idle rainy day pondering - cheapest way to have a phone number + a little data for a backup iPhone?

[clay]

thanks for the freedom pop reminder. Just ordered a SIM for pickup at Best Buy for $1.

If it works, that should be perfect for this device.

[clay]

space-time wrote:
https://www.xfinity.com/mobile/

my bill was $2.74 last month (that was entirely taxes and fees, comcast actual bill was $0.00). 100 MB of data, unlimited talk and text, Verizon network, and if I exceed 100 MB, $12/GB.

I would be very interested in trying this, but no Xfinity mobile office in my city. Closest one is an hour away...not going to make the trip just for that! But someday I might...

[ztirffritz]

I have a FreedomPop Wifi Hotspot that includes 250mb of data every month. I also have have a FreedomPop SIM in my 5S with unlimited calling for free every month. On the phone I'm paying for I think 2GB of data, but it's about $12/month. If you work the system you can get more data for free, but it isn't worth it to me. I paid extra to get a global SIM so I was able to use it while I was in Italy. My wife talked to her girlfriend while we were hiking in Cinque Terre. The customer service isn't great, but it mostly works without issues.