r/NoContract

FCC wants government ID to activate a phone number. comments open until July

the proposal dropped April 30th. KYC rules for phone activation - government ID, physical address, the works. framed as anti-robocall. comments still open so it's not done yet, but the direction is set

r/HeroSMS put together a solid write-up on what this actually means beyond the spam angle. worth reading if you care about this stuff

short version: your phone number stops being a contact method and starts functioning as an identity token. every app you verify with that number gets an indirect link to the same government document that anchors your SIM. UK is already moving this way. EU has frameworks in motion. this isn't one regulator going rogue

comments are open into July if anyone wants to actually do something about it

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u/FLauncherSir — 2 hours ago

T-Mobile Secondary

I'm looking to add an esim with T-Mobile service to complement my Verizon main line(Total). I don't need phone service, just data. I know the T Satellite plan is a good option for $10 which I understand includes taxes. Are there any other good options for $10 or less(taxes included)?

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u/AbjectIllustrator — 10 hours ago
▲ 16 r/NoContract+1 crossposts

T Satellite looks like Unlimted data

Title. Downloaded T satellite, signed up via the T-Life app. Saw it says unlimited data, is this accurate and still QCI6? If so it’s a great deal for $10

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u/Live_Consequence5993 — 17 hours ago

T-Mobile kept billing after I canceled a SyncUP/kids line — now says they can’t validate me without a PIN

I’m trying to figure out the best way to resolve this and whether anyone has dealt with something similar.

I had a T-Mobile kids/SyncUP-related line that was tied to another account. I went into a T-Mobile store to cancel it. The store put me on the phone with customer service, and customer service told me the account/line was canceled.

Two or three months later, I realized I was still being charged.

I called customer service directly. Again, I was told it and a second kid's line would be canceled and that I would receive written confirmation within 24 hours. I never received that confirmation.

Now when I call, they say they cannot validate me without a PIN. The problem is that this was a kids/SyncUP-type account/line and, as far as I know, it never had a separate PIN. The line/account was supposed to already be canceled. Their answer now is to go back into a store, but that is exactly what I already did, and the store just put me back on the phone with customer service.

So I’m stuck in a loop:

  1. Store sends me to phone support.
  2. Phone support says the line/account is canceled.
  3. Charges continue.
  4. Phone support promises written confirmation.
  5. No confirmation arrives.
  6. Then they say they cannot validate me without a PIN.
  7. They send me back to the store.

Has anyone resolved this kind of cancellation/PIN/SyncUP billing issue? Is there a specific T-Mobile department, escalation route, or wording I should use?

I’ve filed an FCC billing complaint and am planning to contact my bank about blocking future charges. Has anyone dealt with this kind of carrier cancellation/billing loop, especially with T-Mobile SyncUP or kids lines? Is there a specific escalation route or written-dispute process that worked?

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u/PrizeLeast7833 — 15 hours ago

Sorry for the confusion / Wrong subreddit..

Hi all, I posted a very emotional breakup story here last night meaning to post in r/NoContact (a support sub, not a phone plan sub). Autocorrect, sleep deprivation, or just cosmic comedy sent it here instead. Thank you to the people who were genuinely worried about me, and to whoever asked what’s wrong with people, fair question. No phone contract drama here, just a woman crying about her ex in entirely the wrong corner of the internet. Carry on.

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u/Illrollonshabbos — 12 hours ago

55+ plan with T-Mobile increasing

I just checked my current bill.

ONE Plan Unlimited 55

$80 a month with autopay discount $10

Total bill = $70 which includes taxes and fees.

The current plan includes Apple TV which we do not use, mobile hotspot not used and Canada and Mexico which we do not need or use.

It has Wi-Fi calling which we use periodically.

I just checked the total data used.

May -June 5.65GB used.

April to May 3.9GB used

March through April 5.68GB used

February - March 2.3GB used

January - February 20 4.69GB

On June 30, I received a text stating:

T-Mobile: Starting 7/13/26, your current phone plan is being retired, and you will transition to a modern plan with enhanced features. Phone lines increase up to $6 per line per month.

Rest assured, you’ll keep your current benefits, plus we’re adding more benefits and improved service experiences. Moving forward, you also get our 5-Year Price Guarantee. Review your updated plan details: https://secure.t-mobile.com/fU2fbxCIe4b

My wife and I do not need Netflix, hotspots, and probably unlimited data not needed as we are mostly on Wi-Fi except when traveling on the interstates. You can see how much data we use above which is very little.

