Providers - i wireless

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Providers - i wireless

I don't see any information on Kroger's i-wireless, but I see them in Kroger stores. Can you tell me about them?

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Providers - i wireless

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Aug 02, 2011

Definition of an MVNO
by: PrepaidWirelessGuy

Thank you for your comments. I'm not sure I understand/agree with your note re. the definition of an MVNO. An MVNO is a company that doesn't own/operate its own network, but rather purchases wholesale minutes from another major provider. Both i-wireless and TracFone are examples of classic MVNOs.

Typically an MVNO will not have access to roam on the main carrier's roaming partners. For example, if you're in an area where Sprint doesn't have coverage, and postpaid Sprint customers would normally roam on Verizon, MVNO customers won't be able to roam on Verizon (in this example). The same holds true for most prepaid brands on the carrier's network. For example Boost Mobile, nor Virgin Mobile will not roam on non-Sprint network partner cell sites.

TracFone may have partnerships with a number of other partners that allow its customers to roam on various carriers aside from the core Tier1 carrier on which they typically provide service. TracFone offers service on both Verizon (CDMA) and AT&T (GSM) networks (you have to buy a phone that works with either, not both, of these). i.e. If you've got a phone that operates on its Verizon partnership network, perhaps they also partner with other smaller CDMA network providers that allow it to still have service in fringe or rural areas. Unfortunately, I'm not knowledgeable at that level at this point.

Ultimately, for readers of this thread, please don't get confused by the MVNO discussion. The most important point here is that you should check the carrier's coverage map to ensure that the phone will work where you need it to!

Aug 02, 2011

NOT MVNO
by: Burt

I have tried to add comments before and they are never printed but I'll try one more time.
Everyone keeps saying that King Soopers i-wireless is an MVNO. Its NOT an MVNO. It works strickly on the Sprint network and will not use any other cell phone providers towers.
I have (tried) used i-wireless for about three years and am dropping them. The reason is I get no reception at all from them in Wyoming on I-80 heading West where I travel a lot. This is because they have no cell sites in Wyoming and do not use other companies sites (I was told this by i-wireless customer service) as a true MVNO would.
I have switched to Tracfone which is a MVNO and I have great reception almost everywhere including Wyoming!
Burt

Jan 22, 2011

Iwierless
by: Anonymous

Hello I just got Iwierless from Kroger and I got the 55 a month unlimited and now they tell me its 65 with tax and my web is not unlimited you still have a limite you can't go over.. I had boost mobile and I would pay just 50 a month with tax . am just not happy at all.

Dec 05, 2010

New i-wireless phone.
by: Anonymous

i-wireless has added a great new phone to their line-up. It is the Sanyo Zio. It is their first Android, 3G, and vidoe capable phone. It seems great and will make thier company even better.

Nov 10, 2010

i-Wireless website.
by: Anonymous

For information about i-Wireless at iwirelesshome.com

Nov 05, 2010

i-Wireless Kroger Rules!
by: Anonymous

I have i-Wireless Kroger and have the Sanyo 2700. My brother has it too and his is the Samsung M330. My dad is probably getting their best phone as of now, the touchscreen Samsung Seek. I like it because of the good phones, good plans, and the Free Minutes Rewards. Some of their best phones are the Samsung Seek, LG Rumor 2, and the Sanyo 2700. (They are soon getting a Sanyo touch backflip, I think it's the Sanyo Incognito). Their best plans are $20/ month: unlim. text. $25/mo.: Unlim. text, web, and 200 mins.$40/mo. Unlim.Text, unlim. nights and weekends, and 200 mins. $55 a month: unlim. talk, text, and web. Great Deals. i-Wireless is very good and I love it! More people should have it, if only a lot more people knew about it and would pay attention to the displays in Kroger.

Jul 13, 2010

i-wireless Confusion Untangled!
by: PrepaidWirelessGuy

Thank you for the information Kelly; clear, concise, and helpful...I like it! I will add a note on that page regarding the association of i-wireless with Kroger, as well as a line regarding the loyalty/rewards program.

Jul 13, 2010

i-wireless, a Kroger Co
by: Kelly

Hi, this is Kelly, from i-wireless. I came across this post and thought I would share a little bit on the i-wireless confusion.

