Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Clay Monroe via Mercedes]

Verizon is garbage where I live.  Both places.

Sitting in my SEA living room I have almost two bars.  Massive picture window 
with line of sight to the tower.  Using it as hotspot, there is almost 56k baud 
using USB cord.  Wireless hotspot is about 32k.

ANC is not that good either.  Verizon is new (roll out of 4G) to the market and 
coverage is spotty.  In the house I get almost three bars.  Do not need to use 
hotspot, so never did speed test.  As it is, the wifi (DSL) is almost as fast 
as using the phone itself for streaming.  The in air wifi on Alaska Airlines is 
really good for in flight streaming


clay monroe

> I turned my computer upside down and shook it, but the bookmark for what I'm 
> looking for didn't fall out.



> On Dec 20, 2019, at 2:14 AM, dan--- via Mercedes  
> wrote:
> 
> Here’s the straight poop from someone who was involved heavily in the 
> buildout of both AT and Verizon’s cellular networks:
> 
> Both carriers have the highest number of cells nationwide of any carrier that 
> is a primary, with Verizon having the most. All the others, save Sprint, are 
> piggybacking on one of the big guys. The piggyback contracts have limitations 
> on the number of cells available and the coverage areas.
> 
> Go with Verizon. They are the best as far as coverage between the two. 
> They’ll rape you on their plans, but that’s the price you pay for 
> accessibility. I’ve used them continuously since the early 1990s and never 
> had a coverage or bandwidth issue. The few times I had poor signals in a 
> fixed area I frequented, I called them and reported it and found the issue 
> resolved within a few days. They can tune their coverage and will do so if 
> they get enough tickets reporting it.
> 
> -D
> 
> On Dec 20, 2019, at 2:46 AM, fmiser via Mercedes  
> wrote:
> 
>>> Kaleb wrote:
>> 
>>> I don’t want to do. I am looking at either Verizon or T Mobile.
>> 
>>> Anybody have a bad experience with them or any other feedback? 
>> 
>> T-Mobile is the Google-Fi carrier that covers here.  Fairly
>> dependable, but I can't speak for an actual T-Mobile account.
>> T-Mobile was the biggest single buyer of the 600 MHz TV spectrum
>> and they claim that their goal with the lease is to better cover
>> rural areas.
>> 
>> 
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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Meade Dillon via Mercedes]

+1.

WiFi calling on T-Mobile has not worked well for us.  I disabled that on my
phone and SWMBO's.
-
Max
Charleston SC


On Fri, Dec 20, 2019 at 10:14 AM ROGER HALE via Mercedes <
mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote:

> I tried WIFI calling via Tmobile, but it was terrible
>
>
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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes]

FYI my 4GLTE speed this morning is .002 MBps

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 20, 2019, at 9:14 AM, ROGER HALE via Mercedes  
> wrote:
> 
> Well, I'll add some info too.  I've used ConsumerCellular for a long 
> time now and have not been disappointed.  Of my over 50 years dealing with 
> businesses, they have by far the best customer service.  I use two older 
> iPhones and they work fine on the road.  I use the ATT sims.  My home is in a 
> low area so I only get 1 bar at home, but still useable.  I'm adding an 
> outside antennae with inside booster to bring the inside signal up to 3-4 
> bars with my goal to drop my two land lines.  I tried WIFI calling via 
> Tmobile, but it was terrible so I went back to the ATT sim.  I've ordered a 
> stronger inside antennae to mate with the booster which should help even more.
> Before CC, I had Verizon and their predecessor for over 10years.  Cost and 
> fees finally forced me to change, plus their customer service was never good.
> Just some personal info.
> Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
> Roger
> Roger Hale
> Dinnerware Classics, Inc.
> Monroe, Ga.
> 770-267-0850
> www.dinnerwareclassics.com
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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[ROGER HALE via Mercedes]

