Mobile internet for $30 monthly - Tmobile

[caseyc]

People who poo-poo smartphones have no idea. Really, they have noooooo idea whatsoever. Maybe theoretically, but nothing based on reality. Once they get on the bandwagon, they are believers.

By the way, there really is a big difference between the current Samsung S5 smartphone versus the 2 generation older S3 model. Many or all of the current smartphones by Verizon also utilize the newer/better/faster XLTE data network, versus the older LTE network for the older smartphones. My new Samsung Note 3 smartphone is noticeably faster in internet speed versus my older Note 2.

 

[highdesertranger]

casey, here is my first hand experience with smart phones. my buddy that goes prospecting with me has a smart phone. I have a mil grade regular phone. we are both on Verizon. when out in the fringe areas of reception, we can stand side by side my phone works his doesn't. last year he got so frustrated with his iphone that he would just ask to use mine when it was time to call his wife. his phone worked ok when we got around civilization but out in the sticks not to good. also sometimes he could get email even though he couldn't talk. his phone would have a bar but as soon as he tried to make a call it would just sit there and spin(this is what he called it). it would do this spinning on the email function at times too and although he could get an email sometimes he couldn't send one standing in the same spot he just received his email from. he said he was going to get a new phone this year so we will see. highdesertranger

 

[caseyc]

You're not comparing apples to apples. Internet reception and voice reception can be two entirely different things. Plus maybe your friend has the previous iPhone with the much hyped about antenna problem. Regardless, if you're in the middle of nowhere, then reception will be bad no matter what.

 

[highdesertranger]

what do you mean 2 cell phones 2 feet apart same carrier one works and one doesn't. highdesertranger

 

[LeeRevell]

People who poo-poo smartphones have no idea. Really, they have noooooo idea whatsoever. Maybe theoretically, but nothing based on reality. Once they get on the bandwagon, they are believers.

By the way, there really is a big difference between the current Samsung S5 smartphone versus the 2 generation older S3 model. Many or all of the current smartphones by Verizon also utilize the newer/better/faster XLTE data network, versus the older LTE network for the older smartphones. My new Samsung Note 3 smartphone is noticeably faster in internet speed versus my older Note 2.

4G LTE is plenty fast for me. Being about to retire and being on a very tight budget, I just can't justify the newer phone's cost. I am usually a generation or two behind the times with personal technology. I didn't embrace DVD til the Blue-Ray was coming out. I tend to be something of a Neoluddite at times......

 

[offroad]

About antenna technology? Yes it can be completely different in different models of phone. The only solution I can suggest is to have two phones and move the SIM card. Or get a cell phone booster device that actually works.

Look at a HAM RADIO radios. They all have long antennas for a reason. Long antennas give you more signal.

 

[jeanontheroad]

Offroad, re roaming, those Tmobile coverage maps are deceptive. They show areas where you will have coverage, but not necessarily with Tmobile. Right now in Rangely, CO, I am using Union Telephone. Tmobile subcontracts with them to provide service. They consider that roaming for internet and will only allow 500 megs. a month, even tho I was paying for 8 gigs. If I was in an urbane area where Tmobile had their own towers, I would have gotten my 8 gigs.

However, we won't be in urban areas a lot, maybe ever again. After leaving the St Pete/Tampa area and being fulltimers for only a few months, we are starting to go semi-feral. We like more rural areas and small towns. We don't like the traffic and the crowds and the lights drowning out the stars anymore. A larger town or city for a few days a month to take care of business and errands is good. Other than that, we are in Tmobile roaming areas.

We'll be around Denver soon. Then, maybe I will switch to Verizon. Got to talk to the rep and see. One big trouble Wolf has is that Tmobile seems to have some issues with group texts. Everyone else is on Tmobile and we can all use one group thread. His used to work, but somehow keeps getting detached, now. Since I have Tmobile, I have no problem with the family group thread and I would reslly miss the banter. I can always cut my phone data to the minimum, put up with the 500 meg thing, and use Wolf's hotspot.

 

[offroad]

Have been reading that tmobile DOES NOT ROAM WITH DATA. So have to ask folks to beware of my previous recommendation. Am going to trial H2Omobile and also CONSUMER CELLULAR to see if they will roam with data.

You need roaming data precisely when you are traveling. Data while at home county is not really needed as much because you have wifi.

 

[kyonu]

After all of your posts on this subject offroad, it does not appear you will be happy with any service. It's better that you just get satellite service so you can get service anywhere you go.

 

[Zil]

If you want to travel to many different locations, get Verizon. The others are playing catch up and may get better in near future.

 

[jeanontheroad]

You are right, Zil. The only thing keeping me from dumping Tmobile is the family group thread. Wolf's Verizon phone receives the texts, but not as part of the group . It looks like each text comes in from an individual person and when he replies, it only goes to that person, not the group. If that is just his phone settings, maybe he can get some help when we get near Denver. If it has something to do with Tmobile's glitch ( they are working on it per the Internet article), I am putting up with Tmobile for a while. I don't want to miss out on the family chatter. I will just have to use Wolf's Verizon hotspot if that is the case.

 

[caseyc]

Just don't fall victim to "cramming", per below article.

http://m.ktvu.com/news/news/national/regulators-accuse-t-mobile-bogus-billing/ngXhw/

 

[Zil]

I am being tempted by the Framly commercials.

---

That rodent is the goods.

 

[kyonu]

Don't let the cramming fool you--they were done with that years ago, where ATT and Verizon still do it (and try to hide it.) At least T-mobile is being honest about it, and I have never had a crammed bill with them. Just a note.

 

[caseyc]

I haven't been crammed either, haha! I've had Verizon now for over several years. My phone bill is always the same amount.

 

[jeanontheroad]

Re cramming, I canceled everything but the minimum service on Tmobile. Your message and article caused me to look at my new bill. An unexpected $30 charge is there. What the heck is that? I need to make a phone call.

 

[kyonu]

Re cramming, I canceled everything but the minimum service on Tmobile. Your message and article caused me to look at my new bill. An unexpected $30 charge is there. What the heck is that? I need to make a phone call.

I would like to know what they say!

 

[offroad]

So sprint and tmobile are trying to buy each other. Aka make some executive millions in sales dollars during the combining.

 

[jeanontheroad]

They said that when I canceled the 8 gig service and went to minimum service (which is all one gets, anyway), an error was made in crediting my account. I was credited $30 too much. I have no way of knowing if this is right or wrong, but I better not see another unexplained charge next month.

 

[kyonu]

So sprint and tmobile are trying to buy each other. Aka make some executive millions in sales dollars during the combining.

More like Sprint trying to buy T mobile because Sprint is the next Titanic and they know it. Softbank has no idea what they are doing, and if they don't buy T mobile, they still owe T mobile 2 billion. I think Tmo will take the 2 bil and be all like "See ya!" while they watch Sprint drown in their own ineffectiveness.