I'm in the middle of switching carriers and only after dropping AT&T for Sprint do I realize some hidden issues that are about to make me switch again. So, I'm trying to compile a list of all the "hidden differences" between the major US carriers. Most users don't care about the differences, but I image most of us here at PPCGeeks are more advanced than most users, so differences matter.
As I collect data, I will update this first post. Please help me fill in the blanks and correct any mistakes! And if there are other topics/differences you want included, let me know.
I am not interested in coverage comments. YMMV--no one reading this cares that AT&T gets zero signal inside my wife's office while Sprint works fine there (except me, of course). So please, keep coverage comments to a minimum, particularly
no location-specific complaints!
Likewise,
I am not interested in customer service comments. Again, YMMV.
Basically, I am only interested in underlying differences between carriers. If your comment is about a particular experience, don't post it here.
Voice Technology
AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM.
Sprint and Verizon use CDMA.
Carriers of the
same technology generally have roaming agreements with each other. I.e., wherever AT&T has coverage, T-Mobile should, too, and vice versa. Likewise with Sprint and Verizon. However, you can't roam across different technologies. I.e., if Sprint has coverage somewhere, the only way your AT&T phone would work is if there are GSM towers in the same area.
Note that roaming generally only applies to rural areas as most metropolitan areas have towers of all carriers. Ergo, no roaming because it costs a carrier to roam on another carrier's towers and why some plans charge the customer for calls while roaming.
I understand some CDMA phones can roam on GSM. Can someone provide more details?
Data Technology
AT&T and T-Mobile use GPRS/EDGE/HSPA.
Sprint and Verizon use EVDO.
A big difference here is that CDMA/EVDO is faster but does
not allow simultaneous voice/data. I.e., with Sprint and Verizon you cannot surf, check e-mail, tether, etc., while you are on a voice call. Furthermore, voice has priority so the data connection is dropped if you make
or receive a call. GSM/GPRS/EDGE/HSPA allows simultaneous voice/data.
GPRS/EDGE/HSPA has more rural coverage than EVDO, abeit only with the slower 2G technology. Like voice, carriers with the
same technology can roam on each other's network, but generally only in rural areas.
4G Technology
Sprint is currently rolling out WiMax in limited markets.
T-Mobile is planning to implement HSPA+ soon.
AT&T and Verizon are waiting for LTE to finalize.
Currently there are no phones that support 4G, although Sprint has some wireless modems for PCs/laptops that do.
I'm fuzzy on the details and compatibility here, but I assume LTE and WiMax operate on different frequencies than EDGE/HDPA and EVDO, hence why Verizon can jump ship. Will AT&T and Verizon then have compatible 4G networks to allow roaming between them? Can someone please provide details?
SIM/R-UIM Cards
GSM, i.e. AT&T and T-Mobile, use SIM cards to identify your account on whatever phone you use.
CDMA
can use R-UIM cards, but neither Sprint nor Verizon support them. Thus, your account is tied directly your phone.
SIM/R-UIM cards are handy if you want to switch phones. Simply remove your phone's card and drop it in a new phone and the account instantly transfers to the new phone. No card with Sprint and Verizon means stopping by the store or calling customer service to deactivate one phone to switch your account to another.
Also, SIM cards (and R-UIM?) can store contacts, so if you switch phones, all your contacts & phone numbers will transfer to the new phone (assuming you setup/copied contacts to your SIM card's memory instead of just your phone's memory).
If you travel internationally and want to use your same phone (e.g., your expensive PDA phone), you can purchase a SIM card with minutes and a local number in the country you are visiting and make calls against the card to save yourself international roaming charges from your carrier back home.
Unlimited Plans
AT&T and Verizon: $150
Sprint and T-Mobile: $100
I don't want to scrutinize every plan of every carrier, which changes constantly and is like comparing apples to oranges. So I've picked one plan common to all that would be of interest to power users: the unlimited plan with unlimited voice, data, and messaging.
Note, however, that unlimited data does not include tethering (using your phone's data connection to download to your PC/laptop). Furthermore, "unlimited" data is often an outright lie as there could be limits as to how much you can download (albeit a very high limit).
For those of you with unlimited data, please read the fine print of your contract and let me know your carrier and what limits (if any) are imposed on "unlimited" data, along with any related overage charges.
Early Termination Fees
AT&T: $175
Sprint: $200
T-Mobile: ?
Verizon: $175, or $350 for "advanced devices" (i.e., PDAs)
Note that ETF are generally prorated, so if you're near the end of your contract, you are only responsible for reduced amount.
Generally...
- AT&T is expensive, has best phone selection, and is only carrier with the iPhone (I don't like it, but apparently lots of people do). Best voice coverage, good data coverage, although only 2G in rural areas.
- Sprint charges more for phones initially than other carriers, but also charges less for plans, so you save money in the long run. Only carrier with the Palm Pre. First carrier to provide 4G. Limited rural data coverage.
- T-Mobile has best customer service, lowest rates, and worst phone selection (but improving). Limited data coverage. 4G expected before AT&T and Verizon.
- Verizon is expensive and has good phone selection. Best misleading commercials of their "coverage" vs. AT&T.
