8/22/09 Refurb Motorola C139 with a 60 minute card for $19.99. Available in the GSM4, GSM5, GSM5AT, COGSM4 & COGSM5 markets.
Refurb LG3280 with a 60 minute card for $19.99. Available in the CO market.
8/04/09 Refurb LG600 with a 60 minute card for $19.99. Available in the GSM4, GSM5AT & COGSM4 markets. (REMOVED)
7/16/09 LG225 removed from the offerings for the GSM5 market.
7/13/09 The LG200 and the LG3280 bundled with the DMFL cards have been reduced to the new retail price of the DMFL card which is $24.99. Both phones are refurbs. Use zip 54969 to see the CDMA offerings on the site.
7/11/09 The LG225 with the 1 year 400 minute card is removed from the site. The LG600 has been reduced in price from $49.99 to $39.99 in all markets.
6/30/09 The W376 bundle is gone again. The new deal is a DMFL card with a free Refurbished Pink Motorola C139 for $24.99.
6/24/09 Motorola W76 refurb with 60 minute airtime card is back, the LG225 was removed.
6/18/09 LG 225 refurb with 60 minute airtime card has replaced the W376 offer
5/28/09 Motorola W76 refurb with 60 minute airtime card has replaced the W370 offer.
5/21/09 LG 3280 refurb with free DMFL card is back - $49.99 in the CO market only
5/17/09 Samsung T301 Mother's Day deal removed from all markets LG 200C bundles with 1 year 800 minute card for $139.99 added to the CO market
5/14/09 No big changes. Just a few items removed or added to certain markets. 120 minute card w/free Kyocera K126c removed from offerings. Motorola W370R bundled with a 60 Min Card for $19.99 - GSM4, GSM5AT
5/08/09 NEW PHONE!! LG 410g is now available for $19.99 in the GSM4 market only.
4/06/09 All offerings for the Motorola C261 have been removed.
3/26/09 Samsung T101g available today on the site $19.99 - GSM4, GSM5, GSM5AT & COGSM4 markets The LG200CR listed with DFML upon activation for $49.99 - CO market
Free shipping still applies and promo code 23444 is still good for $3 off.
Recent changes at the Tracfone site. All offerings for the Motorola C261 have been removed Motorola C139 removed from the site LG3280 removed from the site - AGAIN Motorola W260g price reduced to $17.99 Motorola W260g price reduced to $19.99 Motorola W370R - Free with the 1 Year 400 minute card. Motorola W376 price reduced to $29.99 LG 600 price reduced from $79.99 to $49.99 LG 225 w/DMFL & free accessory pack is now $39.99 - $10 price reduction CDMA phones now only offered in the CO market. No longer offered in the COGSM4 or COGSM5 markets.
Newest Tracfone Bundle April 23rd - Motorola W370R bundled with a 60 Min Card for $19.99 April 6th - 1 year 800 Minute DFML card w/free Motorola W260g Refurb - $139.99 December 1st - 60 Minute Card with a FREE Motorola V170 Refurb - $19.99 November 2nd - 1 year 400 Minute Card with a FREE Motorola W370 Refurb - $99.99 July 21st - DMFL Card with a free Motorola W175 - $49.99 - no longer offered July 9th - DMFL Card with a free Motorola W260 - $49.99 - no longer offered July 7th - 1 Year 800 Minute DMFL card & LG3280 for $99.99 June 19th - 450 Minute Card with a free Motorola W370 Reconditioned - $79.99 June 19th - 120 Minute Card with a free Motorola V176 Reconditioned - $29.99 - no longer offered June 19th - Pink Kyocera K126 with Free accessory pack - $14.99 June 18th - 1 Year 400 Minute Card with a free LG225 w/DMFL at activation - $99.99. See the lists below for availability
Newest Tracfone Phone May 8th - LG 410g - $19.99 April 7th - Samsung T301g w/DMFL - introduced at $49.99 March 29th - Samsung T101g - introduced at $14.99 August 1st - LG600 with DMFL - introduced at $79.99 June 11th - Motorola W376g - introduced at $49.99 See the lists below for availability
Newest Offer Change
December 14th - Motorola W260g price reduced to $17.99 November 2nd - Motorola W260g price reduced to $19.99. October 22nd - Motorola W376g price reduced to $29.99. October 14th - LG 600 price reduced to $49.99. October 1st - CDMA phones no longer offered in COGSM markets. September 23rd - Motorola W370R & C261, prices reduced to $19.99. LG225 price reduced to $39.99. July 26th - Motorola W175 & C139, prices reduced to $9.99 from $14.99 & Free accessory pack added back to the LG225 for $49.99 July 21st - DMFL card with free W260 for $49.99 no longer offered, changed to W175 July 20th - 120 Minute Card + free V176R for $29.99 no longer offered July 20th - 200 Minute Card + free V176R for $39.99 no longer offered July 7th - 1 Year 800 Minute