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Best/Cheapest carrier to use Unlocked GSM iPhone with?

A

angelica314

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 17, 2013
45
0
Hello everyone.

I'm soon buying an unlocked iPhone 4s most likely, and would like to know the cheapest and best (coverage wise) carrier for it. I was going to get T-Mobile but it's not the cheapest ($60) and I've heard doesn't have the best coverage. I'm looking to have unlimited texting/talking + 2.5gb data for around $45-50.

Thanks a lot for any input! :)
 
Thanks! I was just looking into ST but they say that you have to go through some process to be able to send pictures.

Anybody know which would be better, AT&T GoPhone ($60) or T-Mobile (same price)? Would I get better coverage with AT&T?
 
angelica314 said:
Thanks! I was just looking into ST but they say that you have to go through some process to be able to send pictures.

Anybody know which would be better, AT&T GoPhone ($60) or T-Mobile (same price)? Would I get better coverage with AT&T?
Click to expand...

Coverage depends on where you are at and how well that particular carrier cover the territory. Where I live AT&T covers everywehere I have been and T-Mo only works if you go outside:eek:
 
angelica314 said:
Thanks! I was just looking into ST but they say that you have to go through some process to be able to send pictures.

Anybody know which would be better, AT&T GoPhone ($60) or T-Mobile (same price)? Would I get better coverage with AT&T?
Click to expand...

You would likely get better coverage with AT&T. Their 3G network covers the rural areas where T-Mobile has a lot of Edge.
 
Lucille Carter said:
Coverage depends on where you are at and how well that particular carrier cover the territory.
Click to expand...
^ This. Check with others in your area and make sure to test real world coverage in places that you need it most before your time to cancel without ETF runs out. Don't rely on coverage maps or "X has the best coverage" comments.
 
angelica314 said:
Thanks! I was just looking into ST but they say that you have to go through some process to be able to send pictures.

Anybody know which would be better, AT&T GoPhone ($60) or T-Mobile (same price)? Would I get better coverage with AT&T?
Click to expand...

I would bank on AT&T - using it now with $60 plan (get from callingmart.com for $54 taxes included with monthly 10% off coupon), cant complain, I find AT&T Coverage far superior than T-Mobile.

AT&T (850-1900MHz Bands) has better building penetration vs T-Mobile (1700MHz AWS & 1900MHz). I have used T-Mobile but because you are going be using a 4S I would recommend AT&T as T-Mobile will only be good for you if you are in their 1900MHz refarmed area as well as if that 1900MHz is complete/very towerly(is this even a word? lol) populated...

If you had the iPhone 5 with AWS compatibility I would have recommend giving T-Moible a go because T-Mobile 1700AWS covers is superior to 1900MHz coverage due to more towers.


those are my few cents, rest is your call.
 
Thank you! Yeah, I think so as well.

I'm going to try it since I'm on Metro right now so it won't be such a big change and since the phone (just bought it today actually!) is unlocked I'd be able to switch to at&t if I don't like Metro.
 
TMO also has a $30 100 min, unlimited texts, 5gb data plan. It's a pay as you go, and you can add minutes packages to it as well. The way minutes packages work is they stay with you until used up I believe, so that's a good bargain.
 
Thanks, but I need unlimited minutes or else it sounds great.

I was looking at NET 10 and they have a $45 (when you refill)... would that be better than Metro PCS?
 
One question I have: if MetroPCS uses the same GSM network as the parent company T-Mobile, why would anyone pay the extra ten bucks to stay on Tmo service?

Same goes for MVNOs on the AT&T network. If Net10 or Straight Talk are cheaper, why stay with the main carrier?
 
Retired Cat said:
One question I have: if MetroPCS uses the same GSM network as the parent company T-Mobile, why would anyone pay the extra ten bucks to stay on Tmo service?

Same goes for MVNOs on the AT&T network. If Net10 or Straight Talk are cheaper, why stay with the main carrier?
Click to expand...

I think the main reason is the familiarity/confidence in the brand; You can tell someone that they use the same network, but I'm sure a non-techy person will have more confidence in the popular one.

In addition, I'm sure a lot of people simply aren't aware that MVNOs utilize the same network.
 
I think some people aren't even aware some of the MVNOs exist. There are T-Mobile stores but I've never seen a metropcs one, although I see their billboards and commercials when travelling. I pay $30 for talk/text only with T-Mobile now and am switching to Metropcs talk/text/data for $40, both inclusive of tax. Plus Metropcs is running a $50 rebate for number porting and $50 for BYOD so I'm getting $100 back and my first ever smartphone :)
Buying a refurb Iphone5 from Straighttalk for $400 (less a coupon) and popping in Metropcs SIM.

The only disadvantage is I'm not sure you can roam on Metropcs or not. But I roam on T-Mobile about once a year or less so the savings far outweigh the benefits to me.
 
Retired Cat said:
One question I have: if MetroPCS uses the same GSM network as the parent company T-Mobile, why would anyone pay the extra ten bucks to stay on Tmo service?

Same goes for MVNOs on the AT&T network. If Net10 or Straight Talk are cheaper, why stay with the main carrier?
Click to expand...

The main carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile offer support and service for their customers whereas with MVNOs the customer service is extremely lacking or almost non-existant.

Like people try going into T-Mobile stores having problems with their phones or their accounts but they're using Walmart Family Mobile or some other MVNO and the T-Mobile stores can't do anything for them. Can be a frustrating experience for those who are tech savvy enough to fix their own problems.
 
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