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Tmobile vs. Straighttalk?

S

slackerinabox

Lifer
I'm enjoying straighttalk quite a bit on my galaxy nexus gsm - decent speeds and a price I can't complain about ($45/month unlimited everything). Since I'm pretty cheap this $30/month unlimited data plan (with 100 minutes talk) plan on t-mobile sounds interesting - anyone try it? I'm in NYC and have never used t-mobile's network. Straighttalk (at&t) is acceptably consistent but pales in comparison to verizon. Would I be taking a step back moving from straighttalk to tmobile? I don't use many minutes at all so the 100 minutes isn't a deal killer.

Thanks!
 
HSPA+ speeds will be faster on T-Mobile, especially if you get a DC-HSPA+ phone like the Nexus 4. Read Brian's review of the Nexus 4 where he compares the absolute max speeds both the GSM Galaxy Nexus (19Mbps) and Nexus 4 (40Mbps) can get from super ideal network conditions.
 
You could also get a Tmobile SIM for StraightTalk if you find Tmo's network to work better you, but the 100mins inadequate. Another member here uses Tmo's $30 plan along with Skype for VOIP calling. Comes out to like $37 per month with the Skype number and unlimited calling.
 
T-Mo is better in the city proper -- and really fast on HSPA+ even without DC. Coverage not as good outside. Depends if you ever leave.
 
T-mobile has better customer service than Straightalk

Some users on slickdeals report that if you use "too much" data on straighttalk, above 2GB, they would just cancel your account and you might loose your number, YMMV
 
IHAVEAQUESTION said:
T-mobile prepaid and postpaid have different coverage

Which coverage is ST using on T-mobile network?
Click to expand...

Straight Talk uses Tmo's Prepaid Network. Voice coverage is almost the same, save for extremely rural areas, like BFE, Montana.

Voice:
6KL36.gif


Data is substantially different though:
L4vSp.gif
 
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gevorg said:
Some users on slickdeals report that if you use "too much" data on straighttalk, above 2GB, they would just cancel your account and you might loose your number, YMMV
Click to expand...

The wisdom I've read at HoFo and other forums is 2GB per month or 100MB per day. ST with Tmo seems to be enforced less strictly. I thought they would just kick you off data though. They actually cut your service entirely?
 
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Gooberlx2 said:
The wisdom I've read at HoFo and other forums is 2GB per month or 100MB per day** ST with Tmo seems to be enforced less strictly** I thought they would just kick you off data though** They actually cut your service entirely?
Click to expand...

Yes, they can, but YMMV

Can't post links, google for "Be careful with MVNO plans, their unlimited plans are limited too" article on ZDnet
 
Gooberlx2 said:
Straight Talk uses Tmo's Prepaid Network. Voice coverage is almost the same, save for extremely rural areas, like BFE, Montana.

Voice:
6KL36.gif


Data is substantially different though:
L4vSp.gif
Click to expand...

Do you know anything about the differences between prepaid ATT and T-Mobile? This info is making me rethink straight talk t-mobile.
 
preslove said:
Do you know anything about the differences between prepaid ATT and T-Mobile? This info is making me rethink straight talk t-mobile.
Click to expand...

I think I've read that ST uses ATT post paid coverage...at least according to their maps.
link

They basically say that ATT is postpaid+roaming, Tmo is prepaid+roaming. *shrug* As with most things for ST, exact details are sketchy.
 
Gooberlx2 said:
I think I've read that ST uses ATT post paid coverage...at least according to their maps.
link

They basically say that ATT is postpaid+roaming, Tmo is prepaid+roaming. *shrug* As with most things for ST, exact details are sketchy.
Click to expand...

AT&T ST here. In my research I have seen several places on hofo that it's postpaid, no roaming. Which is really good.
 
soccerballtux said:
AT&T ST here. In my research I have seen several places on hofo that it's postpaid, no roaming. Which is really good.
Click to expand...

Are you using an unlocked GSM phone/SIM plan? Even ST's terms indicates roaming is available for the GSM partners (ATT, Tmo, other Tracfone GSM)
http://www.straighttalk.com/terms
Service on the GSM Network. If your Straight Talk Service is on the GSM network, your Straight Talk Wireless phone may roam when you are outside of the Straight Talk GSM network coverage area. When your Straight Talk GSM phone is roaming, Voice and SMS messaging will continue to be available to you at no additional charge. Mobile Web Services access will not be available while you are roaming outside of the Straight Talk GSM Network coverage area. When your GSM Straight Talk Phone is roaming, an indicator light on your handset may display the word "Roam" or "RM" on the screen while the phone is not in use.
Click to expand...
 
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IHAVEAQUESTION said:
If that data coverage map is correct...WOW...just wow!
Click to expand...

Take a careful look at what appears in the second GIF before the difference bit. First up, you have all of Canada. Do you go to canada much? If so, you should probably have a Canadian sim anyway. Second, look at the areas that pop up in the lower 48. In my area, I see rural upstate NY, most rural New England and Northern Appalachia. Ask yourself, do I go there often? if not, is the $$$ worth the minor inconvenience of not having data on the interstate, or possibly in a motel room?

If you live in an urban area, the conclusion will likely be: 'this is unlikely to inconvenience me, but living in the middle of nowhere sucks'
 
Outside of major population centers T-Mobile coverage is not as good as AT&T. Given that T-Mobile's prepaid plans do not include data roaming, you should verify whether the coverage area meets your specific needs. This will depend on where you live/work and how much you expect to travel. Rootmetrics, Sensorly, and OpenSignal websites (.com for each) provide detailed maps with signal strength and data speeds based on real user data. Ultimately, the best approach is to get a T-Mobile SIM and try their Monthly4G plan for a few weeks before making a decision.
 
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