What is the least terrible cellular phone service provider?

[Tobra]

Do they all suck equally, or is one less crappy than the rest?

[masraum]

If you're talking about service, it depends upon where you make most of your calls.

We've been with T-mobile for >20 years. I've always had good luck/service with them. I went through a period, maybe 10-15 years ago, where customer service wasn't great until you escalated. But for the last 5 or more years, the customer service has mostly been excellent. Nine times out of ten if I need to call to ask a question or make a change, I get someone in the US. Occasionally, I get someone over seas. In those cases, they are very polite and mostly get done what you need. It may take a bit longer. I think that's because of the language barrier. they sound fluent, but I don't think they always fully understand.

[edgemar]

I'm really happy with Google Fi. It will switch carriers based on signal.

[stevej37]

^^^ Tracfone does that also.
Bring/buy your own smartphone.

I pay $8/month.

[KFC911]

I use a T-Mobile sim in my Consumer Cellular phone. That sim provides me better service here at my house than AT&T or Verizon ever did fwiw. I did spend an hour on the phone with a very cute Chinese girl (I assume) with huge tits last night too.... need to get their "Scam likely" filtered enabled .... at least she had big tits .

Consumer Cellular has always been a great provider regardless of sim/carrier....

There is no "one size fits all".



She wouldn't tell me where she was located after I complimented her on her attempts to assist (this was their 2nd level of tech support), .... "off shore" was all .

She tried.... but no cigar.... I'm gonna have to visit a T-Mobile store.... I'm trying to do what their system is not designed to do..... yet .

[stevej37]

Damn....tracfone doesn't include huge tits.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Damn....tracfone doesn't include huge tits.

I pay extra !

FWIW .... it's never been a "signal strength" issue for me (at my house).... it's the network behind the towers .... during peak times.

Tit-Mobile for the win

[LWJ]

I got T-Mobile through Costco.

It was a year ago. I traded some phone in. Moved to T-Mobile. Got the phones for free and unlimited service (improvement) for the same cost as Ting.

T-Mobile is German, I believe. I want a carrier that works internationally so I can travel and not have to think about it. I am very pleased. We have 6 lines and pay around $130 or so per month.

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ Tracfone does that also.
Bring/buy your own smartphone.

I pay $8/month.

I went all out on my Tracfone this year. $200/year for unlimited talk, text and 12.5 gigs data. I will never use it up. Uses Verizon service.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by edgemar

I'm really happy with Google Fi. It will switch carriers based on signal.

How does this work...do you know? I find this intriguing .... multiple sims? I've had the same phone number since it was my landline decades ago... and ported that number to cell phone sims from several carriers, but you simply could not have more than one active at the same time. I think I'll use my Google Fu to search on Google Fi now....

But I won't use Google to search

[KFC911]

My Google Fu is still strong.... even if I use a duck .

Appears as if Google Fi will switch between T-Mobile (Sprint... now part of T-Mobile), and one I've never heard of US Cellular (small & rural)... so really.... two. This was from a couple of years ago....

They've got to be "spoofing" the sim .... from what I know about tech. It sounds kinda gimmicky and more PR than real coverage. If T-Mobile isn't viable in your area .... and it isn't everywhere, then good luck. If AT&T and Verizon join "that game" then it totally changes "the game" imo.

Mebbe they have.... but why would they?

Just "techie musings"... here ....

[masraum]

Originally Posted by KC911

My Google Fu is still strong.... even if I use a duck .

Appears as if Google Fi will switch between T-Mobile (Sprint... now part of T-Mobile), and one I've never heard of US Cellular (small & rural)... so really.... two. This was from a couple of years ago....

They've got to be "spoofing" the sim .... from what I know about tech. It sounds kinda gimmicky and more PR than real coverage. If T-Mobile isn't viable in your area .... and it isn't everywhere, then good luck. If AT&T and Verizon join "that game" then it totally changes "the game" imo.

Mebbe they have.... but why would they?

Just "techie musings"... here ....

It sounds like how I think some roaming used to work. If you phone worked on a particular set of frequencies/networks, and your carrier contracted with another carrier for roaming, then you would get service on the other carrier, but probably had to pay increased charges for the roaming.

If I had to guess, I'd say that it's basically, it's a T-mobile phone. Not too great a surprise since I think the first few Google phones, G1, G2, etc..., were on the T-mobile network, I believe.

[edgemar]

Google Fi FAQ Site

It has always been good even in different countries. The last time I was in an airport I noticed it jumped on a secure wifi network for service...which is starting to pop up in high-density places.

Also, the site and documentation are great. Very straightforward.

I do think there are cheaper options out there.

[A930Rocket]

We had AT&T forever but the signal was always weak where we lived. Switched to Verizon because they have a signal everywhere and it’s no better. Always one or two bars.

[bkreigsr]

No votes for Boost Mobile?

I've got two + years with them at $35/mo and zero issues.

[stevej37]

Tracfone...

Basic $19.99 Plan /90 Days
Talk: 60 Minutes
Text: 60 Texts
Data: 60 MB Data



My usage...

Talk
8986
MINUTES
Text
10316
MESSAGES
Data
1.66
GB LEFT
Service Period
10 days left

[Por_sha911]

I'm not reading the other replys.
A search on Pelican will reveal that it all depends on where you live.

[javadog]

I don’t know who’s the best, or the least bad, but I know that Verizon sucks balls.

Changed to them from AT&T and couldn’t be less happy.

[stevej37]

I'm confused....what is the diff between 'least terrible' and 'best'?

[Joe Bob]

Mint Mint Mobile. 15 month.