Uber without data/wifi

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

there is no need for wifi to use uber. the phone will automatically
fall back to cellular data if there's no wifi available.

Yousuf Khan

2020-05-19 17:50:37 UTC

Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

So I take it that you didn't subscribe to a cellular data plan for
Internet when you're outside your WiFi zone?

Yousuf Khan

The Real Bev

2020-05-24 19:51:36 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

So I take it that you didn't subscribe to a cellular data plan for
Internet when you're outside your WiFi zone?

The former. No data unless I'm at home or have access to a hotspot. I
have a $10/year (30 minutes added, all roll over) phone plan and rarely
use the phone as a phone.

--
Cheers, Bev
"I am working for the time when unqualified blacks, browns and
women join the unqualified men in running our government"
-- Cissy Farenthold

Yousuf Khan

2020-05-25 11:19:36 UTC

Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

So I take it that you didn't subscribe to a cellular data plan for
Internet when you're outside your WiFi zone?

The former. No data unless I'm at home or have access to a hotspot. I
have a $10/year (30 minutes added, all roll over) phone plan and rarely
use the phone as a phone.

So then the answer the question is: no, there is no way to use Uber
without an Internet connection of some kind, either WiFi or cellular
data. That's the whole idea of these apps, they do not use any outside
infrastructure other than the Internet. Can you imagine if Uber did have
separate communications infrastructure, like possibly having direct
cellular links? They'd have to rent time on cell phone towers and that
would increase the cost of the Uber rides. If everybody has Internet,
then that's your only communications infrastructure that you need.

Actually come to think of it, Blackberry used to do that, a decade ago.
Their BBM messenger service could work without Internet service, they
just had set up special services on cell phone towers all over the
world. Eventually, they gave up the special infrastructure and started
using the Internet-only just like everyone else. It made sense for them
over a decade ago, as Internet wasn't quite as ubiquitous all over the
world as it is now.

Yousuf Khan

The Real Bev

2020-05-30 16:36:42 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

So I take it that you didn't subscribe to a cellular data plan for
Internet when you're outside your WiFi zone?

The former. No data unless I'm at home or have access to a hotspot. I
have a $10/year (30 minutes added, all roll over) phone plan and rarely
use the phone as a phone.

Why would they need that? Why not a simple 800 (or not, does it really
matter now?) phone number with a dispatcher on the other end? Obviously
because either that's not profitable or costs too much to set up and
they're in a bind already.

--
Cheers, Bev
"I can't stand this proliferation of paperwork. It's useless to
fight the forms. You've got to kill the people producing them."
-- Vladimir Kabaidze

sms

2020-05-30 19:55:20 UTC

On 5/30/2020 9:36 AM, The Real Bev wrote:

<snip>

To server the infinitesimally small number of people without a smart
phone with data they are obviously not going to implement telephone
reservations and a payment system separate from the app.

There is no logical reason that anyone would not have a smart phone with
data given the fact that the government provides free phones and
lifeline plans to those that can't afford to pay for service. For those
that don't qualify for lifeline service there are both free, and
extremely low-cost, plans available, that provide data service.

For those that choose not to have a data plan, for whatever reason, they
can call a taxi and pay a lot more. That is their choice.

nospam

2020-05-30 20:03:13 UTC

Post by sms
For those that choose not to have a data plan, for whatever reason, they
can call a taxi and pay a lot more.

or sometimes a lot less.

Post by sms
That is their choice.

yep.

Lucifer

2020-05-30 08:23:14 UTC

On Sun, 24 May 2020 12:51:36 -0700, The Real Bev
The 19th month is in the future.

VanguardLH

2020-05-19 20:00:16 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

Apps use the Internet. Without a wi-fi connection, your phone will use
the data service of your cellular provider to get an Internet
connection. Some apps will have a setting to decide if and when to use
wi-fi in preference to data. That way, when you do have a wi-fi
connection, you aren't consuming your limited data quota. When you
don't have a wi-fi connection, your apps can still use your data quota
for Internet access.

No wi-fi AND no data means no Internet access. Some cellular providers
will rollover your unused cellular and data quotas. If you don't use
them up in a month, they get rolled over into the next month's quotas.
Tracfone is like that. I make few phone calls per month, so my unused
minutes keep rolling over. Eventually I end up with thousands of
minutes in my account which is handy when there are peaks in my calls,
like when on vacation or travelling. Data, however, while it still
accrues each month doesn't accrue quite as fast, because I use apps all
the time when away from home (to use my own wi-fi hotspot) that require
Internet access. If there is a wi-fi hotspot wherever I travel to, the
apps should use it instead of eating up my data quota. However, I have
to okay the wi-fi connection when my smartphone finds one before the
apps can use the wi-fi access to Internet. If I'm in a hotspot area for
a very short time, I'm usually too busy to bother tapping on the wi-fi
notification to grant wi-fi access at that location, so my apps continue
using my data quota.

If you to get a cheaper cellular (talk+text) plan to eliminate the cost
of adding data service, you'll have Internet access when you're
connected to a wi-fi hotspot, like at home or at wi-fi hotspots operated
by others (restaurants, libraries, malls, coffee shops, and so on --
places you cannot go during the Covid-19 quarantine except for places
providing essential services, like grocery stores and car shops).
Unlike cell towers that will switch over a call while you are moving,
like when in a moving car, wi-fi does not automatically switch between
cell towers. Like cellular service (talk+text), data will automatically
switch between towers, because that Internet connection is through your
cellular provider.

If you don't have a data service now, and you want more Internet
connectivity than than what fixed wi-fi hotspots with no auto-switchover
when moving can give you, you'll have to get a data service. Using
wi-fi for Internet access (and VOIP calls) works to minimize the
consumption of your cellular quotas (talk+text and data) as long as you
remember to connect to a wi-fi hotspot when you're within range of one.
Once you move out of range of a wi-fi hotspot, you loss that method of
Internet access, and the next time you're within range of another wi-fi
hotspot means having to make a new connection to it.

Apps may pend their network traffic until the next wi-fi connection is
made, but you'll lose the old connection when you get out of range of
the existing wi-fi hotspot. If you're making a VOIP call using the
Internet accessed via wi-fi, you'll lose that call when you move out of
range of that wi-fi hotspot. If you're streaming a video from an
Internet site, the video stops playing (after any buffering gets
consumed) when you move out of range of the existing wi-fi hotspot
(unless the app is configured to switch to data but with a wi-fi
preference).

From your question, you either don't have data service with your
cellular provider or you are looking to minimize its consumption. Wi-fi
will reduce data consumption or even replace data service as long as you
can get a wi-fi connection. At home, you might have a wi-fi cable
modem. When travelling, you'll have to find wi-fi hotspots yourself
(the wi-fi locator apps will need data service to retrieve their
information unless it's cached on the phone which means old info).

Perhaps some respondents might suggest getting a portable wi-fi router
(aka pocket wi-fi router). Instead of relying on public wi-fi hotspots,
you tote along your own wi-fi hotspot. On the downstream side of the
device, your other devices (desktop, laptop, smartphone) connect to it
via wi-fi. On the upstream side of the device, it connects to a 4G LTE
cellular provider (and why there is a SIM card in the device). Alas,
you will still need data service with whomever you choose as the
cellular provider with the SIM card. You have not gotten rid of the
requirement of having a data service from a cellular provider. You do
get rid of having to find and use fixed location public wi-fi hotspots
with their security issues, but you do have yet another device to lug
around with your phone. Some pocket wi-fi routers can let you use their
battery to charge your phone, so you can leave the portable power bank
at home. Since the pocket wi-fi router has its own SIM card, you can
have it use a different cellular provider than the one for the SIM card
in your phone. There are prepaid SIM cards. There are even data-only
prepaid SIM cards. For example:

https://bestmvno.com/compare/data-only-plans/

However, from what other users have reported for problems with the
service, and assuming you want a working data-only cellular plan, I'd
steer clear of the FreedomPop service (free or paid). Even with a
pocket wi-fi router, you'll still need to be within range of a cell
tower that also contracts to provide service with whomever is your
cellular provider (for your phone or the pocket wi-fi router). If
you'll not be near a public wi-fi hotspot, will you still be within
range of a cell tower? Sure, if you're within a metropolis there will
be a nearby cell tower, but how about when out in farmland or even more
remote? Regardless of what the cellular providers claim, their 99%
coverage claim is based on areas of population density: they cover most
of the populated areas (where "populated" is based on some minimal
density). Even where there are cell towers, not all have contracts with
every cellular carrier. Plus cell towers still have their limits for
coverage. There can still dead spots within a cell tower's coverage
area. And cell signals cannot penetrate obstacles, like tall buildings,
forests, parking ramps, inside buildings, etc. You can lose a wi-fi
connection when you're too far away or there are obstacles. Same for a
cellular connection. Public wi-fi hotspots aren't everywhere. Same for
cell towers.

The Real Bev

2020-05-24 19:56:07 UTC

Post by VanguardLH
However, from what other users have reported for problems with the
service, and assuming you want a working data-only cellular plan, I'd
steer clear of the FreedomPop service (free or paid).

I had the $20 hotspot. I used it ONCE in the 3 years I had it. Then
they canceled its free service. Lying bastards. "Lifetime" ain't waht
it used to be. I regard this as a purely emergency usage. You can call
AAA on the phone, why not Uber?

It's clear that there's no money in providing minimal service, which is
all I need. I live in fear that T-Mobile will eliminate their
grandfathered $10/year plan.

--
Cheers, Bev
"I am working for the time when unqualified blacks, browns and
women join the unqualified men in running our government"
-- Cissy Farenthold

Andy Burns

2020-05-24 20:08:13 UTC

You can call AAA on the phone, why not Uber?

Presumably you pay a subscription to AAA? Uber is a disrupter, you
expect them to employ call-handlers when 99.9% of their customers have
phones with data plans?

Joerg Lorenz

2020-05-24 20:13:11 UTC

You can call AAA on the phone, why not Uber?

Presumably you pay a subscription to AAA? Uber is a disrupter, you
expect them to employ call-handlers when 99.9% of their customers have
phones with data plans?

Uber is a child of the internet. AAA is not.
Uber is leveraging one platform in the internet which allows it to
handle millions of addtional requests without hiring one single person
more. Phone calls do definitly not fit into such a concept.

nospam

2020-05-24 20:18:53 UTC

You can call AAA on the phone, why not Uber?

Presumably you pay a subscription to AAA? Uber is a disrupter, you
expect them to employ call-handlers when 99.9% of their customers have
phones with data plans?

exactly, plus aaa just calls a tow company to send a truck that might
take an hour to show up, sometimes longer if it's busy. no way would
that work for uber.

sms

2020-05-25 15:39:09 UTC

You can call AAA on the phone, why not Uber?

Presumably you pay a subscription to AAA? Uber is a disrupter, you
expect them to employ call-handlers when 99.9% of their customers have
phones with data plans?

In my area we have a transportation services for seniors, subsidized by
the county and some cities, that is only bookable by phone. The cost per
ride is very low for the users but the subsidies per ride are enormous
and probably not sustainable. The other issue with this program is that
rides need to be booked well in advance─days, not hours.

My City started an on-demand shuttle service, similar to Uber-Pool,
using vans, which is moderately priced but still subsidized. More
expensive than the bus, but much faster, and less expensive than Uber or
Lyft. It requires a smart phone to book. Prior to Covid-19, the
on-demand shuttle was extremely popular. Now we limit service to one
passenger per vehicle unless they are in the same household. Most
seniors have smart phones with data so the on-demand shuttle will be
fine for them.

