Getting a 4s. Verizon or ATT?

[jalaram]

I need to order a company phone and want to go to iOS.

I was waiting in hopes of the 5 becoming available through our company's online system, but no luck yet and no ETA on when they will.

So, I think the 4s will be fine for my limited needs. Plus, I'll be able to keep using my 30pin cables, docks, video, audio.

Is there any advantage to Verizon or ATT? My main area of usage is NH and very occasionally MA.

 

[TheStu]

What is your current personal device's network? How is the service on that one? It is a company phone, so the signal strength is the only thing that matters. With the 4S, AT&T's network is faster, and you can simultaneously use data and voice. But if they have crappy service in your area that's all moot, isn't it?

 

[akshatp]

If you go with AT&T check my for sale thread. Ive got a nice 64GB 4S still under warranty for sale.

 

[jalaram]

What is your current personal device's network? How is the service on that one? It is a company phone, so the signal strength is the only thing that matters. With the 4S, AT&T's network is faster, and you can simultaneously use data and voice. But if they have crappy service in your area that's all moot, isn't it?

I'm on T-Mobile and my company has deals only with Verizon and ATT. T-Mo's coverage in New England is pretty spotty, but I kept it because of my grandfathered plan and it was fast in 90% of the places I was.

I've heard Verizon is supposed to be the best signal wise up here (they even have LTE here). But ATT's coverage maps show 3g + voice throughout as well.

Apart from simultaneous voice and data, no diff otherwise, right?

If you go with AT&T check my for sale thread. Ive got a nice 64GB 4S still under warranty for sale.

I can't get them to reimburse me like that. Unfortunately, I have to go through their system. Thanks though.

 

[Red Storm]

If you're gonna be limited to 3G, I would definitely go AT&T. Verizon's 3G is slow.

 

[dlock13]

If you're gonna be limited to 3G, I would definitely go AT&T. Verizon's 3G is slow.

This, this, and more of this. VZW's 3G is a crawl. I hate it so much. I had to call them for support because I thought my Nexus had something wrong with it in a full coverage area. Well, it wasn't the phone. VZW was just terrible. 4G worked great.

Bleh. AT&T is blazing fast in comparison.

 

[mchammer187]

This, this, and more of this. VZW's 3G is a crawl. I hate it so much. I had to call them for support because I thought my Nexus had something wrong with it in a full coverage area. Well, it wasn't the phone. VZW was just terrible. 4G worked great.

Bleh. AT&T is blazing fast in comparison.

even on AT&T "4G" (IE non LTE HSPA+) I frequently get less than 1 Mbps U/D so it depends totally on your area

AT&T LTE on the other hand I've been very impressed with.

 

[dlock13]

even on AT&T "4G" (IE non LTE HSPA+) I frequently get less than 1 Mbps U/D so it depends totally on your area

AT&T LTE on the other hand I've been very impressed with.

VZW 3G tends to get around 300-700 kb/s, but in my area and a lot of surrounding areas, I could average 300 or so if not a lot less. VZW has terrible 3G. You're lucky if you get good speeds on VZW's 3G. :l

 

[Infrnl]

I can oly suggest that you talk with your co-workers o see what thy use and prefer. Make your decision based off your results.

Here in Colorado Verizon has lte and better coverage.but some areas AT&T has better signal. It's a no win situation really. It seems like towards the east coast AT&T has faster speeds especially on lte but Verizon still typically has better coverage nation wide. Verizon 3G here seems just as fast as AT&T so I'm not sure.

Your best bet is to talk to coworkers and friends. Best of luck

 

[jpeyton]

I hope your company allows you to upgrade yearly, otherwise the 4S is going to feel pretty dated two years from now.

 

[jalaram]

I hope your company allows you to upgrade yearly, otherwise the 4S is going to feel pretty dated two years from now.

They won't. It'll be the standard 2 years. I wish I could get the 5, but it's not available through their system. That's the tradeoff with getting them to pay for it. I'm not too worried. I don't do that much with my phones. The only reason I moved from my Nexus 1 to an Inc S late last year was because I dropped it and the screen shattered. Getting T-Mo's 4g was a nice benefit, I will admit.

Thanks for the all the help everyone. I went with ATT. Hopefully, it won't be too painful coming from T-Mo.

 

[dagamer34]

The only way to know what company works best for you is to ask people in your area already using the service. Any other method is bound to give you problems. Verizon doesn't always have the best coverage. AT&T doesn't always suck. Pick what is best in your area.

 

[GregGreen]

With the 4S, AT&T's network is faster, and you can simultaneously use data and voice. But if they have crappy service in your area that's all moot, isn't it?

This is the best advice. AT&T's HSPA+ network can be pretty impressive, even if it isn't LTE. But if you can't make calls...

Apart from simultaneous voice and data, no diff otherwise, right?

AT&T's 3G (that's what it is, even though they call it 4G) is significantly faster than Verizon's 3G. I usually get 5-8mbps down and 1-2mbps up, whereas from anecdotal evidence from friends, it's a miracle if you get more than 1-1.5mbps down on VZW.

 

[boomhower]

Its all about location. Everyone here scream 300-700, I get 2Mbps on Verizon 3G in my area. If both have strong signals, AT&T is going to be faster. If you live in the boonies where everything tends to be spotty Verizon is going to tend to be better. My experience is that in some areas AT&T is a whole lot faster. But get out of metropolitan areas and AT&T slows down real dang fast.

 

[forumuser]

If you go with AT&T check my for sale thread. Ive got a nice 64GB 4S still under warranty for sale.

I can't access the sale thread, think it's restricted for the new users. Is this still active?

EDIT: I also can't PM either. Blah.

 

[forumuser]

Its all about location. Everyone here scream 300-700, I get 2Mbps on Verizon 3G in my area. If both have strong signals, AT&T is going to be faster. If you live in the boonies where everything tends to be spotty Verizon is going to tend to be better. My experience is that in some areas AT&T is a whole lot faster. But get out of metropolitan areas and AT&T slows down real dang fast.

AT&T can be pretty hit or miss. I've had situations where the place was crowded, and I would have full signal but no data connectivity. Granted, it was a 3GS at the time.

The nice thing about AT&T though is international travel as well as simultaneous voice and data. My personal phone is AT&T and my work one is Verizon, and it drives me nuts that I lose data connectivity when I'm on a conference call.

 

[Durvelle27]

just a heads up you can get 3G/4G on an iPhone now in certain areas on T-mobile will be available everywhere by the end of the year