DMFL card & LG3280 for $99.99 July 3rd - Motorola V170, no longer offered by itself, only offered as reconditioned in a bundle with 120 minute card. July 3rd - 1 year 800 Minute Card w/DMFL + free LG3280, no longer available. June 18th - LG225 w/DMFL + free acc. pack, no longer available. The LG225 has returned to the phones page as an individual phone and now has DMFL. - $49.99 June 18th - Motorola W175 & W260g phones are now also available in the GSM5, COGSM5 & the GSM4 markets. See the lists below for availability June 16th - Motorola C261 with free DMFL card, no longer available. June 13th - Motorola W370 Reconditioned with DMFL - $29.99. W370 now only available as Reconditioned
Tracfone recently introduced new GSM phones Samsung T301g for $49.99 Samsung T101g for $14.99 Motorola W175 for $14.99 Motorola W260g for $29.99. Motorola W376g for $29.99 LG600 for $49.99
Check the topic for recent retail deals on all of these phones.
Tracfone often offers particular phones or bundles to only certain market areas. It is very common to see a bundle offered in one zip code and not in another. This does not mean you cannot obtain this offer outside that market area. (See detailed info below) If you enter a zip code and want to know what market area you are in, look at the url in the address bar. You can see the "Market= " as part of the address.
http://www.tracfone-orders.com/bpdirect/tracfone/Start.do?action=view&market=GSM4........ This tells you what market area the zip code you entered is in.
GSM4 =AT&T, GSM5=T-Mobile, GSM5AT=T-Mobile & AT&T CO =CDMA, CO GSM4 =CDMA & AT&T, CO GSM5[ =CDMA & T-Mobile
Tracfone's phones work on two different technologies. CDMA & GSM. CDMA phones do not have sim cards. GSM phones use sim cards. If you are familiar with cell phones, you know it is not that simple. If you are not familiar, that is all you need to know at this point. Tracfone's CDMA service providers are Verizon, Alltel & USCellular. Their GSM providers are AT&T & T-Mobile.
CDMA phones are much more flexible than GSM because all you have to do is enter several strings of codes into a CDMA phone to reprogram it for use with another Tracfone CDMA carrier or to change the phone number.
GSM phones need the appropriate sim card for the GSM provider in the area where the phone will be used. Sim cards can be identified by a carrier designation code on the sim card itself. TFSIMC4 or TF64SIMC4 designate AT&T, TFSIMT5 designate T-Mobile. If you want to change the phone number of a GSM phone you will need a new sim card in order to do so.
TRACFONE® provides nationwide prepaid wireless service. They use the nation's leading cellular providers to create a national footprint covering 99% of the U.S. population. This gives you service everywhere cellular service is available. You can use your TRACFONE across the U.S. and if you move, you can relocate your wireless number with just a phone call.
Most of the major cellular providers, AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile, have a different service area for their prepaid customers versus their contract customers. Their prepaid service areas can be much smaller and can also have other limits. This is not the case with Tracfone. You get the same service areas and service levels with these carriers that their contract customers get, not the limits of their prepaid service. This means you get better service from the same carrier than their own prepaid customers.
Tracfone may not advertise/offer CDMA phones in your area, but that does not mean you cannot order a CDMA phone or use one there. You can buy any phone from Tracfone even if it will not work in your area. I give the proceedure on how to order a phone/deal that is not advertised for your area near the end of this post, after the individual market area lists.
They always get a better rate from GSM providers and therefore would prefer that you use a GSM phone in any area that has full GSM coverage available, even if a CDMA provider is available there also. There are times when there may not be phone numbers available from the GSM carrier because of so many users in the area. I have not had that problem with CDMA.
Be sure to confirm that the phone will work in your zip code prior to purchase. There is plenty of help on this forum if you ask. It is always quicker and easier if you can provide the zip code when you inquire about phones or service for your area.
