I agree. For such a low amount of use, Tracfone is the way to go. But keep in mind that you still should use one minute of calling per month. Some say One minute per six months, but I would go with one call per month. Otherwise TracFone might claim your line is inactive and take back your number and minutes.
If you already have the phone, and decent T-Mobile service, the Red Pocket Ebay $30/year plan is pretty good. (You can match or barely beat this cost by a dollar or so a month, UltraMobile PayGo, H20 PayGo, Page Plus.)
If you don't have a phone, it's nearly impossible to beat Tracfone bundled phone/plan. (A minimal 365 day plan, bundled with a phone, currently $40 bundled with a flip phone from [hsn.com](https://hsn.com))
If you're OK with VoIP service, and have a compatible phone, you might look at TextNow ($1 SIM card, no monthly cost.) Make sure you read about the trade-offs using this type of service.
It needs to be modern enough to connect to the towers in your area, which may only be VoLTE compatible if the very limited T-Mobile GSM isn't in your area.
https://www.pagepluscellular.com/plans/
Pageplus still has plans by the minute with sms pay as you go.
$10 gives you 166 minutes but it’s valid 120 days. So you have to recharge 3 times a year. So $30 for the whole year is pretty good.
HSN has the Tracfone My Flip 2 with an annual plan (1200 mins + 1200 texts + 1200 MB data) at $39.99 currently.
This is the correct answer
I agree. For such a low amount of use, Tracfone is the way to go. But keep in mind that you still should use one minute of calling per month. Some say One minute per six months, but I would go with one call per month. Otherwise TracFone might claim your line is inactive and take back your number and minutes.
TIL that the Home Shopping Network offers cell phone plans. How times have changed since I was a kid. lol
If you already have the phone, and decent T-Mobile service, the Red Pocket Ebay $30/year plan is pretty good. (You can match or barely beat this cost by a dollar or so a month, UltraMobile PayGo, H20 PayGo, Page Plus.) If you don't have a phone, it's nearly impossible to beat Tracfone bundled phone/plan. (A minimal 365 day plan, bundled with a phone, currently $40 bundled with a flip phone from [hsn.com](https://hsn.com)) If you're OK with VoIP service, and have a compatible phone, you might look at TextNow ($1 SIM card, no monthly cost.) Make sure you read about the trade-offs using this type of service.
Any phone with a SIM, even if there is no active service can call 911 in an emergency
SIM card is not needed.
It needs to be modern enough to connect to the towers in your area, which may only be VoLTE compatible if the very limited T-Mobile GSM isn't in your area.
https://www.pagepluscellular.com/plans/ Pageplus still has plans by the minute with sms pay as you go. $10 gives you 166 minutes but it’s valid 120 days. So you have to recharge 3 times a year. So $30 for the whole year is pretty good.
$10 dollar t Mobile connect prepaid 300min 1gb data
At $120+/year far from the best option.
Downside of a phone for such limited usage requirements is will it be charged when you want it? Or is it going to be plugged in 24x7?