Carrier plan shopping

[KentState]

I'm trying to formulate a reason why to stay with VZW or go to T-Mobile.

Our account has four lines, two of witch have unlimited data. When I look at pricing, we can severely limit our data to 10GB shared and come out paying nearly the same amount or up it to 20GB and pay more. Therefore, there is no financial incentive to change to a shared data plan.

On the other hand, I can go over to T-Mobile and selectively do unlimited data or a bucket with roll over by line, get 4 new phones and pay what I'm paying today.

We already have reception issues at our house with VZW (< 1 bar on LTE) so the network isn't a huge factor, but would still use the "test drive" offer to make sure things are acceptable.

Has anyone else with unlimited data on VZW had to make this type of decision and what did you consider?

 

[paperwastage]

Would you need new (flagship) phones on T-mobile?

If you need relatively high data (10GB or unlimited) and new flagship phones, T-mobile isn't that much cheaper than Verizon as you've said

T-mobile is typically cheaper/better under some of the scenarios below:

• using small amounts of data (eg 1GB is enough), not for you
• re-using phones(or using cheap $350 nexus 5s), ???
• want unlimited data (You are grandfathered with Verizon's unlimited, not for you)
• throttled data instead of overages ???
• fringe benefits: unlimited music streaming from selected sources, free int'l 2G roaming, ???

Compare:
T-mobile service, 4 lines unlimited = $180 ($100 2-line offer + $40*2 additional lines).
If you selectively have 2 lines unlimited, 2 lines 1GB, then it is $80 + $30*2(unlimited upgrade for 2 lines) = $140
Verizon service, 4 lines on EDGE + 10GB plan = $15*4 + $80 = $140

Phone pricing is the same (both do interest-free equipment financing)

T-mobile phones, $649 16GB iPhone 6 = $27/month/line
(optionally use cheap phones: $350 nexus 5, $200 Asus zenfone 6)
Verizon phones on EDGE, $649 16GB iPhone 6 = $27/month/line



If I had Verizon grandfathered unlimited and use the data (>10GB/month), I wouldn't switch. Rumor is that Verizon will offer VoWiFi (wifi calling) later this year, would need new phones to use it though. You could always purchase a network extender (~$200) to help with your home reception