my dilemma- keep Alltel/Verizon or go TMO

S

Smokinbiker

New member
Need some help folks. I've been with Alltel for awhile and Verizon is set to complete the takeover next year 2Q. EVDO is nice and the signal rocks. Customer service is decent. Pricing runs on the high side.

I live in the Charlotte, NC vicinity and have been waiting for the TMO Suncom takeover to be completed. I secretly desire TMO. I hear the pricing is great and customer service is excellent. I'm not sure how the signal is and I'm less than enthused about EDGE. The phones seem to come out quicker than CDMA.

Should I make this change and give up what I know? Alltel has been my family for the past 5 yrs or so. TMO is my secret desire and is also an unknown to me.

Tell me why I should stick with Alltel/Verizon or tell me why I should go for TMO...
 
One other thing, I like the free GPS on my 8830 and not sure I can get GPS with TMO...doesn't TMO do wifi instead of gps?

~via BB (wap.rabroad.com)~
 
I'm guessing when they're done with the Suncom takeover that you'll have good coverage on T-Mo where you are?
Another big benefit is wifi / UMA (your voice and data usage over hotspots doesn't count against monthly limits - though I suspect they still tag you for long distance calls).
Others can comment on the gps/wifi dilemma (and what might be coming soon for T-Mo).
 
The wifi/UMA sounds cool since I pug into free wifi courtesy of my neighbors. Does the phone automatically toggle between wifi/EDGE while on a call or surfing the net? Do you drop many calls when alternating UMA and EDGE?

~via BB (wap.rabroad.com)~
 
That's the sweet thing...it automatically flips the call over to UMA/EDGE and back again...seemlessly (quite sweet). Haven't had a lot of dropped calls (can't remember the last time I did have one).
 
I also live in North Carolina and noticed that T-Mobile has began to open store in NC. I have Alltel as my service provider and we have been with them for over 15 years. I pesronally think that Alltel provides the best value in wireless service. T-Mobile is alright but there phone selection isn't that great plus their service in terms of signal stregnth is not the greatest, especially in the NC market as SunCom's service was not so hot. Plus edge is lothargic....I honestly don't understand how someone could go from EVDO back to Edge....but to each his own.

~via BB (wap.rabroad.com)~
 
Well, I have been a very loyal Alltel customer for years now. While I am a business customer, I have never had less than excellent customer service.

I live in East Texas but I travel all over the U.S. and I've only had signal problems in one area so far and that was San Diego. After a quick call to to Customer Service, my problem was resolved in less than 5 minutes after changing my SID.

You said one reason you may switch is because TMO gets phones quicker. Consider this, with the merge of Alltel & Verizon, giving them the largest wireless network in the nation and already great competition to AT&T, exclusivity contracts will only increase and great phones will be put out by both Verizon & AT&T but I would, personally, stick with the EVDO.

Good luck with your decision...
 
Mortgage Man, I understand your dilemma. Edge isn't all that bad, but there is a solution coming to TMO in the form of the Javelin. It should suit all your needs WiFi for speed and the GPS.

Rates are great and I've never had an issue with customer service. It comes down to the signal strength though when I'm choosing carrier. At this moment I'm unhappy with TMO since I recently moved and signal strength is very poor in my current area.

I'm just waiting for the Javelin to come out so I can get UMA here at home. I currently have an unlocked 8310 from AT&T and I constantly lose connection in my basement. Other than that TMO is great. Hope this helps.
 
Hmm. One more thing that people haven't mentioned. There are only a handful of CDMA carriers in the world (Alltel, Verizon, Telus & Bell in Canada) - a couple others outside of NA. 99%+ of wireless subs in the world are GSM based (that's why AT&T, T-Mo, etc get the phone first guys).
CDMA radios are always worse for battery life.
If you want a phone that works outside of US/Canada you have to get a worldphone that includes a GSM radio (and even greater of a challenge for battery life).

CDMA will eventually die off...as all of the GSM carriers migrate to faster 3G offerings the CDMA carriers are going to be faced with some expensive upgrades to keep up.
 
Lots of great information. Thanks for the input. It appears the major drawback would be loss of EVDO and superior signal. The major plus would be monthly plan savings.

I'm not on contract at the moment so may hold off til 3G makes a run and TMO puts up addit towers. My understanding is that they have been super busy beefing up the network in NC/SC and other places.

~via BB (wap.rabroad.com)~
 
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