Unlimited data Sprint or T Mobile in the Boston area

[Frwinkley]

We currently have Verizon but are looking to move to a more affordable unlimited data plan (either Sprint or T Mobile). Our D attends college in Boston and commutes via the train everyday. Before we make the switch, I'd be interested to know how service is with either or these carriers.

Anyone have any experiences they'd like to share? We're hesitant to switch carriers since Verizon's service is so good, but other carriers offer more affordable options.

Thanks!

 

[Fyrefly]

When my family was looking at switching, we went to talk to reps at the T-Mobile store. They gave us two phones for the week (they would be free with a new account for the promo they had at the time). The manager said he'd give them to us for a week and we should go use them in our normal lives, because he was confident that we'd have no service problems and we'd be back to sign up. If we didn't like it, no harm, we just agreed to pay the phone's restocking fee. He was right, and we switched. Maybe if you go to your local store you can do something similar to try it out. The other carriers are aware of their reputation and this is the best way to combat it.

 

[MillauFr]

How much are you paying for unlimited data currently on Verizon?

 

[Frwinkley]

We don't have unlimited data on Verizon yet, but are looking into it. It's about $65 more per month than the other carriers.

 

[Anthony1971]

I do visit the Boston area frequently (Cambridge to be exact) but work in NY and live in NJ.
First you can look into a back end carrier which is what I use. For Sprint Virgin mobile and Boost are both owned by sprint and run on the sprint network and at the same speeds etc as Sprint. Virgin mobile which I had is running a great deal now which is buy an I phone from them retail I believe 300 is the cheapest and you get unlimited full speed data for .01 (one penny) for a year after I think it Is 50 a month plus local tax (I believe 6.25 in Ma?) Boost has unlimited full speed data plans or you can buy a lesser data plan which is also unlimited but they throttle you down after you reach the allotted amount.... for Boost you can get the phones cheap like LG's for 40-60 and if the break who cares.... Virgin use to be the same way but seems to be I phone only now??? For T-mobile Metro PCS is owned by T-Mobile similar plans as above but no local tax and phones are reasonable but you can only buy them form a Metro PCS store --Boost and (Virgin use to be maybe will be again) you can buy at any big box store making their phones a little cheaper. As I said I had Virgin and was very happy with them no issues in NY or Cambridge but the sprint network can be slow at times. I am now with Metro --they do have a clause in their contract that says regular T-Mobile customers are prioritized although I have never seen this happen-- I can tell you the Data is faster than regular Verizon bot my wife and I have work phones which are I phone 6's that use Verizon and we both also have LG phones from Metro PCS... Back end or straight I believe or my experience is T-Mobile is a faster network.

 

[MillauFr]

I am pretty happy with Virgin Mobile. We paid $179 for a I*Phone SE and the service is $30 per month.

 

[clori]

I live in Greater Boston within a few miles of the city border. We take the subway into Boston whenever we want to go in which are mostly to touristy areas including college areas. I have a tmobile family plan and we have no issues with it. There may be a small spot on the subway that it is hard to make a call though that has improved the last few years. I have also noticed a difference in that the newer phones get better reception than older phones. If you do get tmobile, try out the Tmobile Tuesday app - every week is a different free gift most of which you may not use but occasionally some are nice (what is nice varies from person to person).

.

 

[cel_disney]

I have had sprint for 20 years dating back to my years at BC and have not had any issues. I am well out of the city now - enjoying northern suburbia, but I have a Verizon phone for work and sprint for personnel.

If you decide to go with the sprint network I'm sure you would be fine.

One thing that frustrates me a ton though was that I was given luxury box seats to Celtics Game 5 and there was almost NO service for either sprint or Verizon in the upper levels of the garden!!! Annoying!