Anyone else thinking about breaking up with Verizon?

[anon8126715]

Hoping you guys will weigh in with your opinions regarding my situation. I didn't want to start a new thread, but I may post in the TMO forum later on.

I currently have several lines with VZW Unlimited Data and 1 Basic dumb line. I still have 2 unlimited data lines that I am going to upgrade very soon. My plan is to transfer those upgrades to the basic dumb line and keep unlimited data on both lines.

When I was looking for a basic line to transfer the upgrades to, I was lucky and was able to find someone that had a line with 12 months left and an HTC Droid DNA included. I assumed the line and got the DNA around a month ago, sold it for $200 after fees, and put a basic device on it.

After I am done using these upgrades, I don't have any need for the basic line. It has 12 months left, is currently suspended without billing, and has a $230 ETF. my original plan, was to leave it on the family share plan and pay around $11 after taxes for the next 12 months.
However, John Legere's little stunt may work for me.

I currently have a Kyocera VX414 junk phone on this basic line that I don't want, along with a line and a phone # that I could less about.

I called Tmobile a few hours ago and asked them if they would allow a customer to port a line over to TMO and reimburse ETF, if I wanted to use that line on a tablet plan. She said yes. Of course, I would need to buy the equipment from them...Then, I started thinking.

I already have a Nexus 7 LTE that I am using on VZW, but having another one might not be so bad.

Here is how I am figuring things:
I'll probably need to pay for TMO for around 2 months, before I can get reimbursed for the ETF via a Visa Gift card.
TMO offers 2.5 GB for $30 per month

Nexus 7 LTE +$10 Sim Starter KIT=$400 approx + $60 for 2 months TMO service and $20 for my Kyocera VX414 that I am willingly giving to TMO
=$480 in equipment, service, and lost VZW phone

In return, TMO will give me $230 to pay my VZW ETF

So, my out of pocket is $250 for a brand new Nexus 7 LTE--even if I don't use the TMO service--not bad

Now here are some other things to consider:

I am currently paying for 1 of my VZW lines and have been using it solely in my current Nexus 7 LTE. If someone calls me, it goes to my Google Voice number which rings a prepaid phone. I pay just under $50 per month after taxes for this line.

If TMO actually works reasonably well, I could actually suspend my VZW line without billing and bank around $100 for the 2 months I have TMO service.

In addition, I am actually taking a cruise next month to Mexico. According to TMOs website, I could use my Nexus 7 in Mexico and have no roaming charges. That would save me from paying another $25 to VZW for a 100 MB International data plan.

However, I may still want data coverage while on the cruise ship itself. I could pay TMO the same $25 I was going to give VZW and get a 200 MB International data package good for 7 days.

So, what do you think? Am I missing something?

Also, with a service like Google Voice, the actual carrier phone number is not really important. I would think if someone wanted to, they could port out to TMO and keep the service for a couple months, but call VZW within 14 days of porting out, reactivate the line with a new number and get them to waive the original ETF. However, this may be considered fraud. But, if someone gives TMO their # and their device and agrees to purchase new equipment and service from them, are they also not permitted to go back to their original carrier?

Granted, most people are not going to have service with 2 providers at the same time, but some might.

I'm somewhat in the same boat as you (not the cruise ship). I have a dummy line that I used to upgrade a line that has unlimited data. Verizon threw a "dumb phone" onto my account so I wouldn't have to pay for a smartphone's data plan. My question is would I need to provide a device to TMo to port my number over?

 

[HalizDad]

Tmo is great if you live in the city. If you live somewhere they don't have high speed data, you'd be better off with a 1200 baud modem and a land line.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I live in BF Northern Colorado...T-Mobile is fantastic. Don't listen to yourself. T-Mobile has changed.

 

[dpham00]

I'm somewhat in the same boat as you (not the cruise ship). I have a dummy line that I used to upgrade a line that has unlimited data. Verizon threw a "dumb phone" onto my account so I wouldn't have to pay for a smartphone's data plan. My question is would I need to provide a device to TMo to port my number over?

You would need to provide an "eligible" device as trade in (which they will pay you up to $300) and buy a new device from them to qualify for them paying your etf



Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk Pro

 

[anon8126715]

You would need to provide an "eligible" device as trade in (which they will pay you up to $300) and buy a new device from them to qualify for them paying your etf



Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk Pro

If that's the case, I would probably have to activate an old Touch Pro 2 that I have laying around. Although, I just noticed that my unlimited data line still has the upgrade available so I may transfer my upgrade to my old "dumb phone" to replace a lost device on my mother's account. The only problem I have with that is then my unlimited account would be locked into another 2 years and I don't like the idea of being locked into Verizon for another 2 years.

 

[dpham00]

I live in BF Northern Colorado...T-Mobile is fantastic. Don't listen to yourself. T-Mobile has changed.

Anyone considering switching and worried about network quality should buy a Tmobile prepaid sim(which is sometimes free) and put a few bucks on it. Then try out tmobile for a few days on the $3 daily plan at everywhere where you need service.