Here is every different bundle/phone currently offered - followed by the market area(s) they are available in. And don't forget to use codes to get free bonus minutes when adding these cards. Up to 300 free minutes on some cards.
1 Year 400 Minute Card + free LG 200C - $99.99 - CO
Tracfone is still offering Free Shipping on phone or phone bundle orders of $19.99 or more on their web site. And use promo code 23444 when ordering to save $3 on any phone or phone bundle order of $19.99 or more. You still have to choose your shipping method but the shipping will be credited on the very last page of the order process.
If you do not see a particular phone on one of these market pages then it is not available.
To get a Tracfone offer that is not advertised in your area.
Choose the bundle or phone you want and note the market area that it is offered in.
Select a zip code** from the Quick Summary (the next post on this thread) for the market area where the offer is available.
Enter the appropriate zip code in the space provided & confirm on the next page.
Add the desired item to your cart.
Edit the quantity if desired and proceed to checkout.
The zip code you originally entered will be pre-filled in your shipping address. Change the zip code to match your shipping address. When you submit this page it will ask you to confirm the zip code change. Choose YES. Complete your checkout.
Be sure to confirm that the phone will work in your zip code prior to purchase. There is plenty of help on this forum if you ask. It is always quicker and easier if you can provide the zip code when you inquire about phones or service for your area.
**Since Tracfone only shows you offerings based on certain market areas you have to use a zip code for that market, not your own. The use of this zip is only to make the offers available for purchase on the site, it will not affect the phone number of the phone. You can find specific zip codes for the different market areas in the Quick Summary (next post) of this thread).
A lot of markets have changed from GSM4 to GSM5AT. If you are looking for a zip code to use to insure you get a phone with an At&t sim card here are my recommendations. 24874 is a COGSM4 market and definitely has no T-Mobile coverage, so any phone ordered for this zip should be a P4 model.
If you want a phone that only shows up in the GSM only markets your best bet would be to use 65046. It is a GSM4 market and there is no T-Mobile service there, so Tracfone shouldn't send a phone other than At&t. 76825 is also a GSM4 zip code but has some T-Mobile roaming coverage. I don't know if Tracfone would send a T-Mobile phone for a roaming market, I personally doubt it.
All Tracfone sold on WalMart's web site are P4 models, meaning they all come with At&t sim cards.
Use 24870 to see the CDMA offerings
Activation: You can transfer your existing number or get a new number. Any new number will be assigned by a zip code that you provide at the time of activation.
Bundled Cards: If the phone comes bundled with an airtime card or any other card such as dmfl or 1 year card, you are free to use that card on any phone, not just the one tha comes in the bundle with it. You can buy the bundle and use the card on your existing phone and then do whatever you want with the bundled phone.
If you want to add ZIP codes to this list please enter them at the appropriate place. As market areas can change at any time, if a ZIP code no longer fits where it is listed please correct it.
A lot of markets have changed from GSM4 to GSM5AT. If you are looking for a zip code to use to insure you get a phone with an At&t SIM card here are my recommendations. 24874 is a COGSM4 market and definitely has no T-Mobile coverage, so any phone ordered for this zip should be a P4 model.
If you want a phone that only shows up in the GSM only markets your best bet would be to use 65046. It is a GSM4 market and there is no T-Mobile service there, so Tracfone shouldn't send a phone other than At&t. 76825 is also a GSM4 zip code but has some T-Mobile roaming coverage. I don't know if Tracfone would send a T-Mobile phone for a roaming market, I personally doubt it.
All Tracfones sold on Walmart's web site are P4 models, meaning they all come with AT&T SIM cards. And some models come with DMFL that are not offered on the Tracfone site.
CO = CDMA some CDMA only zip codes are: 05350, 05408, 12752, 28640, 49739, 51355, 54969, 57401, 59802, 73946, 73949, 82210, 82801, 95429, 95437, 95445, 96130
GSM4 = AT&T some AT&T only zip codes are: 00902, 65046, 65287, 76801, 76825
GSM5 = TMobile The ZIPs we had all changed to GSM5AT. Use the COGSM5 zip to get phones with T-Mobile SIM cards. 82001 If there is a deal that only shows up in the GSM5 market, there is no way to get it in your cart since there are no zip codes that are only GSM5.
