Switch from AT&T to Sprint

[pblakk]

Excellent post!

You've brought up a very good point.

Coverage maps for all carriers are nothing more than another marketing piece.

They are very optimistic and far from reliable.

In a sense I agree, I mean then again that's why we have the return period . Maybe the return period should be a month for more exhaustive testing . But yeah I learned a lot from all that.

I'll add that what, in basic terms...it came down to was that according to Verizon's higher level tech person who was really cool btw, said that it looks like my phones(s) were not holding onto any one tower for a stable connection and that their system showed that based on my usage logs or whatever, that my phone kept bouncing around two or three towers and it was all out of whack.

 

[Applejuiced]

Simple. AT&T throttles 3G data after 3Gb. Period. It's a bit crazy to run around forums claiming you are using over 3Gb of data and aren't being throttled, when everyone else is being throttled at that limit, and AT&T has issued documentation stating that stance on the issue.

Guess what? Your posts are a bit crazy latelly not the users above claim.
Plenty of times one line on my family account went over 3GB and reached 4-5GB's without throttling.
Not even a text warning. Like AT&T has stated its done in network congested areas on the regural but if you dont live in a major city with tons of data traffic they wont bother you.
At least that's my experience so far, maybe we're lucky so far and maybe it will be done in the future if traffic gets heavier but so far its been fine and never got throttled or even a single warning message from AT&T. But to state that its impossible or they didnt reach 3GB that's why they didnt get throttled is ignorant. Many people go over 3GB's on unlimited iphonedata plans without throttling wether you believe it or not.
Im going to remind you again just because you had a bad experience and hate AT&T it doesnt mean their service is the same everywhere in the US.
I guess some of those 101 million subscribers are happy with their service. Maybe, just maybe

 

[anonymouslurker]

Making a call and using data would not work being use all at once on sprint.

untrue on LTE

 

[tbayrgs]

So I figured out today that my AT&T contract has ended so I am free to switch for the new iPhone that is coming out. I am grandfathered in to a 3G data plan on ATT, but since we can safely assume that the new iPhone will be LTE/4G, and ATT will force me out of my unlimited plan when I upgrade, I was thinking about moving to Sprint so that I can take advantage of the "truly unlimited" data on 4G.

So my questions are:

1. Since my contract has ended, is it as simple as ordering a new phone online and choosing sprint (probably going to use apple's website) and still be able to keep my number with unlimited 4G data?

2. My girlfriend and I are on the same plan together so how would that work because she also has to get a new phone from sprint.

3. And finally, random question, do you guys and gals think that the new iPhone will be able to talk and surf at the same time on Sprint's network? I have read that some of the new EVO LTE phones on sprints network are now able to do this.

Any help would be great!!! I know this would be the only place where I could get a good, solid answer!

Do you have some special inside info that we should know about? Of course you don't and you know what they say about people who ASS-U-ME...

Every launch there are always dozens of threads where people assume AT&T is going to end their grandfathered unlimited plans and guess what...we still have our unlimited plans. How about you wait and see instead of jumping to conclusions. Now if your AT&T coverage is poor, than sure it's possibly worthwhile but all things being equal (i.e. coverage), AT&T's network is MUCH faster than Sprint. You'd feel pretty foolish if you went ahead, changed carriers only to find out that it wasn't happening.

I'm sure AT&T will have some trick up their sleeve to force you to give up unlimited data in order to obtain an LTE account. Meanwhile Sprint's service is barely 3G. Good luck either way.

Again, love the assumptions. I can switch to LTE unlimited right now if I choose an SGIII, Nokia Lumia 900 or any other LTE capably phone and I believe it entitles the user to 5 GB of data before possibly being throttled.

