Thanks for the input. I am not going back and re-reading my origional post, but I should have, if I did not, make this a 2 -part question. Since I am not too excieted to lose the New Every Two discount (or whatever it is called) that I will get if I ever decide what to purchase, my question(s) are really 1. Is Verizon's iPhone 4S and their plan (yes, I have looked up the various plans a lot of times but I am not the best when it comes to understanding computer lingo) just as good as any other plan out there? The phone is the same, right? All Apple iPhone 4S's will be the same assuming the company is being honest. I understand the 4 does not mean 4G. I have heard so many opinions about Sprint having a horrible data service, even know it is "unlimited." I also heard that Verizon's is the best, but I have not hear until now anything about HSPA+. From being with Verizon for so long, I know their main priority is money. I also have heard a ton of times that you can't beat their 4G LTE network. Which is where that topic comes in.
the mobile hotspot I have that used to work great (which is the MIFI2200 3G) and one day it stopped working so great and over time has gotten worse and worse. I worked with 10 Verizon technicians, have tried to work with an "Apple Specialist" which a few customer service agents have told me they have but you have to ask for them. When I have asked for them, the other technicians either got kind of uptight about the question or told me they all have the same training, ot once I was transferdd to an Apple Specialist. it was a supervisor that tole me to ask for an Apple Specialist.
to make a long story short about my Mobile Hotspot which at Verizon this one is called a MIFI2200 3G. the concept was awesome and I had some awesome road trips because of the MiFI2200 and my MacBook Pro. why it went out in this area of Salt Lake City, I was told the same after the 4G network was up for awhile that this is a pocket that just does not get the 4G signal and if it does it is transient. It is in an area that is surounded by TRAX to one side, the old railroad tracks which are replaced for FrontRunner going to Provo and back to SLC. I have been asking around for about 2 years and to sum it up over the 2 years, in this area most everybody complains of their 4G service and really complain now about their 3G service, no matter what device it is.
so, I am not sure what to do with the replacement, but I have to make a decision. One agent told me she will make a comment in my account (which several agents have told me they do not see) that if I get any 4g device and it does not work in the area I live, they will not charge me a restocking fee.
I want the iPhone 4S since I have neveer had a smartphone or even sent a text message. I am tired of the little cell phone. I had the first apple desktop when I was in High School and since then I have been an Apple fan, but for some reason I have a hard time getting an Apple phone on Verizon's network. However, this is not an area I know much about. Even after looking at so many webpages and single pieces of papers that map-out each of the 4 top carrier's cost for their services regarding the iPhone 4S.
I am always cautious lately about anything that Verizon tells me or charges me. But I go back to the $50 New Every Two I will get for the MiFI2200 line and $50 for the other line I have. Both of my contracts are up, so that is not an issue. I personally think the Mobile HotSpot 4G will work in this area, but I realy would not be buying it to use it at the place I live. I would use it for the road trips and my MacBook Pro. I could be wrong and it might not work very well, but the technicians all told me the reason why the MiFI2200 3G started to fail was because of the Verizon network being changed over to 4G and the difficulty the little MIFI200 3G ws having what was let of the 3G part of the towers. I have no idea if this is true or what. As I have siad, I do not know much about this kind of stuf. Most from expereince, and I ask a ton of questions, which drives some technicians crazy but some like it.
As far as the iPhone4s, I have no idea if ATT is better because of the HSPA+, if it does work better it is probably because they are like 2 that started together, were sort of "wired" to work together and have the longest relationship together.😕
I think that is the End. If there are people out there who are skeptics, I would just have to kind of relate, because so am I. I really do not want to make a big federal case out of this, but I know Verizon and what I purchase, even if I save $50 on the phone, I am stuck with. As far as the plan, I do not even know what Verizon's "Unlimited" in GB's really means, even know I have seen it put on one of the price sheets comparing ATT, Verizon, Sprint. Meaning this carrier's max data would be like 150 HD, 5 min videos. (Just an example)
Even if I do stay with Verizon, is it best to just go online and get the phone and either Samsong's 4G Mobile Hotspot or the 4G version of the MIFI. BTW, they are till selling a NEW device that is a Mobile Hotspot and is a 3G. I can see that there would still be a need for that with the phones that are 3G. I heard you can use the iPhone 4S as a mobile hotspot if you conf it right but I am not the person to be trying to do that everytime I want a mobile hotspot.