Cell Phone Plans - Who has the best plan?

[SilverWind]

If I were full timing or traveling extensively in North America, I would be tempted to supplement my Version account with an AT&T plan. We've encountered situations where AT&T works where Verizon does not and vice versa.

[oldenavy]

The old saying, "you get what you pay for" applies. We used Verizon while full timing for a year and ran a consulting business while traveling around the country. Kind-of pricey but worth it. No issues with coverage but read the fine print. We had a 20GB data plan for the two of us (and our business) that worked fine. When Verizon came out with the unlimited plan, I thought that would be good & signed up. Here's the catch: After the first 10GB each month, they slow your connection WAY down. We couldn't do conference calls or net meetings or anything that required realtime data x-fer. I reverted back to the legacy plan -- with much difficulty getting them to agree to it.
Previously, we had AT&T but left them when I couldn't get signal in downtown Cambridge, MA. Have never had coverage issues with Verizon, except in Montross, VA of all places.

[Dan and Liz]

Just switched our T-Mobile to their new military plan. Definitely worth a look for vets.

[billrector]

As I mentioned earlier, the wife and I have AT&T. However, they are so screwed up that we have been looking for alternatives. Got a T-mobile monthly contract for an IPad and traveled out west to compare it to AT&T. No comparison....T-Mobile did not have a signal much of the time when we were reasonably remote.

[Mansderm161]

I have Tmobile and many times, I'm the only one at a campground with no service. I like Tmobile, but I am travelling and camping more and need better service. I was considering ATT. We used to have Verizon, but their customer service was terrible and always billing errors.

[billrector]

Originally Posted by Mansderm161

I have Tmobile and many times, I'm the only one at a campground with no service. I like Tmobile, but I am travelling and camping more and need better service. I was considering ATT. We used to have Verizon, but their customer service was terrible and always billing errors.

Trust me....you want billing errors, plan errors, unreturned phone calls, etc. then AT&T is your company! Best in the business as screwing up things that don't even need to be touched!

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by Dan and Liz

Just switched our T-Mobile to their new military plan. Definitely worth a look for vets.

Per tmobile web site vets [military] $80.00 per mo. for 2 lines for a military vet does not sound like a good deal to me as I pay $36.?? pr mo. [if text extra chge] for 2 line unlimited talk, and we don't text never will. We have consumer cellular that uses ATT & tmobile for there serv. Never had prob. w/signal any where except at house, tower 1/2 mile from house some times weak some rooms.

[Daquenzer]

I think Verizon is probably better than ATT. But whatever plan you get you really need to get a Weboost. Get one for the tow vehicle, and then figure out a way to move it to the AS. I did it without drilling any holes and I use a suction antenna on one of the windows. You can’t run the weboost on 12v power though. Went camping this past year in a remote area. Without the Weboost wouldn’t have been able to make a call. But with it had no problems. Well worth the money. Before I had the weboost in my pickup I would constantly have dropped calls when doing tower changes. With it: none. Also get a Roku for hooking up to the television. Then use your phone as a hot spot. Nice for watching Netflix, etc. Much cheaper then a dish service.

[Dan and Liz]

Originally Posted by featherbedder

Per tmobile web site vets [military] $80.00 per mo. for 2 lines for a military vet does not sound like a good deal to me as I pay $36.?? pr mo. [if text extra chge] for 2 line unlimited talk, and we don't text never will. We have consumer cellular that uses ATT & tmobile for there serv. Never had prob. w/signal any where except at house, tower 1/2 mile from house some times weak some rooms.

For our 4 lines with unlimited data and mobile internet and taxes and fees included —

[rwigley]

Originally Posted by MickeyC

The wife and I have AT&T. It has decent service overall but I do agree that the customer service is the worst in the business. We also have to purchase an additional add-on for the month when we go to Canada.

T-Mobile has a senior plan for couples over 55. Two lines with unlimited talk, text and data and the same service in Canada and Mexico for $75 per month. That includes all fees and taxes. I am planning to switch to that plan soon.

Don't switch to T Mobile...... terrible connection problems. Couldn't even roam. Traveled from MN to the Grande Canyon and then to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.... aweful coverage... we are switching as soon as our phones are paid of and we've been with them for 20+ years

[Airtandem]

I don't recall seeing anything about US Cellular' anyone using it?

