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Lycamobile: T-Mobile MVNO with Paygo Rates of 2cents/minute, 4cents/text, 6cents/MB

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****I deleted the whole original post because it was out of date and did not apply anymore.***


Common questions:

Q: Who is Lycamobile? http://www.lycamobile.us/en/
A: Company based in the UK and is a prepaid service provider in multiple countries.

Q: What kind of coverage would I get?
A: Lycamobile uses T-Mobile towers with no roaming.

Q: How much is the paygo rate?
A: 2 cents a minute for talk, 4 cents a minute for text, 6 cents per megabyte of data. http://www.lycamobile.us/en/national-plans

Q: I heard there is free incoming texts. Is that right?
A: Yes, that is true.

Q: I also heard calls to toll free number are free. Is that right?
A: Yes for some free area codes, that is true.

Q: Is mms supported?
A: No.

Q: Are short codes supported?
A: No.

Q: I use XXXX minutes per month, XXXX texts per month, and XX GB data per month. Lycamobile's 2 cents plan would cost me $XXX!!!
A: Obviously, people who pay by the minute do not consume such high numbers. If they do, then of course a minute plan would not be suitable for them.

Q: How is the data rounding?
A: Data is broken down to 1/6 of a megabyte or 1 cent. Any stray app that uses data will likely consume at least 1 cent. So it is best to completely disable data until needed.

Q: How is the data speed?
A: As Lycamobile is based in the UK and your web traffic is routed that way, speeds will be a little slower than your typical T-Mobile mvno.

Q: Does no roaming mean that I cannot make calls outside my area code or region?
A: No roaming means that your phone must use T-Mobile's signal. There is no roaming onto At&t or other small regional gsm providers.

Q: Is there a roaming cost?
A: No roaming means no roaming costs.

Q: Okay, I get there is no roaming, but how come my phone always shows ROAMING?
A: Lycamobile calls themselves a true mvno so all their users are "roaming". Some phones show this on their display. other phones do not. Just live with it.

Q: What kind of phone do I need? Is a locked T-Mobile phone okay?
A: Lycamobile calls themselves a true mvno and uses their own mobile network code. That means the phone must be unlocked. Almost all other T-Mobile mvno's do not do this. That is why other T-Mobile mvno's can use locked T-Mobile phones.

Q: I don't understand. Can I use a T-Mobile or At&t phone?
A: Only if is unlocked.

Q: Will a Verizon or Sprint phone work on Lycamobile?
A: Lycamobile sends you a sim card. Although there are a few exceptions, chances are those phones cannot accept ANY sim. For the few that do have a sim slot, the sim in your CDMA device is usually reserved for international travel. Sims for American cell providers do not work.

Q: Do you know of any inexpensive unlocked phones for Lyca?
A: Samsung A157 intended for At&t's GoPhone brand retails for about $15. Unlock instructions here: https://slickdeals.net/f/6210666-at-t-samsung-a157-prepaid-gophone-5-free-shipping?p=61248212#edit61248212 . Alternatively, unlock codes on ebay for the A157 run about $3.

Q: What is the minimum requirement to keep the service alive?
A: One billable event every 120 days. After 90 days of no billable event, Lycamobile will email you. A billable event is making a call, sending a text, actively using data, or adding money to your account.

-On March 6, Lyca has changed to minimum usage to 90 days as stated in this article. http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2...-text.html

Q: Does the answer to the previous question mean that Lycamobile does NOT require at least $XX every XX days?
A: Yes.

Q: Are you saying that I do not need to add some amount of money every X number of days?
A: You only add money on the 2 cents a minute plan when your balance is running low. There is no requirement to add money if you are using the service and have a sufficient balance.

Q: What is the minimum amount needed to fund the account?
A: If you already have a sim, it is $10. Alternatively, you could preloaded $5 when ordering a sim from Lycamobile. At launch, the minimum was 10 cents. Unfortunately, that is not true anymore.

Q: Are there any refill options if Lycamobile's site is not working for me?
A: Try Callingmart.

Q: Does disabling voice mail work now? Before it did not.
A: It works now. To deactivate your Lycamobile Voicemail service: dial *185# followed by the call button.

Q: Am I charged to listen to voicemail?
A: No you are not charged to listen to voicemail. However, Lycamobile does charge you when somebody leaves you a voicemail. So you get charged whether you listen to voicemail or not.

