Better Phone Carrier

December 5, 2023 12:03 PM

I've had AT&T for over 20 years and would like to switch.

This is for a cell phone carrier for a single person in San Francisco. I recently downgraded my service with them b/c I was paying about $80 a month just for cell service for myself. Now I pay $50 a month and it's usually fine but sometimes the internet is very slow. There is a dead zone in my lobby and also spots in my neighborhood and it's quite annoying. A coworker suggested T-Mobile--I haggled w/ the person on the phone til we got to the free phone part, which I'm interested in--I want a new SE w/ 256 MG or whatever the 256 measurement is, but they offered one w/ less storage space and suggested I buy additional storage space, so I didn't go through w/ the switch.

Does anyone have T-Mobile and like it? I don't need anything extravagant--unlimited talk/text, a hotspot would be nice but is not necessary; I don't make international calls or travel internationally if that matters. I would like to upgrade my 3 year old SE to a newer SE bc of battery and charging issues, but as mentioned, I'd like the one w/ 256 whatever of storage.

Also, I have xfinity for my wifi. I do not have cable television.

posted by bookworm4125 to Technology (9 answers total)

You'll get better deals with a phone paid up front for (free phone is never that- is essentially financed). I am in San Francisco and use Mint, which uses the same network as T-Mobile/At&T. 5GB data plan (unlimited text and calling) is $15/monthly and low fees. Hot spot plans are a little more. I love it. You can get your first 3month SIM for ~$30 on eBay. Set up is easy..
posted by maya at 12:21 PM on December 5, 2023 [1 favorite]

Before switching, you might want to ask some neighbors which network they're on, and what kind of service they get. If you expect to stay with Xfinity, they offer mobile service that uses the Verizon network (IIRC), and is pretty cheap.

Other more affordable wireless options are Visible from Verizon, as well as Ting.
posted by hydra77 at 1:11 PM on December 5, 2023 [4 favorites]

Look at Google Project Fi. I have it on two phones, was in SF last week and coverage was great.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 1:19 PM on December 5, 2023 [2 favorites]

T-mobile lets you try it out-- you use esim and keep your number. The key issue with cell phone providers in urban areas is prioritization, if you want to stay on the cheaper end. You MUST get the highest priority for any service.

I used this reddituse this as a guide and got T-mobile prepaid because of it
posted by sandmanwv at 2:05 PM on December 5, 2023

I had T-Mobile for years, and it was fine, until I moved from the mid-atlantic to a city in a rural state. In-town was medium, out of town was a complete joke. I switched to Ting for about 2 years, and wasn't really thrilled with it, so I switched to US Mobile and have been really happy. They have two networks - the "Warp" network, which is a Verizon MVNO, and the "GSM LTE" network, which is a T-Mobile MVNO.

I pay $20ish/month for 5gb data, unlimited talk and text. Full unlimited plans start at $25.

I do tend to use older phones (still on my Pixel 3a), and I buy them myself, so the trade-in etc is all foreign to me.
posted by god hates math at 3:30 PM on December 5, 2023 [1 favorite]

I know Ting has been a MeFi favorite for a while, and I have service with them. It's...fine. I haven't had any real problems with them, though I don't use much cellular data. Like I said I haven't had any major problems, but they stopped supporting their app--at least the iOS version--and logging onto your account on their website can be a pain. It seems that since being acquired by Dish they appear to have been gutted customer service resource-wise.

I don't think I would recommend them over the many other options available now.
posted by sevenless at 3:33 PM on December 5, 2023

I learned about it here, and I've never regretted switching to it, so here's my plug for Visible. $25/month for unlimited data, including taxes/fees. $35/month if you want international calling/data coverage. That's it, that's all there is to it.

They use Verizon's network, so the coverage is really solid. They'll sell you a phone if you want one, but honestly, just buy one yourself and bring it to the service and you'll be good to go.

I can't say enough good things about Visible. And this isn't a paid endorsement...hahaha.
posted by pdb at 5:31 PM on December 5, 2023 [3 favorites]

I also use Visible. No complaints. A family member did have trouble with the Virtual Sim thing about a year ago, but that was a switch from having a physical SIM, not a new account.
posted by verbminx at 6:06 PM on December 5, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: If you use Xfinity/Comcast for home internet, or “wifi”, check out Xfinity Mobile. I switched to it from ATT and have been thrilled. $40/month, uses Verizon network (or Xfinity hotspots when available) .
posted by armoir from antproof case at 6:22 PM on December 5, 2023