Online Activation for Phone Switching - Hero CDMA General

I recently won a Nextel Blackberry in a raffle and I wanted to use when I bike so as not to break my Hero. I know about Sprint's online activator but I never used it before and I'm not sure if it would work given that its an iDen Blackberry but that's just me talking. Has anybody done this before and how long does it take to take effect? Thanks for the help.

it should work no problem. I work for sprint. when I was a agent I showed corp customers how to do it online.. since the recent sprint.com update don't know.
Sent from my HERO200 using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

The online system is pretty easy to use and changes take place within seconds in most cases.
However, I have run across some issues going from iDen to CDMA. Most notable is that you will lose ALL voicemail and will have to set it back up each time. Also, Iden SMS is terrible, if you communicate with SMS be prepared to have significant SMS delays. not to mention the poor data speeds. Beyond that, there are provision delays from time to time and it could take hours for the switch to go through when you do an Iden to CDMA switch. I actually had on that took about 36 hours. Granted, the exception to the rule, but considering I do about 100 esn swaps a month, I have some experience with the system. These problems don't happen NEARLY as often as a CDMA/CDMA trade. My advice, sell the iden, buy a cheap CDMA device.

Related

Thinking about switching from T-Mo

I've recently been having problems with some of my text messages not making it to my phone. Some get through, some don't. I spent nearly 40 minutes the other day with "tech support" (30 of them spent talking to an Android 'specialist'). In the end, I was told that they didn't know why some were getting through and some weren't. They pointed the finger at my friends who are texting saying the problem might be on their end (my gf is on T-Mo as well and we skyped so she could show me the 'sent successful' msgs on her BB 9700). The real kicker was when the specialist told me that I should delete my texts every day because "Android devices can't really handle holding more than 40-50 msgs at a time before it causes problems for the handset and the software." SMH.
Anyway, I've been playing around with a friend's Evo lately and I really like it. It's got me thinking of a possible switch to Sprint if this text issue keeps popping up and T-Mo keeps giving me BS answers.
I guess I just want to ask:
1. Any recent converts from T-Mo? How do you like Sprint so far?
2. Any experience issues similar to the one I'm having?
3. Any issues at all with the Evo or service in the LA area?
My friend said he's been with Sprint for about 10 years now, and I asked how customer service was. He said "I don't know, I've never really needed to talk to them." Seemed like a good sign to me.
Thanks XDA Evo heads!
I was on tmo before I switched to Sprint when I started working for them. Honestly on not working at sprint anymore and I'm still on it and got my fiance on it and we have a joint account. Sprint is amazing and I love it and I would never look back. Plus you could probably get a discount from where you work which helps. Customer service isn't bad if you have to call them. I've called them and if they can't help tu they usually offer some kinda something to take away the blow.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
i was in the same boat... i forced tmo to let me out of my contract b,c of similar problems, including weak signal strength and dropped calls....
I am having better signal strength and less dropped calls/ unreceived messages but not as good as I was expecting...
The biggest difference I noticed is that Tmobile customer support is miles beyond Sprints.
Sprint has the worst customer service that I have seen in a while.
The reps are dumb, disrespectful, dumb, don't care....dumb....
Not exactly what you asked for but I switched from AT&T to Sprint about 2 months ago for the Evo. I love the Evo..... but Sprint sucks ass. At least here in Central Florida, Sprint is the worst service you can have (AT&T is the best) I sometimes get calls and text 3 or 4 days late. I'm in the process of deciding if my Evo is good enough to stick it out or if switching back to AT&T is worth paying the higher prices.
Give it a try. You can cancel within 30 days for a full refund of both equipment and service costs. There is no risk whatsoever.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
I sent my wife a few texts 2 weeks ago that never made it.
I on the other hand have had no problems worth sprint's service.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
daewond3r said:
I've recently been having problems with some of my text messages not making it to my phone. Some get through, some don't. I spent nearly 40 minutes the other day with "tech support" (30 of them spent talking to an Android 'specialist'). In the end, I was told that they didn't know why some were getting through and some weren't. They pointed the finger at my friends who are texting saying the problem might be on their end (my gf is on T-Mo as well and we skyped so she could show me the 'sent successful' msgs on her BB 9700). The real kicker was when the specialist told me that I should delete my texts every day because "Android devices can't really handle holding more than 40-50 msgs at a time before it causes problems for the handset and the software." SMH.
Anyway, I've been playing around with a friend's Evo lately and I really like it. It's got me thinking of a possible switch to Sprint if this text issue keeps popping up and T-Mo keeps giving me BS answers.
I guess I just want to ask:
1. Any recent converts from T-Mo? How do you like Sprint so far?
2. Any experience issues similar to the one I'm having?
3. Any issues at all with the Evo or service in the LA area?
My friend said he's been with Sprint for about 10 years now, and I asked how customer service was. He said "I don't know, I've never really needed to talk to them." Seemed like a good sign to me.
Thanks XDA Evo heads!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best move I have made. Tmo did good bringing android but everyone else is blowing them away with phones and plans.
