Cell phone for mom? Suggestions?

[penk]

Just posted this on my facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/eidolon ) - but I know some of ya'll dont' do facebook, zo....

"Need to get a cell phone for mom. Should be inexpensive monthly (< $50/mo), data plan not needed, easy to use but not childish (first person to mention Jitterbug gets a boot to the head), and quickly acquired. I'm thinking of going to Sprint (which seems to have the best service / price ratio). Any suggestions?"

Comments

[penk.livejournal.com]

I am not personally on a family plan.

[dbang.livejournal.com]

If you add her to your plan, it would become a family plan. :-) Costs $10 a month, she shares your minutes. (Not your data but you said she doesn't need that.) She could get a free phone if you make a 2 year commitment -- otherwise you'd have to acquire a phone for her.

[dancingwolfgrrl.livejournal.com]

I can tell you, having just tried it, that acquiring a phone from a contract-based service provider without signing a contract is a nightmare. A phone Verizon or T-mobile would give away with a contract will run you $130. (Yes, it's ridiculous. No, I couldn't find a way around it.)

[dbang.livejournal.com]

It turns out to be pretty straightforward to acquire a cell phone from elsewhere, and then "unlock" it to work on any carrier (with a compatible technology.) I bought one on ebay to use with AT&T a couple years ago and it worked great.

[penk.livejournal.com]

I cannot do this. I do not own my phone account. (my cell phone service is provided to me by my employer)