[Natomb]

If you have Comcast account or it’s in your area, Comcast Xfinity Mobile uses Verizon cell towers, so it’s essentially the Verizon network at lower cost. $20 per line for unlimited everything. Covers calls in Canada and Mexico. I plan to switch from Verizon once my contract with Verizon end and my IPhone X is paid off.

[Mansderm161]

Has anyone tried taking a pay as you go with Verizon or ATT just for emergency back up?

[Kittycatcat]

I have the unlimited Verizon postpaid plan and husband has a prepaid ATT plan.

We travel a lot out west and find that often only one or the other works. However, be aware that the prepaid plans do not have the same coverage as the full service postpaid.

We did just get a Weboost - cell signal is so poor in many state parks and other camping areas - first outing in TN Airstream park, I had 3G and husband's ATT had zip. Turned on Weboost, ATT went to 4G LTE.

BTW, my OTR Weboost came with a 12V power connector since it's meant for a vehicle. I got an adapter so I could plug it into an outlet in trailer.

[aftermath]

I second everything said about AT&T when it comes to poor customer service and pricing. This is one of those "big" companies that really don't care much about the little guy. I was so fed up that I cancelled and went to Consumer Cellular and have been happy but.....they use AT&T towers! So, my money is still going to AT&T...grrrr.


The big 2, AT&T and Verizon basically control all of the towers out there so beware of that if you are critical of the coverage you are currently getting. Coverage overall is pretty equal but there are spots where one is better than the other. Just because you are camping at location A and your phone is working while others around you are not, it doesn't mean that your provider is the best. I have been in quite a few places where mine worked while others did not, and vice versa.


People have mentioned unlimited talk and text features but make sure you know about data limits. When we changed to Consumer Cellular we purchased a data plan set at a certain level. We started at 5GB and could move up to 10GB for an additional $10. I asked what would happen if we went over while on the road and they said that they would automatically just switch us up to the next level and charge the extra money. We did go over once when we were with AT&T and they charged us something like $20 but just for a few, like 3 GB extra. Take it or leave it was their basic response. Consumer Cellular is highly recommended by AARP. It probably is not the absolute best out there but they do have very good customer support.



If you are planning on traveling into Canada make sure you ask before you go.

[75Bob]

After reading all these responses I can't believe anyone would consider any carrier other than Verizon or AT&T when traveling. All the smaller carriers were set up to break up the communication monopoly. That's why they work well in cities and are cheaper for those of you that want to stay home. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out The satellites belong to AT&T or Verizon and theyr'e not giving them away. If you head out without one of these two companies as your carrier you will have problems. I don't wish the stress we were put under traveling on anyone, but we let T-moble talk us into their great deal/service/low cost and actually believed them. My fault, shame on me. Won't happen again.Verizon or AT&T are your only options while traveling if you want service. When we went to Verizon they tried to tell us we had to buy "their phone" to get service, but when I said that was made illegal in Illinois, then the story changed and the sim card conversation began. They're all so very slimy good luck to you, safe travels.

[Mansderm161]

Very slimy, indeed!

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Like it or not, at all levels of these companies, the people work on commission. That may seem weird for a customer service rep, but that's the way they do it. It's not just commission in the sense that your salary goes up and down. Don't "up sell" enough features per hour and you no longer have a job. Toss in the layer of "authorized resellers" and you get even more pressure to lay on the un-needed features. There are very few people in the chain who do not get judged this way, talking to a supervisor does not get you out of this tangle ( = they are judged the same way).

Bob

[Rfriebele]

If signal connectivity is important, Verizon is the best choice. Yes, they can be pricey but we've all over the states, Canada and various parts of the world and almost always had connection when others did not..and service has been great. Our home is the one place we have a shakey signal due to geography but when we complained, they gave us a month credit AND shipped us a $200 signal booster to use that fixed it.

[Fair_Enough]

X2 on this resource.
https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/overview/
Also x2 on getting a booster. Weboost with small rooftop antenna and candy bar touching phone or hotspot inside works best for me.
WW