Verizon iPhone... it works as an actual phone(!)

[techweenie]

After AT&T service dropped from three bars to one/none, I complained to AT&T, who told me they'd "look into it" and to switch off 3G and use Edge. F- that.

The day I was able to switch to Verizon, I did. Haven't yet dropped a call, while AT&T calls were dropped over 30% of the time -- sometimes more than once in a 5-minute call. I had to start each conversation with "I have to warn you, I'm on AT&T, and this call may get dropped."

Verizon data reception rates are noticeably slower, but overall, I'm pleased.

Pre-availablility, 26% of AT&T iPhone users said they'd switch. But so far, the largest source for iPhone 4 new users with Verizon is former Android users. Overall, the Verizon introduction is below expectations, and people keep signing up for AT&T iPhones at a high rate.

My cancellation of my AT&T contract was $120, but I sold the old 3GS for $250 within 2 hours of putting the ad on Craigslist.

[porsche4life]

Can you browse whilst on the web?


Around here ATT really isn't that bad, and its been getting better these last few months.... No way I would switch to Verizon, despite what their commercials say, they don't have coverage everywhere, and western OK sucks!

[nostatic]

I've thought about switching. My ATT service is ok, not stellar. The problem is I haven't had any issues with customer service, so it is the devil you know. Plus my g/f is with Verizon so it can be nice to have two different carriers while traveling. There have been times where one of us has a signal and the other doesn't.

[gr8fl4porsche]

My dropped call rate on the iPhone seems to be improving in my area.

[techweenie]

Cannot do anything on the web while using the phone. I had done that a couple times with AT&T and it's useful, but on Verizon, I have to hang up, browse & call back. Not tragic; but I'd have liked to have the simultaneous use option.

AT&T is okay in much of West LA, but in my area, service dropped off over the past year and AT&T expressed no interest in dealing with it. My business partner had the same problem at his house, and bought a micro cell to fix it. The micro cell did not allow him to move from specific "sweet spots" in the house once on a call or it would drop.

Nostatic: agreed that, like banks, you have to be over the irritation threshold to change. In my case, I was.

[stomachmonkey]

I think the big issue with ATT is locality and congestion.

In NYC it was a nightmare.

LI I could not make a call that lasted more than 3 minutes without it dropping. Hilly and not a lot of towers, lots of dead spots.

Since living in TX for the last 3 years it's been great.

The only calls I drop happen in 2 places, both related to DFW airport outer marker locations.

Other than those 2 spots I have yet to drop a call anywhere else.

[techweenie]

Agreed, YMMV on coverage. In my case, coverage was good with AT&T once I was 2-3 blocks from home in any direction. My business partner in Venice had the same problem, and at his g/f's MDR condo, same thing: virtually no signal until he left the immediate area.

I've been living without a land line for nearly 6 years, so I can't abide spotty wireless where I live and/or work.

[scottmandue]

Little or no AT&T signal in my hood... Verison is better.... Sprint and Tmobile are best.

Heard bad things about Sprint customer service... wife previously had Verison and we were not impressed with their customer service so we are sticking with Tmobile.

I might go to a android when my contract is up this year (staying with tmobile) or the samsung tablet.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by techweenie

Agreed, YMMV on coverage. In my case, coverage was good with AT&T once I was 2-3 blocks from home in any direction. My business partner in Venice had the same problem, and at his g/f's MDR condo, same thing: virtually no signal until he left the immediate area.

I've been living without a land line for nearly 6 years, so I can't abide spotty wireless where I live and/or work.

I'm going to give the iPhone a whirl soon...there was no way I could have left Verison: my whole family is on V!

My current BB is almost four years old

[scottmandue]

Oh and...

Saw an ad last night... iPhones (3G) for $49... AT&T

[porsche4life]

I would wait till june on an iPhone. I am seeing lots that makes me think the iPhone 5 will drop this summer, and be dual core...

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Oh and...

Saw an ad last night... iPhones for $49... AT&T

Yup, they must have found a container full of 3GS phones... A good cheap option honestly...

But who wants a phone that is about to be two genera out of date?

[techweenie]

There is speculation about an iPhone 5, and there is speculation (again) about an iPhone Nano that would allow carriers to provide the lesser phone for free. Rumors say the iPhone Nano would have no storage memory, but would stream music, video, etc.

One thing is certain: the alternatives are getting much, much better and Apple needs to keep the development pace going.

[HardDrive]

AT&T is terrible in LA/NYC, but honestly, my service is pretty good here. They have gotten bashed terribly because all the reporters live in the 2 worst cities for their network.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Yup, they must have found a container full of 3GS phones... A good cheap option honestly...

But who wants a phone that is about to be two genera out of date?

A joke we have here at work "we are on the foreskin of technology!"

But seriously... the tech some stand in line for today and pay top dollar for... they will be giving away in a year or two.

I think an old 3G iphone would work fine for me... I don't need the newest and best...

If Tmobile was offering these I would snap up one up this weekend.

[scottmandue]

not sure this link will work but here we go:

Cell Phone Towers - CellReception.com

AT&T towers... I live down at the bottom of the 110 freeway... what is wrong with this picture?

[GH85Carrera]

I have had pretty good luck with AT&T. I have very few if any dropped calls. My office is a steel building and ALL brands of cell phones suck inside our office.

A friend of mine was on A&T from the days of SW Bell and the original Motorola brick and analog only cell phones. At his house he had to run to the front door or to use his cell phone. He kept giving AT&T a chance but nothing got better. He recently changed to T-mobile and he said he will probably gain weight because he can now sit in his recliner and use his cell phone.

[glewis80SC]

AT&T is horrible in my area, little to no reception at the house and i have two cell towers within a few miles, all they say is "well our coverage map says you should have good reception" but we dont. Love the iPhone but when our contract is up this summer we will switch back to Verizon.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I think an old 3G iphone would work fine for me...

The 3G is too slow and very outdated. You want the 3GS. The 8gig 3GS is $49.
The S can just about keep up with the 4.