Who here has AT&T wireless?

[Jugernot]

My contract is up later this month with my current cell company which is CDMA based. One of the main reasons I went with CDMA versus GSM was the ability to roam on analog if needed when out of town. As of February 18, 2008, cellular companies are no longer required to support analog towers.

This particularly sucks for me in Alaska, which still has many spots that are analog only. Anyway, my choices are AT&T or my local CDMA provider. AT&T's plans are MUCH better and their GSM coverage is about the same as CDMA without the analog towers.

What do you guys have to say about AT&T as a cell company? Excluding coverage (which is different for everyones location) what do you like and dislike about AT&T (contracts, phones, support, etc.!)?

Another thing I like about my current company, they offer unlimited internet on my phone for $15 a month. I use the bluetooth and DUN to hook it upto my laptop. So I have a internet connection anywhere I have a cell signal. Does AT&T allow this with their phones?

I have a Nokia 6265i right now, which is 2MP camera, bluetooth, mini SD slot, slider, etc. would like a equivalent phone in features. ANy recommendations?

EDIT: We have no coverage for T Mobile, AllTel, Verizon, etc. here. Only my local CDMA provider and AT&T.

Moved from Off Topic
moderator allisolm

 

[George P Burdell]

AT&T's data plan is $30-$40 a month.

 

[Sphexi]

A few things are changing across the board in the cell industry lately. I would wait until later in January to sign up with AT&T for a few reasons:

1) As of November they no longer require contract extensions if you change your plan under certain circumstances.
2) As of January, if you cancel your contract you no longer have a flat 175.00 fee, it will be prorated based on how many months left in your contract.
3) Cellular One actually owns the towers up in Alaska, on November 16th AT&T finished their buyout of Dobson/Cellular One, and starting January will be converting everything over.

As for the rest, there are a few phones similar to what you have, they used to carry the SE w810 (I have it through Rogers here in Canada, awesome phone), the w580 is similar. Also, you can get unlimited internet for 19.99 a month on your phone, but that does not allow tethering to a laptop. The system can tell the difference and if you connect it to a laptop and use DUN to logon that way, it is a good possibility you would get flagged by the system and charged Pay-per-use of .01/KB for that usage. There are people who do it and don't get caught, but the system is being upgraded over the next few months to watch for things like that, so chances are good you'll get caught eventually. A plan that allows tethering is 59.99 a month, but it's absolute unlimited and is 3G supported as well (if you can get the signal).

Overall the voice and SMS plans are exactly the same as you'll see through Verizon or Sprint with a few minor exceptions here and there. AT&T has rollovers which others don't, Sprint has free early nights/weekends which others charge for, etc. The service is good, and likely you can get a discount through your employer, depending on who you work for it could be up to 28% off your service charges a month, nothing to cough at.

 

[Parasitic]

Tethering has been something AT&T has tried to clamp down hard these days. It can be done but you need to be careful about it. The cheapest unlimited internet add-on is $20/mo and tethering is NOT allowed on any of the plans unless you go to the truly unlimited which is $80/mo (add-on).

Lame, I know, but now that they're the biggest...oh wells.

Nokia 6126 has all the features listed besides 2MP (only 1.3MP) and no slider (it's a flip). Another possibility is Nokia N75. Other choices include Sony-Ericsson W580i, Samsung SLM, Motorola RAZR V3xx.

 

[dartworth]

very happy with AT&T and $20/month internet...

3G FTW...

 

[PlatinumGold]

Guide to cell phone service carriers


ALLTEL

alltelwireless logo
One of the better providers in the three metro areas for which we had adequate survey data.

A standout for connectivity. Among the better carriers in customer service and the least likely in our survey to extend contracts when changing plans. Automatic credit for dropped calls. Less widely available than other top carriers. Offers high-speed wireless data network for faster Web browsing and downloading. Uses CDMA. Supports analog networks, which provide backup in rural areas, but is phasing out support as it expands its digital network.

Unique offering: My Circle plan, which allows unlimited free calls to 10 designated phone numbers, wireless or landline on any network.


VERIZON

verizonwireless logo
Among the better carriers this year and in our earlier surveys.

A standout for connectivity. Among the better national carriers in customer service and the first to prorate termination fees (with a $5 reduction per month). Offers high-speed wireless data network for faster Web browsing and downloading. Uses CDMA. Supports analog networks but is discontinuing that support early next year as it expands its digital network.

Unique offering: VCast TV, a live-TV service with a handful of cable and broadcast channels.


