How to Activate Data Service on NET10

Surfing the Web on the phone.

Net10 is a prepaid cell phone carrier in the United States. It is a mobile virtual network operator, which means it is a company that can offer mobile services but are not allocated its own frequency to broadcast cellular signals on, so it purchases space on other network's frequencies. Net10 phones have the basic ability to make phone calls, and send and receive text messages, but some phones are more advanced and can do things such as browse the mobile Web. To take advantage of a phone that utilizes data services, you need to activate those services.

Things You'll Need

• Net10 data capable phone
• Airtime card -OR- Monthly plan card

Instructions

1. Activate your phone if you have not done so. After purchasing your phone you can either call 877-TEN-CENT or go to the Net10 home page and click on "Activate/Reactivate to activate your device. You will need to know your phone's serial number. This can be found on the activation card inside your new phone kit.

2. Add minutes to your account on the Net10 website or by calling 877-TEN-CENT.

3. Go to your phone's browser to use the Internet. Many phones have a dedicated Internet button, if not, it will be labeled in the phone as "Web" or "Internet." Once the minutes are added to your account and phone, your phone is active for all the features that it is equipped for. As of June 2011, for every minute that you are browsing the Internet on your phone, you will be charged one minute of airtime. Net10 rounds up as well.

Tips & Warnings

• In addition to the one minute per minute of airtime used when on the Internet, other data services such as downloading ring tones also charge to the bucket of allotted minutes. For multi-media messages (such as picture messages) you will be charged 2.5 minutes to send or receive a multimedia message. You will also be charged the extra 1 minute of airtime per minute of mobile access to download the message.

• Because of how the minutes are charged, it's important to watch your minutes carefully if you're spending a lot of time on the Internet. If you plan on using your phone heavily on the Internet, it may be advisable to go with one of Net10's monthly unlimited Web plans.

References

• Consult Strands Publications: Understanding MVNO
• Net10: Contact Information
• Net10: Data Services

Resources

• Net10: FAQ