Obviously Uber, which is hemorrhaging cash, is not going to add
call-handlers to service a tiny number of people with no data plan.

The Real Bev

2020-05-30 16:10:38 UTC

You can call AAA on the phone, why not Uber?

Presumably you pay a subscription to AAA? Uber is a disrupter, you
expect them to employ call-handlers when 99.9% of their customers have
phones with data plans?

I figure people will provide a paid service if that service makes money.
Make the phone-based part a subscription thing or charge more per mile
or whatever. Or not.

--
Cheers, Bev
"I can't stand this proliferation of paperwork. It's useless to
fight the forms. You've got to kill the people producing them."
-- Vladimir Kabaidze

nospam

2020-05-24 20:18:52 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
You can call
AAA on the phone, why not Uber?

because uber is not aaa and could not possibly work with phone
dispatchers, nor is there any demand for that anyway.

data plans are cheap. time to sign up for one.

Post by The Real Bev
It's clear that there's no money in providing minimal service, which is
all I need. I live in fear that T-Mobile will eliminate their
grandfathered $10/year plan.

they did eliminate it, however, those who already had it can continue
with the old plan, for now.

VanguardLH

2020-05-24 22:01:37 UTC

Post by VanguardLH
However, from what other users have reported for problems with the
service, and assuming you want a working data-only cellular plan,
I'd steer clear of the FreedomPop service (free or paid).

You can also use any cell phone to call 911. Every cell tower is
required to provide 911 service. That's why some folks will buy
super-cheap cell phones at, say, Goodwill to toss into their car, so
they can call 911 even if they forget to tote their own cell phone or
its battery is dead.

AAA was created LONG before cell phones showed up, so obviously they
were geared to taking phone calls to use their subscribed services.
Uber, on the other hand, was born using venture capital LONG *after* the
Internet became prevalent amongst smartphone users, and LONG *after*
smartphones supplanted dumb cell phones. Uber can decide whatever
market to where they want to cater. Can you call into Facebook to
update your page there?

Why do you, or why would anyone, rely on Uber to get a ride on an
emergency basis? Because coverage depends on who decides to rent their
personal car to give rides to others, coverage is spotty. From what
I've seen and read, getting a taxi is more reliable ... AND you can call
to get a taxi.

There might be a phone number to call Uber. See:

https://www.uber.com/en-GB/blog/how-to-contact-uber/
Give us a call
"... You can also get to us the old-fashioned way by simply calling: for
driver support, please dial 0808 169 7334, riders can access the line at
0808 169 7335."

I don't know if that is just a support call line, or if you can also
request a ride at that phone number. Personally, I don't rely on Uber
for *anything* only because I have my own car. If I'm travelling, there
are taxi lines to grab a ride, or phones inside the airport some of
which are programmed to call a particular taxi service.

If I'm out in the boonies, getting taxi depends on how far they're
willing to drive for the pick up. Out in the boonies, you're not going
to get an Uber ride. When you're not in one of those 900 worldwide
cities (which, of course, not all are in your country) where Uber claims
to have a presence, you won't get an Uber ride. Being "near" an Uber
city doesn't mean you'll get an Uber ride, either. All depends if any
of those independents are willing to drive all the way out to pick you
up.

Sometimes Uber, where and when available, is cheaper than taxis, but not
always. The meter in a taxi keeps ticking away while the vehicle is
stuck in traffic. Uber has surge pricing which drives up costs
depending on the time of day, like rush hour. There will a lot less
Uber drivers around in the wee hours, like 1 to 5 AM, because those
folks are sleeping, too. What if you only have cash, like your credit
cards got lost, stolen, or suspended? Taxis take cash. Uber does not.
If taxis won't cover an area (too dangerous), I doubt Uber drivers would
be anymore stupid or risk-takers. In some cities, like NYC, taxis are
everywhere. Watch videos of street traffic and most of the traffic are
taxis, or watch Cash Cab and notice all the taxis in the window shots.

Post by The Real Bev
It's clear that there's no money in providing minimal service, which
is all I need. I live in fear that T-Mobile will eliminate their
grandfathered $10/year plan.

If losing that low-cost service is a risk to you losing your phone use,
you probably have a low-enough income to qualify for discounted or free
phone service (talk, text, data), called Lifeline. The FCC requires
every US cellular carrier to provide a Lifeline service tier for
low-income and disabled consumers. From what I've read, looks like
being elderly qualifies as disabled. Lifeline is limited to one
contract per household.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Service_Fund#Low_income_(Lifeline)

I found this to locate which carrier has a Lifeline service in your
area:

https://data.usac.org/publicreports/CompaniesNearMe/Download/Report

I ran it using my area code, and 7 carriers came up, but 1 provides home
phone service, not a mobile phone service. Some of the eligibility
requirements are listed at:

https://ageinplace.com/technology/free-phone-for-seniors/

but I'm sure they've changed since that 2016 article. Listed are those
where you get some type of economic assistance from the gov't. Low
income is also an eligibility. If you're retired, might be easy to get
under the low-income mark since you're not getting a regular paycheck.
A quick online search says you're eligible for Lifeline if your income
is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, found at:

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/lifeline-support-affordable-communications

Theo

2020-05-30 14:02:38 UTC

Post by VanguardLH
https://www.uber.com/en-GB/blog/how-to-contact-uber/
Give us a call
"... You can also get to us the old-fashioned way by simply calling: for
driver support, please dial 0808 169 7334, riders can access the line at
0808 169 7335."
I don't know if that is just a support call line, or if you can also
request a ride at that phone number.

Almost certainly not. Booking an Uber journey requires:
- identifying yourself
- identifying where you are (or want to be collected from)
- identifying where you want to go
- providing a means of payment

Uber relies on apps and automated systems to do this, rather than call
centres of humans. I very much doubt the above number will handle this,
apart from perhaps sorting out problems with existing bookings.

There is a ridesharing platform that can be booked by phone in many cities
across the world with no need for an app - it's called a 'taxi'.

Theo

VanguardLH

2020-05-30 15:11:21 UTC

Post by Theo
There is a ridesharing platform that can be booked by phone in many
cities across the world with no need for an app - it's called a
'taxi'.

In many cities, you don't even need a phone (smart or dumb). Just raise
your arm and wave. Is there an adult that doesn't know or hasn't heard
the idiom "hail a cab". Even rural folks driving around in their rusty,
dented, old hard-used pickups have heard and understand the phrase.

They're everywhere, they're everywhere!

nospam

2020-05-30 15:57:44 UTC

Post by VanguardLH
In many cities, you don't even need a phone (smart or dumb). Just raise
your arm and wave. Is there an adult that doesn't know or hasn't heard
the idiom "hail a cab". Even rural folks driving around in their rusty,
dented, old hard-used pickups have heard and understand the phrase.

there aren't any cabs to hail in rural areas.

that only works where there are a lot of cabs, such as new york city.

just about everywhere else, even in major cities such as san francisco
or chicago, there are few cabs to hail, if any.

sms

2020-05-30 15:20:36 UTC

Post by Theo

- identifying yourself
- identifying where you are (or want to be collected from)
- identifying where you want to go
- providing a means of payment
Uber relies on apps and automated systems to do this, rather than call
centres of humans. I very much doubt the above number will handle this,
apart from perhaps sorting out problems with existing bookings.
There is a ridesharing platform that can be booked by phone in many cities
across the world with no need for an app - it's called a 'taxi'.

I called them back in March. I had rented one of their "Jump" electric
bicycles in D.C. and even though I parked it legally, next to other of
their bicycles, I could not end the ride and was being charged per
minute. It took about 30 minutes on hold for someone to pick up, and
they ended the ride and credited my account. Earlier this month Uber
announced that they were exiting the bike share business.

The Real Bev

2020-05-30 16:08:01 UTC

Post by Theo

They tried it in Pasadena for a year. Big money loser (for the City, we
gave the assholes a subsidy) without much ridership. I can see why.
Same problem as with the Metro -- you had to go to/from where the
lockups were. Big heavy bikes. Too expensive for what you got. I
think the only users were those who posed for the publicity photos.
Green is good, right?

The pretty pictures of mountains of 'shared' bikes in China are very
nice. Just ONE ought to be pretty damn convincing.

If you want to ride a bicycle you probably already have one, certainly
if you want to do it regularly. The best thing cities could do to
encourage bike riding is to require each business to install suitable
frameworks for padlocking a bike to within sight of the front door.
Dirt cheap.

'Gone in 60 seconds', but it takes less than 30 for a bike.

--
Cheers, Bev
"I can't stand this proliferation of paperwork. It's useless to
fight the forms. You've got to kill the people producing them."
-- Vladimir Kabaidze

VanguardLH

2020-05-30 22:29:32 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
If you want to ride a bicycle you probably already have one, certainly
if you want to do it regularly. The best thing cities could do to
encourage bike riding is to require each business to install suitable
frameworks for padlocking a bike to within sight of the front door.
Dirt cheap.
'Gone in 60 seconds', but it takes less than 30 for a bike.

Actually the theft rate per bicycle can be very high per incident. With
an panelled dump truck, onboard air compressor, and pneumatic bolt
cutter, they can drive up to the bike rack, snip the heads off the bolts
securing the bike rack, and drag the entire bike rack with all the bikes
still attached into the truck. Haul them all away in one swipe.
Happened to me that way. The entire bike rack was missing on my return.

I even had a bike stolen where I removed the front wheel and used an
extended Kryptonite U-lock to secure through the frame and through both
wheels. Can't imagine how they lifted it over the light pole. I can
pick some locks, but the cylindrical ones require a special pick (e.g.,
https://preview.tinyurl.com/y9vdt644, just $25). Then I learned how the
cylinder lock can get blasted out using a 22-caliber nail gun; see

So much for market hype.

Gone in 30 seconds. More like 5 seconds.

The Real Bev

2020-05-31 05:43:27 UTC

I still think hopefully about the shithead who stole my bike being
crushed under a cement truck. I can hear the screams... And it wasn't
an expensive bike, either. Trade a life for a 30-YO Trek 820? You bet,
and I want to watch.

Post by VanguardLH
I even had a bike stolen where I removed the front wheel and used an
extended Kryptonite U-lock to secure through the frame and through both
wheels. Can't imagine how they lifted it over the light pole. I can
pick some locks, but the cylindrical ones require a special pick (e.g.,
https://preview.tinyurl.com/y9vdt644, just $25). Then I learned how the
cylinder lock can get blasted out using a 22-caliber nail gun; see
http://youtu.be/kJxcpht4zKw So much for market hype.
Gone in 30 seconds. More like 5 seconds.

Somewhere I've got the photo I took of the totally bare frame of a
cheap bicycle U-locked to a Bus Stop sign. It was there for quite a
while, but it's gone now.

--
Cheers, Bev
I am grateful that I am not as judgmental as all those
censorious, self-righteous people around me.

The Real Bev

2020-05-30 16:33:05 UTC

Post by VanguardLH
Why do you, or why would anyone, rely on Uber to get a ride on an
emergency basis? Because coverage depends on who decides to rent their
personal car to give rides to others, coverage is spotty. From what
I've seen and read, getting a taxi is more reliable ... AND you can call
to get a taxi.

My sudden apparent need: Suppose my son's car dies on the way to the
freeway while he's taking me to my hospital surgical appointment? I
have auto club, I can call, but that's not going to get me to the
hospital. I have a few friends I could call, but I would probably miss
the appointment. I dread missing -- or even being late for -- ANY
appointment, much less a serious one. I always arrive early even when I
know the doc is going to keep me waiting for an hour.

