Ting has a GSM network! And you can get $50 for switching!
You all already know that Mr. FG and I use (and adore) Ting Wireless, right?
Really, our $25 bill can't be beat. And that's for TWO iPhones.
(Be still, my heart.)
You could save tons of money on your wireless bill too. Check out Ting's savings calculator here to see how much you could save by switching.
Initially, you had to buy a Sprint-network phone to use with Ting, which wasn't an enormous deal to us. We bought refurbed Sprint iPhone 4s's on Amazon
and called it a day.
Buuuuut.
Now Ting offers GSM, which means that all you have to do is buy a SIM card and you are good to go. No worrying about having a Sprint enabled phone anymore.
This is super awesome news if you already have a phone that you love, because now you can keep your phone, get a SIM card, and you'll be on your way to wireless savings.
PLUS!
If you open an account through any Ting links on my blog, normally you get a $25 credit. But from now until July 31st, opening an account gets you $50 instead.
Which is totally awesome.
So.
If you've been thinking about taking the plunge, do it before July 31st so you get your $50!
Just click here to visit Ting and get started.
(Your $50 credit will be automatic as long as you sign up through the links on my blog. Easy peasy.)
I'm a Ting affiliate, but we signed up and fell in love with Ting before I ever became affiliated, and I really, really do think you should see how much you can save with Ting!
My wife and I switched to Ting back in August of 2013. Since Mint tracks these things I have estimated that we have saved over $1,000 since upgrading to smart phones and putting them on Ting. Pretty nice savings considering we didn't do any real work to earn it.
Ah! I go back and forth on this every time you post about them. Sprint coverage is horrible around here--would this change mean I would get good coverage with Ting? Also I have a dumb phone that is all I use--we have no house phone. It looks like I won't save any money because I don't pay or use texting or data right now, but I am trying to decide about texting...almost everyone I know texts!
I really like having the ability to text. So many people use it vs. email now, so it's super helpful!
Ting has a coverage map here...if you used the GSM network, maybe you'd have good covered. http://www.ting.com/coverage
I can't get the links to work - they just take me to an error page. I did find this link https://ting.com/?promo=thefrugalgirl
Oh, thank you so much for letting me know. Apologies! They should be fixed now.
Also, I just chatted with them and the GSM network is T-Mobile - which is bad news for me as I have T-Mobile now and there is no coverage in my office (high-rise in downtown). I was so excited for a minute that we could save money with Ting! Thanks for keeping us updated on Ting, though.
Although, if you have T-Mobile now, you might as well switch and pay less, right?
Thank you so much for doing some frugal research and testing for us. I switched to ting (and upgraded from my flip phone, sigh, but it had lasted 7 years and 4 batteries, and I figure that's pretty frugal and environmental) last year, and my husband just switched last week.
So, thanks - you saved me from doing tons of research on how to get a pay as you go smart phone plan. Much appreciated.
Yay! I hope you love Ting as much as we do.
I don't have this technology, but I know people who do, so I will let them know about this. You have a lovely blog. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. 🙂
Republic wireless has been far better for our family. It uses sprint and Verizon. I tried Ting for 4 months. My bill is always higher than my husband's (republic wire less). Ting is fine for people whose family and friends have iPhones and for people who mostly text from home and who rarely call. About 50% of my texting is when I'm out and about, so ting doesn't work for me. It's waasay too expensive.
I'm bummed. I love this blog. Wanted to love Ting too. Don't.
I hear great things about Republic Wireless too! I think which one is better all depends on your usage and location and whatnot. Definitely do what works for you.
Looks like the GSM network doesn't include caller ID. Hope this changes... Maybe ting one day.
I have not had such a wonderful experience with Ting. I was able to switch my iPhone from Virgin Mobile 3 months ago with no problem. My husband however was told his android phone (also from Virgin Mobile) would be Ting compatable. It wasn't, and the phone is a total loss. Neither Ting nor Virgin Mobile can get it up and running since we attempted the switch. No apology, no compensation and every month since we joined I've had to call and tussle with a service rep because they keep charging a monthly fee for my husbands non working phone. I recently tried going back to Virgin Mobile but now they can't seem to get my phone to port out of Ting.
If I decide to buy another phone and go with another carrier I'll have lost two perfectly functional phones all because I switched to Ting! 🙁
I'm so sorry to hear that you've had trouble. I wonder why they couldn't just send you a SIM card to get his phone up and running. I believe there are pretty much no limits to which phones are compatible with Ting now.