T-MOBILE

t-mobile logo
Another solid performer that often offers more for your money.

On par with Verizon in most of the metro areas we surveyed. Least expensive for Web access ($6 a month for unlimited access) and for multimedia messages (messages with photos or other media attachments cost the same as text messages, which are inexpensive with T-Mobile's bundles). The myFaves plans allow unlimited free calls to five people on any network. Uses the GSM network. Most of its phones can be used outside the U.S. Lacks high-speed wireless data network.

Unique offering: HotSpot@Home, which allows phones to switch to Internet calling (see T-Mobile WiFi phones).


AT&T

at&t logo
Home of the iPhone but trails the better carriers in almost all respects.

The exclusive carrier for the iPhone. Has Smart Limits plan for controlling kids' access (see 5 Ways to cut your bill). But service and satisfaction were clearly second-tier, and connectivity was below average, thanks to static and service failures in many of the metro areas we surveyed. Rolling out high-speed wireless data network and phasing out its analog networks, which provide backup in rural areas. Uses GSM. Most of its phones can be used outside the U.S.

Unique offering: Rollover minutes, which allow you to carry over unused minutes for almost a year.


SPRINT

sprint logo
Bottom-ranked of carriers we rate.

Consistently among the lowest-rated for satisfaction, dropped calls, and customer service. Users buy more high-speed data services from Sprint than from any other carrier. Sprint merged with Nextel in 2005 and maintains the Nextel network separately to offer walkie-talkie ("push to talk") capability between compatible Sprint Nextel phones. Our results exclude customers who receive Nextel service from Sprint because their phones operate on the different iDEN technology. Offers high-speed wireless data network for faster Web browsing and downloads. Uses CDMA.

Unique offering: Unlimited calling starts at 7 p.m., earlier than other carriers.

cut and pasted from Consumer Reports.

 

[RGN]

I've been with AT&T for about three and a half years now. No issues, currently using an iphone. I had t-Mobile before that and moved solely because of signal issues. YMMV, they had top notch customer service for the few issues I had.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

I've been on AT&T, previously cingular for about 6 years now. Never had a problem that was there fault. That said, this month I'm dropping them for a T-mobile prepaid sim and skype.

 

[amdskip]

I actually had good coverage with verizon the entire time I was in Anchorage this summer so it might be something to check into. My friends live there and use Verizon but they do not have any data plans, etc.

 

[Parasitic]

Check with your HR department to see if you can get "sponsored" on a FAN account for AT&T. This gives you a monthly discount AND access to the business care department, where the reps (from my experience) are much better trained and polite than the consumer care department.

 

[kevinf2090]

i have at&t and i love it. the signal is great and 3g is fast. the only con i would say is the high price

 

[PhoenixOrion]

i've had cingular/AT&T for many years now and always wanted to change but never did......just never had the time or just procrastinating.
the two things that tops 1) fast customer service on the phone 2) great phone selection

two big things that make me wanna change 1) horrible signals in some areas 2) you lose prorated rollover minutes if you downgrade your rate plan

 

[Fritzo]

I moved, and they had 0 service at my new location. I called them and they said "Well, if you're in a non-serviced area, you're exempt from your contract. I switched to Verizon and ported my number over. Then I got $400 in early termination fees because I cancelled my contract 3 weeks early. They would hear nothing about the bad advice I got from them, and collectors started calling us at all hours of the day/night + sending legal notices in the mail.

Yeah. ATT Wireless is great.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: Parasitic
Check with your HR department to see if you can get "sponsored" on a FAN account for AT&T. This gives you a monthly discount AND access to the business care department, where the reps (from my experience) are much better trained and polite than the consumer care department.

Mostly ....there's 6 call centers that support business care for the east coast and south-east, another dozen or so that support the rest of the country. Of the 6 on the east coast, about two are good, the rest are staffed with minimum-wage, barely trained monkeys. Sometimes that's good as they hand out credits like candy, in some cases bad because if you have a problem like SMS not working, they keep you on the phone for 2 minutes, then tell you to wait an hour and power-cycle your phone and it'll work. Obviously it won't, but that's what they tell you, so that you'll get off the phone and call-back to get somebody different. If you happen to live on the east coast, down through Florida then west towards Missouri, or if you look at your bill and your account number starts with 8 digits followed by a dash, then you're serviced by those first 6 call centers. Always ask when you call in to see where they're located, and if it's anywhere other than Huntsville or "north of Seattle", hang up and dial again.

