Getting iphone: AT&T or Verizon?

[KKB]

DH & I are making the move to iPhones...we have eliminated Sprint as an option (long story...) We are school librarians--our district is fully Apple, and we are beginning to incorporate iPads/iPods into schools, and this seems like a good time to do this personally & professionally.
I am torn between AT&T and Verizon--virtually identical plans. Leaning toward AT&T w/ the 5G data plan.
We are heading out Monday to do this...so before the Verizon plan (no interest in bundling internet...)
We have known plenty who dislike either carrier--no one LOVES either carrier, so looking for more opinions.

 

[clm10308]

We have iPhones with AT&T service since shortly after the phones were introduced. We have the old unlimited data plan that is no longer available so I doubt we will ever switch to Verizon.

We have never had in major problems with AT&T coverage when we lived in Houston or traveled to larger cities (except in DW parks). Now that we live in a rural area, we were out of network for a year but AT&T just put up a tower near our town so now we have 3g service. Out here some small towns still have AT&T Edge service so iPhone data does not work there.

 

[TavieP]

Verizon. I have AT&T and coverage is horrible, particularly in my apartment. And when I called to get help about it they just tried to sell me a $200 booster tower - and then when I finally gave in and tried to BUY the tower they told me I'd have to go to the local AT&T store to do it, so I did, and the store told me they had none in stock and were expecting none. And, no, you can't get them from the website, you HAVE to go in person apparently.

So I have an iPhone with reception that only works if I'm basically standing by my front door.

Go with Verizon.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I only get AT&T service at my house so the choice is easy. I've been very happy with them.

 

[Green Tea]

I've had ATT since the phones were first issued. The coverage is terrible, both at home and when I travel. I've lived with it for 5(?) years but will switch to Sprint when the hew iPhone comes out.

But in support of ATT, I have never had a single problem with billing, over charges or other issues. Just really bad coverage.

 

[ErinC]

I'm sure it depends on where you live, but we had ATT for years. Finally switched to Verizon last fall and couldn't be happier. ATT is the most complained about phone company out there. We love Verizon. We had iphones with both companies and the coverage from verizon is far superior to what we had with ATT in our area. If you have unlimited data, expect your service to be very slow. They do that on purpose to get you to change your plan to the newer limited data plans. Good luck with your decision.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Keep in mind that AT&T and Version offer different versions of the iPhone. AT&T is the best for me because they have a GSM phone versus Verizon's CDMA (US use only) phone. AT&T's phone lets you multitask; you can use apps or surf the web while talking. You can't do this on Verizon.

AT&T has much better coverage where I live; I also travel a lot and always have coverage, although in general Verizon wins in coverage ratings. I have the old unlimited data plan and have not experienced any slow service problems.

 

[TexasErin]

We have had AT&T for probably a decade. I would love to switch to Verizon, but we would all have to go without getting new phones for a long time since we have four phones and they are all "up" at different periods. We're always too excited about our time coming up to wait to get a new phone, lol. However, we really dislike AT&T. Our main trips are to WDW and Rapid City, SD. AT&T is horrible in both areas! I would definitely say to go with Verizon- maybe one day, we'll be better able to delay instant gratification and wait long enough in between phones to be able to switch, lol!

 

[buckeev]

Verizon. But probably only by a nose.
Don't waste time with their global plan though....total joke...(at least that was our experience for the past six months with my daughter's)

We have 4 IPhones and rarely have DCs here on the east side of Houston, but of course there are towers pert-near everywhere.

That being said...I'm still a Droid user...IPhone is just a bit smaller than I like.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Keep in mind that AT&T and Version offer different versions of the iPhone. AT&T is the best for me because they have a GSM phone versus Verizon's CDMA (US use only) phone. AT&T's phone lets you multitask; you can use apps or surf the web while talking. You can't do this on Verizon.

AT&T has much better coverage where I live; I also travel a lot and always have coverage, although in general Verizon wins in coverage ratings. I have the old unlimited data plan and have not experienced any slow service problems.

