Posted on 05/09/2010 1:31:13 PM PDT by KevinDavis
Here is the story..
I'm looking to get a decent cell phone provider that is good, have excellent phones, and be used in overseas. Right now I have a pay go phone (I used to have trash mobile but long story) and I can't use it globally..
I did ask companies like Boost and Cricket and they can't be used overseas. Out of the 3 which of would you recommend??
Depends on the country you are going and where you live. Check coverage maps. VZW and ATT have largest roaming agreements worldwide. It doesn’t matter what device you carry without coverage.
AT&T is best for international use; their phones are GSM-based, which is the typical standard in the rest of the world. Verizon and Sprint phones typically operate with incompatible technology.
Yes there phones can be used overseas....but check with Verizon on what you need to have.
Unlike many AT&T customers I’m very happy with the service, both domestic and overseas. What I don’t like is their lack of really outstanding new generation devices. They put all their apples in the iPhone basket, and Sprint and Verizon are getting better hardware, in my opinion.
How good is Verizon in the UK??
Well, off hand I’ve had Sprint for many years. It has always worked for me.
Starting from scratch you need to consider first what phone you need.
What data, video, voice and applications you are going to be using and how often.
In other words if you going with an I-phone, windows phone or other data phone.
I have the Samsung 30 instinct it is an other data phone. It is ok for me as I only check email, Freerepublic and do no video or other applications other than Poker.
If you are going to use a lot of applications and video then do some research on the I phone and window phones with their associated apps.
Chose your phone then your provider, considering you want fixed price for voice, data, video, text etc. I have unlimited voice, data and text for a fixed price at Sprint but I do not believe they have a windows phone.
At&T because they have the I-phone. Everyone I work with has them and loves them. They are superior to any other smart phone. I don’t know what AT&t’s International data plan is but it’s expensive I’m sure. You can use WiFi though so you can get by with the domestic plan if you can find WiFi access.
AT&T service SUCKS! There is an article in the news last week stating how much calls are dropped with AT&T service. Of course they deny it, but I have AT&T and know for a fact if you can make a call without being dropped for more than a brief few minutes it is a miracle.
As for customer service VZW sucks although I have heard no better about anyone else. My wife called them to find out if she could call from Aruba and they said "Sure, no problem" without warning her about the cost or offering the overseas temporary package.
Agreed. AT&T has more dead zones than a cemetary. I gave up my reliable TMobile last year for an IPhone and AT&T and wish that I could get out of the contract. I routinely get text messages and voicemails a day late and still regularly get “network busy” messages.
I use T-Mobile which is owned by deutsche telefon. After Vodaphone is the second largest provider in the world. I have had them since it was Omnipoint and later became voicestream when DT bought them. It is a GSM network that happens to be far better abroad than it is here. If you are travelling to the UK and Ireland ATT will do as well since that is Vodaphone terrain, while T-mobile has the continent and the middle east. Anyway, here in NY T-mobile is as good as ATT and in some spots better. I also have roaming on my plan so I can practically use it anywhere.
Go with AT&T. I bought my Nokia 72e in Indonesia and used it with the Telkom company there. It is on the 3G network. When I came to the states, not only w/the Telkom SIM card did I receive calls from Indonesia (that is the power of the 3G network, but I was easily able to switch SIM cards to get service via At&T.
It basically depends upon how long you’re going to be out of the country. If as long as 3 months or longer, I would get an UNLOCKED phone such as AT&T provides, and do the SIM switch. If a short time, just get a phone that is 3G and has a generous roaming policy.
I have used Verizon in the past. Their phones have limited usage overseas and they LOCK the phones. That means that if you are abroad for an extended period, you can either pay their high roaming charges or you have to be a new phone. You cannot use a VERIZON phone with another provider. Further, Verizon is rather deceptive and confusing about their plans and it is very easy with them to incur charges accidentally.
I rate them at the bottom of all service providers.
Sprint has the best phones and plans if you want unlimited Internet access and texting. I only pay $39.99 a month.
I also like their Lotus phone . .it is free with a two year contract. It has online television channels for free as well.
I live in the Los Angeles area and Sprint/Boost works for me. Maybe in a outlying area it might not be the best choice. You would have to check.
My Sprint phone would not work in China last summer - could receive calls from U.S. but could not call to either the U.S. or any numbers in China. I think the people with me who had the best service there were using AT & T...
Is it ever the phone company you like the most? For me it is the one I hate the least. They are all great when you are buying something. Service later is always a problem, because you are on the hook with a contract.
I have been with T-Mobile for years and just bought a new phone. AT&T is Satan.
It looks like you live in Illinois. Have you thought about US Cellular? They are a regional carrier, but where they are, they are top notch.
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