Post by hilwithonelary on May 12, 2012 11:52:29 GMT -5
DH and I both have iPhones through AT&T. As I've mentioned in a couple posts, we recently moved to a small town from a mid sized city. I've been wanting to upgrade my phone because I'm still using my iPhone 3G that I got in 2008, which is starting to have some performance issues. I've been putting it off because we've been debating whether or not to switch to Verizon.
Our families all use AT&T, so no worry about minutes. We're grandfathered in with unlimited data. The con to sticking with them is that the coverage where we're living now is a little spotty, and there's no 3G. We get reception in the house just fine, but DH only gets reception in parts of his office.
Verizon has much better coverage and 3G service.
WDYT? Is the better service worth losing unlimited data?
Post by cahabalily on May 12, 2012 12:09:20 GMT -5
I hate Verizon...I had to call the freaking CEO to have my issues resolved, and that still took 3 tries to get everything sorted out (their customer service is TERRIBLE, as is their billing - everything is partitioned into different departments, so it's a nightmare if you ever have issues).
Out ATT service started going spotty, and we ended up with T-Mobile's Best Plan Ever (unlimited everything). So far, so good. Their coverage isn't as great, but when we go to rural areas we still have wifi calling.
I'm terribly jaded and biased though. Just disregard everything I said...
First I would get the AT&T data app to see how much data you're actually using. Not that many people are using enough to have unlimited, I think people use less than they think. If it turns out that you're using a lot of data then it might be worth it to stay unlimited (if you're ok with slower speeds).
I personally would go with who had better coverage and faster internet.
Last Edit: May 12, 2012 12:17:39 GMT -5 by belovedbride07
Trying for #3; FET 8/18 -- BFN. Leaving things up to chance for now... After three years, three IVFs, and two FETs, we finally have our miracle babIES!
Post by thedutchgirl on May 12, 2012 12:19:14 GMT -5
I actually have had outstanding customer service from Verizon over the past 10+ years, but I suppose everyone's experiences will differ.
For me, not having service would be a deal killer. I'd see if you could get Verizon to grandfather you into an unlimited plan because that's what you have with AT&T. (I have no idea if they will do this, but it certainly can't hurt to ask.)
Post by SpicedApplePie on May 12, 2012 12:21:05 GMT -5
If the office is the only issue, I would see how Verizon users do in the office. We have spotty coverage in my office with AT&T, but it turns out that Verizon does too.
We switched from ATT w/ unlimited data to Verizon. I am so glad we did. The coverage and service is so much better. We have had no issues going over our data. In fact, I rarely go over .5 GB.
Post by hilwithonelary on May 12, 2012 13:49:42 GMT -5
I just checked our last bill, and we only used .49 GB. I don't feel like we're in danger of going over in the near future, but I'm afraid to let our data plan go knowing that we'd never get it back.
I realize this is silly. I should just let go of those feelings and switch.
The unlimited is only unlimited if they don't throttle you. If you use the data plan "too much" they throttle you, which will make your connection so slow, it is rendered useless until your next month. I would ditch the unlimited and get something with better coverage for your area.
I've had Verizon for 10 years as well and I have never had an issue with their customer service. When you are dealing with renewing a contract, adding/dropping lines, upgrading phones, etc. then I think things may come up but I have never encountered anything that couldn't get resolved with a visit to the store.
I agree with PP that you should see how much data you are actually using. Compare that usage to a plan with Verizon. I bet you are not using enough to warrant sticking with an unlimited plan.
I personally think coverage is the most important part of having a cell phone so if your service is spotty with AT&T then I would switch.
Post by hilwithonelary on May 12, 2012 14:53:59 GMT -5
New wrinkle... I've been looking at past bills and comparing rates online. We use a ton of mobile to mobile minutes talking to our families. If we switch, I think we'd have to get a 1400 minute plan instead of a 700 minute plan. Also, I'm not sure how many minutes our families have. We may bump them over their limits if we're no longer on AT&T. I'm still conflicted.
Post by tripleshot on May 12, 2012 14:55:25 GMT -5
We're with Verizon. I have an iPhone 4 and am on the internet most of the day at work , have unlimited data, but I've never come close to 2 GB. Right now I'm at 675 MB and have 4 days left in the cycle.
Now, I'm not sure how much data is used up if you're streaming music or videos a lot. AT&T is very spotty in my area too, and it was worth it to me to pay a little extra for Verizon to have good coverage.
DH has a Verizon BB and travels to pretty remote parts of the country, and always has service. His coworkers frequently borrow his phone when they are traveling. As long as he continues to do field work in small rural towns in the midwest, we'll continue to have Verizon.
FWIW, we've had Verizon for over 15 years and have been pretty pleased with the service.
New wrinkle... I've been looking at past bills and comparing rates online. We use a ton of mobile to mobile minutes talking to our families. If we switch, I think we'd have to get a 1400 minute plan instead of a 700 minute plan. Also, I'm not sure how many minutes our families have. We may bump them over their limits if we're no longer on AT&T. I'm still conflicted.
I have the 1400 minute plan on Verizon and they have 10 "Friends and Family" numbers that you can add and call unlimited...the catch with that is that option is only available for the 1400min and up plans. So that could help you with your minutes, but I'm not sure if your family and friends would have something similar with AT&T.
We have Sprint and H gets really terrible service in his office building. He called them up and they sent him a portable cell tower. It plugs in to the wireless network and now he has great service. Might be worth looking into for your H if you stay with AT&T.
Post by polarbearfans on May 13, 2012 11:42:14 GMT -5
You might find better service with the iPhone 4Gs. Before making any switch I would see if any friends have the phone model I was interested in and also the carrier (AT&T or verizon). Have them come over to see if it even makes a difference. I've had large areas that didn't work with my Verizon including my apartment but then areas that my friends Verizon worked and I only was able to get a bar of service by holding a metal pole lol.
I'm kind of the same holding into my unlimited service. My husband was looking to see about downgraded but was shocked by my personal data usage and kept it.
We recently switched from t mobile with unlimited data to Verizon. We really don't use that much data at all. We got a plan with the circle of friends numbers so we can still call several people unlimited.