AT&T or Sprint OR stick with Verizon

[pilot1226]

I'll be in North Jersey...
Are there any sources as to how the coverage is in those areas?

I live in North NJ - between the Parkway and the Turnpike up near Route 3.

I have not dropped a single call on my iPhone 4S since I bought it in mid January.

Speed is obviously slower than 4G devices but this is a PHONE issue, not a carrier issue. While some people may state that previous studies show that Sprint has a lower speed compared to others, might I remind you that it's truly unlimited. I'd much rather not have to worry about data caps and take an extra second or two to download a page compared to paying an extra $20-30 per month in data overages. Don't forget if you have Cablevision (Optimum) for your cable or internet provider you get access to the thousands of Optimumwifi hotspots all over the area.

Plans are great. We're on the Everything Family 1500 plan. 1500 Shared Minutes between the account, unlimited nights and weekends, unlimited mobile to ANY carrier mobile, unlimited texts, and unlimited data. Can't beat this bundle for the price.

So, don't feed the trolls on here and just try it. I think they have a 14-day money-back guarantee program, but just remember that even if you return the device and cancel the account in the 14 days, you won't get a refund on your initial activation fee unless you return it within 3 days.

As for call quality I've found that my quality had improved when I moved from Verizon to Sprint a few years ago, but this could also just be the technology of the phones themselves. I also noticed a stellar improvement upgrading from my BB Curve to my iPhone 4S. I also think there's an old news article on Macrumors that actually said that Sprint has the best either receive or transmit voice quality, one of the two, and came in 2nd or 3rd out of the big 4 carriers for the other one.

I will add this one caviat: I've heard (but not experienced) some of my friends and family on Sprint having a "Dead Zone" near Giants Stadium. I'm not sure if this is solely affecting Sprint, or just random. I personally haven't experienced it, but I usually don't drive in that direction very often, and I know when I went to a few football games last year I was able to text and upload pictures without any problems - and that was on my Blackberry. The iPhone is a considerably more "usable" device.

 

[surfer92]

I live in North NJ - between the Parkway and the Turnpike up near Route 3.

I have not dropped a single call on my iPhone 4S since I bought it in mid January.

Speed is obviously slower than 4G devices but this is a PHONE issue, not a carrier issue. While some people may state that previous studies show that Sprint has a lower speed compared to others, might I remind you that it's truly unlimited. I'd much rather not have to worry about data caps and take an extra second or two to download a page compared to paying an extra $20-30 per month in data overages. Don't forget if you have Cablevision (Optimum) for your cable or internet provider you get access to the thousands of Optimumwifi hotspots all over the area.

Plans are great. We're on the Everything Family 1500 plan. 1500 Shared Minutes between the account, unlimited nights and weekends, unlimited mobile to ANY carrier mobile, unlimited texts, and unlimited data. Can't beat this bundle for the price.

So, don't feed the trolls on here and just try it. I think they have a 14-day money-back guarantee program, but just remember that even if you return the device and cancel the account in the 14 days, you won't get a refund on your initial activation fee unless you return it within 3 days.

As for call quality I've found that my quality had improved when I moved from Verizon to Sprint a few years ago, but this could also just be the technology of the phones themselves. I also noticed a stellar improvement upgrading from my BB Curve to my iPhone 4S. I also think there's an old news article on Macrumors that actually said that Sprint has the best either receive or transmit voice quality, one of the two, and came in 2nd or 3rd out of the big 4 carriers for the other one.

I will add this one caviat: I've heard (but not experienced) some of my friends and family on Sprint having a "Dead Zone" near Giants Stadium. I'm not sure if this is solely affecting Sprint, or just random. I personally haven't experienced it, but I usually don't drive in that direction very often, and I know when I went to a few football games last year I was able to text and upload pictures without any problems - and that was on my Blackberry. The iPhone is a considerably more "usable" device.

Thanks so much for your detailed response! While looking under the family plans for Sprint, how much is it per device? I know smartphones are an extra $10. But what about basic phones? And the 1500 minute family data plan that you mention is $130/month. Does that cover the first smartphone? Its a little confusing on the Sprint website.

As for data speed, I would not mind waiting another couple of seconds and save a lot of money. I would have to pay the data monthly fee if on Verizon or AT&T. I would sure rather save several hundreds over 2 years and wait a little longer for data.

