From the article: Two Reasons to Switch to the Verizon iPhone--And Five to Stay with AT&T
Fans of the iPhone have been waiting for years for it to debut on the Verizon network. Some people prefer Verizon, others just hate AT&T. Now that the Verizon iPhone is here, if you've switched or plan to switch, tell us your reasons. Share Your Reasons
Scared to switch from US CELLULAR
- After reading all the horror stories here, I am afraid to death to switch from US Cellular. I love their service and their plans, but I really want an iPhone now after all the hype.
- —Guest Paul
Go to Walmart!
- We own 2 iPhones. The newest iPhone 5 is AT&T, chosen because it is GSM. We live in Mexico, and in two years we will be able to go with local Telmex. In the meantime, we stay in Airplane mode and use the Magic Jack app to make our needed calls to the States. We have a cheap local phone (very cheap!) for local calls. We eat the $90 minimum AT&T charge monthly ... (not being in the U.S., it doesn't do us any good ...only on our few trips to the U.S.). Our other phone is an older Verizon iPhone 4. It, too, can make Magic Jack calls from Wi-Fi spots here in Puerto Peñasco. But, because it is CDMA, there can be no conversion to Telmex. If I were to do it all over again, I would buy a Walmart CDMA phone full price on a credit card. It is FAR cheaper than any major phone company plan in the long run. And I could switch cards in Mexico later. Just sayin'.
- —radanda
Failed to mention data speeds
- This article is a couple years old, but I was surprised it failed to mention 3G data speeds. AT&T (and T-Mobile) use GSM, which offers '3G' speeds in the 3-7 Mbps range. With an iPhone 4S, it gets even better and you can do twice that. Verizon and Sprint's 3G networks are based on CDMA, and have a max speed of only 2.5 Mbps, so it's a pretty significant decrease. Of course coverage and load will influence performance, but generally speaking, AT&T is faster when it comes to 3G. Now, if we're talking about LTE networks, the tables turn and Verizon's network is clearly larger and faster than AT&T's. I've seen Verizon iPhone users getting 45 Mbps, which is amazing. AT&T's LTE network is smaller and tends to be 10-25 Mbps, even with a perfect signal.
- —greenlakejohnny
Very Confusing Choice
- I've had AT&T, and I have Verizon. There are a lot of admirable qualities to both carriers. Honestly, I think both's customer service have their pitfalls, but I do have to say that I have almost always experienced far longer hold times with AT&T. I like AT&T 3G, but I live in an area with Verizon 4G now. And, I even get Verizon 4G on the majority of my long road trips, when I would normally have no AT&T coverage at all. My plan with AT&T was a little cheaper, but I'd still choose Verizon if asked to choose. But then again, this is my experience, and others' may differ.
- —Guest JK
iPhone 5
- I think if T-Mobile would not offer iPhone 5, it would hurt them in the long run. I really like their services and have been with them for over 11 years and still waiting patiently for the iPhone 5. I will definitely be switching to AT&T by 2014 for sure if T-Mobile don't have the iPhone 5 by then.
- —Guest Kantivut Charoenwong
Staying w/AT&T
- There are two reasons I'm sticking with the evil empire, though I'd certainly switch if I could find a better option. First, I need the ability to search and to map while I'm talking on the phone with clients, a very important feature for me. And 2nd, my current plan will stay in place. Regarding Verizon customer service, I've never used their wireless CS, but during my landline days, I switched to them twice because of pricing deals and then, because of their horrendous CS, I ran screaming back to AT&T, which at the time had excellent service. Whether the good service has carried over to their wireless department I don't know as I personally have not needed/experienced it and though I've heard the myriad complaints. I'll take my chances. Looking forward to switching up from my 3GS!
