Thinking about switching cell phone companies....need advice.

capnsandwich · #1 10-18-2010, 09:33 PM

I've been with Sprint for quite a while, over 10 years now, and I'm wanting to get one of them fancy new phones with all the cool shiny buttons and stuff. The thing is that the plan I'm on now only costs my wife and I $60/month. Now, I want a data plan with a new Blackberry or Evo or something of the like but they won't add a data plan to my plan because they no longer offer my plan. In order to get the phone and plan I want it's going to cost me $129/month. there's no way I can fit that in my monthly budget.

So, I've been hunting around the interwebz, looking at different providers, and I found that Virgin Mobile has a plan to where I can buy a Blackberry Curve or a Samsung Intercept and then get unlimited data and texting and 1200 minutes for $40. I've never dealt with any other phone provider other than Sprint so I'm just curious if this would be a wise move or if there are any other providers out there with anything better.

suckybassplaya · #2 10-19-2010, 08:47 AM

Ok, not to be the skeptic or anything, but unlimited data plus unlimited text plus 1200 any time minutes for $40 is ridiculously (ie, unbelievably) low. Are you sure about that price? Or is their wireless coverage really crappy?

I'm currently on T-Mobile, which have the some of the lower prices around here, and I pay around $65 a month. That's 500 minutes, unlimited data/text on one phone. But that is also with an 11% company discount through my employer, and on an unsubsidized plan, which, as far as I know, only T-Mobile offers (lower monthly cost, but no discount on the price of the phone every two years as is the industry norm). But T-mobile's spotty coverage is getting to me

I've been looking to move myself, as my wife wants a smartphone and we should probably consolidate. To be honest, Sprint's $130 unlimited data/text for two lines is one of the best around, at least in my area. I'm very seriously considering going there.

Verizon and AT&T charge $30 a month for EACH data plan. So if you only want a data plan for yourself, you MIGHT make out close to the Sprint plan. But if you want a data plan for both of you (and unlimited text) then you will get hit for an extra $30 with either AT&T or Verizon (at least in my area, the Northeast US, which may be more expensive than others). If you don't need text, then you can get close to the $130 for two lines.

Also, this doesn't sound like an issue for you, but if you ever want to add an additional line, Sprint will only charge you $20 and you get unlimited text/data. Verizon/AT&T will nail you for $10 for the line and another $30 if you want data for that line too. And, the biggest issue being that most the new "cool" phones REQUIRE data plans.

TL;DR Sprint/T-Mobile have the most competitive prices, not the best networks. AT&T/Verizon have the better networks, but you have to pay for the privilege. I can't say anything Virgin Mobile, as I don't believe they are an option out here.

need4mospd · #3 10-19-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suckybassplaya

Ok, not to be the skeptic or anything, but unlimited data plus unlimited text plus 1200 any time minutes for $40 is ridiculously (ie, unbelievably) low. Are you sure about that price? Or is their wireless coverage really crappy?

"Virgin Mobile USA customers have access to the Sprint® Nationwide Network"

The catch is, you buy the phone first instead of subsidizing it with a 2 year contract at a higher monthly price. Also, you're stuck with whatever phone choices they have. As far as I know, you can't even use a Sprint phone, even though they're using the same network.

capnsandwich · #4 10-19-2010, 10:17 AM

The thing about Sprint is that if you get a data plan, you have to get a data plan for as many phones as you have on your plan. My wife doesn't want one but, because we share a plan, she HAS to have one. That means that she'll need a new phone because it would be useless to have a phone like hers with a data plan, (her phone is 5+ years old.) Plus, in order for me to add a data plan I would have to get another plan instead of me just adding one to my current plan.

Virgin Mobile seems the cheapest way to go right now, at least for an unlimited data and messaging plan. I'm just wondering if I'll regret leaving Sprint for them. Sprint has some great phones available while Virgin Mobile has 2 phones that I like, the Blackberry Curve and the Samsung Intercept. The good thing about Virgin is that there's no contract so I can leave them if I want.

I just don't want to leave Sprint if it's going to be more expensive coming back if I don't like VM.

suckybassplaya · #5 10-19-2010, 11:02 AM

Ok, thanks for the info. So apparently Virgin Mobile is available out here. $40 a month for unlimited data is ridiculous. Buying the phone full price isn't a big deal to me, because for that price, you will totally make up the difference well before the 2 year contract you have to sign up for to get a subsidized phone (and you aren't on a contract anyway)

But...yeah, their phone selection is crap. I mean, if you are ok with a Curve or an Intercept, this seems like an awesome plan. I'm a gadget whore, however, so this won't work for me. Even though the cheapskate in me totally digs this.

That being said, if you left Sprint, and you are currently on a grandfathered plan that no longer exists, you won't be able to go back and get your old plan. You will have to sign up for a current plan that is probably more expensive. 'Tis the way these things work

Since Virgin piggy-backs on Sprints network, you should have the same network coverage at least.

But I think the decision is ultimately up to you. How badly do you want a smartphone that Virgin offers vs the risk of not liking their service?

capnsandwich · #6 10-19-2010, 11:10 AM

I just need something more than what I've got. People are texting me more and calling me less, especially for gigs. Also, I need a phone that can record video and play music so when people I meet ask me what I/we sound like, I can bring this up instead of giving them a card with our myspace/website on it. More times than not people lose those cards and never think twice about you when they go home. If I have something tangible on the spot, they can hear me right there and not forget.

suckybassplaya · #7 10-19-2010, 11:59 AM

I hear you. I love my smart phone, and feel like I can't live without it now.

