Related
here in canada as many already knows data plans prices are off the roof. However, they recently came out with a $30 for 6g data plan which i find reasonable for canada. (since the land lines internet has a cap itself then wireless is hard not to have cap) but the only problem is, unlike the flex data plans, they claim that this data plan will not work with pc cards, so that does mean it wouldnt work with the htc shift? on the other hand, this same plan will for sure work for windows mobile. so my question is, is there a way to use vista's side wireless data making the computer think that its hooked up with a modem which will be the windows mobile side?
That is the beauty with the shift. If it works in a pda phone, it should work in the shift. I also have a data card that is supposed to be used with a pda phone but i use it in my shift. The vista side basically taps into the WM side and borrows the data connection from the phone. That is also why SMS and other "phone like" features work on the shift.
The short anser is yes, it should work just fine.
o wow, thats great to hear, o basicly you're saying shift uses the hspa network through the wm side without needing to link it up ourselves. so unlike other umpc, we wouldnt need a pc card data plan to work, as long as it works for wm then shift will run just fine. but disreguard of all the good news, canada still sucks with the capping.
data plans
are you able to get 6 GB data plan from Rogers and use it on shift?
I have a Shift and use PDA Net to connect to Telus
for $30 I would consider a Rogers connection
Even better would to use wife; on snapview
yes, you should be able to use the 6gb data plan from rogers on the shift. According to x5-rwk, the vista side of shift uses the wm side as a modem for hspa meaning rogers will assume that u're using the data for windows mobile which is allowed. Moreover, I have also comfirmed with some rogers rep that the data plan works for ALL devices expect pc cards. but i guess as long as okay on windows mobile, we're good to go
Rogers Data
Thank You for the update.
The final question. what about voice, do you need a voice plan to get 6GB data plan?
I have HTC Touch on Telus and have unlimited data for $15 and voice plan, I would not want a Rogers voice plan as well.
Any suggestions?
Thank You
Dave
No you do not need to get a voice plan with it. As since Shift doesn't have voice calling and the fact that rogers launched the shift already themselves. however, i am still unclear on if there will be a $10 fee per month to maintain the account. That fee is meanly for people who wants to open a plan with nothing, no minutes or price plan. However, as since the 6gb data is an option, the $10 fee may apply. Too bad you can't use your telus phone to hook up to the shift and use it as a modem since the $15 is limited. What you want to get is a lot like what i want to get too. So I've been looking at the price plans for a while thinking about it.
Currently I'm with fido (which luckily has the same data plans as rogers). After being in a contract with them for 3 years and loyal customer for 4, they said they can knock $10 off my plan. But since the shift can't have voice, i'm looking into getting the iphone to run it as a modem, sounds stupid and all but best i can do with a small buget. Or another thought would be to get a cheap family plan, for fido, all the family minutes is sheared (rogers has pool of minutes + each line's own) so if you add data plan for shift on one line and the other line only for voice, that works cuz you'll have too much minutes to use from a pool of family minutes into one line. Lol So i'll advice on waiting if you can. The offer for 6gb will be up till end of aug thus theres a high chance of back to school offers will be launch mean while. moreover, i'll try to stay in touch with my buddy who works at rogers see what kind of under table offeres he can give me.
ps: in case you're wondering, the 6gb data option does not allow data pooling which sucks.
Roger Data
Thank You for the update.
When Rogers announced the new data plans, I went to a Rogers store, they told me I could not use 6GB plan on Shift.
I sounds like I need to be vague with Rogers when signing up for plan so they think I am using on unlocked windows mobile device.
Did you advise Roger your intention to use data for Shift?
Can I get 6GB plan for unlocked phone?
As for the Telus and using Touch as modem, I can and haved used it to connect, I do not think the Snapview side can use the Touch as modem.
I do have to be careful, tethering is not included in data plan, I have to use PDAnet to get under the radar screen.
If Apple offers the ability to use iPhone 3G as modem, that would be excellent for you, I am still guessing you will need additional solution for Snapview side of Shift (can you remove SIM from iPhone as install in Shift, that would be ideal for you)
I also have AT&T Pay as you Go for US, unlimited data for 30 days for $20, I activate when I travel to US.
Thank You
Dave
PS: If you move to Telus, they have Touch Diamond coming, you can use PDAnet and tether for unlimited data for better deal!!!!
called Rogers
I called Rogers to ask about data plan.
After being on hold and transferred numerous times, I was advised I needed a voice plan to get the $30 data plan.
Cheepjing, if you have any further information as to how to get the $30 data plan even if I have to pay an extra $10, I would be very appreciative of the assistance.
Dave
I have thought about switching to telus many times. Mainly since they have the thought of adding GSM before the olympics in canada. Too bad nothing have been comfirmed yet and I know its a fact its gonna cost them way too much to do so. Maybe Kodoo is making them enough for that plan, who knows. lol. But anyways.