Sent from HTC Evo with CM6
I recall an issue similar to this on the hero.
Yes its true on some of the older Android OS there was some issues with alot of txt msgs my hero practically shut down when i hit 2000 txt msgs it wouldnt load them or receive any txt msgs.
as I recall just randomly not receiving them tho etc was resolved with a hard reset of the device.
jasonleb1 said:
Not exactly what you asked for but I switched from AT&T to Sprint about 2 months ago for the Evo. I love the Evo..... but Sprint sucks ass. At least here in Central Florida, Sprint is the worst service you can have (AT&T is the best) I sometimes get calls and text 3 or 4 days late. I'm in the process of deciding if my Evo is good enough to stick it out or if switching back to AT&T is worth paying the higher prices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird, I switched from ATT and I had the problems u are describing, however the problems were w ATT, maybe it was the iPhone but service sucked, dropped calls, slow 3G speeds, customer service wqs bad, etc. I'm in central FL btw. As far as Tmo I got to admit they got pretty good customer service, can't really complain about sprints either. Service has been great as well, no dropped calls in 2+ months and great 3G/4G speeds. If pricing is a factor, Sprint has it covered. Check coverage in your area and see if you got good coverage, other than that o don't see why you couldn't switch and be happy w Sprint.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
sdrewh said:
Best move I have made. Tmo did good bringing android but everyone else is blowing them away with phones and plans.
Sent from HTC Evo with CM6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree here. However, what an above poster said. T-mo has better customer support. I was with T-mo for almost 10 years and recently switched over when the EVO came out because T-mo couldn't tell me when their next Android Device was coming out, and the only rumors were of the GPS phone which looked attrocious. The Nexus was available, but only for new plan holders and the price was rediculous, not to mention it was already getting long in the tooth. I love the EVO, and 6Mbps down on my 4G is great (when I get a strong 4G signal). I am not impressed with 3g as I never seem to get over 600kbps and I do not like the fact that I can't use Data and Phone at the same time on just 3g.
Otherwise, Sprint's plan is better despite the infamous "$10" fee, unless you primarily make phone calls to land lines. I got a bonus 450 min. on top of the 450 min. with the unlimited plan for land line calls and I rarely use 100 min. Otherwise they really are unlimited in the Data side.
I hope this helps in your decision. Good luck.
I've gone through most every cell provider in my state. T-Mobile, ATT, Cingular (basically same thing) Virgin, verizon, Cricket.
Cingular was by far the worst. Tons of missing.txts and dropped calls.
Then went to Tmobile. Loved Tmobile. Not a huge calling area at the time. But still great service.
Then to ATT for the iPhone. Loved iphone. Still didn't like att. Than I came to sprint foe the EVO. and so far its pretty good. Pricing is nice, even with the 10 extra for 4G.
...in 1943, I killed a drifter.
I went from T-Mo to Sprint about two months ago, it was a great move. Better prices, able to do things in the shop. T-Mo forced my hand because they would not let me back into a contract and would not work with me on phones. I was very disappointed with T-Mo and how they handled me, especially because I had been with them for seven years. I have the Evo now.
If you are coming to sprint make sure you look into getting the Everything Plus plans to save some money.
Instead of the regular Everything 450 for 69, you can get Everything with 500mins for 59.
as dissapointed as i'v been with sprint, they do have unlimited mobile to mobile....
Thats pretty epic i suppose
Why does anyone use T-Mo on the first place (outside of Europe, that is)? Their 3G coverage is an absolute joke. It makes AT&T's coverage look fantastic!
Been with Sprint for 11 years, in 3 different states, any issue, that I can count on one hand, have been resolved over the phone.
You have 30 days to try it risk free, what's not to like ?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond!
I think I will try it out for a month and see how it is.
Weird, I switched from ATT and I had the problems u are describing, however the problems were w ATT, maybe it was the iPhone but service sucked, dropped calls, slow 3G speeds, customer service wqs bad, etc. I'm in central FL btw. As far as Tmo I got to admit they got pretty good customer service, can't really complain about sprints either. Service has been great as well, no dropped calls in 2+ months and great 3G/4G speeds. If pricing is a factor, Sprint has it covered. Check coverage in your area and see if you got good coverage, other than that o don't see why you couldn't switch and be happy w Sprint.
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Click to collapse
Hmmm. I had an iPhone too (1st Gen and 3Gs) and never once dropped a call, my 3G speeds were always fast and customer service was always great to me (but I always went to the store I never called tech support and the people at my store are really friendly and polite).
Brutal-Force said:
I agree here. However, what an above poster said. T-mo has better customer support. I was with T-mo for almost 10 years and recently switched over when the EVO came out because T-mo couldn't tell me when their next Android Device was coming out, and the only rumors were of the GPS phone which looked attrocious. The Nexus was available, but only for new plan holders and the price was rediculous, not to mention it was already getting long in the tooth. I love the EVO, and 6Mbps down on my 4G is great (when I get a strong 4G signal). I am not impressed with 3g as I never seem to get over 600kbps and I do not like the fact that I can't use Data and Phone at the same time on just 3g.
