Switching from Verizon to AT&T

[Quick281]

Thinking about doing it, strictly for the Iphone.

Judging from what Rae has shared with us in her thread and based on what my sister told me about her experiences, I think I am going to try it.

My RAZR is old and beat up and quite frankly I don't see anything that really interests me at the Verizon store. It would cost me 85 bucks to leave Verizon and I have the 300.00 dollars it would take to get me started on the 16gb Iphone.

As far as monthly goes it would be a bit more expensive but I would have the unlimited data access and I could go with fewer minutes. My mom has AT&T and so I could call her for free which realistically is most of my minute usage these days anyways. Regardless, I think I would be A TON happier with just a slightly higher monthly fee.

Does anyone have any caution or words of wisdom before switching over? I plan on being in Alaska next summer and winter and I know the phone will work up there, probably just as shittily as my RAZR did.

[rogue]

I have never had Verizon but I do have AT&T. I switched to them last year from Aw hell (Altell) because the plans were better & I get better coverage here. Not to mention the better phones through AT&T at the time. :lol:

You can get the least plan that qualifies you for unlimited data (texting/internet). Mine is 900 anytime minutes, 1500 nights and weekend minutes with unlimited M2M and rollover. Most people I talk to across the country have AT&T so I use very little of my minutes and have tons of rollover minutes. I have never had billing issues or service issues with AT&T.

As far as Alaska, did you look at their coverage map for the state? That should help.

If you're like me, a slighly higher plan is definitely worth all the texting & internet usage. I've been slacking this month, but I typically go through close to 10,000 texts and over a G of internet/media. If I'm not texting I'm :pwhore2: :lol:

[t-homo]

Why not stick with Verizon and get the blackberry storm in a month?

[Corey]

I've done the opposite recently. I don't really have anything bad to say about AT&T in general, but I switched because I kept having problems with calls being dropped or people being sent straight to voicemail when they called without me knowing. There would be periods of about a week during each month where I would try to call out and would have my call fail. According to AT&T tech support, I should be in a really good area, but at least one week a month I'd have god awful service and would barely be able to receive a call or make one. I had the problem with three different styles of phone, so it wasn't a phone issue.

I know it doesn't happen to everyone, so take this as anecdotal. I know a few people in the area who experience the same problem. I switched to Verizon (got the Blackberry Storm) and I haven't had that problem at all.

[rogue]

I've done the opposite recently. I don't really have anything bad to say about AT&T in general, but I switched because I kept having problems with calls being dropped or people being sent straight to voicemail when they called without me knowing. There would be periods of about a week during each month where I would try to call out and would have my call fail. According to AT&T tech support, I should be in a really good area, but at least one week a month I'd have god awful service and would barely be able to receive a call or make one. I had the problem with three different styles of phone, so it wasn't a phone issue.

I know it doesn't happen to everyone, so take this as anecdotal. I know a few people in the area who experience the same problem. I switched to Verizon (got the Blackberry Storm) and I haven't had that problem at all.


I had that problem with Aw hell. If I wanted to talk at home, I had to walk outside. Granted I lived out in the sticks then, but when I changed to AT&T I didn't have that happen as often.

About a month ago a few of us (all on AT&T) were having text issues. We'd send a text and it would say it didn't go through, when most times it did. So you wound up with 3 to 5 of the same texts being sent. After a couple of days they fixed it so no more issue.

The only good thing I could say about my service with aw hell was, aside from my house, I got a decent signal in remote locations. Since I ride those areas, I was concerned about that with AT&T. So far no issue.

[JoJoYZF]

Ive never had at&t, but Id definitely suggest checking out the blackberry storm before paying to switch. I have verizon and as of right now the storm will be my next phone. My buddy has it and its sweet and hes had no problems with it at all.

[Bassplayer]

I just switched from Metro PCS (unlited everything for 60 bucks.. crappy coverage tho) to verizon today, got myself the Voyager

[Homeslice]

I kept having problems with calls being dropped or people being sent straight to voicemail when they called without me knowing.

