Total Wireless Questions

Does anyone use Total Wireless for their cell and data service? I saw that uses Verizon network, but I'd love to hear more from others before I make a switch. I also am thinking of porting my landline to a cell phone so I can cancel that service too.

We do and have no complaints. 4 phones $100 with 25gig shared data.

I use Total Wireless and have no complaints either. I share with my 2 ds's, so it is 20GB for $80 (normally $85 but I buy my refills at Target and get 5% redcard discount).

I used them for about 10 months. I had two phones and shared data for $60. The customer service was a little rocky to start with, but they eventually got their stuff together. Bad news is that Verizon is terrible in my area so my TW reception was terrible too. I switched to Sprint (got a year free) and they have been much better here where I live.

Currently we have AT&T. Can you use those phones with Total Wireless being they use Verizon's towers?
Or would we have to purchase new Verizon phones?

I suggest you visiti Howard Forums, a message board like this for all things cellular

samandryanmom said:

Currently we have AT&T. Can you use those phones with Total Wireless being they use Verizon's towers?
Or would we have to purchase new Verizon phones?

Click to expand...

I do not think you can use AT&T GSM phones with Verizon's CDMA network.

samandryanmom said:

Currently we have AT&T. Can you use those phones with Total Wireless being they use Verizon's towers?
Or would we have to purchase new Verizon phones?

Click to expand...

robinb said:

I do not think you can use AT&T GSM phones with Verizon's CDMA network.

Click to expand...

its quite possible to use an ATT phone on Verizon. LTE is actually considered a GSM network, the problem you get is that if you dont get LTE, you will get zero service. Actually, i doubt verizon will let you add an att phone though. So yes, you do need verizon phones.

If you have AT&T phone and your okay with their services, you can try ATT MVNOs... ie att prepaid, cricket wireless...

as for total wireless, my cousin has them... he basically says you get what you pay for. Sometimes the services will degrade. call centers are terrible, but hey, your paying how much?
It also concerns me when you go to a high density area, ie Disneyland/Disney World, your line will de-prioritize and you may/may not be able to use your phone service efficiently. But again, u get what you pay for...

samandryanmom said:

Currently we have AT&T. Can you use those phones with Total Wireless being they use Verizon's towers?
Or would we have to purchase new Verizon phones?

Click to expand...

You will need Verizon phones, or CDMA phones. The TW website has a place where you can check the compatibility of BYOPs.
I believe by law CDMA phones have to support GSM but the reverse is not true unfortunately. That has always been a thorn in my side since Verizon versions of phones are always pricier. (I'm talking about the used/refurbished/older model) and it is the only network I can use at my home.

I will say that I, or anyone else in my house has never done the big cell contracts, we have always done Verizon MVNOs. I just recently switched from PagePlus to TW. None of us have ever had an issue with being de-prioritized, but we aren't heavy data users while out and about at places like WDW. My dd is currently on PagePlus with unlimited data and has no issues even after they are supposed to toggle her speed back which she says she doesn't notice and thinks they don't really do it LOL. Unlimited on these kinds of plans are usually something like you get 5GB at LTE then after that your data speed reduce to 3G.
We do use our data when in a remote area and it is spotty but that is due to lack of coverage, not being de-prioritized.
I also have never had an issue with customer service, any issue I have has been resolved via online chat or a phone call. There aren't that many issues that come up to warrant the need for me to pay for "better" customer service at double the cost anyway.
The only negative I can see is if you are the type who needs the latest and greatest phone and upgrades every 2 years. There was a time where you had to pay upfront for that but now some MVNOs are letting you put phones on payment plans, although you pay more than the buy it outright price. Total Wireless does that with some of their phones.