Which carrier to move family to for 4G data?

[FerraraZ]

I know its referential to the coverage area so I'll give my zip which is 16801. I know Verizon and atleast from what I see Sprint (according to Clear.com) has or will have coverage there by the end of 2011.

I'm currently on AT&T and hate it because 1) I'm spending too much money and 2)My new employer gives discounts for the other two.

So I guess real simple is which carrier should I choose or do you suggest? I know my wife wants an iPhone but Sprint has a Windows phone which I'm sure she'll like as well. Me, I'm an android guy so it doesnt matter.

 

[zerocool84]

Well if she wants an iPhone then go Verizon. No contest there. Plus from everything I've seen is that LTE from Verizon is MUCH faster than WiMAX for Sprint in the real world. Me personally I'm on Sprint and like them very much since you get so much more for the money and have tons of great phones coming out but your wife wants an iPhone you have to go Verizon.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I recently moved from Sprint to Verizon, and find Verizon's 4G to be insanely fast, think top tier cable speeds fast, currently with unlimited data, and free tethering for the next month & a half...

Thunderbolt for you and iPhone for her

I got a 25% hardware discount and 22% plan discount, about $10/month more than Sprint, but I also just took the text plan off and added more minutes with the friends & family plan, I use Google Voice for free texting, and if you install and enable Google Voice, add that number as a favorite on the F&F plan, press 2 in Google Voice, you have a free phone call, essentially giving you unlimited voice.

Dunno how long this will last, but it's fun to game the system occasionally

http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/voice/thread?tid=415d386cbfe6ab1c&hl=en

 

[s44]

Judging LTE speeds by when there's only one phone that's been out for one week running on the network is setting yourself up for disappointment later.

That said, it probably won't end up *worse* than Sprint. If you're OK with the price difference, Verizon's the way to go. But if you choose Verizon you should jump soon even though there's no LTE where you are... the unlimited 4G plan is going the way of the dodo.

 

[FerraraZ]

Judging LTE speeds by when there's only one phone that's been out for one week running on the network is setting yourself up for disappointment later.

That said, it probably won't end up *worse* than Sprint. If you're OK with the price difference, Verizon's the way to go. But if you choose Verizon you should jump soon even though there's no LTE where you are... the unlimited 4G plan is going the way of the dodo.

I guess the big question though is if I jump to the thunderbolt and get that 4G data plan will it be grandfathered into other phones down the line. Unlimited 4G is a hot thing especially since its nice to be able to tether with those speeds!

 

[rcpratt]

I guess the big question though is if I jump to the thunderbolt and get that 4G data plan will it be grandfathered into other phones down the line. Unlimited 4G is a hot thing especially since its nice to be able to tether with those speeds!

You'll be locked in for the length of your new contract, but not after that.

 

[Pliablemoose]

You'll be locked in for the length of your new contract, but not after that.

In 2 years, god knows what they'll come up with to charge us for data, watched a roundtable from CTIA with Cramer & Sprint, Verizon & ATT's CEO's & it was a big part of the discussion.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=3000012226&play=1

 

[alent1234]

VZ, she'll divorce you if you get her a windows phone

 

[FerraraZ]

So you guys are saying they are doing away with grandfathering contracts with 4G now? Even if I kept signing 2 year agreements with VZW

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

So you guys are saying they are doing away with grandfathering contracts with 4G now? Even if I kept signing 2 year agreements with VZW

I imagine they wouldn't have to grandfather you, but it wouldn't be completely off the wall if they did either.

 

[FerraraZ]

Even with all this I think I may be going to Sprint just for sheer value factor. All there plans are unlimited mobile to mobile with any carrier right? I feel like we do less than 1500 minutes to landlines so it just seems like a good overall plan.

 

[zerocool84]

Even with all this I think I may be going to Sprint just for sheer value factor. All there plans are unlimited mobile to mobile with any carrier right? I feel like we do less than 1500 minutes to landlines so it just seems like a good overall plan.

That's the reason why I'm on Sprint, free mobile calling to any cellphone. I talk a lot on my phone so it's good for me.

 

[FerraraZ]

That's the reason why I'm on Sprint, free mobile calling to any cellphone. I talk a lot on my phone so it's good for me.

Another thing to note is atleast from what I'm reading that you can use roaming data within reason. Thats pretty good!