stay with verizon or jump ship?

[chitwood]

Man I don't know what to do. Our two year contract comes up on Jan 28, and the wife and I have been deliberating on whether to leave Verizon.

Verizon good:
service. not once in the 4 years we've been with them have I had even one bounced call, no signal, anything of the sort. The reliability is truly 2nd to none.

Verizon bad:
Our bill is absurd. We would save probably $80 a month by moving to Tmobile. That is a lot of scratch. Maybe they've got better plans than what we're on now, but I haven't done the research to see just how much we'd save yet.

Then there's the whole contract/no contract thing. The carriers made news back in August (I think) about dumping the whole contract thing and you just get a phone, get a plan, and away you go. But, they still offer contracts if you want them. My wife doesn't see the difference, what's the big deal about being in a contract if you're not planning on leaving the carrier anyway.

 

[paperwastage]

But, they still offer contracts if you want them. My wife doesn't see the difference, what's the big deal about being in a contract if you're not planning on leaving the carrier anyway.

you could choose not to get a new phone after 2 years and save money (or go for a cheap $400 Moto X Pure)


you could test out the other providers (If you have an iPhone 6S/Nexus 6P/5X, just pop in a T_mobile sim and drive around... you can do speedtests on an unactivated tmobile sim. you'll have to pay for a month of service to test other providers/mnvo/prepaid)

or look at Verizon MVNOs/prepiad

what is your usage level? how much data are you using, and how mcuh $ are you paying?

 

[core2slow]

80/mo outweighs 1-2 dropped calls in spotty areas. I have a work iPhone on vzw and my personal on tmo and 99% of the time I get identical service on tmo as I do on vzw.

 

[Oyeve]

I too have a VZW work phone and a personal phone on tmobile. when both phones are in optimal cell range the tmobile is way faster. I live in NYC so VZW is very saturated. Even when my tmobile phone switches to H or H+ it is usually on par with VZW. When I go upstate to rural areas tmo switches to edge or H and thats fine for calls. VZW in the same rural area gets 3g. IMO, go to tmo and save $$$. Plus, tmo phones are generally much easier to root and play with as VZW locks everything down.

 

[chitwood]

you could choose not to get a new phone after 2 years and save money (or go for a cheap $400 Moto X Pure)

is that really how it works? I always thought that whether you got a S6 edge + or an iPhone4, your bill would stay exactly the same, as long as you're under a contract.

But I guess with no contracts, at least according to verizon's site, you can either buy the phone outright, or pay for it monthly over the course of 24 months, and they tack the monthly cost of your phone onto your monthly bill. At which point your bill would definitely go down after 2 years and your phone is paid off. But contracts don't work that way? fuck I don't know.

what is your usage level? how much data are you using, and how mcuh $ are you paying?

usage level is around 2gb -3gb a month. I'll just say we're paying too much. I know the plans are waay better now than when we first signed up, I just haven't changed ours because I'm stupid.

 

[ghost recon88]

Smartphone monthly access is $20 a month now on Verizon's new plans, and 6GB of data is $60. So you'd be looking at $100 a month, assuming you had no company or corporate discounts. Even less if you could do with less data. I know here, T-Mobile sucks anywhere outside the city limits. Like going up into the great north, or out on the lake? Better stick with Verizon.

 

[gorcorps]

you could test out the other providers (If you have an iPhone 6S/Nexus 6P/5X, just pop in a T_mobile sim and drive around... you can do speedtests on an unactivated tmobile sim. you'll have to pay for a month of service to test other providers/mnvo/prepaid)

This is what I plan on doing when I get a Nexus 6p. Right now I'm with AT&T, and I'm happy enough but the potential savings through T-Mobile (or others) makes me want to test them out to see if service is good enough where I live. Or specifically at work where the real test comes into play (out in the boonies, where ATT works pretty well but even Verizon struggles).

 

[Chocu1a]

I got tired of the ever increasing monthly cost. Switched to Cricket(AT&T) & get better reception than I did on Verizon, for $45 month less.

