The "I finally ditched AT&T" thread

[Surrylic]

I have been with AT&T for years before they were called AT&T and my family and I ditched them in August. Straight Talk for us, none of the 'big 3-4'.

I'm in a bit of a bind though because I bought the iPhone 5 from AT&T but I'll just drop them again as soon as ST offers nano sims. Or I'll just try cutting and sanding one down after everyone has their 5 and posts how-to videos online

 

[aristobrat]

I use this surf and talk about as much as I FaceTime, which is practically never.

I don't surf/talk frequently either, but I did irritate me that when I was out-and-about with my iPhone 4s, I couldn't get iMessages when on a voice call (because they're data).

Nothing like hanging up a voice call and seeing 5 iMessages come rolling in at the same time.

 

[sonicdissent]

I went over to Cingular in 2005 to use the RAZR, because Verizon's phones were too locked down. The tables have turned a bit. Facetime over 3G BS was the straw that broke the camel's back..along with spotty service in Pittsburgh. One week on ATT LEFT!

 

[Cory Bauer]

I had every intent of switching to Verizon this time until they rolled out their absurd "Share Everything" plans, which force customers to pay a lot of money for things they don't want (unlimited messaging - pointless with iMessage) or need (unlimited minutes) while seriously skimping on the things they do want (data).

Sticking with AT&T allowed me to keep my inexpensive plan from two years ago (450min, 200 texts, 200MB data for $60), and they'll have LTE here in my city in a few months.

 

[tjl3]

Still can't think of.a single time I was on the phone and needed to go online for something at the same time. Keep in mind you can do this with the 5 on Verizon while on wifi. So at home or work, I'm good. But even then, if I need to find something I'll pull out the iPad or laptop while on the phone. The chances of being out with no wifi and needing to go online while I put someone on speaker are so rare it's a non issue for me.

I use this surf and talk about as much as I FaceTime, which is practically never.

It's not a deal breaker, but I was thinking what happens when you are using turn by turn nav or tethering... will a call kick you off of data? Even so, not a deal breaker b/c I get 0-1 bar with AT&T at home and at work.

 

[TheAmericanStig]

I was on ATT with my family years back when it was Cingular. Switched to Verizon to get my own phone and have better service. Switched back to ATT to get the iPhone 4. I continually have dropped calls and poor service almost everywhere I go. Inside buildings? Forget it. I'm tired of paying so much per month for something that only works 70% of the time - IF THAT. Wifi is good - but so is an iPod touch - which is what my iPhone running ATT sometimes feels like.

Having to step out of my office to make phone calls is also not cool. I have to go outside or stand near a door or window to have good reception. Not cool.

I fully welcome VZW.

 

[AliasHandler]

Sick and tired of terrible service! Dropped calls everywhere, nearly useless data anywhere from home to work and in between. Been with ATT since Cingular and just can't take it anymore, feel like my iPhone is not living up to what it can do with such terrible service. Verizon it is, and LTE here we come!

 

[ipoddin]

It's not a deal breaker, but I was thinking what happens when you are using turn by turn nav or tethering... will a call kick you off of data? Even so, not a deal breaker b/c I get 0-1 bar with AT&T at home and at work.

Meh, I have nav in my car.

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I don't surf/talk frequently either, but I did irritate me that when I was out-and-about with my iPhone 4s, I couldn't get iMessages when on a voice call (because they're data).

Nothing like hanging up a voice call and seeing 5 iMessages come rolling in at the same time.

I hate getting notifications while on a call. So doesn't bother me if they come in once I hang up.

 

[cvaldes]

I ditched AT&T in May when they discontinued cellular data packages for Pay As You Go (GoPhone) smartphone customers. I miss those options.

Today, I'm using Straight Talk service (same AT&T cellular towers).

If T-Mobile USA ever completes their refarming of 3G frequencies where I live, I may switch to them (or one of their MVNOs). Their $30/month prepaid plan looks great, but only with 3G cellular data. Perhaps it will be an option later this year.

