In the United States, there are two different mobile networks: CDMA and GSM, and they are not only incompatible, but evenly split between the four main carriers. Verizon and Sprint offer CDMA while AT&T and T-Mobile offer GSM. While neither network is really ‘better’ than the other (they both have their pros and cons) the biggest issue is that carrying a phone from one network to the other is a hassle at best, which limits the carriers that you can use with a given phone. But, what if it didn’t matter?
TextNow isn’t one of those huge MVNOs that works with all four carriers and can, therefore, activate most phones on different networks through the same company. Instead, they offer the ability to use their hotspot device, MiFi, as a bridge between Sprint’s network and any phone. Yeah, you read that right–any phone, regardless as to what network the phone uses, you can use MiFi to access TextNow’s Sprint network.
From how the customer service rep explained it to me, the device is just a normal hotspot, which uses Sprint’s signal and broadcasts Wifi. However, the way their plans and phones are set up, you can make calls, send texts and browse the internet via that wifi connection. While it might sound like you would go through your allotted time pretty fast, in reality, calls really only use 1 – 3 MB per minute of talk time, and a text is about the same.
You can
purchase the MiFi device for $30 during the after Christmas sale (regularly priced at $40). When you do so, you’ll have to select from one of three plans:
- Tall – $18.99 ; 500 MB/750 minutes
- Grande – $26.99 ; 1 GB/1250 minutes
- Venti – $39.99 ; 2 GB/2000 minutes
Have you ever used TextNow? Let me know what you think about them in the comments!]]>
