Best option for iPhone plan
 

I am finally going to get an iPhone. But am wondering what the best cell provider would be since the cost of the carrier plans seem so different to me.

I currently have a Blackberry with TMobile and the two features I like to use are (1) tethering via bluetooth and (2) unlimited e-mail when roaming in Europe. So tethering and the best data plan for European travel are important factors.

Any recommendations?

Did you see the plan comparison on Apple's website? It's pretty comprehensive.

I don't think the iPhone can tether via Bluetooth...you tether by using the iPhone to create a wifi hot spot for your laptop. The price for this extra service is on the APple comparison linked to above.

I don't think anyone offers unlimited European roaming anymore, but I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

I recently migrated from TMO [after 15 years] to Verizon and the iPhone 4s. For TMO BB users, be prepared for sticker shock; there is no unlimited domestic data for $29.99/month, no 400 free txt messages, there is no unlimited international email for $19.99 for per month -- at least not with Vz. I get 5gb data for $29.99/month, including emails' $5.00/month for 200 txt messages.

I decided on Vz for a few reasons: better coverage and ability to get carrier unlock quickly for when I travel abroad. After all the years with TMO, it was nice to get coverage in places where in the past I knew was dead.

On the other hand, I'm now overseas for about 5 wks and have essentially turned off Vz and rely entirely on local carriers. All calls are forwarded to my skype account, which in turn forwards to my local carrier. I have to wait for wifi before downloading emails as prepaid data service is not available at my current location [Taipei].

AT&T or Sprint users can better give you the in/outs of their network.

Thank you dtsm.

Is it possible to keep the TMO plan in place by purchasing an unlocked iphone 4S and using the TMO sim in the iPhone? Will the iPhone 4S work on the TMO network in the USA?

Nope, sadly not. Not until the JB and unlock is released. Officially unlocked phone (full price) does not include USA carriers. For that you would need to go overseas to buy unlocked iPhone 4s, eg HK, Taiwan. I think Canada too?

That's incorrect. The officially unlocked phone will work on any GSM carrier. You just won't be able to use it with Verizon or Sprint.

The iPhone will not work with T-mobile USA's 3G network. You'll be limited to EDGE speeds.

You're absolutely correct, my error. Sorry!

unlimited
 

Apparently, there is a pretty successful work around to still GET unlimited data from Verizon. Might make a difference to some.

I switched from ATT to sprint with 4s. I live in Baltimore and coverage is a lot better than ATT had. I also switched because Sprint has a lot cheaper of a plan. I have two iphones on my plan and have unlimited data, texting & mobile to mobile with 1600 anytime minutes. My bill after fees and taxes is $149.93. If you want the details of how to get that plan, PM me.

If you want the most iPhone for your buck, you should go with Sprint. I switched from AT&T mostly because the price I was paying for a "feature" phone service (voice + text) was not much lower than the 450min unlimited data for iPhone with Sprint.

You can download a wifi app and have it download all the free wifi locations, so if you do travel abroad, you can find where to connect to wifi for free and use data there.

Others can correct me, but I believe with Sprint and VZW, you can also get the phone unlocked and pop in a local SIM (since all iPhone 4S units now have GSM and CDMA capabilities).

+1

I recently got the unlocked 3Gs from the Apple Store and am using it with a Cincinnati Bell SIM. It is limited to EDGE speeds as Cincy Bell uses the T mobile data network frequencies.

I don't find that much of a handicap as it auto switches to wifi (free or protected) when it is available so I can use that for data if it is free or if I can get the password. OTOH, I don't use streaming etc much if all on a iPhone screen so EDGE is not much of a handicap. ;)

Cheers

Phone calls over wifi
 

One of the features I use with my Tmobile BB is the "UMA" connection where I make phone calls over wifi and they don't count against my minutes I am billed for. This is useful at home and also when in Europe since I connect to wifi and can use the phone to call the US at no cost.

Does the iphone let you place calls over wifi (aside from a skype app)? Do any of the US carriers other than TMO let you place calls over wifi like TMO's UMA option?

No and no.

Verizon/Sprint/AT&T instead offer the microcell, which transmits standard cellular transmissions and connects to your home router.

I also prefer T-mobile's way of doing these things.

Only TMO has UMA feature. If you make the move to another carrier, get a prepaid TMO sim card and slip into UMA enabled TMO phone for overseas calls [assuming you don't use skype instead].