AT&T cellular data performance is now okay in my area (SF Bay Area), but there are alternatives waiting in the wings.

 

[kaibob]

We're staying with AT&T. Most importantly, we get excellent phone reception and reasonably good data speeds on my 4S. Also, we're on an old family plan with FAN discount that saves us a lot of money, and rollover minutes, which we use occasionally, is a real plus. Verizon has a good network but there's just no reason for us to change.

 

[deannnnn]

This was going to be the year. This was going to be the year I finally switch to Verizon!! But leaving my parents family plan would mean paying significantly more per month. I'm fresh out of college and simply can't afford it. So I reupped with AT&T for the iPhone 5. Maybe I'll switch in two more years

On the plus side AT&T does have slightly better LTE coverage in South Florida (surprisingly).

 

[mpossoff]

Not to defend AT&T as they certainly don't deserve it but, I'm pretty sure you could create a similar laundry list of changes that Verizon has done screw over their customers as well.

Yes, Sprint and T Mobile seem to be a bit more customer friendly with their offerings but both of those companies are fighting tremendous uphill battles trying to stay competitive with the big two. Reverse the roles and we'd probably be complaining how T-Mobile and Sprint are constantly screwing us over.

Exactly as an example AT&T throttles unlimited data users, with VZW to keep unlimited data you have to pay full retail.

 

[burningrave101]

I was considering switching to Verizon because I wanted 4G LTE in my area but their new shared data plans are just unrealistic for users with a single device that don't need unlimited voice. On my AT&T plan I have just the base 450 minutes for $39/mo along with the unlimited messaging plan for $10 which gives me unlimited mobile to mobile calling. On top of that I get a 26% FAN discount which saves me a lot.

 

[VDubb]

Hopefully you did some research on Sprint in your area, OP. While they do offer unlimited data, they typically have the worst data speeds of the major carriers. My family and friends on Sprint can barely use data on 3G in my area because the speeds are almost as slow as dial-up. No real point to have unlimited data if it's nearly unusable.

Also, Sprint is missing their targets on 4G LTE roll-outs, and cities that have LTE aren't even fully covered. I read Sprint users complaining about spotty to non-existent LTE coverage in the current launched cities.

I'm waiting until LTE is in my area with full coverage from Sprint and there are a fair amount of users connected to it with decent data speeds before making the switch. I read a lot of people making the switch to Sprint and regretting it because of the crazy speeds, or even worse, they have decent speeds which deteriorated after a couple months and they were locked in their contracts. I would like unlimited data at a cheaper rate, but I'm not going to sacrifice usability to achieve that.

- VDubb

 

[silroc]

I was with AT&T since the release of iPhone 4 and I'm happy to say I am now going to a company that doesn't drop calls every single damn day....

 

[DaGrandMastah]

After 5 long arduous years with AT&T, I finally made the plunge to another carrier as of last night's preorder (Sprint in my case). AT&T has proven over the last few years to be a company focused on anything other than great services and customer focus. Looking back it's a shame to see how much we've regressed over the last 5 years (summary below), when we could be so much further ahead.

Summary (approximate dates):
Jun 2010 - AT&T pulls the plug on it's unlimited data plans
Jun 2010 - Forces users on unlimited plan who want to take advantage of data tethering to switch to a capped plan and lose their unlimited data entirely
Jan 2011 - Elimination of $5 dollar texting plan option, forcing new customers to the $10 minimum plan regardless of texting needs
Jul 2011 - Announces throttling data users on their "grandfathered" Unlimited Data plan beginning October 1
Aug 2011 - AT&T announces elimination of $10 texting plan, forcing new customers to the $20 unlimited plan regardless of texting needs
Mar 2012 - It is learned that AT&T will not allow mobile hotspot support on the new iPad
May 2012 - Raises international data plan minimum fee along with overage charges
Aug 2012 - Announces they will restrict the use of FaceTime over cellular, only to allow access to users paying for their premium mobile share plan

More important than the minutia of it all, 5 years later I have less service for more money. I've grown exhausted with it all and last night decided to vote with my wallet.