Well, I'll add some info too.  I've used ConsumerCellular for a long time 
now and have not been disappointed.  Of my over 50 years dealing with 
businesses, they have by far the best customer service.  I use two older 
iPhones and they work fine on the road.  I use the ATT sims.  My home is in a 
low area so I only get 1 bar at home, but still useable.  I'm adding an outside 
antennae with inside booster to bring the inside signal up to 3-4 bars with my 
goal to drop my two land lines.  I tried WIFI calling via Tmobile, but it was 
terrible so I went back to the ATT sim.  I've ordered a stronger inside 
antennae to mate with the booster which should help even more.
Before CC, I had Verizon and their predecessor for over 10years.  Cost and fees 
finally forced me to change, plus their customer service was never good.
Just some personal info.
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Roger
Roger Hale
Dinnerware Classics, Inc.
Monroe, Ga.
770-267-0850
www.dinnerwareclassics.com
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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[dan--- via Mercedes]

I’ve mentioned this previously and it’s probably not an option for Kaleb, but 
around here Spectrum (Charter bought out Brighthouse and this is their new 
name) piggybacks on VZW for $14/month for 1Gb or $44/month for unlimited data. 
You can BYOD for newer phones (iPhone SE or 6s is the oldest Apple stuff, don’t 
know about Android) so you’re not even obligated to buy hardware from them, 
although they do offer device contracts like other carriers.

That’s an all inclusive price, too. I’m covering four lines right now with a 
monthly cost of $56. Your data is polled among the devices, too, so if the 
usage is lopsided and one exceeds their limit you don’t get dinged as long as 
you haven’t exceeded the total.

-D

> On Dec 20, 2019, at 9:15 AM, Curt Raymond via Mercedes 
>  wrote:
> 
> I've got Republic. All the new phones are GSM on T-Mobile which is not 
> anywhere near as good as Sprint was. Its super spotty even in big cities like 
> LA and New York. Around here its weird pockets. For instance I've got no 
> service at all at camp, the phone says "no service" as opposed to the times 
> it says "Emergency calls only". By the garage (50 feet uphill) I've got voice 
> service and near the outhouse another 50 feet uphill I've got good LTE 
> coverage. I see similar when I'm hunting, in just the right spot I'll have 
> LTE but then 50 feet away I'll have nothing. Sometimes I have to put on 
> airplane mode and then turn it off to get the phone to find signal.
> I'm paying almost $40 with taxes, a comparable plan with Verizon would be 
> more than $90.
> -Curt
> 
>On Friday, December 20, 2019, 2:01:50 AM EST, Scott Ritchey via Mercedes 
>  wrote:  
> 
> I would add Republic to that list.  Especially if good Wi-Fi available where 
> you spend the most time.
> 
> For a land line OOMA reduced my cost a lot ($50 to $15 a month) and provides 
> additional useful features.
> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of
>> Curley McLain via Mercedes
>> Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2019 11:56 PM
>> To: Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes 
>> Cc: Curley McLain <126die...@gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post
>> 
>> Consumer cellular.  Att network.  good coverage.  $25/mo for first
>> fone.  $15/mp for additional.  Not happy that they support the
>> AARPfoolishnes.  Also look at patriot mobile and puretalk.
>> 
>> Puretalk maybe a better deal now.  Last time I looked, they were cheaper.  CC
>> sells you a data pool for all phones on the bill.  THat is good.  Puretalk 
>> may
>> make you buy data for each fone.
>> 
>> Verizon sucks.  Att sucks.  US cellular sucks more than either.  It was 
>> always
>> the most expensive carrier due to all their add on and gotcha fees.
>> 
>> Tmobile and sprint (and most other minor carriers) are only good if you are 
>> in
>> big cities or along major interstate highways.  (maybe on the
>> highways)
>>> Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes <mailto:mercedes@okiebenz.com> December
>>> 19, 2019 at 10:27 PM
>>> 
>>> I am currently in Fayetteville AR for work which is just right outside
>>> US Cellular coverage area. Guess what, data is so slow it is not
>>> usable. Before we left for trip went to the local US Cellular store to
>>> add a line for the other kid then the wife decides she wants to get a
>>> new phone since hers was just paid off. I did not want to do this
>>> since phones were paid off and was going to have to move service if US
>>> Cellular continued to not work while out of town (remember I had not
>>> traveled lately). If I would have known I still could not use their
>>> data while traveling I would not have agreed to new phones there,
>>> would have switched.
>>> 
>>> So, now I am going to have to move my line to a different carrier and
>>> will have to leave the other lines with them since they now have a
>>> phone payment. Or else pay off the phones which I don’t want to do. I
>>> am looking at either Verizon or T Mobile. I like Verizon because they
>>> have better coverage but T Mobile is not far behind them as far as I
>>> call tell. Both include Mexico and Canada which is important because I
>>> will be traveling to Canada for work on occasion. The thing swaying me
>>> toward T mobile is the fact that they include free WiFi on flights,
>>> and they are a little cheaper.
>>> 
>>> Anybody have a bad experience with them or any other feedback?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
&g

Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Curt Raymond via Mercedes]

 I've got Republic. All the new phones are GSM on T-Mobile which is not 
anywhere near as good as Sprint was. Its super spotty even in big cities like 
LA and New York. Around here its weird pockets. For instance I've got no 
service at all at camp, the phone says "no service" as opposed to the times it 
says "Emergency calls only". By the garage (50 feet uphill) I've got voice 
service and near the outhouse another 50 feet uphill I've got good LTE 
coverage. I see similar when I'm hunting, in just the right spot I'll have LTE 
but then 50 feet away I'll have nothing. Sometimes I have to put on airplane 
mode and then turn it off to get the phone to find signal.
I'm paying almost $40 with taxes, a comparable plan with Verizon would be more 
than $90.
-Curt

On Friday, December 20, 2019, 2:01:50 AM EST, Scott Ritchey via Mercedes 
 wrote:  
 
 I would add Republic to that list.  Especially if good Wi-Fi available where 
you spend the most time.

For a land line OOMA reduced my cost a lot ($50 to $15 a month) and provides 
additional useful features.

> -Original Message-
> From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of
> Curley McLain via Mercedes
> Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2019 11:56 PM
> To: Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes 
> Cc: Curley McLain <126die...@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post
> 
> Consumer cellular.  Att network.  good coverage.  $25/mo for first
> fone.  $15/mp for additional.  Not happy that they support the
> AARPfoolishnes.  Also look at patriot mobile and puretalk.
> 
> Puretalk maybe a better deal now.  Last time I looked, they were cheaper.  CC
> sells you a data pool for all phones on the bill.  THat is good.  Puretalk may
> make you buy data for each fone.
> 
> Verizon sucks.  Att sucks.  US cellular sucks more than either.  It was always
> the most expensive carrier due to all their add on and gotcha fees.
> 
> Tmobile and sprint (and most other minor carriers) are only good if you are in
> big cities or along major interstate highways.  (maybe on the
> highways)
> > Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes <mailto:mercedes@okiebenz.com> December
> > 19, 2019 at 10:27 PM
> >
> > I am currently in Fayetteville AR for work which is just right outside
> > US Cellular coverage area. Guess what, data is so slow it is not
> > usable. Before we left for trip went to the local US Cellular store to
> > add a line for the other kid then the wife decides she wants to get a
> > new phone since hers was just paid off. I did not want to do this
> > since phones were paid off and was going to have to move service if US
> > Cellular continued to not work while out of town (remember I had not
> > traveled lately). If I would have known I still could not use their
> > data while traveling I would not have agreed to new phones there,
> > would have switched.
> >
> > So, now I am going to have to move my line to a different carrier and
> > will have to leave the other lines with them since they now have a
> > phone payment. Or else pay off the phones which I don’t want to do. I
> > am looking at either Verizon or T Mobile. I like Verizon because they
> > have better coverage but T Mobile is not far behind them as far as I
> > call tell. Both include Mexico and Canada which is important because I
> > will be traveling to Canada for work on occasion. The thing swaying me
> > toward T mobile is the fact that they include free WiFi on flights,
> > and they are a little cheaper.
> >
> > Anybody have a bad experience with them or any other feedback?
> >
> >
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > ___
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> >
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> >
> > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
> >
> 
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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Mitch Haley via Mercedes]

My neighbor asked me about CC because she can get it cheap through AARP, so I 
looked into it last month. 
I didn't see any CC plans that I couldn't equal or beat with Red Pocket or 
Tracfone (now that Tracfone has monthly plans), and the AARP 5% off didn't 
change that. TF gives 5-10% off to anybody if they sign up for auto-renew. 

