mrken30

If you want to check coverage look at https://opensignal.com/network-coverage-maps/

However if you look at http://www.cellularmaps.com/net_compare.shtml the tmobile coverage looks better. I am pretty sure this is not the case, but I may be wrong.

hungryhorace

Not true (anymore). TMUS is the most expensive of all big 4 carriers now with the release of their 'T-Mobile ONE' plan. The minimum entry point is now $70. That's insane.

Pulaski

They're still advertising, in my neck of the woods, as being much cheaper than Verizon and AT&T.

hungryhorace

They are cheaper....if you want an LTE unlimited plan.

hungryhorace

Whilst I appreciate your concerns, how often do you actually spend in areas without TMUS reception? I probably visit ME once in 12 months at a push despite our close proximity to it. Is it really worth paying that much more [1] for VZW when for 99% of the time TMUS's coverage is fine?

[1] I'm aware T-Mobile's new 'ONE' plan increases the minimum $ entry point now.

mrken30

If TMUS works for you I would look at an MNVO such as mintsim, ultra or lyca. Less than 1/2 the price. Remember the $70 /month no longer includes "free" upgrades. Mintsim gives 10 GB LTE /month for $42, or 5 GB for $31. I'm not sure how many pokemon that equates to.

Olly_

After corporate discount the price difference was less than $20 a month and I get more data with Verizon (Fios double data promo). In my apartment I had to rely on wifi calling but Verizon works perfectly without it. The World Trade Center PATH station train platforms now have Verizon LTE coverage but nothing for T-Mobile.

I also find international calls on Verizon better - on T-Mobile I found calling UK mobiles you'd often get a dodgy line with echo and a huge delay, but I've not had that happen on Verizon.

Obviously you need to decide what's best for you but I'd rather pay a little bit more for better service.

hungryhorace

No roaming or 4G LTE femtocell or roaming abroad with those options.

Daan

I am moving to the US but will have to travel to Australia and Europe a few times per year. That is why I thought that T-mobile would be more 'compatible' with foreign providers.
Thank you for your information. It makes me doubt my initial decision to go with T-Mobile.

jaffy23

I'm pretty sure TMo still offer a trial.

I had Verizon initially in NYC which was awesome all over - however, the data limits used to have overages which could get expensive and I traveled internationally a bit. I was annoyed with having to suck up $40 everytime I left the US and then conserving a measly 100mb of roaming data. Tmo made all that disappear and I think the CEO is a decent guy.

hungryhorace

Don't. I use TMUS and they're absolutely fine. I've travelled over 25 States now and TMUS has had decent enough reception wherever I've been, though deepest Oregon or Nevada left me with only 2G. Like I said previously, I don't care about that, I visit those areas once a year MAX. If the provider has good reception where you spend MOST OF YOUR TIME then you'll be just fine.

Pulaski

The problem is that when you are further from home, and furthest from civilization (however you want to define that), is when most people would want their cell phone to work.

I am not suggesting that you need coverage everywhere you could conceivably travel, but if I was visiting some corner of, say, North Dakota once or twice a year, then I would favour a phone sevice that provided coverage in that area.

hungryhorace

Get an ATT GoPhone SIM the month you're there etc. Still works out a considerable saving than going with ATT / VZW [1].

[1] Though less so now, given TMUS's price increases.

petitefrancaise

Well, you won't have a lot of choice with no credit history, you will have to get a prepaid plan and of those T-mo is just about the best one. All of the regular post-paid plans will require a credit check - which you probably won't get through. On the Simple choice plans you get unlimited 2G data and texts whilst abroad in most places and I can vouch that it works fine for FB messaging or whatsapp. You pay an extra $15 a month for unlimited international texts and calls from the USA.

We've had t-mobile for 3 years, first on a pre-paid and now on a post-paid. They're fine.