You've described perfectly the problems I've experienced with my Verizon phone in crowded stadiums. Actually, I think if you researched it you would find that TMO's backhaul is actually better than Verizon's.
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T-Mobile Expands Simple Global Coverage to All of Europe and South America
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You've described perfectly the problems I've experienced with my Verizon phone in crowded stadiums. Actually, I think if you researched it you would find that TMO's backhaul is actually better than Verizon's.
Yeah, I visited Germany, Switzerland and Denmark last year (3 weeks). Text messages, email, FB/Instagram/Twitter, Google maps, Skype, other apps worked fine for me as well over the throttled connection. You notice posting on FB is a little slower of course, but the delay is usually minor.
I'm not complaining about anything. I'm not even with T-Mobile, for the reason of lacking coverage. What I'm stating is that T-Mobile USA should concentrate on improving their coverage in the USA (what a concept, huh?), instead of coming up with one gimmick after another to compensate for their shortcomings.
Band 12 won't really improve coverage. It will, however, improve building penetration.
Yes, they should continue to improve coverage domestically; I occasionally have issues with that myself when I drive.
BUT and this is a BIG BUT, coverage in other countries is not a gimmick. It has saved me hundreds and it is immensely helpful at times to not have to buy a local SIM card with a different number. It's damn useful to hit the ground running in a foreign country with your data and SMS working immediately. Imagine your same telephone number following you around the globe. What a concept, huh?
Fair enough - it's certainly convenient to not have to swap out SIM cards. However, coverage in my country of residence is far more important than coverage overseas. I'm sure most mobile phone users will share my sentiment.
the reasonably low calling costs (o.20 per minute and the free text and internet) alone make me switch from ATT Gophone to T-Mobile. For the most part this eliminates the hassle of getting a local sim. I have still a contract for Germany to keep my number there. But when travelling through Europe it's good to be able to check email and make occasional calls without having to run out and get a sim for each and every country.
The service of ATT here in Cambridge, MA sucks and the support for GoPhone sucks even more. Half the time the automatic payments don't go through and I inadvertently rack up $20 costs while calling to Europe.
Not sure how good coverage will be here in Cambridge but it can't be worse than ATT on my block.
The service of ATT here in Cambridge, MA sucks and the support for GoPhone sucks even more. Half the time the automatic payments don't go through and I inadvertently rack up $20 costs while calling to Europe.
Not sure how good coverage will be here in Cambridge but it can't be worse than ATT on my block.
Right. And judging that New York is building after building, that'd improve signal...
Seconded. I'm currently traveling from country to country and both my iPhone and iPad have access to the cell towers without needing to switch SIMs in each and every country. Coupled with wifi calling and I'm able to call, text, iMessage, web browse, and get directions for free. My coverage in the US is also rather good with only a couple pockets where I've had trouble. However, this is usually when I'm in a densely populated area inside a building so I'm thinking the 6S will help in those situations. I must say that T-Mobile coverage was a bit spotty about two years ago, but have had little trouble since. Once I venture out into the sticks, the coverage is much poorer, but I simply roam and have no issues. All of this for $80/month.
The newer carriers like T-mobile and Sprint do not have much bandwidth in the lower frequency zone. The lower frequency allows for more building penetration for signal coverage. T-mobile is doing the best it can and has a much higher ethical standard than AT&T and the rest. I do not have to watch my back with them.
According to their yearly reports, T-Mobile grew their 4G LTE network size by 30% last year. That's not an insignificant number, IMO.
T-Mobile's in an interesting position. They need to keep improving their US network, which requires revenue. To get revenue, they need to keep adding new customers.
IMO, as gimmicky as some of their UN-carrier moves may seem (like this international roaming stuff), it's bringing new customers to them, which is increasing their revenue.
Spend a few minutes going through their quarterly/yearly results. I'd be very surprised if you still think they're not working diligently to improve their US network coverage.