Tuesday Poll: What’s Keeping You With Your Current Wireless Carrier?

by: Kellex | posted 12.04.12 | Polls

We talk a lot about carriers on this site. We cover all of their policy and plan changes, the new phones they release on a monthly basis, where their network has stretched to, and if their 4G LTE network is the biggest and baddest on the planet. But what is it that’s keeping you with your current carrier? Is it that ever-expanding phone lineup? Do their plans meet your needs? Is their 4G LTE network the best? Are you stuck with them because no other carrier offers decent coverage in your area? Are you counting the days until you can bolt for greener pastures. You tell us.

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214

Adam

Why on earth people think LTE is so important is beyond me. Especially when it’s coupled with CDMA.
- Diablo81588
  
  Say what you want about CDMA, but it’s still the most reliable by far, especially for voice calls. GSM is packet based and is prone to dropped calls when data congestion is high. Not everyone cares about having a nexus, or having instant updates the moment Google releases source to AOSP. Most would rather have reliable coverage.
  - Adam
    
    I think you’re assuming a little too much about people. I never said the model of phone or “instant updates” were the reason for GSM>CDMA. You’re only partially right about the arguments with service anyway. Verizon has great coverage. Go try your luck on Sprint, especially before Verizon’s coverage was so good, and then tell me how awful GSM packet based protocols are.
    
    Believe me, plenty of people want the things you mentioned though. Remember that thing called the iPhone? How many customers left VZW and Sprint for that thing when it was on ATT alone?
    
    Don’t try to assume what people want. It doesn’t work out for anyone.
    - Diablo81588
      
      Then explain why GSM is so much better than CDMA, if not for being open?
      
      When the iPhone was released, there was nothing like it at the time. The only options were crippled blackberries, and out dated windows mobile phones. The nexus phones do not have the same appeal for most people to switch carriers for it. There are equal or better phones on any carrier you choose, and switching carriers is too much of a hassle for one phone.
sr_erick

For me, it’s mostly coverage. I travel to rural areas where Verizon is the only reliable company network wise. I don’t use much data, less than a GB on average per month and am at a point where I’m willing to forego my unlimited data if I can cut my bill in half going with a pre-pay account somewhere else. I still have a year left in my GNex contract, so I could bail now and break even in a year after paying the ETF and buying a new LG Nexus. I could even sell my GNex and come out ahead a little.
http://twitter.com/jay_aye jeffrey pham

my carrier is verizon.
BUT doesn’t matter which carrier i have because all top carriers would pay me in royalties.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1593169740 Chris Amaya

Verizon has been sending me replacement phones with nothing but problems. I think this is my 9th replacement in less than a year. I’m going to try and use that to get out of my contract as soon as my Sprint Note 2 arrives….
http://twitter.com/jownzy jownzy

Grandfathered unlimited data.
Total_telecom

Unlimited data on Verizon, and their coverage in south western pa. I’m fine with paying full price for my phone. Y you can get a refurbished S3 for $400!!!
MttFrog13

I left my Verizon + Gnex combo for T-Mobile + Nexus 4. The coverage isn’t as good, and speed isn’t as fast, but I can’t complain when I’m getting 100 minutes (I don’t talk on the phone much and use google voice to make a lot of calls), unlimited data, and unlimited texts for $30. This might not work for a lot of people who need coverage in rural areas or who talk on the phone a lot. But it works for me and I’ll be saving $45/month, which as a recent graduate just starting out, is a ton of money over time. Even if money were no option, I’m not sure if I would go with Verizon because I’d like the option to upgrade my nexus device every year.
http://www.ashevilletechnologyservices.com Dan Brown

In network calling!!! Seriously, everyone I know uses VZW, all friends familiy… if I had another carrier, I’d pay out the ass in minutes.