Otherwise, Sprint's plan is better despite the infamous "$10" fee, unless you primarily make phone calls to land lines. I got a bonus 450 min. on top of the 450 min. with the unlimited plan for land line calls and I rarely use 100 min. Otherwise they really are unlimited in the Data side.
I hope this helps in your decision. Good luck.
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Click to collapse
i agree that the 3g sucks and that you cant use it at the same time but with the 4g you can surf and talk same time
Tmobile has the worst reception ever though.

[NEWS] T-Mobile & Sprint merger is possible

http://www.businessinsider.com/t-mobile-usa-might-sell-to-sprint-2011-3
Saw this today and thought I'd share.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium
I don't see how that merger would work. I personally don't like sprints coverage.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
First off, I highly doubt that the US gov't would let a merger like this go down.
Second, I wouldn't be surprised that IF it happened, they would stay as 2 separate companies at the consumer level, but connected via management. It just doesn't make sense for 1 company to offer both GSM and CDMA concurrently. Are they just going to start only taking on handsets that operate with both CDMA and GSM? I just don't find this likely.
I sure hope that this doesn't happen. CDMA really needs to die, and I personally have seen the light of GSM and of T-mobiles slightly more customer-friendly approach. More than likely because their subscriber numbers are dwindelling, but the fact that they openly offer no-contract plans, cheap plans, and are flexible on many different things, I just hope they stick around the way they are. I know this isn't the most profitable business model (but it is still profitable) compared to Verizon, but its one that is necessary for those of us who see the ridiculousness of what the other carriers are charging.
I don't want Sprint + T-mobile to turn into another Verizon. It will just give them more ability to start charging $110 for unlimited plans like Verizon and AT&T do. Choices are good! People like Verizon, and their service is great, but I like my money more than I like Verizon.
Sprint sucks. Tmo would die like nextel is this happened. And I would be ****ed having to run back to verizon
From my permarooted 1209mhz G2 with CM7 nightly 6
This has nothing to do with a single company implementing both GSM and CDMA. This is because SPRINT WANTS GSM, and tmobile already exists.
In upgrading to GSM, there are precisely two options; either implement it yourself (Canada/Belus), or buy one that's ready made.
dhkr234 said:
This has nothing to do with a single company implementing both GSM and CDMA. This is because SPRINT WANTS GSM, and tmobile already exists.
In upgrading to GSM, there are precisely two options; either implement it yourself (Canada/Belus), or buy one that's ready made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is definitely interesting, but it makes sense. WiMAX sucks compared to the other technologies available, and GSM is just better overall too.
I read that an industry analyst said this is likely T-Mobile selling their towers to Sprint and Sprint leasing them back.
I dunno if I believe that either, but that seems more likely to me than a straight up merger.
martonikaj said:
First off, I highly doubt that the US gov't would let a merger like this go down.
Second, I wouldn't be surprised that IF it happened, they would stay as 2 separate companies at the consumer level, but connected via management. It just doesn't make sense for 1 company to offer both GSM and CDMA concurrently. Are they just going to start only taking on handsets that operate with both CDMA and GSM? I just don't find this likely.
I sure hope that this doesn't happen. CDMA really needs to die, and I personally have seen the light of GSM and of T-mobiles slightly more customer-friendly approach. More than likely because their subscriber numbers are dwindelling, but the fact that they openly offer no-contract plans, cheap plans, and are flexible on many different things, I just hope they stick around the way they are. I know this isn't the most profitable business model (but it is still profitable) compared to Verizon, but its one that is necessary for those of us who see the ridiculousness of what the other carriers are charging.
I don't want Sprint + T-mobile to turn into another Verizon. It will just give them more ability to start charging $110 for unlimited plans like Verizon and AT&T do. Choices are good! People like Verizon, and their service is great, but I like my money more than I like Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about Cingular and At&t? They were allowed to merge along with Sirius and XM... apparently the goverment doesn't care about monopolies. Excuse my spelling lol! Heck, at&t is back as mama bell. They were broken up but they're back now
sino8r said:
What about Cingular and At&t? They were allowed to merge along with Sirius and XM... apparently the goverment doesn't care about monopolies. Excuse my spelling lol! Heck, at&t is back as mama bell. They were broken up but they're back now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True - any opposition from the gov quit when they took M$ to court and they realized that they had more money to spend on lawyers then the government could ever muster.
After this exon mobile merged, making the largest company ever known to man and there has never been a peep about monopoly since.
Since the government is pretty much funded by public enterprise at this point I wouldn't expect them to step in.
PS **** Sprint - they blow - the rumor before this one was that they were going to abandon all of their Clear 4G WiMax ancient bull**** and go to LTE ... so whatever
I've been a tmo customer for 10+ years (well, Omnipoint, voicestream and then T-Mo.) Overall, I've been pretty happy with them.