'Emergency' is a sudden unanticipated need. Blood doesn't have to be
involved.

FWIW, ambulance transport to the local ER costs on the order of $2K.
They don't tell you that as they're stuffing you in. If you have
insurance this isn't a problem. I don't know what they charge just for
being on site.

That's GB, not US. US has nothing.

Post by VanguardLH
I don't know if that is just a support call line, or if you can also
request a ride at that phone number. Personally, I don't rely on Uber
for *anything* only because I have my own car. If I'm travelling, there
are taxi lines to grab a ride, or phones inside the airport some of
which are programmed to call a particular taxi service.

No problem as long as there are wifi hotspots.

Post by The Real Bev
It's clear that there's no money in providing minimal service, which
is all I need. I live in fear that T-Mobile will eliminate their
grandfathered $10/year plan.

If losing that low-cost service is a risk to you losing your phone use,
you probably have a low-enough income to qualify for discounted or free
phone service (talk, text, data), called Lifeline.

This is a fallacy. I don't believe in wasting money just because I can
afford something. We are the people that CC companies hate because we
pay our bills every month. You know, the NOT-STUPID people.

Post by VanguardLH
The FCC requires
every US cellular carrier to provide a Lifeline service tier for
low-income and disabled consumers. From what I've read, looks like
being elderly qualifies as disabled. Lifeline is limited to one
contract per household.

Not all that good. A friend has it. I think he gets something like a
$5/month discount on a $35 AT&T landline bill. That was several years
ago. No idea how Obamaphone service works, but if it allows giggling
teens to text one another about shopping opportunities it ought to be
halted right now.

"Up to $10/month..." now.

A woman had set up a begging station across the street. Her sign
claimed that she had just gotten a job and needed to buy suitable
clothing. She was using an iPhone and was dressed nicer than I was when
I was working. I told her that she was blocking the sidewalk (she was)
and that if she was still there in an hour I was phoning the cops.
Never saw her again.

--
Cheers, Bev
"I can't stand this proliferation of paperwork. It's useless to
fight the forms. You've got to kill the people producing them."
-- Vladimir Kabaidze

nospam

2020-05-30 17:31:38 UTC

don't use a junk car to go to the hospital for a surgical appointment,
or any other appointment for that matter.

Post by The Real Bev
'Emergency' is a sudden unanticipated need. Blood doesn't have to be
involved.
FWIW, ambulance transport to the local ER costs on the order of $2K.
They don't tell you that as they're stuffing you in. If you have
insurance this isn't a problem. I don't know what they charge just for
being on site.

insurance is required.

That's GB, not US. US has nothing.

<https://www.uber.com/us/en/drive/driver-app/phone-support/>
To speak directly with a trained agent on the phone, go to Help in
your Driver app and tap Call Support.

which will then initiate a normal voice call.

No problem as long as there are wifi hotspots.

no problem as long as there is cellular service.

Chris

2020-05-30 20:02:11 UTC

Why not? Are there not policies in the US which will take you to your
destination? We have that with our breakdown cover.

Post by The Real Bev
I have a few friends I could call, but I would probably miss
the appointment. I dread missing -- or even being late for -- ANY
appointment, much less a serious one. I always arrive early even when I
know the doc is going to keep me waiting for an hour.
'Emergency' is a sudden unanticipated need. Blood doesn't have to be
involved.

That's not an emergency. That's an inconvenience. An emergency is where
there is material danger to you or others.

Post by The Real Bev
FWIW, ambulance transport to the local ER costs on the order of $2K.
They don't tell you that as they're stuffing you in. If you have
insurance this isn't a problem. I don't know what they charge just for
being on site.

I'm always astounded by the costs in US healthcare. If you're infirm or
elderly in the UK an ambulance will take you to your hospital appointments
for free. Or they'll pay for you to take a taxi.

In France, I know you can pay if you'd rather not drive. It's about €150
round trip in a specialist vehicle. Usually an adapted Merc van.

The Real Bev

2020-05-31 05:33:39 UTC

Daughter the Tour Director needs frequent rides to airports (well, up
until the last couple of months). Taxis could never be depended on to
get her where and when she needed to go. She was never sure that an
Uber car would be big enough for all the luggage she has to take (one
BIG case just for literature and stuff for her charges). Supershuttles
were sometimes iffy. Parking at the airport for a month was rarely a
desirable option.

Post by The Real Bev
My sudden apparent need: Suppose my son's car dies on the way to the
freeway while he's taking me to my hospital surgical appointment? I
have auto club, I can call, but that's not going to get me to the
hospital.

Why not? Are there not policies in the US which will take you to your
destination? We have that with our breakdown cover.

If we can all fit into the cab we can accompany the truck to its
destination. If the guy is nice he might do a favor. BTW, these guys
don't make much. Tip generously.

That's not an emergency. That's an inconvenience. An emergency is where
there is material danger to you or others.

Potayto potahto.

I'm always astounded by the costs in US healthcare. If you're infirm or
elderly in the UK an ambulance will take you to your hospital appointments
for free. Or they'll pay for you to take a taxi.

We have some free bus services that will take seniors various places,
but you have to make arrangements in advance and can't make actual
appointments. "I'm here and I need to go to there." "OK, we'll be there
in maybe two hours..."

Post by Chris
In France, I know you can pay if you'd rather not drive. It's about €150
round trip in a specialist vehicle. Usually an adapted Merc van.

If you need such things regularly I'm sure there are appropriate facilities.

--
Cheers, Bev
I am grateful that I am not as judgmental as all those
censorious, self-righteous people around me.

Chris

2020-05-31 11:58:30 UTC

Daughter the Tour Director needs frequent rides to airports (well, up
until the last couple of months).

Work commitments are a different story.

Why not? Are there not policies in the US which will take you to your
destination? We have that with our breakdown cover.

If we can all fit into the cab we can accompany the truck to its
destination. If the guy is nice he might do a favor.

I'm talking about policy, not favours. Our policy will take us to our
destination, in the truck, if it's under two hours away or home or
somewhere to get it fixed. Whichever we prefer. Does that exist in the
states?

Post by The Real Bev
BTW, these guys
don't make much. Tip generously.

Nope. People get paid a decent wage over here, especially mechanics - £45
an hour. Tipping is a uniquely American feature because wages are so poor
and expect the customer to compensate for that.

That's not an emergency. That's an inconvenience. An emergency is where
there is material danger to you or others.

Potayto potahto.

It's not a difference of opinion.

I'm always astounded by the costs in US healthcare. If you're infirm or
elderly in the UK an ambulance will take you to your hospital appointments
for free. Or they'll pay for you to take a taxi.

That's not terribly helpful, is it?

micky

2020-06-01 21:56:58 UTC

In comp.mobile.android, on Sun, 31 May 2020 11:58:30 -0000 (UTC), Chris

Daughter the Tour Director needs frequent rides to airports (well, up
until the last couple of months).

Work commitments are a different story.

Why not? Are there not policies in the US which will take you to your
destination? We have that with our breakdown cover.

Policies might pay for taking one to the destination, but they don't
take him. That's the value of Lyft, etc. because it checks where you're
calling from and shows cars in the area. If you have to call a regular
taxi, how do you know which company to call?

Post by The Real Bev
If we can all fit into the cab we can accompany the truck to its
destination. If the guy is nice he might do a favor.

I don't understand what youre saying. The car breaks down and the tow
truck comes out. He can't just jump the battery because it started 30
minutes ago and then it stopped running. It''s not the battery or fuel
or anything he can fix there and then. So he hooks it up to the tow
truck. Are you saying that in the UK he will drive for 2 hours and 2
hours back to take you to the destination with your car on the back of
his tow truck? Trucks with loads like that get terrible gas mileage,
plus he's away from his career job which he's trained to do, towing
cars, plus he has to go round trip. If the driver had called a Lyft,
the guy would drive the passengers one-way and then look for a fare to
come back with. While the tow-truck driver took the car to the repair
shop. Maybe at the end of his shift, the Lyft driver would have to
dead-head home, but until then, he could just go wherever fares took
him.

Post by The Real Bev
BTW, these guys
don't make much. Tip generously.

Nope. People get paid a decent wage over here, especially mechanics - £45

Tow truck drivers are not mechanics, but I don't know how much they make
and fwiw, I didn't push tipping them.

Post by Chris
an hour. Tipping is a uniquely American feature because wages are so poor
and expect the customer to compensate for that.

Maybe that's the reason, maybe not. I don't think it's uniquely
American.

That's not an emergency. That's an inconvenience. An emergency is where
there is material danger to you or others.

That's what she said. It doesn't require blood to be shed.

And in American English, being stuck on highway while having to get to
an appointment is an emergency. It would be an inconvenience if you
had to get to work but no one cared if you were late.

Post by The Real Bev
Potayto potahto.

It's not a difference of opinion.

I'm always astounded by the costs in US healthcare. If you're infirm or
elderly in the UK an ambulance will take you to your hospital appointments
for free. Or they'll pay for you to take a taxi.

That's not terribly helpful, is it?

They seem popular.

2020-06-02 14:21:09 UTC

Post by micky
I don't understand what youre saying. The car breaks down and the tow
truck comes out. He can't just jump the battery because it started 30
minutes ago and then it stopped running. It''s not the battery or fuel
or anything he can fix there and then. So he hooks it up to the tow
truck. Are you saying that in the UK he will drive for 2 hours and 2
hours back to take you to the destination with your car on the back of
his tow truck? Trucks with loads like that get terrible gas mileage,
plus he's away from his career job which he's trained to do, towing
cars, plus he has to go round trip. If the driver had called a Lyft,
the guy would drive the passengers one-way and then look for a fare to
come back with. While the tow-truck driver took the car to the repair
shop. Maybe at the end of his shift, the Lyft driver would have to
dead-head home, but until then, he could just go wherever fares took
him.

When I was still with the RAC (Royal Automobile Club - one of the two main
breakdown companies in the UK, the other being AA: Automobile Association) I
broke down at traffic lights in such a way that the car could not be moved
because it had stalled in first gear when the clutch linkage broke. The car
was on a steep hill and so couldn't be pushed to relieve the strain on the
gearbox to allow me to select neutral. I was not very popular :-(

The RAC came within about 20 minutes and confirmed that there was nothing
they could do at the roadside because it was a hydraulic seal that had
failed, rather than a clutch cable that had snapped, which is comparatively
easy to fix.

Once they'd got the car movable, they got it to the local dealer for that
make of car. Ssomeone at the garage said he was about to go home but he'd
stay on a few minutes to receive the car and book it in. I was expecting
that we'd need to get the bus home - fortunately the garage is on a route
with a half-hourly service from which our house is a few minutes' walk at
the other end.

But the RAC man took pity on us and said he'd bend the rules by taking us
(minus the car) to our house, because it was on his route back to the base
that he operated from.

All in all, pretty good service.

The Real Bev

2020-06-02 16:31:14 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
BTW, these guys
don't make much. Tip generously.

Nope. People get paid a decent wage over here, especially mechanics - £45

Tow truck drivers are not mechanics, but I don't know how much they make
and fwiw, I didn't push tipping them.

I didn't know that tipping was expected until a friend told me. Any job
that requires dealing with the general public has got to suck,
especially when the public you're dealing with is already highly
stressed and possibly even screaming. If the guys provide cheerful
useful service they deserve more than minimum wage.

Proper minimum-wage jobs are those which can be accomplished with NO
education/training: "Put one box of Tide in each washing machine as it
comes off the assembly line." PROPER minimum-wage jobs.