There are three i-wireless companies currently operating in the US: i-wireless, a Kroger Co. (sold at Kroger family stores, runs on Sprint Network), i-wireless (AKA Iowa Wireless, runs on T-Mobile Network), and i-wireless from Cincinnati Bell.

The i-wireless Anonymous is referring to is our company. We are sold at the Kroger family of stores nationwide. We are in 31 states and over 2200 stores. We offer pay-per-use, monthly, and unlimited plans. We offer a wide range of handsets (www.iwirelesshome.com), and we offer a loyalty/rewards program called FREE MINUTES. With FREE MINUTES you earn a reward each time you spend $100 in a Kroger-owned store. This can be 20 FREE MINUTES or $1, depending on which plan you are on.

You can find my contact information on our website if you have any additional questions.

Oct 16, 2009

Untangling the MVNOs!
by: PrepaidWirelessGuy

Dear Anonymous - Some months ago after having this dialog I updated the Other Wireless Providers page (Other Wireless Providers) to reflect both i-Wireless companies. I believe that information to be correct, but certainly know that mistakes can happen. I always welcome feedback and insight from visitors, and if any mistakes are found, I certainly update the site to ensure that other visitors have the right information.

The prepaid space, particularly the MVNO space is very dynamic and can certainly be confusing, especially when companies share similar or the same names!

If you have any additional specific information that would be helpful in correctly distinguishing the different i-Wireless companies, definitely please share that, and I would be more than happy to make any necessary corrections, and if you share your name, I will give you credit for helping! Thank you!

Oct 16, 2009

Your wrong it's Not T-Mobile
by: Anonymous

Better do your research a little better before offering advise, opinions or information about plans.

Apr 30, 2009

Two i Wireless Companies!
by: PrepaidWirelessGuy

Thank you for bringing this to our attention; that's definitely super interesting! The i Wireless you speak of is actually an MVNO on the Sprint network. I will add this company to the Other Providers page as well. I wonder if the naming infringes on any trademark laws. Seems bizarre...hmm...

Apr 24, 2009

Wrong i-wireless
by: Anonymous

I think the i-wireless that person is referring to is just i-wireless. It's sold at Kroger stores and from what I know, they run off of the Sprint Network. I live in Indianapolis and I can earn free minutes when I shop. It's pretty cool and allows for my son to get his minutes free each month. I did a search for them and their website is www.iwirelesshome.com.

Apr 23, 2009

i wireless MEGAtalk prepaid plan
by: PrepaidWirelessGuy

i wireless, which used to be known as Iowa Wireless, is a partnership between T-Mobile USA and Iowa Network Services (INS). So, it appears as though it’s not an MVNO per se because the host carrier, T-Mobile, is actually a part owner. In other words, a true MVNO simply buys wholesale minutes from the host carrier, whereas it seems that i wireless is actually a joint venture/partnership. On their website they refer to themselves as a T-Mobile affiliate, and from examining their plans, it appears as though their my5 plans look very similar to T-Mobile’s myFaves plans, which makes me think that this is an offshoot brand that leverages much of T-Mobile’s existing offerings. This is often referred to as a flanker brand. That may very well not be their intention, but for some reason they felt they could customize an offering within this partnership to service a particular subset of customers.

Although they offer nationwide coverage, they’re primarily available in Iowa, and parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. They provide a variety of postpaid plans, however, they also offer a prepaid service called MEGAtalk. Their prepaid plans actually appear to be quite good. They offer 7-day, 15-day, 30-day, and 60-day prepaid plans. To give you an idea for comparison purposes, their 30-day plan, which includes unlimited voice, text, and Web is currently going for $49.00. The only other plan that currently competes with this is Boost Mobile’s $50.00 plan.

In terms of them being in Kroger, I expect that’s one of their distributors is certain markets, but I don’t believe it’s actually a Kroger branded offering. As they don’t have a nationwide presence, they haven’t been included in the Wireless Providers section and plan comparison charts. However, they will be added to the Other Wireless Provider’s section shortly. I definitely think that for certain people they offer a great service worth considering!

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