Question about T-Mobile data speeds with the GN

I hear too many bad reports about MVNO's putting rather low caps on their "unlimited data" and just terminating users that go over them citing some TOS clause about unreasonable use or something weird.
Simple Mobile Unlimited Data Capped at 1GB, Accounts Terminated When Cap Reached | PhoneNews.com

Perhaps they've gotten better since that particular story almost 2 years ago. But before I went to T-Mobile's prepaid I was checking out various MVNOs and it seemed like most were still pretty bad about this.

I wouldn't really care about the limit for the unlimited data plans. I use wifi at home all the ttime :)

Originally Posted by Ravynmagi

In Phoenix and areas in the East Valley I only get an average of 3Mbps down and 1.5Mbps up. Peak speeds sometimes reach 4Mbps. I'm not terribly impressed since this is the same speeds my 3G Galaxy S Vibrant got as well.

But since I've had four Galaxy Nexus and they've all done it and I know others get better results in other places, I assume it's just lame HSPA+ service here in the Phoenix areas (at least the parts where I've been trying it).

It's sufficient though, so I'll live with it.

That's about what I get in the Gilbert/Chandler area. Wish it was higher. I wonder if that rumor about the AT&T Galaxy Nexus LTE is true or not...

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Originally Posted by martonikaj

I make calls via Google Voice + Google Talk in GMail whenever I'm at my computer (requires that you're into Google Voice). VOIP solutions are so clunky and inconsistent to use for regular calls imo. To drop to this 100 minute plan you either need to not talk much or be able to deal with the VOIP solutions.

I know there are a lot of people who do VOIP, but its just not worth the hassle to save such little money. Once you're into VOIP you're paying monthly + per minute for that service on top of your own plan, plus the hassle, you might as well just get an unlimited talk plan.



General consensus that I'm aware of is that they throttle in the 6gb-8gb range. We know for a fact that Simple throttles much higher than 2gb, so It does make their plan a better deal than the $60 T-Mobile plan, and potentially even better than the $70 T-Mobile plan.

There is another option much better than the T-Mobile $60 plan, from Straight Talk. They offer UL / UL / "UL"(2gb) plan for $45. So if you're staying under $45 and don't "abuse" (they're pretty strict) your data then you can save more there.

The only merit I see to the $70 T-Mobile plan is the security to know where they throttle at. You pay just a little more in order to know that you have that full 5gb. Its pretty much a power-users plan (or someone who doesn't want to have "minute anxiety" or "data anxiety".

For someone with the Galaxy Nexus (or other flagships), the only 2 relevant plans from T-Mobile are the $30 plan for heavy data / light talk users, and the $70 plan for heavy data / heavy talk users. The other two runners (mentioned above) are Straight Talk $45 medium data / heavy talk, and Simple Mobile $60 heavy data / heavy talk. ALL of which are killer deals compared to AT&T and Verizon, honestly.

I just switched to the $30 dollar plan to give it a test run. Searching about Simple Mobile it looks like they will cut your data off after 2GB. And Straight Talk isn't even a option. I can't deal with being watched like that.

So far its going good. I'm using Talkatone with Google Voice set up so that I could receive calls as well as make outgoing ones. And it all shows up as my Google Voice number. It works pretty good on wifi and HSPA+. I'm in New York City

Originally Posted by NYC Dude

I just switched to the $30 dollar plan to give it a test run. Searching about Simple Mobile it looks like they will cut your data off after 2GB. And Straight Talk isn't even a option. I can't deal with being watched like that.

So far its going good. I'm using Talkatone with Google Voice set up so that I could receive calls as well as make outgoing ones. And it all shows up as my Google Voice number. It works pretty good on wifi and HSPA+. I'm in New York City

Yeah there seems to be conflicting reports about all of the prepaid carriers and where they cut you off. My understanding has been that Simple Mobile lets you go higher than that, but i have not personally used them.

Yeah, I'm getting speeds of about 1-2Mbits in the same spot my Galaxy S2 gives me 5-6Mbits.

I don't think it's worth it, I'm gonna play with it some more but I think I'm gonna return it

Originally Posted by drewsg

Yeah, I'm getting speeds of about 1-2Mbits in the same spot my Galaxy S2 gives me 5-6Mbits.

I don't think it's worth it, I'm gonna play with it some more but I think I'm gonna return it

I'd just check your APNs and try out other radios. Other than that, the SGSII will just have faster speeds when its a 42mbps HSPA+ device. That's just how it is.

I got up and running on the Monthly4G UL Talk, Text, and Data / 5GB speed cap for $70 last week.

On my iPhone 3GS with AT&T I was always connected to 3G with 3-4 bars in my apartment (Tempe, AZ), but on T-Mobile, I barely get 2 bars to Edge or 2G; however, with AT&T I dropped all the time and thus far on T-Mobile I've dropped once.

Like I said, I'm not disappointed because when I'm at home I use my wireless network, but it's very obvious that in my area T-Mobile is not the best. The only time I've seen 4G was out and about... and it was intermittent.

I really can't complain though, because this pre-paid plan is saving me $48 / month.

I'm rocking the $30 a month T-mobile plan on my nexus right now and absolutely love it. I consistently get 7 down, 2+ up, which feels rocket fast compared to my old epic on Sprint.