The whole commercial system ultimately depends on how much the consumer
will pay.

--
Cheers, Bev
I see your point, but I still think you're full of crap. --Shea

Chris

2020-06-02 21:55:49 UTC

Post by micky
In comp.mobile.android, on Sun, 31 May 2020 11:58:30 -0000 (UTC), Chris

Daughter the Tour Director needs frequent rides to airports (well, up
until the last couple of months).

Work commitments are a different story.

Why not? Are there not policies in the US which will take you to your
destination? We have that with our breakdown cover.

Post by The Real Bev
If we can all fit into the cab we can accompany the truck to its
destination. If the guy is nice he might do a favor.

Only one way with your car. She/he drops you and your car at (or near)
your destination. It's then your choice of how to deal with the broken down
car.

Post by micky
Trucks with loads like that get terrible gas mileage,
plus he's away from his career job which he's trained to do, towing
cars, plus he has to go round trip.

The pickup driver still gets paid for their time.

Post by micky
If the driver had called a Lyft,

Lyft doesn't exist here and Uber is not ubiquitous.

Post by The Real Bev
BTW, these guys
don't make much. Tip generously.

Nope. People get paid a decent wage over here, especially mechanics - £45

Tow truck drivers are not mechanics, but I don't know how much they make

They are mechanics here. That's their job. To pick up breakdowns and fix
them, either on-site or at the garage.

The Real Bev

2020-06-02 16:16:16 UTC

Daughter the Tour Director needs frequent rides to airports (well, up
until the last couple of months).

Work commitments are a different story.

Indeed. Reliability is even MORE important.

Why not? Are there not policies in the US which will take you to your
destination? We have that with our breakdown cover.

If we can all fit into the cab we can accompany the truck to its
destination. If the guy is nice he might do a favor.

There are several levels of AAA membership. Cheapest gives four 7-mile
tows. Next gives four 100-mile tows. Top gives three 100-mile tows and
one 400-mile tow. Tow to the truck's home is distance-independent. I
chose the middle one. Insurance companies sometimes have their own
plans, but if you've ever tried to use one of the freeway call boxes you
know you can't hear a damn thing -- no idea what questions they're
asking, except you know that ONE of them is "Do you have AAA?"

I've used mine only twice in living memory. Once when I left my
headlights on by mistake (no towing involved, the guy was already there
for someone else and just jump-started the car. That still counted as
one usage). The other was when a sidewall blew out in a Home Depot
parking lot. I couldn't find the stupid wheel-lock key* so they
ultimately had to call a flatbed to take it to the Discount Tire store,
which just sawed off (or maybe used a nutcracker on) the offending wheel
lock.

*Shitheads stole the wheels off the car (belonged to my mom) in spite of
the locks. When she bought new ones the bastard dealer sold her more
locks. Is it any wonder that we hate car dealers?

Post by The Real Bev
BTW, these guys
don't make much. Tip generously.

Nope. People get paid a decent wage over here, especially mechanics - £45
an hour. Tipping is a uniquely American feature because wages are so poor
and expect the customer to compensate for that.

Towtruck drivers aren't mechanics; just minimum-wage guys hired to
drive the trucks. In other countries goods/services are priced to
include better wages for the staff. Good friend was a good waittress at
Bob's (local coffee shop). She regularly made a LOT more in tips than
her salary.

Friends and I ate lunch at a place where our waiter took forever to do
anything -- last straw was when we saw him laughing and chatting with
co-workers long after we'd asked him for a glass of water for one of us.
The restaurant added 15% automatically for large groups. I sought out
the manager as we were leaving and explained exactly why we would have
left NO tip had it been up to us.

No reason to employ incompetents when there are people lined up who want
to do a GOOD job.

That's not an emergency. That's an inconvenience. An emergency is where
there is material danger to you or others.

Potayto potahto.

It's not a difference of opinion.

Sure it is :-)

Most of what I use my cell PHONE for is
"What else do we need at the store?" or
"I'm running late, don't leave without me."

I don't understand people who just blather on and on back and forth...

Post by The Real Bev
We have some free bus services that will take seniors various places,
but you have to make arrangements in advance and can't make actual
appointments. "I'm here and I need to go to there." "OK, we'll be there
in maybe two hours..."

That's not terribly helpful, is it?

It is if it's all you have. Decent rest homes (current definition of
"decent" has changed considerably in recent months -- now it depends on
the death rate) cost a fortune, such that many seniors choose to live on
cruise ships -- which are now known as floating death traps.

--
Cheers, Bev
Lawyering: the only profession that if you
didn't have it you wouldn't need it.

123456789

2020-06-02 18:42:02 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
There are several levels of AAA membership. Cheapest gives four
7-mile tows. Next gives four 100-mile tows. Top gives three
100-mile tows and one 400-mile tow.

Check out Allstate's FREE pay per use roadside assistance plan. (You
don't have to be an Allstate customer to enroll). I've never needed it in
the several years I've had it so have saved hundreds over AAA. Course if
you use AAA's other services that may not work for you. For AAA
discounts I have found that most of the places I frequent give the same
discount for AARP members and that membership is only $16/yr.

Post by The Real Bev
if you've ever tried to use one of the freeway call boxes you know
you can't hear a damn thing --

When I first signed up there was only a 1-800 number. But now there is
an app for service that uses GPS to guide the tow truck to your
location. So no freeway call box problems... ;)

Chris

2020-06-02 22:21:13 UTC

Why not? Are there not policies in the US which will take you to your
destination? We have that with our breakdown cover.

If we can all fit into the cab we can accompany the truck to its
destination. If the guy is nice he might do a favor.

You said above that the auto club wouldn't drive you to the hospital. Yet
not you're saying that it would have in your hypothetical scenario.

The Real Bev

2020-06-02 23:47:24 UTC

Why not? Are there not policies in the US which will take you to your
destination? We have that with our breakdown cover.

If we can all fit into the cab we can accompany the truck to its
destination. If the guy is nice he might do a favor.

You said above that the auto club wouldn't drive you to the hospital. Yet
not you're saying that it would have in your hypothetical scenario.

Another option: a passing flying saucer might take pity on me, pick me
up and deposit me at the hospital along with a small sack of gold. A
MUCH better option as far as I'm concerned.

Upon reflection, the AAA drivers would have to be able to make simple
minimal-tools-required on-the-road repairs; that clearly deserves more
than minimum wage.

--
Cheers, Bev
"The almost universal access to higher education here in the US has
ruined a lot of potentially good manual laborers." -- Bob Hunt

micky

2020-06-01 21:57:01 UTC

Post by VanguardLH
If losing that low-cost service is a risk to you losing your phone use,
you probably have a low-enough income to qualify for discounted or free
phone service (talk, text, data), called Lifeline.

A lot of people don't want to take charity, even government charity,
when they can be satisfied with what they can afford.

VanguardLH

2020-06-01 23:13:53 UTC

A lot of people don't want to take charity, even government charity,
when they can be satisfied with what they can afford.

Does it sound like Bev is satisfied with her current cellular service
that she can afford but has no data?

nospam

2020-06-01 23:18:11 UTC

Post by VanguardLH
Does it sound like Bev is satisfied with her current cellular service
that she can afford but has no data?

clearly not, since she complains about being unable to do various
things, such as uber.

sms

2020-06-02 01:40:32 UTC

A lot of people don't want to take charity, even government charity,
when they can be satisfied with what they can afford.

Does it sound like Bev is satisfied with her current cellular service
that she can afford but has no data?

No.

And there is nothing wrong with signing up for benefits to which you are
entitled.

I recently let my T-Mobile $10/year plan expire and I lost the balance
of over $150. This is the same plan that Bev is on.

It was not even worth $10 per year to keep a plan with no data. While I
could have transferred the balance to another plan there was no point in
it because T-Mobile's coverage in my area is mediocre and the monthly
cost is much higher than what I'm paying on a Verizon MVNO.

Actually I have a T-Mobile SIM that the carrier gave me to use last year
and in it's in a spare phone, with data, but I rarely turn on that
phone. I don't know what plan it is but when I tried using it in Italy I
got only the slow international data. I called them to find out what
plan I had but they would not tell me because I never subscribed and
have no idea what the password on the account is.

The Real Bev

2020-06-02 15:43:12 UTC

A lot of people don't want to take charity, even government charity,
when they can be satisfied with what they can afford.

And a lot of people know how to avoid wasting money. Those people tend
to retire early :-)

A commercial that I saw over a decade ago still haunts me: "GET THE
WHEELS YOU DESERVE!" Rent wheels for your car that you can't afford to
buy outright. You can also rent tires. One born every minute and two
to fleece him.

--
Cheers, Bev
Lawyering: the only profession that if you
didn't have it you wouldn't need it.

b***@ripco.com

2020-06-02 16:03:42 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
And a lot of people know how to avoid wasting money. Those people tend
to retire early :-)

You might know how to avoid wasting money but there is a difference between
that and spending wisely.

You don't know how to spend wisely.

-bruce
***@ripco.com

The Real Bev

2020-06-02 16:35:34 UTC

Post by b***@ripco.com

Post by The Real Bev
And a lot of people know how to avoid wasting money. Those people tend
to retire early :-)

You might know how to avoid wasting money but there is a difference between
that and spending wisely.
You don't know how to spend wisely.

"Wise" is a value judgment and involves a lot of tradeoffs. I assume
you have something specific in mind...

--
Cheers, Bev
I see your point, but I still think you're full of crap. --Shea

sms

2020-06-02 16:52:34 UTC

A lot of people don't want to take charity, even government charity,
when they can be satisfied with what they can afford.

And a lot of people know how to avoid wasting money. Those people tend
to retire early :-)

There's a very big difference between "wasting money" and ensuring the
safety of yourself and your family at minimal or no cost.

Signing up for basic free mobile service with data, or minimal cost
service, whether through Lifeline or through a commercial provider, is
the exact opposite of "wasting money."

The Real Bev

2020-06-02 17:39:09 UTC

A lot of people don't want to take charity, even government charity,
when they can be satisfied with what they can afford.

And a lot of people know how to avoid wasting money. Those people tend
to retire early :-)

There's a very big difference between "wasting money" and ensuring the
safety of yourself and your family at minimal or no cost.
Signing up for basic free mobile service with data, or minimal cost
service, whether through Lifeline or through a commercial provider, is
the exact opposite of "wasting money."

When you've spent a lifetime without a particular 'safety'
item/service/function, it's hard to suddenly see it as essential, or
even desirable.

When we were dirt-motorcycling 40 years ago we were frequently in places
where the likelihood of serious injury was always a possibility. Being
unable to ride might possibly result in death. Still, we figured that
if something awful happened we'd be able to figure out how to deal with
the problem and survive. Minor injuries and breakdowns happened, but we
always got back. We had paper maps.

Perhaps it's just a mindset. I could afford to buy a top-level phone
with top-level service, but that seems to have no utility at all. AAA
is cheap insurance for a non-zero-chance problem for which AAA is the
best solution. Spending double that on data service to be used MAYBE
once a year just seems silly.

If I were going to be doing a lot of traveling in areas with no cell
service, a data plan wouldn't be of any use at all. I might have to buy
a satphone for that. I certainly don't need one now, I'm rarely out of
range of my router.

The whole thing is a cost/benefit calculation. I don't subscribe to the
"If it just saves ONE life..." thing, which is generally a crock.

--
Cheers, Bev
"It is never fallacious to properly cite Donald Knuth in
lieu of providing your own argument." --Sun Tzu

sms

2020-06-02 20:46:06 UTC

<snip>

Post by sms
Signing up for basic free mobile service with data, or minimal cost
service, whether through Lifeline or through a commercial provider, is
the exact opposite of "wasting money."

