I have been using the Pay As You Go plan from H2O Wireless so far. H2O Wireless operates on the AT&T network. Under the Pay As You Go plan I pay $9 every 90 days after a 10% autopay discount. The $9 then gets deducted at 5 cents per minute, 5 cents per text, and 10 cents per MB of data as I use the phone. It translate to 180 minutes or 180 texts or 90 MB of data every 90 days. Because I’m at places with wifi most of the time, $9 every 90 days or $3/month has been more than enough.
I just placed an order for a new phone and new service from Xfinity Mobile. Xfinity Mobile is a service offered by Comcast, which I use for home Internet. Xfinity Mobile uses the Verizon network as the underlying carrier. As a Comcast home Internet customer, I can get unlimited calls and texts for about $3/month from Xfinity Mobile. It also includes free 100 MB of data. Additional data would cost $12/GB. Or you can go unlimited data at $45/month.
Here’s a discussion on the Boglehead’s Forum about Xfinity Mobile. The catch used to be that in order to get Xfinity Mobile you have to buy a new phone from them. The relief is that for a limited time, until September 13, you can get a cheap phone from them for only $1. If you don’t like the cheap phone, LG X Charge, you don’t have to use it. You can just take the SIM card out and use it on any other Verizon compatible phone. The LG G5 RS988 I bought recently is compatible (see Last Year’s Flagship Phone vs This Year’s Budget Phone). So is the Moto G5 Plus sold at Costco and elsewhere.
It’s nice to go from metered calls and texts to unlimited. Verizon’s network has good coverage. If I need more data than the free 100 MB in some months, about $15/month for unlimited calls and texts plus 1 GB of data is still a very good price.
If you have multiple lines, the data is pooled. If you can manage to stay under 1 GB combined on two lines, it would be only $18 total (~$3 per line plus $12 for 1 GB shared by two lines).
If you use Comcast Internet service, check out Xfinity Mobile.
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Ron says
I think the biggest catch is you have to have internet or TV service with them already. Xfinity mobile prices may be decent, but you’re paying more in the long run. If you’re on an Xfinity TV/Internet promotion, those typically last 12 months. By having mobile service as well, it will be harder to cancel once your promotion ends and prices skyrocket.
Harry Sit says
With no contract, it’s very easy to switch. I can switch back to H2O or whoever any time just as easily. I’ve had Comcast for Internet service for several years now. Every time I shop they are less expensive than AT&T. Whenever they are more I never hesitate to switch.
Gary says
I agree. my friend got the service and a new s8, all in for $44/month for 2 years. If he cancels or goes somewhere else he has to buy the phone in full. I don’t like being locked in. I know I’m paying more with my T Mobile service, alot more I suppose, but I can go anywhere with my old galaxy s5, or most other carriers. with comcast, I heard the phone is only good at verizon.
Harry Sit says
Galaxy S8 from Xfinity Mobile is on sale now for $532 out of the door. It’s $575 on Amazon. So if someone really wants a new Galaxy S8, the price from Xfinity Mobile isn’t bad. I heard all recent Verizon phones are unlocked on the GSM side and can be used on either AT&T or T-Mobile. If a new phone is not needed, getting the SIM card from the $1 phone will do.
John says
I just signed up for Xfinity Mobile and am a Comcast basic and internet customer. The price, unfortunately, is $12 per month for 1 G of data (not much), but telephone and texting is free. I went to the local Xfinity office as it was impossible to reach them on the internet, telephone, chat line, etc. They confirmed that the deal is $12 a month. If you or anyone else knows of a $3 per month deal through Xfinity or anyone else, please let me know.
Harry Sit says
John – It’s about $3/month if you use less than 100 MB of mobile data in a month. Data used on wifi and Xfinity wifi hotspots don’t count. Texting and texting with pictures don’t count. I have mobile data turned off on the phone and only turn it on when I need it. I used 2 MB in 10 days so far. Will easily stay under 100 MB for the month.
Shane says
I signed up for the Sprint offer a couple months back:
https://www.sprint.com/en/shop/offers/free-unlimited.html?ECID=vanity:1yearfree
I am payoung around $4 per month for unlimited talk text and data. The data is a big one for me. I would probably burn through 100mb in a day.
John says
I went to the Xfinity office in Wellington, FL yesterday. They said $12 per Gig was the only and the best deal they have. They looked up my account and saw that I am a Comcast basic and internet customer. They were not aware of any $3 per month deal. If you know of any, please let me know. This is the link to their homepage and it clearly indicates $12 per month is the cheapest rate.
https://www.xfinity.com/mobile/
John
Harry Sit says
The $12/month plan automatically turns into about $3/month in any month when you use less than 100 MB in mobile data.
always_gone says
Happy Cricket customer here – a bit more money but way more data with unlimited talk and text on AT&T’s network.