Q: How much is international calling for the 2 cents a minute plan?
A: International Rates for paygo is the amount listed + airtime minute charge. So for instance a call to Canada would be 1 cent/min (as listed on the website) + 2 cent/min (regular paygo airtime charge) = 3 cents/min

Q: Can I use Lycamobile when I am in another country?
A: Sure, but be aware the costs per call are sometimes multiple dollars per minute.

Q: Are there any hidden charges, taxes, or monthly fees?
A: No

Q: I just activated an Apple device, and now Lycamobile is sending me texts from the UK and charging for it. Is Lycamobile trying to pull a fast one?
A: Your Apple phone is trying to activate Imessage and Facetime and sending texts to the UK. You would need to ask Apple why this is done. Normally, Apple officially supported carriers cover the costs of these texts. Lycamobile does not. Therefore, you should disable these 2 features unless you enjoy getting charged for sending these texts.

Q: I want to use the 2 cents plan, should I top up with $20 or more so I don't have to worry about it?
A: When your account has enough money for a monthly plan, you might get accidently bumped to the monthly plan by mistake. Keep you balance under $16.

Q: Where is the Unlimited Talk & Unlimited Text for $19?
A: Discontinued.

Q: Did Lycamobile ever have free incoming calls when roaming internationally as was in the original post and on their website when they first launched?
A: Not to my knowledge. Most likely, the website was incomplete and/or unfinished and the numbers listed were just a placeholder until the real rates were entered.

Q: Why did everybody talk about zip codes?
A: When Lycamobile launched, their sim card ordering form was goofy. The website wanted everybody to enter their zip+4 code into the form. However, the form only allowed 9 digits. Entering 5 digits did not work. Form has since been fixed.

Q: I want to sign up. How much are the sims?
A: Previously, sims were free. Now, there is a $7 charge if you do not preload a sim with any money. Preload one sim for at least $5 and get up to 3 sims shipped free.
https://account.lycamobile.us/get...px?lang=en

Q: I want to sign up, but the site gives me an error.
A: Lycamobile only can give out phone numbers from Peerless and Broadvox. Those 2 companies do not reach every part of the country. Hence, the form will reject your request.

Q: I don't care about what number I get, how do I get a sim?
A: The usual places like Ebay, Amazon, or a dealer.

Q: Those 3rd-party places still charge me a dollar. I want a free sim.
A: Go here: https://www.facebook.com/lycamobi...6264290645 and use the coupon code LYCA if needed.

Q: Can Lycamobile port my old number?
A: That is a maybe. As said before, Lycamobile only issues phone numbers that Peerless and Broadvox occupy. No Peerless or Broadvox in the area means that if your number is not in that area, your old number will not get ported.

Q: Can I port my landline number to Lycamobile?
A: No. Lycamobile only ports mobile numbers.

Q: Can I port my Google Voice number to Lycamobile?
A: No. Lycamobile only ports mobile numbers.

Q: What areas do Peerless and Broadvox occupy?
A: Peerless http://www.localcallingguide.com/...&npa=&ocn=
Broadvox http://www.localcallingguide.com/...&npa=&ocn=

Q: My old number is in a Peerless or Broadvox area. How come I am still having troubles porting?
A: Nobody knows why Lycamobile sometimes has trouble porting.

Q: With the number of scary stories about porting into Lycamobile, does that mean I should avoid Lycamobile?
A: A number of people have ported to Google Voice. Then, they set all calls going to their Google Voice number to their Lycamobile number.

Q: If porting is so bad, then how come some people said they ported easily?
A: Wish I could tell you when it is okay and when to avoid porting.

Added March 18, 2014 - Some have speculated that on paygo, "for incoming and outgoing" refers to calling, texting, and data. In other words, users are charged for incoming and outgoing texts. That is because "for incoming and outgoing" was added on Lyca's website after the stating the rates.

Recently however, the phrase "for incoming and outgoing" has been moved to beneath the talk rate. In another forum, people are speculating that Lyca's is just bad at writing their terms clearly. They believe that incoming texts are free.

