Straight Talk Wireless is owned by TracFone, Inc. The company was founded in 1987 and got its first retail presence in 1999. Their parent company, TracFone, Inc. was incorporated in 2010. Even though the majority of Americans are using a mobile phone these days, many still don’t know that it’s even a thing. If you’re one of them and you want to get on the bandwagon, here’s everything you need to know about Straight Talk Wireless.
Who Owns Straight Talk Wireless?
Straight Talk Wireless is owned by TracFone, Inc. The company was founded in 1987 and got its first retail presence in 1999. Their parent company, TracFone, Inc. was incorporated in 2010. TracFone is the parent company of a number of wireless brands, including Lending Club, Net10, and Straight Talk. For a brief time in 2018, TracFone also owned the Safello phone-ring delivery service.
What is Straight Talk Wireless?
Straight Talk Wireless is a subsidiary of TracFone. It offers a variety of no-contract, prepaid wireless plans with unlimited voice, text, and data. Its prepaid plans are meant to be used with a variety of phones, including old and new iPhone models, Android devices, and even unlocked phones. On a Straight Talk plan, you pay an upfront amount, usually $45 or $55, which gets you a device, service, and a service agreement. Your service agreement lets you add more minutes or data whenever you want. There are no contract commitments and no monthly bills. You’re not locked into a 2-year contract, but you’re stuck with Straight Talk if you want to keep using their service.
How to Find Out If Your Network Provider Is Straight Talk
Through January 2019, most new Straight Talk customers were able to easily find out if their provider was Straight Talk by simply looking at their phone. If you have a blue logo with a big “ST” in the logo, then you likely have a Straight Talk network. To check, turn on your phone and look at the top of the screen. Your phone should tell you if you’re using a Straight Talk network or not. If it doesn’t, contact customer service and ask.
How to Find Out If You’re On Straight Talk Wireless
If you’re on Straight Talk, your device will say so on the top of your screen. You can also contact customer service and ask if you’re on the right network. If you’re not on Straight Talk, you have a few options. You can switch to another network, buy an unlocked phone, or buy a device through Amazon.
How to Buy Straight Talk Wireless
If you have an existing phone number, you can port that number to Straight Talk by calling 844-824-8929. This will let you keep your number, but will also let you use a Straight Talk phone number. If you don’t have an existing number, you can buy a phone and bring your own number. Most of the unlocked phones can switch to a Straight Talk number, but you’ll need to call customer service to do it. There are two ways to buy a phone. You can buy a device through Straight Talk’s website, or you can buy a phone from one of the many sellers on Amazon. The Amazon sellers include Amazon itself and some third-party sellers.
Where to Buy Straight Talk Wireless
Straight Talk stores are located mostly in the Southwest and on the West Coast. Most stores are closed on Sundays and closed on non-weekends during the week. They’re also often closed for a short period in the middle of the day. Most locations have a limited selection of phones, such as iPhones and Android devices, but they’re easy to spot. They generally have a small selection of phones in front of a big sign that says “STORE.” If you can’t find one in your area, you can buy a device from Amazon and bring your own number.
Is Straight Talk Wireless Safe?
According to independent tests, the phones sold through Straight Talk are safe. The Consumer Reports evaluation of the Net10 plans (the same plans offered by most of the phones sold on Straight Talk) concluded that the plans are safe but that the company’s customer service is subpar. The publication also points out that the Net10 phones sold on Straight Talk often receive Android updates before Google releases an official update.
Is Straight Talk Wireless Worth It?
If you want to escape the contract and device cycle, using a prepaid service with a no-contract phone plan is an option. It’s also an option without a contract, so it’s worth your time to read and compare the options. The big question with any no-contract service is exactly how much money you’ll save. The money-back guarantee is the first step toward answering this question. A fully refunded no-contract phone plan costs less than any contract-free SIM-free plan you can buy directly from your carrier. The next question is, is that money better spent on a more reliable phone plan or a new phone? The money-back guarantee on the Net10 plan makes it easy to find out.
Final Words: Is It Worth It to Buy Straight Talk Wireless?
The Straight Talk wireless plans are a great budget option, but they come with certain trade-offs. They’re not the most reliable service, they have limited device selection, and you won’t get the latest and greatest device. If you want to get away from the contract and device cycle and you want to keep some flexibility, then Straight Talk is a good option. You’ll save some money and you won’t have any commitments, but the network quality might not be as good as the carrier you choose to sign with next. They offer phones at a budget price. If you’re willing to make some upgrades, you’ll have a more powerful phone for the same price.