WirelessAdvisor.com

Trojan · 09-25-2003, 10:58 PM

I was wondering what the reason for everybody switching to T-Mobile is. I teach at a University and 14 out of my 22 students just switched to T-Mobile in the beginning of the semester, after years with ATT TDMA, Sprint. I am aware of the fact T-Mob offers fantastic plans but is their coverage really superior to that of Verizon. I am a big fan of GSM phones but went to Verizon primarilly for their reliability but perhaps if T-Mob has developed so well, I should sign with them.
Any thoughts.

larry · 09-26-2003, 1:36 AM

The younger crowd (especially high school and college age) always go for GSM (Cingular & T-Mobile) here in CA. I don't know what it is that draws them to it. Maybe the 'cool' phones and the cheap plans.

TNDan21 · 09-26-2003, 2:32 AM

I've noticed in my area that many younger people also have Cingular Wireless. I think it's the phones and rate plans. I will admit I even find Cingular Wireless attractive myself.

TProphet · 09-26-2003, 4:09 AM

Verizon is just too expensive if you use a lot of minutes, even though their coverage is good. My company just designated T-Mobile as a "preferred" carrier, along with Verizon Wireless. I've been negotiating with their sales rep to switch from Verizon, and here's how the deal is shaping up:

- Free Nokia 6610
- Waived activation fee
- 1000 peak, unlimited off-peak and weekends
- No roaming charges for any GSM network nationwide
- $39.99/mo before 5% discount.

I asked Verizon whether they could come anywhere close, and they just laughed at me. Granted, T-Mobile doesn't have great coverage; GSM is pretty lousy in the Seattle area, actually. However, for the price, not to mention the cool phone, I can probably live with the coverage limitations. I'm planning, at least initially, to maintain service with Verizon and carry that phone along with me, so I can compare coverage to the AC plan I'm currently on.

TKR · 09-26-2003, 8:06 AM

maybe Starbucks hot zones? That is where they students like to hang, no?

Tony E! · 09-26-2003, 1:25 PM

definitely cheaper plans, but Verizon has the $39.99 for 1000 minutes now, could T-Mobile's
pricing plans have anything to do with that?

calbee · 09-26-2003, 4:11 PM

After seven years with AT&T, I switched to T-Mobile right when they started service in CA. I am not exactly a teenager and it's been a few years since my graduation from college.
I find T-Mobile service equally as good as what I had with AT&T -if not better. I find TM's GSM sound quality superior to AT&T's TDMA. In addition to reasonable rate plans, I find TM customer service reps to be more service oriented and pleasant than the arrogant AT&T reps. Hence the reason for my switch!

tangobythebay · 09-26-2003, 4:55 PM

Calbee, what part of California are you? Thanks

ultramookie · 09-26-2003, 10:44 PM

Dunno about those other people, but I use Verizon for work and though the coverage is good: It is not really worth it for me on my personal cell because I don't travel with my personal cell. I switch my personal cell from SprintPCS to T-Mobile because I like the option of being able to move between phones and because the rates are awesome.

TProphet · 09-27-2003, 7:03 AM

The Verizon 1000 minute plans are an apples-to-oranges comparison...

T-Mobile: 1000 peak, unlimited off-peak, unlimited weekends, free nationwide roaming, free long distance.
Verizon: 1000 minutes total, local plan only, long distance extra.

TNDan21 · 09-27-2003, 10:04 AM

At least you have that local plan avaible in your area. Verizon's $40 a month plan here in Eastern TN is pretty crappy.

Local DigitalChoice 500:
$40 A Month
500 Anytime
1,000 Anytime Mobile To Mobile
Unlimited Nights & Weekends
Long Distance is NOT Included and is 20 cents a minute.

Danthrin44 · 09-28-2003, 12:06 AM

t-mobile always sells to the the kids..

they are at more concerts and 'young' areas..

TProphet · 09-28-2003, 5:27 AM

I'm not exactly a kid. However, I can't even buy a comparable Verizon plan at anywhere near the same price point. I plan to keep the Verizon handset around for awhile until I'm satisfied that T-Mobile coverage really does meet my needs. That said, they have much better geographic coverage here in the Pacific Northwest than Sprint (of course, so does AT&T and it doesn't matter because their network is awful), and I rarely strayed outside of Sprint coverage, so I expect that I'll probably find it adequate.

Jerboy · 09-28-2003, 4:40 PM

Not sure about your area, but here in Portland Metro area, T-Mobile's coverage pattern is like Swiss cheese.

T-Mobile seems to be quite problamatic in Beaverton.

Tony E! · 09-28-2003, 5:16 PM

Originaly posted by Trojan:T-Mob offers fantastic plans but is their coverage really superior to that of Verizon.