Back to the point of rogers. Most of the agents on the phone are not well trained. I can bet 90% of people on this site who lives in canada knows more than most of the reps they have at the call center. I'm sure the agent advised you to get a voice plan cuz of two main reasons. 1: he/she has no freaken clue on why or what you want. 2: after asking his/her manager, they were advised to just sign you up for something and maybe they'll get a sale too! So far, i'm almost 100% sure you can just open a line with rogers for $10 with no voice and just add the 6gb option. Just the matter of the sales you talk to if he/she is dying for a sale or not then most likely they'll just force you into something you don't want. Thus, my advise would be, just wait for a few weeks if you can. Mean while, i'll ask the other rogers reps i know. Just to give you heads up, most likely i'll find a chinese sales since those are the only ones i know. lol. I'm going to wait till aug before i ask for some rogers plans for the end of summer cuz even if i ask know they know very little. But as back to school comes closer, more info will be release.
now side track a bit, damn i wish that rogers/fido offers two sim in one number or something. If there are anyone here who has or knows people who can do that let me know! I guess my best chance is still family plan, gotta somehow think of a way to bypass their system a bit.
Moreover, rumors says rogers maybe launching the touch pro or diamond.
Cut Off Date 6GB
Hi Cheapjing,
Thank You
Is the cut off date for 6GB plan end of Aug or Aug 6th?
Dave
the offer stops end of aug. mind if i ask where u get aug 6th from?
Aug6th
I thought I read it in Toronto Star somewhere, I am wrong.
Dave
hey, just comfirmed with fido that offer ends aug 31st. also, i'd also asked about not getting voice but data only plan from them (since rogers and fido offers the same data plans now) they told me that u can get a base plan of $15 which includes system access fee (6.95) and 911 fee (50cents) and then add on a 6gb option on top of that. catch is, it must be on a three year contract good and i'm not too too sure if u'll be able to get that as a new costumer but then again, it wouldnt be too too hard to get a frd whos with fido to open a new line in the same account for that plan and then transfer that line to ur name one or two months down the road. also, this plan cannot be purchases at any retail store, u'll have to call rentention department for that. good news is, since u'll be signing a 3 year contract for that, might as well get an iphone 3g for the 3 year contract price and resell it back out, or gift it, or use it as a mouse for your shift! lmao. choice is your's, i'll sure let you know on any updates with going around the data plans.
Follow Up
I will call Fido and ask for retention dept. I will likely wait until middle of Aug, I am waiting for Telus to release EVDO Rev A update for HTC Touch.
My issues are simple:
Is $45/month worth it to have SIM Card in Shift vs the 3 min it takes to connect Touch via PDAnet and use as modem, this is as long as Telus does not charge me for tethering.
Telus has the HTC Touch Diamond coming out, would I rather pay upgrade for Touch Diamond or purchase iPhone
with DAVE and Globalive winning spectrum, when will Rogers/Fido lower their data prices, if I am locked into a 3 year contract with Fido, will they lower prices for existing contracts when other GSM carriers enter market?
One other thing I have is once I liberate Shift, there is a way to use Wifi with Snapview (need Vista on/battery drain)
Since I have the Touch, it provides me all the Windows Mobile capabilities I need in Canada and I use Snapview in US with AT&T MediaNet service @ $20/month for unlimited data (I can add feature when needed, based on having pre paid plan with AT&T).
I am leaning towards not moving on the Fido plan for the above reasons, if it was $30 and only system access fee and not a long term contract or if Fido/Rogers offered data on pre-paid plans I would consider.
I also have to consider my past experience with Rogers, they truly suck at customer service, I understand Fido is pretty good, however, I am not sure if I want to contribute to the 300 plus million profit Rogers earned. I also have friends who have contracts with Rogers that Rogers lied/changed.
i fully understand what you're worried about. However, like you said with Globalive winning a high amount (while in the end it was still rogers who took the most spending just under 1billion) thinking deeper into it, yes, they should drop their prices. But once again, after spending that amount of money how much are they willing to drop prices by? nevertheless, they already knew that they were gonna blow 1billion away before where as i'm sure that was one of the main reason to wanting to launch the iphone with choppy data plans. and with new companies coming in, yes they will drop the price, but on data? highly unlikely. if a new company was to come into the three way battle, its hard for them to start up with both voice and data. personally, i love fido. though rogers is kind of effecting fido's customer's services, in the end, they are still the best i've had out of so many other places i called for help.