- —carolyn917
Trapped with AT&T
- Well not really. It just costs to switch. But we have been with AT&T since Cingular and when buying new stuff from AT&T they are awesome, but if you need to return something, that's where it gets tricky. Unclear return policies (be aware when you purchase anything...ask). After years with AT&T (and the latest conflict and not being able to talk to my local store manager because "all managers are on vacation"), I am ready to at least try another provider (logically Verizon, I think). When will these big companies start treating existing customers like new ones. I agree with someone above that I would like to stick with one company, but they don't make it easy!!!
- —Guest Bob
AT&T loses customers at "service"
- Customer disservice is more like it. Although Verizon is not the greatest when it comes to service, they are miles ahead of AT&T in that department. Cannot get a straight answer...get placed on hold for over 2 hours and charged overages on minutes...a huge runaround without resolving anything most of the time. Hidden practices regarding slowing down data that are now coming to light, and not responding to your call as they rank customers based on the number of times you have called with an issue. So if you have had questions or several calls to them, you are lower on the list and get treated like dirt.
- —Guest Ceba
Limited bandwidth on top 5 percent!?
- AT&T has limited my bandwidth for being in the top 5 percent of data users. I have the unlimited data plan and the reason I signed up with AT&T was because they were the first company to offer the iPhone many years ago. I pay $120/month for unlimited data and texting. This is how you treat your loyal clients? After my contract expires, I'm signing on with Verizon or Sprint solely based on principle! Not to mention, the phone service is nothing to write home about.
- —Guest jay
talk/data
- While Sprint does not advertise for it, their phones do allow surfing while talking. And I have used this feature for years. [This is possible for a phone connected to Wi-Fi, but not for an iPhone using 3G or both due to the limitations of the CDMA network standard. - Sam]
- —Guest jay
Does it REALLY matter?
- I had my share of all of the carriers; each have their quirks. Verizon has better reception in populated places i.e.; Boston, LA, NYC, etc. AT&T has a better span of their 3G service but however there are more people using there services all at once so it gets spotty. All of the carriers offer great packages for all sorts, they all range in nearly the same prices. To be honest, I'd rather stick to one company in the long run--it'll benefit you more. Plus, I hate the way Verizon handles upgrades. If they allowed people to make early updates then I'd reconsider. Yes, I probably sound biased towards Verizon but I dislike cellular carrier companies in general. It's stupid to spark wars over them, not to mention phones.
- —Guest Tipping
AT&T over VZ
- The AT&T version is equipped to make calls when you are overseas. I don't believe the VZ one can do that.
- —abhoneymoons
Verizon over AT&T
- I originally wanted to get the iPhone for Verizon simply because of its unlimited data. But at the time I was told it was only being sold to existing customers! So I went with AT&T seeing as my current phone at the time was almost out of its contract. The service was great! I had no problems with the phone itself like others were having. The only problem I was having was with its data. The 1st mon. I went over my 2gb limit an had to pay a $10 fee for an extra 1gb. The next month I barely used the web, but it was only 14 days into my cycle & I was already used 65% of my data. So I knew right away what I had to do. I simply switched to Verizon. I just have to pay at&t $315 for early term. Fee+ $140 for the months bill. It was well worth switching to Verizon!!
- —Guest Juan
customer service
- With working with both carriers, I believe the quality service is the same, the scenarios are just different, have spoken to customers that left AT&T for Verizon but then are wanting to port back asap... why don't know ... I know that most times AT&T takes the extra mile to meet the customers needs !! the customer is also right though, but AT&T must be doing something right to have all the customers that it has! plus they have rollover mins, which is always a plus*
- —Guest okay
Veriz. "better customer service" hype
- I wouldn't put too much stock in the supposed differences in CS quality between V and AT&T. I hear complaints daily about both, from rude and derogatory responses to questions to mystery charges on bills that can't be explained, yet requests to remove are bluntly denied.
- —russkirk
Not Switching...but...
- The folks at the ATT stores are fabulous but when I get on-line to talk it is like a three ring circus. I think ATT could come down in their prices, maybe give free texting along with the data plan. I feel nickel and dimed to death.
- —DJSIV
