Cell Phone Plans-Let's Complain!!!

[+ Gar1eth]

Hi, my (nick)name is Gman. I'm a data hog on my cell phone. It's been three weeks since I paid my last bill to MetroPCS.

 

Last month I used approximately 30 GB of data on my cell phone. (NB: The majority of the data usage was not porn). The breakdown was 12.5 GB cell phone native internet connection and 16.5 GB on my wifi. This month I no longer have home wifi because I'm moving soon. So I'm stuck with using my native (crappy) MetroPCS internet connection because it's the only plan I can get unlimited 4G LTE data for $60. My main complaints about MetroPCS are it will intermittently switch from LTE to what it calls 4G. But when it does that I either have a very slow internet connection or none at all. It also frequently has poor voice quality with phone calls. But it's the cheapest service I can find as it's only $60/ month.

 

I was even willing to pay a bit more for what I thought was a better network-Sprint. But it turned out their speeds on average were much slower and $15 more expensive. I changed back to MetroPCS after 72 hours-3 business days. I would have changed back after 24 hours. But apparently there is a federal law regarding how frequently you can 'port' your number.

 

Gman

[bigvalboy]

Nothing to complain about anymore... Sprint connection is horrendous in my area, so I'm leaving. They have done everything possible to boost my signal, including giving me this thing a ma jig that was suppose to give my phone a little kick in the ass. It didn't work of course, so when my contract runs out in 2 months, I'm going to Verizon. I think I pay around $112 a month for HS Internet (yes, it's pretty damn fast)... cell and landline.Yes I have a LL. It's all of 5 bucks a month, and I can call anywhere in the Continental US for free. It was essential because even local calls with my cell, the recipient would hear every 3rd word. Might drop it once Verizon is on board.

[+ Gar1eth]

Nothing to complain about anymore... Sprint connection is horrendous in my area, so I'm leaving. They have done everything possible to boost my signal, including giving me this thing a ma jig that was suppose to give my phone a little kick in the ass. It didn't work of course, so when my contract runs out in 2 months, I'm going to Verizon. I think I pay around $112 a month for HS Internet (yes, it's pretty damn fast)... cell and landline.Yes I have a LL. It's all of 5 bucks a month, and I can call anywhere in the Continental US for free. It was essential because even local calls with my cell, the recipient would hear every 3rd word. Might drop it once Verizon is on board.

 

I still prefer 'landlines' although nowadays they might be more likely to be VoIP than actual landlines.

 

One thing, BVB, make sure you are getting a good deal. Whenever I've looked, Verizon has had the highest prices for cellphone service by a very wide margin. Also, although perhaps something has changed recently, Have you checked to make sure you can bring your smartphone to Verizon, or are you buying a new one?

 

Gman

[+ DERRIK]

All these cell wifi companies see the writing on the wall

 

At some time in the near future wi fi will be like a utility. Offered like gas /electricity

 

The Verizon store five years from now will look entirely different

 

What ever the average Sprint/Verizon bill is today --- will definately be a fraction in the future

 

Technology will replace wifi delivery

[MikeyGMin]

Yes I have a LL. It's all of 5 bucks a month

 

I've got one too for the same five bucks. Almost everyone except family and friends get that number and then I never answer it. It's great to know that when my cell rings it's likely someone that I want to talk to.

[alken]

It's not always the provider. It can also your cell-phone that causing the network switch intermittently.

for example in Android if the phone use mediatek instead of qualcomm processor /modem

like in cheap phone such as blu. it's been reported of network or weak signal.

It can also be on the software/ROM.

 

Plus since you are using metroPCS which is Tmobile it means you connected to TMobile towers.

There is an unwritten rule that Tmobile will prioritize Tmobile phone first than MNVO on their own towers.

Hope that help

[bigvalboy]

I still prefer 'landlines' although nowadays they might be more likely to be VoIP than actual landlines.