Either ways, personally, i would go on with what u had in mind as long as telus does not charge u extra. reason being, the longer you stay with a company and then call to have upgrades, the better deals you'll get. i've been with fido for 4 years now with two lines. my main line's price went from $50+ (150day, unlimited eve, fido-rogers free +plus all the junk) now it went down to $28 after tax with everything i need and a little bit more. took me a while to get a deal like that, were as i'm sure telus can do the same since i've heard some frds of mine who's been with telus for long and now have really really cheap plans. but in the end, that is all about the voice plans. in order for us to afford fair data plans, we'll need cheap voice. in the end, rogers should go right into the trash can unless you get ur plans for like $10 from your work place and or able to retention a $15 plan where i've seen happening but its one of those dont try it urself risks. luckily fido started having data plans. (i'm a apple hater somewhat) but it was all because of them thats why now we have cheaper plans so, good stuff. lol
if you ask me, is paying $45 for 6 gb on shift worth it, my answer is no. unless you're always on the go online, which cannot happen since shift has short battery life. other options includes investing a little on the side. you've heard of the unplugged dsl, right? offered by both rogers and bell. that could work in the car too (as i heard) costing almost the same price with 4 more gb of data but, limited to when u're near a power supply. on the side, you can always use your touch to modem up with ur shift. but in the end, will rogers drop the hspa data prices? i'll recommand not to have hopes up though in canada people knows how to complain, but they have no clue what they were complaining about to begin with. wait till mid aug and see, we still have some time.
on the side note, if only the us cdma shift can make it work here with telus or bell. if so, i'll really think about it. maybe i should read up on that. ha
Follow Up
Hi,
I agree with you 100% on almost everything.
I may call Fido to see if they can cut me a deal for the 6GB plan for convenience, I would be willing to pay around $40, for Fido, they get a brand new customer for 3 years.
BTW, I have a friend who used to work at Rogers as a executive, he told me Rogers rapes their customers on long distance (they use their own backhaul network to carry voice), LD calls cost Rogers same as local calls.
Rogers screws their customers on data because if you have GSM device, you have only one choice.
On the subject of CDMA Shift, Bell and Telus will not allow any ESN (Electronic Serial Numbers) that they do not sell on their networks.
I do think you will see competition on data from Globalive, maybe Quebecor and maybe DAVE, the money backing Globalive has 70 million wireless users globally and have the better clout than Rogers with Erisson and handset manufacturers to build a network more cost effectively than Rogers. They can also use current technology like Dragonwave for backhaul or Wi-Max to lower their costs.
In the short term, they will have to sign roaming agreements with Rogers, however, they will be able to offer more affordable voice and data.
If these new entrants do not lower prices, Jim Prentice(Industry Canada) should be lynched.
Remember, the Canadian government allowed Rogers to purchase Fido, Rogers is just taking advantage of the cards that were delt.
Sounds like a plan to me. To be honest, they wouldn't be cutting the cost ON the data plan itself. As contract with iPhone and the fact that data is all on rogers network. The rep told me that himself. However, that all just means not to pitch them that way. They do have $10 plan with no minutes, you may be able to pull it off IF u already have a relation with them. Nevertheless, give it a shot. The $10 plan i was told that was ONLY for people who paused their accounts (though most of the time that $10 is a CR for max of a year) Also, like i said before, $15 plan does include the SAF fee. Come to think about it, you might just be able to pull it off. They might ask you to sign contract for 2 or 3 years giving you a $5cr for the contract term and give u the $15 plan. Moreover, if they still hard push you to the full $15, just be like, "I'm signing a contract WITHOUT taking a phone" so that itself is a $75cr.
Yes, rogers are sons of scammers. I guess thats why they offer so many rogers to rogers accross canada. If you were to go with fido, i highly recommand to do it before fido becomes more n more like rogers (as i see them going that path). Well, fast i don't mean like within days, more like within a year.
I do see strong advancments with Yak. But honestly, i highly doubt thats going to happen anytime soon. With Kodoo (from telus) entering this year bombing the lower class market like mad, it makes it harder. I'm sure they can pull it off. How, i will not question yet since most likely they going to blow us with some surprises (but to me those surprises does not worth the chance of not being able to sign a 6gb deal on HSPA network). I look forward in the upcoming battle.
BUT with all aside, we should just take most advantage out from what we have now. Only god knows how long we'll have to wait till canadian data prices drops. Good luck with Fido! I'll keep you updated if i found out any more info.
WooHoo
According to Fido customer service, I can get plan for $30/month plus $7.95 access fee.
Wooo Hoo
Dave
Holy good stuff! Might as well strike for unlimited text! Since shift works with that. Also, just have the agent confirm that the $30 data plan does come with unlimited emails as i've been told so. Just tell them its for a Windows Mobile device, they don't need that much details, it'll just confuse them. Btw, SAF is only 6.95, if they are charging u 7.95 i honestly wouldn't complain.
I've been hearing people in Europe are getting high end windows mobile professional devices and high end phones for free as long as they pay a very minimal contract (probably less than 50 american bucks).
Is this is true?
Over here in America we have to pay 900 dollars for our phone and over there you get a good contract and a freaking free Xperia? Are you ****[email protected]# kidding me?
Like, seriously, in America if you want a free phone you get these POS:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phones/free-phones.jsp
And also why does all the good phones get sold in the UK? The best windows mobile devices in the USA is Touch Pro 1 and iPhone and that is freaking subpar. Why is the UK getting good phones with good contracts like the N95, Xperia, Touch HD, etc!
I am freaking shocked!
I got my experia for free with a 30 euro a month contract.
Allthough I added 10 euro a month internet and 5 euro a month for unlimited (1000) text messages.
