Direct Energy CS Direct Energy Doubled Electric Rate Chicago Nationwide

I've have been using Ptel (Platinum) for the past few months in the Chicago/Milwaukee/Cleveland area and I'm pleased to report no problems.  The savings I am experiencing, so far at least, seem to be well worth the risk that customer support might not be there instantaneously. 

I started out paying $92/month with Sprint unlimited, then switched to Boost unlimited for $35/month.  I really wasn't using the unlimited service so I decided to switch to a pay-go provider, thus Ptel.  My current usage runs about $10/mnth with a $100 pay-in-advance credit that it viable for a year.

The only problems I have experienced so far have been, on few occasions, that when I check my balance by texting "BAL," sometimes the Ptel system doesn't respond.  It had happened about three times.

Keep in mind that I have a rooted LG G3 phone that was purchased outside of Ptel (a T-Mobile LG G3).   Rooting the phone allows me to control the extraneous bloatware apps that use up data in the background.  I kill almost all of them as they are both annoying and worthless.  I also turn off automatic updates as that seems to be the primary vehicle to plant spyware and other "we tell you it's a benefit for you, but it is really allows us to monetize your information" software.  I also install Onavo software for independent surveillance of my usage.  Onavo tells me which app is sucking up data without my knowledge.

I have had no problems with phone connections or data transmissions thus far.  Perhaps I will report back when I've used the service for more than a year.