Cell phone carriers, what do you have? (1 Viewer)

[Swaymoney]

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile

I have Verizon but it's more expensive, my service has been just meh and I sometimes even lose it. I'm looking into possibly switching over to AT&T or T-Mobile.

Anyone here have either and what kind of experience are you having?

 

[gianmarco]

A cell phone carrier that does well in one area may not do as well in another, and vice versa. I would talk to people where you live and you'll quickly find out which carrier works best where you live. Pricing at this point is pretty comparable across the board so just find out which one most people are happiest with and look into that one. There are forums you can look at as well to get an idea if you aren't sure about what people are telling you.

 

[nirad3]

I have Verizon (family plan w/ my mom, sister, aunt) and I never experience dropped calls. Coverage is fine. Pricing could be better but it's somewhat alleviated by the family plan aspect.

 

[matttyl]

I have xfinity (Comcast). It’s $60 a month for my wife and I, unlimited calls and texts, 10GB a month shared. They utilize the Verizon towers in our area, so it’s the same coverage I had with them (which is fine here). That price is only if you have them for a service in your home, which we do.

 

[johnnycakes]

I dunno. I have had Verizon since the early- to mid-1990s. Right now, I have my phone, my 3 kids' phones, and my ex-wife's phone all on my account. Unlimited data and unlimited texting for everyone. I pay ~$240/month for everyone. I know that's no bargain, but Verizon would have to eff-up really badly to get me to switch everyone to another carrier.

 

[Swaymoney]

I dunno. I have had Verizon since the early- to mid-1990s. Right now, I have my phone, my 3 kids' phones, and my ex-wife's phone all on my account. Unlimited data and unlimited texting for everyone. I pay ~$240/month for everyone. I know that's no bargain, but Verizon would have to eff-up really badly to get me to switch everyone to another carrier.

That's where I'm at, the phone calls are fine but the data slow downs and drops are rough. The cost is without a doubt in AT&T and T-Mobile's favor.

 

[Orange&Blue]

TMobile for three lines for $120 and then added home internet for $50.

 

[fruity pebbles]

ATT prepay. $300 a year.

 

[Osaurus]

Been on AT&T quite a few years now with a local government discount. I think we get 30 GB/month and the rest is unlimited. Where I am in the Tampa area, reception is always great. I use mostly innerwebs calling from home.

 

[Orange&Blue]

TMobile for three lines for $120 and then added home internet for $50.

Having lots of issues with their phone customer service. They never sent return label for old phone and despite me contacting twice they still jacked my rates up (33/month). Got it figured out, but took 3 hours of my Saturday. Not happy.

The internet is awesome and cheaper/faster than cox/at&t offers in my area.

 

[pollardsvision]

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile

I have Verizon but it's more expensive, my service has been just meh and I sometimes even lose it. I'm looking into possibly switching over to AT&T or T-Mobile.

Anyone here have either and what kind of experience are you having?

It's definitely area dependent on how the coverage is, but once you figure out which one gets the best coverage in your area, you might also check out an MVNO/budget carrier that uses that same network.

If you live in a good T-Mobile area, there are tons of good, cheap options. Mint, Tello, Boost, Google Fi, but there are many more.
If you live in a good AT&T area, AT&T prepaid and Cricket are major budget carriers.
For Verizon, it's mainly Visible and Total.

There's a thread here with experiences with some of these.

Nothing wrong with the big boys, especially some of the family plans that make them a little more competitive, but for a whole of people, there's a good chunk of money to be saved with the budget carriers.

I used Verizon for 20 years. Now I use Total ($30/month) and my wife uses Mint ($15/month).

 

[Zasada]

Been on T-Mobile for many years. Love their customer service, fantastic every time I have needed to call them (post to the contrary also acknowledged).

Look at some of the ancillary stuff each plan offers. I travel a lot, so being able to go to Canada/Mexico and have my plan work with no extra fees is huge. Also having (throttled) data coverage overseas without extra roaming charges is handy. But that's for me, and not for everyone. Point is, there are little things like these that could alter your calculus which should be considered.

TMobile also provides free Netflix with their top-tier plans. Others might, too.

 

[Phil Elliott]

T-Mobile (thru acquisition of Sprint). Sprint was good but then struggled for a few years. Pleased with T-mobile.

 

[Captain Cranks]

Google Fi. It's $20 a month and $10 per GB, capped at $60. I rarely leave the house so my bill is usually around $35 a month. Pretty good service.

 

[skol asylum]

Verizon. $251 a month but that includes unlimited data and financing 4 phones, two S21 Ultras and 2 iPhone 13 Pros. Free Disney+ included (I pay the extra $6 or whatever to eliminate ads). Free Apple Arcade and free Google Play Pass (meh).

 

[cudjoekey10]

I dunno. I have had Verizon since the early- to mid-1990s. Right now, I have my phone, my 3 kids' phones, and my ex-wife's phone all on my account. Unlimited data and unlimited texting for everyone. I pay ~$240/month for everyone. I know that's no bargain, but Verizon would have to eff-up really badly to get me to switch everyone to another carrier.

This is about where I am, minus the ex. Call and internet coverage are typically good. Heck, I'll get non-wifi internet in place like garages and basements where I wouldn't expect to.