Starlink

[buckeyefarmer]

my son switched from my verizon to "visible by verizon", still uses verizon network, but fixed price, much cheaper than what I'm paying now for data on verizon.

 

[Tinhack]

mine showed a satellite symbol where it normally showed signal strength.

I just took a snapshot of mine. All it shows is the signal strength. But you're probably right about it being satellites. This is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. (Android 14, One UI 6.1)

 

[BigBlue1]

I'm wondering how my old phone still gets emergency messages. WiFi and Bluetooth are off and there's no SIM card in it. I moved the SIM card to my new phone. I keep the battery charged since I still use it as a camera and a few of the Apps are handy. It's showing two signal strength bars but what are they? It must be connected somehow to get emergency messages.

Your SIM is your 'key' to using the cell service. It's your identifier and authentication mechanism. It isn't explicitly required for the phone to receive signal and communicate with the cell tower, it is only needed for you to be allowed to do things over the service. If the cellular provider has deemed that it will broadcast emergency messages to every device connected then your phone will receive it when it is on and can get signal.

 

[JRH02]

I had Verizon for over 30 years as a cell phone provider, $73 a month with the senior/military discount ??
I switched to Mint mobile for less then $360 per year (actually $267.67 for the first year after taxes and fees, the renewal will be $360 unless I renew early while a sale is going on which is why it was $267). Before I ported my phone number over from Verizon I got a Mint mobile sim and installed it in a rugged tablet to use for data and to check signal strength and coverage. The coverage is the same and possibly a bit better then my phone was on Verizon. So from $876 a year to $360 ($267) well less then half and if I renew on the on sale prices 1/3 of my Verizon and that is for an unlimited talk and data plan.

I'm looking at Mint.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I'm looking at Mint.

We use Cricket. We're on ATT towers but depending on the phone you can use Verizon towers. $30/month unlimited txt/tlk/data, no tethering

 

[JRH02]

mine showed a satellite symbol where it normally showed signal strength.

This does no useful good in the conversation unless you repeat your platform and hardware. This is not a group of Ranchers kicking dust in the corral.

 

[JRH02]

We use Cricket. We're on ATT towers but depending on the phone you can use Verizon towers. $30/month unlimited txt/tlk/data, no tethering

AGAIN Dang IT! We REQUIRE WiFi connectivity! If You can't address the issue I don't care who is the provider.

 

[JRH02]

Your SIM is your 'key' to using the cell service. It's your identifier and authentication mechanism. It isn't explicitly required for the phone to receive signal and communicate with the cell tower, it is only needed for you to be allowed to do things over the service. If the cellular provider has deemed that it will broadcast emergency messages to every device connected then your phone will receive it when it is on and can get signal.

Finally, people who know what thy are talking about.

 

[NoTrespassing]

AGAIN Dang IT! We REQUIRE WiFi connectivity! If You can't address the issue I don't care who is the provider.

wow man lmao

 

[buckeyefarmer]

This does no useful good in the conversation unless you repeat your platform and hardware. This is not a group of Ranchers kicking dust in the corral.

?????????????
I answered tinhack's question....