Question about T-Mo Network

[Jomero]

Hi all! I am a disgruntled and disillusioned Verizon customer who owns a Galaxy Nexus and really hated how Verizon handled it (on top of the many months waiting for it's release). I currently have a grandfathered Unlimited Data plan, with 700 minutes and 250 text messaging.

I am very much considering moving over to T-Mobile for the Unlimited talk/text/data. I am not interested in a MiFi tethering plan.

Since I am interested in the newly announced Nexus 4 that has HSPA+ 42, what sorts of speeds would I, on average, be looking at? For some background information: I do most of my mobile data usage in my car, mostly streaming music and GPS navigation. I do a bit of web browsing at lunch. Otherwise I am connected via WiFi at home and work. I don't do much (if any) streaming video over mobile networks.

Also, does T-Mobile do any unspoken data throttling? If so, at what point do you notice it occurring? I know they do for the tethering plans, but again I don't plan on going with one of those.

How do you like T-Mobile in general? Do they treat you well?

All researched data points to making the switch to T-Mobile worth it for my situation. It would be saving me money over my current carrier and plan while giving me more voice and text. I can live with less Mbps than my current LTE network if I can at least average 5 Mbps.

Anything current users can chime in with I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks!

-Jomero

 

[Atma]

I've been with T-Mobile about 9 months and have no complaints. Their coverage could be better in my area but they are upgrading. They are spending billions upgrading their network now and will have LTE by the end of 2013. It depends on where I am, but I get anywhere from 4 meg download speeds to 16 meg download speeds.

I'm on the monthly 4G plan. $30 a month for 100 minutes talk and unlimited text and data. The data will be throttled after 5gb. On their truly unlimited plans, I don't think there is any throttling.

 

[Jomero]

Thank you for the reply!

If T-Mobile is upgrading to LTE by the end of 2013, what happens to the non LTE Nexus 4? Will there be no HSPA+ towers to connect to? Slower (or none at all) than current speeds?

 

[Atma]

Thank you for the reply!

If T-Mobile is upgrading to LTE by the end of 2013, what happens to the non LTE Nexus 4? Will there be no HSPA+ towers to connect to? Slower (or none at all) than current speeds?

That's a good question and I don't know.

I'm almost certain they will still have HSPA+. The only phone they have right now with LTE capabilities is the Note 2. I'm sure there will still be many customers with non-LTE phones and they wouldn't want to lose them.

 

[colnago]

Note 2's LTE is not yet active, despite the network. However this is what I'm getting on HSPA+ in the Balt./DC corridor:

I'm on the Value (no subsidy) unlimited talk/text plan. I just switched from the 5GB throttled plan, to the "Truly unlimited" plan, and I'm "saving" $5/mo by making the change. :screwy:

 

[Crashdamage]

T-Mobile HSPA+ will be around for years to come, far longer than you'll keep a new Nexus 4.

 

[aurora40]

This is their vision, including Metro PCS.

Right now they are in the process of moving HSPA+ off of AWS band and onto PCS bands, which will free up AWS for LTE, and also will allow more "normal" GSM phones to use T-Mobile (like iPhones and AT&T phones).