 

[sectime]

So right now I'm on a family plan with everyone in my family on basic phones. I want to upgrade to an iPhone soon so we're looking at switching from Verizon. My main question is the data for Sprint. Does anyone know the deal with unlimited? Like is it only for one device on a family plan. I'm looking for information on Sprint's data that is confusing on the website. I know Sprint's data coverage is not as good as AT&T or Verizon.

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I'm just really jumping in on this and am looking for advice.

Thanks for any help!

I would wait until summer. There has been talk that Verizon will provide a shared data family plan. Besides why take on the expense of a new phone and contract for a phone that is pretty close to being updated??

 

[pilot1226]

Thanks so much for your detailed response! While looking under the family plans for Sprint, how much is it per device? I know smartphones are an extra $10. But what about basic phones? And the 1500 minute family data plan that you mention is $130/month. Does that cover the first smartphone? Its a little confusing on the Sprint website.

As for data speed, I would not mind waiting another couple of seconds and save a lot of money. I would have to pay the data monthly fee if on Verizon or AT&T. I would sure rather save several hundreds over 2 years and wait a little longer for data.

Yes, it's $130 per month for two lines included. You can add additional lines for $20. Any line that uses a Smartphone - like an iPhone - has a $10 data surcharge additional. So if you get the family plan with 2 lines, both of which are iPhones, you're going to pay $150 per month.

If you get a discount because you're a student or through you or someone in your family's employer (if applicable), the discount only applies to the first line, so you'll get (for example, 20%) discounted off the primary line only, which is $110. You won't get a discount on the second line which costs $20, though this is all bundled into the one family package.

If nobody in your family has a smartphone, you'll pay $130 per month. Taxes generally are around $10-$15 per month for me up here with 2 lines. I'm trying to get my in-laws onto my account also, since we could have 4 lines for $200 per month, it would save both myself and them $50 per month each.

So I think I answered your question - any time you're adding a smartphone to the account, just add $10 per month to the advertised price.

Don't forget, you can also consider pre-paid and pay-as-you-go vendors like StraightTalk, but this is a gray area and you'll certainly have to buy an unlocked, no-contract iPhone at full retail price ($700) ... but you'll pay $50 per month for unlimited everything. Be careful, some people have said that customer service has threatened them if they use too much data.

But, considering you'll have to pay $200 for the phone, it's a difference of just $500, which is made up for in just 10 months' time with StraightTalk. So, over the course of the typical 24 month contract, you're actually saving $700.

 

[surfer92]

Yes, it's $130 per month for two lines included. You can add additional lines for $20. Any line that uses a Smartphone - like an iPhone - has a $10 data surcharge additional. So if you get the family plan with 2 lines, both of which are iPhones, you're going to pay $150 per month.

If you get a discount because you're a student or through you or someone in your family's employer (if applicable), the discount only applies to the first line, so you'll get (for example, 20%) discounted off the primary line only, which is $110. You won't get a discount on the second line which costs $20, though this is all bundled into the one family package.

If nobody in your family has a smartphone, you'll pay $130 per month. Taxes generally are around $10-$15 per month for me up here with 2 lines. I'm trying to get my in-laws onto my account also, since we could have 4 lines for $200 per month, it would save both myself and them $50 per month each.

So I think I answered your question - any time you're adding a smartphone to the account, just add $10 per month to the advertised price.

Don't forget, you can also consider pre-paid and pay-as-you-go vendors like StraightTalk, but this is a gray area and you'll certainly have to buy an unlocked, no-contract iPhone at full retail price ($700) ... but you'll pay $50 per month for unlimited everything. Be careful, some people have said that customer service has threatened them if they use too much data.

But, considering you'll have to pay $200 for the phone, it's a difference of just $500, which is made up for in just 10 months' time with StraightTalk. So, over the course of the typical 24 month contract, you're actually saving $700.

Thanks for the details!

I have another question. Is there any difference of speed while on wi-fi between a Sprint iPhone and a Verizon iPhone? This is probably a stupid question and I'm pretty positive there would be no difference. I will be in wi-fi most of the time (school and home) and would only really need 3G while on the go.

If anyone has the Sprint iPhone, are you happy with their service and speed?

Thanks!

 

[pilot1226]

Thanks for the details!

I have another question. Is there any difference of speed while on wi-fi between a Sprint iPhone and a Verizon iPhone? This is probably a stupid question and I'm pretty positive there would be no difference. I will be in wi-fi most of the time (school and home) and would only really need 3G while on the go.

If anyone has the Sprint iPhone, are you happy with their service and speed?

Thanks!