Not here in Southern Calif.. T-mobile has got a long way before they catch up to Verizon, and even Sprint (at the rate they're going) in order for T-Mobile's coverage to be superior to Verizon and Sprint.

Jerboy · 09-28-2003, 6:41 PM

Do you have more statistics to back your side?

14 out of 22 of _your class_ could just be because of something someone said causing people in class to switch over. It's hardly enough demographic to say "everyone" or "mass migration".

Airb330 · 09-28-2003, 7:34 PM

I really don't find Verizon's plans too bad if you would use the mobile to mobile. T-Mobile sucks in Delaware so I'd never consider them. However, I am getting tired of Verizon's rather bad service of late, and am looking into Sprint....if the plans get better.

larry · 09-28-2003, 8:07 PM

Sprint should have some better holiday plans coming out by November.

mescpa · 09-29-2003, 11:02 AM

About a year ago I switched five phones in my house from Cingular to Sprint. (As you know, Cingular and T-Mobile share the same network here in So-Cal)

My kids originally hated switching. The SMS text messaging on Cingular/T-Mobile is really quite elegant. Sprint's Short-Mail is rather klunky in comparison.

Also the Cingular/T-Mobile phones have more ringers available (Sprint is really catching up here.)

Cingular/T-Mobile Nokia phones also have tons of aftermarket goodies such as cutsie phone covers, cutsie lights, cutsie etc.

So the High School crowd loves the cutsie phones, but frankly the coverage is not anywhere as good as I have experienced with Sprint here in So Cal. With Cingular, I had dropped calls on the FREEWAY... Inexcusable. (I was using a Nokia 3395)

I wound up springing for a Sanyo 8100 (Dark Blue/Gold) for my HS son and a lavender 8100 for one of my college coed daughters. With the cameras and other cool Vision features, they are both the envy of their campuses. (That daughter was a staunch Nokia fan and now loves her Sanyo)

I would not be surprised to see Sprint and other competitors run over Cingular/T-Mobile with the youth market over time.

Just my thoughts,

--Mark

shimo · 09-29-2003, 11:44 AM

Cingular and T-Mobile target the younger crowd IMHO. Their ads and their company image make it look hip and cool to have a GSM phone. Their plans are cheaper and the phones are hipper. To bad they are crappy Nokia phones and to bad their coverage is horrible.

Tony E! · 09-29-2003, 11:55 AM

so there Trojan, as you can read on some of these post, you get what you pay for with T-mobile[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

TProphet · 09-30-2003, 2:57 AM

You can roam for free on Sprint if you have a Verizon handset. If you want to try out their coverage, I suggest getting a Sprint handset from somewhere that will let you return it. Then program your Verizon NAM into it (the programming instructions will be on the manufacturer's Web page), set the handset to "PCS Only," and call 1-866-ESN-CHNG. Tell them you lost your phone and need to perform an ESN change temporarily, and the temporary handset is already programmed. They'll ask you for the ESN, will plug it in, and voila! You'll be ready to go. Just bear in mind that no data services (such as Web browsing or SMS) will work, nor will voicemail notification.

Quote:

Originally posted by: Airb330
I really don't find Verizon's plans too bad if you would use the mobile to mobile. T-Mobile sucks in Delaware so I'd never consider them. However, I am getting tired of Verizon's rather bad service of late, and am looking into Sprint....if the plans get better.

calbee · 09-30-2003, 2:27 PM

Hi tangobythebay -I live in Los Angeles!
Sorry for the delay but I was out of the country.

tangobythebay · 09-30-2003, 8:03 PM

Hey Calbee,

No problem and thanks for your response. I suspect AT&T may be a bit better in S.F. area than L.A. area. When I had AT&T and traveled to L.A., I had more problems than in the S.F. Bay Area.

09-25-2003, 10:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Trojan Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hampton Cove Posts: 79 Phone(s): LG VX 9100 enV2 Provider(s): Verizon Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration I was wondering what the reason for everybody switching to T-Mobile is. I teach at a University and 14 out of my 22 students just switched to T-Mobile in the beginning of the semester, after years with ATT TDMA, Sprint. I am aware of the fact T-Mob offers fantastic plans but is their coverage really superior to that of Verizon. I am a big fan of GSM phones but went to Verizon primarilly for their reliability but perhaps if T-Mob has developed so well, I should sign with them. Any thoughts.

09-26-2003, 1:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
larry Go Angels! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 12,949 Phone(s): LG Rumor Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 17 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts Images: 146 My Auctions	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration The younger crowd (especially high school and college age) always go for GSM (Cingular & T-Mobile) here in CA. I don't know what it is that draws them to it. Maybe the 'cool' phones and the cheap plans.

09-26-2003, 2:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
TNDan21 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kingsport, TN Posts: 5,964 Phone(s): LG enV2, Samsung t219 Provider(s): Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile Devices: iPod Nano Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration I've noticed in my area that many younger people also have Cingular Wireless. I think it's the phones and rate plans. I will admit I even find Cingular Wireless attractive myself.

