AT&T Hits Back at T-Mobile with Up to $450 in Credits for Switchers

[2298754]

They have the best data network BY FAR. It's a good business decision to pay folks to try it out rather then listen to misleading commercials from other carriers.

Smart move by AT&T...

I would say VZW is right up there. There's a reason why they're the big 2.

While Sprint and T-Mobile have spent the last few years screwing around, VZW/AT&T kept investing billions into their networks and it shows. Their reliability is unmatched. They have more LTE than T-Mobile's HSPA network (5+ years in deployment FYI). And unlike T-Mobile, both of them have been focusing on improving their network everywhere, not just top metro markets. The only two carriers keeping up with the explosion in the smartphone market are AT&T and VZW. Simple as that.

What's the point of saving money, if your network never works? I could save almost $100 by switching my plan to TMo or Sprint, but will I? Nope. Once you get past the marketing hoopla, you're rewarded with run-down networks with false promises of improvement.

 

[winston1236]

Softbank is in the final stages of getting ready to purchase T-Mobile so it should be interesting to see what happens then....

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Clearly you don't understand how T-Mobile's JUMP! program works. You can only upgrade twice a year so unless a customer pays out of pocket (same as a cutomer of any other carrier) how would they go broke exactly?

Not going to happen, Softbank (Sprint) is wasting their time because the regulators arent going to to let there only be three carriers in the US, they must be thinking the republicans are in office still.

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I would say VZW is right up there. There's a reason why they're the big 2. They've been doing it for longer.

While Sprint and T-Mobile have spent the last few years screwing around, VZW/AT&T kept investing billions into their networks and it shows. Their reliability is unmatched. They have more LTE than T-Mobile's HSPA network (5+ years in deployment FYI). And unlike T-Mobile, both of them have been focusing on improving their network everywhere, not just top metro markets.

What's the point of saving money, if your network never works? I could save almost $100 by switching my plan to TMo or Sprint, but will I? Nope. They don't back up their lies with a solid network. It's all smoke. Once you get past the marketing hoopla, you're rewarded with run-down networks with false promises of improvement.

And Verizons prices are unmatched, if you live in a city their coverage map is pointless, now if you live out in a country suburb I can see why you would justify the cost.

 

[Macboy Pro]

I would say VZW is right up there. There's a reason why they're the big 2.

While Sprint and T-Mobile have spent the last few years screwing around, VZW/AT&T kept investing billions into their networks and it shows. Their reliability is unmatched. They have more LTE than T-Mobile's HSPA network (5+ years in deployment FYI). And unlike T-Mobile, both of them have been focusing on improving their network everywhere, not just top metro markets. The only two carriers keeping up with the explosion in the smartphone market are AT&T and VZW. Simple as that.

What's the point of saving money, if your network never works? I could save almost $100 by switching my plan to TMo or Sprint, but will I? Nope. Once you get past the marketing hoopla, you're rewarded with run-down networks with false promises of improvement.

I agree that V is closer to AT&T than Sprint or T-Mobile are but AT&T has a much faster network. The other deal breaker for many is that fact that you can not use your iPhone for voice and data at the same time. So if you work and need to use data for tethering, you can't use your phone for voice. That is a joke in 2014.

 

[mrjr101]

Wow. Big AT&T is running scared of little T-Mobile. Looks like TMO is definitely doing something right for AT&T to aim this at them specifically. Gotta love this competition among the carriers.

I tell you if you have decent Tmobile coverage in your area there's absolutely no reason why you should be with ATT. Of course Tmobile it's doing something right. I myself was an ATT customer for 15 years until I got sick and tired of getting ripped off by ATTs ridiculous rates and moved to Tmobile a few months ago. Now I am paying less than half of what I was paying with ATT, and on top of that I get FREE internet on my ipad for LIFE. For ATT to come up with these tactics now they must be feeling it hard and I'm so glad. This so called offer still does not come even close to be a competition for Tmobile. On the other hand, I won't be surprised if Tmobile execs are rethinking their decision to sale the company in the U.S because they must have gained millions of customers like me.

 

[tasset]

I would say VZW is right up there. There's a reason why they're the big 2.

