Filed under: iPhone, Jailbreak/pwnage
Best iPhone cellular plan... ever?
I
like to joke that "Iowa is a great place to live, but I wouldn't want to visit." Residents often complain that there's nothing to do (other than milk cows and shuck corn). One can only stand so much antiquing.
But we do have a few things going for us: clean air, relatively light traffic, lots of space, and perhaps the best cell phone plan for the iPhone.
Recently, reader PC Drew, a US Marine living in Japan, sent us a note to let us know about the challenge he had in finding an iPhone plan while visiting his wife's family. A contract plan was out of the question, of course, because of his length of stay and the fact that he's still under a two-year Softbank agreement in Japan. And due to AT&T's, shall we say, "perplexing" lack of a prepaid plan for the iPhone, the official carrier in the States wouldn't help him.
He could have stopped by a Best Buy and picked up an O2 Universal SIM Card for less than $10. That would have provided the ironically-named PC with $0.17 per minute calls but that's it -- no data, no included text messages, and no tethering ability.
After searching a bit for a prepaid solution, he stumbled across the MEGAtalk Nationwide plan from regional GSM carrier, i wireless. This no-contract, no-credit-check offering gives the customer 30 days of unlimited calling, with roaming and long distance, for $49 plus taxes.
But wait, there's more! Not only did PC get unlimited voice minutes, but he also had unlimited SMS texting and, here's the kicker, unlimited data usage. And, with the proper hack, i wireless customers can tether their iPhones for free. Yes, you read that right... free tethering on an unlimited data plan!
Of course, getting a service plan from an unofficial carrier (read: non-AT&T, at least in the United States) requires your iPhone to be SIM-unlocked. This has become much easier over the past two years and most cell phone shops can perform the procedure if you're too nervous. PC had already performed the necessary steps, as he often finds himself in areas that aren't exactly covered by his Softbank contract.
Okay, now for the downer. Because it's a T-Mobile affiliate, i wireless doesn't offer iPhone-compatible 3G service. In fact, they only offer EDGE speeds in their Iowa-based footprint, unless you're traveling to an area with T-Mobile 3G. As a result, that unlimited data is a bit crippled speed-wise, but it's still a heck of a deal.
So, if you're planning on traveling to Iowa -- say, to Fort Madison for the 62nd Annual Tri-State Rodeo in September -- or if you're "lucky" enough to be stuck living here, you might want to take advantage of what's probably the most economical cell phone service plan available for the iPhone anywhere in the USA.
UPDATE: Quite a few readers asked if this plan is available outside of Iowa, so I contacted i wireless directly to find out more about its policy. Yes, you can sign up for this plan, even if you don't live in the i wireless footprint area, however, the representative I spoke with pointed out that this plan may expire at any time, which would seriously affect the customer's ability to use his or her phone effectively. If you are interested in further details, please contact i wireless directly.
DISCLAIMER: I own a computer and cell phone store that sells this particular prepaid plan. But the above story is absolutely true; PC Drew did contact TUAW to brag about his bargain find, without knowing me or my connection to the product.
like to joke that "Iowa is a great place to live, but I wouldn't want to visit." Residents often complain that there's nothing to do (other than milk cows and shuck corn). One can only stand so much antiquing.But we do have a few things going for us: clean air, relatively light traffic, lots of space, and perhaps the best cell phone plan for the iPhone.
Recently, reader PC Drew, a US Marine living in Japan, sent us a note to let us know about the challenge he had in finding an iPhone plan while visiting his wife's family. A contract plan was out of the question, of course, because of his length of stay and the fact that he's still under a two-year Softbank agreement in Japan. And due to AT&T's, shall we say, "perplexing" lack of a prepaid plan for the iPhone, the official carrier in the States wouldn't help him.
He could have stopped by a Best Buy and picked up an O2 Universal SIM Card for less than $10. That would have provided the ironically-named PC with $0.17 per minute calls but that's it -- no data, no included text messages, and no tethering ability.
