Verizon v. T-mobile and vice-versa

[gokart-mozart]

Verizon costs too much but it's been the only service that meets all my needs (live in Wolfeboro, commute to Concord or Laconia on 28, 140, 129, 11 and 11A).

Has anyone using those routes regularly switched from Verizon to T-Mobile, or from T-mobile to Verizon, that can comment on coverage, etc?

For now, I'm stuck with ABB/Breezline for high speed internet at home, and that doesn't look like their will be a choice for quite a while.

[Lakegeezer]

If you are a Spectrum cable customer, check out their mobile service. It uses Verizon's towers, so coverage is similar in the lakes region. I got two lines of unlimited data for $30/month as a one year promo. Now, two lines cost $60. Much cheaper than Verizon and it works well.

[TheProfessor]

Spectrum here uses Verizon towers. As stated above Spectrum offers phone service using Verizon lines.

Consumer Cellular and Straight talk here use the Verizon network/towers.
LINK

If it is just a phone for talking, text, limited data then a Tracfone with one year of service and a smart phone can cost $50.00 including the phone. From HSN.
Tracfone here uses the Verizon network.
LINK

[tis]

I switched from Verizon to Pure Talk and assume it uses the Verizon towers as I think most of them do now. I have not noticed any change in coverage at all.

[The Real BigGuy]

My son uses Verizon’s subsidiary network Visible. It uses Verizon towers and is prepaid but, he now pays $35/mo for phone, text, and unlimited 5G (not really unlimited because they throttle after a certain amount and drop you off 5G. You have to agree to direct withdrawal from your credit card and you start at 45 or 50 per month but get reductions after x number of months being on the network and making payments on time.


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[codeman671]

We switched from Verizon to T-mobile a while back. I commute from Gilford to Dover, but am all over the Gilford side of the lake often. Can't speak to the Wolfeboro end.

All carriers have their dead zones. For me, I lose signal for a a minute at Cherry Valley/West Alton and sometimes it cuts for a sec by Ellacoya Barn. On route 11 south of Alton there is a dead spot from 4 poles (literally) past the Flight Deck to just before Johnsons.

No problems towards Laconia, Belmont, Tilton and Concord on the main routes.

T-mobile is way cheaper than Verizon. For our 5 lines I am saving $150 over what I was paying Verizon.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by codeman671

We switched from Verizon to T-mobile a while back. I commute from Gilford to Dover, but am all over the Gilford side of the lake often. Can't speak to the Wolfeboro end.

All carriers have their dead zones. For me, I lose signal for a a minute at Cherry Valley/West Alton and sometimes it cuts for a sec by Ellacoya Barn. On route 11 south of Alton there is a dead spot from 4 poles (literally) past the Flight Deck to just before Johnsons.

No problems towards Laconia, Belmont, Tilton and Concord on the main routes.

T-mobile is way cheaper than Verizon. For our 5 lines I am saving $150 over what I was paying Verizon.

Ellacoya Barn is a dead zone for Verizon also.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Ellacoya Barn is a dead zone for Verizon also.

Over the last few years, most of the Lakes Region has been a dead zone for Verizon.

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[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Ellacoya Barn is a dead zone for Verizon also.

AT&T also….other than that, no complaints about their service anywhere else. Very happy with them…

Dan

[thinkxingu]

Just a note that I had essentially no DATA T-Mobile service from about ten minutes north of Jackson all the way to Errol while my two friends with Verizon had intermittent service on the way and great service in Errol.

This follows the common talk that Verizon is available in more places, especially up north.

Given that I could still make calls, that GPS still worked, and that WiFi was available everywhere important, I'm still totally happy with T-Mobile, but I thought I'd share.

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[Cobaltdeadhead]

I have T Mobile for my personal phone and Verizon for work. My wife has Verizon. I'd say Verizon is only slightly better around the lake. It's not enough for me to consider changing plans.

