**Warning** Rumor Straight Talk is Dropping the ATT Network
 

A lot of buzz over at Howard Forums about Straight Talk phasing out support for the ATT network. Straight Talk has stopped selling an ATT specific SIM card (although their generic unlocked GSM SIM should work on the ATT network) and might eventually leave ATT altogether and become a TMO partner exclusively for GSM support.

If you are on ST right now, and using their ATT network access because the TMO network is simply unacceptable for MVNO coverage, you should keep a close eye on this development and be prepared to switch (Net10, Redpocket, etc) should this become official.

Well, if that is the case it might be a GOOD thing. TMO might let them do LTE, which I am sure ATT will not.

The TMO network is far inferior to ATT, especially the MVNO side that won't permit partner roaming.

What I'm curious about (unconfirmed by ST) is the existence of roaming agreements with other GSM carriers across the country to fill gaps, but I understand the system will not offer a signal provided the phone can detect even an unusable signal from TMO.

notice
 

notice the use of the word MIGHT. TMO is going to try and take marketshare from other carriers, and I think they are going to begin to really push their BYOD strategy either at the TMO or the PAYGO or the MVNO path. With their clear investment now in LTE which will work with current and previous gen iphones, they MIGHT just be making a play for the city dweller and corridor commuter to offer service, but at a lower price point than traditional carriers.

time will tell

It's easy to make "almost free" international calls from the US via your cell phone on any network. Buy a cheap phone card with a domestic access number (I get mine at firstphonecard.com- I have used the "Lover's Phone Card" but there are many. Sweet how the Chinese name these things). They tend to run a penny or a couple of pennies a minute- a $20 card gives me maybe 36 hours or so of talk to Canada and maybe half that to Europe....anyway, the cost is trivial, doubtful much more than a dollar an hour to most places. Program the access number in as one of your contacts and, with straight talk's unlimited $45 plan, talk away.

Google Voice is also a good way to make international calls dirt cheap if you have a gmail account.

If you are still stuck with Verizon, you can add the domestic phone card access number as one of your five "Friends and Family" contacts, and thus not get charged minutes.

It's easy to make "almost free" international calls from the US via your cell phone on any network. Buy a cheap phone card with a domestic access number (I get mine at firstphonecard.com- I have used the "Lover's Phone Card" but there are many. Sweet how the Chinese name these things). They tend to run a penny or a couple of pennies a minute- a $20 card gives me maybe 36 hours or so of talk to Canada and maybe half that to Europe....anyway, the cost is trivial, doubtful much more than a dollar an hour to most places. Program the access number in as one of your contacts and, with straight talk's unlimited $45 plan, talk away.

Google Voice is also a good way to make international calls dirt cheap if you have a gmail account.

There are loads of unlimited international text message apps.

If you are still stuck with Verizon, you can add the domestic phone card access number as one of your five "Friends and Family" contacts, and thus not get charged minutes.