By Stephen Schenck | October 3, 2011 1:28 PM
Between texting, emails, Facebook messages, and the like, using your smartphone to actually voice-call anyone can seem almost like an anachronism. The rising acceptance of tablets with data-only connections is just making it all the more clear to us how normal voice coverage is now an afterthought for many users. Despite this, try and source-out decent smartphone service in the US that gives you plenty of data without wasting a lot of money on voice minutes you may never use, and you’ll probably run into trouble finding a good data-centric option. T-Mobile and Walmart just announced a new plan that may be just what you need, offering 4G data for a mere $30 a month.
The new plan falls under the carrier’s prepaid Monthly4G umbrella. For $30 a month, you’ll get 5GB at “up to 4G speeds” (with the requisite throttling following thereafter), unlimited text messaging, and 100 voice minutes for when you need them. Additional minutes are $.10 each.
While the only Android advertised along with this new plan is the Samsung Dart, a decidedly low-end option, TmoNews confirmed with the carrier that you can just get a SIM chip and pop it in any of the carrier’s higher-end smartphones, including the Galaxy S II. While you’d end up paying more out-of-pocket, having a monthly bill that’s $40-$50 lower than a plan needed to qualify for a subsidized phone will quickly add up over two years to some significant savings.