While Sprint and T-Mobile have spent the last few years screwing around, VZW/AT&T kept investing billions into their networks and it shows. Their reliability is unmatched. They have more LTE than T-Mobile's HSPA network (5+ years in deployment FYI). And unlike T-Mobile, both of them have been focusing on improving their network everywhere, not just top metro markets. The only two carriers keeping up with the explosion in the smartphone market are AT&T and VZW. Simple as that.

What's the point of saving money, if your network never works? I could save almost $100 by switching my plan to TMo or Sprint, but will I? Nope. Once you get past the marketing hoopla, you're rewarded with run-down networks with false promises of improvement.

Like always, it all depends where you located and where you travel. In DFW I have used all four carriers' LTE. I have ran into coverage holes on all four and amazing speeds on all four as well.

 

[KdParker]

Because they can. On another note, I don't really understand the hate towards 2 year contacts and subsidized equipment. Am I the only one that thinks it is totally fine? Buy AppleCare + and sell your phone at the end of 2 years and you will never really have to pay out of pocket for a phone. T-Mobile plans seem great, but I think people are in for a rude awakening when they start upgrading their phones all the time and end up being broke. Just my $0.02

That is only if you don't count the inflated monthly/data cost which makes up for getting the subsidized phone.

If the would come up with a un-subsidized monthly/data rate (which should be less) Then you could upgrade you phone whenever you want and overall spend less.

 

[osofast240sx]

T-Mobile is flawless T-Mobile's speeds are consistently faster than AT&T and Verizon. And they cover 220 million people end of story!

 

[2298754]

I agree that V is closer to AT&T than Sprint or T-Mobile are but AT&T has a much faster network. The other deal breaker for many is that fact that you can not use your iPhone for voice and data at the same time. So if you work and need to use data for tethering, you can't use your phone for voice. That is a joke in 2014.

Some of VZW's Androids support simultaneous 1x voice and LTE data.

 

[bluespark]

Is AT&T getting into a legal grey area with this move? I can see the DOJ having a problem with a very large competitor targeting the smallest national carrier without making the same offer available to customers of the other two large carriers.

This does not create an obvious antitrust issue. Though there are a number of practices that could constitute an antitrust violation under certain circumstances, the pillars of antitrust in the U.S. are price fixing and monopolization. There clearly is no price fixing here and the existence of other large carriers largely insulates AT&T from credible monopolization claims over practices such as this. Although there may be hidden issues (the creation of dominant market power in a particular geographic region as the result of this move, for example), the practice itself should be fine from a legal perspective.

 

[bigwig]

Does ATT or VZ offer LTE through pre-paid? Anyone know?

ATT's GoPhone subsidiary has LTE. Reports have it being as fast as postpaid.

 

[Orlandoech]

Some of VZW's Androids support simultaneous 1x voice and LTE data.

Oh no! I better switch to Android since Im on VZ and want to do voice/data at the same time.

 

[krravi]

Where do you live? area?

New Orleans and traveling in and out often.

 

[2298754]

Some statistics

AT&T's 4G (HSPA) network size: 288 million POPs
AT&T 2013 LTE goal: 250 million POPs -> completed Q3 2013.
AT&T LTE network size: 270 million POPs (~500 markets)

VZW LTE size: ~290 million POPs (500+ markets)

T-Mobile HSPA size: ~220 million POPs
T-Mobile 2013 LTE goal: 200 million POPs -> completed October 2013
T-Mobile LTE network size: ~200 million POPs (according to their website)

Sprint: no one cares
It looks like they failed to meet their goals on 200 million POP of LTE by end of 2013

FACT: Big 2's LTE networks dwarf TMo's HSPA network size

 

[Orlandoech]

ATT's GoPhone subsidiary has LTE. Reports have it being as fast as postpaid.

I wonder if data is fast enough to justify switching to Prepaid over post. hmmm. Thoughts?