That and the coverage is best, 4G is awesome, and I still have unlimited data.
http://www.facebook.com/forestave.kris Kris Polo

Unlimited Data and 4G LTE is what’s keeping me with Verizon
AhsanS

My RAZR HD. Couldn’t ask for a better phone.
Liderc

Verizon is definitely scaring me by passing up on some great phones, but their service is unbeatable – no one else is even close (at least in my area). If I have to use a Galaxy Nexus for the next 5 years it won’t hurt my feelings though.
steven sullivan

If I could have selected two reasons I would have selected coverage area and 4g lte.
dsass600

Nothing is keeping me on. I just payed my ETF and left Sunday.
Jaywrayson

There’s other great 4G other than LTE!!!!! I get 20mbps down on HSPA+42!!!
- Diablo81588
  
  Not everywhere you don’t.
jdomann

I’m dropping VZW once I can get out of my contract. Nexus 4 + $30 T-Mobile prepaid plan = dear god so much money saved.
Buckoman

Verizon is the only one that covers my area. That’s my reasoning.
Steven Roemerman

My contract is up, but I’m waiting to see if Google and Dish are going to start somthing…
http://twitter.com/NovembersDirge The Observer

I’m breaking my contract and leaving Verizon a few months early. Just waiting for my Nexus 4 to be delivered.
http://twitter.com/ThePhillipBee Phillip Bee

Original Tmobile customer, switched to VZW because a family member works there and at the time they had the best lineup of phones. 3 yrs later tired of VZW tyrannical reign (pricing, cdma, limited phone options, slow/no updates, giant logos all over phones).

Recently switched back to Tmo still staying at the same pricing that I was at on the VZW emp plan, still have unltmtd data, speeds that can keep up w/ LTE, GSM – which gives me the option for unlocked phones, and faster updates.

‘Twas a win win for me and I dont regret it !!
http://www.facebook.com/david.correia.79 David Correia

Where is the option for work? I shouldn’t complain I got them to get me a Nexus when it wasn’t an option.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Williams/579249547 Jonathan Williams

Mine is a combo of LTE, unlimited data, coverage area and a corporate discount. However, I could get a disc with At&t (I doubt I’ll ever go back to them) and Sprint (there’s LTE where I work and live so that’ll be an option when VZ wants to give the unlimited axe to me)
BulletTooth_Tony

I voted for “Nothing, I’m leaving as soon as my contract is up”…. even though I just ETF’d out of Verizon a month ago… closest I could get to my current situation. Happy with the new carrier.
GawkerRedesignSucks

I’m with Verizon, but as soon as my contract is up I’m getting a Nexus 4 and switching to Straight Talk.
mcdonsco

You forgot quality of network…verizon
- itznfb
  
  I’d consider that coverage and secondly LTE speed. And that is my reason for staying with Verizon.
Samvelavich

The only thing keeping me on Verizon is my unlimited data… The second i hear a breath of a Google carrier I’m packin up and heading there.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=759910421 Luiz Mattos

Other: I’m leaving as soon as Google ships me my Nexus 4.
Patrick Sullivan

Unlimited Data option?
Kurt Weber

Honestly Verizon has a really strong phone line up right now.. s3, note 2, maxx HD, dna, razr M. All great phones which is making the future bright. Hopefully they keep it up with the good phones coming out and I’ll be staying.
- chris125
  
  Hopefully they get a real high end moto device and not just a stop gap like the razr hd/maxx which weren’t even ahead specs wise when they launched. Here is to hoping for another true flagship moto phone on verizon.
http://katzmatt.com/ Matt Katzenberger

Nothing, other, can’t afford to get a phone on a cheap carrier, can’t use my Droid X cause it’s CDMA verizon.
polioman

So many discount HSPA+, but in my area at least, T-Mobile’s network is just as fast, and occasionally faster, than Verizon’s LTE.
- moelsen8
  
