Atrix vs Bionic, service and cost deciding factor

[NativeTxn]

Cause DFW Texas is boonies.... Only the 4th largest metro area in the United States.

I live in Dallas and AT&T has been good for me for the last 4 or 5 years. During the last 2 and a half years, I also spent 19 months traveling 4-5 days a week, all over the country, and generally in a different city/town every day, and AT&T was virtually always reliable - sometimes more than others obviously, but nonetheless, I was never one without any service at all, except a few times driving through the mountains in Cali (but I'm not sure if any service would have worked there). Any cell phone service is going to have its moments where it loses a call or doesn't have the greatest connection.

Case in point - just yesterday, my fiancee and I were sitting on the same couch with less than a foot of space between us. I had full bars on my iPhone 3GS (AT&T) and she had no service on her LG Ally (Verizon). There have been other times where her reception has been better than mine when we were standing/sitting right next to each other.

It varies based on so many things that one company is never going to be 100% perfect in all locations. And one service (especially in larger, metro areas) won't necessarily always be better than another service at all times either.

 

[MarcMaiden]

lol you guys missed the big discussions about AT&T HSPA+ over at the inspire side of the forums,

there are 2 BIG reasons why speeds havent showed up yet in the reviewers devices:

while they can connect to HSPA+, the backhaul isnt there yet. AT&T will really start pushing the HSPA+ backhaul starting march 1st and going onward from there.

another reason why (this is more of a theory) is because AT&T will be launching special 4g data plans starting sunday (for the inspire) there is NO PRICE DIFFERENCE in the data plans, but the name and code of the plan are different from 3G so that could be a big factor as well


We cant really talk much about the HSPA+ network until after the atrix released.

 

[ap3604]

lol you guys missed the big discussions about AT&T HSPA+ over at the inspire side of the forums,

while they can connect to HSPA+, the backhaul isnt there yet. AT&T will really start pushing the HSPA+ backhaul starting march 1st and going onward from there.

I saw the crazy monkey wrench thread but only after it got cleaned up by the mods

Damn I would have loved to see that fireworks show!

I was wondering MarcMaiden, I searched on Google for "att enhanced backhaul march 1st" and came up with zilch. Do you have any source that says March 1st is the day the HSPA+ switch gets flipped on?

 

[dyezak]

while they can connect to HSPA+, the backhaul isnt there yet. AT&T will really start pushing the HSPA+ backhaul starting march 1st and going onward from there.

Marc,

Even if the backhaul isn't there, no increase in backhaul will correct the issues with HSPA(+) handling of moving customers and how they switch towers (the most common reason for dropped calls).

Also, even if the backhaul is there it won't resolve HSPA(+) inate problems with high latency (300ms pings)...that's primarily the handset to tower time.

Backhaul also won't fix the "all circuits are busy" messages when a lot of people are in the area with AT&T.

Backhaul is just the connection from the tower to the intenet. And quite frankly, it doesn't take much to get 200 connections more than 1-3mbps internet.

Lastly, AT&T is using copper backhaul to get their HPSA+ network rolled out. Verizon is using strictly fiber optics.

AT&T stated they are going LTE...why? If HPSA+ is 4g and the next generation (aka 4g) why spend extra money to go LTE?? Because LTE is inherently better for data, it was designed from ground up as a data service (hence the 15ms latency).

So go sign a contract now, for a promise of better speed, with no proof, reliant on an inferior technology, on a network KNOWN to have intrinsic issues and rated as the worst in America.

Or, go sign a contract now on the most stable 3g networks in the country (not the fastest). Who now has the fastest 4g network in the country with proven reliable connections on it that is built on true next generation technology that provides dedicated data service designed expressly for that purpose...

At roughly $80/mo for the service, and 2y contracts, we are talking about $2000 dollars.

$2000 dollars...vs $200 for the phone...so yes, the network is more important.

 

[mrvirginia]

At roughly $80/mo for the service, and 2y contracts, we are talking about $2000 dollars.

