Which Carrier Do I Pick?!

[Duffin]

I'm not sure if this is the correct category to ask this, but I really need people's opinions. I've been with T-Mobile since the G1 and I think I'm sick of them at this point. I loved that they seemed to be the Android company. They got all the newest, coolest Android devices. So far, the three different model phones I've gotten (G1, Nexus One, Nexus S) all have pretty frequent data problems. I can only assume this is due to T-Mobile somehow since one was Samsung and two were HTC.

Basically, I'm having a tough time deciding what to do. I really want a stock Android phone, which means the Galaxy Nexus (despite my dislike of Samsung products). My problem comes in deciding which to go to. AT&T is completely off the table.

Verizon sounds like a good idea, they're more expensive in general and have a ridiculous cap where they charge you ten dollars for a single GB if you go over your allowance! On the other hand, they have the best network in the US. They also have some business practices I completely disagree with, especially how they just buy everyone out which has limited competition and, along with AT&T, is the reason we only have four nationwide carriers now.

Sprint, however, has one of the worst networks, but also has zero data caps and would end up being the cheapest monthly plan of all the carriers. And, for the moment, they have a business philosophy that I don't have an issue with.

Or I could just try and get a Galaxy Nexus (Or the HTC One S which I don't mine as much) and see if that will improve T-Mobile's performance for me. One of the other main reasons for wanting to leave T-Mobile was that whole thing where they tried to merge with AT&T. It really rubbed me the wrong way and I felt sort of betrayed that they'd do this despite pretty much none of their customers wanting them to. And there's also the fact that T-Mobile has pretty much stopped being Android's go-to carrier for some reason. They didn't even get the Galaxy Nexus right away when it came out.

A long-winded explanation to a simple question, I know, but...what do I do? Go with a carrier where I'll possibly get worse network reception in certain places, but have a much cheaper bill and no data cap? Or go with a company with draconian data caps and unscrupulous business practices? Or the company I'm already with who I don't really trust anymore?

And, again, if this isn't the right thread, sorry about that. I wasn't sure which one to put this in.

 

[rui-no-onna]

A long-winded explanation to a simple question, I know, but...what do I do? Go with a carrier where I'll possibly get worse network reception in certain places, but have a much cheaper bill and no data cap? Or go with a company with draconian data caps and unscrupulous business practices? Or the company I'm already with who I don't really trust anymore?

Personally, I'd go with whomever has the best coverage. An unlimited data plan is useless if you don't get any signal.

As for phones, as far as I'm aware, you can get the Galaxy Nexus GSM (supports both AT&T and T-Mobile 3G) unlocked for $400 and T-Mobile has inexpensive Value Plans if you bring your own device. T-Mobile has a 500 minutes + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Data (throttled after 2GB) Value Plan for $49.99/month or $1,200 over 2 years. With an unlocked Galaxy Nexus, that's $1,600.

Meanwhile, Sprint has a 450 minutes + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Data for $69.99/month or $1,680 over 2 years. The Galaxy Nexus is currently going for $200 subsidized on Sprint so with the phone, that's a total of $1,880.

 

[Adauth]

You get what you pay for. Having said that I am with verizon.

 

[chrlswltrs]

If you want the best coverage with high prices and atrocious customer service go with Verizon.

Great customer service, great prices, and great plans go with Sprint. I have great coverage with Sprint, even better than with T mobile (even though I live within 30 miles of T mobile's headquarters)

T mobile has good customer service, fast data, and decent policy for data use. Their network is really hit or miss. I big plus is that all of their phones do calling over Wifi though.

AT&T would probably be my 3rd choice. Everything about them seams pretty good with the exception of data caps.

I personally would never have Verizon again if given the choice.

 

[Crashdamage]

Coverage in your area may ultimately dictate what's best for you. That said...IMHO...

I really, really hate Verizon. Most expensive, poor customer service and friggin' CDMA. Average coverage here. Ugh. I'd rather use a telegraph.

Sprint just makes me...sad. I'm right by their World Headquarters (which is half empty) and service is still only fair. They lose hundreds of millions every quarter. CDMA - fail. WiMax - fail. Sad.

AT&T has good coverage here and GSM service but is pricey and they have a bad attitude. But they have a sunny disposition compared to VZ.

T-Mobile also has good coverage here and GSM service but is the cheapest of the Big 4 and has the most open point of view. HSPA+ data service is fast - not quite LTE fast but reliable and much less power-hungry.

Full disclosure...been with T-Mobile 14 years and not tempted to change. Considerable experience with all but Sprint.

 

[chrlswltrs]

Coverage in your area may ultimately dictate what's best for you. That said...

I really, really hate Verizon. Very expensive, poor customer service and friggin' CDMA. Average coverage here. Ugh. I'd rather use a telegraph.

Sprint just makes me...sad. I'm right by their World Headquarters (which is half empty) and service is still only fair. They lose hundreds of millions every quarter. CDMA - fail. WiMax - fail. Sad.

AT&T has good coverage here and GSM service but is pricey and they have a bad attitude. But they have a sunny disposition compared to VZ.

T-Mobile also has good coverage here and GSM service but is the cheapest of the Big 4 and has the most open point of view. HSPA+ data service is fast - not quite LTE fast but reliable and much less power-hungry. Full disclosure...been with T-Mobile 14 years and not tempted to change.

That is wierd. I'm right by T mobile's headquarters and Sprint is better here

 

[toiday]

It's all depend on how you use it and where you are. True that Tmo coverage is not as good as others. But what I like about Tmo is the ability to make wifi calls. I live and work at a locations with very weak Tmo signal. But both places have wifi. So the signal problem is solved, for me. Another good think with Tmo is they provide free hot spot, within the 2GB data. There are so many places that you can get free wifi and I do take advantage of them. That's why that 2GB/mon is not my concern. The free hot spot is very nice since I can provide wifi to tablets and laptop while driving, for my kids, for no extra cost. Call me cheap but Tmo is the best economical choice.

Most people don't like their mobile service. What the don't know is they may not get better service at with the other carrier. Grass is always greener on the other side, so I heard... It's hard to convince you with Tmo since you're unhappy with them. There is no such thing as a perfect phone neither.

Tmo does seem to suffer a huge negative affect during the ATT deal. But I think they came out ahead now. ATT unlocking iPhone is a good thing for Tmo. Switching to 1900MHz is also another good thing. All that extra cash they have for building out LTE. To me, it's a good think after all.