ETF/renewing contract questions

[Jaguox]

Hi all, I'm fairly new here, and I have some questions I'd like to get clarified before the release of the HTC Incredible and Nexus One. Currently, I am on contract with my BB Storm1, which has to go one way or another. My 2 year contract start date is in late June of '09, so from what I understand I will be eligible for an upgrade this June at 2 year pricing + $20, which will reset my 2 year contract and NE2. My problem is that I am impatient and don't want to wait that long, I'd rather get the Inc or N1 as soon as they come out. I understand that I can pay full retail for either, and I assume they will be similarly priced at the $500-600 price range. I am ok with this, but I would also like to save a buck, which is where my questions come in.

If I could eat the ETF for the Storm, and then start a new contract for the Inc, it would be around ~$325[ETF(~$125)+Subsidized Inc(~$200)=~$325], which would save me quite a bit of money, but renew my contract as well as set my ETF to the new standard for smartphones. However, I've been hearing that this isn't possible due to the early termination actually terminating your telephone number. Also, if you were to restart Verizon would just put you back on your old contract. Obviously I'd like to keep my current number, and I want a new contract for the subsidized pricing. Is there anything keeping me from porting my number to Sprint and trying out the Hero for a month, and then trying to port back later? It seems like this would at least preserve my phone number, but would it allow me to start a new contract?

Also, I don't really understand why VZW doesn't just let you pay the ETF to terminate your contract then continue off contract, not that anybody would actually want to since monthly pricing is the same.

(Just a note, Sprint and AT&T are viable alternatives for me, and it seems like Sprint is even willing to pay you to port over, partially covering the ETF. I would prefer to stay with VZW because of their coverage, but in the interest of saving a buck its entirely possible I could pick Sprint ultimately with the Evo even though WiMax isn't currently available where I am. AT&T currently has the N1, which I am tired of waiting for now, but again VZW has the better network)

 

[mobil3gen]

This doesnt entirely solve your problem, but when it comes time to upgrade - upgrade through best buy. They have a 30 day return policy and don't charge a restocking fee if you upgrade there... just an fyi... That way you can get say the incredible, and then if you find out 20 days later the N1 is coming out, you can return everything to best buy - and get a different phone.

 

[JohnKuczek]

Verizon's NE2 will allow you to upgrade after 20 months, for details see

Calling Features: New Every Two

 

[IOWA]

Verizon's NE2 will allow you to upgrade after 20 months, for details see

Calling Features: New Every Two

 

[mallinj]

Carriers generally don't allow you to cancel then resign for a colling period of about 90 days. Give or take.

Yup.

 

[Jaguox]

Verizon's NE2 will allow you to upgrade after 20 months, for details see

Calling Features: New Every Two

 

[IOWA]

Thanks, however I am 10 months into my contract (start June 2009) not 22 so I am unfortunately not able to upgrade.

Thank you for the info. I've thought about it a bit, and if I have to wait long enough for the Evo to come out I'll probably be in my renewal period for VZW anyways, at which point the N1 or Inc will definitely be out(but if they aren't I'm outties). As far as I can tell, the Sprint network is definitely inferior to VZW, especially in Nebraska. Sprint 3G covers an area roughly 10% of the state, pretty much directly from Omaha to Lincoln and nowhere else, while VZW 3G covers roughly 90%. So, to me, they really aren't equal, I'd pay less for Sprint because I'd get worse service. I just have to determine how much that service is worth. Right now I don't think its worth it based on the fact that I travel often and want to actually use the 3G service, but maybe a trial would change my mind. On the other hand, with the info that they won't you resign for 90 days I will probably just stick with VZW. I can just buy the phone for Verizon at retail and keep my upgrade for the LTE phones, as I'm sure I'll go through the same dilemma 10 months from now.

Maybe I'll try out the Hero now if it doesn't affect my contract, just to get some android lovin as this BB Storm is driving me nuts.

Just an fyi, I've been to all 48 contiguous states and there are very few places I don't get a 3g signal. 3g will be a moot point anyway, as sprints 4g footprint will actually exceed the existing 3g footprints within 2-3 years (if they keep up the break neck pace that is.)