If T-Mo coverage is good enough for you, Mint has really great prices. 
One of my Tracfones is currently on T-Mo. Coverage sucks away from towns and 
freeways, but I do get some signal at home which I didn't 8 years ago. When 
it's working, it's faster than VZN but I can't seem to complete a phone call 
from my house without getting dropped. A couple months ago it took me several 
calls just to listen to my voice mails. 

All the MNVOs buy tower time from the majors, I forget who CC uses, but TF uses 
ATT,VZN,and T-Mo, RP uses ATT,VZN,T-Mo and Sprint. The only differences between 
MNVOs are whose towers they put you on and how easy they are to deal with when 
you need to change or fix something. RP has some really great deals on eBay if 
you're willing to use T-Mo or Sprint (is Sprint still considered better than 
VZN in California?). 

VZN pricing is much closer to MNVO pricing than it used to be, especially for 
heavy or unlimited users. You can get a better plan from VZN for $30 now than 
my niece used to pay $60 for (but they gave her a new phone every 24 months 
when she was paying $60).

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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Max Dillon via Mercedes]

We switched from Sprint / Ting to T-Mobile last year, happy so far. Family 
plan, unlimited data. I don't know about using both data and phone line at same 
time. We brought our own phones, right now two are Android, one iPhone. No 
rural use to speak of, so I can't help you there.



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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes]

I have spent quite a few times comparing cell coverage maps. Vz isn’t best 
overall but T mobile came in a close 2nd. I may give them a try and if they 
don’t work where I need it I will move to VZ. I may check out CC. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 20, 2019, at 5:32 AM, Curley McLain via Mercedes 
>  wrote:
> 
> I agree with that assessment 5-10 yrs ago, but I think it is dated now.   
> Kleb needs to look at the current coverage maps for vz and att, and the 
> piggyback carriers mentioned that WILL save him a ton of money and enable 
> buying a few more MBb per year.   The one with the best coverage for the 
> places he goes wins!...
> 
> I was shocked to find that ATT has better coverage in the places I spend most 
> of my time than vz.  and also very surprised that the CC coverage is also 
> BETTER than vz.
> Att has been putting up more towers while Vz has been happy with what they 
> had 5 yrs ago and raping their shrinking customer base.
> 
> If Kleb can get coverage for where he goes with CC or one of the other 
> piggyback carriers mentioned, he will save big money.
> 
>> dan--- via Mercedes 
>> December 20, 2019 at 4:14 AM
>> Here’s the straight poop from someone who was involved heavily in the 
>> buildout of both AT and Verizon’s cellular networks:
>> 
>> Both carriers have the highest number of cells nationwide of any carrier 
>> that is a primary, with Verizon having the most. All the others, save 
>> Sprint, are piggybacking on one of the big guys. The piggyback contracts 
>> have limitations on the number of cells available and the coverage areas.
>> 
>> Go with Verizon. They are the best as far as coverage between the two. 
>> They’ll rape you on their plans, but that’s the price you pay for 
>> accessibility. I’ve used them continuously since the early 1990s and never 
>> had a coverage or bandwidth issue. The few times I had poor signals in a 
>> fixed area I frequented, I called them and reported it and found the issue 
>> resolved within a few days. They can tune their coverage and will do so if 
>> they get enough tickets reporting it.
>> 
>> -D
>> 
>> 
>> 
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>> 
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>> 
>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>> 
> 
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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes]

