ATT vs T-Mobile

S

swanny903 !

New member
I know this isn't a phone battle, but I didn't know where else to post this. I'm stuck between two providers. I've been with AT&T since 2008, I've never had good service at my house, mostly because I'm in new development and far away from cell towers.

I've never had a contract with them, but nobody has good reception around here. I kinda just gave up and dealt with my 1-2 bars upstairs and no reception downstairs.

I recently learned about T-Mobiles UMA phones that are able to connect to your wireless network to get service, and after more research AT&T has the same, the "microcell".

I'll likely go with the BB Bold 9700 with either carriers, or maybe an iphone.

tmobile:

pros
cheaper bill ( $65 vs $95 )
cheaper start up ( just need phone )
wifi with UMA ( good reception at my house, and other open wireless networks )
50 more min, unlimited nights and weekends

cons:
stuck with tmobiles wi-fi calling phones ( they only have two BB 9700, BB 8520 for now, feeling kinda locked in )
having to switch carriers?



staying with att

pros:
good reception with microcell
should be higher start up cost ( cost of new 3g phone, cost of microcell )
any 3g phone will work with microcell ( not feeling locked in, almost all phones are 3g now )
roll over minutes
faster 3g than tmobile?
gf has att ( free mobile to mobile )
gf could get good reception at my house too ( add her to microcell list )


cons:
price ( $95 vs $65 )
5,000 nights and weekends ( never had a problem before )

think that's it, what should I go with?
 
T-Mo is cheaper, but you may not have coverage everywhere you are (not just at home, they are the smaller network). If they work for you, go for it.
 
The number one reason for picking a cell carrier is coverage, as said above. UMA will only work if you have WiFi access.

Pick a carrier that has the coverage where you need it - where you live, work, travel and play. Are you just looking at GSM carriers for a reason? Verizon or Sprint might turn out to be the best for you.
 
You an offload the 9700 with little loss should you decide to switch carriers. T-Mobile is introducing another WiFi calling phone this month so it's safe to say that they will offer more in the future.

WiFi calling can also be utilized wherever you go that has a WiFi network present (overseas if it ever occurs, on a plane, etc).

3G being faster is relative, because over 80% of T-Mobile's 3G network will be faster than AT&T's. Right now in Vegas it's already pulled ahead of AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.

How many Mobile to Mobile minutes do you use now? I'm not sure but I think they are grouped with Nights and Weekend minutes.. so if they are unlimited they are unlimited and if they're only 5000, you have 5000 M2M minutes.
 
I think in Arizona they have pretty good coverage. I've talked to a few people with them as a carrier and I've heard mostly good.



I have a wireless network at home, that's all I really wanted it for. I should have service everywhere else :)

I've always just stayed with GSM :cool:



It's unlimited mobile to mobile. I think even if I didn't have them most of the calls would be considered nights and weekends. I did look at my M2M minutes and they were pretty high, like I would go over my 450/500 anytime.
 
Yeah I think it's the 5000 N&W, when you're in that calling zone M2M is deducted from that bucket but during other times it's unlimited.. if you think you can get away with the 1000 minute plan the switch sounds like a no-brainer. The unlimited talk plan brings you close to what you're paying now and that might not make it worthwhile for you.
 
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