Oh, and I got a second sim and phone (samsung touch something) with it that share the same contract.
While what you say is true to some extent, most companies offer you a free phone with a contract if you have been a customer for the past few years. I got mine without a contract and paid 650 euros IIRC for the phone and 16gb micro sdhc.
My contract is £30.00pm for a free xperia (silver, black would have cost as it was the more popular at the time) unlimited internet, calls and txts.
This is all good aside from the fact that i'm now tied into the contract for 18months......this is the catch
Infact i think most if not all providers have abolished the 12 month contract for any type of handset.
I also greased the wheels a little on the deal as i have been with the company for some years now and demanded a top end phone or i would leave, as soon as i requested my porting number they knew i was serious and put me through to customer retention who basically gave me everything i wanted to stay (i even milked them for a bluetooth earpiece and 8GB memory card)
I know many people who have done this to get a high end phone and succeeded.................hehe no shame
Creamy-Goodness
but its worse in the US, since if you do get a phone on a contract here, not only do you have to pay to get the phone, you also have to sign up for a 24 month contract...
Deals are most certainly better in the EU...
rwholden said:
but its worse in the US, since if you do get a phone on a contract here, not only do you have to pay to get the phone, you also have to sign up for a 24 month contract...
Deals are most certainly better in the EU...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ture. I guess it is the huge number fo providers that lead to this. Competition is good for the customer .
In the UK, Dec08 I got a X1 Black, free on £35 (700mins, 250 txt, unlimited landline, 500mb internet) 18m contract. After 9 months you can also start to drop the monthly cost by £5 a month if you can live with lower bundled minutes/texts.
In The Netherlands, I got my Xperia X1 for EUR 35 / month with unlimited HSDPA internet (3.6 Mbps) and 350 mins / month, with a 24 month contract on the Vodafone network.
I got my phone with 100euros and a 45e/month contract with Bouygues.
It has unlimited calls on weekend and after 9, unlimited internet, and 3hrs included extra.
And poetryrocksalot you shouldn't complain...sure you get expensive contracts but you have really really cheap electronics in general, cheap cars, cheap gas and the list can go on.
I loved living in Houston
I had been with my company for a couple of years... they kept pestering me asking me if I wanted to upgrade... I kept telling them I was happy with my Kaiser/TyTN II and they finally offered me a free (black) X1 with 1000 texts, 600mins (any network, any time) and unlimited internet (in reality about 970 Mb) for £35 (so about $55ish) a month...
Actually I bought my Xperia through ebay because I don't really like long contracts. It was £350 NEW BOXED.
Free Xperia
with a £30 a month contract: 1200 anytime minutes, unlimited texts and 'unlimited' 3G/HSDPA browsing
The UK is seriously behind in terms of electronic devices. USB drives and memory there cost more than in Asia. I once saw a USB drive (forgot the size) last year going at nearly 80 pounds when i could get it for like 60 SGD back home. The US was ahead at the iphone and Gphone release dates, but most other phones are released earlier abroad as well.
poetryrocksalot said:
I've been hearing people in Europe are getting high end windows mobile professional devices and high end phones for free as long as they pay a very minimal contract (probably less than 50 american bucks).
Is this is true?
Over here in America we have to pay 900 dollars for our phone and over there you get a good contract and a freaking free Xperia? Are you ****[email protected]# kidding me?
Like, seriously, in America if you want a free phone you get these POS:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phones/free-phones.jsp
And also why does all the good phones get sold in the UK? The best windows mobile devices in the USA is Touch Pro 1 and iPhone and that is freaking subpar. Why is the UK getting good phones with good contracts like the N95, Xperia, Touch HD, etc!
I am freaking shocked!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to our corporatocracy - it's the most rotten form of this so-called "capitalism", literally based on megcorps dictating EVERYTHING for legislative and law enforcement bodies and getting away free with the most abhorrent market abuses.
This US "market" is completely rotten, corrupt and literally ONLY supports big corporations.
PS: we have no real competition, period.
Europe and the US
poetryrocksalot said:
I've been hearing people in Europe are getting high end windows mobile professional devices and high end phones for free as long as they pay a very minimal contract (probably less than 50 american bucks).
Is this is true?
Over here in America we have to pay 900 dollars for our phone and over there you get a good contract and a freaking free Xperia? Are you ****[email protected]# kidding me?
Like, seriously, in America if you want a free phone you get these POS:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phones/free-phones.jsp
And also why does all the good phones get sold in the UK? The best windows mobile devices in the USA is Touch Pro 1 and iPhone and that is freaking subpar. Why is the UK getting good phones with good contracts like the N95, Xperia, Touch HD, etc!
I am freaking shocked!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without going into detail...the US Mobility companies compared to the European counter parts have ENTIRELY different business models. These business models are initial decisions and factors used to create revenue for the respective corporations, be it Free Phones, but requiring a long term 2 Year commitment, or Free Phones by adding more monthly cost services without commitment. There are far too many factors that you and I don't understand as a consumer that goes on with phone pricing...
