It’s depressing to think of what could have been, and what’s not. Did T-Mobile miss the pitch? I hate to say it but they did. If it wasn’t for Sprint’s gosh awful multi-network debacle (Who uses CDMA anywhere else in the world anyway) they would be contender for #2 spot. Don’t get me started on how ashamed I feel about the entire Android flop. It sickens me every day to hear about Vzn’s Droid marketing and how close T-Mo had to capitalizing on the droid but let it slip thru. Granted, that has a lot to do with Google not wanting to be a one carrier op sys, which I applaud them for. I’m all for the truly open op mobile phone. But ye gads T-Mo, did you have to *let* Vzn tear down your Android flag, cover it in poop, refuse, burn it, then hang it half mast, because droid is gone from T-Mo. Will the ever have an edge like that again?

So I’m waiting for the day when the stormtroopers march in and rifle butt us in the heads telling us to start wearing orange or yellow or whatever O2 color is that they’re now changing the name and pumping more money in it than ever before and will dominate the market forever until an updated Sherman Anti-Trust act comes in to stop it. When will the depression end?

Data has been solid, but SLOW. In my town, two thirds of my closest tower are EDGE, while the other sector is GPRS only. There were several months this year where they deactivated EDGE on the tower altogether, leaving me with dialup speeds on my phone. Their 3G network in Detroit ends one town over from me, so even if I had a phone that supported their 3G frequencies, I’d still be poking along at around 5-6K per second in many places, or 25-30K in the right spot.

This is, in a word, pathetic.

To their credit, it’s been almost impossible to drop a call on T-Mobile. There’s one intersection around here where it will almost always drop, and that’s it. Their voice network has been rock solid for me. Even driving 1300 miles from Santa Clara, California to Boulder, Colorado, there was about one mile where I didn’t have service. THAT was impressive.

Now, for that same ~$65/month on Sprint, I’ll get 500 weekday minutes to landlines, unlimited airtime to and from any other mobile carrier, unlimited nights and weekends starting at 7pm, unlimited messaging, and unlimited FAST data. I’ll also have GPS for a change. At most, Sprint will probably have slightly higher taxes and fees, but I can deal with a couple more bucks per month. I don’t feel like I’m being whiny or acting like a spoiled brat because Even More Plus wasn’t enough to keep me; this will just be a better price point for how I use my phone. They’re just cell phone companies — I’m not married to them, and T-Mobile isn’t going to care if I leave. Besides, chances are I’ll be back some time in the future. Tmo isn’t going anywhere (I hope — competition is good).

I know I’ll have to call customer service at some point. But from what other users have told me, they’ll always at least offer something to rectify problems. T-Mobile *never* did that for me. I’ve had issues where charges to 411 showed on my bill (which I’ve never called) and picture messages supposedly sent from my phone which can’t even do MMS, and they either claim they can’t do anything to help, or they tell me the charges will be credited on my next bill, which doesn’t happen.

The only reason I have to stay with T-Mobile anymore is free text messaging when I’m in Canada, but that won’t stop me from jumping on this pricing while I can. Goodnight, Mrs. Zeta-Jones… wherevah you ah.

So if for me, choosing based on coverage or data speeds is not an issue from people I know. Yes I do agree there will always be a better handset or newer handset on other carriers.

Between VZW & AT&T, there are enough new customers for both T-Mo and Sprint.

Maybe stop messing with plan changes and start building out 4G. So in 2010, Verizon and Sprint will have plenty of 4G cities running. Not sure about AT&T. T-Mobile needs to be more aggressive in build outs not plan changes.

1. Too many networks for their own good. You have to worry about the Nextel network, the CDMA network, and now the Wimax network. It has been my experience that they do a poor job of taken care of the networks they already have.

2. LTE > WiMax. With Wimax you need a separate network for voice. That means Sprint will have that same crappy voice network as they have now as they go “4G”. With Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T being LTE how many phone manufacturers will be jumping out of their seats to make a special phone for Sprint on a different technology? Beyond that, the data speeds are not even that impressive compared to LTE.

If I was not with T-Mobile, I would basicly go for anyone besides Sprint. That would be my absolute last choice unless I only wanted a data provider. If you want to choose a provider, I would first base it on who can give you good coverage for you and how much is it going to cost. After that, then the handsets come in to play for me. Carrier quality can be vary greatly depending on your region, but Sprint’s network is pretty pathetic where I’ve used it.

I’ve been a T-Mo customer since 2000. After doing an exhaustive review of my current loyalty plan on T-Mobile for family, I was told to take a peek at Sprint. What I’m reading in the comments is that everyone is comparing T-Mo’s new rates to ATT and VZW; as such, Verizon still is the highest price point (T-Mo wins for the penny-pincher), and ATT has the iPhone (but exorbitant prices for such a spotty/unreliable network). Here’s how Sprint adds up currently.

Right now, I’m paying $130 a month for 3 lines, 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, and data for a G1 on T-Mobile. That’s with quite a few rollover perks, like $10 unlimited text messaging for families, etc.

If you didn’t know, Sprint offers discounts for business and organizations ranging from 15%-25%; all you have to do is go to the business section of their website, enter your email address, and they’ll tell you whether you qualify for the discount.

Because my law school is part of a university system participating in Sprint’s program, I’m eligible for a 15% discount. I can get the unlimited everything data package (unlimited texts, mobile to any mobile, data, tv, nfl, gps, 450 minutes to land lines) for $59.99. For a family plan for 3 (same as I have now), I can get the same unlimited everything data with 1500 landline minutes for $127…3 dollars less than what I’m paying at T-Mobile as a longstanding loyalty customer, but with unlimited data and minutes for all.

The argument against Sprint and for T-Mobile due to customer service fails, I think. While good, T-Mobile’s customer service has continued to top the industry because T-Mobile retains low to mid range customers who are satisfied with what they are getting, and don’t leave. For those customers, this is a steal. But to say that Sprint doesn’t or can’t have comparable customer service would be an error.

Sprint and T-Mobile are at the bottom of the top 4, with sprint sitting in the 3 spot. But Sprint wants to get on top just like T-Mobile, and took steps to do so with the truly competitive new pricing plan for unlimited everything. Further, Sprint’s customer service by phone, from what users of the service tell me, is just as willing to accommodate customers’ needs as T-Mobile’s. If you’re going in-store to get help from T-Mobile, you’re likely to get an idiot who answers your questions just as ineptly as someone from Sprint, Verizon or ATT.

I haven’t decided to make the switch yet, but there’s a trial period, and if you sign up online, you get $25 off your first two months’ bill.

For those high-end customers looking to switch, but not wanting to pay out the ass for verizon or suffer the pathetic network woes of ATT, I’m just saying Sprint seems awfully viable.