Picking a wireless provider

[bellenseb]

So I'm done with my contract with AT&T, and figured I'd shop around. Checking Verizon and T-Mobile, it seems the plans are a good deal more expensive than what I'm paying now for comparable service...is AT&T/Cingular just cheap?
 
 If I say I'm thinking of switching, will they offer me a match/deal?

[vansmack]

What do you use your phone for?
 
 Are you a heavy data user or just a regular old caller?

[TheDirector217]

Verizon has the best service, but they know that & will hit your head for it in the process. (Data plan a little pricey.)
 
 Sprint is cheaper & has better phones, but their service/reception is a step behind Verizon's. (Data plan is way more moderately priced.)
 
 AT&T/Cingular aside of those rollover minutes is a step above useless.
 
 T-Mobile & Nextel ARE fuckin' useless.
 
 Hope that helped . . . .

[vansmack]

Originally posted by bellenseb:
  If I say I'm thinking of switching, will they offer me a match/deal?

Not at the store, but if you call them up and ask for customer retention you have a better chance.  It moves from none to slim, but at least there's hope.

[TheDirector217]

Originally posted by vansmack:
   

Originally posted by bellenseb:
  If I say I'm thinking of switching, will they offer me a match/deal?

Not at the store, but if you call them up and ask for customer retention you have a better chance.  It moves from none to slim, but at least there's hope. [/b]

Yeah.  Customer retention is that dirty little secret phone companies don't want you to know about.  aka The Customer Can Call In & Make Threats line.

[ratioci nation]

I am with verizon and am up for my new ever two discount in a month, but if I go to upgrade my phone on their website they are already all discounted.  Anybody know if the new every two discount is in addition to those discounts?  And any suggestions on which phone to upgrade to?  I don't need a Q or a Blackberry or anything.  I have had an LG-VX6100 for 2 years and it was usually pretty hard  to have a clear conversation, and I dont think it was a coverage problem.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by TheDirector217:
  Verizon has the best service

I have gotten to the point where I don't think anybody offers more coverage in major metro areas (they're all spotty) or better customer service (they all suck).
 
 I've broken cell phones down to the following:
 
 Find the two places you use your phone the most (presumably work and home) and see who has the best coverage there.  If they're all equal, then pick the cheaper plan.  But I know some folks who have Verizon phones but can't use them in their own apartment, and I would never accept that, and don't think calling Verizon is going to change that. I'd pay $10 more a month to be able use a phone in my apt.
 
 If you're a heavy data user, you're only choices are Sprint vs. Verizon (and I suppose Helio).  They're heads and tails above the rest and as was pointed out (about 5-7 times faster and the gap is widening), Sprint is a bit cheaper.
 
 If you travel internationally a lot, then your only choices are T-Mobile and AT&T Cingular, as Sprint and Verizon don't work overseas (except Korea and Canada/Mexico).
 
 Lastly, I used to keep pretty close tabs on upgrade offers (I like to upgrade my phone a lot as I'm an early adopter of new technologies).  But at this point, they've all gotten so convoluted that I don't understand any of them any longer.  Bascially, assume about $50 off after a year, about $100 after 18 months, and like you were a new customer after 2 years.  
 
 I hope that helps.

[Venerable Bede]

Originally posted by vansmack:
 
 If you travel internationally a lot, then your only choices are T-Mobile and AT&T Cingular, as Sprint and Verizon don't work overseas (except Korea and Canada/Mexico).
 

verizon does have a world-wide blackberry phone, at least that's what the phone says.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by pdx pollard:
  but if I go to upgrade my phone on their website they are already all discounted.  Anybody know if the new every two discount is in addition to those discounts?

It's usually not.  There's usually in the fine print that those prices are for new customers only.
 
 I would just call and ask what you're eligible for.  Sprint allows you to see what you qualify for as far as upgrades online, but I'm not sure if Verizon does.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
  verizon does have a world-wide blackberry phone, at least that's what the phone says.

OK, fair enough.  Both companies offer one phone that works internationally (Sprint's I believe is Samsungs IP-830W) so other than those one offs, the other phones by Verizon and Sprint will not work internationally.

[TheDirector217]

Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
   

Originally posted by vansmack:
 
 If you travel internationally a lot, then your only choices are T-Mobile and AT&T Cingular, as Sprint and Verizon don't work overseas (except Korea and Canada/Mexico).
 

verizon does have a world-wide blackberry phone, at least that's what the phone says. [/b]

That is true.  But for the most part, Verizon & Sprint are on their own enclosed CDMA network.  However, Europe, Asia, & all other vicinities outside N. America use GSM band networks which is why your AT&T or T-Mobile MD/DC/VA number works during your all-night bender in Amsterdam.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by TheDirector217:
  your AT&T or T-Mobile MD/DC/VA number works during your all-night bender in Amsterdam.

That, sir, is not a good thing.

[bellenseb]

Right now at Cingular/ATT I'm paying 60/month for 2 lines, no data/text, 400 daytime, unlimited night/weekend.
 
 It seems like *any* 2 line plan at Verizon starts at 70, before the inevitable 10-odd bucks in fees...

[kosmo vinyl]

some worth checking is that  wireless providers have employee discount plans, sprint has a link right on the front page to determine if the company you work for has a discount plan in place.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by bellenseb:
  Right now at Cingular/ATT I'm paying 60/month for 2 lines, no data/text, 400 daytime, unlimited night/weekend.

Sprint has 550 minutes at $60 for two phones, unlimited Sprint Mobile to Mobile, and unlimited nights and weekends that start at 7 PM.