 

One thing, BVB, make sure you are getting a good deal. Whenever I've looked, Verizon has had the highest prices for cellphone service by a very wide margin. Also, although perhaps something has changed recently, Have you checked to make sure you can bring your smartphone to Verizon, or are you buying a new one?

 

Gman

 

No I think that I am going back to Apple. I never really fell for my android like my friends did.

[bigvalboy]

I've got one too for the same five bucks. Almost everyone except family and friends get that number and then I never answer it. It's great to know that when my cell rings it's likely someone that I want to talk to.

 

LOL...Same for me. Not only do I not answer it, unless I'm really in the mood, but I didn't set up my voicemail on the LL, so they can't leave a message. It's wonderful!

[+ ArVaGuy]

For me Verizon has been the better option despite the slightly higher cost of their plans. When I had ATT the signal worked everywhere but my apartment. The only place it connected was the bedroom. And even that required being in a particular corner by a window.

 

Sprint was so erratic for me it bordered on being schizophrenic. However, some years ago, I received a refund for overcharging from a class action lawsuit. My windfall was $2.97.

 

I have to give Verizon kudos for its customer service. When I've called for various issues the representatives have been polite and competent resolving my problem. After one problem involving an international charge from a trip the rep gave me a direct line number to reach her rather than the customer service number. I've used that for years and always get stellar service.

[AdamSmith]

For me Verizon has been the better option despite the slightly higher cost of their plans. When I had ATT the signal worked everywhere but my apartment. The only place it connected was the bedroom. And even that required being in a particular corner by a window.

 

Sprint was so erratic for me it bordered on being schizophrenic. However, some years ago, I received a refund for overcharging from a class action lawsuit. My windfall was $2.97.

 

I have to give Verizon kudos for its customer service. When I've called for various issues the representatives have been polite and competent resolving my problem. After one problem involving an international charge from a trip the rep gave me a direct line number to reach her rather than the customer service number. I've used that for years and always get stellar service.

Ditto. My cell is my business (and only) number. Verizon's rock-solid signal everywhere is worth their price premium for me. And they just rolled out new price schemes that offer better rates for today's typically quite large data volumes than before.

 

And as @ArVaGuy notes, their customer service these days is stellar, a 180-degree turn from say a decade and a half ago.

[Reluctant Daddy]

I personally haven't had any issues with my AT&T service. I pay about $320 a month for 4 devices ( all financed on AT&T's Next plan )

 

Kurtis, is the next plan the one that upgrades phones/devices as part of the plan?

[+ deej]

I'm with AT&T, sort of by accident. I was a Cingular customer when AT&T bought them. Then I got an iPhone when AT&T was the only choice. I've never had any problem with them. (Well, not enough to get me to uproot.)

 

I recently added a "land line" (VOIP) which was an unlisted number from day one. As soon as I got the number I went to donotcall.gov and registered the number. The day it was activated it started ringing off the hook from telemarketing robocallers. Fortunately the provider (AT&T UVerse) partners with nomorobo.com which has completely silenced the robocalls.

 

No provider will ever be perfect.

[mike carey]

As soon as I got the number I went to donotcall.gov and registered the number. The day it was activated it started ringing off the hook from telemarketing robocallers.

In Australia, the do not call register gives callers 30 days' grace to program their system to include your number (sort of valid if you are listing an existing number that they may already have in their system). Apparently they take the advice that a number has been included in the register as a licence to call it for the next 30 days.

[+ WmClarke]

I was an AT&T customer for 28 years. Dropped them when when I discovered they were adding charges to the total but not detailing the charges on the bill. Since their bill requires a forensic accountant to decipher, it took me a while to catch it.

 

Tried Verizon, but dropped them when my upgrade availability jumped from October to March (from 18 months to the full two year contract)--right before I wanted to upgrade.

 

I'm on T*Mobile now. We'll see how long I last.

