Charles, for Tello specifically, first check your phone compatibility:
https://tello.com/bring_your_own_phone
I have been using Tello for a few years and like them as an inexpensive
pay-as-you-go provider with excellent value (particularly for data). Feel
free you use my referral code:
https://tello.com/account/register?_referral=P3H0G2NZ
If your current phone works (or if you are in the market for a new one),
the $6+tax plan (1GB data + 100 minutes + free texts per month) could be a
good starting point. You can change your plan at any time and the
obligation is just for one month - not ongoing (though you can set
autorenewal for convenience).
MintMobile, RedPocket, and others are in a similar market
Tom's Guide to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) could be a good
place to get an overview
https://www.tomsguide.com/reference/mvnos-what-are-they-and-what-are-the-best-options
-Jodi
On Sat, Jan 31, 2026 at 1:55 PM charles meyer <reachmeplace_at_gmail.com>
wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I searched the archives but didn;'t find any posts re: Mint Mobile or
> Tello.
>
> I thought that topsi might have been addressed on this list but I didn't
> see that in my gmail search either.
>
> To the urgent had at matter....
>
> My current 365 days 1500 minute Tracfone plan expires tomorrow.
>
>
>
> I Live chatted with Tracphone on 1-21-2026 and they shared there was an
> “Upsell Trick” to get 1500 more minutes and another 365 days of
> service on your
> current Samsung cell and shared the steps to do that on the Tracfone Web
> site.
>
>
>
> I just res that and it didn’t work.
>
>
>
> I both phoned and live chatted with TracFone and they said that deal
> doesn’t exist.
>
>
>
> I can either pay $125 now for anther 365 days of service but that does NOT
> include any minutes talk-text-data (e.g. 1500) so I wondered if you, too,
> just needed low talk-data on your phone service?
>
>
>
> I see on Amazon + HSN + QVC + Tracfone sites you can get that deal (365
> +1500) but you must get a new Moto or Blu or TCL phone.
>
>
>
> I can’t stand that “Hello, Moto” voice all the time and the Moto + Blu have
> been the biggest problems in our library. They’re not intuitive and the
> tech help is worthless. I have a Samsung A14 and it mostly works fine.
>
>
>
> This is a full time job to steer around all the choices, plans, etc.
>
>
>
> It was so easy to just order a new Samsung every year on QVC or HSN with
> the 365 -1500.
>
>
>
> Have you used Mint Mobile or Tell for $6-10 a month?
>
>
>
> I’ve Googled and chatgpt’d this to the nth degree.
>
>
>
> My needs are simple: Send occasional texts (not daily) make occasional
> phone calls (not daily) receive occasional calls (not daily). I don’t
> stream music or videos, don’t use Google Maps on my phone, don’t spend
> hours talking on the phone and everyone else seems to need unlimited
> talk/text.
>
>
>
> Thank you for your thoughts / suggestions.
>
>
>
> Charles.
>
> Charlotte County Public Library
>
Received on Sat Jan 31 2026 - 16:19:47 EST