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Thinking about leaving VZW for T-Mobile

jova33

jova33

Android Expert
VZW is a wee bit expressive, even with my unlimited data plan. I saw today that I can get an unthrottled unlimited data plan from T-Mobile for $70/mo and an additional unlimited line for $50/mo. The website says $120 for two lines, but what is it really after tax and other random fees? On VZW I'm paying about $180/mo for three lines. One unlimited, the other 4GB, and an unused line.
The only cities I'm ever really in are OKC and Houston. I tether my tablet when I'm away from home and my laptop at school(university's Wi-Fi is God awful).

Reasons to switch: price, wider selection of phones, nexus 5, timely updates, and tired of being disappointed by VZW.

I could probably pay for a Nexus 5 with the money I'd make from selling my S4 and unlimited data plan.

Think it's worth it? Anyone here done it? What about workaround for tethering while on unlimited? VZW doesn't really check, but I've read T-Mobile does.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
 
What it's going to boil down to is whether or not you are happy with your coverage. I'm in NYC, so I've been having a blast tearing up T-Mo's network for a super cheap price. Do whatever is best for you.
 
The standard rule of thumb for T-Mobile is that in or in "close" proximity to metro areas, their coverage is great. Once you start getting into rural areas, it's hit or miss. Though they have done a great job of getting 2G coverage along all the major interstates. T-Mobile's postpaid plans all include tethering. The unlimited plan caps tethering at 2.5GB though. T-Mobile's tethering checks are a lot more sophisticated than most, where the basic check is through user agents. This will make tethering a laptop quite difficult. Taxes and fees are pretty much in line with the rest of the carriers.
 
I mean it'll save me at the most $40/mo.....

I dunno, still considering it. I miss having a nexus phone, and it's highly unlikely VZW will ever have another.
 
I can vouch for Houston having solid coverage on T-Mobile. I tried AT&T for a couple of months but found that T-Mobile actually gave me better coverage (much is that I only had 2 bars in AT&T at my house, compared to full bars on T-Mobile). It seems like most areas I've been in around Houston, I don't see a lot of difference between AT&T and T-Mobile.

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about the coverage in the OKC area, though looking at Sensorly, it seems like T-Mobile has done a good job of covering OKC with LTE. It looks like they haven't gotten to the OU campus, but HSPA+ speeds tend to be very good.

The one negative you may find is that in building coverage may not be as strong; the AWS frequencies T-Mobile uses don't penetrate buildings well, particularly in comparison to the lower frequencies that Verizon uses. T-Mobile does allow some tethering on the Simple Choice unlimited plan, I believe it is currently 500 MB that is allowed, and you can pay to add more.
 
jova33 said:
I mean it'll save me at the most $40/mo.....

I dunno, still considering it. I miss having a nexus phone, and it's highly unlikely VZW will ever have another.
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When VZW switches to VoLTE, they will likely receive another Nexus phone since the LTE standards are much different than CDMA. Don't hold your breath until then though.
 
jova33 said:
Have they allowed that device on their network yet lol
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Tech blogs haven't reported that they are allowing it yet, so I would believe not. My conspiracy theory is that since the fcc is out of commission due to the shutdown, they see no reason to do so yet.
 
The FCC already approved the nexus 7 lol.
Oh VZW, I wish T-Mobile were a whole lot better, that way I could leave you and your shady business tactics without regret.
 
jova33 said:
The FCC already approved the nexus 7 lol.
Oh VZW, I wish T-Mobile were a whole lot better, that way I could leave you and your shady business tactics without regret.
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That's the rich part about the whole thing. FCC approved it for usage on Verizon's network, and it does indeed work if you put an already activated SIM into it. Verizon just won't open a new account or activate a new SIM card on it because it isn't "certified" by them. They're treating it like a CDMA device even though there is nothing CDMA about it. But because the FCC would be the one to force Verizon's hand or punish them for it, and they're shut down atm, Verizon is just shrugging it off.
 
Another reason is that T-Mobile use SIM card. That means if you travel oversea, call T-Mobile to get it unlock and you can use other country local SIM card. Its a win win all.

VZW has great coverage on the highway with LTE in between cities. When in big city, all the major company have LTE coverage.

I like T-Mobile as a pricing leader.

Go and check out the Sensorly map: Coverage Maps | Sensorly (User participation is highly recommended).
 
