Which Cell Provider is Best Overall?

[ilongbored]

The contracts on my Sprint family plan accounts are expiring soon and I wanted to hear from others what U.S. cell phone carrier people think is overall the best.

Consider:

• 4G Speed/Reliabilty
• 3G Speed/Reliability
• Data Allowances/Price
• General Pricing
• Coverage
• Evilness/Less Evilness

Let's hear it!

 

[myalover]

There isn't a right or wrong answer here.

Anyone that specifically says one is better than another is basing it on their area and their values.

 

[axne1]

In my area Verizon is the best I'm in Wisconsin

Sent using speech to text
Galaxy Nexus.

 

[RigelX]

In South Alabama, Verizon drops a block from my house, and and T-Mobile is still on Edge... So AT&T is pretty much It for me.

Sent from my Inspire using Tapatalk

 

[uh60james]

Totally depends on where you live. For me the following.

4G Speed/Reliabilty VZW
3G Speed/Reliability VZW and Sprint
Data Allowances/Price Sprint
General Pricing Sprint and TMO
Coverage VZW and Sprint (Exactly the same although Sprint may be roaming)
Evilness/Less Evilness Sprint and TMO

 

[ilongbored]

I, myself am a bit torn between all four and below are my thoughts about each of the carriers:

Sprint
I still have unlimited data with Sprint, but I'm moving to the Dallas area and Sprint is a little spotty in coverage there. Sprint 3G speeds are consistent, but I'd like a 4G option that works. For a family plan with 5 smart phones, I haven't found a better deal than Sprint's.

AT&T
AT&T is at the top of my list right now because of their dual "4G" technologies. When you're not in LTE coverage (Dallas is AT&T HQ, so that may not be an issue), there's a good chance you'll be covered by a nice HSPA+ network. AT&T family plan can be cheap if you match your plan to your needs. If I put my mom on a dumb phone, it could actually be cheaper than Sprint, but with a lesser plan. I've heard people have problems with AT&T with dropped calls and the like. Probably my first choice considering the Dallas area (Plano specifically). Being able to switch phones by switching the SIM card in/out is nice, especially because you can use a smartphone without a data plan. AT&T hasn't really had any Nexus devices (unless you count Nexus S at BB or importing Unlocked Galaxy Nexus from Europe), but GSM Nexus devices seem to get updated faster than CDMA ones. I'm still waiting for ICS on my NS4G (although I have been running CM9 for awhile).

Verizon
Definitely the best coverage overall for voice, 3G and 4G. I don't like EVDO 3G speeds or the price of Verizon's plans. I also don't like the battery drain of LTE. When Verizon is VoLTE, I think LTE phones will be a lot better on battery life. Or perhaps they'll figure out how to make the LTE radios more battery friendly.

T-Mobile
I used to have T-Mobile and I was always happy with them. Their HSPA+ network is nice, but with no news of LTE, I'm not sure I'm ready to sign up for 2 years. Their prices are great in general. One hangup is that my wife would prefer to have an iPhone on our next carrier; although she is willing to go back to Android given the right size, quality, and speed. Also, having a SIM card is convenient, especially if you want a smart phone without a data plan. T-Mobile Nexus devices always seem to get updated first, which is definitely a pro for me since I'd like to go Nexus whenever possible.

I definitely see the pros and cons of all four carriers, which is why I wanted to hear everyone else's opinions.

Also, I posted this same thread and reply in all four carriers. Hope I'm not considered a spammer.

 

[ab304945]

Verizon for speed. sprint for pricing ad unlimited data

 

[prolongExistence]

Hmmm, Verizon for speed??

I sit in an office with 2 ppl. I have Sprint, 1 has ATT & 1 has Verizon. We all tether our laptops and I am usually about the same or a little better than ATT data speeds (1.5-2Mbps). We both kill Verizon's speed.