I'm curious who else decided to jump ship and to what carrier?

I decided to ditch them but not really for any of the reasons you listed. I dumped them cause they suck....just the absolute freakin worst service I've ever had. So glad to go to Verizon...especially in my area.

 

[LostAggie]

Was considering leaving AT&T myself but the voice/data thing was a deciding factor plus (I may be in the minority) but they have bent over backwards to help me with some issues.

 

[co22]

We're staying with AT&T. Most importantly, we get excellent phone reception and reasonably good data speeds on my 4S. Also, we're on an old family plan with FAN discount that saves us a lot of money, and rollover minutes, which we use occasionally, is a real plus. Verizon has a good network but there's just no reason for us to change.

If you're so happy with AT&T, what are you doing on the "I finally ditched AT&T" thread? Do you work for them???

 

[PhoenixMac]

I dumped ATT after VZW got the iPhone have not looked back since. For me it was too many dropped calls (partially antenna-gate, partially service). I switched to sprint, then they decided to give me the middle finger by terminating my service because of too much roaming, now I am with unlimited LTE VZW, who knows how long this honey moon is going to last? I feel like I am on my 3rd soon to be 4th marriage (t-mobile how are you doing?)

 

[ahintz]

Well, I've been with AT&T since the 90s when my service was from Pacific Bell Wireless. I decided to switch this time because in my area a) LTE service is available from Verizon (and not AT&T) and b) there are lots of places where AT&T gets crappy service and Verizon is fine. Now, the news that the iPhone 5 on Verizon still doesn't have simultaneous voice and data is disappointing, but I so rarely talk on the phone when I'm away from WiFi that it isn't a big deal. Simultaneous voice and data doesn't do you much good if you have no service!

 

[iapplelove]

honestly AT&T>VZN

VZN sucks and this is coming from someone who hates AT&T

 

[Philthy84]

I want to ditch AT&T but my Fan discount of 24% keeps me with them being the main reason, my company only has a discount with them as well. I also have unlimited data still I really don't mind the 5GB throttling for LTE since the most typically use just under 3GB a month. But I do find it stupid that they won't allow you to use the mobile hotspot or FactTime on cellular data without giving up your unlimited plan.

 

[pbrooks]

I've been with AT&T since the original iPhone. No problems with service or coverage. Reupped with them for another two years of unlimited data.

I actually did the math. My average data usage is around 380mb/mo, so a 5gb cap is essentially unlimited for me. I can't even comprehend how one uses the data amounts mentioned here in this thread.

 

[iapplelove]

I've been with AT&T since the original iPhone. No problems with service or coverage. Reupped with them for another two years of unlimited data.

I actually did the math. My average data usage is around 380mb/mo, so a 5gb cap is essentially unlimited for me. I can't even comprehend how one uses the data amounts mentioned here in this thread.

im in the same boat as you and with the amount of wifi hot spots i don't come close to 5gb of data

 

[bearsbears]

I've been with AT&T since the original iPhone. No problems with service or coverage. Reupped with them for another two years of unlimited data.

I actually did the math. My average data usage is around 380mb/mo, so a 5gb cap is essentially unlimited for me. I can't even comprehend how one uses the data amounts mentioned here in this thread.

So then why hold on to the unlimited plan when you could do 1GB or something for cheaper? I feel like people are so attached to the unlimited plans because they just want the option or because once they let it go they can never get it back?

I've had AT&T for three years and switched down to a 2GB two years ago when I realized I didn't use that much data (nowadays I average 120mb a month). I'm making the switch to Verizon finally and signed up for the 300mb plan. Never had big problems with AT&T, just the occasional dropped call, but I hear Verizon has better LTE coverage in NY, so hopefully it doesn't disappoint!