STi Mobile Prepaid

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You could get an STi Mobile prepaid cell phone, if you hate needlessly complicated plans, as I do.

As another mobile virtual network operator, it does have a few things going for it. For one, it uses Sprint’s PCS network which is pretty good. They have good rates however their selection of phones is very limited.

The best (or worst) thing about it is that it’s focused on talking (and texting) as opposed to downloading ringtones, music or games. This is not a plan for entertaining yourself. The plan itself doesn't seem to have changed much over the years I've been covering them. Everytime I check back in, I find just a few minor changes. The phones themselves don't seem to have changed for a couple of years.

StiMobile Feedback

Thx

Just to say thank you for your review of the STI prepaid service. I need a transition phone and bought one for pennies at a close out. Never activated the phone d\t lack of need and wariness. Having just activated my phone, I found your site while looking for B&M refill location (I need a hard copy receipt), the positive review was a true bonus. Nice site keep up the goodwork.

Robert

Robert,

Thanks for your kind words. Take care.

Where to get them?

Sti Mobile phones are not exactly available everywhere like some of the bigger brands, but you still have quite a few choices.

Online

You can purchase phones and airtime online. When you buy one of their current phones online, you also get $20 of airtime.

Retail

I used to see STiMobile phone in retail locations, but haven't seen them recently, so I don't know if they are still available, as in the past, from big box stores like Staples or pharmacies like RiteAid, and even some convenience stores like Cumberland Farms.

Coverage

STi Mobile's coverage is based on the Sprint PCS network. Therefore, coverage should be okay, but you have to check out your own area for yourself.

Phones

You can choose between two STi Mobile handsets from their website: the LG 225 or Sanyo 200.

LG 225

The LG 225 is the only camera phone available. It costs $59.99 and you receive $20 of airtime with an online purchase.

I will use that offer to compare how much you would spend with the rate plans. Other phones are also reduced for there official price as they are sold as phone/airtime packages.

Sanyo 200

This basic flip phone with voice dialing costs $36.99 and also includes $20 of airtime.

Plans

There are two pay as you go and two monthly STi Mobile plans. There is also a $4.95 activation fee (see complaint below).

Pay As You Go Plans

8.9 Cent Easy Plan

Also known as "Plan 1" this StiMobile Easy plan cost 8.9 cents per minute. However there is also a daily charge of 9 cents which works out to about $2.70 per month.

7.9 Cent Easy Plan

Also known as "Plan 2" this Easy plan cost 7.9 cents per minute, however the daily charge is a much higher 25 cents. If charged every day that would work out to $7.50 per month. The minimum yearly cost is 91.25 plus 4.95 (activation).

So brushing off my high school algebra, I found you would need to talk for a little over 2600 minutes a year to justify Plan #2 over Plan #1. That’s about 217 minutes a month or about 7 minutes a day. A pretty reasonable scenario.

Monthly Plans

Xtra Talk 7 pm Plan

Also known as "Plan 3", the Xtra Talk plan costs $29.99 a month for unlimited nights and weekends with nights defined as starting at 7 pm. Daytime weekday minutes cost 15 cents a minute. It's kind of weird that no daytime minutes are included in the plan.

Xtra Talk 9 pm Plan

Also known as "Plan 4", this Xtra Talk plan costs 24.99 for unlimited nights and weekends, with nights defined as starting at 9 pm. Daytime minutes cost 20 cents.

Data (Text messages etc.)

All the STi Mobile plans have the same rates for "data". Text messages cost 5 cents each. Web browsing costs 19 cents per day extra. Picture messages and/or web browsing costs an extra 29 cents a day (though each picture message also counts as one text message). And finally, using the Walkie Talkie feature costs an extra 49 cents per day.

Airtime

You can buy STi Mobile airtime cards for $10, $25, $50 or $100.

You can buy your airtime directly online or refill your phone by dialing *555 and entering the PIN code of the airtime card. If your airtime balance goes to zero, you have 14 days to add airtime or else you may lose your number.

Activation Fee

While nobody likes activation fees, the $4.95 activation fee is not too bad compared to the $35 and $20 fees charged by some other companies. Still, it's not as good as other prepaid cell phone providers who actually offer varying amounts of free airtime when you activate. You get a brief feeling when you see your complimentary airtime that the company values your business. With an activation fee, it’s the opposite. Upon activation, it’s like having a chunk of your minutes whisked away from in front of you.

The good thing is that the activation fee is only charged one, but is non-refundable.

Activation

You can activate your STi Mobile phone online or by calling their 800 number. I recommend activating online because you have to enter all these activation codes, and this is usually easier when you’re staring at them on a screen rather than listening to an “activation specialist” reading them out to you on the phone. One exception is when you’re porting your number from another provider. Then you do have to go the 800 number route.

International Calls

You make international calls using your STi Mobile phone to many countries for no additional charges. For the countries where there is an additional charges, the rates are not the lowest, but not bad either.

So . . . .

All in all, STi Mobile is an attractive option for prepaid cell phone service.

SBI!

Hi, Thanks for checking out my site! You can check out menu on the left for links to the plan write-up. From there you'll find links to the individual phone reviews as well as other topics. On many of the pages you can even contribute your own questions and reviews.

Below you can take a look at some of the current offers.

Free LG Messaging Phone