T-Mobile
 

Howdy, friends! Mrs. Frugal is in need of a replacement cell phone. I see that OP is offering 8K miles for a one (1) year hitch with T-Mobile and its "Get More" plan. Mrs. Frugal has not heard good things about T-Mobile service and is concerned. We are in Sonoma County. Majority of calling will be in this area. Some regular calls to just outside of Reno as well. Can anyone give an opinion on this offer and this service?

Thanks! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I've found the offer to be rather poor, as you have to buy the handset and service plan via the OnePass mall link. When I was in the market for a new phone, Amazon was offering a far better deal. I ended up going through Amazon (though I chose a different carrier-- Sprint PCS).

- handset was $100 lower than other places
- Amazon offered same $50 rebate as Sprint store
- additionally, Amazon offered its own $100 rebate
- used milepoint.com for 5% gift certificate savings (saved an extra $20)
- used coupon code from Deal Catcher for an extra discount (it was $35, I think)
- free shipping at Amazon (they tell you its economy, but it seems to always be upgraded-- in this case to two-day FedEx)
- received around 5,000 UAL Mileage Plus miles from Sprint PCS (America West Flight Fund, Alaska Mileage Plan, and US Airways Dividend Miles are also partners)

Had I purchased a T-Mobile handset & plan from Amazon, the savings differential would have been similar.

[This message has been edited by TransWorldOne (edited 07-12-2003).]

Just a reminder that, in case she wants to keep her present cell number, the FCC's telephone number portability regulation is scheduled to go into effect on 24 November 2003.

Very nice, TWO, but could you please give me a brief remedial road map of how, and in what sequence, these various stages unfolded.

Thanks, N-NR. I reminded her of this upcoming fact, but she is having equipment issues and her contract is up in two (2) weeks.



[This message has been edited by afrugal1 (edited 07-12-2003).]

I've got T-Mobile and am fairly happy with the service. Don't get me wrong, they suck -- but all providers do. It just depends on exactly where you are. Make sure to pick a provider that doesn't have lousy service at a place you spend a lot of time in. I think they have a 3-day return policy.

On the whole I've foudn their service to be as good or better than I had with AT&T -- and I can do international roaming with my own phone and my own phone number almost anywhere in the world.

T-Mobile will also, on request, give you the SIM unlock code for the phone after you've been with them a month or so. That way you can buy prepaid GSM SIM cards in other countries and use your phone internationally a LOT cheaper.

I agree with the above -- you can do better than the Onepass mall prices. You'll be spending a lot of money with whichever provider you choose. 8000 miles is not IMHO a reason to choose one provider over another.

All providers have coverage weaknesses which result in dropped calls in certain pockets.

T-mobile is the only provider I've ever seen with chronic fundamental problems (calls getting crossed, voicemail not picking up, network busy messages, etc.).

T-mobile also doesn't maintain their own netwok, so they're second-tier to any carrier they buy from. They also seem to have more capacity issues than most carriers.

Sorry, but it looks like I'm helping to validate Mrs. Frugal's concerns.

Vindicated by channa's comments, and with fist held defiantly high in the air, Mrs. Frugal demands nothing less than Nextel or AT&T!!

I've had two ATT phones and traded them in for a T-Mobile about 8 months ago. T-Mobile is the only way to go if you travel internationally. They are one of the few if not the only US company that will unlock your phone so you can use local SIM cards or use the International Worldclass Service (much less expensive than other US competitors and better coverage).

In Seattle the coverage I've found is on par or better than ATT. No dropped calls or the trouble that channa mentions. I would try out T-Mobile and see how you like it..you can always return it and get something else. If you don't travel internationally ATT or Nextel would be fine I'm sure. Good luck.

I believe that T-Mobile *does* own a significant portion of its network. They bought Voicestream (formerly Omnipoint) and partner with Cingular. All carriers (with the probable exception of Sprint & Nextel) partner. There's nothing wrong with that IMHO.

2 months ago I took the 8000 mile offer and went with T*Mobile. I pay 39.95 for 1000 anytime minutes. Nobody else around here has a plan this generous. Coverage is as good as was my Nextel and almost as good as Mrs. Let's Go ATT phone. Most calls originate in northern NJ.

Back in February, I also took advantage of the online offer with T-Mobile...but at that time, they had a better offer: a larger national plan with a cheaper rate, and more bonus miles (they increased the bonus miles due to elite status.) After looking at the offer today, I'd have to say it's not as good as the ones they offered previously.

The portable phone numbers kick in this fall, so perhaps that would be a good time to switch. And when that happens, there will probably be huge rate drops as everyone competes to win the other's business (I hope.)