I transferred my land line to ooma years ago. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 20, 2019, at 1:01 AM, Scott Ritchey via Mercedes 
>  wrote:
> 
> I would add Republic to that list.  Especially if good Wi-Fi available where 
> you spend the most time.
> 
> For a land line OOMA reduced my cost a lot ($50 to $15 a month) and provides 
> additional useful features.
> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of
>> Curley McLain via Mercedes
>> Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2019 11:56 PM
>> To: Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes 
>> Cc: Curley McLain <126die...@gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post
>> 
>> Consumer cellular.   Att network.  good coverage.   $25/mo for first
>> fone.  $15/mp for additional.   Not happy that they support the
>> AARPfoolishnes.   Also look at patriot mobile and puretalk.
>> 
>> Puretalk maybe a better deal now.   Last time I looked, they were cheaper.   
>> CC
>> sells you a data pool for all phones on the bill.  THat is good.  Puretalk 
>> may
>> make you buy data for each fone.
>> 
>> Verizon sucks.   Att sucks.   US cellular sucks more than either.   It was 
>> always
>> the most expensive carrier due to all their add on and gotcha fees.
>> 
>> Tmobile and sprint (and most other minor carriers) are only good if you are 
>> in
>> big cities or along major interstate highways.  (maybe on the
>> highways)
>>> Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes <mailto:mercedes@okiebenz.com> December
>>> 19, 2019 at 10:27 PM
>>> 
>>> I am currently in Fayetteville AR for work which is just right outside
>>> US Cellular coverage area. Guess what, data is so slow it is not
>>> usable. Before we left for trip went to the local US Cellular store to
>>> add a line for the other kid then the wife decides she wants to get a
>>> new phone since hers was just paid off. I did not want to do this
>>> since phones were paid off and was going to have to move service if US
>>> Cellular continued to not work while out of town (remember I had not
>>> traveled lately). If I would have known I still could not use their
>>> data while traveling I would not have agreed to new phones there,
>>> would have switched.
>>> 
>>> So, now I am going to have to move my line to a different carrier and
>>> will have to leave the other lines with them since they now have a
>>> phone payment. Or else pay off the phones which I don’t want to do. I
>>> am looking at either Verizon or T Mobile. I like Verizon because they
>>> have better coverage but T Mobile is not far behind them as far as I
>>> call tell. Both include Mexico and Canada which is important because I
>>> will be traveling to Canada for work on occasion. The thing swaying me
>>> toward T mobile is the fact that they include free WiFi on flights,
>>> and they are a little cheaper.
>>> 
>>> Anybody have a bad experience with them or any other feedback?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>> ___
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>>> 
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>>> 
>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>>> 
>> 
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> 
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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Curley McLain via Mercedes]

I agree with that assessment 5-10 yrs ago, but I think it is dated 
now.   Kleb needs to look at the current coverage maps for vz and att, 
and the piggyback carriers mentioned that WILL save him a ton of money 
and enable buying a few more MBb per year.   The one with the best 
coverage for the places he goes wins!...


I was shocked to find that ATT has better coverage in the places I spend 
most of my time than vz.  and also very surprised that the CC coverage 
is also BETTER than vz.
Att has been putting up more towers while Vz has been happy with what 
they had 5 yrs ago and raping their shrinking customer base.


If Kleb can get coverage for where he goes with CC or one of the other 
piggyback carriers mentioned, he will save big money.



dan--- via Mercedes 
December 20, 2019 at 4:14 AM
Here’s the straight poop from someone who was involved heavily in the 
buildout of both AT and Verizon’s cellular networks:


Both carriers have the highest number of cells nationwide of any 
carrier that is a primary, with Verizon having the most. All the 
others, save Sprint, are piggybacking on one of the big guys. The 
piggyback contracts have limitations on the number of cells available 
and the coverage areas.


Go with Verizon. They are the best as far as coverage between the two. 
They’ll rape you on their plans, but that’s the price you pay for 
accessibility. I’ve used them continuously since the early 1990s and 
never had a coverage or bandwidth issue. The few times I had poor 
signals in a fixed area I frequented, I called them and reported it 
and found the issue resolved within a few days. They can tune their 
coverage and will do so if they get enough tickets reporting it.


