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Holdem185 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 02:42 PM

I am about to get a pay as you go phone but I really don't understand how they work. Do you have to pay for them monthly (not talking about buying more cards for minutes) can anyone explain how all of it works..

David · #2 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 03:32 PM

Sure, do you have a provider in mind? The packages vary per carrier, and some work differently in terms of payment, minutes expiration etc.

The largest carriers in the USA are Verizon Wirelss, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. Each carrier offers pay-as-you-go phones, and information can be found on their websites. I can provide a little more info if you can tell me either what carrier you want, or what your needs are.

Holdem185 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 06:17 PM

I wanted AT&T with a way of having unlimited txt..

David · #4 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 07:28 PM

Cell Phone Plans and cellular service - | Wireless from AT&T, formerly Cingular (Select Prepaid plans)

AT&T has two options for plans, Prepaid, and Pay as you go.

Pay as you go:
Get Started - | Wireless from AT&T, formerly Cingular

You buy cards of cash value, so a $25 card costs you $25 and is worth $25 in terms of usage. There are two options for voice:

$1/day IF you use the phone on that day + .10/minute.
$0/day + .25/minute

Text (SMS) is $.15 per message to send or receive. There does not appear to be any option to buy a text package.

The other option is "Pick your plan" - and IIRC this is much like regular (contract) service, but without the contract, and you pay for the upcoming month, instead of the current month.

Get Started - | Wireless from AT&T, formerly Cingular

These plans DO have messaging packages, listed here:
Text Message Packages | AT&T

No matter how you cut it, if you really want unlimited SMS, it's going to be $50+/mo with AT&T.

Holdem185 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 09:51 PM

Well I went out and got it and I went with Pay as you go, and the 25/minute thing. Since I got the phone now is there a way I can get unlimited text paying cash instead of a credit card?

David · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 09:55 PM

Pay as you go does not appear to have an option for unlimited SMS. You can give AT&T customer service a call, though--maybe they know something that I can't find on the website.