But as far as T-Mobile goes, I love them and their technology. The places that I frequent (including the volcano @ the Big Island of Hawaii) get a strong signal comparable to or better than what I had with previous carriers (Cingular ...and before that, Verizon.) The only problem in my U.S. travels I've had with T-Mobile is on the southwest coast of Florida (Ft. Meyers south to Naples) where I had zero signal. But in terms of signal strength, features, and cost, T-Mobile is best for me.

We are on the SE side of Florida and I can say this: We purchased a T-mobile phone pkg. about two months ago. We could not get a signal at all in the area where we reside. Thankfully, they give you a 30 day money back guarantee. I returned the phone within 48 hrs. Maybe they'll improve their service to Florida in the near future but for now I wouldn't consider T-mobile to be a celluar provider for this area!

I switched to T-mobile 9 months ago and have not had issue with it in my travels. Like many GSM networks, it's not always great in the "boondocks" but it works excellent in metro areas, along highways, etc. -- basically, everywhere I go.

The fact that it just simply "works" all over the world (except Japan) is very cool. The phone just rings and you have your call! (costs vary from $.99 to $2.49 per minute depending on country -- so it's not cheap, but OTOH, for a quick 3 minute call to assure your wife you've gotten to SIN okay and are heading home, it's worth it).

BTW, T-Mobile bought Voicestream and owns their GSM network. Cingular currently licenses THEIR GSM access from T-Mobile in many areas.

With the free roaming domestically, my phone works on the T-Mobile, Cingular, and AT&T GSM networks here in the US.

Steve

I've had T-Mobile since October 2001 (back when it was VoiceStream) and have been extremely happy with the service. My cheap $50 (after discounts and rebates) Nokia handset has been indestructable and works flawlessly despite being dropped numerous times, and once being not only dropped on a marble floor but kicked across the same floor by my foot as it hit the floor. The service has been great. I very rarely have a bad connection and only when in Alaska have I been someplace without coverage. There was a small hole in the service in rural southeast Texas on the way up to where my family lives but that has been filled in now. I think 600 anytime minutes, unlimited weekend minutes, free long distance and free roaming are a great deal for just $39.95. And, when I have had need to call T-Mobile's customer service, they've been great. I just wish CO had this offer when I first signed up because I have been so pleased with the service. I'm not saying my experience is typical, although several close friends here in Houston have T-Mobile and have been pleased as well. I certainly haven't had the problems that some people here I know who have Sprint and AT&T have had.

I have both T-Mobile and AT&T. I travel to all 50 states evry year. I also travel to many countries. Very simple answer:
IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU PLAN TO USE THE PHONE. If you don't travel outside your home city. Fine get T-Mobile. If you want to talk outside the USA... T-Mobile is great (It is my overseas phone). But, the real truth is your can't get a T-mobile signal in about 85% of the USA. It just stinks. I mean really stinks. Let me be clear... USLESS.
Now, my AT&T phone is works EVERYWHERE domestic. Middle of nowhere...it works. But, completely uselss overseas*
*(except works in Hong Kong)

OK. If you have any questions, post here or feel free to e-mail me. Also, if you have technical questions, the Travel Technology forum in FT Travel has some very talented and knowldegable individuals who can give you feedback.

1) Shop around and get a feel for the company which best fits your needs-- calling area, plans, handset, coverage area, etc.

2) Decide on a company or narrow it down to two. Price the handset & plan with the company directly, at a discounter (like Costco & Best Buy), and on the internet (Amazon is my fav).

3) Visit a website (like Dealcatcher) to see if there are any coupon codes floating around.

4) Sign on the dotted line and enjoy your new phone.

For my situation:

- handset was $100 lower than other places
*Amazon seems to have the best prices-- automatically from the start

- Amazon offered same $50 rebate as Sprint store
*Amazon links directly to the rebate from the page offering the phone

- additionally, Amazon offered its own $100 rebate
*again, the additional rebate was linked and advertised directly on the page of the item

- used milepoint.com for 5% gift certificate savings (saved an extra $20)
*www.milepoint.com -- $95 and 250 OnePass miles = $100 Amazon gift certificate This is all electronic and you can easily feed cert numbers into the payment page when placing your order. Unused balance stays in your Amazon account.

- used coupon code from Deal Catcher for an extra discount (it was $35, I think)
*You feed the promo codes in the same place as the gift certificate codes. Amazon will let you use both a promo code and gift certificates.

- free shipping at Amazon (they tell you its economy, but it seems to always be upgraded-- in this case to two-day FedEx)
*This is automatic if you select economy shipping. Don't let them sucker you into paying more for upgraded shipping because they usually upgrade you for free in practice anyway.

