Sprint or AT&T

[TraumaRN]

So to make a long story short, Verizon gave me some serious customer service bullsh!t, and despite having to pay a cancellation fee I want to switch providers, plus with my new job they won't give me a discount for Verizon, however I get a 23% discount with Sprint and a 26% discount with AT&T.

So...I'm looking for a new phone but have NO experience with other carriers. I've had Verizon for 8 years now. I currently have a unlimited data, 900 minutes, 500 text messages and pay $78/month with my old discount(which expires at the end of march) I'm looking for something similar plan wise, and service wise. I mostly stay in the city but I NEED good reception because I'm on call 3-4 days a month.

Phone wise, I'd be looking at probably touch screen phones, like the Instinct, iPhone etc.

And I need something that works without a problem with Ford Sync and with Amazon MP3s.(I don't have iTunes)

 

[cvrefugee]

Using your 23% Sprint discount you can get the Simply Everything Plan for $77/month ($99/month before discount) which includes:

-Unlimited data: Web surfing, email, BlackBerry Internet Services (BIS), GPS Navigation, Music Premier, TV Premier, NFL Mobile Live, NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile
-Unlimited Direct Connect: Direct Connect and Group Connect (for capable phones)
-Unlimited messaging: Text, pictures and video
-Unlimited talk: Unlimited anytime minutes, nationwide long distance and no roaming charges

As for the phone, I'm waiting for the Palm Pre to be released. I would wait for that if you can, if not you could look at the HTC Touch Diamond, Samsung Instinct, or BlackBerry Curve.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: cvrefugee
Using your 23% Sprint discount you can get the Simply Everything Plan for $77/month ($99/month before discount) which includes:

-Unlimited data: Web surfing, email, BlackBerry Internet Services (BIS), GPS Navigation, Music Premier, TV Premier, NFL Mobile Live, NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile
-Unlimited Direct Connect: Direct Connect and Group Connect (for capable phones)
-Unlimited messaging: Text, pictures and video
-Unlimited talk: Unlimited anytime minutes, nationwide long distance and no roaming charges

As for the phone, I'm waiting for the Palm Pre to be released. I would wait for that if you can, if not you could look at the HTC Touch Diamond, Samsung Instinct, or BlackBerry Curve.

My question is what could I get from AT&T that is similar. That is a nice deal that Sprint has going on.

However I'm not much of a talker...the only person I really talk on the phone with much is my fiance. If I got AT&T 450 minutes + rollover, + iphone data plan + $15 text messaging...+26% off....

Its just a tough decision, the instinct is a nice phone too...and both providers have good services/extras. Coverage maps are basically identical.

I've got a couple weeks to make a decision but I think it will be a tough one either way.

 

[metalmania]

not tough, although AT&T sucks, it's better to use GSM phones.

 

[cvrefugee]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA
My question is what could I get from AT&T that is similar. That is a nice deal that Sprint has going on.

However I'm not much of a talker...the only person I really talk on the phone with much is my fiance. If I got AT&T 450 minutes + rollover, + iphone data plan + $15 text messaging...+26% off....

Its just a tough decision, the instinct is a nice phone too...and both providers have good services/extras. Coverage maps are basically identical.

I've got a couple weeks to make a decision but I think it will be a tough one either way.

If you don't need unlimited minutes, here are two other plans from Sprint:

Everything Data
-Unlimited data: Web surfing, email, BlackBerry Internet Services (BIS), GPS Navigation, Music Premier, TV Premier, NFL Mobile Live, NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile
-Unlimited Direct Connect: Direct Connect and Group Connect (for capable phones)
-Unlimited messaging: Text, pictures and video
-Talk: Unlimited mobile to mobile, night calling and weekends starting at 7 p.m., nationwide long distance and no roaming charges

450 minutes - $69/month - 23% = $54/month
900 minutes - $89/month - 23% = $69/month

Originally posted by: metalmania
not tough, although AT&T sucks, it's better to use GSM phones.

Why GSM? CDMA has better coverage in the United States than GSM.

 

[iahk]

It's really hit or miss with reception. Have you asked anyone with ATT or Sprint how their service is in your area?

Sprint will hands down beat ATT in pricing no doubt about it. Just to break it down..

Nation 900 anytime minutes, unlimited mobile to mobile, unlimited nights and weekends starting at 9pm, rollover minutes = 59.99
Data unlimited for pda phones = 30.00

You're already at $89.99 a month and you haven't added a messaging plan yet.

200 msg = 5.00
1500 msg = 15.00
Unlimited = 20.00

 

[corkyg]

That's an interesting question. I have a Sprint phone and a Sprint connection card for my laptop. However, there are places where Sprint's signal sucks, and AT&T shines. So, I also have an AT&T USB connection card. That was useful in Europe and South Africa where GSM rules. I also find places here in the USA where AT&T gets a much stronger signal tnan Sprint. Ergo - I have both.