Added March 18, 2014 - There is a belief that the 250 minutes/$16 a month plan (not the paygo plan) includes free Lyca to Lyca calling. Since this is not specifically mentioned on Lyca's website, I will classify this as YMMV and subject to change without notice.
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Community Wiki

Last Edited by Mega Y June 29, 2016 at 08:22 AM
Lycamobile charged 5 cents per minute beginning of 03/2016




Lycamobile increased their rates as of MAY 2015 for New Customers and Legacy SIM:
5c to make a call
5c to receive a call
4c to send a text

Toll Free calls will be charged



  • No roaming when you leave the T-Mobile service area. (ie: If you're in an AT&T only area, your phone will display "Emergency Calls Only")
  • Auto bill debit and credit cards, Lyca turns on auto bill, and its been fairly challenging for some of my friends to get this off, its suggested/recommended you double check this and ensure that they don't have it on for you. hug
  • Text messages dont go through to nextflix and other 6 digit vendor texts
  • 6 digit numbers are considered as premium text and not supported by Lyca


***Data: Speed test from speedtest.net:
4G: 749k down, 911k up
2G: 45k down
Available area codes with States (Please Update with yours) TIA
1) Georgia - Atlanta area 470
2) Colorado - Denver - 720
3) North Carolina - Charlotte - 980
4) Maryland - 410
5) Florida - 786, 386, 904
6) California - 415, 510, 657, 858, 805, 909
7) NYC - 646, 917 (rare), 929, 914 (assigned to Westchester County)
8) Indiana - 317
9) Michigan - 231, 586
10) Virginia - Northern 703 and 571
11) Illinois - 312, 618, 224, 779, 331, 815, 630, 847, 872, 708, 773
12) Utah - 801
13) Minnesota - 507
14) New Jersey- 609, 973
15) Texas - 210
16) Arizona- 602
17) Delaware- 302

Quote from eciraje :
I could not find any link on their website abount porting existing number. Tried to call the customer care and no one answer the call not even IVR Smilie


http://www.lycamobile.us/en/transferyournumber

Transferring your existing cell number to Lycamobile is easy.
Just follow the simple steps below:

1 Contact the Customer Services of your existing provider, tell them you wish to change provider and ask them for your PIN code and account number, check with them that there is no charge for this.

2 Once you receive your PIN code and account number, call Lycamobile Customer Services and one of our Customer representatives will help you to begin the transfer process.You can also email using this form: http://www.lycamobile.us/en/contactus

With the following info:

1.First name*:
2.Middle Name(Optional):
3.Last Name*:
4.Date of birth:
5.Zip Code*:
6.Street Name*:
7.City*:
8.State*:
9.Lycamobile Number*:
10.Lycamobile ICCID*:
10.Old Service* (Number to be ported):
11.Old Service provider name*:
12.Wireless or Wireline*:
13.Alternative Contact number*:
14.Account number*:
15.Pin Number*:

3 As soon as your number is live with Lycamobile we will send you a text to let you know. In the mean time you can still use your Lycamobile with the number that was originally provided.

Quote from netstuff :
Additional feedback on Lyca
Quote from netstuff :

Don't rely on Auto Recharge feature. It didn't work for me. I had it configured for recharge when balance dropped below $5. No recharge was done. I was without service for few hours on the road until I did manual recharge via web after reaching home.

Do not charge more than $10 or $20. I had recharged with $30 and my account was automatically converted from Pay As You go to $30 monthly plan. Also $30 only lasted for a week coz monthly plan balance expire at the end of each month. Recharge was done at the beginning of last week of the month. After a week when new month started they automatically charged my credit card for $30. $60 for 5 weeks of service. I have to call them again to get my money back but not very hopeful.

Don't bother sending emails to customer service. They do not respond at all. Calling is the only option if you have lot of patience and thick skin.

Online account balance sometimes show incorrect balance. Use the following to get your balance
Enter *611# (or 94#) - Balance is shown on phone screen
Dial 611 (or 95#) and listen to your balance
Quote from osv1 :
no,
Quote from osv1 :
APN: data.lycamobile.com
Username: lmus
Password: plus


For those using Lycamobile Data on their phones (mine is a nexus 4):

My Nexus 4 shows roaming, even though it is on TMobile's network. My Pantech Burst (ATT and unlocked ) never did show roaming.
Since the phone recognizes the network as roaming, you need to allow data on roaming to use data.
You will not be charged for roaming since it will not ever use ATT's towers. It is just a misconfiguration I hope they fix soon.


