From pre- to post-paid...

[strredwolf]

On one of the down-times in programming, I checked into post-paid phone plans and WWAN cards at the suggestion of Bookworm.

I tossed Sprint without even looking at their site.  I've heard too many complaints, both when I did a short stint at a wireless kiosk and at work.  Plus, they recently were borged by Nextel and they're still having problems getting their act together -- so much the Consumerist was able to get them to set up a special hotline.  The third strike is that they're CDMA, which doesn't fly if I go to Canada or overseas.  They're out.

Verizon is also out, because they too are CDMA (although they're switching because their wireless part-owner, Vodaphone, is GSM and they also want to go with 4G LTE).  The same with Alltel, and there's no word on them lasting.

Which leaves the GSM providers, T-Mobile (Deutche Telecomm) and AT&T... unfortunately, T-Mobile's coverage map is spotty, and there's no word on them having 3G service AT ALL.

So it's AT&T.  At least I'm in an area with 3G data coverage.  Guess I'm looking at a phone/datacard combo purchase.

Comments

[felixnminerva.livejournal.com]

Spiffy! I've got AT&T. They have special international rates if you're calling another AT&T person.

[kusanagi-sama.livejournal.com]

My brother got him an AT&T Go Phone. The plans are $0.25/minute, and something like $0.04/KB. The other plan is $0.10/minute and $1.00 a day. AT&T signal here is excellent, better than Sprint, which I currently use - since 2001. I haven't had much problems with them, except the generally low signal in rural areas. I'm planning on going to AT&T after my contract is up in August 2009.

[wynnefox.livejournal.com]

Alright, first I am going to say that that I work for Verizon for the past 5 years and have been doing sales for them for the past year (I also have done internet, employee phone program, esculations, and sales support... I have experence :D ). Second, if your looking for GSM service, Verizon sells the Motorola RIZR Z6C world edition which is CDMA/GSM and the Blackberry 8830 which is also a world edition. These phones are avalible in any of the stores and are quality phones. (look them up on www.phonescoop.com) third, if your traveling overseas alot and don't want to pay roaming fees on Vodaphone's network, there is instructions in the box of our SIM card on how to contact our global support team and they will tell you how to unlock your phone's GSM capabilities to use other company's SIM cards in them. This way if you spend a good stint in germany you can get a prepaid SIM to use there. Or where ever else. Third and finaly, look at sources such as Consumer Reports or JD Power and look whos top and who's at the bottom here in the states, which I assume you spend most of your time at right? That there should tell you who provides the best service. Not to mention Verizon gives you the 30 day test drive if things end up not working out and has some of the most relaxed ETFs in the industry.