I ordered the new FreedomPop phone today...

[onthedownlow]

...supposed to get here in a week or two.

I'll let you know how it goes. I can pick a number anytime (in the account administration), so won't worry about it until later.

So for the inital $99:

HTC EVO 4G
200 min/month
500 text/month
1GB/month (additonal 500MB after adding 'Friends')

All free for the life of the service/company/whatever. They give you a free, unlimited trial for the first month, and then charge you if you don't cancel - I already cancelled it immediately though, as I initially don't plan to use the phone other than to test stuff out. The additional plans are not bad at all though, should one want more/unlimited minutes and extra data.

An extra phone might be handy for whatever reason: lend out, use as a mobile hotspot, and/or definitely will use as a GPS tracker (toss in a luggage bag, keep in vehicle, etc.), at times.

[silvarios]

I'm interested as well. You can bring your own phone now, right? Samsung Epic 4G Touch seems like a pretty good phone for about $100 used.

Please report back how well the VOIP service works. I could see myself switching my normal line over for the $12/month plan. I get decent WiMAX and Sprint 3G service in this area.

[onthedownlow]

Yes, you can bring your own phone now.

I am getting it for my own use/play-with, but my parents have an extra Sprint line just for a Great Aunt/Uncle of mine. I might look in to switching them over to this since they don't use it too much.

Yes, you calls can be routed over wireless for VOIP, but it does goes against your minutes in the plan - from what I read.

[ztirffritz]

I ordered a phone for my business. Pairing that with a Google Voice number makes a compelling combination.

[sekker]

My FreedomPop coverage with my new MiFi was terrible during my last recent visit to Washington DC. Hope the phones are better...