Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T

[Danny Neal]

I've had my new laptop for a little over a month now. Still without a data plan. (I still have AT&T from my other computer but my card will not fit in my new one) I can't seem to decide on a coverage plan I want to dip into. On one hand I have been an A T T user for the past 7 years and haven't had many issues. Then again I am looking in to Sprint and Verizon with Verizon having some pretty robust coverage. They don't have unlimited usage though. 5 GB for 60$ and .25c for every MB after the 5. Verizon also just took over Alltel which is huge. I dunno how much I will be using my laptop/internet so I fear an astronomical bill. Sprint doesn't have the most coverage (per the coverage map) but have heard a couple of good things about their data from people I talk to.

Any recommendations or "stay away from" stories you all may have would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Steve Miller]

I have Sprint and love it. I hate their voice service but the data is good.
AT&T sucks. Tried it, hated it. Hate the company as a whole.
Verizon is new here in OK so I have no opinion.

If I were you, I would check out the Alltel plans. They do not have monthly GB limits - - yet...

 

[Skip Talbot]

I'm with ATT currently, but I'm going to switch to Verizon for this season because of the better coverage. I had some real problems with ATT out in Kansas last year, even with an external antenna. As long as you aren't streaming data, I don't think you'll hit that 5GB limit.

 

[Danny Neal]

If I were you, I would check out the Alltel plans. They do not have monthly GB limits - - yet...

They don't serve IL though lol. When I entered my zip code for the nearest provider I got directed to the verizon wireless site lol The take over has begun!

 

[Danny Neal]

By any chance....would anyone know how much a normal radar update is on GR3? How many KB?

 

[Robert Rohloff]

Danny, I switched to Sprint data card last year from Tmobile. The speed change was huge. I run Barons, Gibson Ridge 3, GPS and INTERNET along with sending video back into the station and I have never gotten close to the 5 GB limit. My phone is still ATT and even with a amp for the card and phone I still think I had better reception in Oklahoma and Kansas with the Sprint card than the phone. I think that having the card and phone on different systems has at least helped keep something contected more than I had in the past. I also use the data card weekly at work even during chase season.

 

[Danny Neal]

Danny, I switched to Sprint data card last year from Tmobile. The speed change was huge. I run Barons, Gibson Ridge 3, GPS and INTERNET along with sending video back into the station and I have never gotten close to the 5 GB limit. My phone is still ATT and even with a amp for the card and phone I still think I had better reception in Oklahoma and Kansas with the Sprint card than the phone. I think that having the card and phone on different systems has at least helped keep something contected more than I had in the past. I also use the data card weekly at work even during chase season.

This is what I wanted to hear. I use my laptop routinely not just for chasing and am on the internet quite often. I error on the side of caution more often than not when it comes to new technology until I at least learn it. I don't plan on streaming video yet and will probably use internet, GPS, GR3, and Spotter Chat/AIM fairly frequently. My phone is T-Mobile right now as well. Like I told Skip on AIM, I will probably budget a little more money into savings after the first month, and use (the data) how I want to and if I am over, I would have budgeted for it, and if not then all problems solved! Thanks for the reply. Honestly it is between Sprint and Verizon right now. I have to take into consideration that the majority of my chasing will be in the Great Lakes/Mid MS Valley area.

 

[Brandon Sullivan]

I did a Test Video Stream.. Using media encoder..

Streamed for 1 Hour. When you end a stream it will tell you how much data you used..

I calculated that I can stream ABOUT 5 HOURS PER DAY on a 30 day Month and Be at 5GB..

Remember, that is with NO GRx, Internet,chat and anything else..But really, who streams that much per day, all the days you dont stream that much, or at all adds to the available data... GR doesnt use that much, at least not that I see.

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

Danny, the most I racked up on my card in one month was about 3.8 last year with 19 days of chasing and streaming a pretty fair amount all day long with just running video for the heck of it. (maybe avg 7 hrs day for the 19 days of chasing) I also used Internet extensively, GR3, GPS, Chats, etc.
I think it would take a lot to get to the 5gig per month unless you are out there the majority of the month.

 

[Danny Neal]

Danny, the most I racked up on my card in one month was about 3.8 last year with 19 days of chasing and streaming a pretty fair amount all day long with just running video for the heck of it. (maybe avg 7 hrs day for the 19 days of chasing) I also used Internet extensively, GR3, GPS, Chats, etc.
I think it would take a lot to get to the 5gig per month unless you are out there the majority of the month.

One can hope I will be out there that much!!!! Thanks for that info though, I appreciate yours and everyone else' reply. Now the question is....am I a Sprint or Verizon man

 

[Dean Baron]

I used Verizon's tethering last summer for chasing as well as my primary source for internet at home since the desktop was acting up pretty much all summer. I never had any additional charges with the 5 GB plan and I used GR3 most days plus spending multiple hours a day on the internet.

This is a bit off topic from the main question but didn't Verizon cut some deal with Alltel this winter? I know I heard something about this but I'm not exactly sure what the deal was.

 

[Danny Neal]

They took them over/will be taking them over to my understanding. Perhaps someone with that data can elaborate!

 

[J Kinkaid]

Merger info
Right now Alltel customers still can not use Verizons EVDO. In the latest PRL Sprint is the preferred roaming choice. That will change around may and then us Alltel customers will see Verizon evdo roaming and slightly better coverage.

The map below will show you what is going on in each market. Some stores will close and change names others will stay just like they are.

Areas to be divested are at the moment are owned by verizon, but operations of those areas are in the hands of a court appointed trustee until they are sold to a qualified buyer.

 

[Eric Whitehill]

I have a Verizon data card, and I love it. I'd recommend Verizon. PRL updates some on a pretty regular basis, and I haven't had any major issues with billing or customer service.

 

[Shelli Valdivia]

I have Sprint and its been nothing but trouble. My bills have never been accurate since I started with Sprint. I have to call every month to get them to remove stuff from my bill that shouldn't be on there. And to get someone that speaks english...good luck! I will be switching to Verizon!