This, plus I have a time delay between when I speak and when the other person hears it. AT&T FTL. I'm going back to Verizon.

[Quick281]

Interesting things to consider, thanks for the replies.

Some of you unhappy with AT&T should know that I am currently having those problems with Verizon, however it could to blame my old ass RAZR which has been beaten down. Voice mails just randomly pop into my phone and people have been telling me that 1 in 6 calls are getting to ring, but this is a new development.

I will probably take a look at the Storm since I am eligible for the 100.00 off.

[Corey]

Interesting things to consider, thanks for the replies.

Some of you unhappy with AT&T should know that I am currently having those problems with Verizon, however it could to blame my old ass RAZR which has been beaten down. Voice mails just randomly pop into my phone and people have been telling me that 1 in 6 calls are getting to ring, but this is a new development.

I will probably take a look at the Storm since I am eligible for the 100.00 off.

The Storm is a really nice phone. It's the phone I'm using now. It was a big reason I went with Verizon actually. I'm a big fan of Blackberry phones in general, so a new toy to play with was a big draw.

I'll let you know this though, it's still in need of at least one more firmware update. The first update went a long way towards getting rid of the first release bugs, but there are a few left. For me it's not much of a problem because I know the updates will be out eventually and things will be sorted, but just understand that it's a first generation of the phone and there are still a few goofy kind of problems. They'll be fixed eventually, but they still need fixing. They're small things (onscreen keyboard hangs for a moment when switching from portrait to landscape, OS hangs randomly for about a second when going from home screen to icon screen) but they're still things that may throw you. They'll be fixed eventually through firmware release updates. The iPhone is a better multimedia phone, but the Storm is a better actual phone, which is a little more important to me than surfing the web on a better browser.

[Dave]

i have a G1 i use for work that is flawless. my verizon phone on the other hand is so glitched im going to have to take it in and try to bitch my way into a different phone of equal value.

[Trip]

ATT's network here is garbage and they won't let me do a bundle with iphone with my dish net/internet/home phone, otherwise I would switch. There is no 3G in my town and you can't even get service where I work and Verizon has EVDO in my town and you can get service from my desk.

[Quick281]

The Storm is a really nice phone. It's the phone I'm using now. It was a big reason I went with Verizon actually. I'm a big fan of Blackberry phones in general, so a new toy to play with was a big draw.

I'll let you know this though, it's still in need of at least one more firmware update. The first update went a long way towards getting rid of the first release bugs, but there are a few left. For me it's not much of a problem because I know the updates will be out eventually and things will be sorted, but just understand that it's a first generation of the phone and there are still a few goofy kind of problems. They'll be fixed eventually, but they still need fixing. They're small things (onscreen keyboard hangs for a moment when switching from portrait to landscape, OS hangs randomly for about a second when going from home screen to icon screen) but they're still things that may throw you. They'll be fixed eventually through firmware release updates. The iPhone is a better multimedia phone, but the Storm is a better actual phone, which is a little more important to me than surfing the web on a better browser.

Thanks for the reply, I went through the same things with the RAZR when it first came out. It had many issues but they were solved with various releases. Obviously, not quite as important as it would be to a phone like the Storm, but I don't mind waiting when I know things are being taken care of.

I just spent some time comparing the two and the Storm actually seems like a bit of a better deal. I would get 100 bucks off with my 2 year renewal, plus 50 bucks off as rebate, that makes it much cheaper then the Iphone and I don't have to pay 80 bucks to break up with them.

[Gas Man]

iphone is the only good reason to be with ATT. Verizon blows IMO.

But whatever you do... don't get the new samsung at verizon... my bro has it and is on his 3rd one in under a month! Everything will work fine on it besides the phone rotation thing (like the iphones do) where the screen turns or flips when you turn or flip the phone.

[marko138]

I have both. ATT for personal and Verizon for work. They are both about the same here. Tho...watch...ATT will charge you for random shit for no reason...shady bastards.