After searching a bit for a prepaid solution, he stumbled across the MEGAtalk Nationwide plan from regional GSM carrier, i wireless. This no-contract, no-credit-check offering gives the customer 30 days of unlimited calling, with roaming and long distance, for $49 plus taxes.
But wait, there's more! Not only did PC get unlimited voice minutes, but he also had unlimited SMS texting and, here's the kicker, unlimited data usage. And, with the proper hack, i wireless customers can tether their iPhones for free. Yes, you read that right... free tethering on an unlimited data plan!
Of course, getting a service plan from an unofficial carrier (read: non-AT&T, at least in the United States) requires your iPhone to be SIM-unlocked. This has become much easier over the past two years and most cell phone shops can perform the procedure if you're too nervous. PC had already performed the necessary steps, as he often finds himself in areas that aren't exactly covered by his Softbank contract.
Okay, now for the downer. Because it's a T-Mobile affiliate, i wireless doesn't offer iPhone-compatible 3G service. In fact, they only offer EDGE speeds in their Iowa-based footprint, unless you're traveling to an area with T-Mobile 3G. As a result, that unlimited data is a bit crippled speed-wise, but it's still a heck of a deal.
So, if you're planning on traveling to Iowa -- say, to Fort Madison for the 62nd Annual Tri-State Rodeo in September -- or if you're "lucky" enough to be stuck living here, you might want to take advantage of what's probably the most economical cell phone service plan available for the iPhone anywhere in the USA.
UPDATE: Quite a few readers asked if this plan is available outside of Iowa, so I contacted i wireless directly to find out more about its policy. Yes, you can sign up for this plan, even if you don't live in the i wireless footprint area, however, the representative I spoke with pointed out that this plan may expire at any time, which would seriously affect the customer's ability to use his or her phone effectively. If you are interested in further details, please contact i wireless directly.
DISCLAIMER: I own a computer and cell phone store that sells this particular prepaid plan. But the above story is absolutely true; PC Drew did contact TUAW to brag about his bargain find, without knowing me or my connection to the product.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Jeeve Stobs said 8:16AM on 8-09-2009
This is a nearly 100% useless article. How many of the .010300201% people that are reading TUAW and happen to live in Iowa -also- have an iPhone which -also- happens to be sim-unlocked?
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Grant said 8:45PM on 8-09-2009
uh, what about people in Iowa thinking about getting an iPhone and wondering what kind of plan they could get?
jb510 said 2:46PM on 8-09-2009
What about people in nearly identical situations elsewhere (California) who hadn't thought to look for a regional provider?
Mikey said 3:29PM on 8-09-2009
Hey...be careful about what you say about people from Iowa...I'm from Iowa and I happen to know someone who works for AOL Weblogs does too...in fact...one could say that if you like how things look...he's a part of that.
Kleinias said 4:36PM on 8-09-2009
I actually found this article useful. It's relatively concise, mentions an issue that some travelers might have, and then offers a reasonable solution. The basic idea is also applicable in other cases not exactly matching the scenario in this particular situation.
Jake said 11:59AM on 8-10-2009
I'm from Iowa...
cpabster said 2:09PM on 8-10-2009
Well I don't know, but there's probably more than you realize. I happen to be one of them.
I've been using iWireless for some time, about 7 or 8 months now since I got rid of Deathstar and their $200 monthly bill. iWireless isn't perfect -- coverage can be quirky in some areas and data speeds are marginal at best -- but for $56 taxes included unlimited everything-talk,data,SMS...you really can't beat it.
Now don't bother calling and asking the buffoons about using an iPhone on their network because they haven't a clue. If you want MMS (yes, it works) you just need to manually enter the settings. Tethering is possible with an easy hack as mentioned also.
For the guy who said AT&T has no 3G in Iowa -- you're wrong buddy. They have 3G in Cedar Rapids metro, and also Quad Cities area (Davenport/Bettendorf)...That said, it isn't worth the extra $150 a month.
Eric D. said 5:33PM on 8-10-2009
Hey - that would be me. I live in Iowa, and I have a carrier-unlocked iPhone on T-Mobile as of now. That's a pretty good deal for $49 a month; I am definitely considering making the switch!