  This. I’m blown away by tmos network the last few days while testing my nexus 4. Fast as lte, more bars for me (NYC metro area). Only thing keeping me from porting my number to Google voice right now is that outside of metro areas you either get edge data or no service (including phone) at all. I don’t know what to do. $30/month for this service here is mind blowing. But that means when I visit my family in PA there’s gonna be problems. I don’t get a signal in my hometown. Do I move on and try straight talk (I know they have good coverage everywhere I go).. Or do I get a gophone and use its Sim for pay-as-you-go calling/texts when I’m outside of this area? Decisions..
  - r0lct
    
    The StraightTalk/Nexus combo is exactly what I am going to do with my wife’s phone once her Verizon contract is up. Possibly Tmo.
    For me I have to convince my company to open an ATT account which unfortunately probably isn’t going to happen any time soon. As for me the option to have a Nexus phone trumps LTE.
  - zepfloyd
    
    “outside of metro areas you either get edge data or no service (including phone) at all. I don’t know what to do. $30/month for this service here is mind blowing. But that means when I visit my family in PA there’s gonna be problems. I don’t get a signal in my hometown.”
    
    Sorry, but $30 a month for service you can’t even use half the time is not mind blowing, it is exactly what it is, budget service. That’s the problem, for me unreliable service isn’t worth $5 a month. TMobile can rollout 250Mb service and have 3 generations ahead phones (never happening but…), if it only works 25% of my life and means I may miss calls or business flow, it’s worthless.
    - moelsen8
      
      Well a better way to put it would be to say I only go home once every month or two. So for those 6-12 days (or weekends) I go home, is it worth paying $40 x 12 = $480 per year more? That’s my dilemma. The service where I actually live and work and spend almost all of my time has perfect coverage.
      
      And it’s relative. $30 vs. the $70 I pay now (and probably $100 if I didn’t have my grandfathered data and texting plans). That’s kind of mind blowing to get the same great service right here where I live.
      
      But yeah, outside of metro areas in the sticks and small towns it’s not really a great service.
      - J Dub
        
        Is there ATT coverage there? Like you stated you could always have a pay-per-day SIM that you could swap in.
      - moelsen8
        
        yeah ATT’s the big show in town in that area. just a hassle with their sim card crap.. they won’t sell them directly for prepaid plans, you have to buy a gophone and take it out. then it’d be a hassle to swap in and out when i do go home. who knows. may end up settling on straight talk.
      - J Dub
        
        http://www.amazon.com/Prepaid-Go-Phone-Minutes-Included/dp/B000YHCEQM
        
        You will still have to choose between AT&T or T-Mobile with ST.
      - moelsen8
        
        Yeah I know, I meant I’d have to settle for att on st, and pay more than tomorrow right now.
  - J Dub
    
    Is there wifi at your parents? If you ported to GV you could always make and receive calls over wifi.
    - moelsen8
      
      yeah i’m considering that too but then there’s the problem of leaving their house and not having coverage. sucks all around.
- interstellarmind
  
  why i left vzw for tmo
- Prox
  
  Also why I left VZW, love T-Mo!
- itznfb
  
  No. It’s not. It’s not even close. It may be close on paper and benchmarks but in real life usage it doesn’t even compare. I currently have a Galaxy Nexus on Verizon, a Nexus 4 on T-Mobile and a Sony Xperia S on AT&T (Straight Talk). Browsing web pages updating apps watching video is all such a pleasant experience on Verizon. It is nothing more than frustrating on the other two carriers.
  - J Dub
    
    The N4 is that on a ST SIM or an actual TM SIM?
    - itznfb
      
      It’s a T-Mobile SIM on their $30/mo 100 minute plan.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Rad-Stevens/783228723 Rad Stevens

No unlimited option? That’s the only reason I’m still with Verizon.
muffnman

Unlimited Data.
David Hussey

Where’s the Grandfathered Unlimited Data option??
http://gplus.to/bdbplatano M. Puente

The low prices and the fact that it’s GSM.

