3G ??s...is it that bad?

[treytyler3]

I just recently ordered a samsung vibrant. Haven't got it yet, tomorrow hopefully. Anyways, when I mentioned this to some of my techy friends thy cringed lol. Say the 3G is horrible. I live ten minutes outside of st Louis. Tmobile coverage for data shows me n the middle speeds. Right outside he highest speeds tho. They say the coverage constantly flickers between edge and 3G and when downloading always reverts back to 3G. Is it this bad? Should I have stayed with sprint? I'm skeptical now. Anybody in my area or immediate suburbs wig similar experiences?

[buzzkill58]

You should read the fine print of the terms T-Mobile uses to define their coverage. You will find out such lovely things such as: "Good" coverage means successful calls outdoors, with problems making calls inside vehicles, and occasionally able to make calls indoors.

My Android spent most of its time flickering back and forth between Edge and 3G on T-Mobile. Really chewed up the battery.... I ended up turning off 3G.

[NorrisCell]

Depends on the area. Because they have the overall lowest prices of the big 4, they were slowest to roll out 3G coverage, which means it won't be in all the same areas. The question I would ask is if they've had TMO service themselves, recently. Otherwise, the experience could have changed. Unfortunately, there isn't a way to truly tell without trying it. The one thing I can say is that the 3G is often faster than the competitor's, depending upon the area and device.

[Spiral_ouT]

Originally Posted by NorrisCell

Depends on the area. Because they have the overall lowest prices of the big 4, they were slowest to roll out 3G coverage, which means it won't be in all the same areas. The question I would ask is if they've had TMO service themselves, recently. Otherwise, the experience could have changed. Unfortunately, there isn't a way to truly tell without trying it. The one thing I can say is that the 3G is often faster than the competitor's, depending upon the area and device.

You are terribly mistaken if you think T-Mobile is cheaper than Sprint..

[mitchsurp]

Originally Posted by Spiral_ouT

You are terribly mistaken if you think T-Mobile is cheaper than Sprint..

Normally I'd agree with you, but not here. I've found I get the best service for the best prices with T-Mobile. For the plan I need, Sprint was at least $20 base price higher.

[Spiral_ouT]

Oh I agree, for me, T-Mobile is the cheapest because I need unlimited tethering. For the average blackberry user, Sprint is the cheapest. I just helped a friend who isn't quite as financially sound as me pick out the cheapest blackberry plan we could find. It was with Sprint.

[treytyler3]

Ok so far so good...I have 3g everywhere i have been so far...my house and work were the most importnat and i have them there...we will see though, it is only day 2

[48593039584729]

Also I have to note that with the Samsung Vibrant, it will stick to 3G with all of it's life but it will often show 0 bars. It's the same as like 3-1 bars on my old phone.


Some phones switch over to EDGE easier than others, the Vibrant isn't one of those phones. It can be a good or bad thing.