Freedompop? Anyone?

How is the Sprint reception in your area? If it is not good it won't work. They add on charges for better voice, etc. so watch out basic service may not be all that good. I bought used Galaxy S2 Sprint phone on Ebay for $70. I'm still not sure about the service, couldn't text out the other day and have avoided using it. Be ready to wait when calling for help especially for tech support, like 20 to 30 min! I have been meaning to check out Youtube.com for review, noticed there was one on there while looking at FreedomPop tutorial, they try to explain and answer questions there.

I live in a dead zone. No cell service with any of the carriers as far as I know. My cell is strictly for when I'm not home. I'll be away for most of December so was looking at other options. There's no AT&T coverage (or a landline) where I stay on the coast. I don't know about Sprint but Verizon is spotty and data transmission really slow. All the major carriers have service in the town where I'll be spending the rest of the time. I was going to go with Verizon so checked Costco but they want too much for a really basic plan. Free service w/FreedomPop sounded, well, free!, but I've been really busy today and haven't researched it yet.

I use a pay-as-you-go phone with autopay. Costs me 10 cents a minute. I don't spend a lot of time on my phone, so it works out great for me. Also, I see a phone strictly as a means of communication, not as entertainment. I know people who watch movies on their phone. I can't imagine doing that, and paying for it too! :P

There are a number of apps made for the ipad/iphone that allow unlimited text and phone calls, anywhere in the world for zero dollars per month. It works with a google voice number which cost a one time fee of 10 dollars to port your cell number to them. Snap..simple...no more phone bill...will work anywhere you can get a wi-fi connection..no cell service used. When i am out of range for wi-fi- missed calls get forwrded to email showing the number or if they left a VM, the message is transcribed for reading. I understand this is not and everyday option if you live in the sticks but if you are in a metro area or are traveling on vacation - it will most certainly work at the hotel and/or starbucks or other cafe...good luck..I can message you the apps privately if there is any interest.

Thanks, JL and Bob!

I already use Google Voice to receive and respond to texts through my laptop when I'm home though I didn't pay any fee to set up the Google number so maybe that's not what you're talking about, Bob.

My problem is that there is no wi-fi at the cabin on the coast and AT&T doesn't work there either. No one lives there so it didn't make sense to suspend and reactivate as we come and go, although that may turn out to be the better solution. What I've been doing is borrowing a different cell with Verizon for voice while I'm there but data is excruciatingly slow or non-existent so I was hoping for something faster. My AT&T phone seems to work everywhere in Sonoma County and that's where I'll be the rest of the time. I probably won't get it figured out before I leave. I was just hoping that I could find one carrier that I could use wherever I am, who doesn't charge as much as Verizon.

kathleen, the google 10 charge is to port your number..I have had the same cell number since those first brick phones came out in the late 70's early 80's..so google will set you up free but if you want to keep your number, which i did, they charge 10 bucks to port it. Sounds like you will just have to grin and bear it and be off the grid while in the cabin. Very Ted Kazinsky like.

When I am on the road in the NYC area and need to check my mail or check or make calls or texts, I have to search for a wi-fi signal. Its a little tougher than the days you would have to look for a pay phone...but I always think about how they survived without any phones...and I just wait to make or check calls when i get to home base.

Bob, I don't mind not having voice over there because I love the solitude and the illusion that I'm unreachable but I also need to get online occasionally so I can respond to clients if they need something. It's just laziness really, because I can always hike up to the big house where there is fast WiFi and a landline. It would just be more convenient if I didn't have to.

Coincidentally, I was a project manager on the first portability project way back when. It seemed like a big deal at the time.

Enjoy...it sounds so perfect....

PS - enjoy the hiking too!

Unless something has changed I would really scrutinize FreedomPop. I bought a wifi hotspot a couple of years back through Groupon and they try everything possible to nickel and dime you whenever they can. Really read the small print about overages. Maybe it's changed, but do not sign up for auto-refill on their service as I heard some people got hit for $100s

- Richard Reeve
ReevePhotos.com

Wow, Richard! I had no idea. I figured it was too good to be true. Thanks!

I had freedom pop for internet service for a year, and then tried the phone for about a month. The internet service is extremely limited in terms of data and their measuring of those limits is inconsistent so if they determine you have gone over they simple turn your service off and then charge to have it turned on again. There is no customer service to speak of. They do in fact nickle and dime you consistently. When I tried the phone, the first red flag was "they had no numbers in my area" I live in downtown Seattle and not only were there no numbers for the entire Puget sound area there were none in WA state. So I ended up with a Portland phone number. When I received the phone from them,it would not keep a charge for more than 20 minutes. Having emailed and called Freedom POP repeatedly and getting no timely response I sent the phone back, then had to file a complaint with the BBB to get a refund. If you have no other options and are extremely careful about the limited data you use it can work. Just be careful to read all the fine print,if you do not sign up for auto reload your service will be disconnected, often without notice, and you will be charged to reinstate it. If you sign up for auto reload it seems that each month they will charge you for usage overages until your new months service begins. I believe at one point for the phone service they did offer unlimited data so hopefully the phone service has improved. My experience with them was over a year ago.

Well, I can't thank you enough! The last thing I need is more headaches and time/money wasted. Bullet dodged! And I am closing this now...