09-26-2003, 4:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
TProphet I am a mobile phone Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 576 Phone(s): Sanyo 7200, Nokia 6010, Nokia 6015i Provider(s): Sprint, Cingular, Virgin Mobile Canada Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration Verizon is just too expensive if you use a lot of minutes, even though their coverage is good. My company just designated T-Mobile as a "preferred" carrier, along with Verizon Wireless. I've been negotiating with their sales rep to switch from Verizon, and here's how the deal is shaping up: - Free Nokia 6610 - Waived activation fee - 1000 peak, unlimited off-peak and weekends - No roaming charges for any GSM network nationwide - $39.99/mo before 5% discount. I asked Verizon whether they could come anywhere close, and they just laughed at me. Granted, T-Mobile doesn't have great coverage; GSM is pretty lousy in the Seattle area, actually. However, for the price, not to mention the cool phone, I can probably live with the coverage limitations. I'm planning, at least initially, to maintain service with Verizon and carry that phone along with me, so I can compare coverage to the AC plan I'm currently on.

09-26-2003, 8:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
TKR Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 445 Provider(s): AT&T Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration maybe Starbucks hot zones? That is where they students like to hang, no?

09-26-2003, 1:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tony E! \/\/ireless /\dvisor Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: City of /\ngels CA. Posts: 9,860 Phone(s): KR/\ZR K1·/\/\OTO i880 Provider(s): ·T···Mobile·Sprint/Nextel Devices: ·Samy\/\/ep200·/\/\otoH12 Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts Images: 19 My Auctions	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration definitely cheaper plans, but Verizon has the $39.99 for 1000 minutes now, could T-Mobile's pricing plans have anything to do with that? __________________ (oOO \ (\|\|\|\|)(\|\|\|\|) / OOo) ...............BMW

09-26-2003, 4:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
calbee Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Glendale, CA Posts: 79 Phone(s): Motorola T-720 Provider(s): Cingular Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration After seven years with AT&T, I switched to T-Mobile right when they started service in CA. I am not exactly a teenager and it's been a few years since my graduation from college. I find T-Mobile service equally as good as what I had with AT&T -if not better. I find TM's GSM sound quality superior to AT&T's TDMA. In addition to reasonable rate plans, I find TM customer service reps to be more service oriented and pleasant than the arrogant AT&T reps. Hence the reason for my switch!

09-26-2003, 4:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
tangobythebay Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration Calbee, what part of California are you? Thanks

09-26-2003, 10:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
ultramookie Fresh Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration Dunno about those other people, but I use Verizon for work and though the coverage is good: It is not really worth it for me on my personal cell because I don't travel with my personal cell. I switch my personal cell from SprintPCS to T-Mobile because I like the option of being able to move between phones and because the rates are awesome.

09-27-2003, 7:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
TProphet I am a mobile phone Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 576 Phone(s): Sanyo 7200, Nokia 6010, Nokia 6015i Provider(s): Sprint, Cingular, Virgin Mobile Canada Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration The Verizon 1000 minute plans are an apples-to-oranges comparison... T-Mobile: 1000 peak, unlimited off-peak, unlimited weekends, free nationwide roaming, free long distance. Verizon: 1000 minutes total, local plan only, long distance extra.

09-27-2003, 10:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
TNDan21 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kingsport, TN Posts: 5,964 Phone(s): LG enV2, Samsung t219 Provider(s): Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile Devices: iPod Nano Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration At least you have that local plan avaible in your area. Verizon's $40 a month plan here in Eastern TN is pretty crappy. Local DigitalChoice 500: $40 A Month 500 Anytime 1,000 Anytime Mobile To Mobile Unlimited Nights & Weekends Long Distance is NOT Included and is 20 cents a minute.

09-28-2003, 12:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
Danthrin44 Fresh Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration t-mobile always sells to the the kids.. they are at more concerts and 'young' areas..

09-28-2003, 5:27 AM	#13 (permalink)
TProphet I am a mobile phone Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 576 Phone(s): Sanyo 7200, Nokia 6010, Nokia 6015i Provider(s): Sprint, Cingular, Virgin Mobile Canada Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration I'm not exactly a kid. However, I can't even buy a comparable Verizon plan at anywhere near the same price point. I plan to keep the Verizon handset around for awhile until I'm satisfied that T-Mobile coverage really does meet my needs. That said, they have much better geographic coverage here in the Pacific Northwest than Sprint (of course, so does AT&T and it doesn't matter because their network is awful), and I rarely strayed outside of Sprint coverage, so I expect that I'll probably find it adequate.