GSM5AT = T-Mobile with AT&T some GSM5AT zip codes are: 02115, 04901, 07803, 10550, 14618, 15301, 15931, 18231, 21788, 47803, 54701, 60609, 87107, 93274, 95608, 96003
COGSM4 = CDMA & AT&T some COGSM4 zip codes are: 04654, 12720, 15927, 24874, 27530, 47978
How much does the text messaging feature cost? Nokia 1112, Motorola C139, C261, V176, W175g, W260g, W370, W376g LG 3280, 1500, CG225, 200C, 300G, 600G Kyocera K126C Rate: 0.3 to send, 0.3 to receive.
Nokia 1100, 2600, 3390, Motorola V170, C155 Rate: 0.3 to send, Free to receive.
Nokia 5100, 1221, 2285, 2126, Motorola C343, V60, 120 Rate: 0.5 to send, 0.5 to receive.
All the new phones are 0.3 to send and 0.3 to receive. The older phones were 0.5 both ways then they changed it to 0.3 but offered some phones with free incoming. The V170 was the last phone they offered with free incoming. All the phones since are 0.3 both ways.
Tracfone changed their buy airtime extras. Instead of the box on the right side of the order page they put it at the bottom of the next page.
It is now called Super Size your purchase. Is this McDonalds??
If your phone has Double Minutes for Life (DMFL) you will not be offered these Super Size options, you will be offered the standard 365 days for $49.99, 60 minutes for $10 & 30 minutes for $5 as seen HERE
All phones without DMFL get the Super Size options.
They offer 3 items for additional purchase when buying an airtime card. They may be different depending on which card you choose to purchase on the order page. You can choose any or all of the extras when purchasing the airtime card.
The offer available with the purchase of a $139.99 800 min DMFL 1 yr card is: an additional 365 days for $49.99, additional 400 min for $40, additional 200 min for $20.
The offer available with the purchase of a $99.99 400 min 1 year card is: an additional 365 days for $49.99, additional 400 min for $25, DMFL now and for life of phone for $39.99
The offer available with the purchase of a $79.99 450 min 90 day card is: DMFL for $49.99, additional 450 min for $40, additional 200 min for $20.
The offer available with the purchase of a $49.99 DMFL card is: an additional 365 days for $49.99, additional 400 min. for $40, additional 200 min. for $20.
The offer available with the purchase of a $39.99 200 min. card is: an additional 365 days for $49.99, additional 200 min for $20, additional 120 min for $15.
The offer available with the purchase of a $29.99 120 min card is: an additional 365 days for $49.99, additional 120 min for $15, additional 60 min for $10.
The offer available with the purchase of a $19.99 60 min card is: an additional 365 days for $49.99, additional 60 min for $10, additional 30 min for $5.
Here are screen shots of the offers I get for each different card:
I am posting this information because there have been several questions presented to me recently concerning the new phones being sold with T-Mobile SIM cards when we know we prefer AT&T service.
Question: I have found the Motorola Wxxx at my local retailer, but it has a SIM card for T-Mobile and I want a phone that uses AT&T. Can I just change the SIM card before I ever turn it on? Or is the packaged SIM already tied to the serial number?
First lets refresh: There are two GSM carriers for Tracfone: T-Mobile and AT&T. The SIM cards are different for each carrier. (SIM = Subscriber Identity Module) T-Mobile SIM cards are designated by T5 on the SIM and the first 6 numbers are 890126.... AT&T sim cards are designated by C4 on the sim and the first 6 numbers are 890141....
Different carriers have better/worse service in many areas. Veteran Tracfone users know one carrier is preferred over the other depending on where the phone will be used. That information can be found in the first and second post of this thread. I may add it to this post later.
You can determine which carrier's SIM card is packaged with a phone by checking the model number on the white sticker located on the bottom of the package. A P4 in the model number denotes a C4 SIM for AT&T. A P5 in the model number denotes a T5 SIM for T-Mobile.
Example: TFMTW376P4DM TFMTW376P4DM - TF = Tracfone TFMTW376P4DM - MT = Motorola TFMTW376P4DM - W376 = the model TFMTW376P4DM - P4 = SIM designation "P4" (AT&T); (P5 = T-Mobile) TFMTW376P4DM - DM = DMFL (the phone will be enrolled in the double minutes for life program at activation) Phones without the DM are not DMFL phones.
