Considering Changing to AT&T

Benrx · Sep 13, 2015

I'm sure this is covered somewhere, but any search I do returns results that are too broad.

I have been on Verizon for years and looking at moving to AT&T, and have a question or two.

I see different phones I'd like to try, but I think on Verizon I can't use any of them because they don't support unlocked phones. It is my impression that on AT&T however, I can pick up any unlocked network compatible (GSM) phone off eBay, pop a sim card in, and I'm good to go. Is this right?

When I am at sporting events, friends with AT&T can text and look at the Internet. Verizon's system is usually bogged down and all I get is a dead battery from my phone's frantic search for a signal. Have any of you had a similar experience?

Verizon claims to have the largest network, but I've asked several friends with AT&T and none of them reports any trouble getting a signal. How about you?

lunatic59 · Sep 13, 2015

Benrx said:
It is my impression that on AT&T however, I can pick up any unlocked network compatible (GSM) phone off eBay, pop a sim card in, and I'm good to go. Is this right?

As long as it supports the frequency bands AT&T uses, you will be fine. Unless the phone is branded by some oddball network, most gsm phones will work on AT&T as they use pretty common international frequencies. You can verify a specific model at http://www.willmyphonework.net/

When I am at sporting events, friends with AT&T can text and look at the Internet. Verizon's system is usually bogged down and all I get is a dead battery from my phone's frantic search for a signal. Have any of you had a similar experience?

Verizon claims to have the largest network, but I've asked several friends with AT&T and none of them reports any trouble getting a signal. How about you?

I've never had much of a problem, and it's been better lately. Of course you will have variations in service depending on your area. I'm in the greater Philadelphia area, if that helps.

kate · Sep 13, 2015

For LTE AT&T uses bands:
2 (1900 MHz)
4 (1700 MHz)
17 (700 MHz)

As lunatic mentioned signal strength varies by location, the next city over could have bad AT&T reception at their stadium, but you should have similar results as your friends on AT&T assuming you buy a phone with the correct bands.

Most Verizon phones are GSM unlocked, yours might work on AT&T although it could be missing a band or two for data.

eaglecarla3 · May 1, 2016

Don't ATt is the biggest ripoff liars. I have been trying to get my bill fixed 6 months

Canesfan · Jul 4, 2016

It does work. I switched this last weekend from Verizon to AT&T, and took my phone with me. The process was as simple as switching the SIM card, and tweaking some settings. On ATT's website, you can input the IMEI of your Verizon phone to see if it is compatible with ATT's network.

As for ATT being "the biggest ripoff liars", my experience found that to be true with Verizon. In truth, any provider can be deceitful, and try to put one over on the consumer. One always has to be on their guard.

I previously had switched to Verizon because of all the praise I heard about their network. I still had dropped calls and areas without service, so I was greatly disappointed.

freakshow85 · Jul 26, 2016

Same for me, Cane.

Verizon is the one who has ripped me, family, and friends off around here.

Oh, and don't get me started on their throttling.

But, I know this varies depending on where you live.

For me, AT&T was the way to go. Faster, better signal, etc. We'll see if they try and rip me off, too, in the future. So far, so good.

lennydude · Jul 27, 2016

Was with AT&T for years and then all of a sudden my phone had no data signal outside in the parking lot at work?
I switched to VZW and had all kinds of data like I used to have with AT&T. I tried a Cricket account and had many issues including no GPS signal away from my work. Running Maps offline was not a good choice so I went back to VZW. No issues at all, never loose a call or GPS signal any more! Oh well, until things change again !!!!
Like everybody says though..................your area will determine what happens with each carrier!

Considering Changing to AT&T

Benrx

Well-Known Member

lunatic59

Moderati ergo sum

kate

Dreaming of Bugdroid.

eaglecarla3

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Canesfan

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freakshow85

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lennydude

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