Prepaid Cell Phone with Wi-fi

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

One of our phones is a prepaid T-Mobile. The result is an average monthly bill of $15. Not bad! I'm thinking of getting a new phone with Wi-fi on it. I can get one that will work for around $150. I know you supposedly get a "free" phone on a contract, but considering the difference on monthly cost, in about 6 months that phone will be "free" too.

Anyway, I hear about people making internet calls when at home or in any Wi-fi hotspot with the cell phone to further save on minutes. Does anyone have any experience with such things?

[Shea Zellweger]

One of our phones is a prepaid T-Mobile. The result is an average monthly bill of $15. Not bad! I'm thinking of getting a new phone with Wi-fi on it. I can get one that will work for around $150. I know you supposedly get a "free" phone on a contract, but considering the difference on monthly cost, in about 6 months that phone will be "free" too.

Anyway, I hear about people making internet calls when at home or in any Wi-fi hotspot with the cell phone to further save on minutes. Does anyone have any experience with such things?

The only one I'm currently aware of is Verizon's agreement with Skype, which allows you to callskype-to-skype for free on your phone. If you have a skype phone number, you may be able to make essentially unlimited callse for just $60/year, but you would still need a wi-fi enabled phone, which would cost however much the lowest monthly plan is.
Depending where you are, a company like Cellular South or MobilePCS, or Wal Mart's Straighttalk would all be viable options to get unlimited calling for between 40 and 50/month.

[Paul DeBaufer]

One of our phones is a prepaid T-Mobile. The result is an average monthly bill of $15. Not bad! I'm thinking of getting a new phone with Wi-fi on it. I can get one that will work for around $150. I know you supposedly get a "free" phone on a contract, but considering the difference on monthly cost, in about 6 months that phone will be "free" too.

Anyway, I hear about people making internet calls when at home or in any Wi-fi hotspot with the cell phone to further save on minutes. Does anyone have any experience with such things?

I have used Skype on my ATT phone while connected via Wi-Fi at home and at work. I think the plan Shea talks about allows you to Skype via the cell system. If I were to do that with mine I would pay both Skype and ATT minutes.