How Exactly Will AT&T Remain Competitive?

**ggore** · 05-17-2012, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by fraydog

Even though the Verizon devices are lacking at this point? Verizon has the worst high end phone selection at this point. Of course, if you're still in the Apple camp, this matters not. Verizon is going to end up being even more of an iNetwork than AT&T is. This is assured when Verizon offers the iPhone and simultaneously blows up execution on their one shot at the Nexus line. See the Droid Incredible HD as a watered down One X, or what Verizon will do to mangle the GS3. Verizon's Droid line is good for nothing but screwing up devices.

If you're in the 90% of the country where it doesn't really matter what's the real difference? it blows for you you're in a basically unpopulated area. However, sometimes we need to hold VZW accountable for their massive idiocy here instead of being carrier fanboys. I know this is the capitol of carrier fanboys, but sometimes we should take the device centric view here. That's the model the US wireless industry needs to move toward.

Why go with AT&T when all they offer is EDGE and LTE is available? LIke I said, that's a no-brainer choice. Verizon's LTE phones are just fine as well, I've never read anything about their entire offering being "lacking", that's a new one on me. I am an Apple person, but that has no bearing on my choice of carrier as all the carriers available here now offer the iPhone, so I go with the one who has good coverage where I live, work, and travel. But AT&T chooses to only offer EDGE and promise 3G, while the other carriers are actually offering LTE, and I will reward them with my business

This is not an unpopulated area, there are 9000 people in town, it's the county seat, and on the major north-south oversize load truck route in the state, with 2000 trucks going through town every day along with all the other oilfield and agricultural traffic, so it's not like it's eastern Wyoming where there is nothing but coyotes.

Are you really saying it is "idiocy" for Verizon to be rolling out LTE to their entire 3G footprint?

**fraydog** · 05-18-2012, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by ggore

Why go with AT&T when all they offer is EDGE and LTE is available? LIke I said, that's a no-brainer choice. Verizon's LTE phones are just fine as well, I've never read anything about their entire offering being "lacking", that's a new one on me. I am an Apple person, but that has no bearing on my choice of carrier as all the carriers available here now offer the iPhone, so I go with the one who has good coverage where I live, work, and travel. But AT&T chooses to only offer EDGE and promise 3G, while the other carriers are actually offering LTE, and I will reward them with my business

This is not an unpopulated area, there are 9000 people in town, it's the county seat, and on the major north-south oversize load truck route in the state, with 2000 trucks going through town every day along with all the other oilfield and agricultural traffic, so it's not like it's eastern Wyoming where there is nothing but coyotes.

Are you really saying it is "idiocy" for Verizon to be rolling out LTE to their entire 3G footprint?

No. I'm just saying that they don't need to have LTE out everywhere by the end of 2013. Like you said, it's not like AT&T is pushing them. I just don't like what Verizon is doing with Android one bit.

If I were in your location I'd probably get an Android device on Pioneer. I could at least figure they don't bloat and crapware their devices like VZW does.

**ggore** · 05-18-2012, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by fraydog

No. I'm just saying that they don't need to have LTE out everywhere by the end of 2013. Like you said, it's not like AT&T is pushing them. I just don't like what Verizon is doing with Android one bit.

If I were in your location I'd probably get an Android device on Pioneer. I could at least figure they don't bloat and crapware their devices like VZW does.

That's the hope after trying to decode Pioneer's CEO's remarks about the phones they will be getting being "less functional" than Verizon's offerings. I sure hope that means they will be more pure Android. Myself I am an iPhone person now, so I don't have to deal with crapware any more, but I'm quite familiar with it from phones I have owned in the past. That's why I sprung for a Nexus One when I had AT&T, I couldn't deal with the crashes, etc of their version.

I'm quite happy with my Verizon iPhone, but if I ever have occasion to switch and support my local carrier Pioneer, it's good to know they will have the iPhone available as well shortly.

**mush10** · 05-18-2012, 07:53 AM

I am very seriously considering coming back with my main lines to AT&T. If I lose unlimited at Verizon I have less reason to stay. I have been using the One X and have been fairly impressed, but still have some concerns about AT&T's LTE expansion and consistency of their HSPA speeds. There is a part of me that wants to keep the One X, get the iPhone on AT&T and Sim swap as I please like the good old days. I had a good experience on 95 yesterday from DC to Philly. I was on a call for about 1:30 and it did not drop, which used to never happen.