-D



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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Curley McLain via Mercedes]

When I was  on the road in the boonies, I had to have verizon, who 
delighted in ripping me for $200 to $300+ a month  (30¢ to 60¢ a min, 
unless someone from Canada called me when it was dollars per min)


CC has highly rated customer service (WAY better than Vz was) with 
people in the USA for whom Merkun English is the FIRST language (imagine 
that!) and has coverage anywhere ATT has service.   For the places I go 
now (Often still in the boonies) and nearly border to border, and 
Appalachia to west coast, the coverage is even better than vz.  within a 
few weeks it will be cost to coast to coast and border to border.   I 
expect no problems between the Appalachians to the east coast.


I continually had dropped calls and no service with Vz, and it is very 
rate with CC.    Even their spokesman dumped verizon.


I started with GTE, who had good service and competitive rates, and 
ended up with vz when they gobbled up GTE, and outrageously high 
rates.   I was never happier than when I kissed Vz goodbye forever.

Jim Cathey via Mercedes 
December 20, 2019 at 1:06 AM
IMHO, if you travel significantly you should stick with AT or Verizon.
We tried
T-Mobile, and almost from the first day it was unusable. Dropped calls 
when

crossing towers, random slowness due to 'foreign' towers, and the vaunted
fallback
to AT only happens when/where AT allows this, which is not everywhere.
(It's on a tower-by-tower basis, not a global policy.)

Basically my phone was only AT at home, which does NOT have the same
speeds and quantities that T-Mobile was advertising. And there was no
service
at my brother's, or the beach cabin, in spite of the coverage maps.

Bah.

The AT rep said that the alternate carriers are good, when you are 
in the

towns
they support, but as soon as you go any distance from there things fall
apart. For
actual coverage, only the big two have that.

-- Jim
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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Curley McLain via Mercedes]

Right, but Republic is google spyfone  only.   No ifones allowed.


Scott Ritchey via Mercedes 
December 20, 2019 at 1:01 AM
I would add Republic to that list. Especially if good Wi-Fi available 
where you spend the most time.


For a land line OOMA reduced my cost a lot ($50 to $15 a month) and 
provides additional useful features.





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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[dan--- via Mercedes]

Here’s the straight poop from someone who was involved heavily in the buildout 
of both AT and Verizon’s cellular networks:

Both carriers have the highest number of cells nationwide of any carrier that 
is a primary, with Verizon having the most. All the others, save Sprint, are 
piggybacking on one of the big guys. The piggyback contracts have limitations 
on the number of cells available and the coverage areas.

Go with Verizon. They are the best as far as coverage between the two. They’ll 
rape you on their plans, but that’s the price you pay for accessibility. I’ve 
used them continuously since the early 1990s and never had a coverage or 
bandwidth issue. The few times I had poor signals in a fixed area I frequented, 
I called them and reported it and found the issue resolved within a few days. 
They can tune their coverage and will do so if they get enough tickets 
reporting it.

-D

On Dec 20, 2019, at 2:46 AM, fmiser via Mercedes  wrote:

>> Kaleb wrote:
> 
>> I don’t want to do. I am looking at either Verizon or T Mobile.
> 
>> Anybody have a bad experience with them or any other feedback? 
> 
> T-Mobile is the Google-Fi carrier that covers here.  Fairly
> dependable, but I can't speak for an actual T-Mobile account.
> T-Mobile was the biggest single buyer of the 600 MHz TV spectrum
> and they claim that their goal with the lease is to better cover
> rural areas.
> 
> 
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> 
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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[fmiser via Mercedes]

> Kaleb wrote:

> I don’t want to do. I am looking at either Verizon or T Mobile.

> Anybody have a bad experience with them or any other feedback? 

T-Mobile is the Google-Fi carrier that covers here.  Fairly
dependable, but I can't speak for an actual T-Mobile account.
T-Mobile was the biggest single buyer of the 600 MHz TV spectrum
and they claim that their goal with the lease is to better cover
rural areas.