MikeN said 8:25AM on 8-09-2009
your a paid blogger for TUAW,AOL,Webblogs wtf ever you guys are called now. PLUS !!!!! you own a cell shop/pc whatever and it took you this long to talk about this! it took someone emailing you guys about it to give you an idea for a post!. dude something is wrong with you. I know it's sunday and you guys are slow on sundays.
this post is alright, to know there is something else out there. won't help me in the least since i don't give a crap about other carriers. none the less can't you think of things to talk about on your own.
not trying to be a jerk i gave you credit on digging up the info until I saw the disclaimer then you just shoot yourself in the foot.
Reply
Mr Lizard said 9:52AM on 8-09-2009
Errr.... no.
He of course knew about this prepaid plan before getting the email - he sells the friggin' product in his own shop.
But it would have been a conflict of interest had he just posted about it for the sake of it - there would have been a clear suggestion that he would have just been trying to drive traffic to his own store for his own profit - on AOL's dime.
In this case, he's posted the story because a reader sent it in. The disclaimer is there to prove that he didn't just post it to increase sales at his own store.
puhsitch said 10:56AM on 8-09-2009
You know, I enjoy reading this blog, but it's a real bummer when dumb-ass commenters (pardon my French) feel like they have to be freakin' Roger Ebert for every post that doesn't open up the gates of Heaven for them.
Nikax said 7:47PM on 8-09-2009
the grammar of a third grader, and you have the stones to criticize the article? Now that's amusing.
tpurdum said 8:57AM on 8-09-2009
Well as one of the .010300201% of iPhone users in Iowa, I appreciated this article!
The deal is especially good for a resident when you consider AT&T ALSO has no 3G service in Iowa (yes, still)!!!
Now to wait for my contract to expire...
Reply
Dan said 9:20AM on 8-09-2009
AT&T has no 3G service in Iowa??
It does.
Maybe the corner of the cornfield you live in doesn't but there's 3G coverage. Just check their map or ask people (like me) who are staring at the 3G icon on my iPhone right now. Careful of broad, sweeping statements. It makes yet another thin TUAW article that much worse.
Shaun said 9:23AM on 8-09-2009
AT&T has 3G in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. Nothing to get excited about.
tpurdum said 9:45AM on 8-09-2009
Well I live in a city in a metro area of over 100,000 (Waterloo/Cedar Falls). No 3G anywhere around. And it wasn't too long ago that Cedar Rapids and Des Moines were EDGE as well (like within the last year).
So yes, my point still stands.
CaptCaveman said 4:42PM on 8-09-2009
If your missing 3G in Iowa your not missing much. I work right next to the Des Moines airport. Its better for me to leave 3G off then on, since it will switch back and forth so much that you can't really use the phone.
Actually unless your sitting in the downtown area or the heart of Jordan Creek your 3G coverage will be spotty at best.
I really really like my iPhone. So much that I've owned all three models so far. But I think I've had it with the coverage. I may be heading the way of the Pre next time around unless ATT gets its act together and I get some sort of multitasking (without having the jailbreak) on the phone.
Macopotamus said 9:16AM on 8-09-2009
The moment someone explicitly says something is "absolutely true" I immediately get the impresssion that the opposite is the case.
Even if this story were true, journalist ethics should have suggested that this story would have been better picked up by one of the other bloggers without a conflict of interest. It may well be that they didn't think the tip merited a story, but this author's judgement was (subconsciously) influenced by his business dealing.
Perhaps a story on regional carriers in general, by a neutral blogger, would have been appropriate, but this offers very little.
Reply
Luke said 9:21AM on 8-09-2009
In America you guys get so screwed with stuff like phone bill charges. Over here in the UK unlimited contracts or pay as you go sims often include these unlimited benefits. All my friends pay £15.00 a month for unlimited phone calls and texts.
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Shaun said 9:21AM on 8-09-2009
I also am one of the MANY Iowa iPhone users out there, you narrow-minded nimrod. Also, I have never milked a cow or "shucked" corn. I live in one of those places where modern people and modern technology congregate, you know, a city?
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