Cell phones: Verizon vs. AT&T
Verizon vs. AT&T
by Ms.Gadgettes - 2/25/08 10:44 PMHello all,
My cell phone contract with Verizon is almost up, so I'm getting started on the research process before I lose track of time. I currently subscribe with Verizon and have been with them for the past 6 years or so. Other than a Cingular go phone for a few months several years ago, and 20 minutes on a trac phone, Verizon is the only carrier I have used.
I've been really happy with them, I find call quality to be pretty good, and I very rarely get dropped calls. The most common problem I have is that I have a bad connection, but usually a quick call back does the trick. I also have found that the support from Verizon is fantastic. Anytime I have called or gone in to the store with a problem they are really helpful and friendly, which I find to be a big plus.
However, I'm kind of considering AT&T. Not that I'm having problems with Verizon, but I think they have a better selection of phones and I also like that I can go through Radioshack and get their service plan, which covers a lot more than what the carriers offer.
The most important thing to me is that I can get reception at the most places possible, I live in a small town with lots of small towns in the surrounding areas, so having a good network is important (I have a friend that has AT&T and they can't get reception at all in their home in Hawaii, which would be a big problem for me) I also want to have a company that is good when it comes to service, as I said, I think Verizon is fantastic, and problem has the best customer service of most companies I've dealt with in the past several years.
I currently have a plan with 700 minutes with Verizon, with a blackberry on the main line, with unlimited Blackberry data (e-mail and internet) and then one family share line. I plan to add another line on with my new contract, just in case that is important... I actually was planning to get the unlimited minutes from Verizon, but when I found out every line would have to have it, I decided it wasn't really worth it.
So, anyone that want to throw in their 2 cents, or has any pros/cons that I should consider, it would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much!
Verizon vs AT&T in Winston County, AL
by teresf - 5/21/08 10:13 AM In reply to: Verizon vs. AT&T by Ms.GadgettesHi, I'm in the same boat, my friend has AT&T and gets great reception, no dropped calls. When I'm around Smith Lake, Alabama I can't get anything if I'm in a house with a metal roof, and then if I go outside - I get dropped calls.
Does this have anything to do with what modes are being used.
My LG v5200 cell has AMPS 800/CDMA 800/1900 while my friend's cell is a LG CU500V which has GSM 850/900/1900/HSDPA 850
I am total novice at all this stuff, but am trying to understand.
Best regards, teresf
AMPS 800, analog service used by Verizon, was
by VAPCMD - 5/22/08 7:28 PM In reply to: Verizon vs AT&T in Winston County, AL by teresfdiscontinued in Feb 08.
You just need to find the carrier or carriers that have reliable service in the area you live, work and visit.
I tried Verizon but getting a signal with a Motorola phone at my home location was not reliable. Trying AT&T now ....it was good at home....not so good at work.
Check out phonearena.com and phonescoop.com ...they have some good reviews and user feedback on cell phones.
VAPCMD.
AT&T gets MY vote
by MeanDonnaJean - 5/21/08 3:44 PM In reply to: Verizon vs. AT&T by Ms.GadgettesAll I can tell ya is that I've currently got/have always had AT&T/Cingular and I get very few, if any, dropped calls. I also seem to get service in places where no others do, such as at my way-out-in-the-boondocks 
upstate NY (Berlin) second home. I've also gotta admit that their telephone customer service ain't so shabby either. Since there's no brick 'n mortar stores in my immediate area, I've always done everything with 'em via phone, and I've had nuthin' but positive experiences with 'em. They've always been pretty easy to reach, have always always ALWAYS been extremely helpful to me and were always willin' to satisfy all of my needs at minimal or no cost to me (and believe me, with the number of phones my knucklehead kid has lost/had stolen, I've made PLENTY of phone calls to 'em for replacement phones, stoppin'/startin' service, addin'/deletin' additional services, etc.). They are always very pleasant to deal with. I can honestly say that in the past 6-7 years of dealin' with 'em, I've had NO complaints. So whaddaya say? Why not give 'em a shot?
If Verizon works for you at home, your place of business
by VAPCMD - 5/22/08 7:36 PM In reply to: Verizon vs. AT&T by Ms.Gadgettesand the paths you travel, by all means stick with it.
Check out phonescoop.com and phonearena.com...good info there.
Let us know what you decide on and how you like it.
VAPCMD
There Is Only One Cell Carrier - Verizon
by weluck04 - 5/23/08 4:18 PM In reply to: Verizon vs. AT&T by Ms.GadgettesI have been a Verizon user since it was not even called Verizon. Does anyone remember GTE?
After seeing the call quality of other carriers in NC., NV, Fl. & VA. Why would anyone try any other carriers?
Granted Verizon might not be the first, but the new phone they do carry, will have the latest bells & whistles. But you can rest assured the phones they do carry, have a good quality in features, call quality.
Don't Give Up a Great Thing!
