ATT v. Verizon

[zinka]

Currently, but once the merger completes, T-Mobile customers will get 3G coverage on AT&T's 850/1900 MHz bands. So the unlimited plans will carry.

That might never happen. If it happens, it might be 2-3 years away. Not something to base a decision on today.

 

[jav6454]

That might never happen. If it happens, it might be 2-3 years away. Not something to base a decision on today.

True, but if you have a great deal already with T-Mobile, you can pretty much keep using it. Remember T-zones for $4.99??

 

[PanAm-L1011]

Consider this,
If you leave the country , you can't use 3g service (unless you're fine with roaming... 😱) anywhere. That alone would throw me off.

I think what you really need to find out is how both networks compare in your neck of the woods. Because this is definitely a YMMV thread.

How often do you leave the country?

I do agree - it depends on where you are. In San Francisco AT&T is useless and Verizon rocks. You need to know what works best in your area.

 

[Bheleu]

Currently, but once the merger completes, T-Mobile customers will get 3G coverage on AT&T's 850/1900 MHz bands. So the unlimited plans will carry.

So would it not get 3G on the 2100 MHz frequency band???? 😀
iPad 2 specs...
http://www.worldnewsco.com/3770/complete-specifications-apple-ipad-2/
- Wi-Fi + 3G model: UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

http://support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm23715.xml#7
What frequency does your 3G network support?

Our 3G network supports both the 1700MHz and 2100MHz frequencies.
TOP

Can I use T-Mobile 3G devices on another carrier’s 3G networks?

You will not be able to roam with your T-Mobile 3G device on another carrier's 3G network. T-Mobile devices use the 1700Mhz/2100Mhz frequency band (for 3G) and it is specific to T-Mobile. You can however roam on another carrier's 1900Mhz frequency band using GSM. Likewise, another carrier’s 3G devices will not be able to roam on our 3G network.

 

[Bheleu]

Ahh.. Ok

http://www.ipadrevolution.com/ipad-2-gets-same-quad-band-3g-as-iphone-4-357.html
The original iPad (and the iPhone 3G and 3GS) supported three frequencies for high-speed 3G access: 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz. If a wireless provider's 3G network didn't operate at one of those frequencies, the iPad or iPhone would then fall back on EDGE, or worse yet, GPRS, at 850, 900, 1800, or 2100 MHz. In countries whose wireless providers chose to run wide swaths of their 3G networks at 900 MHz, this meant older iOS devices would have extremely slow connections anywhere outside areas running at 1900 or 2100 MHz.

Guess even the iPad original supported 2100, it only added one new 3G frequency, but I guess the other question is if Tmobile added the 2100MHz frequency within the last year?

 

[Nebrie]

This is exactly what made me return my AT&T iPad for a Verizon one. I figured that I will be kicking myself when I go to use my iPad and it doesn't work along with my cellphone, this way I have maximum network coverage everywhere I go with my iPad 🙂

This was my thinking. Now I find that Verizon coverage in my areas of Los Angeles has so far been generally worse than AT&T and much slower to boot. Unless iPad 3 is LTE, I'll be going back.

 

[spgiva]

ATT
Unlimited - $30 ($300-$400 on e-bay), I use 8GB/mo

Is AT&T still offering the unlimited plan, I thought it had be discontinued (I know folks who already had it can keep it, but for new customers).
-spg

 

[Bheleu]

Sorry for the tangent everyone. Nix tmobile...

http://forums.t-mobile.com/t5/Non-T-Mobile-Phones/3g-2100-mhz-compatible/td-p/127667
Explains why a nokia does not work, hence why iPads will not work.
Tmobile is not true 2100mhz, and 1700mhz is their uplink to get onto the network.

 

[Bheleu]

Is AT&T still offering the unlimited plan, I thought it had be discontinued (I know folks who already had it can keep it, but for new customers).
-spg

Not offered anymore, but it sells for $300-$400 on occasion on eBay (unlimited iPad 3G). You can easily go into the account and change all the billing, including email and password, or even update sim card IMEI info. I met one person 2hrs away on CL for my first UL iPad and bought the second off eBay with another iPad. This was long before the iPad 2, I wanted them for VoIP, SMS Texting, etc. My iPad is my phone (kinda sucks as a phone, but I hate talking on the phone anyways so I usually just get the voice mails).

One word of caution though, keep a close eye on the plan on the renewal date and make sure you never let it lapse. I did have to resign up for it again to make it work, but thankfully there is a 6 day grace period. After that and you can no longer get it.

Additionally it is transferable to the new iPad, even officially via AT&T.

 

[bowlerman625]

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Where I'm at at&t is strong. My iPhone and 3G iPads are on that network and we are very happy with the service.

 

[random person]

Well I went with Verizon because after waiting in line on launch day and finding they were out of AT&T models I would not be denied! I have to say that i am happily typing say in Boston with five full bars on the iPad 2 while my AT&T iPhone is getting one bar and absolutely no data transmission.

Compared to my first gen AT&T iPad this one loads websites easily three times faster. I have no idea if it's the processor or the carrier -- either way I am very very pleased. And between the phone and the iPad I am covered no matter where I go.

I think in heavily congested metro areas like NY, Boston, etc. Verizon wins over AT&T easily -- at least that is true in my own iPad 1 vs 2 testing.

I am very happy with my choice -- and I had an unlimited AT&T data plan!

Off topic -- if you reset/restore an old iPad, does it wipe out your cell settings? How do you then keep or transfer your data plan? But I digress!

 

[M87]

I got verizon because we didn't have 3G in my area with AT&T. Now AT&T 3G is popping up all over the place, just in the last few days. I'm just glad I didn't switch to the Verizon iPhone, I was thinking about it too.

 

[Bloake]

I travel. I have been able to use the AT&T 3G model in Mexico and in the Philippines by acquiring a local SIM card. Cannot do that with the Verizon model

did you have to unlock ipad for other sim to work?

 

[jddar]

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I travel. I have been able to use the AT&T 3G model in Mexico and in the Philippines by acquiring a local SIM card. Cannot do that with the Verizon model

did you have to unlock ipad for other sim to work?

I think all the GSM models (AT&T) are factory unlocked.

 

[Pballer110]

Does verizon charge a reactivation fee? And if so how much is it?

 

[deeddawg]

I think all the GSM models (AT&T) are factory unlocked.

Given the overseas demand for US GSM ipad2 units, I'd say it's pretty much a given that they're factory unlocked.... 😀