Who's switching to a different carrier because it's cheaper than upgrading?

[bogatyr]

Unlimited data + unlimited hotspot = worth full price on Verizon to me - as long as it has LTE.

Right now I'm using a Razr Maxx until it is released and I'm loving the hotspot. Just sold my old iPhone 4S on Amazon's trade in program for $500 (64GB, White, Verizon, new condition with box and all). The cost of the new phone will be less than the subsidized cost with Verizon anyways considering how much I sold my 4S for.

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While this is true - I thought LTE was built by a third party separate from all the carriers. When it launches, every company that offers LTE should be offering the same service; amirite?

LTE is a standard, developed by a third party.

Each provider has their own implementation, equipment and spectrum. So moving from one carrier to the next will change availability, speed, reliability, etc.

 

[alent1234]

While this is true - I thought LTE was built by a third party separate from all the carriers. When it launches, every company that offers LTE should be offering the same service; amirite?

LTE is just the next release of the UMTS or whatever its called

some towers are owned by third party owners and leased out to the carriers, but Sprint and the others also own a lot of their own towers.

 

[bogatyr]

Not sure why I would go to a more expensive carrier that can't even handle voice and data at the same time, but to each their own.

Verizon certainly can handle both voice and data on their 3G network. The issue is that it is dependent on the phone you buy. The phone has to have a dual antenna configuration to support SVDO over CDMA. The Thunderbolt is an example of one such phone (even on 3G it handles voice+data).

http://www.cdg.org/technology/svdo.asp

 

[eastercat]

You better really like verizon; if you want to switch to sprint or another cdma carrier, you'll have to buy a phone. Also, the cdma carriers locked out being able to insert a domestic sim. At least, you'll be able to get an international unlock after only waiting a few months.

Also, I'm thinking ahead for the long term, and Verizon's LTE network has a better footprint than AT&T's.

 

[bogatyr]

You better really like verizon; if you want to switch to sprint or another cdma carrier, you'll have to buy a phone. Also, the cdma carriers locked out being able to insert a domestic sim. At least, you'll be able to get an international unlock after only waiting a few months.

It is that way regardless of your carrier if you buy a subsidized iPhone. How long did it take for people to be able to sell unlock chips and codes for the 4S? Almost a year. Those same chips unlock the Verizon GSM portion to work with U.S. carriers too so the same time table for the ATT iPhone works on the Verizon/Sprint iPhones if it goes like the 4S.

 

[formerpc]

Sprint works really well in my area. Hence my being ok with switching to them.

 

[SenseiPhone]

If it's really worth to switch carriers, I will.

See my tips on selecting iPhone carrier.

 

[Dwalls90]

Seems like mostly AT&T users here, which matches up with the fact that about 2/3 of current iPhone users are on AT&T.

What should concern AT&T, is that a large portion of AT&T users are prepared to pay the ETF to jump ship to Verizon.

I fail to see how AT&T can offer inferior cellular service and customer service, yet charge the same as Verizon (okay, maybe they save you $5 in direct comparison, but weighted at the end it's like a 1-3% difference). Now that Verizon has the better network in all regards, especially with LTE, and with AT&T's iPhone 4 users contracts expiring, lots of people are going to have a much more compelling reason to leave and go to Verizon.

AT&T is DEFINITELY going to be getting a rude awakening with the new iPhone's release date, and I for one am thrilled to see them get screwed by it.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Seems like mostly AT&T users here, which matches up with the fact that about 2/3 of current iPhone users are on AT&T.

What should concern AT&T, is that a large portion of AT&T users are prepared to pay the ETF to jump ship to Verizon.

I fail to see how AT&T can offer inferior cellular service and customer service, yet charge the same as Verizon (okay, maybe they save you $5 in direct comparison, but weighted at the end it's like a 1-3% difference).

AT&T is DEFINITELY going to be getting a rude awakening with the new iPhone's release date, and I for one am thrilled to see them get screwed by it.

No, they're only threatening to jump ship at this point and the "large portion" of users on this site are certainly not representative of the general at&t population. The vast majority will still stick with at&t for various reasons, including ETF, FAN discounts, unlimited data, more expensive Verizon plans, etc.

 

[troop231]

The ability to use the personal hotspot feature on Verizon iPhones and iPads on any of their shared data plans is another cherry on the cake for me. Lets me use my data how I want to, and let's not forget about FaceTime.

 

[Dwalls90]

No, they're only threatening to jump ship at this point and the "large portion" of users on this site are certainly not representative of the general at&t population. The vast majority will still stick with at&t for various reasons, including ETF, FAN discounts, unlimited data, more expensive Verizon plans, etc.

1.) ETF: If you bought an iPhone 4, then your contract is likely over, or soon will be.
2.) FAN: I don't know of many people "offline" from here that know of FAN discounts. I have been employed at a few different companies and firms, and where there are AT&T discounts, there are also Verizon. I wouldn't count this as an AT&T only advantage. Not to mention, at least at my company, Verizon offered 22% off, AT&T only offered 15% off.
3.) Unlimited Data: Almost all iPhone users could care less about unlimited data, and unlimited data plans are quickly becoming nonexistent and few and far between as they haven't been offered for a while, with AT&T doing everything in their power to coerce or force users off their plan. Don't get me started on throttling for a billing period, which Verizon doesn't do.
4.) Pricing: Actually, if you have 2 lines with 6Gb of data, Verizon is cheaper. 3 lines, they break even. Only when you have 4 lines and over 6Gb of data does Verizon cost $10 more a month. So yes, you are correct if you have 4 lines and over 6Gb of data, at which point you will pay 4% more a month. Given AT&T's shortcomings, I didn't find this measly savings of 4% convincing enough to make me stay as a customer.