[rogue]

I have both. ATT for personal and Verizon for work. They are both about the same here. Tho...watch...ATT will charge you for random shit for no reason...shady bastards.

I keep hearing about how they've done that to other people. I've been with them for over a year now and haven't noticed any charges on my bill that shouldn't be. :idk:

[marko138]

I keep hearing about how they've done that to other people. I've been with them for over a year now and haven't noticed any charges on my bill that shouldn't be. :idk:
It's happened to me about 3 times over the last 6 years or so.

[Gas Man]

verizon I know charges you for EVERY damn THING. Its stupid... where as Sprint doesn't...

[azoomm]

I have both. ATT for personal and Verizon for work. They are both about the same here. Tho...watch...ATT will charge you for random shit for no reason...shady bastards.

Yup.

I would go with any other network even if they cost more... just to stay away from the evil empire that is AT&T. And, would recommend everyone else stay away from them.

That is ESPECIALLY if you want your phone to do anything other than call people - blackberry service on ATT is a raping.... fuckers. I hate them. Hell, I couldn't even get them to cancel my service - that took three extra months. :rant:

[Sixxxxer]

I have verizon...Cant complain...But I've also had Sprint And T Mobile...(while still keeping my Verizon Line)

And I like Verizon the best.

I've heard ATT is Shit. But I dunno I think nowadays all companies are about the same...they have to be to stay competative

[VatorMan]

I will say that my blackberry worked awesomely in Europe a couple of weeks ago. In fact-it worked better than here. ATT all the way here.

[Trip]

I will say that my blackberry worked awesomely in Europe a couple of weeks ago. In fact-it worked better than here. ATT all the way here.

Verizon has world edition crackberrys that use GSM so that's a nonissue in your case. Everyone is going to LTE as their 4G choice, so the CDMA/GSM war is coming to an end as everyone will be using the same tech. Verizon is getting there first as they invest much much more into their network than AT&T does, so Verizon is the best future choice if you want speed.

[101lifts2]

Verizon doesn't drop calls like ATT...but hey you get a cool phone.

[JoJoYZF]

iphone is the only good reason to be with ATT. Verizon blows IMO.

But whatever you do... don't get the new samsung at verizon... my bro has it and is on his 3rd one in under a month! Everything will work fine on it besides the phone rotation thing (like the iphones do) where the screen turns or flips when you turn or flip the phone.

Which one? The omnia seems to be getting better reviews than both the storm and iphone right now and thats one of samsungs newest phones.

[Homeslice]

Verizon blows IMO.

How do you figure?

[JoJoYZF]

How do you figure?

Another good point. I havent had any issues with them and Ive been with verizon for over 3 years.

[Sixxxxer]

Same here...Hell I've been a Customer for 5 Years...and I have no Complaints.

[rogue]

IMO, it depends on where you are and the coverage the provider has of that area.

T Mobile sucks major ass here and Verizon doesn't do much business here as well.

The big providers in my area are Aw Hell and AT&T, with AT&T having the better coverage, plans, and service.

[Corey]

They've all got their shit points. For me, Sprint was the absolute worst. They kept fucking up my bill, adding a fuck ton of extra charges, charging me for minutes when I was in unlimited nights and weekends, charging me for data when I had unlimited data, charging for text when I had unlimited text. Shit like that. And their CSR's are rude pieces of shit. I won't touch Sprint/Nextel again. I'd rather get a tracphone.

AT&T wasn't bad for me. I had them before and they were fine, then switched to Sprint/Nextel because I moved to an area where AT&T service was non-existant, and eventually changed back. I've had nothing but good experiences with their customer service department. Problem was, I had to contact their customer service department on several occassions to find out why my calls would be dropped, why I wouldn't be able to call out or receive calls, or why I'd have zero 3G coverage in a supposedly strong 3G area. Good customer service is nice, but useless when I can't use my phone for about a week out of every month for unknown reasons.