Phones without any sim designation or maybe just a P after the model would be CDMA phones and do not have SIM cards. They use Verizon/Alltel or USCellular as the carriers.
All Tracfones sold at WalMart.com are GSM phones and are P4 models, they all come with "C4" AT&T SIM cards.
Now for the nitty gritty! (SIM = Subscriber Identity Module)
The Tracfone system knows which SIM card is packaged with each new phone and therefore knows what provider the phone will activate with. You can activate a phone without taking it out of the package if the system doesn't ask for SIM number verification.
If you do a normal activation in a ZIP that has coverage for the SIM card in the phone, the system will not prompt you for a SIM card number. The phone will be active in the system with a phone number assigned to the SIM card that shipped with the phone. If there is no service for the provider the system will prompt you for a SIM number and after entering the number for the non provider SIM you will get the message that a new SIM is required for activation, "please call CS".
If you switch the SIM cards thinking you will be activating with the new SIM you aren't. The system will activate the phone using the original SIM number. Your phone won't work because it will have the wrong SIM in it.
You could just put the original SIM in it and it will work. Or you can call CS and they will generally work many, many minutes trying to get your phone to work before they finally give up and send you a new SIM card.
I don't think they have access to see what SIM card the system used to activate the phone because they never tell you that you have the incorrect SIM card in it. They may ask you if it was possible that you mixed up the SIM card with another one but if they could actually see the system info they would know that you did use an incorrect SIM.
If you want to use a SIM card other than the one that shipped with the phone, you have to make the system remove the current sim card number that is associated with the phone's serial number. This has to be done prior to activation.
To do this follow this tutorial Getting a New SIM Card for a NEW Phone. Immediately after completing the SIM request process you can go online and activate the phone using any new SIM card you have. You do not have to wait for the replacement SIM. After requesting a new SIM the system will prompt you for a SIM number during the activation process because it has removed the previous one.
Refurb phones get prompted for the SIM number during activation because the SIM is usually just placed in the box and the system doesn't have a number associated with that phone serial number.
Note: If you change the SIM before you power up the phone the original SIM will still be usable in any phone. If you power up the phone with the original SIM in the phone, that SIM will not be usable except in that same phone for a later reactivation.
I know a lot of you think I am a wizard with Tracfone and know all the ins and outs. Well I want you to know something.
The above is the very first mistake I made when I bought my first Tracfone. I bought the WalMart c139 with DMFL and put the SIM in a different phone and went through the activation process. Four phone calls, 3 SIM cards and almost 2 weeks total before I had a working phone.
It wasn't until sometime later that I realized exactly how things are with the serial/SIM relationship on new phones.
Everyone's knowledge of Tracfone has really progressed in the last 18 months. I don't think anyone here had the answer then if I had asked.
Now we have the answers so don't hesitate to ask the questions!
Message edited by: mudley on 2009-08-20 08:44:39 CDT
If you see a different phone bundle/deal offered online or at a retailer in your area, please post the deal and give a zip code where it was found. Example - V170 with a 3 piece accessory kit - $17.88 at WalMart in 15931
I will update this post for current retail offers. Updated May 1st 2009
HOT!! HOT!! Motorola W376 w/DMFL for $29.97 at WalMart.com. Free Site to Store shipping. Motorola W175g with 3 piece accessory pack for $9.88 at WalMart.com & B&M stores YMMV Includes a case, card charger and headset. This phone has the same battery and chargers as the W370, W376 & W260. $9.88 for an extra battery and chargers is a great price.
Online & B&M Retailers:
WalMart Tracfones at the Walmart.com Motorola W175 - $9.88 - out of stock online Motorola W175 w/DMFL - $14.88 Motorola W260 w/DMFL - $14.88 - bundled with a free accessory pack Motorola W376 w/DMFL - $29.98 LG600 w DMFL - $49.97
FrugalFreak said:Can anyone confirm nokia 1100 available in any zip code? I couldn't find one. and how do you tell what zone you are in?
If you enter a zip code and want to know what market area you are in, look at the url in the address bar. You can see the "Market= " as part of the address. You can change that to equal any market you want. http://www.tracfone-orders.com/bpdirect/tracfone/Start.do?action=view&market=GSM4........
The Nokia 1100 has not been offered by Tracfone for quite some time.