 

[Dwalls90]

Guess what? Your posts are a bit crazy latelly not the users above claim.
Plenty of times one line on my family account went over 3GB and reached 4-5GB's without throttling.
Not even a text warning. Like AT&T has stated its done in network congested areas on the regural but if you dont live in a major city with tons of data traffic they wont bother you.
At least that's my experience so far, maybe we're lucky so far and maybe it will be done in the future if traffic gets heavier but so far its been fine and never got throttled or even a single warning message from AT&T. But to state that its impossible or they didnt reach 3GB that's why they didnt get throttled is ignorant. Many people go over 3GB's on unlimited iphonedata plans without throttling wether you believe it or not.
Im going to remind you again just because you had a bad experience and hate AT&T it doesnt mean their service is the same everywhere in the US.
I guess some of those 101 million subscribers are happy with their service. Maybe, just maybe

I find that interesting. At work, and between my family who is on AT&T at present, these people have maintained their unlimited data plans. I've been with them when the texts have come through, "You have reached 3072 megabytes of data, you data is now being throttled", ect. Hell, they even showed me because they were confused at first.

Even before I switched, I remember AT&T being VERY accurate with texts notating when you hit a certain data point, such as 65%, 90% and over your limit for tiered plans. Actually, I recall this happening in both Boston and NYC, so it's not an isolated incident to a certain "market."

I think maybe what's happening here, is that AT&T only monitors and notifies you ever so often, not instantly with data updates. Thus, you could pass 3Gb at 12:00 PM, and continue to hit 3.7Gb, at which point you would be warned with a text and throttled.

The issue with subscriber count is not indicative with overall value and customer service experience. If it were, then Verizon would be top dog as they trump AT&T in all three of those categories. Again, read the third party reviews on these things, this is not my bias, but the conclusions drawn by major customer satisfaction outlets. It just so happens that my personal experiences match the commentary by these third parties ...

If you are happy on AT&T, then that's perfect, great for you. We all pay enough per month to deserve a good cellular experience. You have good experiences on AT&T, but I do not. We are both entitled to our own opinions. Clearly the OP is not having a great experience either, hence he's jumping ship, even to Sprint of all carriers.

 

[anonymouslurker]

If you are happy on AT&T, then that's perfect, great for you. We all pay enough per month to deserve a good cellular experience. You have good experiences on AT&T, but I do not. We are both entitled to our own opinions. Clearly the OP is not having a great experience either, hence he's jumping ship, even to Sprint of all carriers.

And some of us are even happy on Sprint...

Perfect coverage in my area, never drop calls, and $50 a month less than the equivalent plan on other carriers.

Nice to say all that about individual experiences, own opinions, etc., and then turn into a hypocrite with a dig on another carrier.

 

[MattMJB0188]

I can assure everyone that AT&T will not end their unlimited plan. I have upgraded to LTE device about 5 times and they always changed my plan to "Data Unlimited for 4G LTE Smartphones". Then when I got done trying out that phone they switched me back to "Data Unlimited for iPhone 4S".

Now what they might do is bump down the 5GB threshold to 3GB with the grandfathered plans.

 

[Bobby.e]

Almost every post in reply is moot unless we know where the OP lives. I.e., if he lives in metro KC, which has excellent Sprint 4G coverage, then why not switch? On the other hand, if he lives in Powdunk Redneckville, where there's no Sprint 4G, AT&T is probably the better choice.

Maybe I'm giving him too much credit, but I doubt he'd even be posting this if he didn't already know he had solid Sprint 4G.

KC actually has horrible Sprint coverage. I lived catty corner to the Sprint campus and could hardly use my phone at home.

 

[LSUtigers03]

Yea but they cap your speed when you reach 2gb anyway basically forcing you out of it..

As for the OP, Sprint is behind in 4g deployment compared to verizon and att, so you may not get LTE for a while.

AT&T lets you use 5gb before they throttle you when you use an LTE phone.

 

[Applejuiced]

I find that interesting. At work, and between my family who is on AT&T at present, these people have maintained their unlimited data plans. I've been with them when the texts have come through, "You have reached 3072 megabytes of data, you data is now being throttled", ect. Hell, they even showed me because they were confused at first.

Even before I switched, I remember AT&T being VERY accurate with texts notating when you hit a certain data point, such as 65%, 90% and over your limit for tiered plans. Actually, I recall this happening in both Boston and NYC, so it's not an isolated incident to a certain "market."

I think maybe what's happening here, is that AT&T only monitors and notifies you ever so often, not instantly with data updates. Thus, you could pass 3Gb at 12:00 PM, and continue to hit 3.7Gb, at which point you would be warned with a text and throttled.

