Straight Talk

• Basic Service Plans
• Bring Your Own Phone Feature
• Mobile Hotspot
• Deals 
• Available at Walmart Locations
• Satisfaction Guarantee

Basic Service Plans

Straight Talk's services align with its advertised perks and the tag line "Everything for Less." The carrier provides basic service plans with clear selling points that outline the exact service Straight Talk customers will receive. There are some limitations to these products and services, but Straight Talk is exceptionally transparent regarding what is offered and what is not.

All Straight Talk service plans include unlimited nationwide talk and text. Straight Talk also offers various data plans. The two higher-end service levels offer unlimited data for customers. The only difference between the higher-end service levels is that the top service level offers unlimited international calling and texting. Plan prices range anywhere between $35-$60, and customers can add on global calling cards for just $10. 

It is also possible to prepay for more months of service with the Unlimited Plan. There are three additional service extensions with the Unlimited Plan. They include the following:

• Unlimited 3 months: $130
• Unlimited 6 months: $255
• Unlimited 1 year: $495

Customers can enjoy peace-of-mind by pre-paying for their phone service a year in advance. With other no-contract providers, you can only purchase service in monthly increments. You could, of course, load enough money onto your account to cover a year, but Straight Talk makes it easy to pay for your phone in advance for as long as you'd like.

Bring Your Own Phone Feature

Prospective customers can also bring their own phone, where a customer service specialist gives you a SIM card so that you can use Straight Talk's service. So, if you have a phone from a prior carrier, there are instances where you can keep it and transfer it over. 

Customers can also purchase the SIM card and install it all on their own without a representative. Customers should double check which devices are compatible and which phones Straight Talk allows because its compatibility capabilities are continually evolving.

Sometimes a factory reset is useful and APN settings may need to be adjusted on a phone to align it correctly with Straight Talk's network. 

If you want to move your number over to Straight Talk, they make it easy to "port" your previous phone number. Keeping your same phone and number makes Straight Talk an excellent fit for many different customers. Unfortunately, some phones cannot be fitted with Straight Talk's SIM card. Certain older iPhone 4 models are not compatible with the SIM card. There are also no options for integrating BlackBerry into Straight Talk's service at this time.

Mobile Hotspot

Straight Talk sells portable Wi-Fi hotspot devices. Options include both reconditioned and brand new mobile hotspots and tablets with 4G LTE speeds. Note that these are only compatible with Straight Talk data service plans and do not include international service or high performance for multiple devices. Service options are as follows: 

• 1 GB data (30-day)
• 2 GB data (30-day)
• 4 GB data (60-day)
• 5 GB data (60-day)
• 7 GB data (60-day)

Deals

Straight Talk runs deals on multiple devices at a time ranging from free shipping on the latest iPhone and Android phones to extremely low-priced LG, Samsung, and Alcatel models. To pinpoint the most beneficial online deals for you based on your location, enter the zip code in which you plan to use the device the most.  

Available at Walmart Locations

Even though Straight Talk is affiliated with Walmart, it is a separate entity of the retail chain. There are representatives ready to assist with questions and activation at Walmart locations or online. Current customers have also been satisfied with the 4G LTE coverage that Straight Talk provides. While the carrier doesn't operate its own network, Straight Talk utilizes T-Mobile, AT&T, and some of the best networks in the United States to provide the best possible coverage for customers.

Satisfaction Guarantee

Straight Talk customers not satisfied with their phone (iPhone or Android) or accessory purchase can return it within 30 days and Straight Talk will either replace it or give them a full refund. 

• Limitations
• Not Unlimited Data
• Network Redundancy

Limitations

There are some limitations prospective Straight Talk consumers should be aware of. Consumers have found that some AT&T phones might not be compatible with Straight Talk because of usability issues. For the most part, other carriers' phones are compatible, but customers should double check before making the switch. Once confirmed, a majority of devices can be integrated into Straight Talk's phone service.

Customer reviews describe issues with dropped calls and lack of data service. This can be frustrating when a customer is trying to utilize an Internet connection or make a phone call.

Not Unlimited Data

There are also some issues with the data claims being labeled as "unlimited."

Customers actually get 3 GB of metered data for each 30-day service package that is purchased. When you go over the 3 GB limit, you have access to the data network, but your speeds are drastically reduced. Most customers say that the average customer needs 2 GB of data per month. With 100 MB of data on the low-end plan, you will likely use all your data quickly.

Network Redundancy

There are also concerns surrounding network redundancy with the number of other company's networks that were used. Some of the dropped calls that have been reported may be a result of the shared networks with AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and other cellular providers.