04...tracting-and-lot-cheaper-than-smartphone.html

Many are finding they just don't need or want all that texting, internet access and so forth. That and want a little less distraction in their lives.

Have an HTC Google G2 that likely needs replacing soon (battery issues). But really don't use the thing for more than talking, and even then that is only say when out and need to reach someone. Walking down street yapping on about nothing to someone who could care less is not my thing.

 

[askolover]

Both of us still have non-smart phones and plan to keep them as long as we possibly can.  Maybe by that time we can go to Jitterbugs!  Mine stays on vibrate all the time anyway because after sitting at work listening to the phones ring all night long I do not want to hear any ringing phone at home. 

 

[fan-of-fans]

I did like my last flip phone I had, it worked fine. But I do like the mobile data and web browsing of the smartphone. I use it for navigation, looking up stuff on the go or even just something to read while I'm at a restaurant alone. I also do a lot of reading on it at night while in bed listening to Pandora.

Really I use it for internet and as a camera more than as a talk or text phone.