t-mobile versus cingular assistance wanted

[Craig]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:49pm

I might be changing services and want to know thoughts regarding both (especially from those that have used both). And also specific to New York and Florida as those are my two primary covererage for usage.

looking for feedback on coverage, call quality/dropped calls, customer service, etc

thanks

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:53pm

Hi, I was told that:

T-Mobile has the best rates for cell phone plans, but not as good coverage as Cingular..

Here are some websites you can check out for more info on plans
www.t-mobile.com
www.cingular.com

Here is some information I obtained from Google:
http://forums.mobiledia.com/topic46573.html

I will PM you if you need me to with more information.

I live in the south and my whole family switched over from T-Mobile to Cingular and we have been happy ever since with our phones.

If you need anymore help I would be glad to assist.

EDIT: Cingular has the lowest Dropped Calls Rate versus T-Mobile as well.


Cingular's Rate Plans:
http://onlinestorez.cingular.com/cell-phone-service/wireless-phone-plans/cell-phone-plans.jsp?WT.svl=2206800004&q_catid=2206800004


Updated On: 8/20/06 at 12:53 PM

[Craig]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:55pm

thanks. I've googled, and checked out plans. I'm looking for people's practical experience..

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:56pm

I switched to TMobile (from Sprint/Nextel) for about 2 weeks a little over a year ago and was absolutely appalled at their customer service.

My service was never set up correctly - I was in "customer service ping-pong" with the people on the phone telling me to go back to the store, the people at the store telling me to call customer serivce. It was also a significantly weaker signal in the Los Angeles area.

TMobile's rate plans are nice, but not if you can't get any service.

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:58pm

Oh, sorry about that...I can't really help you other than the fact that I haven't had any problems as far as random charges like T-Mobile gave me...

I live in a different state than you do obviously so I will leave you alone about it. Sorry.

[Craig]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:58pm

so are you with cingular now, or?

I've been on sprint for YEARS and can't really complain. Excellent call quality, great reception, etc - but I now have a need for a phone I can take internationally if I want to and sprint is only US..

[Craig]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:59pm

it's funny. cingular boasts lowest dropped calls, but tmobile has the highest jd power and associates rating.. hmmmm

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 1:08pm

Nah, I actually moved back to Sprint which I love.

My only big complaint is the one that you already mentioned - US only.

I know a lot of people who travel internationally quite often who have Cingular and they have no complaints about it. In fact, my wife's boss actually mentioned that her Cingular service is as clear in Austria when she calls back to the US as it is here.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 1:15pm

I've been with T-Mobile for 3 years and couldn't be happier. I have never had a single problem/complaint about services, coverage or really anything with them. Of course, I'm in Minnesota, so take that as you will.

My parents are also on T-Mobile and they're in Florida and have had coverage issues, though some of that has been fleshed out as more towers have gone up and is becoming less of an issue. They're also in a pretty backwoods, rural central Florida area (Sebring area) and they seem to have very few problems when in Orlando, Tampa or other metro areas.

[Marlene]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 1:19pm

I have cingular. I've never had a problem with it while in the city, except for some strangly located locker room in a college. As for customer service...I can't give you feedback on that because I've never used it. As for dropped calls, I've actually never had one. The only thing I've ever found frustrating with cingular is that you occasionally don't get reception with it in certain areas...maybe it was just my phone and the actual location killing signals, but I honestly have no real complaints whatsoever with cingular service.

Generally...I've had more of my friends complain about their t-mobile service over cingular...
Updated On: 8/20/06 at 01:19 PM

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 1:24pm

Updated On: 2/18/09 at 01:24 PM

[Craig]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 1:51pm

I think that's the case will all carriers. I know that sometimes I'll dial on sprint and it wont act like it's connected (but the other person did get the call) i.e. it's silent on my end. I hang up and call back. Happens rarely - and usually if it's really storming out

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 4:32pm

t-mobiles coverage in the US is nowhere near as extensive as Cingular. With T-mobile I had to be careful where I was in Palm Springs as at times, no service.
With Cingular, was never a problem, and I've had good luck with their CS.

I only signed up with them as I could get a worldwide phone, and Verizon who I had before them did not.

Frankly if you do not need worldwide service, and Verizon is in your area, I'd say go with them.

If it must be Cing or T, go with Cing

[Craig]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 4:38pm

well if I didn't need international, I'd stick with Sprint. Been with them over about 10 years.

Looks like Cingular it is..