I also agree with Shane: I’d use 100mb in about a day when working on the road.
Yuliy Gerchikov says
Any thoughts on FreedomPop “Basic LTE 200” AKA “Free” Plan?
Talk: 200 Minutes
Text: 500 Messages
Data Limit: 200 MB
Price: $0.00/Month
With a tiny bit of googling + emailing one can also get 500 MB more data, for a total of 700 MB/mo, still completely free. Worked as advertised when I tested it back in June. (Heavy mobile data users: I hear ya.)
financeBuffReader says
Rick Broida, the “Cheapskate”, documents some of the strong customer dissatisfaction with Freedom Pop here – https://www.cnet.com/news/get-one-year-of-phone-service-for-49-99/
Selected quotes…
“I’ve written about FreedomPop many times over the years, and without exception I get angry comments and emails about the company. Among the complaints: unexpected charges, poor customer service, poor coverage, etc”
“As for unexpected charges, when you sign up for one of FreedomPop’s monthly plans (including the aforementioned free one), the checkout process is convoluted and confusing — to the point where you might be agreeing to added services without realizing it”
—
Moral of the story, be very careful when signing up.
MK says
I played around with it.
It works pretty well on that level, although it is a VoIP solution – ie no native calling on your phone, only through an app. Same for text messages from what I recall. To me, it made more sense to use google voice on top of the data provided by FreedomPop for calls and texts.
Wouldn’t really depend on it as an only mobile service, though, at least from the “you get what you pay for” (nothing) mindset.
But as a very cheap backup sim (i.e. for foreign visitors staying for a limited time), I think it is a keeper.
JJ says
This sounds pretty awesome! Man, I just checked and the $1 phone is out of stock though 🙁 I’m definitely gonna consider the switch though, from republic. I like republic, but it’d be nice to have Verizon as the underlying network.
Harry Sit says
It was out of stock when I wanted to buy last night. It came back into stock this morning when I ordered. The sale will go on for another two weeks. It probably will come back in stock again. Maybe check early in the mornings?
Harry Sit says
It’s back in stock now. Maybe they release a new batch every morning.
JJ says
Oh awesome! Thanks for the heads up, I see it available now. Awesome suggestion, keep up the good work.
Y says
Harry thanks for the heads up! When I try to order the phone I see 2 options – $12/GB or unlimited for $45. I don’t see monthly fees if I choose $12/GB plan but use less than 100MB data. Where did you find ~$3/month amount and related info?
Y says
Never mind, Estimated Monthly Costs links shows up on top right when you go to Cart!
Rob says
Did you port your H2O number to XFINITY MOBILE? Is it easy to do that? I do not see H2O in their list of carriers for porting number.
Harry Sit says
No. Because I use Google Voice, I don’t care much about the number assigned by the carrier. I see an option for Other/Unknown. That’ll cover H2O.
Jim says
I did. 1st, call H2O (800) 643-4926 to get your account number and PIN number. 20+ minutes wait for a rep. 2nd, fill in account number and PIN in Xfinity Mobile and choose “Not Sure” and activate it. 10+ minutes wait for it to complete.
katie says
I understand the phone will automatically connect to Comcast Hotspots, but can you also connect it to regular wi-fi networks to avoid using data? When I am at work, we have a secure wireless network that we can connect to, but there is no Comcast hotspot near by.
Harry Sit says
Of course, just like any other phone does. You pick the wifi id and enter the password (if required) yourself. I received the $1 phone. It’s not as fast as my $250 phone but I’m surprised by how usable it is. If I didn’t buy the $250 phone I would just use the $1 phone.
Sbaker says
How is Xfinity for customer service for the cell service?
Nancy says
I love these comments on cell phones. Thanks to everyone here who has posted and shared.
I have a Samsung 8 and after 15 years with Sprint, we switched to AT&T. NIGHTMARE switch (we have 5 lines) and I want out.
I have for internet Comcast and followed someone’s post about this provider, and I looked at Sprint’s link too. My at&t phone will probably have to go back and I’ll willingly purchase my own phone. I’ll keep 5 lines only if it’s a savings, otherwise, we can each get our own phones/plans.
I have a disdain for phone plans and seem to block out the ugly details and I need help choosing my next move!!
Is it best to buy a phone outright from Amazon? I use a smart phone.
Is it back to Sprint for me? or Comcast? Or something like Ting or H2o or Republic? This area really frustrates me and I’m not sure how to compare!!