I had T-Mobile, left T-Mobile for Verizon didn’t like it, switched to AT&T left them now I’m back on T-Mobile.
- http://twitter.com/ThePhillipBee Phillip Bee
  
  Similar story for me .. Tmo, VZW back to Tmo .. Long live GSM !!
  - http://www.facebook.com/objection89 Miguel Angel Portela
    
    Same here. Tmo, VZW, Tmo. While I lovet the Droid line up (I miss my Razr Maxx something fierce) when they announced unlimited data would be going away, I was done. I was already annoyed with how much the plan cost exceeding the bills of everyone I knew but the stress of knowing when they would snatch unl. data away was enough to just give up. I actually really like T-Mobile. Its very fast, its very cheap and the phones are pretty great. My only beed is that global phones don’t always work with 3G on its strange band but they’re fixing that so…
  - http://gplus.to/bdbplatano M. Puente
    
    I was actually pretty happy with AT&T, except for their prices. I hated that i kept having to pay $10/GB when I went over my limit. It was adding $20 to an already unreasonably high bill for just one-line. Only reason I had AT&T was because the T-Mobile coverage was no bueno were I was living. But now I’m happily paying less than I was when I had AT&T for 2 lines and unlimited data…. Long live GSM
    
    —–
    MeP!
    sent via my Nexus
h_f_m

Definitely need an “other”. I’ve been with TMo for years and I’d take them any day over the other gsm option.
tanknspank

Other, as in my parents are paying the bill and I’m not going to complain about it.

For them though, it’s the coverage and speed that you get. 3 of us are unlimited and my brother is on tiered.
Jroc869, Cool story bro

How about an option for ETF
MrSteve920

Option 7: Still waiting on my Nexus 4 to get shipped.
- Patrick Hollenbeck
  
  I’m just waiting for mine to arrive, supposedly shipped last Friday. Then it’s good-bye Verizon!
  - MrSteve920
    
    Same here but at this point I don’t think mine shipped last Friday. I got the shipping email and everything but from what I understand Google messed up the system and sent out shipping tracking numbers when they printed out the shipping labels, not when they actually shipped the phone.
- TheDrizzle
  
  Ordered mine the day it went on sale and it said one to two weeks. I didn’t get a shipping email or anything and my Nexus 4s showed up at my door yesterday. Just fyi.
  - MrSteve920
    
    Yeah I’ve seen a few cases of this happening, but so far everyone who got a shipping email early Friday morning has been stuck waiting for some kind of tracking info, it’s ridiculous.
http://www.facebook.com/timothy.warne Tim Warne

I’m only still with Verizon because I have the grandfather Unlimited plan and its 4G LTE. Otherwise I’d leave for T-Mobile or at&t because of their GSM phones. I wouldn’t have to wait forever for someone to sell a Verizon 4G phone I want on craigslist.
DennisHeffernan

I had to say “nothing” because there’s really nothing all that special about my carrier, which is AT&T. We’re with them largely due to inertia; they’ve been our carrier since they were Cingular. We won’t be changing any time soon, though, as we just renewed both lines fortwo years.
Q’s

Other, as in my Galaxy Nexus. Because if this talk about Google making its own wireless service with Dish is true.. Verizon wireless can kiss my a**
Crazydog

Google not giving my Nexus 4 to UPS!
DC_Guy

I’m not giving up my unlimited data plan on Verizon. I probably won’t consider leaving unless they kick me off.
JosephMoreno

The fact that I’m only 16, otherwise I’d be on T-Mobile with a Nexus 4
- KennyVeltre
  
  I know your pain buddy. I’m in the same boat.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1127265251 Keith Taylor

Where is the option for keeping unlimited data?
- DroidJ
  
  Yeah, that’s the only thing keeping me.
Worm

Forgot to include the “other” option. Which for me is unlimited data on VZW. I’m staying until they try and take it away from me.
- http://twitter.com/smokes70 smokes70
  
  I’m in the same boat. Plust I’m stuck with my Thunderbolt until some prices drop on new phones….
  - http://pharaohtechblog.blogspot.com/ Conan Kudo (ニール・ゴンパ)
    
    Prices can drop for phones off contract? I’ve never heard of such a thing happening with VZW phones…
    - hkklife
      
