I have a pre paid T-Mobile phone. I almost never turn the thing on, and only want it for travel, or emergencies. The first year, I put a $100 dollar card on it. That was almost 2k in minutes. After that, as long as I put $10 a year on it, the phone remains active, and the minutes roll over. $10 a year sure beats $49 a month for the cheapest verizon plan. I almost never have a signal issue, and its a nice lil phone. if it breaks, I take the lil card out of the inside, and slide it into a newer phone. I have upgraded twice in the last 4 years. I am quite happy with my cheapo phone.