 

[paperwastage]

is that really how it works? I always thought that whether you got a S6 edge + or an iPhone4, your bill would stay exactly the same, as long as you're under a contract.

that's the old way of doing things... obviously since I can't see your (grandfathered plan), don't know how much you are paying

but as someone else replied above, you can now pay for data (6GB = $60), 2 lines ($20 each) = $100... and pay for phone separately (can get a cheap $400 moto x pure, or a $27/month * 24 months iPHone 6)

if you dont' need a new phone, you'll just pay $100/month +tax/fees

usage level is around 2gb -3gb a month. I'll just say we're paying too much. I know the plans are waay better now than when we first signed up, I just haven't changed ours because I'm stupid.

Smartphone monthly access is $20 a month now on Verizon's new plans, and 6GB of data is $60. So you'd be looking at $100 a month, assuming you had no company or corporate discounts. Even less if you could do with less data. I know here, T-Mobile sucks anywhere outside the city limits. Like going up into the great north, or out on the lake? Better stick with Verizon.

T-mobile starts at $80/month for 2 lines 2GB each. CErtain music/video sites do not count towards the 2GB limit each. (+ additional $/month/line if you need a new {tmobile} phone)

If verizon works for you and you need minimal data (2-3GB each), it's fine to stay with Verizon ($100 for 2 lines+6GB bucket) plus $27/month/line if you want a new iPHone/S6/..

I got tired of the ever increasing monthly cost. Switched to Cricket(AT&T) & get better reception than I did on Verizon, for $45 month less.

Cricket for 2 lines(2.5GB each) will be $35*2-$10 = $60

 

[Oyeve]

that's the old way of doing things... obviously since I can't see your (grandfathered plan), don't know how much you are paying

but as someone else replied above, you can now pay for data (6GB = $60), 2 lines ($20 each) = $100... and pay for phone separately (can get a cheap $400 moto x pure, or a $27/month * 24 months iPHone 6)

if you dont' need a new phone, you'll just pay $100/month +tax/fees




T-mobile starts at $80/month for 2 lines 2GB each. CErtain music/video sites do not count towards the 2GB limit each.

If verizon works for you and you need minimal data (2-3GB each), it's fine to stay with Verizon ($100 for 2 lines+6GB bucket) plus $27/month/line if you want a new iPHone/S6/..



Cricket for 2 lines(2.5GB each) will be $35*2-$10 = $60

You can tweak TMO plans. Currently I have 3 lines, unlimited high speed data for each, unlimited text and voice, 7gb each of high speed tethering. $160 a month including all fees and taxes.

 

[paperwastage]

You can tweak TMO plans. Currently I have 3 lines, unlimited high speed data for each, unlimited text and voice, 7gb each of high speed tethering. $160 a month including all fees and taxes.

yeah... but it starts at $80 (2GB each) versus ($100 for 2 lines on Verizon for 6GB shared)

T-mobile can't go cheaper. If OP moves to T-mobile, likely will need to get new phones

T-mobile is only a better choice if

A) You don't want overages
B) you want a lot of data/unlimited
C) You want the fringe benefits (WiFi calling, free int'l roaming, music/video freedom etc)
D) a lot of lines
E) Verizon doesn't work for you (congestion, ..)

Otherwise, Verizon's existing $100 (2 lines 6GB shared without new phones) would suit him better (less risk than moving to a new network). Could be cheaper with corp discounts

If op wants new phones, then its worth it to test other providers... And tmobile will be offering Verizon customers some incentive to switch (they offered $200 for sprint, free upgrade from 16GB->128GB for att iPhone users)

 

[sweenish]

Depends on how coverage is where you need it, and that's really all there is to it. I wouldn't use "absolutely must have amazing coverage in every place I could possibly visit" as a metric, either.

I was on Sprint, dumped for Verizon. Verizon was too expensive and slow, dumped for T-Mobile. Satisfied with T-Mobile, but dumped them for GSM Ting (uses T-Mobile's network) to save more money.

My bill has topped out at $60/month (two lines) with Ting, so far my lowest was $43.

My breakdown was as follows:
Sprint: 2 lines, 2 accounts, ~$150/mo (had just got married)
Verizon: 2 lines, 1 account, ~150
T-Mobile: $100/mo with more data than Verizon because it's per line
Ting: $43-60/mo, no obligations, used phone from T-Mobile (Nexus 5 for both lines)

I agree with whoever said that a couple low signal areas and dropped calls are worth saving $960 per year. My family effectively gets an extra $1200 per year now that money isn't immediately funneled off for a phone bill.