Yeah, whatever! Fact is the 'free' phones you get with US Providers and we have only 2 major GSM anyways(!!!) the rest are obsolete crap like Sprint / Nextel, etc., those free phones are the bottom of crap! Nobody get any high-end or not even mid-end phone for free!
And another major factor when comparing prices/plans:
IMCOMING CALLS IN EUROPE ARE F R E E .... correct?!?!
No such thing in the U.S. of A.! We pay when the phone starts RINGING, no matter if incoming or outgoing!
So, yeah.... there is something not just smelling rotten...!
michaelthemage said:
Yeah, whatever! Fact is the 'free' phones you get with US Providers and we have only 2 major GSM anyways(!!!) the rest are obsolete crap like Sprint / Nextel, etc., those free phones are the bottom of crap! Nobody get any high-end or not even mid-end phone for free!
And another major factor when comparing prices/plans:
IMCOMING CALLS IN EUROPE ARE F R E E .... correct?!?!
No such thing in the U.S. of A.! We pay when the phone starts RINGING, no matter if incoming or outgoing!
So, yeah.... there is something not just smelling rotten...!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes incoming is for free, but you dont get everytime a free phone, only if you pick a high package of a contract (per month>40€) you get a phone like x1 for free.
Tanke a llok here
http://www.mobilejoker.de/handys/sony-ericsson-xperia-x1-steel-silver.htm
First value is the per month price and the second is the price for the phone with this 24 month contract... Above youre able to switch between providers...
I got my X1 for £96 on an 18 month £35/month contract (600mins/1000txt/unlim.web).
I wrangled a loyalty discount out of them to get tariff dropped by 30% to £24.50 a month.
TCO over the 18 months was originally £678 and I got it down to £537 with the discount. An earlier poster said that 18 month contracts were the new standard now and some contracts are being pushed for 24months (iPhone for example).
In the UK, we only pay for making calls. We don't pay to *receive* calls as that is the business model the main mobile providers decided to use when the market was still taking shape.
The networks use GSM900 (O2, Vodafone) or GSM1800 (3, Orange) and use EDGE, 3G or HSDPA to provide internet connectivity depending on signal and coverage.
audino said:
Yes incoming is for free, but you dont get everytime a free phone, only if you pick a high package of a contract (per month>40€) you get a phone like x1 for free.
Tanke a llok here
http://www.mobilejoker.de/handys/sony-ericsson-xperia-x1-steel-silver.htm
First value is the per month price and the second is the price for the phone with this 24 month contract... Above youre able to switch between providers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
40 to 60 euros are a really good deal for a free phone u guys. I hope you guys know that....
For 80 US dollars per phone, Americans could rarely get good phones.
Take a look at iPhone, you have to pay like 200 for the phone and around 80 dollars a month and iphone is crap.
I got my xperia free for 27.50 a month (first 6 months 5 euro's rebate)
so .. i pay 22.50 for 150 minutes/sms and 3g internet
Its a 2 year contract.
Good deal or not?
Not sure where this question would go, or if its legit.
But is there a way to get a lower bill? I think Im paying too much and not sure if theres a way to ask for a different plan, complain, etc.
Currently have 2 phones, my wifes and mine.
I have the Ft even more unlimited which is 99.99
family unlimited messages 20.00
Her web 30.00 and my web is 30.00
She has a sidekick and never uses the web. We even tried calling to have it cancelled and we got some run around that sidekicks use Danger server so you need internet adn you cant cancel it or it wont even work. Dunno how true that is.
But 100 seems a bit high for just calls.
Looks like we used about 2100 mins total last month. I dunno, I need to start saving and this is killing me. I hear people saying they have $60 bills, etc but never tell me what they have or I suspect theyre lying. the wife keeps picking contracts..
Thelgow said:
Not sure where this question would go, or if its legit.
But is there a way to get a lower bill? I think Im paying too much and not sure if theres a way to ask for a different plan, complain, etc.
Currently have 2 phones, my wifes and mine.
I have the Ft even more unlimited which is 99.99
family unlimited messages 20.00
Her web 30.00 and my web is 30.00
She has a sidekick and never uses the web. We even tried calling to have it cancelled and we got some run around that sidekicks use Danger server so you need internet adn you cant cancel it or it wont even work. Dunno how true that is.
But 100 seems a bit high for just calls.
Looks like we used about 2100 mins total last month. I dunno, I need to start saving and this is killing me. I hear people saying they have $60 bills, etc but never tell me what they have or I suspect theyre lying. the wife keeps picking contracts..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Sidekick DOES use Danger's servers for anything web-related (including MMS). This is how Blackberries work also (except they use RIM's servers). You can pseudo-unlock a Sidekick to work on AT&T, without a computer and I know because I've done it. Phone and SMS still work fine because they're not dependent on the internet. But you still have to dispute your case with T-Mobile.
u can get the even more plus plan. my ex-wife and i both had blackberries and we were paying 139 for unlim talk text and web. the even more plus has the drawback that there is no contract so u can't get a new phone for the low price. u have to pay full price but they stretch it over 2 yrs so u r paying minor payments.