I was also a Sprint customer, briefly. There wasn't anything wrong with the service, the phone selection (for back then, pre smartphone) was OK, and they had coverage where I needed it.
However, it seems every bill, they messed something up and I had to spend 1-2 hours on hold and dealing with their crap customer service to get it fixed.
Every. Goddamn. Month.
That got old quick.
This was a while ago, perhaps things have changed, I don't know. I did swear "never again" when I finally gave up in disgust and cancelled.
I sincerely hope this doesn't happen.
I have been with T-Mobile over 14 years (Powertel, Voicestream, T-Mobile) and the only time I had issues was back in 2004 when I was stationed at Camp Pendleton. They didn't have towers on the base, therefore no reception, but as soon as I drove off, full bars the whole way. If T-Mobile was to merge with AT&T, and AT&T be the dominate company, I'm gone!
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA Premium App

[Poll] Who's going to bail T-Mo after AT&T gobbles them up

With the announcement of AT&T buying T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom, I am for sure going to switch back to Sprint as soon as I can.
Who's else is going to bail, or are you going to stick out or wait and see what happens?
Please take the poll above, and if you have something to say about this, head over to the already ongoing thread about this merger/buyout.
I for one will probably be sticking with Att/Tmobile. I have to use wifi calling in my apartment, and this will eliminate the need for that. Not to mention they will probably have to grandfather in all plans they acquire for the time being.
WHy would you bail? Once they merge Tmobile and ATT with me sharing the same towers hence HUGE coverage gains on both ends. ATT/Tmobile will pass-up verizon's coverage likely and data coverage will be alot better. It's just ironic alot of the iPhone users have migrated to Verizon for better coverage.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-03-20-att-deal_N.htm
jeffokada81 said:
WHy would you bail? Once they merge Tmobile and ATT with me sharing the same towers hence HUGE coverage gains on both ends. ATT/Tmobile will pass-up verizon's coverage likely and data coverage will be alot better. It's just ironic alot of the iPhone users have migrated to Verizon for better coverage.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-03-20-att-deal_N.htm
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Click to collapse
Never had a problem with signal when I was on Sprint before, sure I don't do much traveling, but my area is covered well, and the trip from St. Louis to Nashville that I take a couple of times a year is covered very well also. So I'm not worried about coverage.
What I don't want to deal with is AT&T monopolistic ways. The things that they are doing now is going to cause the government to have to come back in and start regulating again, just as happened in the past with them. Expensive plans, locked down phones, data caps, crappy customer service. Not very customer oriented, but very line-their-own-pockets oriented instead. I can't blame a company for wanting to make money, that's the purpose of a business, but when it increases what they charge and takes away services, then I don't want anything to do with them.
If the merger is eventially aproved (antitrust gov), then I'll just wait & see in about 12 months where we stand.
How does upgrading phones work when you're under a contract with Sprint?
Can you just buy your own phone and activate it?
erikikaz said:
How does upgrading phones work when you're under a contract with Sprint?
Can you just buy your own phone and activate it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
However you get the phone, weather from Sprint, a private party or another reatailer, you will need to either call Sprint or go to a Sprint store to get the phone activated. If you call, you can't use the phone that your about to upgrade, you'll have to use another phone such as a land line or a friends phone. Sure it's not as convenient as just swapping your SIM card, but still pretty easy, phone call usually only take a few minutes anymore. They instruct you step by step what to enter on the new phone and, in my experience, it's usually working withing minutes. In the case of going to a Sprint store to have them activate it, it's usually working before I get to my car, which is only a minute walk at the store in my area.
I've had all kinds of problems with at%t/Cingular. I'm bailing and going to sprint. Not all the towers will be shared anyway & say goodbye to tethering w/o paying 14.99 and unlimited data plans.
Sure, as long as you dont upgrade or change your plan you will be ok, but it would only be a matter of time until you switch sometime.
I can only hope Google releases the next series of nexus on sprint also. I'd hate to give up my nexus
Sent from my Nexus One
Every news outlet has it wrong......
Read the press Releases people !
Why have all sites gotten the interpretation of the Press Release incorrect???
"T-Mobile USA continues to operate as an independent company."
"T-Mobile USA remains an independent company. The acquisition is expected to be completed in approximately 12 months."
In BOTH cases, the statements are PRESENT tense, not future tense. There is ZERO indication that TMobile WILL BE an independent entity after the acquisition has been completed. Has people's understanding of grammar become THAT incomplete and incorrect that EVERYONE in the news can't differentiate between a statement of PRESENT and one of FUTURE tense ?
Pay attention people. This is nothing but BAD for current TMobile customers.
I have no idea what to do. I was planning on selling my N1 to go the route of either the G2X or some other dual core phone, but now this changes everything.
There is no point in buying a TMO phone now if it'll be without provider support in a year. Even if there is scant support, the value of whatever phone I purchase will drop like a rock by the time the merger nears completion.
The value of phones drop 2 months after you buy them nowadays :/ (ok i'm exaggerating XD).
I only want to know if they will keep both companies type of GSM so I can still buy a phone in the US and use it when I travel to Europe at it's full potential.