If possible, I would see if you can mess with either of the phones you are looking at. Also, you can check out what other people say about them on the web. I personally like phonescoop.com and gsmarena.com for my cell phone reviews and comparison needs (they both allow you to compare multiple phones directly).

Like I said, if comes down to how much you would like the Intercept or Curve. They should be a pretty big upgrade from the normal "feature" phones.

capnsandwich · #8 10-19-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suckybassplaya

I hear you. I love my smart phone, and feel like I can't live without it now.

If possible, I would see if you can mess with either of the phones you are looking at. Also, you can check out what other people say about them on the web. I personally like phonescoop.com and gsmarena.com for my cell phone reviews and comparison needs (they both allow you to compare multiple phones directly).

Like I said, if comes down to how much you would like the Intercept or Curve. They should be a pretty big upgrade from the normal "feature" phones.

Thank you for your advice. Looks like I've got some research to do.

James Hart · #9 10-19-2010, 12:44 PM

Sprint / Samsung fanboy here. The Sprint network is the best in my area and the Sprint 'Everything Data' plan is about the best deal I could find. The wife and I have unlimited data and texts, 1500 shared minutes that we barely use since ALL cell to cell calls no matter network are free... most everyone I talk to besides businesses are using cell phones.

I've got the Samsung Moment but will be upgrading to the Samsung Epic in January when I'm able to. The wife has an LG Lotus that she digs.

capnsandwich · #10 10-19-2010, 02:49 PM

I would love to stay with Sprint, especially since I'm due for a new phone, but their plans for what I want are too much for my budget right now.

MatticusMania · #11 10-19-2010, 02:53 PM

Im glad my contract with verizon is about ending right now. I saw something about gettin unlimited talk, text & web for like $69, which isnt bad. Metro PCS and Boost Mobile both have $50 unlimited plans, so its no big deal for me to pay a little more for better service. Im the only person who can get decent recpetion anywhere in my house.

fdeck · #12 10-19-2010, 04:56 PM

Dang, that 25/month deal from Virgin looks tempting. Does anybody have an even cheaper plan with data service?

capnsandwich · #13 10-19-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

Dang, that 25/month deal from Virgin looks tempting. Does anybody have an even cheaper plan with data service?

If they did they'd be out of business. I think $25 is cheap enough. I need more minutes though so the $40 plan seems more up to my speed. Either way that's the lowest I could find. I just wish they had better phones. That Blackberry they offer is an entry level Blackberry IMO. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

fdeck · #14 10-19-2010, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

If they did they'd be out of business. I think $25 is cheap enough. I need more minutes though so the $40 plan seems more up to my speed. Either way that's the lowest I could find. I just wish they had better phones. That Blackberry they offer is an entry level Blackberry IMO. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

I'm intrigued by the cheap plan. I rarely talk on my phone, but I'd love to be able to get my e-mail. My current voice plan is 15/month.

capnsandwich · #15 10-21-2010, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

I'm intrigued by the cheap plan. I rarely talk on my phone, but I'd love to be able to get my e-mail. My current voice plan is 15/month.

With who? $15 is dirt cheap, even for a basic 300 minute plan with no perks.

tycobb73 · #16 10-21-2010, 10:58 AM

The thing with the cheap plans is that get out of the big city (which is why they call it METRO pcs) and you are roaming. A freind and former bandmate works for Metro. He said about 3 miles north of my house I'll start roaming on his plan.

capnsandwich · #17 10-21-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycobb73

The thing with the cheap plans is that get out of the big city (which is why they call it METRO pcs) and you are roaming. A freind and former bandmate works for Metro. He said about 3 miles north of my house I'll start roaming on his plan.

Virgin Mobile's on the Sprint Network and I get Sprint where I'm at so if I do decide to go Sprint I'll be covered where I'm at. That also means that I won't get charged for roaming either. I don't know why I haven't switched yet. I guess I'm waiting to see where the catch is at but so far I haven't seen one except for the cheaper phones they offer.

'JC' · #18 10-25-2010, 05:11 AM

Just be sure you don't get upsold for variations of data plans.

I left Sprint after 7 years and being told my $5 unlimited data plan wouldn't work on newer phones despite it using the exact same bits and bytes, towers, network infrastructure etc. and that I would need a $25 plan for newer phones and $35 for a Blackberry (which I understand being your using RIM's servers for the push email service).

Told Sprint they were full of crap and I was tired of being upsold, went to T-Mobile with an unlocked phone and got on the contract-free Even More Plus plan for $55/mo ($30-500 mins, $10-unlimited data, $10-unlimited text).

I'm currently tethering as well since I use my phone as my primary internet connection as well and have for the past few years now.

capnsandwich · #19 10-25-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'JC'

Just be sure you don't get upsold for variations of data plans.

I left Sprint after 7 years and being told my $5 unlimited data plan wouldn't work on newer phones despite it using the exact same bits and bytes, towers, network infrastructure etc. and that I would need a $25 plan for newer phones and $35 for a Blackberry (which I understand being your using RIM's servers for the push email service).

Told Sprint they were full of crap and I was tired of being upsold, went to T-Mobile with an unlocked phone and got on the contract-free Even More Plus plan for $55/mo ($30-500 mins, $10-unlimited data, $10-unlimited text).

I'm currently tethering as well since I use my phone as my primary internet connection as well and have for the past few years now.

That's exactly why I want to leave Sprint. They keep offering me these upgrade phones and saying that all I need is a new contract but then I'll need to upgrade my plan to one that's over 2 times what I'm paying now in order to use the phone.

**Eric Perry** · #20 10-25-2010, 09:41 AM

Speaking solely about cellular coverage, I had NO complaints when I switched from Sprint to AT&T about 6 months ago.