In the winter months I can be found downhill skiing in the mountains all over the three Northern New England states. In most rural areas of New England, Verizon is decidedly better than T Mobile

[cowislander]

I switched from Verizon to Mint two years ago. Mint uses T-Mobile towers. I havent noticed an appreciable difference from Verizon's coverage. Better in some places, worse in others, on average its a wash. Except for price. I have 5gb of data every month and its $180 a year. Cant beat that!

[BroadHopper]

AT&T has the first responders contract in NH. They have expanded tremendously in the past few years, so I switched back to AT&T. Lots of dead zones on Verizon have disappeared.

Decades ago I switched from AT&T to Verizon when analog frequency were replaced by digital. AT&T was the analog king.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

AT&T has the first responders contract in NH. They have expanded tremendously in the past few years, so I switched back to AT&T. Lots of dead zones on Verizon have disappeared.

Decades ago I switched from AT&T to Verizon when analog frequency were replaced by digital. AT&T was the analog king.

AT&T's First Response contract helps both in terms of coverage and bandwidth. Glad it's working well for you.

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[webmaster]

Originally Posted by cowislander

I switched from Verizon to Mint two years ago. Mint uses T-Mobile towers. I havent noticed an appreciable difference from Verizon's coverage. Better in some places, worse in others, on average its a wash. Except for price. I have 5gb of data every month and its $180 a year. Cant beat that!

I tried to switch from Tracfone to Mint last year but the transfer of my number kept failing. I contacted Mint and Tracfone several times but neither could identify the problem. Mint support was not at all helpful and I couldn’t spend any more time on it. A while later I heard about T-Mobile Connect (their prepaid service) and decided to give them a try. The transfer failed again but before I could do anything their support contacted me and said they saw the failure, called Tracfone, figured out the problem and got me activated. What a difference!

My T-Mobile Connect service costs $15/month with 3.5gb of data (more than enough for me) and no contract. The service has been excellent wherever I go.

[mishman]

i was a Verizon customer for 25 years but got tired of their disinterest in keeping me a customer (no deals on upgraded phones but they will give the world for a non Verizon customer to switch to V). I felt like I was taken for granted. So I decided to try T-Mobile but worried the signal would not be strong enough from our place in Mboro. When I expressed this to the T-Mobile rep, he told me I could test drive the T-Mobile network via something I think he called "mirroring" on my Verizon phone. I think I had 30 days to test drive T-Mobile w/o actually switching. The signal was good and it gave me the confidence to switch. When we moved to FL for the winter months, the T-Mobile was weak (as was Verizon) in our particular location. T-Mobile said their booster would solve the problem (for $25) and sure enough it did the trick. We use the booster in Mboro as well and it has strengthened our already decent signal (you can move the booster but you have to re-register your location each time you change). As for the T-Mobile signal in and around the lakes region and going south, honestly, I have not noticed the difference at all.
T-Mobile is way cheaper than Verizon when you consider the added benefits (free Netflix, free Hulu, free Apple TV and (for one year only) free AAA. Also T-Mobile gave me a real discount on a new iPhone 15. And lastly, their customer service reps (based in Maine) are to a person, great. Verizon customer service not so much.
Hope this helps.

[BroadHopper]

When they removed 3G, my HOA lost coverage. The 4G/5G signal is either blocked or too weak.

Verizon insists we have coverage because of a map. They are wrong. Enough calls from their customers in the area convince them to believe us. Verizon sent us the boosters at no additional cost. I rather use Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi calling. The Internet is way better and the calls are clear.

I was told I have the opportunity to test drive their network with my phone, not sure how that works. But I will give it a try.

[burgerunh]

I too recently switched from Verizon to T-Mobile.

I did the "test drive" which was easy to set up on my Iphone 12. I found that the service met my needs and 2 months later have no regrets about my switch. The free Iphone 15 I got is pretty sweet too. So long Verizon! I was your longtime customer for 16 years and you screwed me out of $1500 worth of phone trade in credit!

[tis]

I wonder if Verizon has any inkling that they might be in trouble. It seems they are losing lots of customers as are the cable companies. But they all seem oblivious.

