Sprint/T-Mobile As Good As Verizon/AT&T?
 

I'm noticing that Sprint and T-Mobile seem to have better deals for wireless service and phones than Verizon and AT&T, who seem to be competing with each other to charge more.

How are those smaller carriers, in your experience?

I'm your typical iPhone junkie - on the phone a lot, but seldom actually making phone calls, value fast data, use about 3GB/mo. I don't spend much time in the hinterlands, though. Have four iPhones on a family plan, two with unlimited data and two with 2GB/mo data, currently paying $270/mo.

I had Sprint for several years. It was horrible. They sold me 3 generations of 4G phones but did not offer 4G service anywhere but a few major cities. I never knew how good a smart phone could be until I switched to Verizon.

That said, cell quality is regional. Like if I lived in Chicago and never left the city, then Sprint would probably be great. I know they are improving but when I left them 18 months ago it looked like they had a LONG way to go to catch up with other carriers, as in years of work to do.

I had T-Mobile before my company implemented a 'bring your own device' policy. Coverage sucked, there were places in our own building that I didn't have coverage, and a lot of gaps in many locations. I had to walk 2 blocks up the street to get a signal at my in-laws in southwest Missouri, as one example, when the rest of my family had a good Verizon signal in the house.

I'm Verizon now and coverage is much better.

Totally depends on where you live.

Back East ATT sucks big time, like drops at least twice during a 5 minute call, at best a 5/10

Here in TX, ATT is rock solid an 11/10

T-Mobile for me is an 8.5/10, no dropped calls but lousy penetration inside large structures

Like others have said, depends on where you live. I just switched back to AT&T after using Sprint for a year. Sprint had great coverage in the city and along major highways. Not so good everywhere else.

This^^^

I am on T-Mobile and it is 6/10 at home however at work NOBODIES cell phone works inside (government building, extra thick walls).

My friends tried AT&T (back when they were the only ones with iPhones) but it sucked so bad in my home town they had to give up their iPhones.

I have sprint and I like it. Data is usually fast and dropped calls are rare. I bought my iPhone and pay them 50 bucks a month for unlimited everything. In the sticks I can roam on Verizon. You can always return your phone so Try one of the smaller guys out.

Don't be confused by stories about carrier performance from 5 years ago. Carriers have made improvements to their networks - AT&T in particular is much better than years back.

T-Mobile/Sprint are #3 and 4 for a reason -
Which Major Cell Phone Carrier Is Most Likely To Get Dumped? (Hint: It's Not Verizon) -- The Motley Fool
Quick guide to cell phone carriers - CNET

(Disclaimer - AT&T pays my bills.)

It's not just about the network.

I was with ATT for 20+ years. Coulda bought a Ferrari with what I paid them over that time. They have Zero customer loyalty.

The new pricing model, absolute crap. Had I renewed my contract, not changed a thing, no plan changes, no device changes, nothing, my bill would have gone up $60 a month just for renewing my commitment.

Sure I could have stayed off contract but when my coveted grandfathered unlimited data plan became just like everyone else's, throttled after X GB's and the absolutely crap tastic experience that ATT considers customer service I said see ya.

Went to T-Mobile. My bill went down $60 a month for a better package and the CS has been outstanding.

Is the network as good, no, no it's not. Is it reliable? Yes it is. Am I getting my monies worth, absolutely.

Do I believe, IMHO, T-Mobile to be a better provider? When all things are considered, without a doubt.

I pretty much agree with this. I used to have att for a while. Then Verizon for a while. and I mean no disrespect to anyone here but for what I pay a month at Sprint I am very happy.

In my area, Verizon is the only network that is really worth a damn. I think their prices have gotten a bit lofty (and was really pissed when they took away my grandfathered unlimited data), so I cancelled my service with them. Six months later, I was back. Network reliability/functionality is huge to me; moreso than customer service. I don't give a damn how nice their CS people are, if I can't do what I need to do when I need to do it, what am I paying you for?

Currently have T-mob but have no clue or whatever relation into the Sprint network they have. Partially or all??? Years ago when Sprint took over Nextel, I simply gave up. The worst in billing errors, network, and impossible customer service.

Getting back to T-Mobile. Decided on the no-contract unlmt. $35. Phone and data have been good but there's been areas (boonies and while cycling) that its useless. Then again, riding buds with ATT in the same area had zilch as well.

Another area where we frequent (mid-size city), family member is allotted by corporate requirement and where they contracted with Verizon. He's in a very high capacity job, but the network is the absolute worst. He was pissed enough and decided to go with ATT.... this so he could do his job but the company will not reimburse him. So burn Verizon.

For that alone, I WILL NEVER lock into a contract again. Why bother if any company can't deliver?

Don't know if that helps and frankly, I think they're all marginal but you have to find the BEST for the given area / territory primarily used in. No sense subscribing X or Y brand, no matter the hype. You have to ask those and research the primary area planned to use in.

Hmmmm. Maybe I should test out T-Mobile. We used to be with them, but AT&T was cheaper with what we were doing. Maybe the test would be with a MiFi for data speeds...

I have AT &T for 6 years and traveled all over the world: Mexico, Africa, China, Europe. . Hands down the best! I would be really reluctant to change.

My new job is working on the design/building side of the wireless business. I can now see why my Verizon bill is so high. They're putting antennas on every corner and open piece of land in this area. Leasing these sights are not cheap but it gives them coverage. I regularly have service while my girlfriend with T-mobile does not.

I was reluctant to post at all (posted #8 above) just because this is one of those threads where everyone has their own experience or those they know of that one way or another presents a negative view for any/all/every company listed.
Do your research in terms of carriers that serve your area and will meet your needs. Do you travel internationally (such as jcommin above)?

I'll leave with this link:
AT&T holds onto top spot for customer care, J.D. Power says - CNET

Sprint is great for me. They have pretty much fully converted to LTE, which is really fast. Ive been with them for years and had to pay for LTE for a while even tho my city didnt have it. That pissed me off. But all good now.

Sprint is pushing the Phone Lease plans pretty hard now. I went for it on my last phone upgrade- $15 a month for iPhone upgrade whenever a new one comes out. Mixed feelings about it, but Im trying it. The numbers arent too bad, if you like the latest greatest.

Hmmm. I just checked out T-Mobile's offering for business, etc. The fact that the T-Mobile plan will work in the US, Mexico and Canada, all against the plan minutes and data, is huge. Every time I go to Mexico, I have to call AT&T and add a Mexico adder that costs roughly $120. We travel to Mexico a minimum of 3 times a year.

Took a drive thus weekend with my girlfriend to Boothbay Harbor Maine. I had perfect reception with my Verizon the entire trip. My girlfriend with boost mobile/ sprint had nothing. No reception

I depends a lot on where you use you're phone. I'm all over the place, in the sticks, in cities, Canada, Mexico, Europe. I have Verison because they offer the best mix of services. I was in Canada and they called me and said, "We see you're racking up some data charges there - about $100. Would you like to sign up for this service plan, x gig for $10? We can make it retroactive." So they cut my bill without me even asking.