Cheap pre-paid cell phone

[modhatter]

I am wondering if there are any good pre-paid cell phone companies that cover both East and West Coasts, as I am back and forth between Florida, Arizona and California. I currently have AT&T, because it has coverage in all these area. However, I find I don't use the phone all that much, and at $69.99 a month, it is an expense I'd like to cut. I know there's a number of new offerings out there now with pre-paids.

Has anyone found a good deal on one?

 

[MJ]

I am wondering if there are any good pre-paid cell phone companies that cover both East and West Coasts, as I am back and forth between Florida, Arizona and California. I currently have AT&T, because it has coverage in all these area. However, I find I don't use the phone all that much, and at $69.99 a month, it is an expense I'd like to cut. I know there's a number of new offerings out there now with pre-paids.

Has anyone found a good deal on one?

Check out tracfone http://www.tracfone.com/
I will be travelling to AZ fairly soon and needed a cell (my 1st) so based on their popularity, broad coverage, no roaming charges (the plan I selected) and cost, I went with them.
I purchased their 19.99 special free phone with 20 minutes and 60 minutes. I got a referral and i'm getting 120 minutes more. If you are interested and want to purchase their service, I can refer you as well, we both can get 120 minutes each. PM me if you are interested.

 

[justin]

I second tracfone. Nationwide coverage for roaming and long distance. Good call quality and reception even for the el cheapo free phone (in my area at least).

 

[sailor]

tracfone is quite good, but coverage might be spotty in some places.
Another cheap alternative is virgin mobile (but also somewhat spotty in the boonies GSM only coverage) - good for emergency or low usage phones. http://www.virginmobileusa.com/

 

[MasterBlaster]

The best low use cell phone topic was discussed ad nauseum in this thread:

http://early-retirement.org/forums/index.php?topic=4113.0