The issue with subscriber count is not indicative with overall value and customer service experience. If it were, then Verizon would be top dog as they trump AT&T in all three of those categories. Again, read the third party reviews on these things, this is not my bias, but the conclusions drawn by major customer satisfaction outlets. It just so happens that my personal experiences match the commentary by these third parties ...

If you are happy on AT&T, then that's perfect, great for you. We all pay enough per month to deserve a good cellular experience. You have good experiences on AT&T, but I do not. We are both entitled to our own opinions. Clearly the OP is not having a great experience either, hence he's jumping ship, even to Sprint of all carriers.

Lol
So you still think its impossible and that we got throttled but didnt know about it.
I assure you I checked many times and my wife's iphone still got fast HSPA+ speeds with a speedtest after 4GB's and she never got throttled or a single nessage.
I agree with you that people do get throttled but its not every single person on every single part of the country gets throttled as soon as they hit 3GB's of data.
Somehow you find that hard to believe but it varies with location that's all Im trying to explain here. Its not black and white 3GB data and right after throttling every single user at every single place in the US.
Many people that live outside of major markets in noncongested areas dont get throttled or if they do they get it at higher points at 5-6 GB's or higher that's all.
Wirelss traffic is not the same in NYC for example and out in the sticks of CT or NH.

 

[Dwalls90]

Lol
So you still think its impossible and that we got throttled but didnt know about it.
I assure you I checked many times and my wife's iphone still got fast HSPA+ speeds with a speedtest after 4GB's and she never got throttled or a single nessage.
I agree with you that people do get throttled but its not every single person on every single part of the country gets throttled as soon as they hit 3GB's of data.
Somehow you find that hard to believe but it varies with location that's all Im trying to explain here. Its not black and white 3GB data and right after throttling every single user at every single place in the US.
Many people that live outside of major markets in noncongested areas dont get throttled or if they do they get it at higher points at 5-6 GB's or higher that's all.
Wirelss traffic is not the same in NYC for example and out in the sticks of CT or NH.

It would seem that AT&T would have a lawsuit on there hands then. Unfair treatment dissimilar contracts based on location seems fishy to me. You can't wrongfully throttle users in one area for crossing over their 3Gb limit, but not someone else. I seriously hope BOTH big carriers come under fire from the government, demanding evidence and statistics as to how they throttle and for what thresholds.

I am not defending one or the other in this case, but since AT&T is the only network that is "leading the pack" in these stupid "throttling"/"optimization" activities, they will naturally draw attention.

 

[MacManTexas56]

It would seem that AT&T would have a lawsuit on there hands then. Unfair treatment dissimilar contracts based on location seems fishy to me. You can't wrongfully throttle users in one area for crossing over their 3Gb limit, but not someone else. I seriously hope BOTH big carriers come under fire from the government, demanding evidence and statistics as to how they throttle and for what thresholds.

I am not defending one or the other in this case, but since AT&T is the only network that is "leading the pack" in these stupid "throttling"/"optimization" activities, they will naturally draw attention.

you know what happens here in Texas when an area is using too much power? they shut it off and do rolling black outs!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_blackout

same kinda thing would happen with the data. Use too much, you get it shut off...or in AT&T's case, you get throttled in the high traffic area.

as long as it's listed on the contract, they can do it.

 

[micawoli]

Do you have some special inside info that we should know about? Of course you don't and you know what they say about people who ASS-U-ME...

Every launch there are always dozens of threads where people assume AT&T is going to end their grandfathered unlimited plans and guess what...we still have our unlimited plans. How about you wait and see instead of jumping to conclusions. Now if your AT&T coverage is poor, than sure it's possibly worthwhile but all things being equal (i.e. coverage), AT&T's network is MUCH faster than Sprint. You'd feel pretty foolish if you went ahead, changed carriers only to find out that it wasn't happening.

No I don't have any special info, but I do have a co-worker who recently was told that if he wanted to upgrade to an LTE phone that he would have to give up his unlimited plan. This was on Verizon though, but since ATT and Verizon copy each other on nearly everything, I feel that it is SAFE to assume that ATT might do the same thing.