When you've spent a lifetime without a particular 'safety'
item/service/function, it's hard to suddenly see it as essential, or
even desirable.

Perhaps, but in this case you have explicitly stated that you have, or
could have, a need for a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. There
are no longer very many taxis except in the urban core of cities, at
airports, and at train stations. Uber and Lyft have destroyed the taxi
business.

The Real Bev

2020-06-02 23:44:07 UTC

Post by sms
<snip>

Post by sms
Signing up for basic free mobile service with data, or minimal cost
service, whether through Lifeline or through a commercial provider, is
the exact opposite of "wasting money."

When you've spent a lifetime without a particular 'safety'
item/service/function, it's hard to suddenly see it as essential, or
even desirable.

Not a $120+ per year need, though.

--
Cheers, Bev
"The almost universal access to higher education here in the US has
ruined a lot of potentially good manual laborers." -- Bob Hunt

Chris

2020-06-03 08:58:34 UTC

Post by sms
<snip>

Post by sms
Signing up for basic free mobile service with data, or minimal cost
service, whether through Lifeline or through a commercial provider, is
the exact opposite of "wasting money."

When you've spent a lifetime without a particular 'safety'
item/service/function, it's hard to suddenly see it as essential, or
even desirable.

Not a $120+ per year need, though.

That's the choice you've made, which means Uber/Lyft are not available
to you. Together with all the other mobile data dependent services
available. You'll need to make other arrangements via AAA or friendly
aliens.

The Real Bev

2020-06-03 15:13:05 UTC

Post by sms
<snip>

Post by sms
Signing up for basic free mobile service with data, or minimal cost
service, whether through Lifeline or through a commercial provider, is
the exact opposite of "wasting money."

When you've spent a lifetime without a particular 'safety'
item/service/function, it's hard to suddenly see it as essential, or
even desirable.

Not a $120+ per year need, though.

Amazing though it might seem, I had already come to that conclusion!

--
Cheers, Bev
"Well to be perfectly honest, in my humble opinion, of course
without offending anyone who thinks differently from my point
of view, but also by looking into this matter in a different
perspective and without being condemning of one's view's and
by trying to make it objectified, and by considering each and
every one's valid opinion, I honestly believe that I completely
forgot what I was going to say." -- S. Kumar

sms

2020-06-03 14:59:02 UTC

On 6/2/2020 4:44 PM, The Real Bev wrote:

<snip>

Post by The Real Bev
Not a $120+ per year need, though.

Yet you've repeatedly been informed of carriers, with data plans, at $0,
$30, and $60 per year.

You don't need a lot of data to use Uber or Lyft, just a very small amount.

I know how hard it is to let go of the T-Mobile $10/year Gold Rewards
prepaid, I recently let mine lapse and wrote off the balance I had, but
it was just not worth even $10 a year to keep it active anymore because
of the lack of data along with the coverage issues of T-Mobile.

The Real Bev

2020-06-03 15:17:23 UTC

Post by sms
<snip>

Post by The Real Bev
Not a $120+ per year need, though.

Yet you've repeatedly been informed of carriers, with data plans, at $0,
$30, and $60 per year.
You don't need a lot of data to use Uber or Lyft, just a very small amount.
I know how hard it is to let go of the T-Mobile $10/year Gold Rewards
prepaid, I recently let mine lapse and wrote off the balance I had, but
it was just not worth even $10 a year to keep it active anymore because
of the lack of data along with the coverage issues of T-Mobile.

I might be willing to jump through the FreedomPop hoops again and keep
the T-Mobile account alive in addition. I wouldn't want to port over
the phone number, though, and I'd have to think about which life
activities have that number hard-wired therein. Not a big stumbling
block -- the biggest one is dealing with FPs hoops.

VanguardLH

2020-06-03 16:03:55 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
Not a $120+ per year need, though.

Yet you've repeatedly been informed of carriers, with data plans, at $0,
$30, and $60 per year.
You don't need a lot of data to use Uber or Lyft, just a very small amount.
I know how hard it is to let go of the T-Mobile $10/year Gold Rewards
prepaid, I recently let mine lapse and wrote off the balance I had, but
it was just not worth even $10 a year to keep it active anymore because
of the lack of data along with the coverage issues of T-Mobile.

Presuming Bev does not have a dual-SIM phone (which allows using 2
different carriers), she could use an unlocked mobile wi-fi hotspot (aka
MiFi) device. Keep using the SIM in her phone with the $10/yr contract
with T-Mobile, and subscribe to a different carrier using the SIM in the
mobile wi-fi hotspot device. For data, her phone uses wi-fi to connect
to the mobile wi-fi hotspot device, and the mobile wifi hotspot device
uses 4G to connect to a cellular service to use their data service.

[phone] <-- wi-fi --> [MiFi] <-- cellular data --> [carrier]

She could keep using the $10/yr T-Mobile plan on her phone, but have the
SIM in the MiFi device use, say, free FreedomPop or any of the other
suggested low-cost data-only plans. She could even have a separate
T-Mobile data-only plan on the MiFi device. I would probably pick an
MVNO that has the data minutes rollover instead of them just vaporizing.

I've seen those sold at Walmart for $31 (though I don't know if it is
unlocked), like:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/4G-LTE-Mobile-Broadband-WiFi-Wireless-Router-Portable-MiFi-Hotspot/187690282

sms

2020-06-03 17:35:14 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
Not a $120+ per year need, though.

Yet you've repeatedly been informed of carriers, with data plans, at $0,
$30, and $60 per year.
You don't need a lot of data to use Uber or Lyft, just a very small amount.
I know how hard it is to let go of the T-Mobile $10/year Gold Rewards
prepaid, I recently let mine lapse and wrote off the balance I had, but
it was just not worth even $10 a year to keep it active anymore because
of the lack of data along with the coverage issues of T-Mobile.

Presuming Bev does not have a dual-SIM phone (which allows using 2
different carriers), she could use an unlocked mobile wi-fi hotspot (aka
MiFi) device. Keep using the SIM in her phone with the $10/yr contract
with T-Mobile, and subscribe to a different carrier using the SIM in the
mobile wi-fi hotspot device. For data, her phone uses wi-fi to connect
to the mobile wi-fi hotspot device, and the mobile wifi hotspot device
uses 4G to connect to a cellular service to use their data service.
[phone] <-- wi-fi --> [MiFi] <-- cellular data --> [carrier]
She could keep using the $10/yr T-Mobile plan on her phone, but have the
SIM in the MiFi device use, say, free FreedomPop or any of the other
suggested low-cost data-only plans. She could even have a separate
T-Mobile data-only plan on the MiFi device. I would probably pick an
MVNO that has the data minutes rollover instead of them just vaporizing.
I've seen those sold at Walmart for $31 (though I don't know if it is
https://www.walmart.com/ip/4G-LTE-Mobile-Broadband-WiFi-Wireless-Router-Portable-MiFi-Hotspot/187690282

That's a little complicated and requires carrying two devices. I'd
advise buying a dual-SIM phone. You can buy a decent dual-SIM phone, new
for about $110, that would work fine with the T-Mobile voice plan she
has now, as well as with an inexpensive or free AT&T-based MVNO, i.e.
<https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1513274-REG>, though it's not a
good phone for T-Mobile data.

Frank Slootweg

2020-05-25 13:55:09 UTC

I had the $20 hotspot. I used it ONCE in the 3 years I had it. Then
they canceled its free service. Lying bastards. "Lifetime" ain't waht
it used to be. I regard this as a purely emergency usage. You can call
AAA on the phone, why not Uber?
It's clear that there's no money in providing minimal service, which is
all I need. I live in fear that T-Mobile will eliminate their
grandfathered $10/year plan.

IIRC, not too long ago 'sms' posted about some cheap US pre-paid
providers. Perhaps he can repost (or correct me).

For us non-US people, this need for a minimal service is a non-issue,
so we're quite dumbfounded that there's such an issue in the US.

FYI, my pre-paid service is 30 Euro cents a year (plus charges for
actual use) and there are many others to choose from if needed/wanted.

The Real Bev

2020-05-30 16:40:19 UTC

Post by Frank Slootweg

I had the $20 hotspot. I used it ONCE in the 3 years I had it. Then
they canceled its free service. Lying bastards. "Lifetime" ain't waht
it used to be. I regard this as a purely emergency usage. You can call
AAA on the phone, why not Uber?
It's clear that there's no money in providing minimal service, which is
all I need. I live in fear that T-Mobile will eliminate their
grandfathered $10/year plan.

I suppose you know that BOTH ends of the cell conversation pay for
airtime here in God's Country...

Post by Frank Slootweg
FYI, my pre-paid service is 30 Euro cents a year (plus charges for
actual use) and there are many others to choose from if needed/wanted.

Cheapest I could find when I last looked was maybe $10/month as opposed
to $10/year. I'd be happy to pay some small amount of money for some
small amount of voice/text/data that would last forever or until used
up, but that's clearly not a profitable service here.

--
Cheers, Bev
"I can't stand this proliferation of paperwork. It's useless to
fight the forms. You've got to kill the people producing them."
-- Vladimir Kabaidze

Frank Slootweg

2020-06-03 18:13:48 UTC

Post by Frank Slootweg

I had the $20 hotspot. I used it ONCE in the 3 years I had it. Then
they canceled its free service. Lying bastards. "Lifetime" ain't waht
it used to be. I regard this as a purely emergency usage. You can call
AAA on the phone, why not Uber?
It's clear that there's no money in providing minimal service, which is
all I need. I live in fear that T-Mobile will eliminate their
grandfathered $10/year plan.

I suppose you know that BOTH ends of the cell conversation pay for
airtime here in God's Country...

Yes, I know (that you 'guys' are weird :-)), but in this case it's
*more* of an incentive to accomodate minimal service needs. For example
I mainly receive calls and receive SMS messages, so in our (the sane)
system, my provider gets nothing. In your (the crazy) system, they would
at least get some money from me.

Post by Frank Slootweg
FYI, my pre-paid service is 30 Euro cents a year (plus charges for
actual use) and there are many others to choose from if needed/wanted.

sms

2020-06-03 20:16:45 UTC

Post by Frank Slootweg
Yes, I know (that you 'guys' are weird :-)), but in this case it's
*more* of an incentive to accomodate minimal service needs. For example
I mainly receive calls and receive SMS messages, so in our (the sane)
system, my provider gets nothing. In your (the crazy) system, they would
at least get some money from me.

In the U.S., "Caller Pays" would be more difficult to implement because
there is no distinction between mobile and landline numbers in the
numbering scheme. Also, if you look at the rates charged to the caller,
the amount is typically more than 2x what each party would normally pay
for the same call.

For example, to call a Vodafone number in Italy, from the U.S. using
Google Voice is 8¢/minute. To call a landline in Italy is 1¢/minute. The
caller is paying a big premium for CPP but the mobile customer is paying
nothing.

In the U.S. we have some free options for wireless service. The
government subsidizes "Lifeline" mobile service for low-income
individuals. It's not bad, 5GB of data plus unlimited talk and text on
this plan:
<https://www.assurancewireless.com/lifeline-services/states/california-lifeline-free-government-phone-service>.

For those that use just a small amount of service, anyone can get 200
voice minutes, 500 texts, and 200MB of data on an MVNO called
"FreedomPop"
<https://www.freedompop.com/sim-card?utm_oscampaign=FP_US_WebDesktop_Acct_NA&utm_osplacement=My_Mid-Lft_1280x300_US&utm_oscreative=USSVA_sim-card_TodaysDeal1centSIM>
though there's a couple of hoops to jump through to get the free plan.
That would be sufficient for someone like Bev that might just have to
use data for something like Uber or Lyft.