Dude !! You stole my mind!
erikikaz said:
I have no idea what to do. I was planning on selling my N1 to go the route of either the G2X or some other dual core phone, but now this changes everything.
There is no point in buying a TMO phone now if it'll be without provider support in a year. Even if there is scant support, the value of whatever phone I purchase will drop like a rock by the time the merger nears completion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is PRECISELY the decision process I was going through......I figured...ok...get the G2X and keep the N1 as a spare.......Now...why the F would I want it ? It's ridiculous.....
galaxys said:
If the merger is eventially aproved (antitrust gov), then I'll just wait & see in about 12 months where we stand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts as well. It will be sometime down the road if we see any changes if it even gets approved. So in the mean time let your contracts run out lol
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0b5.1.1 using Tapatalk
It's a shame that TMO is being bought out. I've had them for over 7 years and I've loved them. Great service, the best prices, and the best Android devices. I hate AT&T with a passion (I used to work for em so my hatred runs VERY deep). Their network is congested, slow, and under-developed. There is a real lack of Android devices, their prices suck, and there is no unlimited data. My wife and I are checking out Sprint and Verizon right now but Sprint is winning thus far. I'd rather get crappy service from a small company that has good devices with better plans and lower prices than get crappy service from either one of the 2 giants that I'd pay too much for and have a poor selection of phones.
DBBGBA said:
The value of phones drop 2 months after you buy them nowadays :/ (ok i'm exaggerating XD).
I only want to know if they will keep both companies type of GSM so I can still buy a phone in the US and use it when I travel to Europe at it's full potential.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, all current T-Mobile phones would not get 3G.
Ive had Vzw and at&t for at least 2 years each. Vzw had the best coverage then at&t (in my area) but call one of them and dispute a charge on your bill. Good luck.
I deployed to Iraq, sent at&t a letter stating that I was breaking my contract as per a congressional order. Not only did they not, they charged me for 2 lines which I was never signed up for. After I came back, I found I owed nearly 1500$ in late charges and it had been sent to collections. Call them up and after nearly 30 hours, numerous certified letters sent in and faxed, it took nearly 9 months for it to be removed. Call Tmo service, you get a English speaking representative every time. Screw at&t, and any one believing nothing will change, go ahead and sign up for 2 more years and find out the hard way
Sent from my Nexus One
Im in no rush to figure it out... but ultimately my company will decide. We arent too happy with Tmobile's support for us and might be swapping to Verizon, but that also depends on signal strength at our office (in the mountains). They pay for my phone, so I go along for the ride (although i buy my phones outright so that cost stings).
if tzones keeps working i am in. if not metro pcs
Been with Tmo since Voicstream and I will indeed miss Tmo's support in the coming years. I have ATT for DSL and for the most part is ok comparing it to Verizon Fios back in NY.
I for one will let ATT and Tmo do it's thing. ATT has its towers here as well as Tmo so I think I'll get decent coverage for now. Because of my wife's corp discount, we had to sign up for another 2yr contract about 3 months ago so we'll be grandfathered for a spell. If not, ATT better let us out of any ETF's if we do decide to go elsewhere.
But in the future, we may get a bigger corp discount with conjunction of bundling our dsl and wireless. We'll see.
It just really depends on what types of policies ATT will enforce on former T-Mobile customers and how quickly they switch things over postmerge. I have been a happy T-Mo customer for years and I was just thinking recently how much I enjoy the Nexus One and would probably not need to get a new phone for a long time. However, this clearly changes things.
I think it's highly likely that my grandfathered "perks" from being with T-Mo forever such as my $49.99 two-line family plan, $10/month @Home VOIP landline service, $10/phone web2go unlimited internet, and maybe even my 12% AAA discount will all disappear shortly after the merger is completed. Additionally, I don't tether much but I like having the option built into my N1, and ATT is going after "unauthorized" tethering on their network.
Another thing that concerns me is that I can see the "new" ATT offering some discounts to former T-Mo customers down the road when T-Mo's "old" 3G phones become useless as that spectrum is swiched over to LTE... however, I am sure that will not include N1 customers since we did not buy the phone through T-Mobile.
All in all it will have been a great ride with T-Mobile and I am sad to know that it will likely be ending. I am just going to have to see how things shake out. The increased coverage of ATT+T-Mobile would certainly be welcome, but I am concerned about pricing. I get a work discount through Sprint and they have pretty good coverage in my area - I've just never seriously considered them due to the great deal I've been getting through T-Mo. Sprint has also shown a very strong commitment to Android which I think is a positive. As the merger approaches I will definitely be re-evaluating my options.