 

[polotska]

I’m on Verizon Wireless and won’t leave—as much as the company annoys me—because the network and coverage are just too reliable to give up, in my experience.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

1.) ETF: If you bought an iPhone 4, then your contract is likely over, or soon will be.

Except most of the people here (although not representative of the general population) threatening to jump ship to Verizon already have the iPhone 4S, as many were allowed to upgrade after 12 months. Now, they're kind of stuck unless they feel like paying the ETF.

3.) Unlimited Data: Almost all iPhone users could care less about unlimited data, and unlimited data plans are quickly becoming nonexistent and few and far between as they haven't been offered for a while, with AT&T doing everything in their power to coerce or force users off their plan. Don't get me started on throttling for a billing period, which Verizon doesn't do.

Yet a lot seem to care about keeping unlimited based on the responses here. Just check out the many "Can I keep my grandfathered plan?" threads/posts. Again, I admit this is not representative of the general at&t population.

 

[CoriG]

I do not understand how people are saying Verizon is more expensive...

I have a 4s and it will cost me an additional 250 to upgrade, but my ETF is 225

For me: I have one line at 69.99, "unlimited" data at 30 and unlimited text at 20. That means I am roughly paying 129 per month with taxes on AT&T.

If I switch over to Verizon in Los Angeles,
I will pay $40 for an iphone and $80 for 6 gigs data (which I get a 15% discount ).

Is there something I am missing?

 

[troop231]

I also forgot to add that I will be selling my 64GB iPhone, and will be buying a 16GB 'new' iPhone when it comes out.

There is no need for me to have 64GB on a phone when my iPad is 64GB.

 

[Dwalls90]

Except most of the people here (although not representative of the general population) threatening to jump ship to Verizon already have the iPhone 4S, as many were allowed to upgrade after 12 months. Now, they're kind of stuck unless they feel like paying the ETF.

There is no telling what % of users have the 4S, but in general, a lot of users bought the 4 before the 4 came to Verizon. After the Verizon 4 announcement, many users likely held off on the 4S because it was an underwhelming update and because they wanted their contract expire so that they could switch to Verizon.

If a shift from 0% to 33% of iPhone users moving from Verizon to AT&T in less than 1.5 years isn't a sign of a trend that's gaining momentum, I don't know what is. AT&T doesn't exactly "show the love" with their petty policies of restricting FaceTime usage.

Obviously, SOME users stayed on AT&T and upgraded to the 4S.

Yet a lot seem to care about keeping unlimited based on the responses here. Just check out the many "Can I keep my grandfathered plan?" threads/posts. Again, I admit this is not representative of the general at&t population.

Yes, I care about unlimited data, but we are talking about the average user. The average iPhone user has no idea as to which data package they are using off the top of their head, let alone their typical usage. Let's be honest.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

If a shift from 0% to 33% of iPhone users moving from Verizon to AT&T in less than 1.5 years isn't a sign of a trend that's gaining momentum, I don't know what is. AT&T doesn't exactly "show the love" with their petty policies of restricting FaceTime usage.

Many of those people didn't have any choice when at&t was the only provider and were more than happy to move to Verizon because they get much better reception with Verizon. It doesn't mean the trend will continue.

Yes, I care about unlimited data, but we are talking about the average user. The average iPhone user has no idea as to which data package they are using off the top of their head, let alone their typical usage. Let's be honest.

Agreed.

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I do not understand how people are saying Verizon is more expensive...

I have a 4s and it will cost me an additional 250 to upgrade, but my ETF is 225

For me: I have one line at 69.99, "unlimited" data at 30 and unlimited text at 20. That means I am roughly paying 129 per month with taxes on AT&T.

If I switch over to Verizon in Los Angeles,
I will pay $40 for an iphone and $80 for 6 gigs data (which I get a 15% discount ).

Is there something I am missing?

I think they meant the cheapest at&t plan is cheaper than the cheapest Verizon plan. Obviously, switching to another carrier may or may not be cheaper depending on your plan.

 

[Dwalls90]

Many of those people didn't have any choice when at&t was the only provider and were more than happy to move to Verizon because they get much better reception with Verizon. It doesn't mean the trend will continue.

I see your point, but let's look at the history.

Many iPhone users came on-board with the 3G, as it had 3G service and also was a lot cheaper than the original. This put them on the upgrade cycle to get the 4 and then the new iPhone this fall. The iPhone 4 also brought lots of attention and another user pool, putting more people on the 3G/4 upgrade cycle.

At the time of these announcements of new iPhones, AT&T was the sole provider, so naturally anyone that wanted an iPhone was locked into AT&T. BUT, then Verizon was announced as an iPhone carrier half a year later after the 4's release date.

That meant that people that had locked into AT&T for 2 years were more or less stuck ... until now, when their contracts are either already up (if they bought the 4 between June-Sept 2010). Now they are free to choose a carrier without paying the AT&T ETF - something that hasn't happened yet in iPhone history.

AT&T SHOULD be shaking in their boots. Their share of iPhone users will only decrease from here on out. Contracts are expiring and people are no longer stuck.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

That meant that people that had locked into AT&T for 2 years were more or less stuck ... until now, when their contracts are either already up (if they bought the 4 between June-Sept 2010). Now they are free to choose a carrier without paying the AT&T ETF - something that hasn't happened yet in iPhone history.

Not necessarily. Owners of the iPhone 3GS were free to leave at&t without payng the ETF when the 4S was introduced. I'm sure they didn't upgrade to the iPhone 4 on purpose as they couldn't deal with at&t much longer (unless they moved to Verizon for the iPhone 4 mid-cycle).