So far Verizon has treated me right. I haven't had dropped calls, I get good connection on their 3G, and I like my Storm a whole bunch. I'd like it more if they'd release another firmware update, but I knew that would be something I would probably have to deal with jumping on a first generation new toy. The only problem I've had is getting them to add my discount I get through my job (22% is fucking sweeeeeet), but that's finally been applied.

[rogue]

They've all got their shit points. For me, Sprint was the absolute worst. They kept fucking up my bill, adding a fuck ton of extra charges, charging me for minutes when I was in unlimited nights and weekends, charging me for data when I had unlimited data, charging for text when I had unlimited text. Shit like that. And their CSR's are rude pieces of shit. I won't touch Sprint/Nextel again. I'd rather get a tracphone.

AT&T wasn't bad for me. I had them before and they were fine, then switched to Sprint/Nextel because I moved to an area where AT&T service was non-existant, and eventually changed back. I've had nothing but good experiences with their customer service department. Problem was, I had to contact their customer service department on several occassions to find out why my calls would be dropped, why I wouldn't be able to call out or receive calls, or why I'd have zero 3G coverage in a supposedly strong 3G area. Good customer service is nice, but useless when I can't use my phone for about a week out of every month for unknown reasons.

So far Verizon has treated me right. I haven't had dropped calls, I get good connection on their 3G, and I like my Storm a whole bunch. I'd like it more if they'd release another firmware update, but I knew that would be something I would probably have to deal with jumping on a first generation new toy. The only problem I've had is getting them to add my discount I get through my job (22% is fucking sweeeeeet), but that's finally been applied.

Could you post up a link to your phone? The one you sent my via text didn't load the page for me.

[Corey]

Could you post up a link to your phone? The one you sent my via text didn't load the page for me.

She's a beauty... (http://www.blackberry.com/blackberrystorm/)

[Method]

I've done the opposite recently. I don't really have anything bad to say about AT&T in general, but I switched because I kept having problems with calls being dropped or people being sent straight to voicemail when they called without me knowing. There would be periods of about a week during each month where I would try to call out and would have my call fail. According to AT&T tech support, I should be in a really good area, but at least one week a month I'd have god awful service and would barely be able to receive a call or make one. I had the problem with three different styles of phone, so it wasn't a phone issue.

I know it doesn't happen to everyone, so take this as anecdotal. I know a few people in the area who experience the same problem. I switched to Verizon (got the Blackberry Storm) and I haven't had that problem at all.
I've had the same experience. Been with verizon for years, switched to AT&T and switched right back.

I had nothing but dropped calls, network busy, and non-ringing incoming calls with AT&T.

Verizon has been hands down reliable for me with a semi-decent lineup of phone.

[Particle Man]

I love my friggin iPhone.

[Quick281]

It should be noted that I checked out the specs on the storm, went and played with a demo version and while it seemed slow I guessed that it had been abused and could still be a great phone.

Walked out the door with the Storm for 100 bucks after the mail in rebate. I am very happy with it. The sales person hooked it up to my e-mail and moved my contacts for me and I was off. Now that I used a couple of tutorial videos I have been able to enjoy it.

As usual, I am glad I stated a thread before making any choices. :rockwoot:

[Corey]

It should be noted that I checked out the specs on the storm, went and played with a demo version and while it seemed slow I guessed that it had been abused and could still be a great phone.

Walked out the door with the Storm for 100 bucks after the mail in rebate. I am very happy with it. The sales person hooked it up to my e-mail and moved my contacts for me and I was off. Now that I used a couple of tutorial videos I have been able to enjoy it.

As usual, I am glad I stated a thread before making any choices. :rockwoot:

Congrats man. It's a sweet phone. If you got any questions or help with the phone, throw a PM my way and I'll see what I can do to help you out.

Do you know if your phone has already been upgraded to the latest firmware?

[Quick281]

Congrats man. It's a sweet phone. If you got any questions or help with the phone, throw a PM my way and I'll see what I can do to help you out.