That being said Verizon's LTE expansion is very impressive. Every time I think I am going to AT&T because of the speed of the One X, I like at my Verizon phone and I am in an LTE area. Really seems like we are headed back to phone selection (I dislike the Moto droid line) vs network.

**RussPath03** · 05-18-2012, 07:59 AM

What's sad in some areas with Verizon LTE, it's as slow as HSPA+ on AT&T. I only see 6meg down on my LTE Verizon phone in some areas. But I am going back to AT&T anyways due to poor coverage in Texas.

**johnhere** · 05-18-2012, 08:22 AM

In Texas att seems like the best choice. In the places att doesn't have lte they seem to have nice speeds to fall back on throughout the network in most areas.

**mush10** · 05-18-2012, 09:00 AM

I am in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic so coverage isn't technically an issue. AT&T seems to get bogged down sometimes still at sporting events and shore points while Verizon always remains working. That being said, yesterday I was getting 10 Mbps on HSPA in places yesterday. I was all set to switch back due to HSPA coverage in South Jersey Shore vs EVDO and Verizon goes and lights up LTE yesterday.

**RCtennis3811** · 05-18-2012, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by mush10

I am in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic so coverage isn't technically an issue. AT&T seems to get bogged down sometimes still at sporting events and shore points while Verizon always remains working. That being said, yesterday I was getting 10 Mbps on HSPA in places yesterday. I was all set to switch back due to HSPA coverage in South Jersey Shore vs EVDO and Verizon goes and lights up LTE yesterday.

Even if AT&T gets bogged down at sporting events up there, I would say that since you'd likely go with an AT&T LTE phone, if you came back to AT&T, that wouldn't be a problem in the foreseeable future.

On a side note, I can say that Philadelphia is one of the markets that AT&T has been aggressively trying to beef up. It's just a shame that it's taken this long for them to launch LTE there when several sites have the equipment already in place.

**b005td** · 05-18-2012, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by ggore

Verizon's LTE phones are just fine as well, I've never read anything about their entire offering being "lacking", that's a new one on me.

Verizon's LTE phone line up is pathetic
Bring on the RAZR MAXX HD or the 5inch HTC then we'll talk

I have a galaxy note and razr maxx in my left and right pocket right now
I dont even touch the razr maxx if I dont have to.

**RussPath03** · 05-18-2012, 02:03 PM

The note fits in your pocket? How you like it? Hows the battery life and signal, etc? I am going to AT&T and trying to decide if I want to wait it out on my old 3GS or get a new phone now. :/

**Wide_opeN** · 05-18-2012, 03:07 PM

Now that VZW has taken its stand, AT&T would be a FOOL to match their policy.

Let them stand out there on their own and watch the customers come flock to you.

How that for competitiveness!?

**mush10** · 05-18-2012, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by b005td

Verizon's LTE phone line up is pathetic
Bring on the RAZR MAXX HD or the 5inch HTC then we'll talk

I am not a fan of the heavy Motorola line-up. I was they had picked up the One X.

Even if AT&T gets bogged down at sporting events up there, I would say that since you'd likely go with an AT&T LTE phone, if you came back to AT&T, that wouldn't be a problem in the foreseeable future.

Is that because it will be more efficient? I returned the One X today and will probably bring my main line back to AT&T when Philly and South Jersey Shore are lit up with LTE. In the meantime, I need to use Verizon's LTE network for work purposes. I will continue to keep my wife's iPhone and another line we have on AT&T though.

**b005td** · 05-18-2012, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by RussPath03

The note fits in your pocket? How you like it? Hows the battery life and signal, etc? I am going to AT&T and trying to decide if I want to wait it out on my old 3GS or get a new phone now. :/

get rid of the iphone already
i hate squinting my eye trying to look at things

as long as you dont wear skinny jeans the note fit just fine in the pocket, i m not fat, i wear size 32 and i carry 2 phones

**johnhere** · 05-18-2012, 03:28 PM

If att doesn't play follow the leader they could prob pick up some disgruntled customers. I've heard from quite a few that say they are tired of Verizon's shenanigans.

**ggore** · 05-18-2012, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by b005td

Verizon's LTE phone line up is pathetic
Bring on the RAZR MAXX HD or the 5inch HTC then we'll talk

I have a galaxy note and razr maxx in my left and right pocket right now
I dont even touch the razr maxx if I dont have to.

A Galaxy Note in your pocket?! At the risk of showing my age, what are you wearing, something with Captain Kangaroo pockets???? LOL Not an "average user".