Porting landline thru T-Mobile

[pmennen]

I'm trying to follow the landline porting tutorial: www.obihai.com/porttutorial
It suggests it would cost $3-$7 to get a sim card here:
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit
Ok, price went up a little since that was written. It now shows $10.
But the tutorial implies that this is all he needed to buy from T-Mobile. Does this mean the sim card comes with some minutes already? When I called T-Mobile, the representative didn't think it had any minutes and said I should by 100 minutes for $10. So now we are up to $20, which makes the cost $40 once the GV porting fee is paid. (I already have a phone that can accept the sim card).

Is this still the best that can be done, or is there a way that will cost less than $40?

Thanks
~Paul

[raman]

I just switched and yes paid total of $40 Bucks.
$10 Sim Card Fee
$10 talk time from T-mobile (Minimum)
$20 Google port fee

I don't think there is any cheaper option at least in USA

[lhm.]

Return on investment = Excellent 

[azrobert]

T-Mobile discontinued their traditional Pay as You Go plan.
Here is their $3 monthly plan that includes 30 minutes or $2 a day with unlimited talk.
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/pay-as-you-go

In the past, T-Mobile frequently had Sim cards on sale for $1.
Don't know if they still have the frequent sales.

[drgeoff]

T-Mobile discontinued their traditional Pay as You Go plan.
Here is their $3 monthly plan that includes 30 minutes or $2 a day with unlimited talk.
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/pay-as-you-go

In the past, T-Mobile frequently had Sim cards on sale for $1.
Don't know if they still have the frequent sales.

It isn't often things are cheaper here in the UK but PAYG cards (with no call credit) are readily available in shops for £1 and most of the networks will mail you one (or two if you want) at no charge.

[Rick]

Make sure you do a bunch of research on GV, including using it (you can have GV call your phone and then complete the call for you) to make sure you want to make this commitment.  GV has quality issues at times, and no customer service.  For occasional use, and if a call terminating after 60 minutes and things like that are no big deal, it's ok.  If you use it a lot, I'd look at another provider.