Looking for cell service suggestions

[pbwalker]

Well, my AT&T contract is up in 3 weeks and I'm looking to possibly move to another carrier.

Here's my conundrum:

I like Verizon's phones. I like Sprint's plans and phones, but their coverage is weak in Llano. I like T-Mobile's customer service. AT&T, while it probably has some of the best coverage up in the Hill Country, has a horrible network in NYC. Plus, I'm 'over' the iPhone (this coming from a big Apple guy).

So...who's got the best family plans for 2 lines, ~500 minutes, Unlimited Data and Web on both lines (wife wants a BB or Droid)?

To give some perspective, I am paying ~$100 a month for 550 minutes, 200 Texts on my wife's phone, and Unlimited Web / Data on my iPhone.

[Pawpaw]

Cost-wise, I don't know. I haven't checked on such things in a long time.

Coverage-wise, Verizon rocks! Up until a year ago, my job had me travelling all over the country all the time. My Verizon Blackberries worked everywhere I went. It's been years since I've seen "no service" unless there was some kind of outage.

[Oldgringo]

I'm sorta' in the same situation. My Verizon contract ended in July and now we're just coastin w/o a contract.

We've heard really good things about the "Straight Talk" system sold by Wal-Mart. It uses (we're told) Verizon's network and there is no contract and they have all of the 'hot rod' phones. I dunno'...

[dalto]

In my opinion Verizon has the best voice network followed by AT&T. Keep in mind I don't spend a lot of time in remote highly rural locations.

Sprint has decent coverage in some parts of the country but not in others.

I have a personal phone on Verizon and a business phone on Sprint and there is no comparison in terms of coverage. The Verizon phone always has signal, always.

That being said, both Verizon and AT&T will charge you for the quality of their networks so in the end it will come down to how important good coverage is vs how much you are willing to pay.

[phrogg]

I cannot really address the cost side of things either. But for the first 4-5 months of this year I had both an AT&T iphone and a Verizon Blackberry. I found that I had better voice coverage everywhere with the Verizon phone, but that it was very robotic sounding all the time. But the data access on my AT&T phone was SO superior. The 3G network, at least in Houston, is so much faster on AT&T. I was easily seeing 3+Mb on the iPhone which supports the new 7.2Mb network that they have here. The Verizon phone was pitifully slow in comparison. The biggest kicker for me was that I am always wanting to be on the phone and using the Internet at the same time. Turns out that just doesn't work that way on the Verizon network. So I paid the early termination fee and dropped the Verizon one and had to come up with another way to get to work email (LogMeIn app on iPhone and keep laptop at the office all the time).

[swedeboy]

Go with Verizon... the rumors are that their 4G network will have GSM capabilities that will allow u to get all of the fun phones to work on their network too.

[Liberty]

I've been with T-mobile for quite a while now and have been happy with their service. I had at times Houston Cellular (AT&T )and Sprint. Their coverage was poor and their service (talking with a human) was even worse. Verizon coverage is perhaps a bit better in Texas than T- Mobile.

T-mobile does have one quirky feature on some of its phone that makes it particularly nice for me.

Some Tmobile phones allow you to make voice calls over a wi-fi connection.. I work in a steel building where I have next to no service bars. Yet I can make and receive calls over the inter web thru the companys wi-fi. I think T-moblle is the only one that has this service.

I pay $200 for three phones 3000 minute unlimmited web & messages.
Also have unlimited to Tmobile and each other.

[Ldy AlliDu]

If Boost works in your area, you can not beat them for $50 a month, unlimited everything.

[Oldgringo]

My neighbor got VIRGIN WiFi at Best Buy for his home internet. Virgin's website states that they use the Sprint network.

We don't want a contract with nobody. I'm still interested in Straight Talk which uses the Verizon network. Anybody?

[FL450]

Go with the best carrier for the service area you frequent
Most major carriers have gotten away from the all you can eat data plans including ATT. Your plan is grandfathered.

[terryg]

Just as an FYI, Sprint plans allow free digital roaming on Verizon's network. Where I work near the Med Center in Houston, both Sprint and Verizon seem to get better coverage than ATT and T-Mobile - especially in thick walled buildings and in basements.

[gigag04]

I won't leave AT&T because I have a grandfathered iphone data plan. But if I did it would be for Verizon.

[pbwalker]

I won't leave AT&T because I have a grandfathered iphone data plan. But if I did it would be for Verizon.

I have the unlimited data as well and I'm hesitant leaving AT&T because of that, but when I go to NYC, the phone is essentially unusable. Same goes for San Fran.

I think I have decided on Sprint. They have two lines, 1500 minutes, and unlimited data and text, for $129. I'm over the iPhone craze...I've had one for 2.5 years and am ready for the Android phone. There seems to be more options when it comes to rooting your phone, so the geek in me likes that. Plus, the phone (looking at the Evo Shift) uses microSD cards instead of on-board storage. So my wife can get an 8GB card and I'll get the 32GB card...

[Keith B]

I won't leave AT&T because I have a grandfathered iphone data plan. But if I did it would be for Verizon.

I have the unlimited data as well and I'm hesitant leaving AT&T because of that, but when I go to NYC, the phone is essentially unusable. Same goes for San Fran.

I think I have decided on Sprint. They have two lines, 1500 minutes, and unlimited data and text, for $129. I'm over the iPhone craze...I've had one for 2.5 years and am ready for the Android phone. There seems to be more options when it comes to rooting your phone, so the geek in me likes that. Plus, the phone (looking at the Evo Shift) uses microSD cards instead of on-board storage. So my wife can get an 8GB card and I'll get the 32GB card...

Be aware that issues of congestion can exist for all carriers in heavy use areas. The problems in New York and San Fran are well known with AT&T all the way to the top and they are working heavily on it to alleviate the problems.

One thing to be very aware of is some carriers don't have the capability of simultaneously talking on your phone and using data services; you have one or the other. Not sure about which do and don't, but it is something to make sure you can do.

[Oldgringo]

Be aware that issues of congestion can exist for all carriers in heavy use areas. The problems in New York and San Fran are well known with AT&T all the way to the top and they are working heavily on it to alleviate the problems.

Well, I reckon that rips it!

First, it was Schumer, Bloomberger and MaCarthy in NYC and Feinstein, Boxer and Pelosi on the left coast saying I wasn't welcome. Now, you're telling me I may not be able to call for help on my cell phone in either place?

I'm stayin' home in Texas!