Sprint Coverage/Network Speed in NYC

[JeffFinance123]

I'm a Verizon Wireless customer here in NYC forever. I've decided finally to make switch to a Smartphone from a basic phone. Been generally happy with VW service and coverage all these years.

Anywho, figured I'd check out Sprint's offer out of curiousity.....I really don't want to leave Verizon, but figured see what others offered.....but look at this:

Compare this:

Sprint


450 Minutes
ANY Mobile, Any Time Calling - Any Network
7 PM Start Nights/Weekends
Unlimited Text Messaging
Unlimited Data Plan
Total Cost Before Taxes/Fees - $79.99

Verizon

450 Minutes
"IN" Network - Only Verizon Cell Phones
9 PM Start Nights/Weekends
250 texts for extra $5
2 GB Data Plan - now 4GB with "Double the Data" promo
Total Cost Before Taxes/Fees - $74.99

Sprint definitely gives you more "bang for the buck" by far. And that Unlimited Data plan is very enticing. Even though I'm a "light" user of my phone in general, who knows what my future holds once i have a smartphone.

My biggest concern is Sprint's network in NYC. My basic questions are if you have Sprint:

- Do you feel Sprint's network in NYC is very good? Do you get dropped calls? How is it in tall buildings? elevators? I've heard many conflicting reports from its perfectly fine to avoid it.

- Although Sprint is unlimited data, I know its slower than Verizon's 4G LTE network. How satisfied are you with Sprint's data speeds? Is it "good enough"? Is it truly unlimited? Do you personally ever go over 4 GB, which would be my limit on Verizon?

Before Black Friday comes, I want to decide whether to stay with Verizon, which I'll probably get a free HTC Thunderbolt, or move to Sprint and probably get a HTC EVO 3D, hopefully free or cheap. The phone isn't as important as reliability of network and overall value.

What do you Sprint NYC customers think? Thanks for the help.

 

[NYCHitman1]

Don't waste your time with the Thunderbolt. If you're gonna get anything, it should be the Rezound (assuming you stay w/ VZW). I don't think I've ever had a dropped call on Sprint (after 6 yrs of service) and the 3G speeds are adequate. They could be a lot better, and I am hoping they will be once some of the Network Vision towers are activated. As for signal, I have zero problems with signal in buildings - my only issue is if I'm in a sub-level of sorts (basement, lower level, etc..)

 

[JeffFinance123]

Don't waste your time with the Thunderbolt. If you're gonna get anything, it should be the Rezound (assuming you stay w/ VZW). I don't think I've ever had a dropped call on Sprint (after 6 yrs of service) and the 3G speeds are adequate. They could be a lot better, and I am hoping they will be once some of the Network Vision towers are activated. As for signal, I have zero problems with signal in buildings - my only issue is if I'm in a sub-level of sorts (basement, lower level, etc..)

Hey, appreciate the advice....still not sure. As for Thunderbolt vs. Rezound, Rezound is $300 whereas I can get Thunderbolt free.....big difference....

 

[lornaevo]

I've had Sprint since 2001. Always had great coverage until the beginning of this year. They had some change in their roaming agreement with VZW and now I drop alot of calls and miss alot more. Data is now extremely slow both on 3G and 4G. Most times I am unable to stream Google Music.

May I am an isolated customer experience.

Good Luck.

 

[NYCHitman1]

Hey, appreciate the advice....still not sure. As for Thunderbolt vs. Rezound, Rezound is $300 whereas I can get Thunderbolt free.....big difference....

While typically I would agree with the free vs costly argument, you are really just doing yourself a disservice by buying that horrific Thunderbolt. The phone sucks some serious (insert any kind of profane word and/or sexual reference here) ... If I were in your shoes, I would go with something that just came out to combat any urges of upgrading in the future, and definitely not settling for a last gen device which isn't even that great.

 

[JeffFinance123]

While typically I would agree with the free vs costly argument, you are really just doing yourself a disservice by buying that horrific Thunderbolt. The phone sucks some serious (insert any kind of profane word and/or sexual reference here) ... If I were in your shoes, I would go with something that just came out to combat any urges of upgrading in the future, and definitely not settling for a last gen device which isn't even that great.

Hmmmm......seems the Thunderbolt had many issues early on but many were solved (except battery issues). It doesn't matter to me if I'm behind one generation in phones....unless the phone truly has issues just working properly.

I WOULD wait a little longer to get a smartphone with more Verizon 4G phone options arriving, but VZW is having their "double the data" promo, and I want to get grandfathered in on that. I already was asleep at the wheel and missed the unlimited data plan that ended in July. Thunderbolt seems like best of the 4G "free" phones, at least at moment.

What specifically don't you like about it?