Message edited by: jimates on 2008-05-31 10:31:21 CDT
My market is coming up as GSM5AT which the op has listed as TMobile/AT&T. Does this mean the tracfone could possibly be only using TMobile towers? If that is the case, then am I better off just getting Tmobile prepaid with their 1000 minutes/1year for $100?
I am looking for a DMFL card. There was a deal a few months back for cetain zip codes for a phone + DMFL card for ~ $15. Anyone know if there are any current zip codes still active for that deal?
Here are the links to the previous deal:
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/774385
Message edited by: Dare2Dream on 2008-05-31 18:36:44 CDT
suppershopper said:My market is coming up as GSM5AT which the op has listed as TMobile/AT&T. Does this mean the tracfone could possibly be only using TMobile towers? If that is the case, then am I better off just getting Tmobile prepaid with their 1000 minutes/1year for $100?
If T-Mobile works well for you, you have the option of accessing them via a T-Mobile ToGo phone *or* a GSM5 / GSM5AT Tracfone. Compare rates and let your wallet guide you
suppershopper said:My market is coming up as GSM5AT which the op has listed as TMobile/AT&T. Does this mean the tracfone could possibly be only using TMobile towers? If that is the case, then am I better off just getting Tmobile prepaid with their 1000 minutes/1year for $100?
It means Tracfones will use either AT&T or Tmo in that area. They always put their data capable phones (like the W370 and LG225) on AT&T. They might ship non-data phones with either an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM. Tracfone seems to prefer AT&T wherever possible, but they've been known to occasionaly use T-Mobile instead. If you strongly prefer one or the other, you can order the phone using a zip code that only offers that flavor SIM as posted in the 2nd post of this thread.
suppershopper said:My market is coming up as GSM5AT which the op has listed as TMobile/AT&T. Does this mean the tracfone could possibly be only using TMobile towers? If that is the case, then am I better off just getting Tmobile prepaid with their 1000 minutes/1year for $100? If the Tracfone has a TMobile sim card then it would only use TMobile towers in any area that has TMobile. If you loose the signal the phone will not automatically roam to AT&T because you are still in a TMobile service area.
GSM5AT market areas at one time were just GSM5, TMobile only. With AT&T's recent expansions the areas now have both providers. I am speculating that at some time in the future those areas will be GSM4, because Tracfone always prefers AT&T.
Just because TMobile is available in an area does not mean that the service is good. Both providers can be in the area but one may have better coverage than the other. I have TMobile and At&T in my area but TMobile is no good if you get off of the main highway.
I also think that the previous 2fer offers and the DMFL c139 offers were to reduce the excess c139 inventory for TMobile. Those deals were marketed heavily in the GSM5 areas.
If TMobile can provide adequate service for you in your area then personally I think the TMobile prepaid is a more convenient plan.
Message edited by: jimates on 2008-06-01 02:36:16 CDT
Dare2Dream said:I am looking for a DMFL card. There was a deal a few months back for cetain zip codes for a phone + DMFL card for ~ $15. Anyone know if there are any current zip codes still active for that deal?
Here are the links to the previous deal:
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/774385
That deal, along with the 2fer deal, has not been available since about the end of March. Right now the only deal Tracfone is offering with a separate DMFL card is the LG 3280 bundle for $49.99.
suppershopper said:My market is coming up as GSM5AT which the op has listed as TMobile/AT&T. Does this mean the tracfone could possibly be only using TMobile towers? If that is the case, then am I better off just getting Tmobile prepaid with their 1000 minutes/1year for $100?
This may be interest you. Free after rebate TMobile to Go phone. Fatwallet Deal
Message edited by: jimates on 2008-06-01 12:31:19 CDT
jimates said: GSM5AT market areas at one time were just GSM5, TMobile only. With AT&T's recent expansions the areas now have both providers. I am speculating that at some time in the future those areas will be GSM4, because Tracfone always prefers AT&T.
Hi jimates, great job starting this this thread!
I do wish to take issue with your statement about GSM5AT however. My zip code was originally GSM4, although T5 SIMs would also work if activated here. Stores still only sell P4 phone packages around here. But a few months ago, this zip was changed to GSM5AT. And some of the 2fers I ordered using my own zip code were fullfulled with retail T5 (not refurbished) phones. My guess is they have gotten a better deal on airtime from T-Mobile and are now more willing to activate on T-Mobile than they were in the past.