Nod, Id rather not deal with the contracts thing because something always happens. Ive thought of trying other carriers, but ive been with them since voicestream and would rather stick to em and save some funds.
Thelgow said:
Nod, Id rather not deal with the contracts thing because something always happens. Ive thought of trying other carriers, but ive been with them since voicestream and would rather stick to em and save some funds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have also been with them since the voicestream days and was in the same predicament you are in. I had multiple chats with customer service personnel, which led to me getting transferred up the chain to the retention department.
I let them know that I was not happy about the current price of my plan since other carriers started rolling out more cost-friendly deals. Bottom line is I cited comparative plans from other carriers that would give me more for equal or less, and despite being a loyal customer, I was starting to waffle with the idea of paying the early termination fee and switching.
They were able to provide a few preferred services such as unlimited text for 9.99, as well as some other perks. I talked with many people and had different results, so when I was able to speak with someone who promised me a lower price on the service, I documented it with their name, contact information, etc. just to be sure they weren't duping me.
Let them know that you understand they are running a business and need to be firm, fair, and consistent. Sympathize with the fact that if they gave you a deal, they would have to give everyone a deal--but slip in the fact that you've been a loyal customer for X amount of years with an outstanding track record and would like it to stay that way.
Hope that helps.
Trade that Sidekick for a T-Mobile Comet. No regrets if you do that. Plus 10 dollar data plan!
Like other carriers, T-mobile charges exorbitant rates for any device they classify as a 'smart phone'. The simplest way around it is to get an an unlocked phone which is a smart phone, but not in their database, or not offered by them... as they can determine the type of phone based on the ESN. In this way you can sign up for whatever services you want ala-cart. If you are paying more than $15 for internet, call them up and tell them you want the 'total internet package' this is a term used for their legacy internet service which costs $15/month for unlimited, it also uses 4g. It is not offered to customers under a long term contractual agreement or customers using devices classified as 'smart phones' normally. If you have a android device I recommend using this guide I created:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=19619155#post19619155
This will allow you to drastically cut money spent on voice minutes and completely cut SMS costs provided you have a data plan, and wifi spots you visit regularly...
i would just go with simple mobile and get your phone unlocked
I switched to their new plan a couple months ago. We pay $99 for two lines. It includes unlimited talk, text, and data. The data slows at 2gb (I have never come close to that anyway). The only hitch is there is no subsidy on phones. If you already have phones that you like, you should be ok.
I agree the Value plan ( 100 for two lines unlimited everything ) is the best plan right now. You dont get "upgrades" instead you pay a small down payment then 3-15 a month depending on retail of the phone. So basically it is a finance plan at 0% interest.
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Well, after loving the **** out of my Leo I find myself needing to reup my contract and with AT&T buying tmobile I am not so sure I want to stick around, but so far everyone tells me they are the only two networks that would support my phone. So I ask you guys are there any newer phones that are this loved and open ended as the Leo is?
I mean this phone is just beyond words awesome and I am dragging my feet to leave tmobile cause of it. But with all these new phones coming out and dual core phones I am just wondering if someone could give me some suggestions for another phone this open and easy to flash and hack.
RiffyDivine said:
Well, after loving the **** out of my Leo I find myself needing to reup my contract and with AT&T buying tmobile I am not so sure I want to stick around, but so far everyone tells me they are the only two networks that would support my phone. So I ask you guys are there any newer phones that are this loved and open ended as the Leo is?
I mean this phone is just beyond words awesome and I am dragging my feet to leave tmobile cause of it. But with all these new phones coming out and dual core phones I am just wondering if someone could give me some suggestions for another phone this open and easy to flash and hack.
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There is no phone like the HD2, and so far I'm not incredibly impressed by the dual-core phones. The sensation is laggy, the SGS2 is ugly and I don't need 1080p recording on a freaking phone.
I'm holding out for quad-core devices or the iPhone 5, unless I just get sporadic and pick up a new device just cuz.
I would just wait till AT&T-Mobile releases a phone that gets both ATT and T-Mobile 3G so you have awesome coverage, no phone right now can do that besides the Vibrant.
I don't know that there are any phones like the HD2 out there, but I am in the same boat as you and can offer a suggestion.
Stick with T-Mobile a little longer but don't lock into a contract. The AT&T deal might not even go through, and even if it does, you wont see any affects of it for several years.
T-Mobile has a new "Value Plan" where if you buy a phone out-right, you don't have to sign a contract and the monthly rate is a lot cheaper ($20 less per month) than if you subsidize it and lock into a 2 year contract. You can switch to this and continue to ride the HD2 wagon, or buy a new device - In which case, if you dont want to pay the full price of the phone up front, they offer a payment plan, where you pay part up front, then $15/month for 20 months. So compare that to the 2-year contract plan and you're saving $5 a month for 20 months, then $20 a month for the last 4 (and beyond). If you decide you want to leave prior to the 20th month, you just pay off the remaining ballance on the phone and you're free to sign elsewhere.