"Why the ATT/Verizon limit.???
by sgg - 5/24/08 6:43 AM In reply to: Verizon vs. AT&T by Ms.GadgettesI cannot imagine anyone speaking positively of ATT; they have destroyed Bell South and tho tech service is still very good, the computer phone queue is to die for -and sometimes I think I have before I get their computer off the line.
The only cell company whose customer service and total service performance is compared with companies outside the industry is T-Mobile and it is better than almost any service I get anywhere on anything. If you can get their hotspot@home program where you live I'd go for it. I did and this is the best service and offering I've experienced since going to substantial cell phone use in 1991. I personally think the Hotspot at Home will have more impact on the cell phone industry than the Iphone as it gives one real freedom from multiple land lines,wireless but not VOIP,lower costs,and, in the case of T-Mobile, great service.
Same boat
by michaeln - 5/27/08 12:12 PM In reply to: Verizon vs. AT&T by Ms.GadgettesHi, I'm in the same boat as you. I don't have any real problem with Verizon, but I have decided to leave them because of the benefits I see going with AT&T. They have a nice hot spot arrangement with Starbucks that would allow me to surf the web when I am there, and similar arrangements with the US and CA forest services. More importantly, AT&T is much more progressive in that they have opened up to third party software for their phones so you're not boxed in to what the carrier wants you to use, and they're willing to allow you to use any phone on their system. Verizon doesn't. You're locked in with Verizon to the phones/software they want to give you, and even though they've said this would change in the future, my research tells me they're very slow and reluctant to do so. You can find a lot of information on choosing between carriers by going to:
http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=34
I'm looking too Verizon vs ATT
by evprobe - 6/6/08 12:51 PM In reply to: Verizon vs. AT&T by Ms.GadgettesI am in the same boat. I was with ATT may yrs ago and bought the panasonic phone that was a GSM phone. I live in Glen Burnie Maryland, and would hit some spots that were drop off areas.
My main complaint was I would get service outside my house, but inside no service. When I went back to the store(ATT) they told me to be patient, they were putting more towers up and I would get better service within 3months. Well, I waited and still no change. Then they merged with Cingular. I went to the store then and inquired about the on going problem of no service in my house. I asked them if anymore towers went up, and they (ATT) told me they stopped the towers because of the merge and I could pay for a new phone since that one didn't get the service I wanted. (note:it was now only 3mos.old)
I could not wait to end my 2 yr contract with them.
I have been with Verizon for 6-7 yrs now. I love the service and support but I do not like a couple things...
1.you can sign for a 1 yr contract and pay more money for the phone you want
2.you can sign for a 2yr contract pay less money for the phone you want...but if a new phone comes out within you being in 6 months into your contract,they will charge you the full price(not even retail) for the phone. When I inquired as to why they do that,Verizon said they lose monies when people switch to a new phone before their contract expires. Or what I understand now you have to be in your contract for at least 1yr. (I don't know how much they will soak you for another phone then.)I feel they punish you, because you want THEIR latest technology!
I am still with Verizon though I have a LG 8300 and I love it!
But I am a gaget girl and love new tech stuff, and I see ATT into G3 technology and wonder why Verizon is behind times.
I love the CDMA service (don't get me wrong). I can make calls almost anywhere. I think any phone co. will have areas of drop out.
I do like the new line of phone that ATT has though. I don't not travel out of the country so I am not too much into the SIMS technology (though I know it comes with the phones)
I know I have to weigh nice looking phone/lastest technology G3( am I going to have no service) vs CDMA which you have no problems with your calls (old school technology)
Maybe someone in the Baltimore/Glen burnie area can give feedback on this issue to help me decide.
Verizon reliablity & ATT phone selection
by useyourbrain - 6/9/08 10:44 PM In reply to: I'm looking too Verizon vs ATT by evprobeYou have to decide what is most important to you.
Verizon offers the best phone service. It has great reception with the fast 3g data speeds. They call it EVDO. I can say if you compare all through the US. This is the case.
ATT offers a wider phone selection simply due to GSM service. Most phone makers are based with in GSM countries. (since there are only about 35 countries that use CDMA). GSM phones are about $40 cheaper to make than a CDMA handset.
Service will not be perfect with any provider, but you get close with Verizon.
Also phones can make a difference. Free Is not always the best way to go.
Thank you
by evprobe - 6/10/08 6:01 AM In reply to: Verizon reliablity & ATT phone selection by useyourbrainI the info you gave me about the 3g and the EVDO I did not know. Thank you for the info. I think I am going to stick with Verizon for wireless phone service. I have not had a problem, so why ask for trouble. I saw some of the new phone Verizon is going to offer in July.
Decoy, Dare, and the Chocolate flip. They look like nice phones.
The Dare mimicks the Prada.(Pardon the spelling) and they will hopefully come out in July (release date)
The Decoy is suppose to come on June 21, but it was pushed back once before. June 21st is the second release date.
I would love to know how to be a tester for the phones coming out. I would write up some articles on them. I'm such a Gaget Queen!
Thank you again,
Regards,
Patty A.
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