You will need to add an APN to get mobile data. Settings are:
  • Name: lycamobile
  • APN: data.lycamobile.com
  • Username: lmus
  • Password: plus
  • Authentication type (you may or may not need to set this...I did): PAP
  • APN type: default, *

  • leave the rest of the settings at default...you are good to go!
[B]Alternatives to LYCA (T-Mobile network):
GIV Mobile, GoSmart, Ready SIM, PTel, MetroPCS, StraightTalk, Solavei, Simple Mobile, Ultra Mobile
* Lyca is the cheaper for PayGo (pay per minute only)
* Others may be cheaper for monthly. Example Ultra Mobile's $19 plan: 1000 minutes (2c additional), unlimited texting (including International) and 100MB data
(allprepaidplans.com [allprepaidplans.com])

If you have an old sim
it can still be activated. Put the sim in, dial 622,
enter your zip and the computer will assign a phone number.
Then funds can be added via Calling Mart by using that phone number. $10 refills go straight to phone number.

Cheap unlooked phones:
$20 http://www.ebay.com/itm/321260873943
More here: link [ebay.com]
Note: I guess Ebay sells unlocked and unlooked phonesSmilie


Quote from qwe1234 :
Update. Was able to load with Paypal on the Callingmart. Thanks for the tip.

2,803 Comments

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Joined Aug 2010
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,238 Posts
129 Reputation
osv1
05-17-2013 at 09:29 PM.
05-17-2013 at 09:29 PM.
Quote from netstuff :
I have been using Lycamobile for past 2 weeks. Sim card was delivered in 10 days.
i requested two sim cards, in seperate emails, and they were both delivered within five business days, for free.

my brother in the midwest had the exact same experience.

Quote from netstuff :
It is better to disable Facetime & iMessage on Lycamobile if you are using iPhone. Data is too sloooow. 2G speeds only. I am in refarmed spectrum area. Should get 5-10 Mbps.
it's a well-known fact that lycamobile is currently still routing some data-related traffic through england and such.

Quote from netstuff :
There is not charge to check voicemail but you get charged when someone is leaving you a voicemail. You will see two adjacent calls in history. One to your number and another one to 18453011610.
i did see a four cent call to my phone, that correlates to the voicemail call, per your statement above... of course, if i had google voice setup correctly, the voicemail call would have been free, because it would have been intercepted by gv, before it got to the lycamobile voicemail.

wrt customer service phone calls... for now, lycamobile isn't the best choice for people who need hand-holding.
Reply
Last edited by osv1 May 17, 2013 at 09:39 PM.
Joined Nov 2011
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,119 Posts
66 Reputation
whoismorpheus
05-18-2013 at 09:57 AM.
05-18-2013 at 09:57 AM.
Received sim yesterday and recharged today for $10. Using sim on unlocked T-mobile and call qualities is good. Tested 5 calls with frds.
Reply
Joined Jul 2006
L3: Novice
> bubble2 127 Posts
18 Reputation
szechuanpork
05-18-2013 at 01:53 PM.
05-18-2013 at 01:53 PM.
i finally figured out how to change bands on my unlocked at&t phone to umts 1900. i went from 2g data speeds to 3g/4g speeds. lycamobile now looks great.
Reply
Joined Aug 2011
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 12,429 Posts
2,291 Reputation
The-Alchemist
05-18-2013 at 01:57 PM.
05-18-2013 at 01:57 PM.
Is there a way to turn off voicemail
Reply
Joined Nov 2004
L9: Master
> bubble2 4,940 Posts
810 Reputation
whenry83
05-19-2013 at 01:03 AM.
05-19-2013 at 01:03 AM.
Quote from Roehre :
Yeah, it's been 2 weeks since we requested our number be ported, and it still hasn't happened. After 4 twenty minute sessions of being on hold with elevator music from hell, I am not impressed. Yesterday they told me they would "expedite", because porting is "being done manually". This is just a simple port of one number from tmobile to lycamobile.

I don't think this company is ready to do business.
Go with PTEL. They ported my number from Page Plus in 2 hours; no joke.
Reply
Joined Aug 2011
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,464 Posts
745 Reputation
worldco
05-19-2013 at 06:37 AM.
05-19-2013 at 06:37 AM.
Quote from Mr.Ritz :
Is there a way to turn off voicemail
You have to call customer service, also they have now told me I will be charged for calls to my voicemail as I am receiving the call!
Reply
Joined Jan 2009
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 34 Posts
38 Reputation
netstuff
05-19-2013 at 09:34 AM.
05-19-2013 at 09:34 AM.
Quote from jimx200 :
Another ringing endorsement for a bottom of the MVNO barrel company. Seriously, some of you mush have masochistic tendencies to suffer with this pee poor vendor. Hung up on twice? Tell them to stick it up their bloody arse (British speak)..lol.
Third csr apologized and was very polite and attentive
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Joined Jan 2009
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> bubble2 34 Posts
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netstuff
05-19-2013 at 09:46 AM.
05-19-2013 at 09:46 AM.
Quote from Vannita :
Are you saying Ptel no longer charges for calls answered by voicemail or that Lyca charges you twice (2 calls) for each voicemail left?
On Ptel when some one leaves you a voicemail you do not get charged but if you check voicemail from your Ptel phone then you get charged. A workaround is to call your ptel number from other phone and press * when voicemail answers. Enter your voicemail pin to listen to messages.

