Perspective from a fairly long term customer.

[dutchtender]

You make some good points. T-Mobile should be upgrading their 2G network everywhere. In addition, there are places within metropolitan areas that fall back on EDGE because of a 4G signal. And even places that have a strong 4G signal, there is frequently not enough back haul to give 4G speeds. That all should be upgraded as well.

Those are upgrades should be a priority to the PCS UMTS rollout. T-Mobile is only rolling out PCS at this point, because they are too cheap to pay Apple. And also their LTE efforts are misguided at this point, because I have seen no evidence that on the limited spectrum they are planning on releasing LTE, that the speeds will be any faster than what they could achieve on HSPA+. It would take more spectrum for an LTE implementation to surpass HSPA+ speeds and they simply don't have it in most areas.

So I predict, they will continue to let their AWS UMTS network languish causing more customer losses as has been happening.

att is going to stop edge altogether in five years. why on earth would tmo invest in building out 2g to fringe areas when most customers will be demanding 3g and soon LTE? tmo has no obiligation to provide uneconomic service to fringe areas. if these customers want service switch to Verizon and pay a little more. but they're cheap and don't want to switch. so they complain they are not getting verizon coverage at tmo prices. that's the price for living in a fringe tmo area. tmo does not have the scale to provide 100% nationwide edge coveage. it makes zero sense for them from a business standpoint.

[dutchtender]

I would have no problem buying the phone separate from the service if the market was truly open for buying the devices. If there was real competition for the devices I suspect the prices would fall somewhat from the list prices instead of the lock step "don't want to sign a contract, then it will cost you at least full list price" strategy (yes I know you can buy a phone off Craigslist or Ebay, but that is a pretty risky method of buying a expensive device). I believe all the major players also require a 2 year contract for new service even if you bring your own device. The whole contract mentality is designed to lock customers in and force them to put up with marginal service. Imagine if the providers actually had to compete to keep your service on a month to month basis! I believe networks would improve, customer service would improve, and prices would stabilize.

I mean this in a good way but it sounds like you are an old school penny pincher from way back. right? the market is what it is. take a look at the choices you make. you're now locked into a contract for a year and half. You're not happy. Did you realize that there are quite a few good phones off contract? Galaxy nexus is $350 unsubisdized. I bought a Blaze 4g for $271 tax included. It is now unlocked and can be used on ATT if I choose. I also pay tmo $30 a month for 5g of high speed data and unlimited text. no contract. Can up and leave any time. There is more choice and competiton than ever before. Google will have 5 nexus devices for sale this winter.

Your needs obviously evolved. There was no guarantee that tmo would evolve in the same way your needs did. that's why there is number portability. for just these kind of cases. I think you're upset because you know you have a great deal and you're just disssapointed you may have to give up a grandfathered plan. So you're upset with tmo. that's human nature.

[dutchtender]

I believe all the major players also require a 2 year contract for new service even if you bring your own device. T

why would you expect some kind of discount to buy an unsubsidized device that can work on multiple carriers? what is in that for T or TMO? and you're wrong. ATT allows you to sign up for month to month service without signing a new contract. TMO does the same thing. they just don't publisize it.

[dutchtender]

Imagine if the providers actually had to compete to keep your service on a month to month basis!

now this tells me you've got some serious sour grapes going on. if tmo doesn't have to compete for your business, why is it that they are losing thousands of customers every month? if what you say was anywhere close to being true they would be adding customers in line with population growth (because they don't have to COMPETE in the marketplace). You're simply venting here because you may actually have to start paying fair prices for your service now.

[MrObvious]

att is going to stop edge altogether in five years. why on earth would tmo invest in building out 2g to fringe areas when most customers will be demanding 3g and soon LTE? tmo has no obiligation to provide uneconomic service to fringe areas. if these customers want service switch to Verizon and pay a little more. but they're cheap and don't want to switch. so they complain they are not getting verizon coverage at tmo prices. that's the price for living in a fringe tmo area. tmo does not have the scale to provide 100% nationwide edge coveage. it makes zero sense for them from a business standpoint.

They are probably gonna have it all 3G soon enough.

[jet1000]

You need to have a more positive spin on things or leave.

I will make whatever point I want about T-Mobile service. If you don't like it, put me on ignore. Perhaps, I'd have a more "positive spin", if T-Mobile had done a better job of management. Maybe you don't notice the recent reports on here of lack of coverage, poor customer service, last place rankings in purchase experience, sending out personal data without authorization, slow data speeds in supposed "4G" areas, etc. But the biggest statistic is that T-mobile is on pace to lose over 2 million postpaid customers in a 12 month period! You think that statistic has a positive spin to it.

It shows that customers are jumping ship like crazy because other services are more attractive. You yourself got a Verizon account because of T-Mobile's slow data speeds. Fact!

I am a paying T-Mobile customers and I have EVERY right to speak out against service issues that I see. As I said in my post, I think T-Mobile should be focused upgrading their 2G network to UMTS everywhere they have service instead of messing around with some sort of PCS UMTS rollout or LTE. That's my opinion. If you disagree, say so, and state the reasons why. That's fine. But don't hide behind your HTC Amaze and try to run people off.

I will never stop being an advocate for the T-Mobile customer. I will continue to speak out until the issues are handled.

[jet1000]

why on earth would tmo invest in building out 2g to fringe areas when most customers will be demanding 3g and soon LTE?

