PlatinumTel: Free SIM Card and $20 off First Month of Unlimited Prepaid Plans: $40 Plan (up to 250MB of 4G) $20, $50 Plan (up to 2GB of 4G) $30 for First Month

Quote from sd444 : Agreed. This is the cheapest GSM with BYOD carrier for pay-as-you-go. OP deserves a TU just for that. Can we get a confirmation about coverage? Maps are showing voice AND data roaming. Coverage is showing POSTPAID Tmobile coverage. You need a GSM phone for this or any locked TMobile branded phone. http://slickdeals.net/f/5713104-T...g?&page=15

FB discussion tries to clear up the roaming confusion:

"I missed the note on the Ptel coverage map that says they do NOT provide AT&T roaming. So their coverage is the same as Simple, Ultra and Spot. You have to go to the Simple or Ultra coverage map to see what you get. Or go to Tmobile prepaid coverage map and clock on data/web tab."

Another good phone option would be the Google Nexus 4 when it comes back into stock. Also, check craigslist. At least in my areas there are always a bunch of TMobile Android smartphones. You can also use an unlocked AT&T phone but will be limited to EDGE data in most places until Tmobile lights up the rest of their 1900 Mhz network. I don't see a big deal with EDGE on PAYGO anyway as you will likely be keeping a close eye on data usage anyways. EDGE will do just fine to get email and to read the news or your FB wall.

Quote from sd444 : Agreed. This is the cheapest GSM with BYOD carrier for pay-as-you-go. OP deserves a TU just for that. Can we get a confirmation about coverage? Maps are showing voice AND data roaming. Coverage is showing POSTPAID Tmobile coverage. You need a GSM phone for this or any locked TMobile branded phone. http://slickdeals.net/f/5713104-T...g?&page=15

Do you know if you can use any T-Mobile phone? The Ptel page says unlocked gsm phone, so that's what I've been trying to look for.

Quote from weaseltraps : FB discussion tries to clear up the roaming confusion: "I missed the note on the Ptel coverage map that says they do NOT provide AT&T roaming. So their coverage is the same as Simple, Ultra and Spot. You have to go to the Simple or Ultra coverage map to see what you get. Or go to Tmobile prepaid coverage map and clock on data/web tab." Another good phone option would be the Google Nexus 4 when it comes back into stock. Also, check craigslist. At least in my areas there are always a bunch of TMobile Android smartphones. You can also use an unlocked AT&T phone but will be limited to EDGE data in most places until Tmobile lights up the rest of their 1900 Mhz network. I don't see a big deal with EDGE on PAYGO anyway as you will likely be keeping a close eye on data usage anyways. EDGE will do just fine to get email and to read the news or your FB wall.

Too good to be true. Still great for low minute use.

Quote from eileenl : Do you know if you can use any T-Mobile phone? The Ptel page says unlocked gsm phone, so that's what I've been trying to look for.

ATT branded phones work with ATT MVNO's.
Tmobile branded phones work with Tmobile MVNO's.

No unlock is necessary.

Pin number worked as top up on existing account

existing $40 or paygo account?

anyone ported a number with them? i wonder how long they take..

Quote from RKEM : I've been using PlatinumTel Paygo for a while and have been happy with it. PTEL is there rebranded service, as they have just switched from CDMA to GSM (uses sim cards) service. CDMA service will cease mid 2013. This is the best, low usage, pay as you go, BYOD (bring your own device) service I have come across.

Does that mean I'm somewhat screwed with the cdma phone I just purchased from them last month come mid 2013? o.O

Quote from haydeno : Pin number worked as top up on existing account

$40 unlimited prepaid or paygo?

Quote from ChpByr : Does that mean I'm somewhat screwed with the cdma phone I just purchased from them last month come mid 2013? o.O

he's full of crap. no way cdma ceases. cdma carriers are selling 2 year contracts every day

So what's a good ebay deal, make/model for an android phone.. i'm totally cool with replacing a cracked digitizer too if it makes the deal better.. which model phones / prices should i be looking at? I got in on the pantech crossover and it's alright, but i prefer something a little more upscale. I'm disappointed i missed out on a cracked S2 on craigslist :\

Quote from infin8007 : he's full of crap. no way cdma ceases. cdma carriers are selling 2 year contracts every day

I believe he meant Ptel's CDMA service would be ceasing, not CDMA in general. Though I'm also curious if he's just pulling a random rumor on me.

So this is $5 less than Straighttalk and instead of unlimited data it only has 250MB of data at high speed?

Quote from infin8007 : So what's a good ebay deal, make/model for an android phone.. i'm totally cool with replacing a cracked digitizer too if it makes the deal better.. which model phones / prices should i be looking at? I got in on the pantech crossover and it's alright, but i prefer something a little more upscale. I'm disappointed i missed out on a cracked S2 on craigslist :\

I have used the Crossover, its OK not bad for $50 is fine.
Try a TMobile Amaze 4G, get a used one on eBay, I loved mine when I used it.

Quote from infin8007 : $40 unlimited prepaid or paygo? he's full of crap. no way cdma ceases. cdma carriers are selling 2 year contracts every day

Quote from ChpByr : I believe he meant Ptel's CDMA service would be ceasing, not CDMA in general. Though I'm also curious if he's just pulling a random rumor on me.

I was refering to PlatinumTel's CDMA service, not the entire industry. Here is a comment from a PTEL rep on their facebook page:

PlatinumTel @Rob, Our entire service will eventually be changing to a GSM network. We are trying to allow our customers enough time to prepare for the network switch so our CDMA service will continue into around mid-2013. Thank you for contacting us and please let us know if you have any additional questions!
November 20 at 7:15am

I switched to ptel too, att prepaid charge way too much for texting

Definitely the cheapest option for pay as you go. I'm considering switching from TM PAYG once my credit runs out.

Any thoughts regarding how long they'll be around?.

I've read the pieces on various prepaid phone pages stating they've been around since 2001 or so but would like some real opinions on their service etc as these prepaid pages seem to be Astro-turf type sites.

Why not you try https://www.gosmartmobile.com . All these are T-mobile MVNO. I believe go smart is owned by T Mobile. Unlimited plans start @ $35 there. Can somebody compare these 2(gosmartmobile vs ptel) and make a post

Quote from sunish : Why not you try https://www.gosmartmobile.com . All these are T-mobile MVNO. I believe go smart is owned by T Mobile. Unlimited plans start @ $35 there. Can somebody compare these 2(gosmartmobile vs ptel) and make a post

Gosmart is throttled to 2g speed from the get go. Ptel gets 250mb\1gb then throttle

Quote from infin8007 : $40 unlimited prepaid or paygo?

cdma paygo. $40 is just standard pin