In just a few days Verizon will be getting the iPhone. There are rumors online and offline about how many customers AT&T will lose. Supposedly people will be dumping AT&T because of service issues. Some even state that they don’t like that AT&T no longer offers unlimited data plans. Well I am not going anywhere. I am happy with my AT&T service.
I have had a long history with AT&T. My household has been a customer since it was Cingular Wireless and we lived in Illinois. I never really had many issues with the service there. For you youngsters reading my blog, I had an analog Nokia cell phone and about a year later I converted to a digital cell phone. And yes, all this was way before SIM cards, camera phones, color screens, and MP3 ringtones.
Since I first became a customer with AT&T I have added 4 additional lines and upgraded numerous times. With AT&T we have always had the option of upgrading early and discounts on phones. We even had the option to get a phone free with an early upgrade after only a year into our contract. I have been using smartphones for about 3-4 years now, but did not really start utilizing the data plans until I upgraded to the iPhone almost 2 years ago now.
I love the fact that I can talk on my AT&T iPhone and check my emails, tweet, Facebook, or anything else at the same time. This is not something you you will be able to do with the Verizon iPhone on their network. I still have that unlimited data plan too. See, with AT&T if you have something they discontinue, keep it and never change it, you will always be grandfathered into it as long as it is not canceled. I have no issues with service. I travel quite a bit and only had issues at CES in Las Vegas. But then again all carriers had issues.
I also believe that AT&T has excellent customer service. I had a family emergency a few months back and knew I would go over my minutes. When I received the bill it was over $900. I called and told my situation to a customer service rep and she quickly took care of me and my outrageous bill. She did not hesitate to take care of the bill and adjust it for a much more payable rate. In fact anytime I call the customer service reps go out of their way to take care of me. In all these years of being an AT&T customer I can honestly say, there may have been one time that the service was less than 5 star.
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Ah.. AT&T? I also in the same boat with you. I don’t think I’ll quit my contract yet with them. It’s quite good, their service, you know.
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I totally agree. AT&T allows you to do simultaneous voice and data, they have rollover minutes, their plan prices are lower, their customer service is better, their data speeds are faster, and they do grandfather you in on plenty of existing services. Sure, AT&T has dropped calls. Who doesn’t? And what do you expect when you sell 50 million iPhones on the same network? Of COURSE you’re going to have some congestion. I expect to see the same type of congestion emerge on Verizon’s network with the predicted exodus of AT&T customers for Verizon. More power to ya! That will make the AT&T network even better once the fickle souls have gone, only to find out that their minutes don’t roll over, and if they need to check an email or look up movie times or other information and make/receive a call at the same time, good luck with that. AT&T is just fine, and they’re not the swollen, uncaring-towards-customer-service behemoth like Verizon is. They’ve saved me money, they’ve never overcharged me, they’ve always been fair. I’ll take that in a million years, a million times a day before I’d take Verizon. (And yes, I did actually try Verizon, to be fair).
I switched to AT&T probably about 6 months ago and I haven’t been all that impressed so far. I have dropped calls ALL the time, my data even in 3G areas sometimes fails me, and I even have static-filled reception a good bit of the time. My best friend is ALWAYS texting me saying how much she HATES my phone because we’ll be in the middle of a conversation and BAM it’s gone. I thought it was because I lived in a small town at first but now we’ve moved to a rather large city and it’s not much different. I can’t switch because we’ve got another 18 months left on our 5-line contract, but I’m certainly not gonna say we’re sticking around because we want to. I’ve got an HTC Android phone which I LOVE, but the service I’m not so fond of. Perhaps it will get better but as of right now, I don’t have a whole lot of great raves about AT&T…
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I have AT&T too and been with them since it was Houston Cellular…a long time ago. I’m pretty happy with the service and I also have the unlimited data package. It would take a huge event for me to switch.
I’m an AT&T girl too. I’ve had my iphone for several years and love it. Cingular was also my first cell phone, I just remember it wasn’t color but don’t remember any more details. I’ve been around the block with other services, but I came back to AT&T a few years ago and would never leave I don’t think. I’m satisfied with my phone and service.
You are right on with their customer service. I was sick once and ended up with late bills and a huge number of calls. When I saw the bill, I got sicker, lol! But I called and talked with them and they adjusted my bill and found better rates with my plan. I ended up with a cheaper bill now and they ended up with a satisfied, happy, healthy customer! Also, I live right at the foot of some mountains and I never have dropped calls, while my son who has Verizon doesn’t even have service at his house.
Twitter: thenerdynurse
says:
Agreed.
I switched from Cingular to Verizon and then back to now AT&T.
Verizon were arrogant and not customer oriented. their equipment was always behind the times and I did not notice any better coverage or speed with them.
AT&T have been courteous and friendly and I still have my unlimited data… and FYI any existing customers that call AT&T right now can pretty much get an unlimited data plan again if they want it. But really, I have never used anywhere close to 2gb, and I use my iPhone ALOT.
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Twitter: geekbabe
says:
It’s really nice to come here & not only see a post praising a wireless carrier but to also see satisfied customers commenting. Kudo’s to you Jess for a thoughtful review with very clear detailing as to why you love AT & T.
Now I get to offer up a dissenting POV
I am a Verizon gal… my Droid 2 is my portable office, I need to know that wherever I may roam that my phone will have reception. Verizon has NEVER let me down! This phone works in Boston, it works in NYC, it works in AZ, it worked flawlessly in Vegas at CES11.
I need rock solid connectivity and I get that with Verizon .. but then I’m a gal that thinks if it isn’t an android it isn’t a Smart phone
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I appreciate your opinion. I dont think Verizon is bad, just dont know if I would get the same customer service with them. And if I am satisfied with what I have why change it?
that so good to hear. i used to have att and switched becaue of a bad connection and dropped calls tht was many yrs ago. Stopped by for momdot follow already following so I liked you on facebook too
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I got my first Cingular phone in 2001 and have been with AT&T since that time – WOW 10 years! I am not always happy with the actual service because I live in a relatively rural area and every phone I have ever had drops calls at the exact same spot in dip near some corn fields. I have called and complained but to no avail. The towers are just too far from each other to make the jump. HOWEVER, I will not be leaving either. The AT&T costumer service is excellent. My daughter dropped my Iphone in the toliet last month. AT&T and Apple worked with me in a matter of minutes to get my contract date moved up and get me into a new Iphone. It was less than 30 minutes.
Also, back in the day when I was having problems with a Samsung phone. They actually sent a guy to stand on my lawn to determine if it was a signal issue or a phone issue. They determined it was a signal issue, so allowed me to buy a new phone at the discounted rate – and NOT start a new contract.
I wouldn’t say I love AT&T but I am loyal to them…because of their loyalty to me!
I am a loyal AT & T customer too – both phone and cell. I was with them when they were Cingular and overall I am extremely happy. They have never let me upgrade early, however…which is too bad, because with kids – their phones seem to “die” more often than mine
Great article Jess – I didn’t know about not being able to multi-task on Verizon.
Have you ever looked at your account online. Click on upgrade options. Usually you can upgrade 9-12 months early. They say it depends on how much you spend or if you pay on time, I dont always pay ontime but still get to upgrade. Also if you call and speak to their retention department let them know the possibility of moving to another company, they will let you upgrade early.
I had no idea about upgrading – I will look into this. Thanks!
I have also been a longtime customer, since they were Cingular. They have helped me so much in emergencies and like you said always willing to help. I will never switch to another carrier.
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