- received around 5,000 UAL Mileage Plus miles from Sprint PCS (America West Flight Fund, Alaska Mileage Plan, and US Airways Dividend Miles are also partners)
*you need to call a special number after you activate. You can find the number to call on your airline's website. If you go with the other companies, look around. I think AT&T wireless must partner with someone. NEXTEL has many FF partnerships. I don't know the details, though. [insert sales pitch here http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif] With Sprint PCS, when activating you can get a referral bonus of $10. I'd be happy to refer you-- both the new subscriber and the person referring you get the bonus. [sales pitch off]

Anyway, things change quickly with both technology and pricing of the service plans. You'll just have to do that initial research and find what works best for you. Wish I could be more helpful, but since I don't know you nor do I know your market, that's about all I have to say. The information I posted was accurate in January of this year when I bought my phone. I'm not sure how accurate it is now.

Good luck!

When I had AT&T the phone worked *anywhere* I was in the US. When I switched to T-Mobile I was at first quite hesitant because the coverage map shows they don't cover too much of the US land area. Then I took a closer look and realized that I almost never travel outside of the areas that they cover. My T-Mobile account cost me less for two phones than my AT&T national plan used to.

As others have noted, take a look at the coverage areas and, more important, your *home* area and decide on carriers based on where you travel and what coverage is offered. Don't do it based on special offers.

not true. in new york city, california, and nevada they are in a joint venture with cingular. in NYC, t-mobile owns the network and cingular uses it. in california and nevada, cingular owns the network and t-mobile uses it.

http://www.t-mobile.com/company/pres...asepopup19.asp

[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited 07-15-2003).]

I would be interested keeping my cell number.
So I searched with Google and found this:

http://www.michaelhcox.us/wireless/

Any more informations on this? Can I keep my cell number when I switch after November 24, 2003?

I was linked to this thread .... and posted .... Now I see it's in the CONTINENTAL!?! Why is this, afrugal1?
BTW, why afrugal ... are you dealing with eggs (in the world capital of eggs?

re: Wireless portability, I understand that Verizon has recently switched sides and is now all for portability.

They all have to "switch sides" --courts recently ruled that this must go in effect this fall, so all numbers must become portable.

I'd expect to maintain loyalty and avoid switching, the carriers will be offering to throw even more FF miles at us.

Or longer commitments and obscene cancellation penalties for new subscribers.

I'll believe it when I see it. I'm NO fan of Verizon but my understanding is that they've said they will no longer try to appeal/block this while other carriers may still be trying. I think portability will happen, it's just a matter of when.

Hi, USAFAN! Originally posted in CO because they have a partner offer with T-Mobile. Why your reference to eggs? Petaluma is known for its "Butter and Eggs Day Parade", but Naples is known for golf and early bird dinner specials. I'm confused.

Some additional background re wireless number portability:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...&notFound=true

http://www.gartner.com/DisplayDocument?doc_cd=115764

afrugal1:
Sorry, I confused you. Actually I got mixed up:
Your username is afrugal1 not afragile1.
My association was: Petaluma = eggs = fragile.
Sorry, I just made a mistake. I had to look here what frugal means:
http://wortschatz.uni-leipzig.de/

And yes, you are right, we have plenty of golf courses in Naples. And too many restaurants. To get customers in the off-season, many offer "early bird" or "sunset" dinners.

For those of you who have never been to Germany. T-Mobile is Deutsche Telekom; the German telephone company (phone booths have the pink "T" on them).

This is why their international coverage is so good.

- HobokenFlyer

Actually, it's because their network uses GSM, which is used by most of the world.

Duh. The technology is what makes it work. I know that. I was just pointing out that most don't know that T-Mobile is a German Company, etc, etc.

Quit splitting hairs.

- HF

Stop bothering me -- I'm trying to find and split a few strands that seem to have gone missing http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Sorry to bring this one all the way to the top again, but I'm looking at a T-mobile phone on Amazon for free with a calling plan activation. Is there any way to get the phone from amazon with a cheap calling plan, and then to upgrade it through continental for the miles?

I'm almost 100% certain that the only way to get the miles is to buy the phone via Continental.

I was just asking because TransWorldOne above said:

"*you need to call a special number after you activate. You can find the number to call on your airline's website. If you go with the other companies, look around. I think AT&T wireless must partner with someone. NEXTEL has many FF partnerships. I don't know the details, though. "


He makes it sound like he got the miles after buying from Amazon.

Not my most relevant post . . .

I just bought a new ATT phone after being a Qwest Wireless customer. Bought it through the ATT site, because they were having an awesome promo.

Then, I realized that I'm a massive idiot, and can get miles for this stuff. Called both ATT & CO, but neither is gonna help me get miles - not even the 1 mile/$1 stuff.

So, if ATT is any guide, you aren't supposed to retroactively hook up with CO after getting the phone somewhere else. Whether there's a loophole ? . ? . that I dunno.

Sure it is. I read it as "Don't do what I just did!"

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif