AirVoice - Worth checking out!

by Jim
(Central Pennsylvania)

This company used to be on the comparison chart but isn't now. My experience: For years I'd been with Verizon, always on the least expensive plan I was aware of. Most recently I was on the prepay plan prior to the one they use now at 15.00/mo used up at a rate of .25/call connection fee and .10/minute. Even with that plan I was renewing each month and rolling over minutes until I had about 30 hours accumulated. I learned about a company "AirVoice" which I believe uses the Verizon/CDMA technology.


Worth a try since I could use my existing vintage phone and buy 100 minutes for 10.00 to be used up over several months...plenty of minutes for me. To my surprise, when I made the switch (successfully) all of the minutes I had accumulated with Verizon came to my new service.

The best part is, for a couple of months now I've not spent A DIME (for my line) yet, though I'm due to get some time now. This was a trial to see if I'd be returning to Verizon. So far, the reliable service (same operator voice reminding me of my time available), and great rates, caused me to switch my wife and young son to AirVoice as well. Had I read this column prior to switching I'd have even "ported" my old phone number though that may have negated my minutes...not sure how that would have worked out, but that was an unexpected bonus anyway.

If Verizon is the network many people in your area have luck with, check out AirVoice. They do have a GSM (AT&T) network as well, but I have no experience with that one. Do the math realistically to see if it'll work for you and your calling habits. I can tell you that If you want coverage, don't want to worry about calling circles, friends, whatever the terminology, and you don't want a contract...check out AirVoice. It's well worth a 10 Buck trial run especially if you have a compatible (Verizon) phone and most are. JUST FOR THE RECORD, I sell cars and I am not at all affilliated with any cell phone company.

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Dec 04, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Airvoice is Great so far
by: Dave Larsen

Update... Airvoice now has unlimited T&T for $39.95! This is on the full AT&T GSM network. Check the coverage map before you buy. I live in Florida and it works everyhwere. I had Straight Talk and you could not even swap SIM's between their own phones!!! I put my Airvoice in an unlocked Samsung T619 and was ready to go. Love the service and coverage here in Florida, no dropped calls - clear audio. Buy this service if it works in your area. http://www.airvoicewireless.com/PlanB.aspx
Aug 25, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Credit Card Autopay Avoids Hassles
by: PrepaidWirelessGuy

Good point. Setting up your credit or debit card on autopay, or even manual pay, avoids the hassle of having to deal with PINs or even go to the store to topup your account. Dealers don't like it b/c it means they lose the sale(!), but it's convenient for customers, and carriers often prefer it b/c it's cheaper for them.


PINs were the original product, starting out with Hot Cards, then moving to electronic PINs (ePINs). Most carriers are phasing out Hot Cards, and trying to focus on topup (i.e. RTR), but ePINs and POSA cards will still be around for a long long time! No doubt though, PINs are a pain in the butt!
Aug 25, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Pins
by: Robert

When you set up for auto re fill then you wont have to enter the pin. All pre paid companies that I have worked with used pins.
Aug 25, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Real Time Replenishment
by: PrepaidWirelessGuy

Yeah, the PIN-less process is often referred to Real Time Replenishment (RTR) or Topup, which is the most common term used in Europe. It's extremely convenient b/c you don't have to worry about messing around with the extra PIN redemption step.


This discussion is great; it really shows just how fast things change, and how competitive the market has become. I'm personally looking for an opportunity to use a smartphone like the Treo (or better yet the Pre!) on a prepaid plan. I'll even pay extra for some kind of premium data plan. I just don't want to have to deal with contracts ;-).
Aug 24, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		PINS
by: Anonymous

PINS require a second step to activate the minutes purchased. you must enter the P personal I identification N number to have the minutes "added to your phone" (so to speak). this may be different for the unlimited but I'm only getting a 10.00 card and must use the pin system. Airvoice adds your purchase for you...no extra step. in regards to the port, Airvoice may simply be being jerks to retain business, but I'll call them tomorrow.
Aug 24, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Port
by: Robert

I am calling them tonight and it looks like they are having a system problem. What do you mean by pins? When I did the port for my wife it took under 24 hours.I think they may be swamped with the $39.95 Unlimited plan, Just like Boost had when they went $50.00 unlimited.
Aug 24, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		TRYING TO SWITCH
by: JIM

1ST, having trouble porting a number....several days. 2nd page plus uses PINs airvoice does not, 2 points airvoice. I'll keep you posted though customer service seems better at airvoice,..... at least initially.
Aug 24, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		change
by: jim

good observation. i guess the only constant in life is change. note the comment dates. when the original comment was posted, the plans were about equal. one of my main points at the time was simply the carry-over of remaining minutes from a prior Verizon plan and the overall affordability. now with the brand new page plus power texting or text n talk plan, the edge for texters would certainly be page plus. NOW if you don't need talk at all, check out PEEK....all unlimited text and email but w/ more spotty coverage. if your area is covered on the what appears to be a T-Mobile map, PEEK may be really worth a look. thanks for keeping me current. Please comment again if you see a better opportunity on the Verizon network. as a matter of fact, I've spent the last three or four days porting a number from airvoice to give page plus a test drive as i currently have four lines w/ airvoice and 1 son spiraling out of control texting. gonna try the 10.00 power text option with a cheap talk card. please keep in touch. jim I look for airvoice to counter!
Aug 24, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Page Plus VS Air Voice
by: Robert

Page Plus VS Air Voice


I did a comparison between Air Voice and Page plus after reading your post.
On the down side, Air Voice has a $1.00 fee every month for service, they also charge $1.10 to roam. The have no unlimited plan at any price.

Page Plus has a 25 cent monthly fee, charges 59 cents to roam and has unlimited for $39.95. My mind is made up, Page Plus has a better deal than Air Voice.
Aug 23, 2009
Rating
starstar 		PRE
by: Anonymous

Page plus is on Verizon and they offer a better deal. 6 cents per min or unlimited for $39.95
Feb 04, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Another option to consider!
by: PrepaidWirelessGuy

Thank you Jim for your sharing your experience with AirVoice. I just added them to the PAYG comparison chart. Now visitors have even more options to choose from!

You're correct, their GSM service is on the AT&T network, while their CDMA service is on the Verizon network. Both are very good networks from which to choose from.

They offer a different price per minute depending on how much you load onto your account at one time, as well as varying expiration dates up to 365 days. For people looking to minimize their monthly spend, the longer expiration dates provide some very good options.

I'm not sure I understand how it is that you were able to keep your account credits when converting over from Verizon. My understanding is that such funds are not normally transferable even if they happen to be using the same billing platform. Perhaps they were able to see your balance and have a policy of crediting those funds as a courtesy. If anyone else has had that experience, please let us know about it! Regardless, that's fantastic that you were able to keep those funds and have them last for so long.

Anyway, thank you again for sharing, and happy calling!

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