[+ SundayZip]

I have to second (or third?) the endorsement of Verizon. I've tried T-Mobile and AT&T and have had problems with connectivity and/or customer support. Verizon's connectivity has been great and their customer support, excellent. The first time I called Verizon support from outside the country, I hung up after they resolved my problem and I went, holy shit... they are good.

 

Sorry Gman. Couldn't come up with better complaint. This is the best I can do.

[sincitymix]

good lord. the prices some of you pay! 25.00 unlimited data, text, and minutes.

[AdamSmith]

good lord. the prices some of you pay! 25.00 unlimited data, text, and minutes.

Which carrier?

[sincitymix]

Which carrier?

 

Boost Mobile i think they use at&t's network.

[+ Gar1eth]

@LADoug1 -while I'm happy to be repeated, you quoted my post but didn't add anything.

 

good lord. the prices some of you pay! 25.00 unlimited data, text, and minutes.

 

@sincitymix are you sure about this? These are the plans Boost's website lists.

http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii612/rexmaker/4F6C9F1E-14D4-4E35-9F35-47414C58A1B2_zps562brdyg.png

 

 

But Boost isn't a good option for many of us. It uses the Sprint network. And you can only use their phones or some Sprint phones on it.

 

Gman

[sincitymix]

@LADoug1 -while I'm happy to be repeated, you quoted my post but didn't add anything.

 

 

 

@sincitymix are you sure about this? These are the plans Boost's website lists.

http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii612/rexmaker/4F6C9F1E-14D4-4E35-9F35-47414C58A1B2_zps562brdyg.png

 

 

But Boost isn't a good option for many of us. It uses the Sprint network. And you can only use their phones or some Sprint phones on it.

 

Gman

yes. im pretty sure about my plan. Those rates as posted above, could be the going rate now, but its not what i am paying. could be a grandfather clause *shrugs* but i have unlimited everything for 25.00

[samandtham]

I share a Verizon plan with two other people. We each pay about $68 a month, which includes the payment of iPhone 6s-es. Unlimited call and text messaging, and we share 12 GB. We occasionally go over by half a gigabyte or so, but Verizon's been accommodating, i.e. they'll waive the overage.

 

I don't really have any complaints. Coverage is reliable and almost consistently at LTE speeds.

 

Once my two-year contract is up, I'll shop around. My friends have recommended either T-Mobile or AT&T to me (and a few even saying MetroPCS). Since we run in the same circles, I feel I don't have to do too much investigation to verify that the two options are viable. The process of subbing to a provider gets easier: Just go with whichever gives me the most bang for my buck.

[+ Billsboy4]

I was a Sprint customer for many years, until I switched to Consumer Cellular, which I have been happy with. Their prices are much cheaper than Sprint.

[+ Gar1eth]

yes. im pretty sure about my plan. Those rates as posted above, could be the going rate now, but its not what i am paying. could be a grandfather clause *shrugs* but i have unlimited everything for 25.00

 

Even unlimited 4G/LTE? Assuming you have a 4G/LTE phone, they don't throttle your data speed at any point? If they don't throttle you, that's a great price even considering Sprint's crappy network. But I doubt that fee is open to most others as they'd be touting it on their website if it were available.

 

Gman

[sincitymix]

Even unlimited 4G/LTE? Assuming you have a 4G/LTE phone, they don't throttle your data speed at any point? If they don't throttle you, that's a great price even considering Sprint's crappy network. But I doubt that fee is open to most others as they'd be touting it on their website if it were available.

 

Gman

it is 4g/lte, but to be honest, i dont use the internet on my phone a whole lot, but i do stream videos while on break. I have not noticed any throttling or slow down.

[+ Gar1eth]

it is 4g/lte, but to be honest, i dont use the internet on my phone a whole lot, but i do stream videos while on break. I have not noticed any throttling or slow down.

 

Depending on the carrier and your plan, sometimes they don't make video count against your data allotment. But in any case, I'm glad you are happy with Boost.

 

Gman