Starlink

[JRH02]

Lou, please explain. But if you have no cell signal.... Don't people understand/

 

[BigBlue1]

Lou, please explain. But if you have no cell signal.... Don't people understand/

He's referring to "wifi calling", which is a feature many cell phones and cell providers support. That allows you to make normal calls with your cell phone (and do SMS) with only a wifi signal and Internet connection. Check for details on your current cell phone model and with your cell provider to see if that feature is available with both.

It can also be done with a virtual phone number service such as Google Voice. With that you don't even need an actual phone... you could make a call from a PC with microphone and speakers or send & receive texts from a browser.

 

[LouNY]

Any cell phone can be set to use a wifi signal instead of a cellular signal;

Here's how to enable and make Wi-Fi calls on Android.

Note: these steps were taken on a Pixel 6 Pro — steps may vary slightly depending on the version of Android you're using, but should be similar.

How to make Wi-Fi calls on Android​

1. Go to Settings > Network and Internet
2. Tap Calls and SMS
3. Tap a network under Wi-Fi calling
4. Toggle Wi-Fi calling on

Read on to see full, illustrated instructions for each step.
here is a link,
How to make Wi-Fi calls on Android

Any cell phone service provider has lower cost plans with less data, all of those plans will use NO data while wifi calling.

And then there is the VOIP route;
such as,
Nationwide Calling Plans | Vonage for Home

 

[JRH02]

Vonage. Another one in the loop. That's kind of an old name.... Isn't it?

 

[LouNY]

Yes, they have been around for quite few years. I used their service for a few years when my landline got completely unusable.

 

[ponytug]

No cell signal. Period. From any provider.

We've been here 15 years+. We used to get 1 or 2 bars with 1x with a booster. Now that is gone and dead.

People are beating me but they aren't getting the issue. I MERELY want to use Starlink for the 95% of AT HOME communication via Wifi but still have an economical cell plan.

I only use caps when needed. Sometimes it matters not.

Ok. Mint, Visible, Red Pocket or any of the low cost MVNO should work. I don't hear great things about US cellular, but I don't have any personal experience.

All the best, Peter

 

[JasperFrank]

If you are dropping Century Link for another service, nail it down with a paper trail. Four frustrating hours today on phone, just to get them to admit I HAD disconnected/ended service with them two months ago. Seems the billing just kept going. And they go Oppzie.... We bad.... We missed the disconnect ticket and billing just kept running all on its own.

 

[JRH02]

If you are dropping Century Link for another service, nail it down with a paper trail. Four frustrating hours today on phone, just to get them to admit I HAD disconnected/ended service with them two months ago. Seems the billing just kept going. And they go Oppzie.... We bad.... We missed the disconnect ticket and billing just kept running all on its own.

Seems to be an issue with various services. Was this a direct account draw or a CC charge? To date the ONLY folk who get to directly hit a bank account is the home/property insurance. Another is my Ford Credit payment but I manage each month. Even though they, a vendor, may not be not trustworthy in other ways if they are consistent with access to direct billing all is good with me. From that I can budget.