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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Jim Cathey via Mercedes]

IMHO, if you travel significantly you should stick with AT or Verizon.
We tried
T-Mobile, and almost from the first day it was unusable.  Dropped calls when
crossing towers, random slowness due to 'foreign' towers, and the vaunted
fallback
to AT only happens when/where AT allows this, which is not everywhere.
(It's on a tower-by-tower basis, not a global policy.)

Basically my phone was only AT at home, which does NOT have the same
speeds and quantities that T-Mobile was advertising.  And there was no
service
at my brother's, or the beach cabin, in spite of the coverage maps.

Bah.

The AT rep said that the alternate carriers are good, when you are in the
towns
they support, but as soon as you go any distance from there things fall
apart.  For
actual coverage, only the big two have that.

-- Jim
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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Scott Ritchey via Mercedes]

I would add Republic to that list.  Especially if good Wi-Fi available where 
you spend the most time.

For a land line OOMA reduced my cost a lot ($50 to $15 a month) and provides 
additional useful features.

> -Original Message-
> From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of
> Curley McLain via Mercedes
> Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2019 11:56 PM
> To: Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes 
> Cc: Curley McLain <126die...@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post
> 
> Consumer cellular.   Att network.  good coverage.   $25/mo for first
> fone.  $15/mp for additional.   Not happy that they support the
> AARPfoolishnes.   Also look at patriot mobile and puretalk.
> 
> Puretalk maybe a better deal now.   Last time I looked, they were cheaper.   
> CC
> sells you a data pool for all phones on the bill.  THat is good.  Puretalk may
> make you buy data for each fone.
> 
> Verizon sucks.   Att sucks.   US cellular sucks more than either.   It was 
> always
> the most expensive carrier due to all their add on and gotcha fees.
> 
> Tmobile and sprint (and most other minor carriers) are only good if you are in
> big cities or along major interstate highways.  (maybe on the
> highways)
> > Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes <mailto:mercedes@okiebenz.com> December
> > 19, 2019 at 10:27 PM
> >
> > I am currently in Fayetteville AR for work which is just right outside
> > US Cellular coverage area. Guess what, data is so slow it is not
> > usable. Before we left for trip went to the local US Cellular store to
> > add a line for the other kid then the wife decides she wants to get a
> > new phone since hers was just paid off. I did not want to do this
> > since phones were paid off and was going to have to move service if US
> > Cellular continued to not work while out of town (remember I had not
> > traveled lately). If I would have known I still could not use their
> > data while traveling I would not have agreed to new phones there,
> > would have switched.
> >
> > So, now I am going to have to move my line to a different carrier and
> > will have to leave the other lines with them since they now have a
> > phone payment. Or else pay off the phones which I don’t want to do. I
> > am looking at either Verizon or T Mobile. I like Verizon because they
> > have better coverage but T Mobile is not far behind them as far as I
> > call tell. Both include Mexico and Canada which is important because I
> > will be traveling to Canada for work on occasion. The thing swaying me
> > toward T mobile is the fact that they include free WiFi on flights,
> > and they are a little cheaper.
> >
> > Anybody have a bad experience with them or any other feedback?
> >
> >
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > ___
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> >
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> >
> > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
> >
> 
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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Rick Knoble via Mercedes]

I've had ATT forever. No complaints. 

Rick
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Re: [MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Curley McLain via Mercedes]

Consumer cellular.   Att network.  good coverage.   $25/mo for first 
fone.  $15/mp for additional.   Not happy that they support the 
AARPfoolishnes.   Also look at patriot mobile and puretalk.


Puretalk maybe a better deal now.   Last time I looked, they were 
cheaper.   CC sells you a data pool for all phones on the bill.  THat is 
good.  Puretalk may make you buy data for each fone.


Verizon sucks.   Att sucks.   US cellular sucks more than either.   It 
was always the most expensive carrier due to all their add on and gotcha 
fees.