If Sprint works, then I prefer it. When it works, it is faster. But again - what governs my choice of which to use is location, location, location.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: iahk
It's really hit or miss with reception. Have you asked anyone with ATT or Sprint how their service is in your area?

Sprint will hands down beat ATT in pricing no doubt about it. Just to break it down..

Nation 900 anytime minutes, unlimited mobile to mobile, unlimited nights and weekends starting at 9pm, rollover minutes = 59.99
Data unlimited for pda phones = 30.00

You're already at $89.99 a month and you haven't added a messaging plan yet.

200 msg = 5.00
1500 msg = 15.00
Unlimited = 20.00

Well I could do 450 minutes(i use about 400 mins/month) + rollover + data unlimited + 200 messages for $75 month + 26% discount. Price wise for what I want it's a 2-3 dollar wash for me. My fiance does have Sprint and her service + coverage is decent. As good as my current Verizon phone. I had a friend who had AT&T last year she never had problems and this was over a year ago. So again its a wash. I like AT&T for the GSM because I DO travel.

Does Sprint have anything like an App store like AT&T??

 

[TheWart]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Originally posted by: iahk
It's really hit or miss with reception. Have you asked anyone with ATT or Sprint how their service is in your area?

Sprint will hands down beat ATT in pricing no doubt about it. Just to break it down..

Nation 900 anytime minutes, unlimited mobile to mobile, unlimited nights and weekends starting at 9pm, rollover minutes = 59.99
Data unlimited for pda phones = 30.00

You're already at $89.99 a month and you haven't added a messaging plan yet.

200 msg = 5.00
1500 msg = 15.00
Unlimited = 20.00

Well I could do 450 minutes(i use about 400 mins/month) + rollover + data unlimited + 200 messages for $75 month + 26% discount. Price wise for what I want it's a 2-3 dollar wash for me. My fiance does have Sprint and her service + coverage is decent. As good as my current Verizon phone. I had a friend who had AT&T last year she never had problems and this was over a year ago. So again its a wash. I like AT&T for the GSM because I DO travel.

Does Sprint have anything like an App store like AT&T??

To be fair, it is not ATT that has an App store, but Apple. Sprint does not have any app store, but the Pre is going to have one....but then again you will obviously have to wait for it to come out.

For what it is worth, I have the iPhone 3g on ATT (have been with them for about 6 years) and I am more than satisfied.

 

[cvrefugee]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA
Well I could do 450 minutes(i use about 400 mins/month) + rollover + data unlimited + 200 messages for $75 month + 26% discount.

Sprint's similar plan is $69/month - 23% discount and also includes unlimited text messaging and Sprint Navigation, BIS, etc.

Originally posted by: DeathBUA
Price wise for what I want it's a 2-3 dollar wash for me. My fiance does have Sprint and her service + coverage is decent. As good as my current Verizon phone. I had a friend who had AT&T last year she never had problems and this was over a year ago. So again its a wash. I like AT&T for the GSM because I DO travel.

Does Sprint have anything like an App store like AT&T??

Since your fiance has Sprint, that means if you choose Sprint you'll have more anytime minutes available than if you go with AT&T, since calls between you two will be free/unlimited.

 

[boomhower]

Have you looked at the new SERO plans. While not as good as the origianl are still quite nice. Click me. Use russ.s.mcguire@sprint.com for the email and 383 for the CID. The guy posted his info on sprintusers so its cool to use it. 500 min for $60 or 1000 for $80. This includes data/navigation/tv/blackberry service(BIS) plus unlimited text/picture/video messenging, N&W start at 7PM. Since most of your minutes is to another sprint phone you could take the lower of the two. Take your discount and you have quite a deal at ~$46. They also have an umlimited international roaming add on for $40 but the limited international coverage may make that not very worth while. If you want something know the Touch Pro and Diamond are both good. The Pre should be here next month and the Touch Pro 2 should be here sometime this summer.

 

[HopJokey]

Originally posted by: boomhower
Have you looked at the new SERO plans. While not as good as the origianl are still quite nice. Click me. Use russ.s.mcguire@sprint.com for the email and 383 for the CID. The guy posted his info on sprintusers so its cool to use it. 500 min for $60 or 1000 for $80. This includes data/navigation/tv/blackberry service(BIS) plus unlimited text/picture/video messenging, N&W start at 7PM. Since most of your minutes is to another sprint phone you could take the lower of the two. Take your discount and you have quite a deal at ~$46. They also have an umlimited international roaming add on for $40 but the limited international coverage may make that not very worth while. If you want something know the Touch Pro and Diamond are both good. The Pre should be here next month and the Touch Pro 2 should be here sometime this summer.

