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--- cell_phone_services [2025.02.13 17:58] – [Resources] Steve Isenberg
+++ cell_phone_services [2025.04.21 05:56] (current) – Steve Isenberg
@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 [[https://robots.net/tech/how-do-i-cancel-my-verizon-wireless-service/|Robots.tech tells how to cancel your Verizon Wireless]] and my advice: do it via chat and not a phone call.
-[[https://clark.com/phone-plan-finder/|Clark.com has a cell phone plan finder]]
+[[https://clark.com/phone-plan-finder/|Clark.com has a cell phone plan finder]]\\
+[[https://clark.com/cell-phones/us-mobile-review/|Clark.com’s April 2 USmobile review]]
 =====Cell Phone Service Comparison=====
@@ Line 16: / Line 17: @@
   * Cheapest unlimited voice 1GB data: $8(RedPocket) $9(Tello)
-  * Cheapest unlimited voice 2GB data: $10(USMobile, Tello)
+  * Cheapest unlimited voice 2GB data: $8(USMobile)
   * Cheapest unlimited voice 5GB data: $14(Tello) $15(USMobile, RedPocket, Mint)
@@ Line 22: / Line 23: @@
 //I've sorted these by their TrustPilot rating as of 9/20/2024.//
+/11/2025: I believe USMobile has raised price from $17.50 to $19.
 ^Provider^Rating^Network^cost for one line^other^2 lines^
-|USMobile\\ https://usmobile.com/|4.6*\\ (93% 4&5* on 3,796)|Verizon(warp) T-Mobile(lightspeed) AT&T(darkstar)\\ <fs x-small>you choose when sign up, you can switch ("teleport") twice for free, then it's $2 per teleport</fs> |$17.50/unlimited premium data;\\ sharable data $10/2Gb; $15/5Gb; $20/10Gb/ $35/20Gb. Add $8 per additional line sharing data; includes international calling and texting from US.\\ $8/2Gb premium data without free teleport, hotspot, Int'l calling, etc\\ Prices include taxes and fees.|prepay 12 months. 30 days free to try it out.\\ When international, calls/data costs extra (on carriers supporting it), Int'l eSIMs cost extra\\ **Data cut-off (stops working) when you use up all shared data.** |Unlimited data $35;\\ 2Gb shared $18;\\ 5Gb shared $23;\\ 10Gb shared $28\\ includes taxes&fees|
+|USMobile\\ [[https://usmobile.com/]]\\ [[USMobile_Plans|Plans Summary]]|4.6*\\ (93% 4&5* on 3,796)|Verizon(warp) T-Mobile(lightspeed) AT&T(darkstar)\\ <fs x-small>you choose when sign up, you can switch ("teleport") twice for free, then it's $2 per teleport</fs> |$17.50/unlimited data;\\ sharable data $10/2Gb; $15/5Gb; $20/10Gb/ $35/20Gb. Add $8 per additional line sharing data; includes international calling and texting from US.\\ $8/2Gb premium data without free teleport, hotspot, Int'l calling, etc\\ Prices include taxes and fees.|prepay 12 months. 30 days free to try it out.\\ When international, calls/data costs extra (on carriers supporting it), Int'l eSIMs cost extra\\ **Data cut-off (stops working) when you use up all shared data.** |Unlimited data $35;\\ 2Gb shared $18;\\ 5Gb shared $23;\\ 10Gb shared $28\\ includes taxes&fees|
 |Tello Mobile\\ https://tello.com/|4.5*\\ (90% 4&5* on 11,335)|T-Mobile |No-data plans: $5/100 mins ($6/1GB 100min), $8/unlimited mins\\ Data plans w/unlimited mins; $9/1GB; $10/2GB; $14/5GB; many more plans|no advance payment; free calls to Canada, Mexico, India, Switzerland, and many more. Upgrade/downgrade anytime n/c|
 |Red Pocket\\ https://redpocket.com/|4.4*\\ (85% 4&5* on 3,600)|all 3 networks|$8/1GB, $15/5GB, $25/20GB, $30/Unlimited\\ per month paid annually\\ includes international calling (1GB & 5GB plans 20 countries, others 80+ countries)|if go over data, service slows; no overage fee or cut-off.|
@@ Line 58: / Line 60: @@
 ==== An Example: Switching from Consumer Cellular to Mint or US Mobile ====
-Assuming that phone1 accepts eSIM and phone2 doesn't and would need a physical SIM card.