Plus, I think it is a different situation with the iPhone being LTE and trying to upgrade without losing your unlimited data. What you were referring to was when people were upgrading from one 3G iPhone to ANOTHER 3G iPhone. I can completely understand that not being a problem for ATT to allow customers to keep their unlimited plans with little hassle.

But in terms of Sprint vs. ATT, I think I got my question pretty much answered. I think I'm going to stay with ATT since the coverage is better here in Denver in terms of 4G/LTE (Sprint mostly does WiMax around here if anything). I will still have to look into whether or not ATT will force me to give up my unlimited plan if I try to upgrade from a 3G iPhone 4 to a LTE "new" iPhone (I have seen posters on here saying both, so it could go either way).

 

[teamjaycub]

Wrong. You can upgrade, you just pay full MSRP for the phone. Verizon has a way better alternative to "throttling", and also doesn't throttle data if you are a 4G/LTE phone user.

How is it wrong? Does Verizon not force you to get rid of your unlimited data when you get a phone for subsidized pricing?

Even if you can get around it by buying a phone for full price, the fact of the matter is, they DO make some customers get rid of unlimited data. PERIOD.

Therefore, I do not believe I am "Wrong"

 

[Spectrum Abuser]

Why can't hardly anyone give correct information these days? It's 3GB before throttling on a 3G data plan and 5GB of throttling if you have an LTE data plan. AT&T also doesn't spit on you for trying to upgrade with a subsidized price while trying to maintain your grandfathered status like Verizon does.

This forum is being filled with more and more 'Universal know it alls'. I stick to one section of this entire website because I'm very informed in this particular subject. You won't see me spitting out information in the Macintosh section, though.

 

[cvaldes]

It's because many MR forum posters don't pay their own cellphone bills. They're on mommy or daddy's account.

Whenever you see something like "my mom's uncle..." or "my brother's girlfriend's cousin" or the giveaway youth acronym "idk", you pretty much are dealing with someone who doesn't run their own finances.

 

[Applejuiced]

It would seem that AT&T would have a lawsuit on there hands then. Unfair treatment dissimilar contracts based on location seems fishy to me. You can't wrongfully throttle users in one area for crossing over their 3Gb limit, but not someone else. I seriously hope BOTH big carriers come under fire from the government, demanding evidence and statistics as to how they throttle and for what thresholds.

I am not defending one or the other in this case, but since AT&T is the only network that is "leading the pack" in these stupid "throttling"/"optimization" activities, they will naturally draw attention.

Im not a lawyer, just stating my experience that's all.
I dont see it as "unfair treatment" or anything like that. Its network optimization. It makes sense if you throttle and save on bandwidth in congested places to serve more users and in areas where there's no such traffic that 5% of data usage changes and varies.
But again, Im not in charge or AT&T's network or anything just stating my experiences so far. Maybe that could change down the road, I hope not though. Im not here to make up things like that just to piss you off

 

[MattMJB0188]

Im not a lawyer, just stating my experience that's all.
I dont see it as "unfair treatment" or anything like that. Its network optimization. It makes sense if you throttle and save on bandwidth in congested places to serve more users and in areas where there's no such traffic that 5% of data usage changes and varies.
But again, Im not in charge or AT&T's network or anything just stating my experiences so far. Maybe that could change down the road, I hope not though. Im not here to make up things like that just to piss you off

I wish you were right. I live in a very NON congested AT&T market and I hit 3GB and I received the text that my speeds will be reduced. Your just not familiar with their latest throttling revision. Before they would throttle the top 5% in heavily congested markets. Now it just slows down no matter what if you hit 3GB on 3G and HSPA+. If your on an LTE plan then it slows down after 5GB.

 

[AustinIllini]

"my brother's girlfriend's cousin"

"I am your father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate."

 

[Applejuiced]

I wish you were right. I live in a very NON congested AT&T market and I hit 3GB and I received the text that my speeds will be reduced. Your just not familiar with their latest throttling revision. Before they would throttle the top 5% in heavily congested markets. Now it just slows down no matter what if you hit 3GB on 3G and HSPA+. If your on an LTE plan then it slows down after 5GB.

