Cell Provider

[Scotty1981]

I am currently on Sprint network but I want to switch to a GSM network so I can swap the sim card out with a local carrier when travelling in other countries, specifically Vinaphone in Vietnam mostly. The only two GSM options in the US as far as I am aware are AT&T and T-Mobile. I want to know which one is the better choice to go with both performance of the network and cost of a family/data plan. Looking to do the switch when my current contract is up in June 2013 and will be going with a Galaxy S3 or if it is availble then S4. From what I can find on reviews of both companies in the Ohio region AT&T seems to be favored but I wanted to see if I can get some feedback from anyone on here.
THanks, Scotty

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Scotty1981
I am currently on Sprint network but I want to switch to a GSM network so I can swap the sim card out with a local carrier when travelling in other countries, specifically Vinaphone in Vietnam mostly. The only two GSM options in the US as far as I am aware are AT&T and T-Mobile. I want to know which one is the better choice to go with both performance of the network and cost of a family/data plan. Looking to do the switch when my current contract is up in June 2013 and will be going with a Galaxy S3 or if it is availble then S4. From what I can find on reviews of both companies in the Ohio region AT&T seems to be favored but I wanted to see if I can get some feedback from anyone on here.
THanks, Scotty


As much as I dont' care much for AT&T, they are a better choice for coverage than T-mobile is. Not to mention phone selection.

 

[MrQuackers]

Check out Straight Talk

Straight Talk Sim

Service is $45 and unlimited. About $42 if you buy the 6 month card. International unlimited is $60

 

[AuthorEditor]

Straight Talk or Net10 (prepaid, but using AT&T and T-Mobile networks) allow you to bring in a GSM phone and they both offer $45 per month unlimited, but I understand that Net10 allows free roaming on T-Mobile towers when necessary, so coverage is even better. I have tried both. Net10 coverage does seem better, and is generally excellent. However, don't buy a Staight Talk or Net10 Phone or you won't later be able to use on other GSM networks! Somehow they lock their phones to only be used on ST and N10. You can bring in your own unlocked phone and get a SIM card from them.

 

[Scotty1981]

I really like my Galaxy S phone I have now and want to upgrade to the newer version but can't afford to buy it outright so I will sign up for a 2 year contract prob with AT&T as it seems like they are the better choice between them and Tmobile. It is cheaper for me to just swap out the SIM with a local carrier when traveling to Vietnam so I would rather just stick with doing that. I just need to get a GSM carrier that uses SIM cards that I can take out. Also this helps my Inlaws because when I upgrade I can just mail them my old phones and they can get a decent used phone for free instead of buying one local, there are alot of cheap knockoffs over there and it's hard to know whos honest and who isn't when shopping.

 

[Brons2]

Originally Posted By: Scotty1981
I am currently on Sprint network but I want to switch to a GSM network so I can swap the sim card out with a local carrier when travelling in other countries, specifically Vinaphone in Vietnam mostly. The only two GSM options in the US as far as I am aware are AT&T and T-Mobile. I want to know which one is the better choice to go with both performance of the network and cost of a family/data plan. Looking to do the switch when my current contract is up in June 2013 and will be going with a Galaxy S3 or if it is availble then S4. From what I can find on reviews of both companies in the Ohio region AT&T seems to be favored but I wanted to see if I can get some feedback from anyone on here.
THanks, Scotty


Stay with Sprint, get a LTE phone, those take SIM cards.

 

[Scotty1981]

What is an LTE phone can you please help me understand this? Is the Galaxy S3 an LTE phone? I have a friend that has a verizon version of the phone and his won't take a SIM card.

My other question is how will this affect my using the phone overseas where the standard is GSM and not CDMA?

 

[Brons2]

LTE is a 4G data technology that all of the carriers are moving to, whether they're coming from GSM like AT&T or T-Mobile or CDMA like Sprint and Verizon.

I don't know enough about the Galaxy S3 to give you an intelligent response but I have a Motorola Droid Razr with 4G LTE on Verizon and it has a SIM card and is global capable despite Verizon's voice network being CDMA like Sprint.

I did some fishing around the interwebs and found that Sprint will indeed be having global capable LTE phones, for example, the LG Optimus G:

"The Sprint model works on the carrier's CDMA and LTE technology in the US but should be able to roam on GSM / GPRS / EDGE (quadband) and UMTS / HSPA+ (dual-band 2100 / 900MHz) networks abroad"

http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/19/lg-optimus-g-review-a-quad-core-powerhouse-with-nexus-aspiratio/

So if you like Sprint I would stay with them. Ask your reseller what global capable phones that Sprint is coming out with other the LG Optimus G if you are not interested in that model.

 

[Brons2]

After doing some research, you cannot swap out the SIM card on the CDMA/LTE version of the Samsung Galaxy SIII as the SIM is internal.

But as noted with the LG Optimus G there will be other CDMA/LTE phones that will have externally accessible SIM cards. I would recommend getting one of those. If you want to stay with Sprint that is.

 

[Scotty1981]

I'm ok with moving to a GSM company, I am concerned about problems trying to use a CDMA/LTE phone on a GSM network in another country. I'd rather just move to a GSM phone. My only problem is not being able to find much info on which company is the better choice between AT&T and Tmobile.