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+--- Thread: Switching Networks for the 6 -- Reseller Suggestions? (/showthread.php?tid=171083)
Switching Networks for the 6 -- Reseller Suggestions? - SteveO - 09-12-2014
Sprint basically sucks on my 4s -- excruciatingly slow data in the wild (non-wifi) on their 3g network; calls often don't even ring through, go straight to vm for lack of signal. Don't know if their 4g is any better and don't wish to learn the hard way. I don't want to pay over $50-60 a month. I want unlimited talking and reasonable data (1gb seems reasonable to me as I'm on wifi most of the time). Anyone on a 4g plan that meets this -- and happy with coverage? Looks like T-Mo or a reseller may be my best option. But which one?
I'll probably buy a 6/128 outright. Thanks for any thoughts on what you're happy with on 4g LTE and the price you pay for it.
Re: Switching Networks for the 6 -- Reseller Suggestions? - GuyGene - 09-12-2014
Just changed wife's iPhone 5 from Straight Talk (ATT towers) to TMobile, better coverage for us, no contract. So far, I'm liking what tmobile is doing.
Re: Switching Networks for the 6 -- Reseller Suggestions? - rjmacs - 09-12-2014
I did ATT, but my bill ain't $60. But i also have the grandfathered unlimited data plan.
Re: Switching Networks for the 6 -- Reseller Suggestions? - deckeda - 09-12-2014
If you're buying it outright just go month to month and stick with whichever network works best. The Verizon model will work on either their's or AT&T's network.
I'm 74% certain of it.
Re: Switching Networks for the 6 -- Reseller Suggestions? - rgG - 09-12-2014
Verizon is supposed to be offering $200 for a working iPhone 4, 4s, 5, 5c, 5S. You get this in the form of a Verizon Gift Card that can be applied to your bill.
They have an individual line of 4G service for $60 a month that includes unlimited talk, text, and 2GB of data. If you don't want to pay full price and go with an MVNO, then this is what I would suggest.
If ATT gets good service in your area, you can pay full price and go with Cricket that has unlimited talk, text, and they just upped the data, starting tomorrow. See below. Their plans are $35, $45, $55 a month, with auto pay. You would have to buy your phone outright and would need to sell your 4S yourself, but this will cost less in the long run.
Beginning 13 September and lasting for a limited time, Cricket Wireless will increase the data allotments on its three most popular plans. For existing customers, Cricket will automatically upgrade the data plan during their next bill cycle. Cricket has upgraded its Basic Plan from 500MB to 1GB of data per month, its Smart Plan from 2.5GB to 3GB of data per month and its Pro Plan from 5GB to 10GB of data per month.
Bottom line, if you can afford to buy the phone outright, you will save money going with an MVON (reseller of cellular service), but the Verizon trade-in offer might be easier. If you can go with ATT coverage, you will have more MVNO options out there. There are Verizon MVNOs and Page Plus is supposed to be getting LTE in October, but they may or may not block the iPhone 6, as Verizon may not want the MVNOs to have it just yet, but who knows. If you are going with an MVNO, ATT and Tmobile have a lot more choices.
As deckeda said, the Verizon phone should be unlocked for all US and foreign GSM carriers, but an ATT or TMobile phone will not work on Verizon and will be carrier locked, until you get them to unlock it. HTH
Re: Switching Networks for the 6 -- Reseller Suggestions? - Bimwad - 09-12-2014
Coverage is very YMMV. There are sites out there that map the cell towers, and take crowdsourced data about coverage quality.
Buying outright will give you a lot of flexibility.
Based on how the 5s situation played out, I'd wait until the Verizon model 6 becomes available without a contract, which may require some time.
It would give you the choice of Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile (or most any GSM carrier). The only exception would be Sprint, which you are dumping anyway.
Verizon would see the phone as one of its "own" and you'd have no problem using their service. The GSM portion is unlocked, and would require only the appropriate SIM, postpaid or prepaid.
Beware that the carrier-branded phones may still come locked, even without a contract, like T-Mo's for instance. You'd still have to contact them to have it unlocked, and there are condtions to fulfill, even if they are easy. Some MVNOs also lock the phones they sell to their service. In general, buying a phone from a carrier is more ripe for pitfalls.
Re: Switching Networks for the 6 -- Reseller Suggestions? - SteveO - 09-13-2014
Great comments, thanks, all. Much appreciated.