A number of Verizon's 4GLTE smartphones are capable of 4GLTE on tmobile.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk Pro

 

[dpham00]

If that's the case, I would probably have to activate an old Touch Pro 2 that I have laying around. Although, I just noticed that my unlimited data line still has the upgrade available so I may transfer my upgrade to my old "dumb phone" to replace a lost device on my mother's account. The only problem I have with that is then my unlimited account would be locked into another 2 years and I don't like the idea of being locked into Verizon for another 2 years.

If you plan on moving to tmobile later, just get the phone, and if you move, tmobile will pay the etf, though you would need a cheap qualifying phone to trade in and buy a new phone on tmobile

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk Pro

 

[anon8126715]

If you plan on moving to tmobile later, just get the phone, and if you move, tmobile will pay the etf, though you would need a cheap qualifying phone to trade in and buy a new phone on tmobile

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk Pro

I'm still not sure if I'd actually need a qualifying phone to switch to Tmo and have them pay my ETF. I think as long as I port a number over, preferably one with data and voice, that I should hopefully meet the requirement. Then again, who knows.

 

[B. Diddy]

I've talked to them. You do need to trade in an old phone, but I'm not sure if it has to be a smartphone, or if it could just be some dumb phone.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[dpham00]

I've talked to them. You do need to trade in an old phone, but I'm not sure if it has to be a smartphone, or if it could just be some dumb phone.

Posted via Android Central App

Call and ask them if the phone qualifies

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk Pro

 

[anon8126715]

I'm probably going to try to upgrade that "dumb phone" line before I decide anything. My mother lost her phone before Christmas, and even though I hate the idea of locking myself back into Verizon for 2 more years, I figure I can get her a replacement. I'm just not fond of what Verizon has to offer right now (another reason I'd like to get out from under Verizon as they always get the new offerings a few weeks after everyone else).

 

[diesteldorf]

Here are some of the terms to the offer from their website:

In order to qualify for this ETF offer, you must be switching from a postpaid plan with AT&T, Sprint or Verizon and port your current numbers to T-Mobile.

You would need to trade-in a working mobile phone or tablet and purchase a new device with T-Mobile on a qualifying postpaid Simple Choice plan (you would not be able to sign up for a T-Mobile prepaid or Simple Choice Family Plan with no credit check).

All lines must be activated in the same T-Mobile market with the same billing address and area code.

It just specified that the phone you trade in, must me working, so I don't think it matters if it is a smartphone or basic phone.

The part I am concerned about is "All lines must be activated in the same T-Mobile market with the same billing address and area code."

My actual billing address doesn't allow any numbers from that city to be ported to Tmobile. I could change my number, on Verizon's website, prior to the port, so that Tmobile would accept it, but it would be from a city that is different from my billing address.

I know some people that use Tmobile in my area and the service is mediocre but I don't think my city is considered an official Tmobile market.

Normally, I wouldn't care, because I can pay my bill online and the actual number doesn't matter to me, but I need to use my actual address, so that when Tmobile sends the Visa Gift Card, I'll receive it.

 

[sulla1965]

I have switched, several times! But I always go back because of the network. T-mobile's network is fair, while Verizon's is excellent. Too often on t-mobile I've been in an area without service and yet on Verizon I had service. Traveling was worse, I always had to check the phone to make sure I had service, something I never have to do really on Verizon. T-mobile may be a bit cheaper, but what good is that if you can't make a call when you need to.

 

[Almeuit]

I have switched, several times! But I always go back because of the network. T-mobile's network is fair, while Verizon's is excellent. Too often on t-mobile I've been in an area without service and yet on Verizon I had service. Traveling was worse, I always had to check the phone to make sure I had service, something I never have to do really on Verizon. T-mobile may be a bit cheaper, but what good is that if you can't make a call when you need to.

I agree but I've traveled from Jacksonville FL to new Jersey and there wasn't one spot where I couldn't make a call. Data I had edge if I wasn't in a main place but edge handled the GPS fine and I downloaded playlists from Google music to the phone before the trip so music wasn't an issue.

I guess if you go out in the boonies or mountains is when you'd be screwed on making a call whereas Verizon would be able to.

Sent from my T-Mobile Note 3 using AC Forums.

 

[sulla1965]

Yeah but even in my home town, there are dead zones with t-mobile, none with Verizon. While not large dead areas. Still annoying when your in one. Of course all areas are different. But generally Verizon has the superior coverage. Otherwise I'd be with t-mobile myself.

 

[B. Diddy]

I won't deny that Verizon generally has the most widespread coverage nationwide. But for some reason, they seem to neglect the Silicon Valley. This is just anecdotal, but there's an area near the Stanford Linear Accelerator that I call The Black Hole, because without fail, my Verizon calls would just die. Found out today that T-Mobile has perfect coverage there. I've also found that T-Mobile is giving me generally better coverage in parts of Sunnyvale and Cupertino that are notorious murky spots for Verizon. So I've been happy so far with the switch.

 

[JnEricsonx]

I get perfect reception/data connection in the freaking full on bottom floor concrete stock room at my job. God yes I'm keeping VZW, Netflix+Unlimited Data=my poor Note 2's battery getting sucked down like a plate of cocaine in front of Tony Montana.