Negative, wifi is wifi and you're limited to the throughput of your network (which includes your internet service provider, the router or access point Quality of Service (QoS), and your phone. Since all of the iPhones have the same physical Wifi hardware, there's no difference using any of the carrier versions.

I'm happy with the service and speed but that being said I don't expect to have blazing fast 4G LTE (nor do I need it, honestly.) There are a few co-workers of mine that have refused to join the ranks of iPhone, so they're mostly using Samsung Galaxy phones on T-Mobile (With 4G HSPA) or Verizon with LTE. They certainly download faster, but again this is because the phone can physically handle the 4G network.

If you truly want to wait for 4G LTE on your iPhone, you'll have to wait for the new model which may launch in summer or fall. It's RUMORED to have 4G LTE technology.

If you want 4G now, your only option is to join AT&T since they use HSPA+, which is essentially a faster download (but normal 3G upload from what reports have shown) but it's not a true 4G network in terms of technicalities. And remember, with AT&T you also have a data cap. That was the reason I joined Sprint over AT&T - I didn't want to have to worry about anything. And I don't.

 

[terraphantm]

I'll be in North Jersey and D.C. (school).

Are there any sources as to how the coverage is in those areas?

Thanks

North Jersey is pretty good for AT&T in my experience. It's one of the few areas where I can regularly pull 5-10mbps down and 2mbps up. My pings are generally below 100 as well. I get 5 bars almost everywhere until I cross the George Washington Bridge into NY

 

[LoloBond]

Any device has unlimited data usage UNLESS you accumulate more than 250ish MB roaming data OR have more roaming than nonroaming data

If you go over 250 consistently they'll terminate you.

If you get a smartphone there is a $10 data fee per line in addition to the cost of the plan.

That being said I have been very happy with sprint for over 2 years now. They have some great voice plans.

Here is a more accurate info.

Off-network Roaming: The primary use of your Device must be for domestic purposes within the Sprint-owned network. Domestic means use in the 50 United States and U.S. Territories (except Guam). Sprint reserves the right, without notice, to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if off-network usage in a month exceeds: (1) voice: 800 min. or a majority of minutes; or (2) data: 300 megabytes or a majority of kilobytes. The display on your device may not always be on and will not indicate whether you will incur roaming charges. You can monitor usage online through My Account. Roaming is not available with single-band phones, or to customers who reside or whose primary use is outside an area covered by the Nationwide Sprint Network. Sprint may limit or terminate service if you move outside of the Sprint owned-network.

https://shop2.sprint.com/en/legal/os_general_terms_conditions_popup.shtml

 

[surfer92]

Negative, wifi is wifi and you're limited to the throughput of your network (which includes your internet service provider, the router or access point Quality of Service (QoS), and your phone. Since all of the iPhones have the same physical Wifi hardware, there's no difference using any of the carrier versions.

I'm happy with the service and speed but that being said I don't expect to have blazing fast 4G LTE (nor do I need it, honestly.) There are a few co-workers of mine that have refused to join the ranks of iPhone, so they're mostly using Samsung Galaxy phones on T-Mobile (With 4G HSPA) or Verizon with LTE. They certainly download faster, but again this is because the phone can physically handle the 4G network.

If you truly want to wait for 4G LTE on your iPhone, you'll have to wait for the new model which may launch in summer or fall. It's RUMORED to have 4G LTE technology.

If you want 4G now, your only option is to join AT&T since they use HSPA+, which is essentially a faster download (but normal 3G upload from what reports have shown) but it's not a true 4G network in terms of technicalities. And remember, with AT&T you also have a data cap. That was the reason I joined Sprint over AT&T - I didn't want to have to worry about anything. And I don't.

Okay thanks, I don't need LTE (on an env touch now) and I would be using wi-fi the majority of the time. When you are roaming, how do you actually know you are? And 300mb roaming on Verizon is still a good amount right? I don't anticipate using a ton of 3g data. I want to go with Sprint though because I would only have to pay $10/month instead of $30.

 

[pilot1226]

go with Sprint though because I would only have to pay $10/month instead of $30.

The truth is you really don't to roam at all but you can use up to 300 Megs before Sprint will get mad at you.

How can you tell if you're roaming? The top bar says Sprint or Extended based on your connection. Extended is roaming.

There is an option in your phone settings to NOT allow roaming data if this is a problem.

I use about 4 GB of data per ninth with around 25 MB as roaming.

Don't be fooled with just paying $10 for data because it's really just included with their plan pricing.