Cool deal. I'll wait until there are newer phones out for Sprint before jumping on this.

 

[TraumaRN]

The other thing I just thought of, I have VZ navigator as part of my current plan. Nifty and useful little service. I don't use the Navigation much, only when I'm going someplace new, but I do use the gas price finder/traffic alert pretty extensively.

I'm assuming there is an app or series of apps that does the same for the Iphone??

I know sprint has a navigator system similar to Verizon.

 

[iahk]

If you are deciding on the iphone, then I am almost positive there are multiple apps that do as you want on it. ATT Navigator (equivalent of Sprint/VZ navigator) is available for other phones but not the iphone though.

And a heads up, if you decide with sprint, Sprint Navigator is already included in the pricing of the 450 minute Everything Data plan of $69.99mo.

 

[Muadib]

I advise you to stay far away from Sprint. In spite of SERO, they continue to lose at least 1 million customers a quarter. They have been for about a year now.

 

[cvrefugee]

Originally posted by: Muadib
I advise you to stay far away from Sprint. In spite of SERO, they continue to lose at least 1 million customers a quarter. They have been for about a year now.

Why is that bad? If they go out of business then how does the customer lose? Just port the number out to another carrier EFT-free.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: Muadib
I advise you to stay far away from Sprint. In spite of SERO, they continue to lose at least 1 million customers a quarter. They have been for about a year now.

Really? :Q

 

[bonkers325]

AT&T. you can use live.com for 35% cashback.

 

[boomhower]

Originally posted by: Muadib
I advise you to stay far away from Sprint. In spite of SERO, they continue to lose at least 1 million customers a quarter. They have been for about a year now.

What does that have to do with anything? They are not going to be shutting up shop anytime soon. Even if they did, someone would buy them up.

 

[pm]

The iPhone has several apps that find stuff nearby - among them, AroundMe which is what I use. It's free. The iPhone will work with Ford Sync, and you can put Amazon MP3's on it - I buy my iPhone music through Amazon. If you are a member of Best Buy's reward zone, they are offering $50 off of an iPhone - or more if you spend a lot at Best Buy. This week only. http://www.obsessable.com/news...one-3g-price-to-99-99/

As anyone on here knows, I'm not a huge fan of Sprint, but they work great when the service around you is good and they have a faster/better data network than AT&T. The Instinct is a good phone - I think the iPhone is much better, but the Instinct is still quite good.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Originally posted by: Muadib
I advise you to stay far away from Sprint. In spite of SERO, they continue to lose at least 1 million customers a quarter. They have been for about a year now.

Really? :Q

Oh yeah Here's an article about it. Despite the fact that their prices are generally cheaper than both Verizon & AT&T, they continue to lose customers in droves. Why?? Because they flat out SUCK!!! There customer service is the worst in the business, by far. Their CEO claimed it's been improved, and yet they still lost another 1.3 million customers to close out the year. Call me crazy, but that doesn't sound like an improvement to me. Stay far, far away!!!!!

 

[cvrefugee]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Oh yeah Here's an article about it. Despite the fact that their prices are generally cheaper than both Verizon & AT&T, they continue to lose customers in droves. Why?? Because they flat out SUCK!!! There customer service is the worst in the business, by far. Their CEO claimed it's been improved, and yet they still lost another 1.3 million customers to close out the year. Call me crazy, but that doesn't sound like an improvement to me. Stay far, far away!!!!!

Sprint is not going out of business. Even if they were about to, another company would buy them up. You must not understand basic economics. If Sprint goes away, that creates less competition in the wireless industry, which will certainly cause prices to rise. More competition = lower prices.

 

[Muadib]

And you, curefugee, must have a problem with reading comprehension. Where did I say they were going under? Their wimax partnership put that off. At least for now.

 

[erwos]

Well, as a current Sprint customer, I must say that I like them a lot. Very good coverage where I am, low prices, fast data, good phones (this has improved TREMENDOUSLY over the past couple years). My only quibble is that their stores are understaffed, which makes phone swaps and upgrades a PITA (I usually buy them sans contract off eBay and go to the store for activation). Definitely looking forward to the Palm Pre.

 

[cvrefugee]

Originally posted by: Muadib
And you, curefugee, must have a problem with reading comprehension. Where did I say they were going under? Their wimax partnership put that off. At least for now.

What was your implication then? It is logical to assume that when a company is losing customers, they're losing money. When a company is losing money, they risk losing everything and closing down.

Why should the OP stay away from Sprint? Because of its poor customer service? Because it's losing customers? Or do you own stock in one of their competitors?