Do you know if your phone has already been upgraded to the latest firmware?

Yes I believe it has been. The salesman told me it might need to be updated and I had remembered what you told me. It checked for updates and said none were available. So I assume all is well. I also deleted the Verizone Navigation program since I won't be subscribing to it, and I was told it would help speed the phone up.

[Corey]

Yes I believe it has been. The salesman told me it might need to be updated and I had remembered what you told me. It checked for updates and said none were available. So I assume all is well. I also deleted the Verizone Navigation program since I won't be subscribing to it, and I was told it would help speed the phone up.

There's something like a gig of internal memory in addition to the 8 gig microSD card that should have come with the phone, so I don't think that program would impact things much. Though I did the same anyway, as well as deleted the Documents to Go thing. I'm sure it's a nice program and all that shit, but I have no desire to store, open, or edit Word or Excel docs on my phone anytime soon. And Brickbreaker got the axe also. Just isn't as much fun on the touch screen.

If you haven't already, play the Word Mole game that comes with it a few times. It's decent enough fun, but it helps tremendously in getting you accustomed to using the touch screen and being pretty quick on it.

[Quick281]

There's something like a gig of internal memory in addition to the 8 gig microSD card that should have come with the phone, so I don't think that program would impact things much. Though I did the same anyway, as well as deleted the Documents to Go thing. I'm sure it's a nice program and all that shit, but I have no desire to store, open, or edit Word or Excel docs on my phone anytime soon. And Brickbreaker got the axe also. Just isn't as much fun on the touch screen.

If you haven't already, play the Word Mole game that comes with it a few times. It's decent enough fun, but it helps tremendously in getting you accustomed to using the touch screen and being pretty quick on it.


Thanks, I also rid of the brick breaker thing right away. I may go ahead and rid of the programs on the go too, I don't see the need anytime soon and I can always down load the program again if I wanted.

Is there a way to watch video on youtube and such? I have loaded the site but the videos don't show up.

[Corey]

Youtube works fine on my phone. You may want to check your settings and see if java is enabled on your browser. Enable the java settings and see if that works for you.

[Gas Man]

Which one? The omnia seems to be getting better reviews than both the storm and iphone right now and thats one of samsungs newest phones.

Yep that is it. Knew it was some funky name... the phone rocks in many aspects but sucks in so many other ways.

How do you figure?

Very cafeully by carring both a verizon and a sprint for years. Further, due to my dealings with verizon via my bro who has them. They charge for every little bit and their tech support sucks.

The only thing they have that is better. Is service in northern michigan.

[Trip]

It should be noted that I checked out the specs on the storm, went and played with a demo version and while it seemed slow I guessed that it had been abused and could still be a great phone.

Walked out the door with the Storm for 100 bucks after the mail in rebate. I am very happy with it. The sales person hooked it up to my e-mail and moved my contacts for me and I was off. Now that I used a couple of tutorial videos I have been able to enjoy it.

As usual, I am glad I stated a thread before making any choices. :rockwoot:

How did you get it for $100? I can only find it at stores for $199 after mail in rebate and $149 online with a mail in rebate. This is for a new every 2 plan.

[Particle Man]

How did you get it for $100? I can only find it at stores for $199 after mail in rebate and $149 online with a mail in rebate. This is for a new every 2 plan.
he threw in some oral gratification for the guy that ran the store

[MissHell]

I've been an AT&T customer for 10+ years...and I have no complaints.
Rarely have dropped calls and have never seen any random/bogus charges on my bill.

[Particle Man]

I've been an AT&T customer for 10+ years...and I have no complaints.
Rarely have dropped calls and have never seen any random/bogus charges on my bill.

how far can you realistically roam from a cell tower when you live on an island? :lol:

[MissHell]

how far can you realistically roam from a cell tower when you live on an island? :lol:
:nee:

[Particle Man]

:nee:

;)

[the chi]

Had my iphone with ATT for a few months now and altho I have never liked ATT, I have no complaints thus far.