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I moved, and they had 0 service at my new location. I called them and they said "Well, if you're in a non-serviced area, you're exempt from your contract. I switched to Verizon and ported my number over. Then I got $400 in early termination fees because I cancelled my contract 3 weeks early. They would hear nothing about the bad advice I got from them, and collectors started calling us at all hours of the day/night + sending legal notices in the mail.

Yeah. ATT Wireless is great.

ETFs are not waived for no/low signal areas. In some situations it can be looked into as an option, and if you were seriously only 3 weeks from the end of the contract then it probably would've been done. As stated above, there are good call centers and then there are BAD call centers. Good call centers are staffed by people who actually follow the policies, notate the accounts properly, and are audited by QA staff who will fire them if they do not do their jobs properly.

Bad call centers are not audited nearly enough, generally say whatever they feel like without notating anything in the account, and don't really care that much.

Whenever calling in you should always ask them for their name, as they are required to give it for tracking reasons, their location, ask them to fully notate the account and send out an email confirmation to you on what was discussed (they are required to offer it now). On something as important as letting you out of hundreds of dollars of contract termination fees, I'd also recommend calling back just before initiating a port, and confirming that indeed the contracts are cancelled or it is notated that you will have these fees credited back. If it is notated, then it will be honored, if not, then policy will generally be followed.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you escalate, and a manager denies you something and puts that into their notes, it will NEVER be reversed, no matter how high up inside the company it goes. If you happen to get one of the not so great call centers, and they deny you something that realistically you should be getting, even if you callback and get one of the better call centers they won't reverse that decision, managers have the final say on such things. If you call in and don't get the answer you're looking for, don't immediately pull an Oprah and ask for a supervisor, it will not work in your favor. Thank them and call back later, hope you get a different call center, and tell them that you called in and spoke with someone but you don't think they quite knew what they were doing and they didn't seem sure about the information they gave you, and very likely you will get a better answer. Be polite and honest and willing to accept a compromise, and you'll do much better than yelling for a manager.

 

[Svnla]

I am with ATT for years (almost 10 years now), way back then when they were BellSouth Mobil, then Cingular, then ATT. They are ok in my book, not great, but not worse. I am paying about $40 plus taxes/fees.

I don't have a contract (month to month) with them and I am planning to jump to Sprint because of the SERO deal ($30 for 500 minutes plus data/web and other goodies). In other word, I will save $10 a month and have internet access. Hopefully, Sprint won't make me regret to jump ship.

I live in the deep South (East TX, North LA, South AR).

Edit: As far as I know off, ATT will charge you extra for internet. As a matter of fact, I called yesterday and asked ATT if they can price match Sprint SERO ($30/month with internet included). They declined.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: Svnla
I am with ATT for years (almost 10 years now), way back then when they were BellSouth Mobil, then Cingular, then ATT. They are ok in my book, not great, but not worse. I am paying about $40 plus taxes/fees.

I don't have a contract (month to month) with them and I am planning to jump to Sprint because of the SERO deal ($30 for 500 minutes plus data/web and other goodies). In other word, I will save $10 a month and have internet access. Hopefully, Sprint won't make me regret to jump ship.

I live in the deep South (East TX, North LA, South AR).

Edit: As far as I know off, ATT will charge you extra for internet. As a matter of fact, I called yesterday and asked ATT if they can price match Sprint SERO ($30/month with internet included). They declined.

No reason to price match a company that has the worst coverage and network quality in the country. If you stick to main areas then it's all good, but drive around a little bit and I think you'll find that paying a little bit more is worth it when coverage is concerned.

 

[intogamer]

T-Mobile if you're in the Metro. If you're out of coverage you can roam in AK.

Cheap standard rates + $5.99 T-zones FTW?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Here in FL, ATT was the only service carrier becides Verizon in the area that actually worked after Hurricane Wilma.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
Here in FL, ATT was the only service carrier becides Verizon in the area that actually worked after Hurricane Wilma.

In the last year I moved from Denver to Florida and back.

When I lived in Vero Beach, Verizon was the only carrier that had decent service, so we switched from Tmobile. Back in Denver, Tmobile has the edge over the other major carriers, with Cricket actually having the best service for the metro area. Sprint was pretty decent too...before the Nextel merge. I've heard bad things about ATT.

Interestingly, when I've roamed on Tmobile up in the boonies of Wyoming, I've atleast been able to get on local networks ("US-80" would show up as the carrier). with Verizon I get nothing....stupid contract (only one year to go).