      Yeah, about 6-7 weeks ago, VZW was blowing our refurb GNex 32Gb models for a decent price ($229 IIRC). other than that, no, you never see contract-free “CDMA” phone prices drop through the official channels. I’m hoping that Google and the Nexus line can change that, however.
      - ThomasMoneyhon
        
        Going to be hoping for quite a while
    - El Big CHRIS
      
      He means on the aftermarket (i.e. craigslist, ebay) which is exactly what I’m gonna do. I’ll scoop up a phone early next year to replace my GNex.
  - SexciiP
    
    You’d probably do better just buying a new phone from ebay. They have good deals on phones.
  - http://www.facebook.com/jackson.emch Jackson Emch
    
    Dude, I just spent all day trying to make sure I could get a Droid razr MAXX HD for cheap and the cheapest I found it was backordered on Amazon Wireless for $650. Quickest place for the cheapest money was Newegg for $730 but they canceled it for some reason and wouldn’t let me order the thing for another 14 days so I went to hhgreg instead. My last option is to get the Developer Edition from Motorola for $600. Buying an unlocked Verizon smartphone for cheap is like trying to catch a firefly in a swarm of bees.
    - chris125
      
      craigslist, swappa and the likes you can get phones cheaper than pretty much anywhere else. Just may have to wait a month or two
      - http://www.facebook.com/jackson.emch Jackson Emch
        
        Unfortunately I don’t have a month, I’ve got to be in my middle of nowhere college town by the end of January so I need to make sure I get this phone fast. If I could I would try and wait around for a better deal but unfortunately time is not in my favor.
      - BSweetness
        
        I don’t think chris125 is saying you’ll have to wait a month from now to get a phone from those sites, just that most newer phones in general can be found cheaper in places like that after a month or two. No need to wait around, just look around for a better deal. There are tons to be had through Swappa, Craig’s List, eBay, and online forums. All you have to do is look. I saw a RAZR MAXX HD for $475 a couple days ago on one site. It didn’t last long before geing purchased, but if you keep your eyes open, you can always find a deal.
    - Zach Shuford
      
      Well, you’re trying to get a current-gen phone. My advice would be to get a last-gen phone off Cragislist like a (non-HD) Razr Maxx. You can get it for $200 or $300 then.
      - http://www.facebook.com/jackson.emch Jackson Emch
        
        My phone already shipped out, so it’s a little late to save any money. I’ve been dealing with medical problems so timing was sort of a big deal with me. I can’t imagine if I say pretty please that Verizon is going to let me keep my unlimited data through an upgrade so I’d rather just get an unlocked phone. I use Foxfi to tether my laptop to it and download Steam games because my internet is so bad where I am right now.
    - jessiejames1209
      
      Have you tried talking a Verizon employee into letting you keep your unlimited data? I got a Note 2 yesterday for $250 and kept my data.
      - http://www.facebook.com/cindy.leavell.3 Cindy Leavell
        
        Note 2 250 really what website ???
      - jessiejames1209
        
        I bought it at aVerizon store. I paid up grade pricing and kept my unlimited data. Asked politely, that’s all.
      - DMZMAN
        
        I asked politely when I got my Galaxy SIII a few months ago and was politely told to go f**k myself
- Daniel Clifford
  
  THIS
- http://profiles.google.com/thelolotov Jacob Davis
  
  Same here!
  - jhardy93
    
    Me too
- http://profiles.google.com/tkimball00 Timothy Kimball
  
  Same here. Sticking with verizon due to unlimited 4G with bionic. Unless something changes significantly (like google and dish networks little adventure) I’m staying,
  - Nicholassss
    
    Bought a note 2 off contract with VZW. Im out as soo. As they take away my unlimited.
    - http://peoplewho.tumblr.com wireless G
      
      Guessing that cost a pretty penny? I want one of those but will wait for lower Ebay prices.
      - http://twitter.com/BlackBlizzNerd Ben Landwehr
        
