dread pirate mistermix ordered a Nexus 5 and thinking about cheap service plans. kzoostout has some good information - http://www.balloon-j.../#comment-4695811

53. kzoostout says:

November 1, 2013 at 6:52 pm

@dpm (dread pirate mistermix): I’ve been using T-Mobile’s pay as you go plan ($.10 a minute, good for a year) with a Nexus 4. I use wifi when at home/work/bars & restaurants with open signals. For the few times that I *need* data, I have a FreedomPop hotspot that I can bring along. I get 500mbs a month for $3.99. It’s supposedly “free” but only if you have LTE coverage–still, 4 bucks a month seems fair for a little data.

I use Google Voice for free texting and I have a Obihai Obi100 that gives me free a VOIP landline via my Voice account. Supposedly Google will be integrating Voice with Hangouts, and that will let me make/receive VOIP calls directly from my Nexus. I know I can do this with third party apps, but I can’t be bothered right now.

It’s kind of a complicated set up, but I spend less than $150 a year on my phone bill. Well worth it if you don’t need data all the time.

That's amazing! I'd never heard of FreedomPop. Lots of tiny gadgets that may be useful for data (if one can get an appropriate public signal) - e.g. http://www.freedompo...eedom-spot-photon Of course, nothing is really "free" and one has to watch the caveats. But it's intriguing...

Options are good!

Cheers,
Scott.