My understanding on the 4S that the iPhone hardware is exactly the same for both AT&T and Verizon. With Verizon, the slot for the Sim is empty. However, if you plan to travel abraod and have been a customer in good standing for 60 days, Verizon will unlock your GSM to allow you to use non-US Sim chips. Foreign pay as you go Sim chips can be a very big cost saver.

We have ATT and have the unlimited data plan. We also get a discount due to my attendance at a community college and my .net e-mail. I'm not sure I like the family plans Verizon is now offering, but they might be a deal for some. -- Suzanne

 

[billdob62]

Verizon...can you hear me now?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

My understanding on the 4S that the iPhone hardware is exactly the same for both AT&T and Verizon. With Verizon, the slot for the Sim is empty. However, if you plan to travel abraod and have been a customer in good standing for 60 days, Verizon will unlock your GSM to allow you to use non-US Sim chips. Foreign pay as you go Sim chips can be a very big cost

No, you cannot surf the web or run apps while using the Verizon iPhone 4s, unlike the AT&T version. You can also have your AT&T iPhone unlocked if you have completed your initial service commitment.

If you will be using your phone internationally, Verizon is not the best choice.

 

[DawnM]

Really? I had no idea.

I have Sprint, which I know you said you ruled out. I can surf the web and play apps while talking on the phone.

I also LOVE unlimited data.

BTW: If you can hold on a bit, the iPhone 5 should be out.

Dawn

No, you cannot surf the web or run apps while using the Verizon iPhone 4s, unlike the AT&T version. You can also have your AT&T iPhone unlocked if you have completed your initial service commitment.

If you will be using your phone internationally, Verizon is not the best choice.

 

[jrmasm]

I'm sure it depends on where you live, but we had ATT for years. Finally switched to Verizon last fall and couldn't be happier. ATT is the most complained about phone company out there. We love Verizon. We had iphones with both companies and the coverage from verizon is far superior to what we had with ATT in our area. If you have unlimited data, expect your service to be very slow. They do that on purpose to get you to change your plan to the newer limited data plans. Good luck with your decision.

I agree with this. Check local users to see if they are happy with their service.

I've had AT&T for more than 10 years and never thought anything about it. It's fine. I had no idea if it was better than Verizon or not. About a month ago I wanted to show a friend an article on the internet. She handed me her Verizon Iphone and I could not get the dang article to load. I picked up my AT&T Iphone and the article loaded a lightening speed.

So in my area, I believe AT&T is the better choice.

 

[Green Tea]

I'm not sure where you live, but look to see if any regional carriers are selling iPhone now. I know quite a few are offering the Apple now. The cost for the phone, the monthly rate....both lower at least with the regional carrier that supports it here. Same nationwide coverage but half the usage needs to be in that local zone. With kids in college that wouldn't work for a family plan. But for a family in one geographic area it is a great option.

 

[rluey29]

I just don't get why so many people claim their ATT Iphone doesn't work when they travel. I've never had any problems at home or on the road??????

Also I have unlimited data and my phone isn't slow.

 

[Candace]

We have Verizon (we were with Alltel for years when they switched to Verizon). I went last week to look at phones because mine is about shot, and the salesperson told me not do anything until after the 28th of this month. She said she couldn't say what was happening, but that I should wait to hear about the new plans/products. So I'm waiting to see! Only 5 days to go....

 

[clm10308]

I just don't get why so many people claim their ATT Iphone doesn't work when they travel. I've never had any problems at home or on the road??????

Also I have unlimited data and my phone isn't slow.

It depends where you are traveling. I have found that as long as we are traveling on the interstates we can usually get adequate service. But we drive through some very isolated areas where there is no cell signal from any carrier.

To put it into perspective, the area where we live now has only has only had DSL Internet available for about two years. There is a old joke in our town about the information superhighway turning into a dirt road.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

It depends on where you live...some services work better in some places. I have Verizon because they are MUCH better than AT&T where I live.

 

[mymeme]

We have had AT&T since 1998 Never had a problem with service. Well, we did in our house when we first moved in but we got the little Microcell and have 5 bars all the time now. We are also on the grandfathered unlimited and have never been slowed down any. Only thing I don't like is the price. But that is because we have 4 iPhones on our family plan.
I would ask any neighbors if you can. It really depends on your area. hth

meme