Verizon buys Tracfone
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https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-to-acquire-tracfone
Verizon (NYSE: VZ) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with America Movil to acquire Tracfone, the leading pre-paid and value mobile provider in the U.S. The acquisition expands Verizon’s portfolio into the value segment, bringing enhanced access to its industry-leading wireless network and comprehensive suite of mobility products and services to a new customer base.
Tracfone is the largest reseller of wireless services in the US, serving approximately 21 million subscribers through a network of over 90,000 retail locations nationwide. A longtime partner of Verizon, more than 13 million Tracfone subscribers currently rely on Verizon’s wireless network through an existing wholesale agreement.
Following the acquisition, Verizon expects to bring its award-winning 4G LTE and 5G networks and other innovative technologies to Tracfone customers, further develop Tracfone’s distribution channels, and expand Tracfone’s market opportunities.
The acquisition of Tracfone aligns with Verizon’s growth oriented Network as a Service strategy, and will provide more U.S. consumers seeking value wireless plans with improved experiences and enhanced services, including fixed wireless residential broadband solutions, 5G access and expanded international calling and roaming options.The portfolio of Tracfone brands creates a platform for growth and innovation in Verizon’s support of the value and low income segments. Verizon will continue to offer Lifeline service through Tracfone and further develop its core brands, products and distribution channels, including StraightTalk, the vast majority of whose customers operate on the Verizon network today.
My current cellphone provider is Mint Mobile, which uses the T-Mobile network. I've been, for the most part, pleased. The only issue I've had is that my phone started giving me an "invalid SIM" message, which necessitated either re-seating the SIM tray or rebooting the phone. Eventually it became an almost daily occurrence. I got a replacement SIM from Mint about 6 weeks ago and have had zero trouble since.
I pay $240 for unlimited talk, and 8 gig of data.
That's $240 per year.
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That's a better deal than mine. I've got Straight talk, which apparently is owned by Tracfone, using Verizon network. I pay 45 a month each for 2 phones. Verizon is the only one with a signal at my house.
@Larry said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
Verizon is the only one with a signal at my house.
That's the problem with many systems. AT&T has been problematic for me ever since we moved into the condo. Switching to Mint has made it a bit better, but not much. However, I have WiFi calling turned on, so if I'm on a WiFI network, cellular connectivity is not an issue.
I have read that with some of these cheaper carriers, connectivity is an issue during peak times when Verizon, AT&T and others prioritize their customers over the tag-alongs like me. I've never had a problem, however.
Traveling by rail has always been an issue, because there are so many dead spots, particularly in eastern Montana, that I can't get a cell. However, I've noticed no real difference between AT&T and Mint as far as that goes.
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I've never heard of "WIFI calling". Does my phone have that?
AT&T is useless here. I had a phone using them for a while. No signal until I got to the city limits, lost signal again when I crossed the city limits on the other side of town... and it only takes 3 or 4 minutes to get from one spot to the other.
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I've never heard of "WIFI calling". Does my phone have that?
AT&T is useless here. I had a phone using them for a while. No signal until I got to the city limits, lost signal again when I crossed the city limits on the other side of town... and it only takes 3 or 4 minutes to get from one spot to the other.
@Larry said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
I've never heard of "WIFI calling". Does my phone have that?
AT&T is useless here. I had a phone using them for a while. No signal until I got to the city limits, lost signal again when I crossed the city limits on the other side of town... and it only takes 3 or 4 minutes to get from one spot to the other.
In your phone's settings there should be an option enable WiFi calling. The phone will search for a WiFi network, and if it sees one, and if you're logged in, it'll use that for voice rather than a cell tower. Works great. No dropped calls, strong signal, etc.
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@Larry said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
I've never heard of "WIFI calling". Does my phone have that?
AT&T is useless here. I had a phone using them for a while. No signal until I got to the city limits, lost signal again when I crossed the city limits on the other side of town... and it only takes 3 or 4 minutes to get from one spot to the other.
In your phone's settings there should be an option enable WiFi calling. The phone will search for a WiFi network, and if it sees one, and if you're logged in, it'll use that for voice rather than a cell tower. Works great. No dropped calls, strong signal, etc.
@George-K said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
@Larry said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
I've never heard of "WIFI calling". Does my phone have that?
AT&T is useless here. I had a phone using them for a while. No signal until I got to the city limits, lost signal again when I crossed the city limits on the other side of town... and it only takes 3 or 4 minutes to get from one spot to the other.
