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att network vs verizon

we need to replace our phones. i want to switch from verizon to att to get iphones. my wife thinks the att network is unreliable compared to verizon and wants us to get blackberrys. i'd appreciate any comments on verizon vs att for network reliability. we live in boston, so that's the primary focus, but we travel a lot too.

tia....tom

G5/dual2GHz, PBG4, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Aug 12, 2009 6:44 AM

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62 replies

Aug 12, 2009 6:49 AM in response to Tom Keyes

I am 35 yrs old. I have had a cell phone on AT&T (even when went to Cingular and back to AT&T) since I was 20. I have never had an issue with the service.

I live in N.VA and have traveled to CA, OK, MD, NO, TX, PA, TN, MA (in Boston area) and maybe a few other places with my phones. Never had an issue.

However of course, peoples opinions vary.

The only time I ever couldn't make a call when I needed to was during 9/11 as I work in the DC area and all cell towers were clogged then.

Aug 12, 2009 6:58 AM in response to Tom Keyes

dont tell anyone but im a verizon employee and switched from verizon wireless to at&t to get the iPhone. in my opinion overall i think verizon is better, but ive had no problem with at&t's service here in the new england area or in florida(the only areas where i've been since owning the iPhone). i live on the north shore in massachusetts and have had no trouble...also been in boston and had no trouble.

i've had the original iPhone and the new 3Gs

Aug 12, 2009 6:58 AM in response to Tom Keyes

I've also been using ATT for years, I would describe them as adequate. I think most people agree that verizon has a superior network, but I've never had a coverage problem that would cause me to change networks. In general, you will be able to get decent ATT service in populated areas and anyplace near an interstate highway. I have had occasional coverage issues in very remote locations (i.e., the middle of the AZ desert) where verizon seemed to work better. Personally, I would stay with ATT just to avoid the dreaded blackberry.

Aug 12, 2009 7:31 AM in response to Tom Keyes

We were Verizon subscribers since the early/mid-90s and made the switch. In our area, we have found ATT to be just as good if not better than Verizon for coverage. We are also paying less per month for the iPhone than we were paying Verizon for our Treos with data.

We're formerly from New England (Boston/Portsmouth/Manchester area) and were back for a visit a few months ago. I had good coverage everywhere I went even places where I had always experienced weak coverage with Verizon.

Aug 12, 2009 7:35 AM in response to Tom Keyes

We have had both Verizon and AT&T since the original iphone came out.

We travel the country - a lot of rural areas - and we have noticed very little difference between the two services.

It seems we have fewer delayed voice mails with AT&T than we do with Verizon, and Verizon seems to have slightly better coverage.

All in all, they have been about the same.

Sep 21, 2009 12:54 PM in response to Tom Keyes

I used Verizon for 8 years or so before switching to AT&T for my iPhone.

While AT&T is usable, it is nowhere near as reliable as Verizon. I'm in NJ, a suburb of NYC and constantly drop calls to and from work (NJ Parkway). Voicemails are delivered hours after they are left. Text messages are OK but fail more than they should. Data doesn't sync 5% - 10% of the time (emails, web, applications, etc).

AT&T drives me crazy!!! However, the iPhone is awesome. No other phone compares...and that's why I stick with my crappy AT&T service. I'd love to go back to Verizon.

Sep 21, 2009 1:02 PM in response to Tom Keyes

I was with Verizon for 18 years, grandfathered in to a plan that I could not let go ( 2 lines unlimited time shared [strange concept]) never had a complaint; probably cant remember when i dropped a call or had no service.

Since ATT I can hardly complete a call, but have great coverage all over where i have traveled. This is Denver, the local store says what till the 850 meg is in (mid OCT); we will see.

Message was edited by: lasllc

Oct 6, 2009 11:28 AM in response to Tom Keyes

WIth all the complaining about ATT, I have been wondering what all the fuss is about. Now my frustrations are adding up. The phone service is OK, sometimes I do get emails hours late. I also have ATT/SBC DSL service. I just tried to log onto ATT from work to check my email, not now. They are having problems again, try again later. This has happened 5 random times in the last 30 days. Not acceptable.

Oct 7, 2009 5:10 AM in response to Tom Keyes

I've used Verizon in both Florida and Michigan for years as well as during my travels around the country and it's been an extremely reliable service. Excellent coverage and minimal drops unless I'm in a mountainous area.

I just purchased an iPhone (with AT&T contract) and when I got it home to try it out, the only coverage I got was "no service" or no bars. Apparently the AT&T coverage maps are wrong as the map for my location shows that I will get the strongest reception they list.

I'm on my way to the AT&T store to return the iPhone and cancel my contract. Too bad I will have to pay a restocking fee even though their coverage map led me to believe I would have good coverage. If they had been honest in their coverage map I wouldn't have gone through the process.

I'll stick with Verizon until Apple decides to sell the iPhone through other carriers. If that doesn't happen, I'll get a Blackberry and go from there.

Live and Learn.

Jim

Oct 7, 2009 6:57 AM in response to stevetothink

stevetothink wrote:
I used Verizon for 8 years or so before switching to AT&T for my iPhone.

While AT&T is usable, it is nowhere near as reliable as Verizon. I'm in NJ, a suburb of NYC and constantly drop calls to and from work (NJ Parkway). Voicemails are delivered hours after they are left. Text messages are OK but fail more than they should. Data doesn't sync 5% - 10% of the time (emails, web, applications, etc).

AT&T drives me crazy!!! However, the iPhone is awesome. No other phone compares...and that's why I stick with my crappy AT&T service. I'd love to go back to Verizon.


Logical, each cell phone provider has gaps in their coverage. I handle the corporate cell phones for my users, we have cell contracts with each major provider in the US, we issue phones from the various providers depending on where the end user main area of activity will be simple because of the coverage.

Best bet is to talk to people in your area as to which provider works the best, as far as blackberry's go - make sure you review the data plan requirements of the provider prior to making the decision, they do have their own data plan that has to be added per phone, just like the IPhone requires a different unlimited data plan then a regular phone, which is currently 30.00 per iphone

Oct 7, 2009 7:27 AM in response to Tom Keyes

It's hard to beat Verizon in the Northeast. Far fewer dropped calls, more coverage, less congestion. The price is the same as ATT, except the latter has rollover minutes.

That said, you should borrow someone's ATT phone for a couple of days and drive around to check the situation in your area, for your normal routine.

My wife's commute, for instance, had a dead spot that guaranteed a dropped call. This was invaluable information when making a choice.

Oct 7, 2009 7:50 AM in response to Tom Keyes

Here is Tucson, ATT is ok with reception..I was with Verizon but switched so I could get the iphone (which I love even with IT'S problems)...but I would agree that Verizon has better coverage and reliability then ATT. But I HATE dealing with Verizon and glad I switched over to ATT. I find their customer service people to be better...at least so far. 🙂

We have 4 lines of service two with ATT and two with Verizon...contract for that is up in March so we will see. ATT has better selection of phone in my opinion.

att network vs verizon

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