Hamburg said:
I don't know that there are any phones like the HD2 out there, but I am in the same boat as you and can offer a suggestion.
Stick with T-Mobile a little longer but don't lock into a contract. The AT&T deal might not even go through, and even if it does, you wont see any affects of it for several years.
T-Mobile has a new "Value Plan" where if you buy a phone out-right, you don't have to sign a contract and the monthly rate is a lot cheaper ($20 less per month) than if you subsidize it and lock into a 2 year contract. You can switch to this and continue to ride the HD2 wagon, or buy a new device - In which case, if you dont want to pay the full price of the phone up front, they offer a payment plan, where you pay part up front, then $15/month for 20 months. So compare that to the 2-year contract plan and you're saving $5 a month for 20 months, then $20 a month for the last 4 (and beyond). If you decide you want to leave prior to the 20th month, you just pay off the remaining ballance on the phone and you're free to sign elsewhere.
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You lost me towards the end there mate, all I know is that tmob keeps bugging the **** out of me to reup and that sure as hell ain't going to happen anytime soon. My plan is still good and stuff I only pay I think 70 a month of unlimited everything.
RiffyDivine said:
You lost me towards the end there mate, all I know is that tmob keeps bugging the **** out of me to reup and that sure as hell ain't going to happen anytime soon. My plan is still good and stuff I only pay I think 70 a month of unlimited everything.
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What he's saying is the "no contract" plans are $20 cheaper than the contracted ones.
The 500 minutes/unlimited data is $80 a month if you're on a contract. The same plan is $60 a month if on the "no contract" plan.
orangekid said:
What he's saying is the "no contract" plans are $20 cheaper than the contracted ones.
The 500 minutes/unlimited data is $80 a month if you're on a contract. The same plan is $60 a month if on the "no contract" plan.
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^ What he said. Just go to a t-mob store. They'll explain it better. Hard to explain in a post.
I got it the second time, thanks. True 60 is nice but dropping the 15 more for unlimited mins text and data doesn't seem so bad...still don't see how unlimited can mean 5 gigs, but then I don't work marketing.
Mostly I was just hoping to find the next phone to jump to for a boost in specs but still having the total freedom this phone gives. I mean I can reflash any rom I want to test and then just throw out a restore if I don't like it. There isn't anything this phone hasn't been able to do for me. I am looking and starting to think no one will ever make a phone this good again.
RiffyDivine said:
I got it the second time, thanks. True 60 is nice but dropping the 15 more for unlimited mins text and data doesn't seem so bad...still don't see how unlimited can mean 5 gigs, but then I don't work marketing.
Mostly I was just hoping to find the next phone to jump to for a boost in specs but still having the total freedom this phone gives. I mean I can reflash any rom I want to test and then just throw out a restore if I don't like it. There isn't anything this phone hasn't been able to do for me. I am looking and starting to think no one will ever make a phone this good again.
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The sensation is kinda like that now, you might give that a shot.
I realize many people sign 2 year contracts because they see "free phone" and think the carrier subsidizing the phone somehow works out in their interest over the course of 2 years of paying $80-100 per month. But, considering the attractive prepaid/pay as you go/no contract options available now, why don't people take the time to do some simple math and realize paying $300 for an unlocked phone and $30-50 a month thereafter is much cheaper than getting a free phone and an expensive contract plan?
Thoughts? Personally, the notion of signing away your life for 2 years just to get phone service is absurd.
Not necessarily, I'm on contract for three years but I got my skyrocket for 200 new. My plan is only 50 tax in and has everything I need, including unlimited texting, 6 Gibson of data, 500 daytime, evenings & weekends after 6, call I'd, voicemail and unlimited network calling. Mind u, some people are paying more for less, but that doesn't mean that EVERYONE is paying 100 per month. Most people can't afford the 600 upfront for a good smartphone, and carriers know this
icenight89 said:
Not necessarily, I'm on contract for three years but I got my skyrocket for 200 new. My plan is only 50 tax in and has everything I need, including unlimited texting, 6 Gibson of data, 500 daytime, evenings & weekends after 6, call I'd, voicemail and unlimited network calling. Mind u, some people are paying more for less, but that doesn't mean that EVERYONE is paying 100 per month. Most people can't afford the 600 upfront for a good smartphone, and carriers know this
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That's not bad, really, but contract plans in the U.S. tend to be more expensive. Like, T-Mobile's standard 5GB contract plan with however many minutes and unlimited messaging is $80 a month, and you're throttled after 5GB down to dial up speeds, as far as I know.
I mean, you can find fairly new smartphones on the Internet (ebay, et al) for $200-400. Expensive, sure, but cheaper than a 2 year contract in most cases, even with a subsidized phone. Consider paying $200 or $250 for a subsidized phone, and you're still locked into a contract. Seems kind of out there, especially with the Draconian data usage policies all carriers here are implementing.
