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switching back and fourth between VZW and T-Mobile?

Fadelight

Fadelight

Android Expert
I am a long time Verizon customer, but have been growing more and more unhappy with their customer service and their ridiculous prices for quite some time now. Recently I have been entertaining the idea of jumping ship and going to T-Mobile, but I don't want to jump blindly... 3 of my 5 phone lines have grandfathered unlimited data.

If I buy a T-Mobile SIM card, can I swap back and fourth between the two without risking cancellation or having my EIN blacklisted?

I know it seems like a bit of an odd question, but I have never had GSM service before and SIM cards are a bit new for me.


And before the subject comes up... Yes, my phone is capable of GSM and CDMA/LTE both.
 
Are you looking to maintain the same phone number? If so, I can't imagine the carriers would be fond of that. I got my SIM for my Moto G and hence, a new phone number to try out T-Mo's service. If you're cool with separate numbers, I would THINK it'd be okay, but can't say for sure.
 
No, I am not looking to keep the same number. I'm just looking for a cheap way to test t-mobiles service without losing my Verizon service until I know for sure if I want to make the change permanent or not.
 
You can stick a Tmo sim in your VZW phones but it will give you a new number. I did the same with my I5. Bought a pre-paid nano sim from TMo to try the service out in my area. Just keep in mind that even though your phone supports GSM that doesn't mean it is unlocked. The VZW iPhones come unlocked meaning they can be used on other networks without any problems. Many other phones especially Android are carrier locked in the US. Meaning a Tmo sim won't work in them.

Also just because your phone is GSM capable doesn't mean it has all of Tmo's frequency's in it. That was another one that got me.
 
My phone is carrier unlocked, has global gsm and works in the 1700/2100mhz bands T-Mobile uses. I know for a fact my phone works. That's not an issue.

I'm good with getting a new number assigned to the t-mobile Sim. In fact, I would prefer it. My only real hesitation (and my original question) is if I pop out my Verizon Sim and pop in a T-Mobile Sim, will I be able to pop my Verizon Sim back in and continue with my Verizon service like nothing ever happened? It sounds like the answer is yes?
 
For the average user, t-mobile isn't much cheaper than Verizon, if at all really. I've gone back and forth a few times myself over the last few years. Recently signed up with a note 3 and was paying $92 /month including Jump. I'm now back with Verizon with M8 and paying $69/month on edge. Still I got 1 gb with t-mobile and only 250 mb with Verizon. Network coverage is superior with Verizon.

t-mobile's network isn't anywhere near Verizon's, you'll find that out once you travel, trust me on that. Even in areas with good t-mobile network coverage, there are often several holes in call coverage. Which almost never happens with Verizon.

Still only you know whats best for you.
 
timelord65 said:
For the average user, t-mobile isn't much cheaper than Verizon, if at all really. I've gone back and forth a few times myself over the last few years. Recently signed up with a note 3 and was paying $92 /month including Jump. I'm now back with Verizon with M8 and paying $69/month on edge. Still I got 1 gb with t-mobile and only 250 mb with Verizon. Network coverage is superior with Verizon.

t-mobile's network isn't anywhere near Verizon's, you'll find that out once you travel, trust me on that. Even in areas with good t-mobile network coverage, there are often several holes in call coverage. Which almost never happens with Verizon.

Still only you know whats best for you.
Click to expand...

i consider myself an average user. I crunched the numbers and i can save 50$ a month on Tmo versus what i have now on Big Red.

VZW has garbage coverage at my house. I drop calls on the reg if it wasn't for the free network extender they sent me i wouldn't be able to make a call inside my home. Tmo's really can't be any worse than that at my home residence.

I do realize though traveling VZW shines the best. ....for now.
 
timelord65 said:
For the average user, t-mobile isn't much cheaper than Verizon, if at all really. I've gone back and forth a few times myself over the last few years. Recently signed up with a note 3 and was paying $92 /month including Jump. I'm now back with Verizon with M8 and paying $69/month on edge. Still I got 1 gb with t-mobile and only 250 mb with Verizon. Network coverage is superior with Verizon.

t-mobile's network isn't anywhere near Verizon's, you'll find that out once you travel, trust me on that. Even in areas with good t-mobile network coverage, there are often several holes in call coverage. Which almost never happens with Verizon.

Still only you know whats best for you.
Click to expand...

I'm saving almost 110 dollars a month on T-Mobile versus Verizon. That is a lot of money to throw away unnecessarily considering their coverage is both excellent in my area.
 
Fadelight said:
I am a long time Verizon customer, but have been growing more and more unhappy with their customer service and their ridiculous prices for quite some time now. Recently I have been entertaining the idea of jumping ship and going to T-Mobile, but I don't want to jump blindly... 3 of my 5 phone lines have grandfathered unlimited data.

If I buy a T-Mobile SIM card, can I swap back and fourth between the two without risking cancellation or having my EIN blacklisted?

I know it seems like a bit of an odd question, but I have never had GSM service before and SIM cards are a bit new for me.


And before the subject comes up... Yes, my phone is capable of GSM and CDMA/LTE both.
Click to expand...

T-Mobile is great if your not going into the remote areas or deep into the suburbs. T-Mobile is primarily the best in metropolitans. I had T-Mobile for a while, and went to Verizon - there is a huge different between the two carriers network, including coverage and network processing. Due to T-Mobile acquiring MetroPCS and the free unlimited bandwidth it now provides customers you will notice slower data services in areas where there is heavy bandwidth being utilized. Sure there is a price difference, but I think its important to know that when you need a dependable carrier you have one! One gets what they pay for usually. :)
 
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