What network does Straight Talk use?

Straight Talk Wireless is unique in that it does not exclusively own and operate a single network. Instead, it uses cellular towers owned by the 3 biggest names in cell service. This allows Straight Talk to provide a variety of plans at flexible price points for every user.

What types of plans does Straight Talk offer?

Straight Talks offers prepaid phone plans utilizing a pay-as-you-go model. There are no contracts, and you do not pay a monthly bill. Instead, you can choose from a couple different plan structures:

• A “Basic” 30-day limited plan: You get unlimited texting and a set number of call minutes to use over the course of 30 days.
• An unlimited plan: You get unlimited voice, text, and data over the course of either 30 days or an extended schedule (detailed below).

What is Straight Talk's Basic Plan?

Straight Talk’s basic phone plan allows you to prepay for a specific number of minutes and data that you then have at your disposal for 30 days (generally around 1,500 minutes). These minutes are for voice calls only; texting is always unlimited with Straight Talk. You can also mix and match with Straight Talk’s add-on data plans, if you’re happy with the limited minutes but need more internet access.

If you reach your limit for voice minutes or data before your 30 days have passed, you can refill your entire account early or add a limited amount of extra data to your account. If you refill your account, your 30 days will start over from the date of refill.

What types of data plans are available?

Straight Talk plans are pretty straightforward. Although they call all of their data plans “unlimited,” that doesn’t necessarily mean you get unlimited high-speed data. There are unlimited plans from Straight Talk that gives you unlimited high-speed data. The other plans cap your high-speed data at a certain amount, then slow down your data to 2G speeds after that.

All of these “unlimited” plans do include unlimited talk and text.

Where can I buy Straight Talk plans and phones from?

Straight Talk operates in partnership with Walmart, meaning you can purchase plans and/or Straight Talk phones at Walmart stores nationwide, or from Straight Talk’s website.

Do Straight Talk plans include international calling?

For the globetrotters among us, Straight Talk offers options specifically for you. You can use:

• A pay-as-you-go global card, where the balance is deducted based on the country’s calling rate.
• An unlimited international service plan, where calls are unlimited to select global landlines and eligible mobile-to-mobile countries. This plan also includes unlimited talk, text, and data within the United States. Like with Straight Talk’s other unlimited plans, the international plan spans 30 service days.

You can combine the unlimited and pay-as-you-go plans if you call destinations that are both included and excluded from the unlimited plan.

Are there family plan options?

Straight Talk offers family plan with Silver Unlimited, Gold Unlimited and Platinum Unlimited plans. Enjoy multi-line discount as you add more members to your plan up to 5 lines. Auto-refill discount is not available with multi-line.

What is Straight Talk's coverage like?

Since Straight Talk provides service using the biggest national networks, you’ll be able to get decent service in nearly 100% of the United States.

Though you’re assigned a specific network (and therefore coverage area) when you sign up for a Straight Talk phone plan, you can also request to switch to a different one if the coverage isn’t great for you. For example, if you choose a Straight Talk plan on GSMT network but end up finding your coverage is bad in your area, you can switch to a plan that uses CDMA network instead.

What phones does Straight Talk have for sale?

Don’t let Straight Talk’s low-priced prepaid model fool you into thinking that it only has used or older-model phones. Straight Talk offers all of the latest brand-new high-tech smartphones, as well as refurbished and discounted phones for buyers on a budget—from the latest Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy to a basic Alcatel flip phone.

Straight Talk offers monthly payment plans for its more expensive phones. Payment prices and term lengths for Straight Talk phones are based on your previous payment history—they do not run credit checks to qualify you. They also offer a device trade-in program for eligible smartphones. Even if your phone has some scratches and dents, Straight Talk will accept it and either pay you for its value, or, if it is determined to be of no value, recycle the phone for you.

You can also bring your own phone and number over to Straight Talk. With their “Keep Your Own Phone” program, you can keep your current phone number as well. Once you have a new SIM, purchased online or from Walmart, you can activate your Straight Talk phone from your computer.