Tmobile and sprint (and most other minor carriers) are only good if you 
are in big cities or along major interstate highways.  (maybe on the 
highways)

Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes 
December 19, 2019 at 10:27 PM

I am currently in Fayetteville AR for work which is just right outside 
US Cellular coverage area. Guess what, data is so slow it is not 
usable. Before we left for trip went to the local US Cellular store to 
add a line for the other kid then the wife decides she wants to get a 
new phone since hers was just paid off. I did not want to do this 
since phones were paid off and was going to have to move service if US 
Cellular continued to not work while out of town (remember I had not 
traveled lately). If I would have known I still could not use their 
data while traveling I would not have agreed to new phones there, 
would have switched.


So, now I am going to have to move my line to a different carrier and 
will have to leave the other lines with them since they now have a 
phone payment. Or else pay off the phones which I don’t want to do. I 
am looking at either Verizon or T Mobile. I like Verizon because they 
have better coverage but T Mobile is not far behind them as far as I 
call tell. Both include Mexico and Canada which is important because I 
will be traveling to Canada for work on occasion. The thing swaying me 
toward T mobile is the fact that they include free WiFi on flights, 
and they are a little cheaper.


Anybody have a bad experience with them or any other feedback?



Sent from my iPhone

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[MBZ] Cell phones, long post

[Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes]

When I left my old job I had a company phone on Verizon. Signal was great for 
the most part but had a few dead zones in my area. When I left I kept my phone 
but not the number so I added a new line to our US Cellular account that I had 
for wife/kid. Data speed is ok but they are very regional with their network. 
If you go much outside the area you are on extended network. When on extended I 
have great signal but data only runs about .06 to .015mbps. In other words, not 
usable at all to conduct business with. Also, US Cellular does not have volte 
so when you are on a call it knocks your data out. This was no problem on 
Verizon. Since I am traveling more for work, this is not working. Last time I 
was out of town I called them and they had me change some settings on my phone 
and suddenly speed improves. I had already tried every sort of different 
setting before calling them. I think them did something on the back end. That 
was the last time I travels so since I have been home.

Last week on the way to Texas data speed was fine. When I got off the cruise to 
head back, data was back to slow on both my phone and wife phone. I called 
them. They first said you only had 400mb of LTE data on extended but said that 
if you spend over half your time per month on home network your data is not 
slowed when roaming. I told them I have not been traveling and wife never 
travels so we have been home over half the billing cycle. Rep then says she 
checked and our data was not slowed on their end so it just he the network we 
are roaming on. Yea right. I suspect it’s really the 400mb deal. 

Other part of the story. Before going on cruise I changed our plan to one of 
their new plans That includes so much talk and data in Mexico and Canada since 
we were going to be in Mexico. When we got to Mexico phone did not work at all. 
I found a WiFi network to chat their support. They set sorry it did not get 
setup before we left so would not work. Has to be done before we leave. When I 
talked to their rep when I got back they said you have to call them and tell 
the each time to turn on Mexico and Canada even though it is part of the plan. 
Then turn it off when you get back. 

I am currently in Fayetteville AR for work which is just right outside US 
Cellular coverage area. Guess what, data is so slow it is not usable. Before we 
left for trip went to the local US Cellular store to add a line for the other 
kid then the wife decides she wants to get a new phone since hers was just paid 
off. I did not want to do this since phones were paid off and was going to have 
to move service if US Cellular continued to not work while out of town 
(remember I had not traveled lately).  If I would have known I still could not 
use their data while traveling I would not have agreed to new phones there, 
would have switched. 

So, now I am going to have to move my line to a different carrier and will have 
to leave the other lines with them since they now have a phone payment. Or else 
pay off the phones which I don’t want to do. I am looking at either Verizon or 
T Mobile. I like Verizon because they have better coverage but T Mobile is not 
far behind them as far as I call tell. Both include Mexico and Canada which is 
important because I will be traveling to Canada for work on occasion. The thing 
swaying me toward T mobile is the fact that they include free WiFi on flights, 
and they are a little cheaper. 

Anybody have a bad experience with them or any other feedback? 



Sent from my iPhone

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