 

[mrjr101]

Some statistics

AT&T's 4G (HSPA) network size: 288 million POPs
AT&T 2013 LTE goal: 250 million POPs -> completed Q3 2013.
AT&T LTE network size: 270 million POPs (~500 markets)

VZW LTE size: ~290 million POPs (500+ markets)

T-Mobile HSPA size: ~220 million POPs
T-Mobile 2013 LTE goal: 200 million POPs -> completed October 2013
T-Mobile LTE network size: ~200 million POPs (according to their website)

Sprint: no one cares
It looks like they failed to meet their goals on 200 million POP of LTE by end of 2013

FACT: Big 2's LTE networks dwarf TMo's HSPA network size

that's why talks of acquisition of Tmobile by Sprint is the worst possible news to U.S. consumers.

 

[2298754]

I wonder if data is fast enough to justify switching to Prepaid over post. hmmm. Thoughts?

AT&T GoPhone provides the same LTE speeds as post-paid. There is no QoS difference, like when you use a MNVO

However, there are a few key differences
1. Once you hit the limit, data stops, unless you pay more. It doesn't auto charge
2. You loose roaming, but AT&T's network is large enough that it doesn't really matter
3. I don't think you pay tax. (Can anyone confirm?)

 

[Plutonius]

T-Mobile must be a threat to AT&T if they are offering this only for T-Mobile customers.

This was in response to a recent offer by T-Mobile for only AT&T customers.

 

[2298754]

that's why talks of acquisition of Tmobile by Sprint is the worst possible news to U.S. consumers.

No. I think it would be good. T-Mobile's (current) slim profit margins don't allow them to easily afford spectrum and upgrade their network. Softbank has some seriously deep pockets. They can't do much for Sprint right now (NV is already paid for), but the future does look positive.

 

[Plutonius]

that's why talks of acquisition of Tmobile by Sprint is the worst possible news to U.S. consumers.

It's going to happen.

I get FREE internet on my ipad for LIFE.

It's more like you get free internet on your iPad for 15 minutes each month until you burn through the 200MB of data . I'm not saying the 200MB / month isn't good but many people are over hyping it.

 

[Orlandoech]

AT&T GoPhone provides the same LTE speeds as post-paid. There is no QoS difference, like when you use a MNVO

However, there are a few key differences
1. Once you hit the limit, data stops, unless you pay more. It doesn't auto charge
2. You loose roaming, but AT&T's network is large enough that it doesn't really matter
3. I don't think you pay tax. (Can anyone confirm?)

Thanks for the info. None of those are concerns to me but definitely informative.

 

[AppleScruff1]

AT&T GoPhone provides the same LTE speeds as post-paid. There is no QoS difference, like when you use a MNVO

However, there are a few key differences
1. Once you hit the limit, data stops, unless you pay more. It doesn't auto charge
2. You loose roaming, but AT&T's network is large enough that it doesn't really matter
3. I don't think you pay tax. (Can anyone confirm?)

No tax on AT&T prepaid as long as you set up the account yourself. If an employee does it, there will be tax, or at least here in MA that's what I was told.

 

[CEmajr]

AT&T GoPhone provides the same LTE speeds as post-paid. There is no QoS difference, like when you use a MNVO

However, there are a few key differences
1. Once you hit the limit, data stops, unless you pay more. It doesn't auto charge
2. You loose roaming, but AT&T's network is large enough that it doesn't really matter
3. I don't think you pay tax. (Can anyone confirm?)

Don't forget the non existent and poor and customer service/support. They're more difficult to get in touch with and get things done compared to be on AT&T proper.

 

[osofast240sx]

It's going to happen.



It's more like you get free internet on your iPad for 15 minutes each month until you burn through the 200MB of data . I'm not saying the 200MB / month isn't good but many people are over hyping it.

Or your down playing it

 

[AppleScruff1]

Don't forget the non existent and poor and customer service/support. They're more difficult to get in touch with and get things done compared to be on AT&T proper.

Realistically how often is customer service needed? On prepaid there is no billing, no upgrade questions, no options etc.

 

[Windlasher]

Unbunch your panties....

LOL, shared plans saved me a ton and I have several friends who have also saved quite a bit so do you care to disclose whether you work for Verizon or T-Mobile?

I work for neither. I have 6 ATT Phones & an iPad with Grandfathered in Unlimited.