Thinking of switching from T-Mo to Simple Mobile

I saw a post on BGR that Simple Mobile is now offering a $40/mo. Unlimited talk, text and web(2GB) plan. Simple is one of those budget pre-paid carriers like Virgin Mobile or MetroPCS that uses the T-Mo network.
http://www.bgr.com/2011/09/23/simpl...n-eat-talk-text-and-web-plans-starting-at-40/
I looked at their list of supported devices, and the DVP is listed as approved.
http://www.mysimplemobile.com/Simple-Mobile-Phones-Approved.aspx
Right now, I am on the T-Mo EM+ Unlimited TT&W for $59.99/mo. This switch seems like a no brainer to me. I use less than 100 talk minutes, 100 texts and less than 100 MB of data since I switched to the EM+ plan last spring. Since Simple uses the T-Mo network, my coverage should be exactly the same, right?
I was wondering if anyone here has ever used Simple or even knows anyone who has used their service before. I can't imagine that there will be any noticeable difference between the 2 services, but thought I should ask around before making the switch. I was fully planning on making the move to a budget carrier if the AT&T merger ever got approved even if I had to give up my DVP. If I can make the switch and keep my DVP, that is the best of both worlds. My billing cycle ends on the 13th of the month and I would love to get the Mango update from T-Mo in early October and make the switch before my next cycle starts.
I have used the DVP with Simple mobile, overall it worked perfect, there were a couple of issues with it.
The biggest issue was connectivity, almost every time I connected to the internet it took about 10-15sec to connect, once connected the connection was fast, this does not happen with T-Mobile, it seems that even though I set teh APN for Simple Mobile, the phone tries to connect to T-Mobile first.
Thethering did not work, it is not so relevant right now to NODO and Mango anyway.
Forwarding does not work, I use YouMail as my VM service and was not able to forward the calls automatically.
Except for that everything else works fine.
I currently have my DVP on Simple Mobile. Been with them for around 8 months now. Overall I am very happy! I switched from AT&T in NYC and have virtually no dropped calls and much faster internet.
With the firmware update a few months ago, I was finally able to get MMS working. As far as coverage is concerned, Simple Mobile uses T-Mobile's native coverage. T-mobile has certain roaming agreements with other carriers, but Simple Mobile is not allowed to roam on these other networks. So if you're planning a trip to Montana, you're screwed.
I would suggest you switch to straight talk if u want to switch from t mobile. It cheaper than simple mobile and offers piggybacking. And it saves you money than t mobile too. Just my 2 cents.

Project Fi Users

Any Project Fi user? How is it working out?
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
It's dope.
Yup. Very happy.
Totally satisfied!
It's awesome!
More than anything I'm happy with the bill. I think mine was $43.xx last month, I'm signed up for 5GB at $70 total. Spent the last year on AT&T Post Paid with a MiFi also on the account at 115ish a month for 15GB. Prior to that I was on AT&T Straight Talk for years.
To be honest, the service is so-so. T-Mobile is T-Mobile, the building penetration sucks, its as mediocre as it was when I got off it in 2011. Sprint does provide better building penetration but the service is slower. I'm often frustrated with Fi's lack of attempt at switching from T-Mo to Sprint or vice-versa. I have Fi-Spy installed and can easily plug in the dialer codes to switch, but why it doesn't do this more proactively is beyond me. Even with the auto switch dialer coder plugged in and a reboot, it rarely switches quickly once a drop in signal is experienced with the carrier in use. The nerd in me thinks its cool to plug in the dialer codes, the normal me is beginning to find it inconvenient. Speeds aren't spectacular, I think that's possibly a function of being in South Louisiana. The carriers invest here last most likely because of the overall poverty of the populous and the gamble that the they can just wait till the network is destroyed by a hurricane and rebuild it with insurance money.
My gut feeling is I'll wait to see if the 6.0.1 release (whenever I finally get it) will make T-Mo work better with the possibility of Band 12. If its not better soon I'll probably switch back to AT&T Straight Talk. AT&T just works everywhere I have been in the US for the last 4 or 5 years. I never have the negative experience I hear people complain about on big blue. The Straight Talk option makes the cost negligible. Although the good ole days of Straight Talk "discount" service cards being sold online for 30ish dollars seems to be gone.
Cellular service is a commodity, while I impress myself with the nerd factor of an aggregated cellular carrier like Google Fi, I just lack the patience to endure the carriers its running on. Struggling with bad or slow service is no longer acceptable with the flexibility of porting numbers to other carriers. $40ish dollars is cheap, but for 50 I could be on Straight Talk on AT&T and not worry about any of the semantics.
...but I did like the Lego kit Google sent me!
aygriffith said:
More than anything I'm happy with the bill. I think mine was $43.xx last month, I'm signed up for 5GB at $70 total. Spent the last year on AT&T Post Paid with a MiFi also on the account at 115ish a month for 15GB. Prior to that I was on AT&T Straight Talk for years.
To be honest, the service is so-so. T-Mobile is T-Mobile, the building penetration sucks, its as mediocre as it was when I got off it in 2011. Sprint does provide better building penetration but the service is slower. I'm often frustrated with Fi's lack of attempt at switching from T-Mo to Sprint or vice-versa. I have Fi-Spy installed and can easily plug in the dialer codes to switch, but why it doesn't do this more proactively is beyond me. Even with the auto switch dialer coder plugged in and a reboot, it rarely switches quickly once a drop in signal is experienced with the carrier in use. The nerd in me thinks its cool to plug in the dialer codes, the normal me is beginning to find it inconvenient. Speeds aren't spectacular, I think that's possibly a function of being in South Louisiana. The carriers invest here last most likely because of the overall poverty of the populous and the gamble that the they can just wait till the network is destroyed by a hurricane and rebuild it with insurance money.
