Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Verizon, Huh? - Is The Grass Really Greener?
- Thread starter rdowns
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Well, I'm hoping some iPhone customers move off the AT&T network once Verizon becomes available. I had great AT&T voice/data coverage and service for years until around the time the iPhone 3G came out. Then, the quality of the service went down dramatically.
It's improved considerably from those first couple of iPhone years, but it's still not rock solid like it used to be. Verizon has had years to prepare for the iPhone. I hope they planned accordingly. As for the ridiculous fees, if Verizon wants their network supported on Apple's second or third generation iPad via the built-in 3G modem --- they're going to have to be willing to give those up because there's no way Apple will put up with that.
The review above makes you appreciate the deal Apple hammered out with AT&T over the iPad even with the unlimited data reversal.
It sounds like the main complaint was over the $35 activation fee for the bundled MiFi. (I believe ATT charges the same for their version.)
Getting the iPad from ATT with built-in 3G avoids that activation charge.
So why did they get the MiFi bundle from Verizon? Obviously they do that if they also like tethering other devices to the MiFi, and/or if they need the Verizon 3G coverage.
As for the article coming from ZDNet... they used to be pretty objective. Lately they've become so incredibly pro-Apple and anti-Android, that their articles are almost useless. It's like someone flipped a switch.
Getting the iPad from ATT with built-in 3G avoids that activation charge.
So why did they get the MiFi bundle from Verizon? Obviously they do that if they also like tethering other devices to the MiFi, and/or if they need the Verizon 3G coverage.
As for the article coming from ZDNet... they used to be pretty objective. Lately they've become so incredibly pro-Apple and anti-Android, that their articles are almost useless. It's like someone flipped a switch.
Agreed. However AT&T managed to get their network working fast (3 months after iphone 3G) and so far it has been really strong 2.0+ Mb/s.
This article is stupid.
A: EVERY carrier charges a month in advance, unless it's prepaid.
B: Everg carrier will prorate you the exact same way due to the nature of this billing method.
It's just the way the industry is. I worked for Verizon, you need to request a smart billing date close to your activation date to avoid having a large first bill.
A: EVERY carrier charges a month in advance, unless it's prepaid.
B: Everg carrier will prorate you the exact same way due to the nature of this billing method.
It's just the way the industry is. I worked for Verizon, you need to request a smart billing date close to your activation date to avoid having a large first bill.
Whoa! Awesome deal.
I wanna get this. Too bad their site says they're out of stock right now.
Thanks for the tip.
So the author was whining about activation fees. Welcome to 2001 
Seriously, if you're going to complain about VZW, or the product at least complain about something they're actually doing wrong, or in this case differently. Its not like Verizon Wireless is the only carrier whacking its customers with fees. Heck AT&T forces you into a tiered pricing plan and has done away with unlimited bandwidth. For the time being, VZW doesn't do that.
Seriously, if you're going to complain about VZW, or the product at least complain about something they're actually doing wrong, or in this case differently. Its not like Verizon Wireless is the only carrier whacking its customers with fees. Heck AT&T forces you into a tiered pricing plan and has done away with unlimited bandwidth. For the time being, VZW doesn't do that.
Activation fees and early billing on the first month are nothing new...next?
Personally, I've found Sprint-Nextel to be great: low-cost plans, good coverage, and great customer service. Worlds different than AT&T (previous carrier).
As a heads-up for those considering Virgin Mobile USA: Although they use the Sprint network, they only get a portion of the bandwidth allocation/coverage, so you are NOT getting the full Sprint product for less--you get what you pay for. Also, the VM support/CS people are hopeless script-readers, many of whom don't speak intelligible English. By contrast, I've talked to an American who was helpful/productive every time I've called Sprint-Nextel.
Personally, I've found Sprint-Nextel to be great: low-cost plans, good coverage, and great customer service. Worlds different than AT&T (previous carrier).
As a heads-up for those considering Virgin Mobile USA: Although they use the Sprint network, they only get a portion of the bandwidth allocation/coverage, so you are NOT getting the full Sprint product for less--you get what you pay for. Also, the VM support/CS people are hopeless script-readers, many of whom don't speak intelligible English. By contrast, I've talked to an American who was helpful/productive every time I've called Sprint-Nextel.
Sorry but I don't believe that at all. I have read that and no one has factual proof. But I had my EVO 4G next to me running a speed test on 3g, and my MIFI from Virgin Mobile and both did exactly the same speeds each time I tried. My Virgin Mobile was seeing 1meg down and around half that up. Do nto always believe what you read on the internet. I actually own the device and it works great. You also get the same coverage as Sprint.
AFAIK, the Samsung Tab that he's talking about includes built-in 3G and was purchased for full-retail, so he's on a month-to-month plan. In essence, he's purchased the Verizon equivalent of the AT&T iPad, except it doesn't appear that Verizon handles the data billing nearly the same way.
Your AT&T bill for iPad 3G data is simply the price of whichever plan you pick. There is no activation fee added to any of your bills, even if you drop data for several months.
Oops. Thanks for the gentle correction. My brain mixed up the heading about MiFi.
I see that Best Buy will be selling the Sprint and Verizon Samsung Tab for $549 on Black Friday. That pays for the activation fee. Hmm. Perhaps an early Christmas for Daddy?
If I hadn't already returned my Virgin Mobile phone (Samsung Intercept), I'd be happy to provide video proof. Do you really think you get the same service for half the cost from...(drumroll) the same parent company?
Not talking about Virgin Mobile phones. Talking about their DATA which uses Sprint's towers for DATA. And I have proof as I tested BOTH side by side at different locations and BOTH tested the same speeds.
Not talking about Virgin Mobile phones. Talking about their DATA which uses Sprint's towers for DATA. And I have proof as I tested BOTH side by side at different locations and BOTH tested the same speeds.
I'm talking about data, too. If I still had the VM phone, I'd post a video side-by-side with a Sprint phone (same model) to show the difference. While it's possible to get the same results with the two, the total bandwidth/network allocation for VM is a fraction of the total Sprint network; this is most easily observed when the network is under heavy loads. Case in point: the weekend before last, VM data was down in many regions of the US, while the identical phone running Sprint service worked perfectly. Check HowardForums etc if don't believe me. (This experience, which is first-hand, not hearsay, is what drove me to return the VM phone and switch to postpaid Sprint).
(As an aside, CAPITALIZING doesn't really strengthen your argument
)