[Hillcountry]

We switched 2 phones from Verizon to Xfinity mobile a couple of years ago. They gave us $400 for each phone (we used our current IPhone 11s)
So far the service had been “equal” to what Verizon was giving us except the cost..now $34.00 and change for both phones. I forget what Verizon was but it was over $150/month.

[Rich]

Last year I switched from Verizon to T-mobile.

After many years of being a Verizon customer, the last straw was during bike weekat the lake. Signal was there, but NO data got through. They don't have the capacity to handle the traffic up here. So everything was at a standstill! Calls dropped, and no data.

T-Mobile has been less expensive, of course, to be fair, the ultimate test will be this year during bike week. Otherwise I'm happy with the switch to T-Mobile.

[TiltonBB]

The carriers usually bring in a trailer mounted antenna and equipment to pick up the additional cellphone traffic during Bike Week. It is parked at the Weirs Community Center.

The same thing happens during concerts at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford. I have some equipment in the area that used to work on cell service but it had to be switched to hard line internet because it would routinely become unreliable or fail during concerts.

[cmanly]

Anyone have good results using T-Mobile in the Moultonborough, Center Harbor and Meredith areas? Currently a long time Verizon customer, but not happy with high costs.

[codeman671]

Just 5 minutes ago the regional Verizon business rep walked into my office. I shooed him out immediately. Not going back, all of us are either T-mobile or AT&T at the office.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by cmanly

Anyone have good results using T-Mobile in the Moultonborough, Center Harbor and Meredith areas? Currently a long time Verizon customer, but not happy with high costs.

We have T-Mobile and a summer camp on Moultonborough Neck, and the only issue we've had is a 1/4 mile stretch near the Lakeland School on 104.

Other than that, and going far north, it's been exceptional.

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[The Real BigGuy]

Originally Posted by cmanly

Anyone have good results using T-Mobile in the Moultonborough, Center Harbor and Meredith areas? Currently a long time Verizon customer, but not happy with high costs.

I’m going to try Visible this year. I’m fine with Verizon coverage but not with cost. Visible offers 2 plans, 25 or 45/mo. They are a Verizon co. & use Verizon towers. No contract. The 25/mo plan (+/- 22 if paid yearly) is unlimited text, talk, & data but they can throttle you during busy times. The 45 plan (+/- 39 if paid yearly) is also unlimited but they guarantee you 50 GB/mo high speed data before throttling. They also offer a 15 day trial before you buy.


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[loony]

Be aware that many of the plans you find at Walmart are 2nd tier MVNOs. Meaning they don't have priority use of the local towers. We had a Verizon prepaid plan (MVNO) for years and it was pretty good and much cheaper than the full Verizon plan, except at large venues such as the sandwich fair or meadowbrook. I waited over an hour to download the sandwich fair schedule until I gave up. I couldn't even download lyrics to a song during a concert. I worried about data access during catastrophic event when the towers are maxed out. We switched to tmobile a couple of years ago are very happy with the price and coverage.

[The Real BigGuy]

I don’t see myself using more than 50GB of data in a month. With a guarantee of 50 before throttling (and the fact that Visible is owned by Verizon). I think it may be worth a shot. Can’t beat Verizon coverage and with no contract what is the worst that can happen? I’ll try Visible for a month or 2 at their 45/mo rate and switch to their yearly plan if it works. If not, I’m a free agent again. Modifying a quote I heard elsewhere, “I came to this carrier looking for a plan & I’ll leave the same way.”


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[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

I don’t see myself using more than 50GB of data in a month. With a guarantee of 50 before throttling (and the fact that Visible is owned by Verizon). I think it may be worth a shot. Can’t beat Verizon coverage and with no contract what is the worst that can happen? I’ll try Visible for a month or 2 at their 45/mo rate and switch to their yearly plan if it works. If not, I’m a free agent again. Modifying a quote I heard elsewhere, “I came to this carrier looking for a plan & I’ll leave the same way.”


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The fine print is that they don't throttle, they deprioritize. Once a network gets busy, there's an algorithm for which traffic passes first and quickest, and it's never MVNOs.