My gut feeling is I'll wait to see if the 6.0.1 release (whenever I finally get it) will make T-Mo work better with the possibility of Band 12. If its not better soon I'll probably switch back to AT&T Straight Talk. AT&T just works everywhere I have been in the US for the last 4 or 5 years. I never have the negative experience I hear people complain about on big blue. The Straight Talk option makes the cost negligible. Although the good ole days of Straight Talk "discount" service cards being sold online for 30ish dollars seems to be gone.
Cellular service is a commodity, while I impress myself with the nerd factor of an aggregated cellular carrier like Google Fi, I just lack the patience to endure the carriers its running on. Struggling with bad or slow service is no longer acceptable with the flexibility of porting numbers to other carriers. $40ish dollars is cheap, but for 50 I could be on Straight Talk on AT&T and not worry about any of the semantics.
...but I did like the Lego kit Google sent me!
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Click to collapse
What about calling/texting over wifi? The initial reason I decided not to go with Project Fi was for the reasons you stated-- didn't love the carriers that support it. But the more I think about it, the more intrigued I am. I just switched from AT&T to Verizon and I am hardly using any cell data. I'm at wifi at home, wifi at work, and many places that I go. Project Fi is becoming more appealing for the ability of being able to call/text pretty much anywhere over wifi and not have to worry so much about how good the cell signal is. Plus the idea of auto connecting to open wifi hotspots and securing the connection over a VPN tunnel sounds pretty cool as well.
On another note, I don't have any first hand experience with Tmobile but 6.0.1 should help a lot with cell service in buildings if they have band 12 in your area. The geek in you should just flash the factory images instead of waiting for the OTA
I'm very satisfied with my experience so far. My only complaint, a small one at best, would be there is no way to prefer WiFi calling over cellular like with Tmobile.
It's been solid for me. Not just at home, but a number of the approved hotspots as well when I'm out. And I like that these connections are VPN'd.
coolcat67 said:
What about calling/texting over wifi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Data usage
I was thinking of going to Project Fi myself and got the invite already. However, I check my data status usage and it's about 4gb or more per month. And I am counting only the usage not being over wifi. I understand that Project Fi switch automatically over wifi if available so you won't use Data over the air as much. However, I'm with the family plan with 15GB and Data carry over next month on AT&T network. If I'm by myself, I would switch over to Project Fi in a heart beat but with family member, I can't. Just my 2 cents thought.
Solutions Etcetera said:
It's been solid for me. Not just at home, but a number of the approved hotspots as well when I'm out. And I like that these connections are VPN'd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the exact opposite experience, I rarely get auto connected to hot-spots and when I do they're total garbage. Not just in Louisiana, but in large metros I've traveled to in since getting the service. I think only one held the VPN tunnel indicated by the key icon for long enough to do anything.
coolcat67 said:
What about calling/texting over wifi? The initial reason I decided not to go with Project Fi was for the reasons you stated-- didn't love the carriers that support it. But the more I think about it, the more intrigued I am. I just switched from AT&T to Verizon and I am hardly using any cell data. I'm at wifi at home, wifi at work, and many places that I go. Project Fi is becoming more appealing for the ability of being able to call/text pretty much anywhere over wifi and not have to worry so much about how good the cell signal is. Plus the idea of auto connecting to open wifi hotspots and securing the connection over a VPN tunnel sounds pretty cool as well.
On another note, I don't have any first hand experience with Tmobile but 6.0.1 should help a lot with cell service in buildings if they have band 12 in your area. The geek in you should just flash the factory images instead of waiting for the OTA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I do love about the service is the ability to use Hangouts on all my devices and in the web browser and text & MMS from it. I think if I went back to Straight Talk I'd probably leave the number with Google Voice which traditionally I've done the opposite and took the number to the carrier and just had a miscellaneous GV number.
I have had problems with call quality over data. Mainly at my house which is AT&T U-Verse, and to top it off Fi does not seem to realize it and will not switch off to cellular when the call quality dissipates. I've literally had to run out my front door into the middle of my street if I'm mid call so it will switch to cellular. Its either this or attempt to fumble the phone and turn off WiFi. My neighbors probably are suspicious of my mid street calls :laugh:. Again, this is a function of AT&T U-verse having 18mb down at my house. Might switch my internet to cable next month to help with the abysmal ISP speeds with U-verse.
Again, don't expect the phone to just start connecting to tons of VPN'ed Google Certified WiFi networks. You'll be disappointed. I was in large metros all up and down the east coast in Nov and again, this may have happened once in each large city. You're going to be looking for the same old Starbucks and misc WiFi networks to make calls if you're really hoping to find WiFi networks in the wild for calling. I have a free Boingo plan through Amex Plat and it helps give availability to more networks than I had access to before. But its not enough that I wouldn't be worried about cell service.
