Unlimited Prepaid Comparison Chart
Last Update:
03/04/2011 09:00 AM
The pressure is on for unlimited plans.
Check out any special offers on my special offers page (needs update).
Note that the bolded text below indicates its the best of the
group.
| Plan Info | AT&T GoPhone PAYG Unlimited Talk and Text | Boost Unlimited | Cricket Unlimited $45 | Metro PCS Umlimited Ultimate | Page Plus Cellular Unlimited Talk n Text | Platinum Tel Unlimited Talk and Text | TracFone Straight Talk | Virgin Mobile Unlimited Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage Map | AT&T PAYG Coverage Map | Boost Coverage Map | Cricket Wireless Coverage Map | Metro PCS Coverage Map | Page Plus Coverage Map | Platinum Tel Coverage Map | Straight Talk Coverage Map | Virgin Mobile Coverage Map |
| System | AT&T GSM / WCDMA | Nextel iDEN (exc w385 on Sprint CDMA) | Cricket Wireless CDMA | Metro PCS CDMA | Verizon CDMA | Sprint CDMA | Verizon CDMA | Sprint CDMA |
| Monthly Cost | $60.00 | $50.00 | $45.00 | $45.00 | $44.95 | $50.00 | $45.00 | $50.00 |
| Taxes / Fees additional (excl sales tax) | YES | NO | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO | YES |
| Activation fee | NONE | NONE | NONE | NONE | NONE | NONE | NONE | NONE |
| Voice | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| SMS | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 15c (pkg avail) |
| Int'l SMS rcv/snd |
Unlimited | free/10c (pkg avail) |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 20c | ??? | Not available | 15c/20c |
| MMS (picture SMS) rcv/snd |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10c plus data usage | data usage deducted | Unlimited | 25c (pkg avail) |
| Data | None included ($10/MB add'l)(pkg avail) |
Unlimited (incl PTT) | Unlimited | Unlimited | 20MB included (60c/MB add'l) | 100MB included (51c/MB add'l) | Unlimited | pkg avail |
| Tether (data connection to laptop / desktop) | Not supported. Works with proper settings. |
Very slow, Not supported. Works with proper settings. |
Not supported. Works with proper settings. | Not supported. Works with proper settings. | Not supported.
Works with proper settings. Uses data allowance |
Not supported. Possible to get working with proper settings. | Not supported. T&C forbid use. Possible using Moto handsets, may get cut off if caught | Not supported |
|
Local Service Area |
AT&T PAYG Network | Nextel Network |
Cricket Wireless Network |
Metro PCS Network (USC network included for voice & text) |
Verizon Network |
Sprint Network |
Verizon Network |
Sprint Network |
| Roaming Area | Not available | Not available (PTT, data roam in Baja MX and CA) | USA CDMA Networks |
USA CDMA Networks |
USA CDMA Networks (CA may work) |
Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Voice Roaming |
Not available | Not available | 12-16c (30 min free) | 19c | 59c | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| SMS Roaming |
Not available | Not available | Included | Included | Included | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| MMS Roaming |
Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Data Roaming |
Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Special Phone Required | NO | YES | YES | YES | NO | YES | YES | YES |
| Refill period | 30-365 days (cash balance) | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 120 days (cash balance) | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Recharge Values | $15/25/ 50/75/100 |
$50 | $45 | $45 | $10/25/ 40/50/80 |
$50 | $40 | $50 |
| Call Waiting? | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Call Forwarding | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO |