Author Topic: Your experience with US telecoms?  (Read 6689 times)

Brad

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Your experience with US telecoms?
« on: November 28, 2010, 02:16:50 PM »
I'm starting my research early, my ATT smartphone contract won't come up until June but I'm trying to get a feel for the other telecom companies in the US.  I have been unable to travel for the last 4 years so I could not really test my cellphone and data reception outside of my little patch.

So for the American users here: how has been your experience with your telecom carrier: Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon or ATT both with data and voice? Also how has the company been to deal with for support, billing etc.?

rcjordan

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2010, 02:55:56 PM »
If you're often out in the rural areas, add US Cellular to your research list, Brad.

What are your personal requirements for the handset?  That's the big delimiter for many now.

Brad

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2010, 03:27:24 PM »
If you're often out in the rural areas, add US Cellular to your research list, Brad.

What are your personal requirements for the handset?  That's the big delimiter for many now.

I've only heard good things about US Cellular around here.  Not one bad comment, but all the people I've talked too are voice and text only on that carrier.

I currently have an iPhone. Like it and hope to stick with it.  I suspect when Apple breaks their exclusive with ATT it won't just be Verizon that gets the iPhone - that's speculative but T-Mobile seems willing ... hence the research.  I've not had too bad an experience with ATT locally, some dropped calls, some dead spots.

So for handset, either an iPhone or Android.  I don't use voice much but when you need it you need it. Text moderate, data alot.

rcjordan

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2010, 03:41:25 PM »
I'm doing similar research, Brad.  Currently US Cellular but would like to go Iphone.  I'm not encouraged that I'll be able to make any sort of reasonable compromise that will give me the best of both worlds.  Simply put, USC has near-landline dependability even out in the hinterlands.

>currently Iphone

I've not seen many who posted that they were happy after trading down to Android.  The exception has seemed to be those who had not used many apps.

>T-Mobil

Seems to be about on par with ATT if you're in the top urban areas, but nothing stellar.

Brad

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2010, 07:01:44 PM »
>>US Cellular

Actually has an Android phone, at least in the Chicagoland market.  All their plans have a 5GB data cap.  Don't know how fast their 3G pipes are tho.

>>T-Mobile

I had the same conclusion, that they would probably be about as good as ATT. My neighbor likes them but that is a pretty small data set. Heh.  Looked at Twitter for "tmobile" last night and today: lots of negativity.  T-Mobile would be cheaper then ATT or Verizon plus they even have no contract plans if you want to pay full price for your phone.

>>Verizon
Coverage around here is better than ATT.  With current plans it looks like it will cost me more than ATT.  Twitter: everyone talking about iphone arrival.  ::)


>>Sprint
At times Spotty coverage locally.  No sign they are even interested in iPhone. Twitter: quiet

Darkest Iowa Test:

Using the coverage maps I went to a small town I know in western Iowa which is about 30 miles from nearest interstate.  All corn and soybeans. Only Verizon claims to have both voice and 3G data there.  Rest: maybe roaming partner for voice. Data: don't hold your breath.

Still all that is on paper, nice to find real world experience.

Travoli

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2010, 11:57:51 PM »
Consider that GSM-based services (AT&T, T-Mobile) allow for simultaneous voice and data transfer.  CDMA (Verizon, Sprint) does not.  So if it is important for you to surf the web or use apps while calling someone, go for AT&T or T-Mobile.

I have dumb-phone experience with T-Mobile, which was great.  AT&T is pretty good these days, with only an occasional dropped call. But it does happen.

rcjordan

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #6 on: November 29, 2010, 01:12:13 AM »
I know of a couple of guys who say they have moved to Walmart plans (Verizon backbone, I think) and swapped sims to use their old iphones.  I haven't followed their travails closely but this supposedly worked out fairly well.

mivox

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #7 on: November 29, 2010, 06:27:51 AM »
AT&T is the only telco up here with GSM that works at all in my area, so I can't give much comparative info... But I do have experience jailbreaking and unlocking... if you have a jailbreakable OS and an unlockable baseband version, you could try getting cheap prepaid sims from whoever in the area offers them, and giving them all a test run.
« Last Edit: November 29, 2010, 06:29:52 AM by mivox »
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Brad

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2010, 02:26:18 PM »
Related and Followup: Summary of Consumer Reports rating -
http://www.slashgear.com/att-worst-us-carrier-claims-consumer-reports-06117830/?

It's all there. 

Drastic

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2010, 06:12:04 PM »
Am I the only one here using a dumb phone? Old school I guess, but I only like to use a phone for, errm, actually calling.

I'm on the net so much it's a good way to break free when I leave home/office.

Here in the South, east coast, Verizon is the only really reliable service. When I can be a couple miles up river off the lake on a jetski, practically in the mountains and get a signal, their bs is worth it.

rcjordan

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2010, 07:21:17 PM »
>dumb phone

Me.  And my calls are screened by offices and usually converted to emails.  My phone is for me to call out at my convenience.

Drastic

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #11 on: December 06, 2010, 07:26:29 PM »
>My phone is for me to call out at my convenience.

hehe, my family has finally learned to get in touch with me they have to call or text Amy, or email me.

mivox

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2010, 03:37:08 AM »
My phone is for me to call out at my convenience.

So's mine, unless I want to answer the call. ;) That's why God invented voicemail.
I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not. ~Lucille Ball

rcjordan

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #13 on: December 07, 2010, 06:23:48 PM »
>voicemail

Screw voicemail. I had it killed by the provider. Let the caller find me if they really need me. Otherwise, too damn bad, you should have told my screeners what needed to be said.

mivox

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Re: Your experience with US telecoms?
« Reply #14 on: December 08, 2010, 12:54:30 AM »
Voicemail = poor man's call screener.  ;) :P
I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not. ~Lucille Ball