Message edited by: alohamora on 2008-06-01 13:12:55 CDT
jimates said:suppershopper said:My market is coming up as GSM5AT which the op has listed as TMobile/AT&T. Does this mean the tracfone could possibly be only using TMobile towers? If that is the case, then am I better off just getting Tmobile prepaid with their 1000 minutes/1year for $100? If the Tracfone has a TMobile sim card then it would only use TMobile towers in any area that has TMobile. If you loose the signal the phone will not automatically roam to AT&T because you are still in a TMobile service area.
GSM5AT market areas at one time were just GSM5, TMobile only. With AT&T's recent expansions the areas now have both providers. I am speculating that at some time in the future those areas will be GSM4, because Tracfone always prefers AT&T.
Just because TMobile is available in an area does not mean that the service is good. Both providers can be in the area but one may have better coverage than the other. I have TMobile and At&T in my area but TMobile is no good if you get off of the main highway.
I also think that the previous 2fer offers and the DMFL c139 offers were to reduce the excess c139 inventory for TMobile. Those deals were marketed heavily in the GSM5 areas.
If TMobile can provide adequate service for you in your area then personally I think the TMobile prepaid is a more convenient plan. It might not be an issue for you depending on your usage, but from what I understand, The minutes you add to your TMobile phone don't carry over. Once that year on the 1000/1Year card is over your unused minutes expire. Assuming you have a Tracfone with "Double Minutes For Life" and you add the 400min/1year card (400 normal minutes + 400 DMFL + 200 Bonus minutes = 1000 minutes) to your phone, those minutes will last as long as your phone has airtime. ex. add a 60 minute card with 90 days of airtime to a phone after adding a year card and you'll now have 455 days before your minutes expire. Using that senario it is also more expensive to text, and possibly MMS.
I don't know what jimates meant by convenient, he knows more about these things than I do (I don't know alot), but I thought I'd put that out there.
JimBones said: It might not be an issue for you depending on your usage, but from what I understand, The minutes you add to your TMobile phone don't carry over. Once that year on the 1000/1Year card is over your unused minutes expire.
I'm just going to quote from the T-Mobile FAQ on that subject, see the last line especially --
Unused T-Mobile Prepaid minutes expire over a given amount of time. That time varies based on the dollar denomination of the last refill applied to your account and/or whether or not you have reached Gold Rewards status. For non-Gold reward customers, unused minutes will expire 90 days from the date you applied a $10, $25, or $50 refill to your account.
If you applied a $100 refill to your account or have already reached Gold Reward status, all unused minutes won't expire for one year from the date you last applied airtime to your account.
To help ensure that you never lose your unused minutes, T-Mobile will send you a text message when your account is within 5 days of expiring. That way, you'll have plenty of time to refill your account and carry forward any unused minutes to your new expiration date.
jimates said:suppershopper said:My market is coming up as GSM5AT which the op has listed as TMobile/AT&T. Does this mean the tracfone could possibly be only using TMobile towers? If that is the case, then am I better off just getting Tmobile prepaid with their 1000 minutes/1year for $100? If the Tracfone has a TMobile sim card then it would only use TMobile towers in any area that has TMobile. If you loose the signal the phone will not automatically roam to AT&T because you are still in a TMobile service area.
GSM5AT market areas at one time were just GSM5, TMobile only. With AT&T's recent expansions the areas now have both providers. I am speculating that at some time in the future those areas will be GSM4, because Tracfone always prefers AT&T.
Just because TMobile is available in an area does not mean that the service is good. Both providers can be in the area but one may have better coverage than the other. I have TMobile and At&T in my area but TMobile is no good if you get off of the main highway.
I also think that the previous 2fer offers and the DMFL c139 offers were to reduce the excess c139 inventory for TMobile. Those deals were marketed heavily in the GSM5 areas.
If TMobile can provide adequate service for you in your area then personally I think the TMobile prepaid is a more convenient plan. That hasn't been true in many if not most areas for over a year now. T-Mobile service uses the service and antennaes from all three (Cingular/AT&T/TMobile) interchangably. Service throughout Virginia was spotty at best when it was just T-Mobile but with the merger first the Cingular towers came on line and then the AT&T ones. We now have service most everywhere and it is mostly on AT&T towers (it will tell you on the phone's display). For the price for having phones for the kids the T-Mobile prepaid ToGo service is the cheapest option with the best reception.
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