When I called to discuss the current changes, the rep talked about transferring to Experience Signature 55+.

He said the new bill would be $82 per month which included the $6 per line increase. I asked about any discounts and he said he could offer the 6 months at $72 a month as a promotion. I asked about 12 months and he said they could not do that after supposedly checking. He said taxes and fees would be added which could make the monthly price higher. Currently, I don't have taxes and fees added.

I've heard the prepaid use the middle of the cell towers but not the top. Is that correct and what does it matter?

We both have unlocked phones. Suggestions welcome! 🤔

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u/No-Currency-97 — 1 day ago

True US Mobile competitors

Recently ported to US Mobile and been a huge fan. Curious if there are any new MVNOs that truly compete with them on flexibility to choose between the major networks while offering a ton of data, hotspot, international access, and killer customer service, for a low price.

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u/ksalehiz — 1 day ago

Cheap phone plan while living overseas, Updated

Edit: I lost my visa after moving from my previous country (SK) but would like to continue using my phone, which is still good for a few years. Anyone have experience

I did a search but didn't see anything recent, just one from a couple years ago.

I live abroad and visit the US for about 5-10 weeks a year.

What’s the cheapest way to park my number, but still receive verification texts, and have a somewhat reasonable rate while I’m back in the US visiting home?

Thanks everyone!

Edit: Thanks for the great leads, I'll follow-up on some of these and let people know how it goes.

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u/nimkeenator — 1 day ago

U.S. Carrier recommendations for someone that drives from L.A. to Seattle often

I’m currently with T-Mobile and would like to change to a cheaper plan as I just lost my job and my plan that was “grandfathered” in is too expensive with the new increase. I’ve been doing a ton of research on this sub but need true experience/recommendations from people. I have to do long distance driving often from L.A. to Seattle and back. Has anyone had difficulties getting service doing long distance travel? Any success? Please advise. I’m aiming for unlimited data, wifi calling, hot spot as well. Thanks for your input.

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u/Mywarmdecember — 1 day ago

best pay as you go on tmobile as backup data service?

So I am looking for an ESIM on T-Mobile in the US for backup data service (e.g. if my service on Verizon doesn't work, I can turn on the Tmobile service and pay for the data I use)?

I am doing a big road trip driving cross the country, Camping at random places for the next 2 months. So I don't want to risk not having service during my travels, esp driving in rural areas.

The only thing I can think of at the moment is use Google Fi and disable the service and enable it when I need it or use one of those global travel esims like Roamless (looks like Roamless is only Verizon and ATT, so i'll look for another similar company on Tmobile). I am curious of the community have other suggestions. Overall, I just need data (whatsapp and maps) when there is no service on Verizon.

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u/gaymer_raver — 2 days ago

Second Phone

I want to buy a cheap prepaid phone, where I dont need kyc. Should be under 30 bucks and I like the old retro phones like the motorola v220.

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u/Next-North-1772 — 1 day ago

How are texts, calls, 911 calls prioritized?

I think this could be helpful for those thinking of moving to pre-paid so I’m asking.

If someone with Mint(for example) is trying to make a call or text at a concert is it possible they may not go through? Would a 911 call go through?

In my mind texts and calls should always go through as they use so little data compared to TikTok, YouTube, etc but what do I know.

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u/Difficult-Text1690 — 1 day ago
▲ 0 r/NoContract+1 crossposts

FUCK Visible.

TLDR: It's been 9 days since I joined Visible & tried to port in my phone number. Their system failed. I have had NO service this ENTIRE time, and they keep looping over the same issue. I am BEYOND pissed.

I have spent over a week trying to port my number from US Mobile to Visible, and Visible keeps having the same "glitch" where their system isn't sending a port request over successfully.

I purchased the Visible sim card from Best Buy. Check.

I requested the port out info from US Mobile a week before my service with them ended. Check.

I requested the port via the Visible app after following the instructions on both the sim card packaging & the app/website. Check.

I waited 3 whole days without any change or update from Visible before I finally reached out directly, requesting customer service to look into the issues.

Visible only sent the port request AFTER I personally reached out.

Since then, there has been absolutely zero change.

I have spent HOURS chatting and speaking with Visible CS to try & figure out the issue.

I shouldn't have even had to do so in the first place.

The first rep that spoke with me over the phone promised to call me back the next day & told me not to start another virtual chat with another rep so my case wouldn't get muddled. I followed her instructions. She never called me back.

I have now spoken over the phone with 3 separate Visible reps to no avail.

The issue STILL hasn't been resolved 9 days later.