+(Thanks ChatGPT) Assuming that phone1 accepts eSIM and phone2 doesn't and would need a physical SIM card.
 === Step 1: Check Compatibility ===
@@ Line 90: / Line 92: @@
   * Make test calls, send texts, and check data.
   * If everything works, cancel Consumer Cellular.
+==== Mint Mobile vs. US Mobile – Which Should You Choose? ====
+Again thanks to ChatGPT for initial information that I've edited.
+^ Feature              ^ Mint Mobile ^ US Mobile ^
+| **Network**          | T-Mobile | Choice of Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile |
+| **Pricing**          | Cheaper but requires prepaying for 3–12 months | Flexible monthly plans, slightly higher cost |
+| **eSIM Support**     | Yes | Yes |
+| **Physical SIM Support** | Yes | Yes |
+| **Data Plans**       | 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, or Unlimited | Customizable plans with pooled/shared data |
+| **Premium Data**     | No priority data | Priority data available (on Verizon) |
+| **Hotspot**         | Included (limited speed) | Full-speed hotspot available |
+| **International Roaming** | Limited (pay-per-use) | Available with add-ons |
+| **Trial Option**     | 7-day money-back guarantee | 100-day free trial (for some plans) |
+=== When to Choose Mint Mobile ===
+  * ✅ If you want **cheaper pricing** (especially for multiple months at once).
+  * ✅ If you are fine with **T-Mobile’s network** in your area.
+  * ✅ If you don’t need **priority data** (like during network congestion).
+=== When to Choose US Mobile ===
+  * ✅ If you want **monthly flexibility** (no prepaying for months in advance).
+  * ✅ If you want **Verizon’s network** (better coverage in some areas).
+  * ✅ If you need **priority data** (for faster speeds during congestion).
+  * ✅ If you want **better international roaming options**.
+=== Which One Should You Pick? ===
+  * If you **want the best price** and **don’t mind prepaying**, go with **Mint Mobile**.
+  * If you **prefer a flexible monthly plan**, **better coverage options**, or **premium data**, go with **US Mobile**.
+====Summary of USMobile and Mint Plans 2/26-27/2025====
+Prices monthly for annual plan.  Taxes and fees included. All unlimited talk & text\\
+HS=High Speed\\
+Priority: lower number is higher priority. That is, QCI7 is better than QCI8 and QCI9.
+^ Plan                                                            ^ Cost/mo           ^ Data                           ^  Hotspot                         ^ Int'l Data  ^ Int'l call&text f/US  ^
+| **USMobile Annual Plans 4/16/2025** taxes & fees included                                                                                                                                                  ||||||
+| Unlimited Flex |17.50/mo            | Unlimited (slower after 10GB)\\ QCI 7 (Tmobile/Light Speed), QCI 8 (Vzn/Warp), QCI 9 (AT&T/Dark Star)  |  5GB |      add-on | Yes (e.g., Switzerland 69min; UK unlimited)                  |
+| By the Gig                                                      | 10 +8/add'l line  | 2GB shared QCI 9|  Yes, +$10/mo                    | not yet     | Yes, $0.05/min        |
+| By the Gig                                                      | 15 +8/add'l line  | 5GB shared QCI 9                    |  Yes, +$10/mo                    | not yet     | Yes, $0.05/min        |
+| By the Gig                                                      | 20 +8/add'l line  | 10GB shared QCI 9                   |  Yes, +$10/mo                    | not yet     | Yes, $0.05/min        |
+| Light plan                                                      | 8                 | 2GB                            |  ?                               | ?           | add-on                |
+| **Mint Mobile Plans 2/27/2025** cost per plan; +est taxes/fees                                                                                                                                      ||||||
+| 5GB                                                             | 15+2              | 5GB                            |  yes                             | ?           | Mexico & Canada       |
+| 15GB                                                            | 20+2.3            | 15GB                           |  yes                             | ?           | Mexico & Canada       |
+| 20GB                                                            | 25+2.5            | 20GB                           |  yes                             | ?           | Mexico & Canada       |