[stonewall2]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 4:48pm

If you are going to be using it in the two markets you mention, why not go with Verizon? They have by far the best coverage in both areas and are consitantly rated the best in independant studies (and I have a son who has worked for the 2 companies you mention!).I have used both T-Mobile and Cingular and would NEVER go back to either after having Verizon. My younger son has T Mobile and he spends more time redialing the dropped calls than he does talking!!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 4:50pm

yeah, then Verizon is out, their cheapest International phone is over $300, with Cingular a RAZR is much cheaper. I had no problem in Europe with it, no dropped calls, etc

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 5:09pm

I love my Cingular. I get the occasional dropped call, but it's usually when I am traveling long distances and having one of my loooooong "keep me sane" conversations. I get coverage pretty much everywhere.

[admanrich]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 6:54pm

I have been with T-Mobile for over three years, and I love it. Cheapest plans and I got a great deal on my Moto RAZR. In my area, I'm the only one that gets service (Rural CT), I have no problems in NY, and when I visit my grandparents in Florida, I have no issues either. Also, when you roam on T-Mobile, T-Mobile has access to other networks. When I was in North Carolina last year, I was using Cingular's network and not paying for roaming. It was quite odd/amazing. I've heard T-Mobile's international coverage is the best of all the services.

[vbplayer]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 8:21pm

I've been with Cingular for about 2 years and the service has been great.....so far.

[caitiesus1522]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 9:05pm

I have been on Cingular for awhile now and love it. I used it in New York and I had service pretty much everywhere it is possible to have service. The customer service is also pretty good.

I used the international plan while i was in Scotland and it was AMAZING. Make sure you switch ot a phone that is compatible though! Some adults in the group didn't make sure and their phones were useless to make any international phone calls.

Haven't tried T Mobile but my friends have all switched from it becausee they hated it!

[suzycat]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 12:51am

I switched from Verizon to Cingular about a year ago. Cingular is much better... but don't get the Motorola V551. I had to have mine replaced because the phone would freeze (Cingular has a GREAT service for replacing broken phones under warranty - no charge & I had the new one in 2 days) and now my replacement phone is starting to do the same thing.

I have had a few dropped calls, but usually only where my service was 1 bar. Customer service is great - very helpful. They also deserve props for sending bills that you can actuallly understand! I always hated Verizon's 6-page confusing bills. Cingular is great in this respect. Plus, you can sign up for it to automatically charge to your credit card.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 9:40am

I switched from TMobile to Cingular about 2 1/2 years ago and just resigned with Cingular (and got a great deal on an audiovox.) I hated TMobile, tho things may have gotten better with them, I never had clear reception, especially with my voicemail. My phone broke and, tho I sent it back and they sent me another (refurbished) one, it was a nightmare, and their customer service was useless...I only spoke to people in Nicaragua and India, who had no idea what was happening with my phone.
I never got my reception problem fixed, who I did get reception in St. Thomas w/ TM and not Cingular.
Hope this helps, and good luck!

[CJR]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 11:27am

Craig-- I feel the need to chime in as someone who had the Old Cingular, the New Cingular (post ATT merger) and T-Mobile.

I found T-Mobile to be quite the rip off. Not only was the service coverage horrible (I think I got service in one tiny corner of my house and I had to be pressed against the window -- no lie), but they also used to d*ck me around come bill time. I wouldnt have gone over my minutes, but yet there would somehow be this ridiculous charge on my bill. 3 years later, Im STILL in dispute with T-Mobile over it.

Old Cingular sucked too. I had them for years before dropping them for T-Mobile. Their (Cingular) rates were insanely high and I didnt have wonderful service. Hence my moving to ATT. I'd been with ATT for 2 years when they merged with Cingular. Thankfully, I have AMAZING service now.... better than anyone else I know. I actually get service in places that are a virtual dead zone for any other service provider.

What I suggest though, and I think this might attribute to my excellent service, is get a plan with Cingular, but buy your phone outright from an independent dealer. It's more expensive (MSRP for each phone) but worth it. I had to do that when my old phone blew up because at that point and time Cingular wasnt selling any ATT phones and I didnt want to switch to a Cingular plan yet (now I have no choice -- Im actually on my way to do that now). The phones you get from an independent dealer arent linked to any one service provider (this is great if you travel a lot -- you can stick anyone's SIM card in your phone) and from what I've experienced, I now have stellar service.

Also with Cingular, I have a Go Phone. It automatically debits my bank account every month and I never see a bill. Im held under no contract, but I have all the perks of a regular, contracted plan. 740 daytime minutes, free unlimited nights and weekends, nationwide.

Updated On: 8/21/06 at 11:27 AM

[beacon1]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 1:39pm

I switched from Verizon to be part of a family plan on Cingular and have not had any problems. Excellent reception.