09-28-2003, 4:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jerboy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 139 Phone(s): Motorola v120c Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration Not sure about your area, but here in Portland Metro area, T-Mobile's coverage pattern is like Swiss cheese. T-Mobile seems to be quite problamatic in Beaverton.

09-28-2003, 5:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
Tony E! \/\/ireless /\dvisor Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: City of /\ngels CA. Posts: 9,860 Phone(s): KR/\ZR K1·/\/\OTO i880 Provider(s): ·T···Mobile·Sprint/Nextel Devices: ·Samy\/\/ep200·/\/\otoH12 Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts Images: 19 My Auctions	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration Originaly posted by Trojan:T-Mob offers fantastic plans but is their coverage really superior to that of Verizon. Not here in Southern Calif.. T-mobile has got a long way before they catch up to Verizon, and even Sprint (at the rate they're going) in order for T-Mobile's coverage to be superior to Verizon and Sprint. __________________ (oOO \ (\|\|\|\|)(\|\|\|\|) / OOo) ...............BMW

09-28-2003, 6:41 PM	#16 (permalink)
Jerboy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 139 Phone(s): Motorola v120c Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration Do you have more statistics to back your side? 14 out of 22 of _your class_ could just be because of something someone said causing people in class to switch over. It's hardly enough demographic to say "everyone" or "mass migration".

09-28-2003, 7:34 PM	#17 (permalink)
Airb330 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 3,525 Phone(s): iPhone, Pantech EVDO Provider(s): at&t/Sprint for datacard Devices: iPod Nano (Black), XM Radio Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Images: 3	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration I really don't find Verizon's plans too bad if you would use the mobile to mobile. T-Mobile sucks in Delaware so I'd never consider them. However, I am getting tired of Verizon's rather bad service of late, and am looking into Sprint....if the plans get better.

09-28-2003, 8:07 PM	#18 (permalink)
larry Go Angels! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 12,949 Phone(s): LG Rumor Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 17 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts Images: 146 My Auctions	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration Sprint should have some better holiday plans coming out by November.

09-29-2003, 11:02 AM	#19 (permalink)
mescpa Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Walnut, CA Posts: 55 Phone(s): BlackBerry 8230, Black Cherry Chocolate Provider(s): T-Mobile, Verizon Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration About a year ago I switched five phones in my house from Cingular to Sprint. (As you know, Cingular and T-Mobile share the same network here in So-Cal) My kids originally hated switching. The SMS text messaging on Cingular/T-Mobile is really quite elegant. Sprint's Short-Mail is rather klunky in comparison. Also the Cingular/T-Mobile phones have more ringers available (Sprint is really catching up here.) Cingular/T-Mobile Nokia phones also have tons of aftermarket goodies such as cutsie phone covers, cutsie lights, cutsie etc. So the High School crowd loves the cutsie phones, but frankly the coverage is not anywhere as good as I have experienced with Sprint here in So Cal. With Cingular, I had dropped calls on the FREEWAY... Inexcusable. (I was using a Nokia 3395) I wound up springing for a Sanyo 8100 (Dark Blue/Gold) for my HS son and a lavender 8100 for one of my college coed daughters. With the cameras and other cool Vision features, they are both the envy of their campuses. (That daughter was a staunch Nokia fan and now loves her Sanyo) I would not be surprised to see Sprint and other competitors run over Cingular/T-Mobile with the youth market over time. Just my thoughts, --Mark

09-29-2003, 11:44 AM	#20 (permalink)
shimo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 204 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration Cingular and T-Mobile target the younger crowd IMHO. Their ads and their company image make it look hip and cool to have a GSM phone. Their plans are cheaper and the phones are hipper. To bad they are crappy Nokia phones and to bad their coverage is horrible.

09-29-2003, 11:55 AM	#21 (permalink)
Tony E! \/\/ireless /\dvisor Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: City of /\ngels CA. Posts: 9,860 Phone(s): KR/\ZR K1·/\/\OTO i880 Provider(s): ·T···Mobile·Sprint/Nextel Devices: ·Samy\/\/ep200·/\/\otoH12 Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts Images: 19 My Auctions	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration so there Trojan, as you can read on some of these post, you get what you pay for with T-mobile[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] __________________ (oOO \ (\|\|\|\|)(\|\|\|\|) / OOo) ...............BMW

09-30-2003, 2:27 PM	#23 (permalink)
calbee Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Glendale, CA Posts: 79 Phone(s): Motorola T-720 Provider(s): Cingular Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration Hi tangobythebay -I live in Los Angeles! Sorry for the delay but I was out of the country.

09-30-2003, 8:03 PM	#24 (permalink)
tangobythebay Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everybody switching to T-Mobile.What has led to this mass migration Hey Calbee, No problem and thanks for your response. I suspect AT&T may be a bit better in S.F. area than L.A. area. When I had AT&T and traveled to L.A., I had more problems than in the S.F. Bay Area.

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