The newer VZW phones have SIM cards and are GSM unlocked for international use. Meaning the next time I'm in Canada, I can pop in a Canadian SIM card, set the radios to GSM and be good to go.
 
I am also thinking about dropping VZW for TMobile. My work and home both have good coverage but parts of my commute and some areas in my city don't seem to have a lot of service according to the service maps.

Coming from Verizon I never had roaming charges but since TMobile is GSM does it try to use ATT and other towers and do they charge a lot for that?

Also has anyone tried using a Mobile Broadband plan and just doing calls and texts through Google Voice (soon hopefully Hangouts :D)? If so what is your experience doing this? I could port my number and it would drop me down to just $40/month
 
If you are on postpaid, then Tmo allow you to use other tower which is part of their roaming. If you are on prepaid, then no data roaming. I have the $70 unlimited prepaid plan.

I have use VOIP like GrooveIP and Vonage on data on my android phone. It has a less then desire effect. No 4G means you cant do it. YOu have to be standing still. For critical mission, you don't want to use VOIP.
 
chong67 said:
If you are on postpaid, then Tmo allow you to use other tower which is part of their roaming. If you are on prepaid, then no data roaming. I have the $70 unlimited prepaid plan.

I have use VOIP like GrooveIP and Vonage on data on my android phone. It has a less then desire effect. No 4G means you cant do it. YOu have to be standing still. For critical mission, you don't want to use VOIP.
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Thanks for the insight! I am thinking about the postpaid "uncarrier" unlimited plan, do they charge you for using roaming then or is that included? I am usually streaming Google Music on my commute which uses a bunch of data so I would hate to get hit with a huge bill because I was switching in and out of roaming.
 
cptnobvious999 said:
Thanks for the insight! I am thinking about the postpaid "uncarrier" unlimited plan, do they charge you for using roaming then or is that included? I am usually streaming Google Music on my commute which uses a bunch of data so I would hate to get hit with a huge bill because I was switching in and out of roaming.
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I am avg 11 gb of data monthly. I download and save my radio talk show using Tunein Radio Pro and play it later on BT in my car when I am driving long distance.
 
Hello! I am looking for affordable T mobile plans for my iphone. I would opt for this bcause it seems easier and quicker to call. But I am looking for some plan for international calling. I have heard that www.comfi.com is quite good and trustable. Any suggestions?
 
Mary Frost said:
Hello! I am looking for affordable T mobile plans for my iphone. I would opt for this bcause it seems easier and quicker to call. But I am looking for some plan for international calling. I have heard that www.comfi.com is quite good and trustable. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Have you try VOIP using the phone? Or Skype?
 
Hi, I am a VZW customer with a grandfathered unlimited data plan. I recently broke my phone, but was considering switching to T-Mobile anyway. I'm in a very urbanized area, I checked coverage maps and they don't seem too far off from VZW. Any T-Mobile heavy data users care to chime in on their experience? Is the $70 unlimited data plan truly unlimited, or will they try to throttle you or kick you off their network if you go over a certain amount per month? I typically use 5-6 gigs a month. What is the better option, buy a new phone full price and stay on VZW grandfathered unlimited data or switch to T-Mobile unlimited data?
 
cyde01 said:
Hi, I am a VZW customer with a grandfathered unlimited data plan. I recently broke my phone, but was considering switching to T-Mobile anyway. I'm in a very urbanized area, I checked coverage maps and they don't seem too far off from VZW. Any T-Mobile heavy data users care to chime in on their experience? Is the $70 unlimited data plan truly unlimited, or will they try to throttle you or kick you off their network if you go over a certain amount per month? I typically use 5-6 gigs a month.
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The cap is actually just under 1TB of usage. I can't see anyone using that much data on a mobile device. So for the everyday person, it is truly unlimited without throttling. Tethering is included the $70 dollar unlimited plan, but only 2.5GB worth. T-Mobile is rather good at detecting unauthorized tethering, so be aware.

I willingly gave up my Verizon unlimited and moved to T-Mobile's $30 dollar prepaid plan which includes 100 minutes, unlimited texting, and unlimited data throttled after 5GB (and now 100MB of tethering included). I'm saving about 105 dollars a month, so if coverage isn't an issue for you then it's highly recommended. Plus T-Mobile is GSM so you can bring your own device. Including the soon to be released Nexus 5.
 
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