The plan that she is on from T-Mobile charges 10¢/minute for calls and
10¢/SMS, and charges for both incoming and outgoing. But you only have
to add $10 every year to keep the plan once you have "Gold Rewards"
status. This plan does not offer any data. I had a spare phone on this
plan for a while but I let it lapse and lost all my accrued money on the
account. Without data it was not worth keeping, especially because
T-Mobile coverage in my state is not great.

nospam

2020-06-03 20:43:50 UTC

Post by sms
In the U.S., "Caller Pays" would be more difficult to implement because
there is no distinction between mobile and landline numbers in the
numbering scheme.

area code 917 was created for cellular, pagers, etc., which was later
deemed to be discriminatory.

arizona tested calling party pays which was rejected by consumers.

123456789

2020-06-03 20:26:01 UTC

Post by Frank Slootweg

Post by The Real Bev
I suppose you know that BOTH ends of the cell conversation pay for
airtime here in God's Country...

I mainly receive calls and receive SMS messages, so in our (the
sane) system, my provider gets nothing. In your (the crazy) system,
they would at least get some money from me.

Depends on which one of our crazy systems you use. Virtually everyone I
know (including me) has unlimited talk and text (anywhere in the USA) so
really don't care who pays for the airtime...

sms

2020-05-19 22:04:49 UTC

Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

No.

You should port your number to one of the MVNOs offering free service,
which includes sufficient data for your needs. With FreedomPop you get
200 MB, 200 Minutes, and 500 Texts, per month, for free.

RedPocket offers some really cheap plans as well:
100 min talk, 100 texts, 500 MB Data for $5 per month
<https://www.ebay.com/itm/133058476404>
500 min talk, 500 texts, 500 MB Data for $8.25 per month
<https://www.ebay.com/itm/133051277200>

micky

2020-05-20 21:54:27 UTC

In comp.mobile.android, on Tue, 19 May 2020 15:04:49 -0700, sms

Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

No.

Correct (sounds patronizing but both no and yes cana be confusing here.)

sometimes you can go into, or stand outside a library, hotel, bank, or
other building, or even a home that didn't turn on security. and get
free wifi. It may be stealing but the amount is so small, under a
penny?, that I don't think anyone cares. I've done that just to talk
on 3 occasions when I was out of the US and I had bought the wrong
phone.

Post by sms
You should port your number to one of the MVNOs offering free service,
which includes sufficient data for your needs. With FreedomPop you get

I had FreedomPop for a few months and it was terrible. It's hard to
remember the details (there are posts to this group that describe them
in detail) but they have two kinds of subscriptions and even though I
only wanted phone and some free data, they signed me up for something
else too, and when I canceled after the first month, I only cancelled
one of them because I didn't realize there were two and they continued
billing me for the other. I'm sure they made it confusing on purpose,
so you'll cancel part and not notice there is more to cancel. I think
the Real Bev went through this too.

Post by sms
200 MB, 200 Minutes, and 500 Texts, per month, for free.

200MB is very little. Literally not sure how much one could do with it
in practice.

Post by sms
100 min talk, 100 texts, 500 MB Data for $5 per month
<https://www.ebay.com/itm/133058476404>
500 min talk, 500 texts, 500 MB Data for $8.25 per month
<https://www.ebay.com/itm/133051277200>

MintMobile is where I ended up. Not as cheap as the ones above. I think
their cheapest rate is for 3 months, $45. Money back if not happy
within 7 days. After that, you can get the same rate by paying a year
in advance.

sms

2020-05-21 00:21:59 UTC

On 5/20/2020 2:54 PM, micky wrote:

<snip>

Post by micky
I had FreedomPop for a few months and it was terrible. It's hard to
remember the details (there are posts to this group that describe them
in detail) but they have two kinds of subscriptions and even though I
only wanted phone and some free data, they signed me up for something
else too, and when I canceled after the first month, I only cancelled
one of them because I didn't realize there were two and they continued
billing me for the other. I'm sure they made it confusing on purpose,
so you'll cancel part and not notice there is more to cancel. I think
the Real Bev went through this too.

It's not too hard to get the free service from FreedomPop. They make you
jump through a few hoops though.

Post by micky
200MB is very little. Literally not sure how much one could do with it
in practice.

Plenty to call an Uber. Remember, she's making do with 0MB now,

<snip>

Post by micky
MintMobile is where I ended up. Not as cheap as the ones above. I think
their cheapest rate is for 3 months, $45. Money back if not happy
within 7 days. After that, you can get the same rate by paying a year
in advance.

In my area of the country you'd find it very hard to get by with only
T-Mobile native service.

micky

2020-05-21 05:43:04 UTC

In comp.mobile.android, on Wed, 20 May 2020 17:21:59 -0700, sms

Post by sms
<snip>

Just noticed that the Real Bev is the OP. You'll never get her to go
back to FPop.

Post by sms
It's not too hard to get the free service from FreedomPop. They make you
jump through a few hoops though.

Post by micky
200MB is very little. Literally not sure how much one could do with it
in practice.

Plenty to call an Uber. Remember, she's making do with 0MB now,
<snip>

In my area of the country you'd find it very hard to get by with only
T-Mobile native service.

I forget where Bev lives

Here is their coverage map:
https://www.mintmobile.com/coverage/

Here is another mint coverage map, but I think it only works if you have
a red or pink phone.
https://www.moneysavingpro.com/carriers/mint-mobile-coverage-map/

sms

2020-05-21 20:06:39 UTC

On 5/20/2020 10:43 PM, micky wrote:

<snip>

Post by micky
Just noticed that the Real Bev is the OP. You'll never get her to go
back to FPop.

LOL, you can't hold a grudge forever.

FreedomPop can be annoying to get the free service, but it's not too
hard (and using a virtual credit card number with a dollar limit and
short expiration date is a good idea). FreedomPop is much better now
that they've switched their service to AT&T.

micky

2020-05-23 05:08:03 UTC

In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 21 May 2020 13:06:39 -0700, sms

Post by sms
<snip>

Post by micky
Just noticed that the Real Bev is the OP. You'll never get her to go
back to FPop.

LOL, you can't hold a grudge forever.

You don't know the Real Bev! Or me!

Seriously, I'm not angry at them anymore, but I don't want to go through
that again.

Post by sms
FreedomPop can be annoying to get the free service, but it's not too
hard (and using a virtual credit card number with a dollar limit and

I should do that in general. I keep meaning to, but in this case, had
their billing been over my limit, they would have disconnected me, I
assume.

Post by sms
short expiration date is a good idea). FreedomPop is much better now
that they've switched their service to AT&T.

The service was not a problem (partly because I barely used it) It was
the billing.

But I'm glad you're happy with them. Tbhey did have an app, Freedom Pop
Diagnostics, that I kept when I went to anoher provider, and again when
I went to another phone. I'm sure there are other similar programs but
I got this one when I had FPop because I thought it might have special
information. I don't know but I don't think one really has to be their
customer to dl it. I don't need to look at it normally.

Lucifer

2020-05-30 08:21:54 UTC

You can use a landline phone.

The Real Bev

2020-05-24 20:12:47 UTC

Post by sms
<snip>

Post by micky
Just noticed that the Real Bev is the OP. You'll never get her to go
back to FPop.

LOL, you can't hold a grudge forever.

Sure you can!

Post by sms
FreedomPop can be annoying to get the free service, but it's not too
hard (and using a virtual credit card number with a dollar limit and
short expiration date is a good idea). FreedomPop is much better now
that they've switched their service to AT&T.

Promising free lifetime service and then reneging is NOT forgiveable.
They didn't even offer to refund my $20!

--
Cheers, Bev
"I am working for the time when unqualified blacks, browns and
women join the unqualified men in running our government"
-- Cissy Farenthold

sms

2020-05-25 14:36:09 UTC

Post by sms
<snip>

Just noticed that the Real Bev is the OP. You'll never get her to go
back to FPop.

LOL, you can't hold a grudge forever.

Sure you can!

Promising free lifetime service and then reneging is NOT forgiveable.
They didn't even offer to refund my $20!

I have a Gemco Life Membership <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemco>.
They closed in 1986. That membership cost $1. Lying bastards. But their
parent company, Lucky Stores, did offer a $1 credit if you turned in
your Gemco card. Gemco was a great store with some really good
departments, especially sporting goods and music. At the time they
closed, their only real competition in this area was K-Mart (no Target,
no Walmart).

FreedomPop isn't even owned by the same entity anymore, they sold their
AT&T business to RedPocket and transferred the remaining Sprint
customers to Ting, which is no deal.

Personally, I could make do with very little data per month because
Wi-Fi has become so ubiquitous and because my Comcast Internet service
allows me to connect to any Xfinity-provided modem/router unless the
subscriber has turned off the open Wi-Fi SSID. I don't often bother to
connect to Wi-Fi because my family plan on a Verizon MVNO provides so
much data that it's unnecessary to try to be frugal with data.

micky

2020-05-26 08:42:10 UTC

In comp.mobile.android, on Mon, 25 May 2020 07:36:09 -0700, sms

Post by sms
<snip>

Just noticed that the Real Bev is the OP. You'll never get her to go
back to FPop.

LOL, you can't hold a grudge forever.

Sure you can!

Promising free lifetime service and then reneging is NOT forgiveable.
They didn't even offer to refund my $20!

All that could actually make it better, because it must take a conscious
effort to be as difficult as FreedomPop was, and a new broom might sweep
clean. But maybe they like they way FP did i. Other people will have
to find out. Not me. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame
on both me and you.

Post by sms
Personally, I could make do with very little data per month because
Wi-Fi has become so ubiquitous and because my Comcast Internet service
allows me to connect to any Xfinity-provided modem/router unless the
subscriber has turned off the open Wi-Fi SSID. I don't often bother to
connect to Wi-Fi because my family plan on a Verizon MVNO provides so
much data that it's unnecessary to try to be frugal with data.

The Real Bev

2020-05-24 20:05:02 UTC

Post by micky
I forget where Bev lives

SoCal. The neighbor gets better reception than I do!

Post by micky
https://www.mintmobile.com/coverage/

Cities and along interstates. No service from any provider from Sequoia
NP or some parts of Death Valley -- yes, the main road.

Post by micky
Here is another mint coverage map, but I think it only works if you have
a red or pink phone.
https://www.moneysavingpro.com/carriers/mint-mobile-coverage-map/

--
Cheers, Bev
"I am working for the time when unqualified blacks, browns and
women join the unqualified men in running our government"
-- Cissy Farenthold

sms

2020-05-25 15:13:31 UTC

Post by micky
I forget where Bev lives

SoCal. The neighbor gets better reception than I do!

Post by micky
https://www.mintmobile.com/coverage/

Cities and along interstates. No service from any provider from Sequoia
NP or some parts of Death Valley -- yes, the main road.

In parts of Death Valley, unless your provider includes roaming
coverage, you'll get nothing. Service is provided by Choice Wireless.
The T-Mobile $10 per year plan actually may be better than the MVNOs in
this case because few of the MVNOs offer roaming buy many of the
carrier's own prepaid services do offer some limited roaming.

As the L.A. times stated, "If you’re buying a mobile phone just for the
reception in the wilderness, go for Verizon Wireless and stay away from
T-Mobile." The most amusing part of the article was "A T-Mobile
spokesman said that the company hadn’t gotten many requests for service
in remote parks such as Yosemite and Death Valley."

