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Having trouble choosing carrier

Tags:
  • cdma
  • GSM
  • galaxys4
  • tmobile
  • Internet Service Providers
Last response: in Network Providers
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April 19, 2013 8:33:19 PM

Having used a flip phone for the past 6 years, I'm ready to buy my first smartphone. I'm deadset on getting the Galaxy S4 when it releases and going with an unlimited plan to compliment it, but I'm stuck in a rut on what carrier to go with. Maybe you guys can help me out?


AT&T/Verizon are totally off the table for options since they have only strict contract plans and terrible prepaid plans.

Voyager Mobile: They're an MVNO of Sprint. They allow BYOD and have an unlimited plan for $40/month+tax and they have LTE where I live. Sadly, it's still a CDMA network, which means less flexibility compared to GSM, especially if I don't like their service and want to switch. Also, they don't allow roaming.

T-Mobile: They have great prepaid/no contract plans for $70/month and they're a GSM service, however, I checked the coverage map and they have 2G/3G where I live. I contacted a sales associate and he said there were LTE towers in my area so I should get close to LTE speed.


So ultimately I guess it comes down either paying $20 more per month for possible slower speed, but using a GSM network that has roaming. Or, I pay $20 less per month with possible faster speeds and better coverage, but I'm stuck with less flexible CDMA and no roaming.


Any thoughts as to what I should go with? I'll only add that I'm getting the Snapdragon600 version of the Galaxy S4 which supports LTE, hence, LTE service is pretty important to me.

More about : trouble choosing carrier

April 19, 2013 8:35:44 PM

do you need roaming or is it a necessity ?
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April 19, 2013 9:05:28 PM

lookerup said:
do you need roaming or is it a necessity ?


This is where it gets tricky. Both Voyager and T-Mobile have a few "off network" zones on the highway near where I live, near my workplace, and even some spots near shopping centers. I would love to be using GPS Navigation/coupon applications, so there's a somewhat good chance I would run into one of those areas.

It wouldn't last very long before I was in a network supported area, though. I also don't travel that much.
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April 19, 2013 9:21:33 PM

Billworry said:
lookerup said:
do you need roaming or is it a necessity ?


This is where it gets tricky. Both Voyager and T-Mobile have a few "off network" zones on the highway near where I live, near my workplace, and even some spots near shopping centers. I would love to be using GPS Navigation/coupon applications, so there's a somewhat good chance I would run into one of those areas.

It wouldn't last very long before I was in a network supported area, though. I also don't travel that much.


if you're tight on money i'd say go with t-mobile/voyager, if not go with at&t. I , myself have at&t, but it's a family plan. Network is really slow.
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April 19, 2013 9:27:44 PM

lookerup said:
Billworry said:
lookerup said:
do you need roaming or is it a necessity ?


This is where it gets tricky. Both Voyager and T-Mobile have a few "off network" zones on the highway near where I live, near my workplace, and even some spots near shopping centers. I would love to be using GPS Navigation/coupon applications, so there's a somewhat good chance I would run into one of those areas.

It wouldn't last very long before I was in a network supported area, though. I also don't travel that much.


if you're tight on money i'd say go with t-mobile/voyager, if not go with at&t. I , myself have at&t, but it's a family plan. Network is really slow.


As I had said, AT&T isn't an option for me. They have prepaid plans, but all of those plans have limited data.
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April 20, 2013 5:59:11 AM

then go with voyager
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!