In your phone's settings there should be an option enable WiFi calling. The phone will search for a WiFi network, and if it sees one, and if you're logged in, it'll use that for voice rather than a cell tower. Works great. No dropped calls, strong signal, etc.
Can your phone get hacked from the wifi?
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@George-K said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
@Larry said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
I've never heard of "WIFI calling". Does my phone have that?
AT&T is useless here. I had a phone using them for a while. No signal until I got to the city limits, lost signal again when I crossed the city limits on the other side of town... and it only takes 3 or 4 minutes to get from one spot to the other.
In your phone's settings there should be an option enable WiFi calling. The phone will search for a WiFi network, and if it sees one, and if you're logged in, it'll use that for voice rather than a cell tower. Works great. No dropped calls, strong signal, etc.
Can your phone get hacked from the wifi?
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https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-to-acquire-tracfone
Verizon (NYSE: VZ) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with America Movil to acquire Tracfone, the leading pre-paid and value mobile provider in the U.S. The acquisition expands Verizon’s portfolio into the value segment, bringing enhanced access to its industry-leading wireless network and comprehensive suite of mobility products and services to a new customer base.
Tracfone is the largest reseller of wireless services in the US, serving approximately 21 million subscribers through a network of over 90,000 retail locations nationwide. A longtime partner of Verizon, more than 13 million Tracfone subscribers currently rely on Verizon’s wireless network through an existing wholesale agreement.
Following the acquisition, Verizon expects to bring its award-winning 4G LTE and 5G networks and other innovative technologies to Tracfone customers, further develop Tracfone’s distribution channels, and expand Tracfone’s market opportunities.
The acquisition of Tracfone aligns with Verizon’s growth oriented Network as a Service strategy, and will provide more U.S. consumers seeking value wireless plans with improved experiences and enhanced services, including fixed wireless residential broadband solutions, 5G access and expanded international calling and roaming options.The portfolio of Tracfone brands creates a platform for growth and innovation in Verizon’s support of the value and low income segments. Verizon will continue to offer Lifeline service through Tracfone and further develop its core brands, products and distribution channels, including StraightTalk, the vast majority of whose customers operate on the Verizon network today.
My current cellphone provider is Mint Mobile, which uses the T-Mobile network. I've been, for the most part, pleased. The only issue I've had is that my phone started giving me an "invalid SIM" message, which necessitated either re-seating the SIM tray or rebooting the phone. Eventually it became an almost daily occurrence. I got a replacement SIM from Mint about 6 weeks ago and have had zero trouble since.
I pay $240 for unlimited talk, and 8 gig of data.
That's $240 per year.
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@Larry said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
I've never heard of "WIFI calling". Does my phone have that?
AT&T is useless here. I had a phone using them for a while. No signal until I got to the city limits, lost signal again when I crossed the city limits on the other side of town... and it only takes 3 or 4 minutes to get from one spot to the other.
In your phone's settings there should be an option enable WiFi calling. The phone will search for a WiFi network, and if it sees one, and if you're logged in, it'll use that for voice rather than a cell tower. Works great. No dropped calls, strong signal, etc.
@George-K said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
@Larry said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
I've never heard of "WIFI calling". Does my phone have that?
AT&T is useless here. I had a phone using them for a while. No signal until I got to the city limits, lost signal again when I crossed the city limits on the other side of town... and it only takes 3 or 4 minutes to get from one spot to the other.
In your phone's settings there should be an option enable WiFi calling. The phone will search for a WiFi network, and if it sees one, and if you're logged in, it'll use that for voice rather than a cell tower. Works great. No dropped calls, strong signal, etc.
Nope. No WiFi calling option that I could find.
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Look here to see who has the best coverage in your area:
https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/Coverage
It looks like verizon is the right one

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@George-K said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
I pay $240 for unlimited talk, and 8 gig of data.
That's $240 per year.
On tmobile I pay $2,469 per year for 3 lines, unlimited data and 2 protection plans.
@Copper said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
@George-K said in Verizon buys Tracfone:
I pay $240 for unlimited talk, and 8 gig of data.
That's $240 per year.
On tmobile I pay $2,469 per year for 3 lines, unlimited data and 2 protection plans.
So I just called T-Mobile and told them I need a better plan and the annual bill dropped to $1,836, $633 annual savings - thanks for mentioning it