The Real Bev

2020-05-30 17:13:00 UTC

Post by micky
I forget where Bev lives

SoCal. The neighbor gets better reception than I do!

Post by micky
https://www.mintmobile.com/coverage/

Cities and along interstates. No service from any provider from Sequoia
NP or some parts of Death Valley -- yes, the main road.

In parts of Death Valley, unless your provider includes roaming
coverage, you'll get nothing. Service is provided by Choice Wireless.

New? Friends blew tires on a pothole and had to wait for a passerby to
carry the message. When we were there a few years ago I didn't bother
to check coverage -- friend has either Sprint or Verizon, I can't
remember which.

She can get service on the slope at Big Bear, but I have to be in the
middle of town.

No Verizon coverage in Sequoia NP.

Post by sms
The T-Mobile $10 per year plan actually may be better than the MVNOs in
this case because few of the MVNOs offer roaming buy many of the
carrier's own prepaid services do offer some limited roaming.
As the L.A. times stated, "If you’re buying a mobile phone just for the
reception in the wilderness, go for Verizon Wireless and stay away from
T-Mobile." The most amusing part of the article was "A T-Mobile
spokesman said that the company hadn’t gotten many requests for service
in remote parks such as Yosemite and Death Valley."

"I'll check into that and get back to you."
"You have all our support."
"Your call is very important to us."

--
Cheers, Bev
If you're ever about to be mugged by a couple
of clowns, don't hesitate - go for the juggler.

sms

2020-05-30 19:56:51 UTC

Post by micky
I forget where Bev lives

SoCal. The neighbor gets better reception than I do!

Post by micky
https://www.mintmobile.com/coverage/

Cities and along interstates. No service from any provider from Sequoia
NP or some parts of Death Valley -- yes, the main road.

In parts of Death Valley, unless your provider includes roaming
coverage, you'll get nothing. Service is provided by Choice Wireless.

New? Friends blew tires on a pothole and had to wait for a passerby to
carry the message. When we were there a few years ago I didn't bother
to check coverage -- friend has either Sprint or Verizon, I can't
remember which.
She can get service on the slope at Big Bear, but I have to be in the
middle of town.
No Verizon coverage in Sequoia NP.

Last time I was there, about three years ago, there was coverage by
Verizon only.

The Real Bev

2020-05-31 05:24:27 UTC

Post by micky
I forget where Bev lives

SoCal. The neighbor gets better reception than I do!

Post by micky
https://www.mintmobile.com/coverage/

Cities and along interstates. No service from any provider from Sequoia
NP or some parts of Death Valley -- yes, the main road.

In parts of Death Valley, unless your provider includes roaming
coverage, you'll get nothing. Service is provided by Choice Wireless.

New? Friends blew tires on a pothole and had to wait for a passerby to
carry the message. When we were there a few years ago I didn't bother
to check coverage -- friend has either Sprint or Verizon, I can't
remember which.
She can get service on the slope at Big Bear, but I have to be in the
middle of town.
No Verizon coverage in Sequoia NP.

Last time I was there, about three years ago, there was coverage by
Verizon only.

Granddaughter couldn't get signal last October until we were well out of
the park, almost down to the flats.

--
Cheers, Bev
I am grateful that I am not as judgmental as all those
censorious, self-righteous people around me.

micky

2020-05-26 08:37:41 UTC

In comp.mobile.android, on Sun, 24 May 2020 13:05:02 -0700, The Real Bev

Post by micky
I forget where Bev lives

SoCal. The neighbor gets better reception than I do!

Post by micky
https://www.mintmobile.com/coverage/

Cities and along interstates. No service from any provider from Sequoia
NP or some parts of Death Valley -- yes, the main road.

Well what do you expect in DEATH Valley. My horse died and you're lucky
if the car works.

Post by micky
Here is another mint coverage map, but I think it only works if you have
a red or pink phone.
https://www.moneysavingpro.com/carriers/mint-mobile-coverage-map/

The Real Bev

2020-05-24 20:02:42 UTC

Post by sms
In my area of the country you'd find it very hard to get by with only
T-Mobile native service.

I live in a house with cablemodem and VOIP. Civilization is good! I
feel sorry for people who HAVE to use a cellphone for all their comm needs..

--
Cheers, Bev
"I am working for the time when unqualified blacks, browns and
women join the unqualified men in running our government"
-- Cissy Farenthold

nospam

2020-05-24 20:18:54 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
I live in a house with cablemodem and VOIP. Civilization is good! I
feel sorry for people who HAVE to use a cellphone for all their comm needs..

at least they can use the internet while away from home, including for
uber.

plus they have faster upload speeds than via cable, possibly even
faster download speeds.

The Real Bev

2020-05-24 20:01:02 UTC

Yes, they make it a REAL bitch to cancel the paid service(s).

Post by sms
200 MB, 200 Minutes, and 500 Texts, per month, for free.

200MB is very little. Literally not sure how much one could do with it
in practice.

Very little, but finding the REAL address of a business with an
ambiguous one worked. The only thing I used my FP hotspot for.

--
Cheers, Bev
"I am working for the time when unqualified blacks, browns and
women join the unqualified men in running our government"
-- Cissy Farenthold

The Real Bev

2020-05-24 19:58:33 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

I don't trust those people any more. If T-Mobile cancels I'll try that
again, but trust is a real bitch to restore.

Red Pocket bought the FP hotspot operation and immediately canceled my
service.

--
Cheers, Bev
"I am working for the time when unqualified blacks, browns and
women join the unqualified men in running our government"
-- Cissy Farenthold

sms

2020-05-25 14:37:38 UTC

Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

I don't trust those people any more. If T-Mobile cancels I'll try that
again, but trust is a real bitch to restore.

Red Pocket bought the FP hotspot operation and immediately canceled my
service.

The hotspot service was provided by Sprint. RedPocked acquired only the
AT&T part of FreedomPop's business. The Sprint subscribers were
transferred to Ting, which was never a bargain.

The Real Bev

2020-05-30 17:08:47 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

I don't trust those people any more. If T-Mobile cancels I'll try that
again, but trust is a real bitch to restore.

Red Pocket bought the FP hotspot operation and immediately canceled my
service.

The hotspot service was provided by Sprint. RedPocked acquired only the
AT&T part of FreedomPop's business. The Sprint subscribers were
transferred to Ting, which was never a bargain.

Hotspot is most valuable. I can keep my cheap T-M service and we could
use any device with it.

--
Cheers, Bev
If you're ever about to be mugged by a couple
of clowns, don't hesitate - go for the juggler.

Joerg Lorenz

2020-05-21 09:09:34 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

No dataplan for your Android?

sms

2020-05-21 14:13:20 UTC

Post by Joerg Lorenz

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

No dataplan for your Android?

She does not have a data plan.

In the U.S. there are many options for extremely low cost wireless
services, all they way down to free.

FreedomPop makes you jump through a few hoops for their free service,
but it's on AT&T and it works well once it's set up. There's also the
free subsidized service available, based on income and other factors.

The original poster had an issue with the older FreedomPop/Sprint
service, which was discontinued, but the company was sold to RedPocket
which has a better reputation and their AT&T service works fine. The
voice and SMS service on FreedomPop is all VOIP, over data, but since
it's on AT&T's network now it works fine.

Obviously RedPocket hopes that you'll upgrade to a paid plan, and they
have some very inexpensive plans, and you you can get service on the two
higher-end U.S. networks which is very important if you even travel
outside of urban and suburban areas.

There's a very good web site for comparing prepaid plans at
<https://prepaidcompare.net/>. He's improved it steadily over the years.

Arlen Holder

2020-05-21 15:20:43 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

Hi The Real Bev,

You and I go way back where you know I'm always purposefully helpful.
o I don't know if you have SMS text on your phone... but if you do...

Dateline four years ago...
o No Smartphone? Now You Can Hail An Uber Via Text Message
<https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenhuet/2015/06/15/no-smartphone-now-you-can-hail-an-uber-via-text-message-textber/>

It's probably not a good sign that the "TexBer" company they tout doesn't
seem to have a web page; but the point is that "maybe" Uber accepts
connections via text (if you have SMS text capability on your phone).

I did not dig further since I don't know if you even have texting.

--
Usenet works best when adults post with purposefully helpful intentions.

The Real Bev

2020-05-24 20:10:36 UTC

Post by Arlen Holder

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi? Any time I'm
likely to need it I probably won't be near a wifi hotspot. Their
website is of no help at all.

Hi The Real Bev,
You and I go way back where you know I'm always purposefully helpful.
o I don't know if you have SMS text on your phone... but if you do...

Yes.

Post by Arlen Holder
Dateline four years ago...
o No Smartphone? Now You Can Hail An Uber Via Text Message
<https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenhuet/2015/06/15/no-smartphone-now-you-can-hail-an-uber-via-text-message-textber/>
It's probably not a good sign that the "TexBer" company they tout doesn't
seem to have a web page; but the point is that "maybe" Uber accepts
connections via text (if you have SMS text capability on your phone).
I did not dig further since I don't know if you even have texting.

TextBer has a webpage, but it doesn't seem to do anything. Tried with
FF and Chrome. Surely uber would mention such a thing it it were possible.

--
Cheers, Bev
"I am working for the time when unqualified blacks, browns and
women join the unqualified men in running our government"
-- Cissy Farenthold

Chris

2020-05-21 17:54:38 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi?

What you're looking for is a taxi. If there's none in your area blame Uber
and Lyft.

nospam

2020-05-21 18:02:45 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi?

What you're looking for is a taxi.

Post by Chris
If there's none in your area blame Uber
and Lyft.

it's not the fault of uber & lyft that taxis have not adapted to new
technology and offering a better and easier to use service.

that they choose not to do so is the reason for their own demise.

Nikolaj Lazic

2020-05-21 19:30:26 UTC

Post by nospam

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi?

What you're looking for is a taxi.

Post by Chris
If there's none in your area blame Uber
and Lyft.

it's not the fault of uber & lyft that taxis have not adapted to new
technology and offering a better and easier to use service.

Taxis usually have their own service and their own app.
I do not think they need somebody else to provide them with the
same thing for some extra cash.
This is what other "services" are doing.
"We will connect you with your customers and we want 1/3 of your profits".
They already have that. For free.
The only thing customer has to do is install their app.
But they are targeting Trump voters that want "same interface".

Post by nospam
that they choose not to do so is the reason for their own demise.

I do not agree.
If you want to use taxi in some town, install their app.
And pay your driver. Not some bogus XY firm that does nothing but selling
air and mist.

sms

2020-05-21 20:36:39 UTC

On 5/21/2020 12:30 PM, Nikolaj Lazic wrote:

<snip>

Post by Nikolaj Lazic
If you want to use taxi in some town, install their app.
And pay your driver. Not some bogus XY firm that does nothing but selling
air and mist.

People like Uber and Lyft because part of each ride is paid for by the
Uber and Lyft investors so the rides cost less than taxi rides.

"Unfortunately for us riders, there’s only so much cheap investment
money, and only so many inexperienced drivers, out there. Once Uber and
Lyft have burned through those, they’re going to have to charge us what
the rides are actually worth. Customers will be in for a rude shock."
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/uber-and-lyft-are-losing-money-at-some-point-well-pay-for-it/2019/03/05/addd607c-3f95-11e9-a0d3-1210e58a94cf_story.html>

I posted this before, a story about DoorDash subsidizing pizzas to the
level that the pizza restaurant owner was ordering his own pizzas from
DoorDash because they were paying him $24 per pizza and their delivered
price was $16. Every ten pizzas he ordered from himself he made $80.
Then he could donate them or sell them again or just throw them away
<https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21262316/doordash-pizza-profits-venture-capital-the-margins-ranjan-roy>.

nospam

2020-05-21 20:47:06 UTC

Post by sms
People like Uber and Lyft because part of each ride is paid for by the
Uber and Lyft investors so the rides cost less than taxi rides.

not always.

surge pricing can make an uber/lyft trip very expensive compared to a
taxi.

