Switching from Verizon.. T-Mobile or Sprint?

mogelijk said:

Just give them the IMEI number of your phone. It should't matter that they don't have the IMEI of the phone in their system. Although GSM carriers, for some reason, often ask for the IMEI, they don't actually have to have it and don't always require it. I believe in many cases, they are only trying to verify that the phone is compatible with their network.

The difference, perhaps oversimplified, is that GSM uses the serial number of the SIM to determine who is authorized to use the network, whereas CDMA carriers need the ESN (similar to the IMEI) of the phone to determine if that phone can use the network.

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jhawkkw said:

It should be that simple, but AT&T takes simple and makes it painful. AT&T does require the IMEI to make sure the device isn't stolen at first, then they use that to register the device. If it isn't in their system (in other words, they don't sell it themselves), they throw a fit. Phone reps aren't allowed to activate it due to fraud prevention and they force you to go to a corporate store to do it. Unfortunately, their store reps are usually incompetent like every other carrier's store reps.

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swerver32 said:

I was also wondering why att was not included in this thread. I'm leaning towards straight talk or go phone over tmobile or sprint. Tmobile could be ok but gophone costs the same and has better coverage. I've been on the sprint network for a few years now and it's ok but not as good as tmobile or att, and it doesn't seem any cheaper from what I see.

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mogelijk said:

Actually, T-Mobile does not cost the same as Gophone. I assume you are referring to the $60 plan for T-Mobile and Gophone. First, the Gophone only gives 2GB of data, after which your data is cut off (you have to pay to get more), while the T-Mobile plan is unlimited, although only the first 2.5GB is unthrottled. Beyond that, the T-Mobile plan gives roaming and tethering. You also have the other T-Mobile plans, including the $30 plan that so many here use. Additionally, you can get MetroPCS, which offers plans similar to the T-Mobile $50/60/70 plans but for $10 less.

Also, Solavei is another T-Mobile MVNO option, which costs $49 for unlimited talk and text, and 4GB of data, after which you are throttled.

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