$2000 dollars...vs $200 for the phone...so yes, the network is more important.

i think your math is a little off...
you're leaving out the fact that you'll be charged a premium for LTE versus no premium for HSPA+

for people like me, that is a deciding factor in going with the "slower 4G".
also, dropped calls don't worry me. i was with AT&T when i had both the iPhone 3G/3GS and never had any complaints. in fact, i was rather disappointed that i went from having a great signal and clear calls to horrible signal and horrible calls inside my home when i switched to Sprint. so i'll actually be looking forward to having a good signal at home again.

on top of that, not considering any "4G" premium, AT&T will be $5 cheaper for me over Verizon, plus free mobile to any mobile. so with that, it'll likely end up being $15 cheaper a month, or $360 in savings over a 2yr contract. AND, as someone else pointed out, there isn't even a release date for the Bionic yet.

adding more to that, the Bionic is another 4.3" device. i'm specifically looking for a great 4" device. this is the sweet spot and i wish EVERY manufacturer would release one with this size screen. each manufacturer should be releasing 3.5", 4", and 4.3/4.5" devices, although i honestly think 3.5" devices should be phased out.

the "service and cost deciding factor" is all really on how someone looks at both devices and what their needs are.

 

[MarcMaiden]

sounds to me you are on the wrong carrier.

instead of coming here and blowing your "AT&T sucks" horn, you could be on the bionic forums pledging allegiance to verizon lol

honestly, everything you stated is subjective. I'm sorry in your area isnt great, but where I live, work, and play, ALL the carriers get great service.

by the way your facts are mixed up.

first of all, dropped calls are once again subjective. It may be that you live in a bad area, but I never get dropped calls. I had Verizon up until last May, and when I switched to AT&T, the quality of my service did not change at all. The only thing that did change was getting faster internet speeds. My family who still has verizon are fine with their service but often complain about slower data speeds (especially my dad who uses his droid mostly for work)

"all circuits are busy" message is something I have never heard about so I can't comment on that.

AT&T is using a mixture of copper and fiber for their backhaul. It says so on their website. I think AT&T has a step up on fiber vs verizon for obvious reasons.

You also have AT&T's strategy with 4g wrong. Yeah HSPA+ "4g" is kind of a marketing name, but there is some method to the madness. When LTE comes out, it is going to have very splotchy coverage. This is true even for verizon. You will be falling back to 3g most of the time unless you are lucky enough to live near a 4g tower. I rather fall back to HSPA+ than fall back to verizons sluggish CDMA network.

So at this point, it is best to agree to disagree, as AT&T is better for some Verizon is better than others. This is not a forum to try to back carriers or sell people on other carriers services. This is a forum to talk about Android phones.

actually, we cant even comment on Verizons 4g network yet because it has NO traffic on it yet, NO devices on it other then modems which work completely different than phones, and 4g pricing hasnt been announced for them yet either.

To be honest, I think the Carrier with the best "4g" is Sprint. Their 4g coverage is good, and they have very good speeds as well. I just think they need to up their android 4g portfolio

 

[dyezak]

i think your math is a little off...
you're leaving out the fact that you'll be charged a premium for LTE versus no premium for HSPA+.

Interesting... Considering Verizon hasn't released their LTE phone plans or their pricing I find it quite inciteful that you already know this. Do you work for Verizon and have inside knowledge?

Or maybe you are just talking out your.........................

Grant it, there will probably be a premium. I'd guess $20/mo extra. But the rumor also is that it will be unlimited. Where ATT is $0/mo extra but only to 2gb. Over 2gb you are paying $10/mo for each additional gb. And that my friend isn't talking out my ..., it's a fact.