On Lyca when someone leaves you a VM you get charged as per the length of the message. But listening to the message is free by dialing 121 from lycamobile phone. As per support agent there VM should be totally free.
Reply
Joined Dec 2008
L3: Novice
> bubble2 251 Posts
62 Reputation
cacophony777
05-19-2013 at 09:54 AM.
05-19-2013 at 09:54 AM.
Quote from szechuanpork :
i finally figured out how to change bands on my unlocked at&t phone to umts 1900. i went from 2g data speeds to 3g/4g speeds. lycamobile now looks great.
Care to share what you did?
Reply
Joined Apr 2004
Will Work For $lickDeals!
> bubble2 5,381 Posts
2,799 Reputation
Vannita
05-19-2013 at 10:04 AM.
05-19-2013 at 10:04 AM.
Quote from netstuff :
On Ptel when some one leaves you a voicemail you do not get charged but if you check voicemail from your Ptel phone then you get charged. A workaround is to call your ptel number from other phone and press * when voicemail answers. Enter your voicemail pin to listen to messages.

On Lyca when someone leaves you a VM you get charged as per the length of the message. But listening to the message is free by dialing 121 from lycamobile phone. As per support agent there VM should be totally free.
Thanks. So on PTEL if someone leaves a message, there is no charge for either the call or the voicemail. That's how my prepaid AT&T GoPhone works too. On AT&T you get charged for listing to voicemail on the phone as well. There is a local number I call using a POTS to avoid getting charged when checking messages. Can you check your voicemail from another phone on PTEL to avoid getting charged as well?

I'm looking for a better option since with AT&T you have to keep refilling at least $25 every 90 days or less or your minutes expire, unless you buy the $100 card that is good for a year. I see PTEL refills are good for twice as long and calls are around 3 cents (using the PTELSLICK20) code vs around 10 cents for AT&T.
Reply
Last edited by Vannita May 19, 2013 at 10:11 AM.
Joined May 2006
Amanuensis
> bubble2 1,362 Posts
kaykatz
05-19-2013 at 12:02 PM.
05-19-2013 at 12:02 PM.
Quote from Mr.Ritz :
Is there a way to turn off voicemail

FAQ
Using Lycamobile is simple, just click below for more information. http://www.lycamobile.us/draft1-en/faq

How can I deactivate my voicemail service?
To deactivate your Lycamobile Voicemail service: dial *185# followed by the call button
Reply
Joined Aug 2011
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 12,429 Posts
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The-Alchemist
05-19-2013 at 12:05 PM.
05-19-2013 at 12:05 PM.
Quote from kaykatz :
FAQ
Using Lycamobile is simple, just click below for more information. http://www.lycamobile.us/draft1-en/faq

How can I deactivate my voicemail service?
To deactivate your Lycamobile Voicemail service: dial *185# followed by the call button
Thanks
Reply
Joined Jul 2006
L3: Novice
> bubble2 127 Posts
18 Reputation
szechuanpork
05-19-2013 at 12:07 PM.
05-19-2013 at 12:07 PM.
Quote from cacophony777 :
Care to share what you did?
this link is to xda-developers. check post #273 which should be the last post. http://forum.xda-developers.com/s...de&page=28
Reply
Joined Aug 2011
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 12,429 Posts
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The-Alchemist
05-19-2013 at 12:08 PM.
05-19-2013 at 12:08 PM.
Just came from simple mobile... So much crap can't send pic MSG and I get connection error a few times a month
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Joined May 2013
L9: Master
> bubble2 5,522 Posts
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sunnysidescape
05-19-2013 at 03:03 PM.
05-19-2013 at 03:03 PM.
Make sure you don't roam with this. I looked up the cost in Thailand, something like $3.73/min.
Reply
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