Straight Talk

Network: Verizon Wireless (no roaming, includes former Alltel coverage)

Phone reviews: Coming Soon!

Website: www.straighttalk.com
Customer Service: 1-877-430-2355

Claim to fame: The cheapest unlimited nationwide service around, including voice, text messaging, directory assistance and some data for just $45 per month. Or step down to 1000 minutes and texts for a mere $30.

Overview: Straight Talk is simple: three phones, two plans, monthly billing, Verizon’s network. This new Tracfone sister brand has been likened to Southwest Airlines in its pricing models: lower than the competition by an appreciable amount. Straight Talk may not have the hottest phones, and web access may be limited to 30 MB per month, but nowhere else can you find an unlimited voice-and-text plan on one of the “big four” networks for just $45 per month.

One interesting twist on Straight Talk’s service is that it’s only available at participating Wal-Mart stores, the Wal-Mart website or at any Wal-Mart with Site-to-Store shipping. Airtime refills can be bought directly from Straight Talk, however the Straight Talk website defers to WalMart.com for phone-buying.

Pros: Low rates, unlimited service on the cheap, the best single-carrier network out there.

Cons: No roaming, no high-end phones, no way to cheaply get more web access than 30MB, phones are on the expensive side.

Good for: Heavy talkers, heavy talk/texters who are okay with using a regular phone keypad to hammer out their messages, anyone covered by Verizon and/or Alltel

PLAN SELECTION (monthly)
$30 – 1000 anytime minutes, 1000 text messages, 30 MB data
$45 – unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited text messages, 30 MB data

Directory assistance (411) is available at no extra charge
MMS/picture messaging uses data transfer

PHONE SELECTION
LG 200cm (flip phone) – $29.98
Motorola w385 (camera flip phone with Bluetooth) – $79.00
Motorola Razr v3a (thin camera flip phone with Bluetooth) – $99.98