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Verizon customer thinking of swithcing

T

timelord65

Android Enthusiast
I'm seriously thinking about switching from Verizon to Virgin mobile. I've heard bad things about slow text MSG's and "other" things. How is the coverage in your, over-all opinions?


Thanks
 
I don't live in your area at all, but I used to be on Verizon. The signal is not as good, and I have had text issues maybe 2-3 times.

On the other hand I pay less than half as much and feel it is worth giving up the Verizon network for those saving. If you need to get every call almost anywhere you are and can't handle a text or 2 being late now and then don't switch. The VM network is not as good, but it is good enough for me.
 
I'd say for $35/month I have zero complaints. Decent to good 3g speed, never had an issue with slow text.
 
If money is an issue, then do it, if not, stay with Verizon. You'll notice a big difference (and not in a good way) in terms of coverage, speed and service. I still have my phone service with Virgin, but recently went with Verizon for their mobile broadband, and I wondered how I ever dealt with the slow speeds Virgin has.

I'll be getting T-Mobile's Exhibit II 4G phone for CHristmas, and I can finally be done with Virgin.

I've been with VM for 10 years, and while their plans and prices have gotten better, their service has only gotten worse.

For those who don't mind the hassle that comes with being a VM customer, it's fine, but the old saying, "You get what you pay for" is certainly true in this case.
 
ScottColbert said:
If money is an issue, then do it, if not, stay with Verizon.
Click to expand...

I'm going to second this. VM coverage, especially for traveling, is crap. On my recent travel vacation with my boyfriend, I had no coverage in a few states, while his Verizon phone only lost service when we were way up in the Colorado mountains.

I really do love my OpV, but if I could afford Verizon that is where Id be.
 
I was in NYC (Zucotti/Liberty Park) for a week and had excellent signal. Only had issues inside the subway. I didn't go out to Long Island, so not sure what it is like there.

Occasionally I have a slow MMS, but nothing major. If it wasn't for the cost of the plan I wouldn't have a mobile phone. So spotty coverage for me is still better than the nothing I'd have otherwise.
 
The Verizon points are valid, for sure. Here in Chicago, I can tell you the VM service just as good if not better than the t mobile service I had for eight years. My roommate's T mobile My Touch 4G slide constantly drops it's data connection. It also drops calls frequently. Doesn't seem worth it to me for $109/mo. When I travel, I fly. And at that point, I'm in a major city and VM always works there too. Now, if I was driving around to places all over the Midwest, or wherever, I woulda gone with Verizon.
 
Thanks for the replies. No money isn't really an issue. I can afford the $120/month. That said, I could save $75 a month with VM's 45/month plan. That's a significant savings.

I just don't want to be sorry though when I get dropped calls or my texts are delayed sending or receiving. Verizon is expensive, but I've never had a dropped call, and call quality has always been superb.

Thanks
 
Never had a dropped call did have text issues,but if you want a smartphone you may want to stay with Verizon who have cutting edge smartphones,Virgin mobile smartphones are just a little outdated and the 3G speeds are hit and miss,i am going to breakdown and switch to verizon and the HTC Rezound,where i am only getting 4 GB a month the 4G speeds i get in my area make the Virgin mobile speeds feel like dial-up.
 
timelord65 said:
Thanks for the replies. No money isn't really an issue. I can afford the $120/month. That said, I could save $75 a month with VM's 45/month plan. That's a significant savings.

I just don't want to be sorry though when I get dropped calls or my texts are delayed sending or receiving. Verizon is expensive, but I've never had a dropped call, and call quality has always been superb.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Never had a dropped call, but seem to have sms and mms issues on a very regular basis. 3G speeds are ridiculously slow and tends to go out once or twice a month.
 
timelord65 said:
Thanks for the replies. No money isn't really an issue. I can afford the $120/month. That said, I could save $75 a month with VM's 45/month plan. That's a significant savings.

I just don't want to be sorry though when I get dropped calls or my texts are delayed sending or receiving. Verizon is expensive, but I've never had a dropped call, and call quality has always been superb.

Thanks
Click to expand...

As others have said, your mileage may vary. On my Virgin Mobile Samsung Intercept, I get 3-4 bars in the OC, but almost always had 5 bars for call quality with T-Mobile when I was still with them for prepaid. Data speeds are much faster on T-Mobile but so-so to sometimes super slow on VM. I'm told that Motorola Triumph's download speeds are somewhat better than on cheaper phones like the Intercept, but I haven't been able to verify that.

Over in SF, call quality is consistent though not always perfect. I hear they upgraded the towers, which is why I plan to test out SpeedTest once I get there.
 
No dropped calls in many years with virgin. As otherss have said data is very inconsistent. I will say most I work with are paying 3x's as much for att service that drops calls frquently and data is just as inconsistent if not worse.

Fresno, Ca. and frequently Anaheim, Ca. for work.
 
I live on Long Island, and I also switched from Verizon. Coverage isn't as great, but nothing major. I never had a smartphone so I can't really compare the speeds, but so far Virgin Mobile has been doing fine for me. I'd say go for it. I still have great coverage and speeds aren't bad on Virgin Mobile here. Never had a dropped call that I can remember (besides in my basement which never had service with either carrier).
 
Ok guys thanks for all the replies. I just finished using/testing Virgin mobile for about a month. I had no complaints/problems with the service. I actually got more bars in some areas than with Verizon.

But I just can't deal with the phones. I used the Optimus slider, but it was just way too small. If your used to top of the line smartphones offered by the major post paid providers, switching to VM won't be that easy to get used to.

However I liked the service enough to consider switching once my contract expires this August. Unless of course some quad core phone lures me back to verizon :confused:

Thanks
 
timelord65 said:
Ok guys thanks for all the replies. I just finished using/testing Virgin mobile for about a month. I had no complaints/problems with the service. I actually got more bars in some areas than with Verizon.

But I just can't deal with the phones. I used the Optimus slider, but it was just way too small. If your used to top of the line smartphones offered by the major post paid providers, switching to VM won't be that easy to get used to.

However I liked the service enough to consider switching once my contract expires this August. Unless of course some quad core phone lures me back to verizon :confused:

Thanks
Click to expand...


Knowing VM's pace, you'll have to settle for a 1ghz single-core phone by August or MAYBE a lower-end dual-core phone if Sprint decides to get off its ass and actually try to keep its Virgin Mobile customers.

The Motorola Triumph with its larger screen is manageable with the right GPS software or custom ROM flashed. Juice Defender might help with the battery life a bit. Just be prepared to pay $200 or more for a decent phone come time to switch. Best of luck, and glad to see we have another member of the VM community. :)
 
I've been a VM user since March 2011 under the $25 plan with an OpV. It's been a very affordable service and I have only had issues with the phone itself and occasional 3G dropouts with one instance of not receiving texts all night. Though I am considering switching to Simple Mobile and buying/unlocking a better phone than the OpV. I could go with their all-unlimited $40/month plan (I think they do throttle after 2 GB or something). Not going to pay for Verizon, AT%T, or Sprint's expensive plans.

What do you guys think of switching to Simple Mobile?
 
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