We have been with Verizon since 1998. Then it was GTE. In the last 2 months my wife and I have been looking at all of our expenses and are cutting back on everything. We have not been disappointed in Verizon, but if we could get the same service for much less money that would be great.:help:
"Who's the best" is difficult to answer. What's best for you may not be the best for anyone else. First, check out all the carriers available to you in Tyler. You have the big 4, but are any of the smaller carriers, like MetroPCS or Cricket available in your area? They're a cheaper option (but they have their limitations). What about prepaid carriers like Virgin and Boost? There are so many options out there, it's hard to give you a specific answer as you need to decide what fits within your budget. If you can provide more specific details as to what you want and need, we could provide more detailed information.
We have 4 lines. 2 BlackBerry’s with Internet service. 1 LG nv2 also with internet service. We all have unlimited texting. We also have another line that was at on time was Verizon wireless internet but it got to be too expensive for us so we converted it to a phone we don't use any more until our contract runs out.
MetroPCS seems to be available in you area, but their coverage area is not as strong as the big 4 carriers. Also, they are able to flash phones to work on their network (Verizon and Sprint phones, specifically), but not Blackberry's. You may want to check out Sprint or T-Mobile, as they may have cheaper Internet/Messaging plans that would work within your budget. AT&T and Verizon are both pretty equal with rate plans and charges. If you switch to any other carrier, you'll have the expense of purchasing (subsidized) new phones AND being under another two year contract. Your only other option is prepaid, but you'll be paying full price for decent or better phones, so sometimes the cost savings isn't what it appears to be on the surface.
One way to cut your phone expenses is if you don't need the blackberries then when your contracts are close to up switch to regular phones and remove the additional fee for the blackberry & if you don't need the internet then remove that feature. Not sure also which minute plan your on & if you can possibly go to a lower minute plan, As Mobile Mike said you have options & going to another carrier would put you into a contract, Look at Sprint they have the unlimited share plans if you need the internet etc... that maybe cheaper then what your paying now (remember to included taxes & other fees the carriers charge when figuring out which would be cheaper, alot forget about these fees)
In looking at other carriers, take note of places you go to often, any travel plans you may have, etc. For example, MetroPCS might be fine in the city or suburbs, but if grandma lives out in the country you might have problems. Definitely look into how much data and texting your family is acutally doing. I've recently analyzed my bill and realized my wife and I rarely send 200 messages combined, so I can save money by removing unlimited and pay less for a fixed number. Check with friends, family, and coworkers about their providers/coverage, especially those you call frequently. If they're mostly on Verizon, you'll have to take that into account when switching carriers since you'd lose unlimited mobile to mobile with them. On the other hand, if they're mostly with another carrier, you might be able to reduce your number of minutes, as well. Another thing to think about in terms of "the best", is do you really need "the best", or is "good enough" sufficient if it saves you money? Does coverage in the middle of the woods matter, if you're never going camping? In other words, concentrate on your real needs in wireless service and budget accordingly.
Before, I run away from this fan-boy war just waiting to happen, I would suggest you look for a map that shows who has the best coverage in your area. Then, simply just ask friends and family in the area for their advice and what they're paying for. There's really no definite answer since each carrier has its pros and cons, depending on its area.
Lots of good info here already. The most important thing is to determine your actual usage before switching. I was with Sprint for many years before Verizon for many years then Boost for awhile and now Metro PCS. I'm only paying $40/Mo. for unlimited voice, text, and internet. We never travel outside the coverage area and like having no contract so it works well for us. Here's what you can expect from Metro PCS... Not trying to be a "fanboy" just giving my personal experience.