Having been a prior Sprint customer I can safely say they bite the big one.

Verizon was great, except they cost more, didnt have the Iphone and I dont like Blackberrys overmuch.

With ATTs lower prices and the unlimited text and media/data/internet options, I am never bored.

For those interested in GPS stuff, the Motox GPS app is AWESOME. The lite version is free, and even without reception, it uses satellites so you can still use that function!

[Trip]

For those interested in GPS stuff, the Motox GPS app is AWESOME. The lite version is free, and even without reception, it uses satellites so you can still use that function!

That's good because you won't be using your phone much in tennessee. Pretty much everywhere is not AT&T service area except for knoxville.

[the chi]

That's good because you won't be using your phone much in tennessee. Pretty much everywhere is not AT&T service area except for knoxville.

I guess its a good thing we arent having the rally in TN then huh? :skep:

[Mr Lefty]

LOL look at Rae all pissy

[the chi]

LOL look at Rae all pissy


not pissy, quoting truth. *sniff*


:lol:

[Trip]

I guess its a good thing we arent having the rally in TN then huh? :skep:

Not for me, I could save a ton of money switching to AT&T and an iPhone with my TVA discount and a bundle with my AT&T home service, AT&T DSL, and Dish Net, but the fuckers won't put up towers where I need them. I am not talking about the gap because verizon doesn't even work there. I am talking I can't get 3G at home just regular GSM and i dont get service at all once I leave the interstate on the way to work all the way to work. Basically where I need service for emergency reasons, the damn thing doesn't work in the half the places. GHEY!!! So I am stuck with Verizon til AT&T gets off their ass.

There is one Apple fanboy at work that had to have the iphone, so he has a cheap verizon phone with the bare minimum just to have an emergency phone. :lol: That's apple dedication.

iPhone will come to Verizon eventually, I am hoping the deal runs out this year and it's announced at macworld next month.

[Particle Man]

iPhone will come to Verizon eventually, I am hoping the deal runs out this year and it's announced at macworld next month.
now that would be interesting... all our company phones are through Verizon so it's a PIT for me to expense my phone through AT&T. :(

[Trip]

now that would be interesting... all our company phones are through Verizon so it's a PIT for me to expense my phone through AT&T. :(

It's coming regardless of AT&T wanting it to or not, it will either come in the form of a CDMA phone or when LTE starts to become the norm and there is no more CDMA/GSM war. It's just a matter of years or months. I don't think we will get an iphone CDMA this year unless Apple really throws a curveball at macworld, but it's looking more and more a reality for 2010.

[Amorok]

I switched from Verizon to Cingular long before iPhone, and I'm so glad I did. Verizon gave me bad service and overcharged. ATT leaves me alone and gives me money for dropped calls.

[Gas Man]

Bottom line is this..

its hard to say that any of them are better or worse cause we all live too far apart. Suck here may not be suck there.

Plus I can attest that I know people that don't know how to deal with biz.

Take for example my chevy dealer. I love them and they take care of me. My bro took his chevy truck there... said they were rude, and gave him shit.

I have never had that but my bro is nitorious for having more problems. He just doesn't handle customer service well. So that alters people's perspective on dealing with any company.

[Smittie61984]

From what I have seen AT&T and Verizon are actually pretty close with Verizon having slightly better service. I have Verizon and have stuck with them because I ride solo a lot and prefer having a phone that works well in weird locations. Of course my phone is an old school 4year old flip phone and I disabled text messaging.

But I will say if you are going to switch don't switch for a phone. 2 years from now AT&T will no longer have the Macdaddy phone and it'll be Verizon with it. Or who knows maybe even Metro PCS. The cell phone companies are becoming so competitive now who knows what will become in 2+ years.

Now when you do leave you are going to get some crazy offers that are worth taking. My buddy was going to leave Sprint/Nextel for Verizon but then they knocked his payment down and gave him two brand new top of the line phones for free. So he stayed.