 

[mrvirginia]

sounds to me you are on the wrong carrier.

instead of coming here and blowing your "AT&T sucks" horn, you could be on the bionic forums pledging allegiance to verizon lol

honestly, everything you stated is subjective. I'm sorry in your area isnt great, but where I live, work, and play, ALL the carriers get great service.

by the way your facts are mixed up.

first of all, dropped calls are once again subjective. It may be that you live in a bad area, but I never get dropped calls. I had Verizon up until last May, and when I switched to AT&T, the quality of my service did not change at all. The only thing that did change was getting faster internet speeds. My family who still has verizon are fine with their service but often complain about slower data speeds (especially my dad who uses his droid mostly for work)

"all circuits are busy" message is something I have never heard about so I can't comment on that.

AT&T is using a mixture of copper and fiber for their backhaul. It says so on their website. I think AT&T has a step up on fiber vs verizon for obvious reasons.

You also have AT&T's strategy with 4g wrong. Yeah HSPA+ "4g" is kind of a marketing name, but there is some method to the madness. When LTE comes out, it is going to have very splotchy coverage. This is true even for verizon. You will be falling back to 3g most of the time unless you are lucky enough to live near a 4g tower. I rather fall back to HSPA+ than fall back to verizons sluggish CDMA network.

So at this point, it is best to agree to disagree, as AT&T is better for some Verizon is better than others. This is not a forum to try to back carriers or sell people on other carriers services. This is a forum to talk about Android phones.

actually, we cant even comment on Verizons 4g network yet because it has NO traffic on it yet, NO devices on it other then modems which work completely different than phones, and 4g pricing hasnt been announced for them yet either.

To be honest, I think the Carrier with the best "4g" is Sprint. Their 4g coverage is good, and they have very good speeds as well. I just think they need to up their android 4g portfolio

great post, well said.

Interesting... Considering Verizon hasn't released their LTE phone plans or their pricing I find it quite inciteful that you already know this. Do you work for Verizon and have inside knowledge?

Or maybe you are just talking out your.........................

Grant it, there will probably be a premium. I'd guess $20/mo extra. But the rumor also is that it will be unlimited. Where ATT is $0/mo extra but only to 2gb. Over 2gb you are paying $10/mo for each additional gb. And that my friend isn't talking out my ..., it's a fact.

why would Verizon, who charges more for their plans over Sprint, not charge a premium just like Sprint is? AT&T will follow suit. they're all greedy. you're right, i'm not 100% positive. i think you're just trying to nit pick here now. also, Sprint charges an extra $10 so it would likely be that versus $20. again, Verizon charges more so you could be right. i'd hate that for Verizon customers but they chose that carrier.

unlimited data means nothing to me over a 2gb cap
this is how much i used on my last months statement with Sprint. i'll never reach that 2gb cap lolol this is equal to 0.30425gb

 

[dyezak]

Holy crap...why do you have a smart phone at all? I send more than that in email alone, sometimes in 1 day. Not to mention attachments, web browsing, streaming pandora, uploading photos, uploading videos. I think I was at 18gb in Jan... And that doesn't include streaming NetFlix, which I don't do now, but if I had a solid fast 4g connection I would....

 

[mrvirginia]

Holy crap...why do you have a smart phone at all? I send more than that in email alone, sometimes in 1 day. Not to mention attachments, web browsing, streaming pandora, uploading photos, uploading videos. I think I was at 18gb in Jan... And that doesn't include streaming NetFlix, which I don't do now, but if I had a solid fast 4g connection I would....

for development for the Android platform mostly. a lot of us don't even load the google apps, which includes the market, etc.

i can see myself uploading videos when this thing is upgraded to recording 1080p, but i'll likely use wifi to do something like that.

i work on a computer all day mon-fri and then go home to get on another computer. i'm only away from a computer maybe two nights out of a week, three tops. so that's why i don't use a lot of data, because i use an actual computer...

something i just thought about...you do realize that Verizon will soon be doing tiered data plans as well and potentially getting rid of unlimited, right? the only "unlimited" that will be left will be Sprint (not sure what T-Mo has)

 

[razholio]

sounds to me you are on the wrong carrier.

instead of coming here and blowing your "AT&T sucks" horn, you could be on the bionic forums pledging allegiance to verizon lol

honestly, everything you stated is subjective. I'm sorry in your area isnt great, but where I live, work, and play, ALL the carriers get great service.

by the way your facts are mixed up.

first of all, dropped calls are once again subjective. It may be that you live in a bad area, but I never get dropped calls. I had Verizon up until last May, and when I switched to AT&T, the quality of my service did not change at all. The only thing that did change was getting faster internet speeds. My family who still has verizon are fine with their service but often complain about slower data speeds (especially my dad who uses his droid mostly for work)

"all circuits are busy" message is something I have never heard about so I can't comment on that.

