Completely Confused

[BuzzFisher]

I come to you completely confused by cell phones in general but with what I hope are questions that have clear answers. I have used TracFone for a number of years but am looking to switch to Straight Talk to allow email and internet access. I live in Vermont (05641) and work primarily in two zip codes (05033 and 05663). Cell coverage in general is pretty spotty in Vermont but I am hoping that the Nokia E5 (online check says it works at all 3 zip codes) will in fact be a good choice as far as coverage goes. Am I correct in my understanding that the phone will use whichever signal is strongest (be it AT&T or Verizon) so that I should get good coverage in both places? Just hate to spend that much to find that I can't use it. Thanks

-Buzz

[Stephanie_ST]

Hi BuzzFisher. My name is StraightTalk Stephanie and I will be addressing your question. Nokia E5 runs off AT&T towers only. If you have good coverage with AT&T in your area, then your phone will work properly. Please be informed that the signal will vary depending on your location with the network. Thanks!

[BuzzFisher]

Thank you for your reply. How do I determine what comparable phones run off Verizon towers as they have much wider coverage here?

[Stephanie_ST]

Hi BuzzFisher. The phone models that end with C (CDMA) run off Verizon towers except the Android phones because that run off Sprint Prepaid Network. Thanks!

[BuzzFisher]

Thanks....so.....am I then correct in believing that I could buy an unlocked phone and then buy a SIM card through Straight Talk that proves to work best for my needs?

[Stephanie_ST]

Hi BuzzFisher. Yes, you are correct. You may purchase any domestic unlocked phone as long as it is under GSM technology. Thanks!

[gtavares]

I am very very upset with StraightTalk and now I have phones that I spent a lot of money on that are paper weights. I called Straight Talk and asked what phones worked on the verizon towers because that what works in my area. I was told that the LG android phone did. I purchased two and they do not work in my area. I spent many hours on the phone with StraightTalk customer "NO" service and got no where. I got a different answer from everyone and got the runaround for hours on end. Not to mention that it took two days to port one of my numbers and they said the other one could not be ported. Ended up they never finished doing the first one and the second one they said was blocked by my previous carrier. I called the previous carrier who was very nice and they said they had no record of the number even being tried to be ported. They also told me that the number was able to be ported over to any carrier. They also got on the phone with Straight Talk porting people and the people at Straight Talk could not understand what my present carrier was saying or understand the codes that they were getting. Now I have a new phone (paper weight), new number and still get no service. Then I was told that StraightTalk no longer uses Verizon towers. Then finally the android uses Sprint. Well spring also works in my area, so I contacted some of my friends that have androids with sprint and they have no problems. Now I find out it works only with sprint prepaid. What the hell is sprint prepaid? So my questions are, does Straight Talk use Verizon towers, what smart phones work with straight talk and verizon towers, if none of the above, when is Straight Talk going to have coverage in new england with verizon, and smart phones. You have a great plan, but the coverage area for smart phones is the worst ever.

[Sophie_ST]

Hi gtavares. My name is Straight Talk Sophie. Sorry that you’re having a problem. Phone models that end in "C", except Android phones (Sprint Prepaid Network), run off Verizon network. As of the moment, Straight Talk does not offer smart phones that are supported by Verizon network. For more Straight Talk branded phones, please use this link and enter your zip code: http://bit.ly/lLOha2. Thanks you.