Straight Talk BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) has been around for a couple of years now. Straight Talk started a plan in which customers could not only dump their big carriers, but they could take their phone and number with them. The program is forthright in the service offered. There is a 3-Step process for getting started. The first step is to find out if your present phone is compatible by checking on your IMEI, MEID, or ESN number. Once it is determined whether or not you have a GSM or CDMA phone you be directed to either buy a SIM card for $6.99 for your unlocked GSM phone or purchase a CDMA network access code for $14.99. Simply put if you have an unlocked GSM phone that runs on the AT&T or T-Mobile network you should be able to purchase a new SIM card when switching your service. Verizon and Sprint have CDMA phones you will need to purchase a network access code. Straight talk warns you up front that the CDMA access code is compatible with iPhone 4 and 4s only implying that the new iPhone 5 models will not work. If you have a Blackberry forget it unless you are ready to jettison that phone for a Straight Talk phone. Straight Talk has a simple $45 unlimited 30 day plan. This includes unlimited talk and text and data. However, there is a limitation of 2.5 GB on the data before speed throttling is activated. Data is restored to full speed on the next 30-day cycle. You will need to create an online account to keep your phone “refilled” on a monthly basis. If you don’t pay for the next 30-day cycle at the end of the current cycle you will experience a service disruption. Straight Talk does allow you to register a debit or credit card on your account to keep your phone service paid automatically an you may cancel anytime without penalties or fees. Although there are few minor hoops to jump through for keeping your phone the activation and SIM card fees are low compared to signing on with a big carrier for two-year stretches. The $45 a month plan is competitive and reasonable making this Strait Talk plan worth considering. ]]>
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