I never said that I recommend that they build out 2G to new areas. I said they need to upgrade their 2G network. In 2012 there are too many places that are still 2G only. And as I also stated in 4G areas, they have too many instances where coverage falls back to the 2G network because of poor UMTS coverage. They need to fix it now.

[jet1000]

TMO does the same thing. they just don't publisize it.

This is false information. T-Mobile no longer permits you to get a new postpaid plan of any kind without a contract.

You're simply venting here because you may actually have to start paying fair prices for your service now.

You're attacking greatgoogly saying that he's a penny pincher when you're the one on a $30 per month plan. He pays far more per month than you! If you read his original post, he was actually looking for tips on how to reduce his monthly bill. So instead of offering any tips you want to engage in personal attacks.

[dutchtender]

This is false information. T-Mobile no longer permits you to get a new postpaid plan of any kind without a contract.



You're attacking greatgoogly saying that he's a penny pincher when you're the one on a $30 per month plan. He pays far more per month than you! If you read his original post, he was actually looking for tips on how to reduce his monthly bill. So instead of offering any tips you want to engage in personal attacks.

fine then get a prepay monthly plan. it's the same thing. and my understanding is that you could get an even more plus plan if you asked for one.

as far as me being a penny pincher, I am not here venting about bad service. my eyes are wide open. I know what I am getting for what I pay. I am not expecting verizon service at tmo prices.

I didn't attack anybody. if anything you attack tmo in every post you make. you should call up their CEO and personally apologize to him.

[dutchtender]

I never said that I recommend that they build out 2G to new areas. I said they need to upgrade their 2G network. In 2012 there are too many places that are still 2G only. And as I also stated in 4G areas, they have too many instances where coverage falls back to the 2G network because of poor UMTS coverage. They need to fix it now.

no they don't need to "fix it now". you don't like it leave. they are in business to make money, not to satisfy the fringe element on Howfo. they are upgrading the network in the way they believe will be most profitable. period. you think you can do better then get a job running a carrier. get a job as CEO. I hear the pay is very good.

[jet1000]

and my understanding is that you could get an even more plus plan if you asked for one.

Once the value plans came out, T-Mobile no longer permitted new Even More Plus plans nor did they permit, new postpaid plans without a contract. Your only option, as you mentioned, is to go to Monthly 4G.

[jet1000]

no they don't need to "fix it now". you don't like it leave. they are in business to make money, not to satisfy the fringe element on Howfo.

I don't take orders from you. Whether I leave or stay is my choice. I choose to stay and remain a advocate for better service. Yes they are in business to make money. And you don't make money by chasing off customers. They're the ones not doing something right as evidenced in their quarterly reports. I stated my opinion about what they should do to reverse the trend. You of course, have no logical reason why it's a bad idea.

[dutchtender]

I never ordered you to leave howfo. I am an advocate of free speech. I suggested to anyone here that if they don't like the service level, prices, plans, network, strategy, or phones of tmo, then leave and find another provider. and let them know why you left. nothing sends a clearer message that you are dissatisfied. there is plenty of choice out there. I understand people want to vent about losing what once was a good thing. they have a right to do that. And i have a right to offer my advice on how to fix their problem.

2g customers are marginal customers who live on the fringes of metro areas. upgrading them first doesn't make sense when they are spending time and money to roll out 4g services to metro areas where the paying customers are. tmo is losing customers because of iphone. and they have a very clever plan in place to get iphone customers to byod to tmo, without paying a fortune to Apple.

tmo is disadvantaged as a smaller player. it's why they agreed to be bought by att. you have to pick your spots when you don't have the scale of a Verizon or ATT. you can't be all things to all people. Verizon does that. But you pay for it. the complaints coming from tmo customers are a result of the world changing. they are not getting the kind of service offered by V and ATT for tmo $$ anymore. And they are upset that they may actually have to give Verizon money every month. life sucks.

[Antenna]

I will make whatever point I want about T-Mobile service. If you don't like it, put me on ignore. Perhaps, I'd have a more "positive spin", if T-Mobile had done a better job of management. Maybe you don't notice the recent reports on here of lack of coverage, poor customer service, last place rankings in purchase experience, sending out personal data without authorization, slow data speeds in supposed "4G" areas, etc. But the biggest statistic is that T-mobile is on pace to lose over 2 million postpaid customers in a 12 month period! You think that statistic has a positive spin to it.

It shows that customers are jumping ship like crazy because other services are more attractive. You yourself got a Verizon account because of T-Mobile's slow data speeds. Fact!

I am a paying T-Mobile customers and I have EVERY right to speak out against service issues that I see. As I said in my post, I think T-Mobile should be focused upgrading their 2G network to UMTS everywhere they have service instead of messing around with some sort of PCS UMTS rollout or LTE. That's my opinion. If you disagree, say so, and state the reasons why. That's fine. But don't hide behind your HTC Amaze and try to run people off.

I will never stop being an advocate for the T-Mobile customer. I will continue to speak out until the issues are handled.

You are a poor example after you advocate to "vote with your wallet" when you yourself don't hold yourself to that standard .....that my friend is the definition of a hypocrite ......

And again, either fully quote my replies, or don't quote me at all. This is not right.

Sent from my HTC Amaze 4G

[dutchtender]

You are a poor example after you advocate to "vote with your wallet" when you yourself don't hold yourself to that standard .....that my friend is the definition of a hypocrite ......

And again, either fully quote my replies, or don't quote me at all. This is not right.

Sent from my HTC Amaze 4G

does the same thing to me. quotes me out of context. a real hit and run specialist.