Worth switching to AT&T in NY metro area?

Question

Worth switching to AT&T in NY metro area?

Folks,

I am seriously considering switching from my Moto RAZR on Verizon (not to mention my 3rd-gen iPod and Palm Zire) to the iPhone.

My biggest concern: horror stories I've heard about how much worse AT&T's network is than Verizon's.

I work in New York City and live in a New Jersey suburb. Can anyone out there provide any insight about AT&T's coverage in these areas, using the iPhone?

Many thanks in advance.

Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.8) iBook G4 (10.3.9); AirPort Extreme; AirPort Express (range extender)

Posted on Jul 13, 2007 10:19 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

rkny

Level 1

91 points

Jul 13, 2007 10:32 AM in response to Justin Schack1

No idea about NJ. I'm in Manhattan. I was on T-Mobile previously. I had almost no signal in my apt. (Gramercy area). Now I get full bars. However, I have a friend who can't get a signal in his midtown office. Point being, it all depends on where you plan to use the phone and what your proximity to a tower is. Out and around on the streets, I've pretty much got a full signal all the time.

I think it's pretty safe to say Verizon has NYC covered better than AT&T in many places. But you don't get an iPhone with Verizon. 😉

Here's what I would do if you really want to switch. Go to an AT&T store, ask them if they have any free phones with 2 year activation. Sign up, get the free phone, DON'T port your number from Verizon. Try the phone out for a few days in the places you'll be talking most.

If you like the service, go back and get yourself an iPhone, then port your number from Verizon. The free phone will be yours to keep (many folks, including myself have verified this).

If you don't like the service, you have 30 days to cancel the contract and return the free phone.

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Answer 2

SeeBee

Level 1

105 points

Jul 13, 2007 10:40 AM in response to Justin Schack1

I live in Phily but I've been working in NY for the past six years 9 months a year. I've had ATT since 2001 never had any coverage issues at all. I even get great reception along the NJ turnpike and in the tunnels. This was with a Moto Razr also on ATT. I even had a conversation from exit 3(Philadelphia) on the NJ turnpike to Brooklyn no problems. As far as the iphone is concerned I haven't been to NY with it yet.
I the only time I have consistantly lost a signal was being in my hotel elevator.

Mac OS X (10.4.6)

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Answer 3

kb152

Level 1

9 points

Jul 13, 2007 10:44 AM in response to Justin Schack1

I live in brooklyn and have had at&t for three years. Expect some dropped calls. I seem to have fewer than with my old phone, but from what I gather, you should expect far more than with Verizon or other carriers. Probably not what you want to hear, but I think the phone is worth it. Hopefully service improvements will be forthcoming.

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Answer 4

jrm16311

Level 1

15 points

Jul 13, 2007 11:09 AM in response to Justin Schack1

Justin, I switched from Verizon to AT&T and so far my experience has been terrible. The real questions is not whether it's worth switching but rather how badly do you want an iPhone.

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Answer 5

Dr V

Level 3

650 points

Jul 13, 2007 11:17 AM in response to Justin Schack1

Well I've had Cingular (AT&T) service for the last 3 years and I've had nothing but good experiences. I live in Inwood, and I get full bars in my apt. and I can't recall the last time I had a dropped call. I also get full bars at work (City College). I will say though, EDGE speeds vary dramatically from day to day, but this isn't a big deal (for me at least) as I'm on WiFi 98% of the time.

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Answer 6

Jul 13, 2007 11:21 AM in response to Justin Schack1

As with all cellular networks, Your Mileage May Vary. I've been with AT&T Wireless/Cingular/AT&T for about 8 years now, and I've had 2 majors issues with calls. One was their fault (which they admitted and had fixed within a few days) and one was a bad phone. I've used my phones in a number of major metropolitan areas (Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York) and some not so major areas. I usually seem to get decent coverage. I spent about 3 months in lower Manhattan this past winter, and except for when I was in my client's basement (where they stuff all the consultants), my coverage seemed to be adequate, meaning I've had better signal strength, but always seemed to be able to receive and complete calls, and I was able to understand the people to whom I was speaking, and vice versa. Ultimately you'll just need to try it out and see if their coverage is good for the specific areas where you'll be using your phone the most.

MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.10) iPhone

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Answer 7

Jul 13, 2007 11:33 AM in response to Justin Schack1

Can't comment on NYC. I live in Piscataway, which is in central NJ. I get significantly better signal than with Sprint. Pretty good, even inside buildings.
But as you know, things can vary even within states.

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Answer 8

Jul 13, 2007 12:28 PM in response to rkny

Thanks for the advice -- I just might try signing up for a free phone with 2-year activation to see whether I'm OK with the service.

One thing I noticed on ATT Wireless website, though, is that there's a $36 activation fee for each new line. You have to return the phone and cancel service within three days to have that refunded. If you return the phone after three days but before 30 days, you don't have to pay the $175 early termination, but you are still on the hook for the $36 activation. FYI in case anyone else is considering doing the same...

Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.8) iBook G4 (10.3.9); AirPort Extreme; AirPort Express (range extender)

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Answer 9

Jul 13, 2007 12:45 PM in response to Charles Hedrick1

Hey cool, I used to live in Piscataway before I moved to the city...

I had Verizon about 7 or 8 years ago and back then they were much better than AT&T or T-Mobile. Nowadays, it's more of a wash. Been in NJ/NYC area all my life and in most places coverage is comparable. There are places where Verizon has no signal (no I'm not lying!) and there are places where AT&T has no signal. I'm talking about basements or deep inside a mall, not large regions mind you.

I do notice that friends with Verizon seem to have slightly deeper coverage into subway stations though. Like for those few minutes you're waiting for the subway, you might be able to text on Verizon while probably not on AT&T.

Both AT&T and Verizon run circles around T-Mobile and Sprint though...

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Answer 10

rkny

Level 1

91 points

Jul 13, 2007 12:47 PM in response to Justin Schack1

$36 is still cheaper than a 10% iPhone restocking fee. 🙂

I'm sure if you balked enough they'd refund the $36.

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Answer 11

Jul 13, 2007 12:51 PM in response to Carl Jabido

More info for anyone considering testing out the ATT network by signing up for a free phone. I was just online with an ATT wireless rep and he said that you cannot keep the free phone if you want to switch to another one (i.e. if you decide you like the service and want to switch to an iPhone). You have to turn in the free phone. But he did confirm that you can return your phone and terminate the 2-year contract within 30 days without paying the early termination fee. All you're on the hook for is the $36 activation fee (if you don't return within 3 days) and any airtime/usage fees plus prorated service for the portion of the 1st month you used.

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Answer 12

Dr V

Level 3

650 points

Jul 13, 2007 12:56 PM in response to Justin Schack1

That's odd, my wife got a KRZR K1 about 2 months ago, using the online rebates and such and renewing her contract. She just got an iPhone and has kept the K1 as her backup. No one said she had to return the phone. Also, how could they make you return the phone. You go to an Apple store, buy your iPhone, and activate it at home. Are you saying AT&T will call you at home and ask you to drive to an AT&T store and return your free phone or bill you for the entire phone if you don't return it? It just seems unlikely.

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Answer 13

Jul 13, 2007 1:07 PM in response to Justin Schack1

Yeah that's the policy for switching to another regular phone. AT&T's policy for the iPhone is different. You get to keep the old phone. The only thing that happens is that you start a new contract from the day you activate the iPhone.

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Answer 14

GBH

Level 1

73 points

Jul 13, 2007 1:22 PM in response to Justin Schack1

I think it varies by market as to quality. I am not in NY, but I switched from Verizon in the Charlotte, NC market to AT&T and it is much better with ATT. I did this four or five months ago and AT&T is superior.

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Answer 15

Jul 13, 2007 2:43 PM in response to Justin Schack1

Just an FYI for everyone... Several years back AT&T and T-Mobile actually made an agreement to use each-other's networks but sell their service independently in the NYC and California markets.

Details: AT&T could use T-Mobile's network in NYC
T-Mobile could use AT&Ts network in California

So, whatever T-Mobile's network is in NYC, so will it be for AT&T.. unless AT&T acquired 850MHz spectrum in NYC and built a network on that.. then all bets are off!

I'm not in those markets, but just wanted to let you guys know!

Aaron

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