Meanwhile, US Mobile hasn't received a port out request from Visible this entire time. I've checked almost every day. Thankfully, US Mobile's customer service is fast & reliable. They extended my phone network service as a courtesy til Visible could get its shit together--which (surprise, surprise) I ended up needing because the original activation code and pin they provided expired by the time Visible had escalated my case to their porting team.

Visible just called me again to notify me of the exact same issue.

There's been no change. I've been without data for going on 10 days. Visible is taking its sweet time.

Upset is an understatement. I'd thought US Mobile's sign-on experience was bad: when I first signed up with them over a year ago, I spent 2 hours setting up service with them, manually inputting APN's on my Samsung device because they didn't have a seamless transfer for Samsung devices at the time. But this? This takes the cake.

Oh--and the cherry on top? All the while Vi**sible's been billing me for no service.

FUCK Visible. If they finally get their shit together then maybe I'll stay to see what the hype's about. But if they don't figure it out soon I'm going back to US Mobile. US Mobile's service & data speeds might not be the best for where I live, but it beats having no service & wasting valuable time and money waiting around on Visible.

- - -

(I'm only just now seeing the posts about porting during regular business hours. Welp. Too little, too late. Visible should really add a disclaimer to their site and packaging if that's the case.)

u/berpyderpderp2ne1 — 2 days ago

FYI - Free eSIM plans and trial list has been updated / TextNow eSIM plan requires ID verification

Everything in here should be current, though I haven't been able to test every worldwide offer.

Of the free data services in the US both Instabridge and Kite are working. I just signed up for a new Instabridge account and got the 3GB monthly data offer (though how they decide if you get the 3GB data offer or the phone offer is a mystery).

TextNow was added to the list because the eSIM offer went public a few weeks back. Along with this TextNow appears to be requiring ID verification. That may be a deal breaker for some, as it still requires the TextNow dialer.

As always, feel free to comment in the linked thread if anything needs an update.

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u/gamescan — 3 days ago

Good ways to get a good phone to bring to Total for the BYOD plan?

Hi everyone,

What are a few good ways to get a good *affordable* phone to bring to total wireless for the byob plan? Preferably a new phone.

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u/Personal-Product-449 — 3 days ago
▲ 26 r/NoContract+1 crossposts

6 month Metro Plan Renewal Options

​

For those looking at the 6-month Metro plan. I have posted the renewal options in my account after porting in on July 2, 2026.

You can only choose from the monthly options at $60, $50, and $40.

*NOT available: No option to renew at another 6 months nor do you have the option of the $25 monthly plan.

The $25 option would be best for those looking for long-term consistency for several years. Otherwise, these renewal options are not ideal. I hope this helps others who are looking into this.

u/MrHonest_Abe — 3 days ago

Mint Mobile honest review

So for starters…my screen time is only a couple of hours a day. I’m not able to be on my phone much at work so I use it when I’m at home with WiFi.

I have had Mint mobile with the SAME SIM card since August 2018!!!!

I purchased the $5 trial kit off of amazon that came with a couple days of data to see if it works in your area well. Needless to say that’s all it took and I have lived in 3 different states since 2019 so never had issues with service.

If you are someone who gets the newest phone year after year? Mint is not fully for you unless you buy phones unlocked outright as they don’t offer the best deals on things like that because it’s a no contract Bring your own device. But if you are someone like me who has had 4 phones in the last 10 years? Mint is PERFECT for you.

The big appeal? Was the price. I’m paying for a year of service for what some people will pay in 2-3 months of regular service. My phone is not apart of my business so I just wanted a provider with cheap and reliable service. Now if I was a salesperson, real estate, or something that required a lot of time being on your phone and that was your lifeline for work? I can’t fully recommend it as the service itself is fantastic and reliable, but you can tell it’s not the quickest. Which is expected being such a great price point, but it’s enough for me. I can call, text, Google search, and play Spotify lol.
Since 2018 I have not had a single issue with service, billing, or my account. Hotspot also being included with any plan is a huge plus also. They have now upped my data limits twice with my price staying the same year after year.
All in all, I tell my friends and family that don’t use their phone like crazy but pay CRAZY prices to switch and save money.

TL;DR
Mint is reliable, cheap, and a perfect option for someone just wanting service and don’t use their phone outside of WiFi constantly. Same SIM since 2018 with zero account, service, or billing issues. Have upped my data limits twice and price stayed the same. Hotspot also included. 10/10

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u/whoisit10198 — 3 days ago