        Yep, 699. Pricey, but my GNex is just slow as of late, it’s killing me. Even with Android 4.2 and it overclocked.
      - http://peoplewho.tumblr.com wireless G
        
        What ROM are you running? I thought 4.2 on the VZW GNex wasn’t happening yet.
      - http://twitter.com/turdbogls Turdbogls
        
        there are plenty of 4.2 ROMs for VZW gnex. i have euroskanks CM10.1 Kang on mine with no issues. smoother than 4.1 ever was, super quick, and finally getting better battery life…about 25-30% better than 4.1 which was already pretty good..
      - http://peoplewho.tumblr.com wireless G
        
        Great, thanks, I was waiting for CM 10.1 to come from CM itself, but I guess there’s no need. Downloading it now. Did you have to do a full wipe coming from CM 10 (if you did)?
      - KleenDroid
        
        The Verizon GNex has plenty of 4.2.1 ROMs available.
        
        Whenever Google releases an update the ROM developers include it within a few days. It is why I love my GNex so much. I never have to wait for Verizon to to send me updates.
      - InyRules
        
        4.2 has taken away all the smoothness that 4.1 brought my GNex. It’s quite sad.
      - Nicholassss
        
        I was lucky. I won verizons world of win contest on facebook. So they gave me a 50 dollar gift card, a galaxy s3 and a jawbone jam box. After unloading all those on craigslist I was only about 75 dollars out of pocket.
        
        I dont think my fiancee would have let me get it otherwise. I got lucky.
    - jessiejames1209
      
      I bought a Note 2 for $250 at Verizon yesterday. Just asked the employee if I could keep my data and he said sure.
      - http://www.facebook.com/cindy.leavell.3 Cindy Leavell
        
        how did u get it for 250. I go Friday to get mines but I don’t want to pay 299
- http://twitter.com/jdrch jdrch
  
  Amen.
- Kyle Miller
  
  Yes!
- chris125
  
  Agree, once they do that I am gone. I will go with a gsm carrier and at least then I can get a nexus or untouched phone without all the carrier bs
  - http://twitter.com/misterE33 Mr E
    
    heck, i would be happy just for more timely updates and phone choices.
    - chris125
      
      Well Verizon has one of the best phone lineups right now. But I can agree about the updates
- Philip A. Kaiser
  
  Hit the nail on the head here!
- http://twitter.com/islandak islandak
  
  This is IT! If VZW eliminates unlimited data there’s nothing to hold me hostage with. Until then I’m not even looking into other options.
- http://twitter.com/davidbavin David Bavin
  
  Goes into “Plan options”
- InyRules
  
  Good for you, and I hope you can keep it for a while. Had I had unlimited on my Verizon plan, I probably would have kept them. Alas, there is no point in LTE if you can’t use it as much as you want. My buddy told me how much he goes through in a month, and I told him he better hang on to that unlimited plan for dear life.
- http://twitter.com/SeanathanVT Sean Halpin
  
  100% this.
- Sparxx2k7
  
  Same! … of course I know I may be hijacking here, but 2 questions: 1- my g/f is on my plan and she and I both have unlimited. Will she lose unlimited when she upgrades in March or keep it? My upgrade (as the primary) is in July. 2- and as far as keeping it, 2 things come to mind to do so A- don’t renew, go month to month and B- buy off-contract …. or are there different ways to keep my unlimited?
- Randy Iglesias
  
  Same here.
chris125

Unlimited data. May give it up to switch to gsm so I can get a nexus when contact is up
http://twitter.com/CrayzeeJoe Joe Wright

I was with Verizon but since Sprint has pretty decent LTE coverage where I live AND unlimited data, I switched to them. Plus, it’s cheaper!!!
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Williams/579249547 Jonathan Williams
  
  I might be joining you.
jhikol

Unlimited data!!!
http://lerlop.com Mick Lerlop

GSM

Tuesday Poll: What’s Keeping You With Your Current Wireless Carrier?

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