Is Family Mobile The Best Wireless Plan?

Last month, Thomas got a MyTouch phone for Father's Day. I promised you an update on the phone and the Walmart Family Mobile service he would be using. It was the lowest price rate plan, offering unlimited talk, text, and web at $40 a month. We were very happy with the price, but you never know how well a cell phone service will work until you try it.

Family Mobile has not disappointed us. We have been pleased with the call quality, and even when he is in a store, or away from the city, he hasn't experienced any dropped calls. The data and 3G speed feels just as fast as our wireless, which is really nice.

Thomas is texting every day, and the unlimited texting is good for his business. He found it makes his tree clients happy that they do not have to stop in the middle of what they are doing to call him, but can send off a quick text instead.

At first, I was not sure if he would like using the touchscreen keyboard, but the MyTouch has a Swipe feature that he loves. You put your finger on the screen and move from letter to letter, as opposed to clicking each letter individually. He uses the Swipe for web browsing and facebook as well, and even has the audacity to brag he Swipes faster than I type.

May we talk about apps?

Thomas using his weather app - because sticking your head out the door just isn't as much fun.

This is Thomas' first smart phone, so apps were a new thing for him. Now he has a weather app to track the rain, a music app, a radio app (it cracks me up, because it looks like an old fashioned radio dial), and an app from the library that enables him to borrow and download audiobooks straight to the phone.

I asked Thomas if he liked his phone, and his answer was:

"I love the fact that I can catch up on a book while cutting a tree, send a text to my customer, listen to the news on the way to the next job, call you to see what I need to pick up from the grocery store, check my Facebook messages, and top off the day with Miles Davis on the bus ride home... and it is all unlimited."

One unexpected use for the phone came a couple of weeks ago when Thomas was at work. He was cutting a tree, and a wasp stung him in the eyelid. He quickly pulled out the phone, and used the front facing camera to take a picture of his eye so he could make sure he got the stinger out, and check the swelling.

He has taken much more exciting pictures since then (Or less exciting? Maybe more pleasant and fun are the right words.), but that was certainly a use for the phone camera we did not anticipate.

I joked last month that giving Thomas a cell phone was almost like giving myself a gift, but it really does make both of our lives easier.

What do we need from the store? Cream soda and ice cream, of course.

It has been great to have a wireless service that does not come with the stress of a huge bill at the end of the month. The online account management and information makes it easy to check your balance, and take care of any customer support needs you might have. Thomas received a text message for his first (prorated) bill last week. It will be super easy to pay online, over the phone, or even at a Walmart store.

You can see my shopping trip to activate the phone in my #FamilyMobileSaves Google+ Album.

If you are looking to change your phone service, or start with a new service for a family member, I suggest checking out the Walmart Family Mobile unlimited plans. The price is amazing, and the service is great.

Tweet