That's what I experienced on one of the lines on my family plan for months now. The other 2 dont get that high data usage at all. That phone number doesnt always hit over 3GB's every month but when it does go over and around 4-5GB there is no issue. That's all.
Its not if Im right or wrong and Im not the only person that goes over 3GB's on unlimited data with AT&T and doesnt get throttled or a message from AT&T.
You dont have to believe me but I dont tend to go around making stories up to impress people for whatever other reason.
Take care.

 

[faroZ06]

its so slow that its unusable. slower then dial up.

I've heard different stories. If you are a Sprint user (with 4G or 3G), please post some speed results here. That would be very helpful.

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It's because many MR forum posters don't pay their own cellphone bills. They're on mommy or daddy's account.

Whenever you see something like "my mom's uncle..." or "my brother's girlfriend's cousin" or the giveaway youth acronym "idk", you pretty much are dealing with someone who doesn't run their own finances.

Well, not always. Some young people use allowance and such to buy stuff.

 

[Ceviche Lover]

if you dump att for sprint you will be VERY VERY sorry you did that. ive been on sprint for 4 years and thier 3g coverage gets worse and worse. in downtown LA i routinely get 200-400kb/400kb and at home its slightly worse. sometimes i can run a test and get 10kb/300kb you get what you pay for.


im counting the days when i get dump this garbage network in a month so i can get on verizon. i dont mind paying the extra $$$ if im going to get broadband like speeds

here is a good site you can use which provides coverage information in your area


http://www.rootmetrics.com

 

[faroZ06]

if you dump att for sprint you will be VERY VERY sorry you did that. ive been on sprint for 4 years and thier 3g coverage gets worse and worse. in downtown LA i routinely get 200-400kb/400kb and at home its slightly worse. sometimes i can run a test and get 10kb/300kb you get what you pay for.

Another person saying that Sprint is slow. I don't expect them to be fast in downtown L.A. (near where I live) because of all the people using the same towers with unlimited data. And I think Los Angeles people use more data than average. That's a lot of data going into a few pipes.

 

[Ceviche Lover]

i understand that but id rather pay the extra $$$ to get GREAT bandwidth(im talking 25Mbps like my coworker who sits right next to me on his LTE phone) then get piss poor dialup speeds like i get on sprint. theres a reason why they're service costs the least and they offer unlimited data, they need customers BADLY. i will admit thier website and customer service is top notch but how often are you calling customer service anyway? for every one person who think its great you will find 9 others who think its below average or terrible

heres the proof

http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=228237


http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226631


i recommend signing up at the sprintusers forums and ask them if they would recommend getting an iphone on sprint. you will get your answer.

i know im ranting but they're network is incredibly slow in most areas i go to and im sick of it

 

[Dwalls90]

Im not a lawyer, just stating my experience that's all.
I dont see it as "unfair treatment" or anything like that. Its network optimization. It makes sense if you throttle and save on bandwidth in congested places to serve more users and in areas where there's no such traffic that 5% of data usage changes and varies.
But again, Im not in charge or AT&T's network or anything just stating my experiences so far. Maybe that could change down the road, I hope not though. Im not here to make up things like that just to piss you off

I understand

But just saying, if AT&T states their policy is to throttle anyone over 3Gb, then it would seem most fair to treat all users fairly. At least Verizon admits that they only optimize temporarily, if you use excessive data, until you leave the congested network area or stop chugging data. It would seem that if AT&T is in fact not following their own policies, it would be a benefit to them to publicly state they only slow down users who exceed 3Gb "in certain markets".

----------

How is it wrong? Does Verizon not force you to get rid of your unlimited data when you get a phone for subsidized pricing?

Even if you can get around it by buying a phone for full price, the fact of the matter is, they DO make some customers get rid of unlimited data. PERIOD.

Therefore, I do not believe I am "Wrong"

Lol, no they don't force you off. You make the choice of not keeping your unlimited data plan if you want to pay for a subsidized plan.

Does AT&T not "force you off" of your unlimited plan if you want tethering capabilities? Because they do.

Verizon forcing you off of your unlimited plan, would be them literally removing it from your monthly plan without you having a say in the matter. Anything other than that is a choice by the consumer.