If we are comparing AT&T to Verizon, the unlimited plans are essentially the same. I pay $199 to upgrade my iPhone with AT&T and keep unlimited, however, versus $649 with Verizon.
I am not forced to buy an expensive share plan if I have more than one device on AT&T. On Verizon, you either have a single line, or a family share plan.
Verizon charges more for people who use minimal data as well, and their data speeds are slower.
Every time I talk to AT&T customer service with an issue, they seem to pay my last month's bill. Maybe I'm lucky, but I don't understand all the negative feedback towards AT&T.
Good on you. Sounds like you know how to relate to them, and they you. I've had years of experience with AT&T, both their landline/networking services and their wireless services, both on a personal and professional level. Based on that experience, and that of my friends, relatives, and professional acquaintances, I would say your experience is not the norm.
And I'm not saying Verizon is some altruistic virtuous company. They just provide a better experience for me, and others. Their network is better. Simple as that. Instead of trying to buy the competition and eliminate it, they put their money into network infrastructure.
No phone company is our friend. They all want to stifle competition, and none of them like the idea that something like the iPhone disrupted the monopolistic golden egg laying goose that they had. But I'll take the service I get on Verizon any day over the crap that AT&T provides. At least Verizon's arrogance gets backed up by real results.
And BTW: The "Every time I talk to AT&T customer service with an issue..." statement is very telling. Been on Verizon for a couple of years now, and I've never had to talk to VZ customer service with an issue.