gav2345

Hi Everyone,

I'm moving to NY in Oct under an H1-B and I am going to pre-order the new iPhone 5. But I need to select a US Carrier.

Anyone recommend which carrier to go for? ATT, Verizon or Sprint?

Thank You.

Nutmegger

Small, very unscientific sample, but everyone I know in the NYC area uses Verizon as they have the best coverage in this region.

http://www.cellreception.com/coverag...ork/page1.html

markwm

See here: http://static.ips.apple.com.edgekey...._US/index.html

Rate plans in the US are ridiculously expensive and limited. I have an unlocked iPhone and use AT&T (in LA) using the pay-as-you-go plans as I don't need data (never more than a minute form wifi here).

https://www.paygonline.com/websc/index.jsp

Not sure of the best carrier in NY but the costs are high for all of them.

markwm

Just checked that for my zip code and AT&T came last though I've never had a problem or bad reception with them. Odd.

Giantaxe

I wouldn't buy an iphone locked to AT&T because they won't unlock it to allow you to use a non-US sim abroad. Sprint and Verizon at least allow you to do this. Or you could go the route of getting an unlocked iphone.

fatbrit

None. Nor the iPhone.

md95065

Not AT&T ...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57...p-couple-dies/

Bob

All depends on where in NY you're going to be living and working...it's a big state, someone living in up state is going to have a different opinion to one in NYC...

Anyway, I wouldn't bother pre-order because you don't know you'll even get a contract without any credit history, nor what kind of deposit they'd want from you.

penguinsix

Just a random aside--the LTE in the iPhone 5 will not work in Europe, so even if you get an unlocked phone you won't be able to take it back to Europe and use it on the LTE networks there (though I gather the GSM should work). I think there are three variants of the iPhone 5, basically a US GSM/US LTE, a US CDMA (Verizon)/US LTE and an Asian GSM/Asian LTE.

http://www.computerworld.com.au/arti.../?fp=4&fpid=18

Sheepdip

Was about to change one of my Verizon phones but noticed that the 'unlimited' data plan that I currently have is no longer available if I change phones. Think I'll stick with the Thunderbolt........

Bootle

You can keep your unlimited plan if you change phones and buy the phone outright. You don't get to keep it if you take the phone discount. Talk to a verizon salesperson to see if they can give a discount off the full price.

Giantaxe

Another option is if your employer has a deal with Verizon. I managed to get unlimited data this way even though as an individual I wouldn't have been eligible for it.

Sheepdip

Thanks for the tip!

Weeze

I believe Virgin are now doing iPhones for $30/ month, no contract. Not sure if they'll be doing the new one though. I gave uP waiting on them at Christmas and now they o and do the iPhone, doh!

fatbrit

Precisely. The contracts with the big carriers have not been good value for money for a good while now..

The iPhone is a crazy price at Virgin, though. Not as crazy as some of the users, but--luckily-- there are some great Android handsets at reasonable prices available.