The discount providers absolutely do use the major networks, there is no question of this.
As for the network provider "favoring" direct customers, this has been postulated but I've never seen a thing to actually indicate it happens.
Been on Redpocket using AT&T (2 lines unlimited call & text, 10 GB/line/month for $50) for years now and have never had any service difficulties, here in the DC area where I live or all around the country on travel. It's exactly the same service at a fraction of the price.
jeff
YOU ARE 100% CORRECT. We have exactly the same service with one exception we have 3 of the same lines for $70. More or less its $50 plus $20 extra for the third line. Our daughter now out in the world on her own pays us the $20 a month to keep her 3rd line. Actually just writes a check for $240 a year and gives it to us. BTW- she makes a REALLY good living but why would anyone pay more?
Its also good to point out the $70 or in your case $50 is the ACTUAL payment, I go nuts that people pay administration charges and fees that should be included when they quote prices. These fees add 10 to 15% to the price of service. Its nuts *LOL*
Full disclosure Red Pocket isnt exactly $70 either, there is less then $1 added = $70.94 *LOL* To me that is honest and reasonable and why when comparing cell phone costs it would help if people put their ACTUAL payments. Good god, what product does someone buy other then cell phone service or TV service and quote prices that they never pay!??! *L*
The whole "favoring" direct customers is all BS. I find the same wording in the "direct" providers disclosures about network traffic slowing things down. Bottom line is, Red Pocket buys the service at wholesale prices and resells to us. Like the major direct companies ATT, VERIZON, TMOBILE whom sell more discounted service you maybe lacking roaming and stuff like that, no big deal anymore with that.
We have had RED POCKET ATT so many years now I am losing track and never been in an area in my more "rural" state without service plus I for many years I had a DIRECT comparison between my personal ATT Redpocket phone and with a iPhone and Verizon service.
My company paid for the Iphone and Verizon service plus I had my RedPocket ATT phone at the same time all over the state down to rural areas so rural that my service truck at times would push branches as a drove down one lane dirt roads. (scary stuff*LOL*, at times was glad my truck was tracked with GPS) Both phones provided the same service and it was 50/50 if I ever didnt have service in an area.
I always had ATT service also with Straight Talk, then onto Cricket, then finally RedPocket. Never had an issue with any of them and not that you would notice but Red Pocket gives you full network speeds, straight talk and cricket are paired down/slowed down a little but it really doesnt matter on a cell phone other then it is cool to run a speed test and see the speed there. Also Red Pocket allows "pairing" to a computer, however rarely when my Spectrum Internet goes down in our home or again rarely we lose power and eventually the modem and router power back up dies I use my Mac Desktop paired to my Red Pocket phone or if the power is out I can also pair it to my MacBook Air. Very convenient and many secondary providers do not allow this..