AT&T is using a mixture of copper and fiber for their backhaul. It says so on their website. I think AT&T has a step up on fiber vs verizon for obvious reasons.

You also have AT&T's strategy with 4g wrong. Yeah HSPA+ "4g" is kind of a marketing name, but there is some method to the madness. When LTE comes out, it is going to have very splotchy coverage. This is true even for verizon. You will be falling back to 3g most of the time unless you are lucky enough to live near a 4g tower. I rather fall back to HSPA+ than fall back to verizons sluggish CDMA network.

So at this point, it is best to agree to disagree, as AT&T is better for some Verizon is better than others. This is not a forum to try to back carriers or sell people on other carriers services. This is a forum to talk about Android phones.

actually, we cant even comment on Verizons 4g network yet because it has NO traffic on it yet, NO devices on it other then modems which work completely different than phones, and 4g pricing hasnt been announced for them yet either.

To be honest, I think the Carrier with the best "4g" is Sprint. Their 4g coverage is good, and they have very good speeds as well. I just think they need to up their android 4g portfolio

Bravo. I was an AT&T hater when I was forced to switch from verizon. I was ready for the horrible service, and was pleasantly surprised that my call-drop rate went down, not up, and the customer service improved! Everyone's experience is different, and when I left, verizon customer service appeared to be run by a bunch of ambivalent kids in the area who broke my phone and couldn't be bothered to care. In the salt-lake area, service is great. However, whenever I get out to the boonies, it seems a bit worse than verizon, and downtown chicago was pretty bad.

 

[tsanuri]

why would Verizon, who charges more for their plans over Sprint, not charge a premium just like Sprint is? AT&T will follow suit. they're all greedy. you're right, i'm not 100% positive. i think you're just trying to nit pick here now. also, Sprint charges an extra $10 so it would likely be that versus $20. again, Verizon charges more so you could be right. i'd hate that for Verizon customers but they chose that carrier.

The upcharge that sprint did is now gone. It is hitting every smartphone user as of Jan 30. So Sprint does not charge anymore for 3G vs 4G.

 

[ap3604]

Sprint $10 upcharge is hitting every smartphone user as of Jan 30.

That is some seriously crazy sh#t Sprint is pulling imo. Couldn't imagine paying $80/mo for an LG Optimus S

Why not just swing for the fences Sprint and charge users $100 a month instead of $80 while your at it?

 

[Roze]

Hey people, please keep the conversation on topic and do not attack other members. If you can't debate in a nice manner, don't reply to the post.

Thanks,
-Roze-
Your friendly neighbourhood moderator

 

[mrvirginia]

The upcharge that sprint did is now gone. It is hitting every smartphone user as of Jan 30. So Sprint does not charge anymore for 3G vs 4G.

sorry to be off topic but this was actually informative news to me. will have to check my bill.

 

[tsanuri]

sorry to be off topic but this was actually informative news to me. will have to check my bill.

It is only on new contracts but still there. They are calling it a premium data fee.

Sprint Newsroom | Smartphones Drive Wireless Data Explosion

Sprint will increase its postpaid rates by applying a $10 per month Premium Data add-on charge to activations of smartphones beginning Jan. 30. The charge will assist Sprint in offering simple and affordable unlimited plans for its customers while maintaining a wireless network able to meet the growing appetite for a richer mobile experience. Subscribers with smartphones will still receive the best value in wireless, including the Any Mobile, Anytime feature offered nationwide only by Sprint.