Verizon User thinking of switching to GSM (T-Mobile or AT&T)

I work for AT&T as a sales rep in MIAMI. GSM is pretty weak right now compared to CDMA(verizon) or TDMA(AT&T/CINGULAR) so keep that in mind. I have not heard of the t300 coming out for us. There are a couple of phones coming out in Q1 2003 but I don't think the T300 is one of them.

 

If you really need massive coverage, you're better off avoiding *any* GSM service for the near future. AT&T may have great coverage, but that's mostly TDMA/AMPS. Their GSM coverage is tiny in comparison, though growing. This is extra important to keep in mind if you travel a lot (especially by car) or you are in rural areas (away from interstates) often.

 

anonymous - you'll have to do a search of the forums - I just can't type my story anymore, but somewhere you'll find my glowing review of T-Mobile in DC. I've been a customer since Feb. 2000. AT&T GSM coverage is MUCH smaller than T-Mobile. You're confusing that with AT&T TDMA.

I'll try and find my posts tomorrow.....

 

Thanks for the answers. I'm registered now and authored this post as 'anonymous'.

I am well aware that AT&T's widely available and reliable coverage is part of their TDMA network. I was considering their GSM service as a potential "reliable" solution based on the assumption that their GSM rollout over their TDMA footprint would result in equally reliable service. My wife was a former AT&T TDMA customer until I migrated her over to GSM with the intention of swapping providers with her... but the timing a few months ago made it so that I didn't have the national coverage I needed for work. At the same time, I am trying to avoid having the same provider as her so that when we're on the go together, we can count on having a signal with one of our two providers.

From what I've gathered so far, based on other posts on these forums, T-Mobile's GSM service is probably more expansive and reliable than AT&T's service right now. Once again, I was assuming that when AT&T's GSM rollout is complete, that it would dwarf T-Mobile's. I suppose that it's a matter of time.

Is it safe to assume that T-Mobile's plans and financials are sound enough that their coverage and expansion plans would only lead to improved coverage and reliability as their customer base grows? Or are they only a "bit" player in a market dominated by more tenured providers?

Ultimately, I am looking for the following: reliable service (no dropped calls, strong signal where service is available), solid coverage (all major cities and major interstates between them), good service value (affordable plans AND internet connectivity options), and versatile technology (GPRS/1xRT, bluetooth, easily modified ringtones). Verizon meets the first two criteria but fails miserably in the latter two. I see AT&T being a good medium solution but I'm displeased with their GPRS service rates... I mean who really only uses less than 10MB of transfers when using bluetooth with a PDA or laptop? I find any rates above $50 for moderate useage to be exorbitant. T-Mobile seems to offer more of the latter two than the former two.

I suppose playing the waiting game might produce a clearer solution, but I'm tired of not being able to take full advantage of the breadth of wireless solutions at an affordable price.

Further input is greatly appreciated.

-Don

 

specific comments later.

check this link for a general discussion of T-M and AT&T GSM coverage nationwide - update T-Ms number to 210 million: link


here's what I said before:

August 15:

A few comments. I've had VS for 2.5 years. I live in Loudoun - travels btwn Leesburg, Sterling, Ashburn, Dulles, etc. are fine. Never had a problem in Fairfax County either - no matter where I go - Centerville, Reston, Tysons/McLean, Burke, Arlington, Alexandria, etc. I've found signal to be good, dropped calls minimal, and the only times I ever get a system busy are 5pm in Tysons, but a redial fixes that. I also travel to Montgomery county (Silver Spring/Bethesda) for work - no problems there either. I was just at Kentlands Lowe's in Gaithersburg Tuesday - full signal.

As far as the rest of VA - VS (T-Mobile) is currently launching service in the rest of central/SE VA. Here's a map of current service, but the The areas along 29 and 64 to/from Charlottesville and Lynchburg, etc. should come online when the formal launch happens in the next few weeks (T-Mobile confirmed this yesterday). People have confirmed service in those areas, but the towers are "barred" to normal users until they complete testing.

As far as building coverage, both VS and Sprint operate at 1900 MHz, which means the coverage in buildings can be harder to maintain than other carriers. But if the network is built out right, it's not a big issue. I work in Tysons, so lots of towers. My coverage in a 8-story steel and glass office is fine. It also worked in my former building - concrete office building - even in the basement although admittedly then signal was weak. Malls, grocery stores in Sterling/Dulles are OK too....buildings like Lowe's can give problems occassionaly, even though there is a tower nearby. It's due to all the steel I think.
---------------------------------------------------------------

 

1. Can't comment on AT&T GPRS plans but the T-Mobile plans (at least 19.99 Internet plan, not T-Zones) got cut in half - it used to get you 5MB now it's 10.

2. T300 is exclusive to T-Mobile according to their press release on its release, along with the t720i, today.

3. T-Mobile's service can't directly compare to Verizon b/c Verizon has analog and T-M doesn't. T-M's digital coverage might be bigger though.

4. I will get dropped on a bad handoff and a drop occasionally - I know where it will happen and it's b/c the tower I am trying to attach to is only about 30 feet off the ground (it's on a shopping center roof) so its coverage area is limited. But, it's better than before, which was nothing!! OTher than that my service in DC/NoVa is first rate.

5. I think the new maps on the T-M site are pretty good considering what the carriers will tell you. Call clarity does depend on your phone. I've had my s105 for about 10 days now and it's MUCH clearer than my 8290, IMHO, and nothing else changed in the last two weeks - I still commute the same roads, etc.

6. the t68i is close, and so is the s105 - it only lacks bluetooth.

---------on to your 2nd post--------------------------

TM GSM is more robust for sure than AT&T right now. AT&T has a lot of work to do, but they are building fast. It's not the same as their TDMA right now. Money for capital is not a problem for TM. They are expanding and filling in their existing network. They've spent over $2B this year so far I think, will know for sure when the numbers come out on the 14th.

 

I carry both a Verizon and a T-Mobile phone, and travel around the eastern half of the U.S. by automobile. (I recently returned to Florida from a drive to Michigan. A couple of months ago, I drove from Florida to Boston and back.) My main phone is a Motorola T720 with Verizon (has all your 'cool' requirements except Bluetooth.) Verizon's coverage is absolutely the best. T-Mobile's footprint has quite a few holes. T-Mo's GSM coverage, when you include roaming on Cingular in the Carolina's, is very good inside that footprint. T-Mo's big weakness, is not being able to analog roam.
I have been with ATTWS and Sprint in the past. If I had to chose one phone, it would absolutely be with Verizon. I believe that you should wait a year or two before going to GSM. Any time sooner, you will be in places without any service.