AT&T vs. Verizon Network?

[Hoop]

We've had Verizon phones for years, and the service & network coverage is very good, but I'm thinking of ways to cut my monthly bills.

Between phones, TV, and the Interwebz we're spending waaaayy too much money every month.

I'm wondering if we bundled our phones with AT&T if they would offer a deal to have all our business. Currently have U-verse and AT&T internet service.

I don't want to be dropping calls all the time though.

How's the network compare?

AT&T and Verizon are about the same.

Both "data creep" and download caps on their phones and internet. I think around 500 for fiber and 150 for copper DSL.

Frankly there's no way to really get away from the higher costs without tossing some stuff. Like getting rid of your TV service and going with a slower internet or smartphone plans that have less data. I'm going through this with my parents right now, their satellite TV was canceled because it was too costly for them but they still won't give up their ATT internet, phone, cell phones etc and their plan is 250 per month. Complete ripoff but they like ATT so it's hard for me to explain that a 30$ a month local DSL company and a pair of pay as you go smartphones would do the same thing for them at almost half the cost.

[axel4488]

tmobile all the way. Never had an issue, customer service is top notch and you can't beat there prices. I have better coverage than both my friends who have ATT and Verizon. For internet, fios is the best. Best average speeds, customer service, and for what I pay I actually am getting better downs/ups than what I am supposed to be.

[Claybone]

I had AT&T for almost 10 years and recently switched to Verison and am extremely happy with the coverage and consistently for call quality.

[cfm117]

You can get "unlimited" (22GB) data plans on ATT if you have Uverse or Directv.

[WartHog]

AT&T charges way to much for way to little.

I switched to Tracfone even keeping my AT&T phone and number.

The service and coverage equals AT&T for my use which is small.

The cost for Tracfone minutes and air time is one third the cost of AT&T.

Check their website for deals on airtime and minutes. I switched three months ago.

The wife has had a Tracfone for about two years.

irh

Doesn't look like you can use your own smartphone with them - have to buy something from their very limited selection?

[anthonyca]

I have AT&T for my personal and Verizon for my work. Sometimes one has better coverage than the other so I carry both all the time. Verizon has gone to crap recently, we drop calls all day and we spend part of many calls asking if the other person can hear us, it is worse than any cell I have had since getting a cell phone. We have over 100 service guys and the dispatchers are really frustrated with the dropped calls and fading in and out. Verizon was much better when we first switched from T-Mobile that we had at work but I loved the wifi calling on T-Mobile as many of our customers had wifi and it would switch over.

The main reason I keep AT&T is I'm grandfathered into "unlimited" data. They do throttle down and it can be almost useless at times. Thier customer service sucks and they must offer bonuses for getting people off of unlimited because they always try to get me to switch plans. They tried to screw me out of it when someone got my credit card # and I had to get a new American Express #. I called them and the dumb broad tried to say there would be a lapse in the billing cycle so I would lose my plan, F that. Two supervisors later and it was fixed. There was no lapse, I called 3 weeks before the next billing cycle just to be sure and they said they wouldn't be able to process the payment in time. They were just trying to get me to lose my plan. F them!

[sd_shooter]

To save $ go to cricket, it's on the att network. Quality is worse than Verizon.

[Marauder2003]

How did the Frontier transition go for you?

Verizon FIOS does provide all in one bundles (i.e., tv, phone and internet). Cost will depend on packages and probably what area you're in. Currently, I'm on Verizon's Ultimate bundle which carried over to Frontier and includes, digital voice, 50/50 mbps internet, and their Ultimate TV package which has 445 channels including Cinemax and HBO. With a single DVR and another set top box, I'm paying $169/mo. including all fees and taxes.

Service wise, I've never had a single problem with FIOS. No down time other than the DVR going wonky once and which they replaced immediately. Can't say the same for TWC which I had before I switched. I've also been pretty satisfied with my cellular service. Never any issues. While Verizon isn't the cheapest, I've certainly never had any problems with their service either.

[Sky Soldier]

As far as cell phone coverage if you do any international traveling AT&T is the only way to go; all other companies will leave you sucking wind. When you need a phone and your in a foreign country you don't want to be without, yes there are alternatives in other countries but can increase your cost.

[Fxd650]

Something to consider. When on a phone call with Verizon, you cannot web search, or text. Doesn't seem like a big deal until you need to do both. Personal phone is att. Work phone is Verizon. where I'm working right now in San Francisco verizon is incredibly slow. To the point where I use my personal phone as a hot spot for my work iPad just to be able to do my reports and view blueprints. Att has never let me down.

[Marauder2003]

I have to disagree. Using my Verizon Samsung S5 (wifi turned off) I called my home phone. Once I picked up the home phone I opened Google on the Samsung and browsed the web. The call continued to stay live. The trick is getting the call screen minimized so you can do something else. And I think it is also related to 4G LTE. I think you are correct if the phone is in 3G mode.

Something to consider. When on a phone call with Verizon, you cannot web search, or text. Doesn't seem like a big deal until you need to do both. Personal phone is att. Work phone is Verizon. where I'm working right now in San Francisco verizon is incredibly slow. To the point where I use my personal phone as a hot spot for my work iPad just to be able to do my reports and view blueprints. Att has never let me down.

[axel4488]

As far as cell phone coverage if you do any international traveling AT&T is the only way to go; all other companies will leave you sucking wind. When you need a phone and your in a foreign country you don't want to be without, yes there are alternatives in other countries but can increase your cost.

haha what? I have T-Mobile and all I did was tell them I was in France for 2 weeks with layovers in London. They said sure no problem just reboot your phone when you get to Europe. Never had a single issue with unlimited calls,texts, or web. Cost me a whopping 15 bucks more for January's bill.

[Marauder2003]

I got my current Verizon smartphone because I was spending a week in Italy 2 years ago. Signed up for the international data plan before I left and cancelled when I got back. The cell function worked fine. Most hotels have wifi so actual data usage can be minimized.

As far as cell phone coverage if you do any international traveling AT&T is the only way to go; all other companies will leave you sucking wind. When you need a phone and your in a foreign country you don't want to be without, yes there are alternatives in other countries but can increase your cost.

[vliberatore]

I have to disagree. Using my Verizon Samsung S5 (wifi turned off) I called my home phone. Once I picked up the home phone I opened Google on the Samsung and browsed the web. The call continued to stay live. The trick is getting the call screen minimized so you can do something else. And I think it is also related to 4G LTE. I think you are correct if the phone is in 3G mode.

Yep. Been that way for ~18 months.

[fishmonger]

I don't know about cellular coverage, but I'm never giving up FIOS for my internet. Ever.

it might give up you lol

Thinking about FIOS myself. What does that cost per month?

Bob

you are too late at least any time soon. since it was sold things are all screwed up. maybe in a couple months they might take new orders i wouldnt hold my breath.

This brings up an interesting possible alternative;

Is FIOS also a TV provider now?

Maybe go all Verizon rather than all AT&T.

it as been for years.