I use talkatone on my ipad with a bluetooth headset as my voip at home, and answer calls on it just like a normal phone. It took me about a week to fully port my sprint number to GV, with lost texts and calls during that, but once it was set up it was definitely worth it.

Anyway, short summary: I highly recommend T-mo's $30/month, 100min plan.

I get 2-3 mbps in Phoenix.The browser feels feels faster though.. I use Netflix without any issues.

I have a SGSII I got two months ago on contract. I was thinking of selling it as I can get a price for it and not lose money and get the Nexus (not breaking my contact, just use my SIM).
Do you think it is would be worth it to go to a +21 from a +42 device. I would like to get OS updates quickly and a pure Google experience.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by drhere

I have a SGSII I got two months ago on contract. I was thinking of selling it as I can get a price for it and not lose money and get the Nexus (not breaking my contact, just use my SIM).
Do you think it is would be worth it to go to a +21 from a +42 device. I would like to get OS updates quickly and a pure Google experience.

Thanks.

I don't think many places have +42 yet, so it probably would. Yo can always ask T-Mobile if they even have +42 in your area.

Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk 2

Originally Posted by craZDude

I don't think many places have +42 yet, so it probably would. Yo can always ask T-Mobile if they even have +42 in your area.

Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk 2

I live in a 42m area, although my SGSII gets nowhere near that speed.
Wonder how a Nexus would do.

Originally Posted by craZDude

I don't think many places have +42 yet, so it probably would. Yo can always ask T-Mobile if they even have +42 in your area.

There are actually quite a large number of markets which are 42mbps HSPA+ areas.

Originally Posted by drhere

I live in a 42m area, although my SGSII gets nowhere near that speed.
Wonder how a Nexus would do.

Well your real-world speeds are at best (like standing next to the tower) going to be 60% of the theoretical speeds. The Galaxy Nexus on T-Mo will maybe push ~10mbps down.

Thx. In my apt. I have Edge speeds. How much worse or better will the Nexus be I'm wondering.
Since I don't want to break my contract yet, still deciding.

Originally Posted by drhere

Thx. In my apt. I have Edge speeds. How much worse or better will the Nexus be I'm wondering.
Since I don't want to break my contract yet, still deciding.

As far as EDGE goes? It'll be the same speed no matter the device... EDGE is pretty slow (~100kbps). Assuming you'd just be on WiFi at home though, no?

Originally Posted by martonikaj

As far as EDGE goes? It'll be the same speed no matter the device... EDGE is pretty slow (~100kbps). Assuming you'd just be on WiFi at home though, no?

Yea. pretty much. I think I am going to go for it. I would prefer a pure Google experience over an SGSII.

Thx.

Edited to add: I am going for it...wish me luck, I want the "pure" Google experience, wish me luck. :D

I don't think you need any luck. If you want the pure experience, you won't be disappointed. I have only had mine since Tuesday and I love it, hard to put down.

Originally Posted by unashamedgeek

I don't think you need any luck. If you want the pure experience, you won't be disappointed. I have only had mine since Tuesday and I love it, hard to put down.

I am sure you're right. I am selling my T-Mo branded SGSII, getting a price I paid for it. I think I made the right decision.

Thx for your input.

Originally Posted by rizzman

Wow....someone getting 6 megs down on tmo???? I would kill for that. I have not gotten over 2 megs down since i got it two days ago. Popped the sim back into my g2x at home...4 megs. popped it back into gnex home----1.5. What gives.......man I will be pissed if this will not run over two megs in a good coverage tmo are.. Man o man.

I get 4-6Mbps down on T-mobile with 2-3 bars, and i've seen upwards of 10-14Mbps down with full bars. Granted I have a HTC Amaze and not a GNex, but still shouldnt make a difference.

Originally Posted by blacksapphire08

I get 4-6Mbps down on T-mobile with 2-3 bars, and i've seen upwards of 10-14Mbps down with full bars. Granted I have a HTC Amaze and not a GNex, but still shouldnt make a difference.

Except it does make a difference. The Amaze is a 42mbps HSPA+ device, whereas the Galaxy Nexus is only a 21mbps HSPA+ device.

Originally Posted by martonikaj

Except it does make a difference. The Amaze is a 42mbps HSPA+ device, whereas the Galaxy Nexus is only a 21mbps HSPA+ device.

I would say, not really. It doesn't make difference if the network is your limiting factor. With my GNex I was getting 10mb/s down in Garland,TX (near Dallas) this past weekend. *Only* get 6 here in Houston.

Did I see difference? Not really...well OK, web pages did seem to finish loading a second or two faster. Ooooo. :p

Originally Posted by font1975

I would say, not really. It doesn't make difference if the network is your limiting factor. With my GNex I was getting 10mb/s down in Garland,TX (near Dallas) this past weekend. *Only* get 6 here in Houston.

Did I see difference? Not really...well OK, web pages did seem to finish loading a second or two faster. Ooooo. :p

It does make a difference. Especially if you're in a HSPA+ 42Mbps market. The highest I've reached on my Galaxy Nexus is 11Mbps but I average 7-9 Mbps. A HSPA+ 42Mbps device in NYC could get over 20Mbps and could get 15Mbps fairly easy.