They did send a SIM card...my husband spent hours on the phone with Ting and Virgin Mobile trying every trick they could throw at this phone to get it working....to no avail!
Hi Kelly!
Sarah from Ting here. I want to apologize for the hassle you've experienced with activating your phone. That phone in particular is Virgin-exclusive (HTCv1) and unfortunately they've built in some activation restrictions that on our end makes it difficult to activate.
While this is not something we can control, our agent did deposit credit into your account which will cover at least one of your upcoming bills with us.
Again, very very sorry for this and we do hope you stick with us! If you have any questions at all please don't hesitate to contact me directly at sgeorges@ting.com.
Sincerely,
Sarah
We are Ting lovers as well. Can't beat their price and service is outstanding!
Thanks for the kind words and glad you are enjoying the service!
- Sarah (Ting)
Longtime silent reader here...I visit daily and enjoy immensely - just totally surprised to see the Planed Parenthood support ads on your site (up and down sidebar)...I thought that this was an apolitical site, one that I could count on just being and enjoying, tell me I'm right please!
Whoa. I'm not sure how those got through, but thank you for letting me know! Could you send me a screenshot of them so I can know which ad networks to contact?
(Ad networks run a wide variety of ads, sometimes based on your browsing history, so I often don't see the same ads readers do.)
Ting just gets better and better. I have been with Ting for almost two years. Our bills always range between $27 - $29 for 2 phones. Like you I bought a used LG phone (on eBay) for $23 and haven't looked back. We save on average over $50 a month since leaving AT&T. Multiply that by almost 24 months and that's real savings. We have our home phone through Ooma too. Unlimited nationwide calls for $4/month. We use GV Phone app to make free text and wi-fi calls as needed. Love it!
Looks like you're truly hacking your way to a better phone experience for both mobile and home phone! Awesome! Glad you are saving money and enjoying the service!
- Sarah (Ting)
I thought my bill was cheap at $40 a month, but this is tempting. I need a new phone anyway, and don't want to do a contract. Thanks for the savings alert! $50 is a nice incentive for me to switch!
Hi Amy! Sarah from Ting here.
I am so glad you're considering Ting as an option for your phone service. We offer a bunch of phone options on our site. If you'd like to buy one from somewhere else - no problem! About 80% of phones in the US can make the switch to Ting.
If you'd like us to do all the heavy lifting for you, our Personal Shoppers can help you find the perfect device based on your needs. You can submit a request here: ting.com/personal_shopper
Cheers,
Sarah
Thanks Sarah! I just sent a shopping request on your website 🙂
Awesome! If you have any questions in the mean time don't hesitate to send me an email - sgeorges@ting.com 🙂
Did the $50 promo just end? It's still July 30 but I don't see the banner now at the top of the Ting site that I saw earlier when I clicked your link.
No, it's definitely through the 31st. And something must just be odd with the banner, because it should be up there regardless (when the promo ends it'll go back to saying $25).
If your $50 doesn't get credited to you for some reason, let me know, and we'll get it worked out with Ting. But it should be just fine.
Thanks! I signed up shortly before your reply.
Hey John!
Kyra from Ting here 🙂 Sorry about the issue with the banner, it should be working for you now. This promotion does run through the 31st as Kristen mentioned and anyone who signed up even if the banner didn't appear earlier would have received the $50 credit.
Everything should be looking good now.
I signed up with Ting on the 31st through one of your links. The credit isn't showing up yet--does it take a while? I've been thinking about doing this for a months. I'm going to be the guinea pig for our family!
Yes, I think it takes more than day to show up. You could chat with a Ting rep to find out exactly how long, because I'm not totally positive. But if it doesn't show up in a week or so, just let me know, and I'll make sure my contact at Ting takes care of you. 🙂
Hey Linda,
The credit should show up in your Ting account under Billing History once you've activated your device. If you've already done that and it's still now showing up for you, you can reach me directly at kyra@ting.com.
Kyra (from Ting)
I really really want to make the switch to TING. Unfortunately, my home is a deadzone for T-mobile and Sprint customers. My friends always complain about no service and have to use my house phone to make calls or use my house wi-fi to text on facebook.
Aww, that stinks!
Your ting link didn't work correctly for me. Since it is bypassing the main page, you need to use the correct link. The correct link omits the "www" and should read https://thefrugalgirl.ting ... I think this a bug created by security at ting to prevent old links from working preventing excess crediting to any one particular account. You may need to refresh your link to work correctly ...