Verizon or AT&T?

[meyerweb#CB]

Since there's no "Which carrier" forum anywhere, I'll ask here. I'm probably going to move from my current carrier because I'm becoming more dissatisfied as time goes on. The other major carrier has poor coverage in my area, and I want something I can rely on when I travel. I know every carrier has some weak areas, but hope to minimize those.

Also concerned with data caps, 4G speeds, flexibility in device choices, and customer service.

What are your thoughts on these two carriers. Bonus points if you've actually used both.

Thanks!

 

[Kelly Kearns]

Don't like either one and I used AT&T. They are nothing but a Verizon Jr. Customer Service isn't high on their to do list.

 

[Mooncatt]

I looked into ATT recently and Verizon was actually the better deal, in addition to better coverage. So I stayed on Verizon.

 

[Almeuit]

You want something reliable when traveling? I'd go with Verizon. Chances are they'll be good wherever you go.

If you want device choice though AT&T is the best. If you are okay with buying phones from other place (like Google with the Nexus 6P) you'd be good. If you have an active SIM and slap it into a device Verizon has to allow it if the phone can connect.

So... Really depends what you do / how you get your phones.

 

[dpham00]

Re: Verizon or AT&T?

I would see who has good coverage where you need it. Even within my office, I get good speeds at my desk but in other areas of my office, speeds can be pretty marginal.

Or inside my house, upstairs tmobile is good but downstairs some parts of my house drop to edge.

On Verizon if you use a lot of data then you might want to consider acquiring an unlimited data line.

Customer service would be a wash overall. Att allows international unlocked devices on their network, but Verizon doesn't.

 

[anon(9714514)]

I like att much much better and the coverage has worked better for me.

It all comes down to your area though. One may be the best choice over the other where you are. In the spots I frequent even tmobile works better than Verizon.

 

[hal1]

Can't speak for AT&T and don't know where you travel , but VZ has great coverage. Throughout Illinois and Arizona I maybe have had 5 dropped calls in 9 years, and have never had a problem where I can get a signal in one part of the house/neighborhood but not another.

You may find people that say they've never had a problem with AT&T, but nationwide, you'll find even those that hate Verizon agree that they have the best coverage.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[cohoman]

I used Verizon through a work account for a number of years and they did seem to have good cell coverage throughout the US. I switched to Sprint for my personal phone about 6 years ago and was really disappointed with the high speed data coverage in the Seattle area. I then switched to AT&T and have been very happy with their LTE coverage and customer service. I never liked Verizon's in-store customer service or on line chat. I've had much better luck with AT&T, where the local store reps have been very helpful and always have some kind of great promotion going when I need it. Also, I've been on business trips and road trips to WA, OR, ID, NV, UT, AZ, and CA with excellent coverage. It was very rare that I had no data or cell coverage while on the road (usually at remote rest stops off the highway).

My suggestion is that you test out AT&T's service for your area and see how well it works for you. I believe you have 14 days to test out a phone and can return it and cancel service with only a $35th restocking fee.

 

[Thinair1911]

Big red gives good coverage BUT do not buy Verizon branded phone. Their software is the bottom of the heap.

GS5,V 4.4.4 on Android Central App

 

[freakyhair]

Assuming you work/go to school, have you spoken to others about their experiences?

I have Verizon, my wife uses AT&T. When driving across the country, especially in rural areas, Verizon is the winner hands down. In the city, it's close.

At my office (the basement of a decent sized building), my Verizon voice connection blows, but co-worker's AT&T rocks. (My data connection is decent enough).

As other's have said, AT&T's phone choices seem better. I've read a few places, you may be best off buying an unlocked phone and trying both yourself. Most newer Verizon phones will work on AT&T (verify for yourself first). Not all AT&T phones may work on Verizon.