Pretty good deal, but I wouldn't commit to a carrier for 3 years (at least not in the states) because the landscape can change so much. I especially wouldn't commit to the same phone for 3 years now that they're releasing more powerful ones by the droves (sure, you can get an upgrade, but that leads to a contract extension anyway).
I just did it because the ''free'' HTC Desire HD when it was just released and I took an contract where I could change it after 3 months and that resulted that I right now pay € 22,79 before inflation correction this was € 22,50.
So for about € 600 I have unlimited mobile internet with a fup and € 20 credit each month which I can call 100 min with, but my contract is fishy, I take that € 20 to the next month if I not use it, but most time it will just get lost so my family often borrow my phone because I don't use much off those mins.
But when I took my contract the HTC Desire HD had still a new price between € 500 and € 550 so if we go calculate then I just pay about € 100 for the mobile internet and call mins.
So that would make € 4,16 for each month. That is really cheap as aslong i'm in my country i have internet, if i'm in another country I can use call and sms from within that € 20.
But in October 2012 my contract will end so I will not make it new but end it and then I will just use no sim card or a prepaid for being reachable. Because mobile contract are not cheap anymore in my country.
But this contract is my second where I have high end smartphone for free with and pay around € 600 after two years, my first was with iPhone 3G but that contract cost some more, but still in € 600 I guess something like € 650 maybe, but I forget it.
These contracts are so made that if you go over your bundle that you will pay much more, so that's why you get phone for free, but they will also charge you more if you send a text message to another country, for example, if I send a text message when I log on to a german network it cost me € 0,13 and goes off from my bundle, but if I send that same text message from my provider inside my country then it cost me € 0,39 and that is charged extra.
So i'm smart and whenever I send my gf a text message who is staying in another country, then I log my phone on the German network, it has saved me alot already.
This is almost like asking why do people go to mcdonalds?
I have both a postpaid contract account (standard 2yr in US) and a prepaid account with the same carrier. (TMOUS) (long story, don't ask)
I FEEL (note the caps phrase, please) that not only is customer service better on the postpaid account, but the data speeds are faster (comparing SIM to SIM not, device to device).....
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radlink14 said:
This is almost like asking why do people go to mcdonalds?
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Yeah, it is, considering the abundance of other options.
Probably because most carriers try their damndest to prevent people from getting on postpaid no-contract plans. I'm currently fighting with T-Mobile over this and have since left for AT&T which had no issue giving me a postpaid plan without a contract (since I bought my device outright).
Contract worked out cheaper for me.
synaesthetic said:
Probably because most carriers try their damndest to prevent people from getting on postpaid no-contract plans. I'm currently fighting with T-Mobile over this and have since left for AT&T which had no issue giving me a postpaid plan without a contract (since I bought my device outright).
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Oh boy. I'm curious now--what'd T-Mobile do? I haven't heard many horror stories about their postpaid stuff, but to be honest I haven't heard much about T-Mobile lately at all.
pottedplant73 said:
Oh boy. I'm curious now--what'd T-Mobile do? I haven't heard many horror stories about their postpaid stuff, but to be honest I haven't heard much about T-Mobile lately at all.
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I left T-Mobile for a month to go to Sprint because coverage was terrible at my home (I've since moved). Sprint wasn't much better, so I canceled during my 30-day trial and went back to T-Mobile.
In the intervening month I was with Sprint, T-Mobile had canceled their Even More Plus (postpaid no-contract) plans and brought their current plans instead. I told them specifically I didn't want a contract, that I had my own devices and didn't need subsidized or financed phones. The rep agreed to all of this and signed me back up on what should have been the closest approximation of what I had before (500 minutes, unlimited SMS, 5GB internets).
Except it wasn't. It was a two-year contract on both lines, even though I never got a subsidized device out of the deal. So I called them and complained about this and tried to get them to fix it. The only thing they were willing to do was to give me a cheaper option by condensing my two lines into a family plan. I was not happy but I saw little choice outside of paying two lines' worth of ETF fees.
After that I didn't really have many complaints. The service was great, speeds were wonderful and the price was pretty damn low. So I didn't press the issue of being set up on a contract without my initial consent.
But then in November, T-Mobile began to heavily compress all JPEG images on the internet when using mobile data.
I don't just mean minor compression to save a few bits here and there. This was major, significant compression where JPEG filesizes would be reduced by 350%. The end result was, of course, incredibly poor image quality all across the web--and even in the Android Market. The transparent image-compression proxy caused apps like Google+ to force-close when viewing pictures.
This looked awful on my old Nexus S 800x480 display. It looked far, far worse on my Galaxy Nexus's 1280x720 display. Naturally I called and complained. Long and loud. Nothing ever changed. Nobody ever even attempted to solve the issue--indeed, if it was even an issue and not just an underhanded way to try and conserve bandwidth.
After over a dozen calls to customer service and tech support spanning nearly ten hours of phone conversations, a huge number of factory resets done on both devices to placate their reps, and two SIM card replacements, I was done, fed up with the lot of them. Went to AT&T and transferred both lines over. Now T-Mobile's trying to charge me ETFs.