 

[openwheel]

It is critical for some to have the best and most reliable wireless service. I, for example require Verizon being a frequent flyer. My wife is on T-Mobile and as much as I love T-Mobile and their improvements, Verizon still reigns King as far as reliability and coverage from DC, to rural OKC, to middle of nowhere desert, to Newport Beach.

 

[soulcougher73]

Is AT&T an option for you? Or more specifically Cricket? I pay $70/m for my wife and I. Their fees and taxes are rolled into the plan so its just a flat $70 each month for 2.5gb each. We both just got new Samsung S6's over cyber monday for $250 each which is about 50% off or more per phone.

 

[chitwood]

if you dont' need a new phone, you'll just pay $100/month +tax/fees

Thats the big question with Verizon... just how much is the bolded?

Is AT&T an option for you? Or more specifically Cricket? I pay $70/m for my wife and I. Their fees and taxes are rolled into the plan so its just a flat $70 each month for 2.5gb each. We both just got new Samsung S6's over cyber monday for $250 each which is about 50% off or more per phone.

This is a good question, might have to look into this. How is the service with Cricket?
Right now leaning towards Tmobile. Couple coworkers I've talked to since making this thread have said Tmobile is good stuff in this area (southern IN)
Plus Tmobile has the phone I want (LG G4)

 

[paperwastage]

Thats the big question with Verizon... just how much is the bolded?


This is a good question, might have to look into this. How is the service with Cricket?
Right now leaning towards Tmobile. Couple coworkers I've talked to since making this thread have said Tmobile is good stuff in this area (southern IN)
Plus Tmobile has the phone I want (LG G4)

check your current bill.. likely be similar (eg: $3 per-line fees + % sales tax/... percentage fees. I'd say 10-20% depending on your area?)
http://www.mywireless.org/state-issues/state-tax-rankings/



I'd really recommend looking at a Nexus 6P/5X/iPhone 6S/6S+/Moto X Pure... these phones can work on all four providers (and most of their MVNOs/Prepaids)

which means you can switch networks at any time and your existing phone will work 100%



as I said before, wait to switch after T-mobile reveals their verizon-switch offer, likely on the Dec 14th. try to test their network by that date (borrow a coworker's phone or do that SIM trick I mentioned before)

. T-Mobile is also delivering special holiday gifts to Sprint, AT&T and Verizon customers starting next week – one carrier per week.

https://newsroom.t-mobile.com/news/holiday-deals.htm


use sites like sensorly/opensignal to check different providers. they are not 100% accurate/reliable though, and you would want a phone that supports that specific provider's bands (aka need to get a new phone... again, points to nexus 6P/5X?....

http://sensorly.com/map/4G/US/USA/ATandT-Mobility/lte_310410#q=Indiana,+USA|coverage

 

[soulcougher73]

This is a good question, might have to look into this. How is the service with Cricket?
Right now leaning towards Tmobile. Couple coworkers I've talked to since making this thread have said Tmobile is good stuff in this area (southern IN)
Plus Tmobile has the phone I want (LG G4)

I havent had a single problem with Cricket or AT&Ts network. I believe the data speeds are capped vs. actually being on AT&T, but they are still fast enough for me. Think last time i ran speedtest it was like 8-9 mb down here at work.

 

[Zaap]

I'd test other options.

Verizon 4G in Los Angeles absolutely sucks. I've had an AT&T S6 Edge+ the past month, and I've been amazed how much better AT&T 4g is. My gizmos are mostly on wifi (even in my car which has a built in hotspot) so I don't care that much that the Verizon 4g sucks so bad since everything else works.

Point is though... having a chance to see how much better another service is (and certainly if it were available cheaper) makes me want to drop Verizon like a hot potato.

Try other services out. Possibly they'll perform just as well or even better for less money.

 

[s44]

If OP moves to T-mobile, likely will need to get new phones

Only for band 12.

Most T-Mo LTE is on band 4, which every Verizon LTE device for 2+ years has had. Also, all Verizon LTE phones are carrier unlocked per FCC agreement.

 

[Oyeve]

Only for band 12.

Most T-Mo LTE is on band 4, which every Verizon LTE device for 2+ years has had. Also, all Verizon LTE phones are carrier unlocked per FCC agreement.

Yep, been getting vzw phones from my job for over 2 years and put my tmobile sim in them. A quick apn settings and bam. 4G LTE on tmo.