Fingers crossed on 6.0.1... back in the old days I would have downloaded the image the second it was out and flashed it. As I get older and find myself making more excuses for not getting stuff done I rarely want to spend non existent free time diving into roms or any of that. I just want the phone to work and the service to work. Its a long way from chopping up Blackberry OS installers with different features from different Telcos or my first Android phone being a Sprint Touch Pro 2 launching into Android from Windows Mobile. Getting old (or boring) I guess!
Works great here. Except MMS over hangouts looks like garbage. I would love to use hangouts over my other devices with my Project Fi number, but I send to many picture messages. Anyone else have MMS hangouts quality problems?
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Ulver said:
Works great here. Except MMS over hangouts looks like garbage. I would love to use hangouts over my other devices with my Project Fi number, but I send to many picture messages. Anyone else have MMS hangouts quality problems?
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you referencing the picture quality of the photos sent? Does it look bad both in Hangouts and also in the receiver's MMS?
Its decent, but I can see why people leave back to Tmobile. I am on WIFI most of the day and yet I manage to use 1.5-2GB per month, I cant imaging using Fi without WIFI. There is no VoLTE an no proper Band 12 implementation. Support is not that great, most replies are copy/paste BS. The whole service is just not as reliable as Tmobile. I pay about $40 bucks for Fi......Tmobile would have been only $50 but everything works 100%, you get som free music and vid streaming, and data falls back to free Edge.
I am gonna stick for a while longer....They said some updates are coming to service in next few month but I call BS on this. Fi team seems to be lying alot about the service and misrepresents it in their advertisement.
aygriffith said:
Are you referencing the picture quality of the photos sent? Does it look bad both in Hangouts and also in the receiver's MMS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me it looks bad on my end and the receivers end via hangouts. I also tried sending pics via my Z3 and the pics look bad on both my wife's Nexus 6 and my Mom's iPhone.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
kolyan said:
The whole service is just not as reliable as Tmobile.
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Click to collapse
Weird... I have been on T-Mobile since the days of my RAZR v300 up until just recently. In fact, I still have it on my Moto X. Nothing about it is as good as Fi has been. Granted it is not for folks that are burning through a lot of data, but I have never gone over a Gig, so it's great for me.
Looking at the two phones side by side right now, the TM phone is on HSPA with 4 asu, and the Fi is LTE with 23 asu.
Solutions Etcetera said:
Weird... I have been on T-Mobile since the days of my RAZR v300 up until just recently. In fact, I still have it on my Moto X. Nothing about it is as good as Fi has been. Granted it is not for folks that are burning through a lot of data, but I have never gone over a Gig, so it's great for me.
Looking at the two phones side by side right now, the TM phone is on HSPA with 4 asu, and the Fi is LTE with 23 asu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Tmobile LTE and VoLTE everywhere pretty much and it switches to Sprint for no reason, I even get Sprint 3G in some places due to bugs. On top of it Tmobile band 12 is not implemented correctly so you end up missing calls and there is no VoLTE support at all. I am not even sure if Tmobile carrier aggression is working on Project Fi
I've been having issues on Project Fi since June, including some spotty roaming in Europe where Tmobile got 5 bars of LTE (capped to 128kbps). Then been dealing with carrier auto switching for over a month now....looks like it just started working with latest Fi app and Android 6.0.1. They also know about all the roaming issues and that Fi doesnt like to connect to roaming providers, thats why they seem to include manual switching in Fi app now so people dont end up with dead phones overseas
They are also kind of lying about equal coverage to Tmo and Sprint....its not equal, at least not yet, lying about 120+ countries where wifi-calling is supported....also bs, real list is around 90-95 countries (not a big deal, but they refuse to fix it)
I switched from Tmobile because I though I will get 100% Tmobile coverage + addition of Sprint with seamless switching (been very buggy) I also need that 256kbps roaming speeds since its double of what Tmobile is offering. Lower bill was just a bonus.....dont really care since its like 10-15 bucks difference
kolyan said:
I've been having issues on Project Fi since June
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Click to collapse
Dunno what to tell you; have only been on it since 11/16, but so far it has been great on my 6P.
When I read these comments I wonder how many people were already T-Mobile or Sprint customers and used to so-so coverage and speeds already. Compared in AT&T and Verizon, you're getting what you pay for. Just calling a spade a spade as a long time AT&T customer and a really really long ago T-Mobile and Sprint customer.
It's exactly what they said it was, a beta service. If you want a cheap 5GB of LTE data that works everywhere, get a AT&T Straight Talk sim. If you really think you only use a gig and live in a large metro with a good economy (face it, T-Mobile and Sprint upgrade their carrier equipment metros with better economic conditions first) then you'll be in heaven.
Don't really care about the international, I just buy a sim locally whenever I go overseas. But for the price, if it works, it's a nice feature.
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