Sprint - Should I stay or should I go?

[Scotlac]

Hi guys,

I've been with Sprint for the last 4 years and have been happy with them for the most part. I recently had some bad customer service experiences regarding my Evo LTE (totally unrelated to the delay) which I have since returned. Couple that with the abysmal DL speeds that I've been getting and I'm seriously thinking about jumping ship to AT&T.

I'm in San Antonio so I will be part of the first round of LTE rollouts. I asked this question in the AT&T forum and I'm pretty sure you can guess what the answer was there.

I thought I'd ask over here for anyone who has been on both carriers to give their input.

The pros for each network as I see them:

Sprint

- Unlimited data
- Less expensive
- Better selection of phones
- Potentially able to compete with data speeds once Network Vision is implemented

AT&T

- Much faster data network
- Fallback to HSPA+ network (rather than 3G) when LTE is unavailable
- Better customer service (at least from what I've experienced recently)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Scotlac]

I posted this earlier today. Just bumping it once for primetime.

 

[kronium]

Stay. I've had many good experiences with Sprint. Their network will hopefully be the best in the next year or two, they consistently release bleeding edge phones, and are the most google/hacker friendly network.

 

[brewzer]

I'm leaving on 7/1 when my AT&T store gets their S3 shipment. The abysmal data speeds are too frustrating to continue with them. Also, when I bought my EVO 4G 18 months ago I was told there would be 4G service in Spokane within 3 months. Well, I'm still waiting for that 4G service which will never happen now. Meanwhile they continue to cllect $10 a month from me for this service that I will never get. I was also upset that they would rather let me pay a $60 ETF than allow me to upgrade early for $45. What kind of sense does that make? Do they think I won't leave for $15? They're wrong if so!

In their defense if I was in a market slated to be one of the first to get LTE I would probably stay. That's not the case however so I'm gone. Good luck to you which choice you make.

 

[Scotlac]

Stay. I've had many good experiences with Sprint. Their network will hopefully be the best in the next year or two, they consistently release bleeding edge phones, and are the most google/hacker friendly network.

That's a good point that hadn't occurred to me since I never rooted a phone prior to moving to Sprint. Do AT&T and VZW have a policy where they won't work on rooted phones?

In their defense if I was in a market slated to be one of the first to get LTE I would probably stay. That's not the case however so I'm gone. Good luck to you which choice you make.

My concern is how long will that take and will it be a more functional network than WiMax was......

They said San Antonio was supposed to come online by the end of June, so we're getting pretty close and still no sign of LTE.

 

[Crispy]

Sprint has historically been the most friendly network with the best Android phones. Having said that, the GSIII changes the equation - its now the same phone everywhere, and it has already been rooted.

I'm also in a first round market fro Sprint, and I don't really trust them, having gone through the same thing with my Evo 4G as well. IMO the only reason to stay with Sprint is if you really value unlimited data. But it's not much use if you have terrible speeds

 

[jk175d]

I've been with Sprint more that 10 years. I have never used 4g, mostly use wi-fi. and when I'm on the road I don't need super fast data I guess. things like pandora and maps load plenty fast.

Their retention dept is pretty good, that might be a reason to stay. Most people I know who have been with Sprint for a few years have added free minutes, 20-25% discounts on their monthly bill, free airrave, etc... Just call them, tell them you're unhappy and thinking about switching and see what they'll do for you.

 

[elfuego]

Since you're in an initial LTE city, stay. As long as the prices stay where they are and you have unlimited data, it doesn't make a lot of sense to leave. If you were in a non LTE city, I would say leave. The 3G DL speeds right now are just unacceptable. It's a complete embarrassment and I think they will loose a LOT of customers over this one. I'm staying b/c I'm in Atlanta, so LTE around the corner.

 

[LoveMyPhone]

I live in a 3G network only area. Small town USA, that won't get LTE for quite a while. Had pretty slow 3G speed on my Galaxy S II, although, I wasn't having some of the GPS issues that others were reporting. But, the new GS III changed all that! The 3G speeds on this phone are SO much faster!!! It really has surprised me!
Try the GS III with Sprint before you leave, if the unlimited data is important to you.