I'll be interested to hear about your experience, but once the area gets busy, Verizon's network just doesn't seem to be able to handle it.

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[The Real BigGuy]

Have had Verizon for 20+ years and never had an issue except for the $, and I have a cheap plan that I am grandfathered into (80 for 2 lines unlimited text & calling but, only 1 GB of data shared between the 2 lines - we do most of our data intensive stuff on WiFi). Phone service has been great both at home and the lake. I want more data for mostly music when I’m away from the WiFi.


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[Rich]

The problems with Verizon isn't your data cap (or amount), nor throttling point, it's that their network can't handle the amount of users in the area.

Especially during popular concerts, or events such as bike week. Heck, I even find issues on popular weekends in the lake region.

[SAB1]

Well I've been home 3 weeks from winter florida and man the service I'm getting is terrible. Much worse than December when I left and I've got a new extender in the house. Tuftonboro had two new towers come on last year and the service still sucks. Twenty two years and the service is no better. Just amazes me.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by SAB1

Well I've been home 3 weeks from winter florida and man the service I'm getting is terrible. Much worse than December when I left and I've got a new extender in the house. Tuftonboro had two new towers come on last year and the service still sucks. Twenty two years and the service is no better. Just amazes me.

But which service do you have that's getting worse?

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Rich

But which service do you have that's getting worse?

I assumed Verizon since the original question was about moving to T-Mobile, but I came here to say my T-Mobile is BETTER than last year at our camp, which is awesome!

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[TheTimeTraveler]

Originally Posted by Rich

But which service do you have that's getting worse?

Likely Verizon. Verizon did bring on two new towers in 2023 in the Tuftonboro area.

[SAB1]

Yes, Verizon.

[BroadHopper]

As I mentioned earlier, Verizon shut off 3G coverage. I no longer get service at my home near Shore Drive in Laconia. There is a huge dead spot in the West Alton Area of Rte. 11 and Cherry Valley Road. Also, a drop on Rte. 25 near Red Hill as well as sections of Rte. 109 in the Melvin Village area. The only response from Verizon Wireless is to turn on Wi-Fi calling!

I switched to AT&T a couple of months ago and find coverage much better in these areas and throughout NE. Verizon needs to be more competitive.

[thinkxingu]

Anyone having better luck with Verizon these last few weeks?

A friend of mine is seasonal at Clearwater and said he has recently been getting 5g UW with great speeds.

I'm wondering if Verizon has started to figure things out.

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[Steve C.]

We are seasonal at Clearwater, now Hunters Run. Dumped Verizon for T-Mobile due to service. Can't say if Verizon is better than it was, but T-Mobile is great there. Wonder if I know them?

[BrianD]

I lived right in the village area in Moultonborough for the past 3 years and Verizon service is terrible. Unfortunately I haven't even considered switching, which leaves the network to be even more complacent so now I'm looking for something else. After 22 years, I'm not going to continue paying more for terrible service.

[Phantom]

This past winter I went through a similar dilemna. “How was T-MO coverage around the Lake.

Well, I can now speak first hand having switched from AT&T (sorry as this is a Vz thread) and can tell you that I have had ABSOLUTELY zero coverage issues other than the few very common areas around Alton that ALL providers have a gap.

I have also saved a load of $$$/Month and have the top of the line calling/data plan.

Adding to that, I was in the Carribean & similary had no issues whereas my wifes phone (AT&T) was upcharged for International calls.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Phantom

This past winter I went through a similar dilemna. “How was T-MO coverage around the Lake.

Well, I can now speak first hand having switched from AT&T (sorry as this is a Vz thread) and can tell you that I have had ABSOLUTELY zero coverage issues other than the few very common areas around Alton that ALL providers have a gap.

I have also saved a load of $$$/Month and have the top of the line calling/data plan.

Adding to that, I was in the Carribean & similary had no issues whereas my wifes phone (AT&T) was upcharged for International calls.

I know AT&T doesn't do international well, but we'd had pretty solid service at and around the lake.

T-Mobile is still generally better, and lightyears better than Verizon for where we use it.

Glad it's working out for you!

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