Best cell phone data network in city? (Chicago: suburbs, areas)

[loquacious08]

I currently have Sprint and use the IPhone 5, so I really hope I have good coverage when I move to Chicago next summer. I've had Sprint since 1998.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by loquacious08

I currently have Sprint and use the IPhone 5, so I really hope I have good coverage when I move to Chicago next summer. I've had Sprint since 1998.

They're supposed to have their 4G/LTE network fully built out by then, so it will probably be alright in the metro area... Assuming they finish on schedule. But other networks are supposed to be better, especially for data transfer.

I find that crowded areas and tall buildings make all of the networks inconsistent in large cities. AT&T has invested a TON of money in to fixing this, and there are still problems.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

Thanks everybody. I did some research.

It looks like U.S. Cellular's rates are high like Verizon's. Their no-contract rates are somewhat reasonable, but without the contract you get no roaming, and their network is non-existent in much of the U.S.

TMobile's no-contract rates are great, so if their data network is even a little more reliable than Sprint's (which it sounds like it is), I'll probably go with them. Now it's just a question of whether I get an unlocked iPhone 5 to use with them, or just use one of their locked Android phones, which are pretty reasonably priced.

For what it's worth, I ended up going with T-Mobile prepaid, but using the Google Nexus 4 (which came out within weeks of my starting this thread) rather than the iPhone. I've been quite happy with it at $30/mo. with no contract for unlimited data on a reliable network, so it's ironic that the poster who resurrected my thread said to forget them.

I was tired of waiting around for Sprint to fix their data network and paying $70+/mo. for the privilege.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

I've been quite happy with it at $30/mo. with no contract for unlimited data on a reliable network, so it's ironic that the poster who resurrected my thread said to forget them.

Well, my comment had more to do with worries that T Mobile may not exist as a company for the length of a 2-year contract starting now. But maybe I was too quick to judge... I just read this morning that T Mobile has the fastest LTE network in select metro areas, and I know they invested a lot in Chicago's network a few years ago.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Well, my comment had more to do with worries that T Mobile may not exist as a company for the length of a 2-year contract starting now. But maybe I was too quick to judge... I just read this morning that T Mobile has the fastest LTE network in select metro areas, and I know they invested a lot in Chicago's network a few years ago.

Yeah, no-contract plans are really where it's at now days, anyway, IMO. I don't ever see myself signing another 2-year contract for a phone carrier, T-Mobile or otherwise.

[NARFALICIOUS]

I've had ATT/Cingular since my first cell phone in 2003 and never had problems in Chicago. Also lived in Skokie for a year.

Lived in So. IL for a year and now in TN. ATT has not let me down.

[Drover]

How the hell did you get a no-contract unlimited plan for $30/mo? The pricing they have on their site is nowhere close to $30/mo. Even the cheapest plan with a 500mb cap is more than that.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by Drover

How the hell did you get a no-contract unlimited plan for $30/mo? The pricing they have on their site is nowhere close to $30/mo. Even the cheapest plan with a 500mb cap is more than that.

Look again:

Prepaid Cell Phone Plans, No Credit Check | Monthly 4G | T-Mobile

$30 per month -- Unlimited web and text with 100 minutes talk
100 minutes talk | Unlimited text | First 5 GB at up to 4G speeds

Obviously not a good plan if you spend a ton of time on the phone. I hate talking on the phone, though, so it's perfect for me, and if I go over it's only 10 cents/min. anyway.

Also, the caps they list are just caps on their highest speed. You still get unlimited data (at a slower speed) if you go over. 5 GB is nearly impossible for me to use in a month unless I never connect to wifi at home or work, anyway, so I've yet to see how much slower the unlimited speed is.

Christ, I sound like a salesperson. I suppose it would be smarter of me to lie and say they suck to keep you all from crowding the network, but it has worked pretty well for me.

[Lookout Kid]

My usage is talk heavy and data light, since I am pretty much on wi-fi networks 90% of the time. I need a plan with two phones, about 2000 minutes since my wife is basically on the phone all day for work, and unlimited texts. In the past two years we have never used more than 2GB of data between the two of us, and hardly ever more than 1GB except when tethering a laptop a lot for travel.

I haven't seen a pre-paid that will work for this situation, but am open to suggestions if anyone has any insight. I am a free agent with no contract, and itching to upgrade my phone.

[loquacious08]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

They're supposed to have their 4G/LTE network fully built out by then, so it will probably be alright in the metro area... Assuming they finish on schedule. But other networks are supposed to be better, especially for data transfer.

I find that crowded areas and tall buildings make all of the networks inconsistent in large cities. AT&T has invested a TON of money in to fixing this, and there are still problems.

In Houston, the 4G/LTE is already available. Keeping my fingers crossed, because I like sprint because of their unlimited data plain (use a lot of data).


From Houston to Chicago...