No-contract $30 / $45 Straight Talk wireless plans storm Walmart
By Darren Murph 
posted Oct 14th 2009 1:16PM
posted Oct 14th 2009 1:16PM
posted Oct 14th 2009 1:16PM
Number of applications downloaded from the iPhone App Store
After hitting a historic 1 billion downloads, Apple says the store cleared another half a billion apps in the following three months.
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Uses Verizon Network. A friend of mine has it and loves the service and customer service. It has been available in a limited test market for the last several months.
Darren,
The snarky undertones in your story aren't really necessary. It's exactly these types of pre-paid ultra low plans (ST, Page Plus, Metro PCS, Boost, Cricket, etc) which are placing *long-overdue* pressure on the major 4 carriers to lower plan rates. We've already seen that happen at Sprint and perhaps soon T-Mobile with their "Project Dark" (rumored $50 unlimited plan).
I look forward to a future where the big 4 have similar voice/data/txt plans at the $50 mark and not the $70-100 ripoffs currently being charged.
Brian, I agree -- what this market needs is price pressure. Also, since this runs on Verizon's network, keep in mind that all of their dumbphones are fugly.
That phone looks cooler than my phone.
Would it be possible to use an unlocked phone with this service plan?
Not possible. You must buy a phone
I forgot to mention that the Service is not available everywhere. If you aren't sure. You can use this page to check for availability http://www.saveonprepaidphones.com/straight_talk_availability_check
Great points, Brian. I guess the "kidz" at engadgetmobile are just upset that they can't hark the greatness of the latest phone from the Big Four- and the inherently ridiculous 2 year contract nonsense as well as outrageous pricing that goes with it. They'll get over it while we are enjoying our ability to use our phones without staring at the counter every 2 minutes. LOL.
The target demographic for this phone is not a power user that is going to consume tons of bandwidth with their phones. It is meant to scoop up the bottom that is being missed now. By using these "awful" phones (which to Joe Q Public, and not the average tech person is probably pretty good looking) they can keep the service plan inexpensive and at the same time offer a phone that is cheap while not being subsidized. To offer a $495 unsubsidized phone would be self defeating since the target would never be able to pay for the phone to get the cheap service.
Just checked Straight Talk's direct website http://www.straighttalk.com/ and they are currently offering seven phones to choose from (at least they are in Atlanta) vs. the three offered if you go through WalMart. Razor V3 is still top model, but 7 options beats 3. Pricing for the two service plans (and the 3 WalMart phones) is identical. Also free shipping on the phones through 11/1/09.
my concern is no email address to contact them??? I went to check out phones and when you click on there razor it comes up v385 not razor.i also wanted to know if i could buy a phone o my own and use their service?
heir site sucks too.tried to look at phones and it comes up error links.couldn't get to razor yesterday now can't get to any.don't think they are going to be around long at this rate