Chris

2020-05-21 21:44:45 UTC

Post by sms
<snip>

Post by Nikolaj Lazic
If you want to use taxi in some town, install their app.
And pay your driver. Not some bogus XY firm that does nothing but selling
air and mist.

People like Uber and Lyft because part of each ride is paid for by the
Uber and Lyft investors so the rides cost less than taxi rides.
"Unfortunately for us riders, there’s only so much cheap investment
money, and only so many inexperienced drivers, out there. Once Uber and
Lyft have burned through those, they’re going to have to charge us what
the rides are actually worth. Customers will be in for a rude shock."
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/uber-and-lyft-are-losing-money-at-some-point-well-pay-for-it/2019/03/05/addd607c-3f95-11e9-a0d3-1210e58a94cf_story.html>
I posted this before, a story about DoorDash subsidizing pizzas to the
level that the pizza restaurant owner was ordering his own pizzas from
DoorDash because they were paying him $24 per pizza and their delivered
price was $16. Every ten pizzas he ordered from himself he made $80.
Then he could donate them or sell them again or just throw them away
<https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21262316/doordash-pizza-profits-venture-capital-the-margins-ranjan-roy>

That boggles the mind. Good on the pizza owner.

sms

2020-05-22 01:51:22 UTC

Post by sms
<snip>

Post by Nikolaj Lazic
If you want to use taxi in some town, install their app.
And pay your driver. Not some bogus XY firm that does nothing but selling
air and mist.

People like Uber and Lyft because part of each ride is paid for by the
Uber and Lyft investors so the rides cost less than taxi rides.
"Unfortunately for us riders, there’s only so much cheap investment
money, and only so many inexperienced drivers, out there. Once Uber and
Lyft have burned through those, they’re going to have to charge us what
the rides are actually worth. Customers will be in for a rude shock."
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/uber-and-lyft-are-losing-money-at-some-point-well-pay-for-it/2019/03/05/addd607c-3f95-11e9-a0d3-1210e58a94cf_story.html>
I posted this before, a story about DoorDash subsidizing pizzas to the
level that the pizza restaurant owner was ordering his own pizzas from
DoorDash because they were paying him $24 per pizza and their delivered
price was $16. Every ten pizzas he ordered from himself he made $80.
Then he could donate them or sell them again or just throw them away
<https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21262316/doordash-pizza-profits-venture-capital-the-margins-ranjan-roy>

That boggles the mind. Good on the pizza owner.

Obviously the DoorDash driver would not say anything either. Everyone
was happy. The restaurant owner was making money. The driver was making
money. The DoorDash executives and employees were making money. The
investors believe that a big payoff was imminent because the company
will soon go IPO. They just need enough foolish small investors to scoop
up the stock when they go IPO and the early investors will make hundreds
of millions of dollars. Webvan was once valued at $1.2 billion. And the
founder of Webvan is now trying again
<https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-12/webvan-founder-is-back-just-as-online-grocery-orders-take-off>.

Nikolaj Lazic

2020-05-22 02:47:44 UTC

Post by sms
<snip>

Post by Nikolaj Lazic
If you want to use taxi in some town, install their app.
And pay your driver. Not some bogus XY firm that does nothing but selling
air and mist.

People like Uber and Lyft because part of each ride is paid for by the
Uber and Lyft investors so the rides cost less than taxi rides.

Yeah, right... but only in US.
In every other counry the charge extra.
Overhere in Croatia it does not work that way. :)
We sometimes get one discount for one ride... just to get you hooked.
And than full price again.
I really like when US companies ripp off countries all around the world
to give to US citizens. :)
So nice...
Reminds me of the Alan Ford comics... and "super hero" named "Superhik"
who would steal from the poor and give it to the rich folk.

Post by sms
"Unfortunately for us riders, there’s only so much cheap investment
money, and only so many inexperienced drivers, out there. Once Uber and
Lyft have burned through those, they’re going to have to charge us what
the rides are actually worth. Customers will be in for a rude shock."
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/uber-and-lyft-are-losing-money-at-some-point-well-pay-for-it/2019/03/05/addd607c-3f95-11e9-a0d3-1210e58a94cf_story.html>
I posted this before, a story about DoorDash subsidizing pizzas to the
level that the pizza restaurant owner was ordering his own pizzas from
DoorDash because they were paying him $24 per pizza and their delivered
price was $16. Every ten pizzas he ordered from himself he made $80.
Then he could donate them or sell them again or just throw them away
<https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21262316/doordash-pizza-profits-venture-capital-the-margins-ranjan-roy>.

sms

2020-05-22 10:31:05 UTC

Post by Nikolaj Lazic

Post by sms
<snip>

Post by Nikolaj Lazic
If you want to use taxi in some town, install their app.
And pay your driver. Not some bogus XY firm that does nothing but selling
air and mist.

People like Uber and Lyft because part of each ride is paid for by the
Uber and Lyft investors so the rides cost less than taxi rides.

LOL, what makes you think that these companies have made any money that
they can give to U.S. citizens?

Uber lost $21.6 billion from 2016-1Q2020. Maybe they'll lose less for
the rest of the year since they lose money on every ride and the number
of rides is down. Investors, many in the U.S., are providing subsidies
for riders, at least in the U.S.. Governments are providing tax breaks
for these companies. Transit use has declined due to the subsidized
ride-share rides, increasing traffic congestion.

The idea of "we lose money on every ride we sell but we make it up on
the volume" doesn't seem to be working.

micky

2020-05-26 09:28:13 UTC

In comp.mobile.android, on Fri, 22 May 2020 02:47:44 -0000 (UTC),

Post by Nikolaj Lazic

Post by sms
<snip>

Post by Nikolaj Lazic
If you want to use taxi in some town, install their app.
And pay your driver. Not some bogus XY firm that does nothing but selling
air and mist.

People like Uber and Lyft because part of each ride is paid for by the
Uber and Lyft investors so the rides cost less than taxi rides.

I called once and Lyft etc. was not much cheaper than a regular taxi.
It's not the reason I used them. I explained wy in another post, you
know whether the car is, near you, and that it was looking for a fare
when you contacted them. You know it's on the way.

Post by Nikolaj Lazic
Yeah, right... but only in US.
In every other counry the charge extra.
Overhere in Croatia it does not work that way. :)
We sometimes get one discount for one ride... just to get you hooked.
And than full price again.
I really like when US companies ripp off countries all around the world
to give to US citizens. :)

That sounds like nonsense. Neither Uber, Lyft, or taxi companyies make
any money from other countries and any discounts given to US users are
to get the companies established. You have to spend money to make
money. But it has no effect on the rest of the world.

Post by Nikolaj Lazic
So nice...
Reminds me of the Alan Ford comics... and "super hero" named "Superhik"
who would steal from the poor and give it to the rich folk.

Post by sms
"Unfortunately for us riders, theres only so much cheap investment
money, and only so many inexperienced drivers, out there. Once Uber and
Lyft have burned through those, theyre going to have to charge us what
the rides are actually worth. Customers will be in for a rude shock."
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/uber-and-lyft-are-losing-money-at-some-point-well-pay-for-it/2019/03/05/addd607c-3f95-11e9-a0d3-1210e58a94cf_story.html>
I posted this before, a story about DoorDash subsidizing pizzas to the
level that the pizza restaurant owner was ordering his own pizzas from
DoorDash because they were paying him $24 per pizza and their delivered
price was $16. Every ten pizzas he ordered from himself he made $80.
Then he could donate them or sell them again or just throw them away
<https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21262316/doordash-pizza-profits-venture-capital-the-margins-ranjan-roy>.

The article starts off talkign about "global capitalism". It has
nothing to do with that. It's about free enterprise and marketing.

They could have had a cluase in their contract that prohibited buying
from oneself or arranging sales, but otoh, if their goal was just to
make volume prior to an IPO, that might already be stock fraud.

Aha, forget all that: there was no contract or even contact between
Doordash and the pizzaria.

I've wondered about that: Does a delivery service need to arrange
things with the restaurant, or can they offere to deliver from any place
on Main St. and just go get the food and deliver it. Their problem was
that they mispriced the food. If the owner thought he'd been wronged
by their using his restuarant's listing, which is a lot worse than just
saying every restuarant in Smallville, then I don't blame him for
getting even.

Now that the author called Doordash, they'll probably correct their
pricing and maybe they'll check with each restaurant they epxlicitly
piggyback on.

sms

2020-05-21 20:09:14 UTC

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi?

What you're looking for is a taxi. If there's none in your area blame Uber
and Lyft.

LOL eventually Uber and Lyft will run out of clueless investors willing
to subsidize everyone's rides and taxis will make a comeback.

The funniest story about these investor-subsidized services was one
about DoorDash
<https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21262316/doordash-pizza-profits-venture-capital-the-margins-ranjan-roy>.

micky

2020-05-26 09:04:20 UTC

In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 21 May 2020 17:54:38 -0000 (UTC), Chris

Post by The Real Bev
Is there any way to use Uber by PHONE rather than wifi?

What you're looking for is a taxi. If there's none in your area blame Uber
and Lyft.

I was a taxi-driver for a year. We had to have a good driving record,
we drove their cars that they maintained, they provided the gasoline, we
had to pass a test (though the test was about where the train stations
were, the tourist places, not about first aid or anything), and I was
covered by their insurance.

So I like taxis and I hate to see what Lyft etc. has probably done to
them. OTOH, this is the one area I can think of where the new guy on
the block hs real advantages over the old guy: YOu have to get to the
airport on time. You call the night beefore to a taxi company to
arrange it. Wake up in the morning, are they coming? Who knows. Call
the taxi company, Yes, you're on our schedule for 9AM. Fine but at 8:30
how do you know the assigned guy didn't get sick, or get a fare to
Dulles and won't be back for 2 hours. 9:00 comes and he's not there.
Is he 30 seconds late or not coming at all.

Lyft, you see a car nearby with nothing to do. I presume only the cars
withoout fares show on the screen. You hire him and he comes right
over. Not much can go wrong there, except that he's an incompetent
driver and he kills you. But at least your body arrives on time.

As to taxis having their own app, I'm not aware of it. I only use a
taxi to go to the airport or surgery, once or twice a year. No poster
in the cab about an app. Checking, apparently there is one from 2 years
ago June. Isn't that late? Why don't they advertise it. And it's not
every independant cab company, how could it be.

Transdev, the international company that owns Yellow Checker Cab of
Baltimore, is launching its zTrip app in the city on Thursday.... I was
a Yellow cab driver in Chicago (I think there wee 3000 Yellow Cabs and
1000 Checker Cabs) but Yellow/Checker are not very big in Baltimore,
certainly not near me.

The app Independent Taxi Baltimore has only 100+ installs.

https://www.ztrip.com/2018/06/08/a-baltimore-taxi-company-now-has-a-ride-hailing-app/

micky

2020-05-26 09:13:52 UTC

In comp.mobile.android, on Tue, 26 May 2020 05:04:20 -0400, micky

Post by micky
In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 21 May 2020 17:54:38 -0000 (UTC), Chris