[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Snakster66

T-Mobile is now number 1 in most surveys. Their 5G network rates as superior to other networks. Verizon has not ruled the roost since the LTE (4G) days.

That is not to say that there is not variance in local situations. But overall, nationwide, T-Mobile is the new king.

Here is what AI says:

"According to most recent data, Verizon is generally considered the best cellular network overall, particularly for reliability and coverage, though the "best" network can vary depending on your location and specific needs, with T-Mobile often leading in speed tests and AT&T also being a strong contender in certain areas."

I still have yet to read any independent review that doesn't rate Verizon as the best. Do you have another independent source?

[FredMitchell]

All providers are required by law to port numbers on request.

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides...ange-providers

It must be done promptly and it is easy for them to do.

[airstreamingypsy]

When I lived in my RV, traveling the US, I and most others used Verizon. It got a signal where no one else did. About 6 mos ago Spectrum offered me a deal I couldn't refuse, so I didn't. I'm happier with Spectrum's service than I was with Verizon. I have their Internet too.

[retiredguy123]

Recently, I purchased a new cell phone, which is a 5g phone. Previously, I had a 4g phone. Personally, I can't tell the difference. Should I be able to?

[RoseyRed]

Originally Posted by jrref

Also, forgot to mention, if you have one of these discount cell phone providers, let us know your experience. Maybe your experience can help others.

We switched from Xfinity to Spectrum internet with my cell phone number ported over as well about a month ago. So far so good with cell phone service. They even sent a Spectrum employee out to our house to port the cell phone number over to avoid us going to the store for a long wait time!... awesome! The bandwidth for both providers is 500 mbps and have a lot of lag time. Spectrum is not quite as bad as Xfinity was, thank goodness.

What is interesting about Spectrum with the 500 mbps is we had exact same speed in NC with NO lag time and had 2 cameras there we do NOT have here!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by RoseyRed

We switched from Xfinity to Spectrum internet with my cell phone number ported over as well about a month ago. So far so good with cell phone service. They even sent a Spectrum employee out to our house to port the cell phone number over to avoid us going to the store for a long wait time!... awesome! The bandwidth for both providers is 500 mbps and have a lot of lag time. Spectrum is not quite as bad as Xfinity was, thank goodness.

What is interesting about Spectrum with the 500 mbps is we had exact same speed in NC with NO lag time and had 2 cameras there we do NOT have here!

What is lag time? How do you measure it?

[MsSurfer]

T-Mobile has a $15 plan for seniors 55+, but it is PRE-PAID; and a rep said a cell tower is within 5 miles of Lake Sumter Landing. I've never seen TMobile advertise that rate after I signed up for it years ago so you have to request it. It has data, but I've never exceeded it because I generally only use the phone for calling and texting.

Regarding internet service, Xfinity has a plan for under $30 with 200mbps which is adequate for me in a single-person household using wifi only to get online, stream TV (YouTubeTV) and for security cameras. Xfinity advised that 200mbps speed will make TV streaming sporadic, but that has not been the case for me; however, there could be a huge difference in connectivity for a two-person household and the number of devices connected. Neither service required a contract.

[RoseyRed]

Originally Posted by jrref

When you post what you are paying for cell service include what data plan you have because that makes the difference between $22/line or $30/line. The data plan might not be important for everyone but for many it is.

Also if you are on a promotion.

Yes we are on a 1 yr promotion for 500 mbps package at $40 per month including 1 cell phone with Spectrum. It's cake & ice cream for a year then the smoking wallet walks in the room!

[RobertScott]

I have always suspected that Spectrum's unrelenting campaign to get me to switch to their cell phone is because their research shows that folks are less likely to cease using them for the other services if the phone is with them as well.

The hard sell started with the phone call to switch from Xfinity for TV and internet, and continues unabated, with a carpet bombing of targeted TV commercials and mailings.

[JRcorvette]

Originally Posted by jrref

Many cable providers are offering discounts on their services if you move your cell phones to their company and bundle with your TV and Internet services. The cable companies are buying service from major carriers such as Verizon and others so it looks like a good deal and it can be.

Just be aware that there have been many cases where customers have had trouble moving their cell phones from a cable company to other providers. This porting of your number to another carrier should be very easy but I'm hearing more and more stories where the cable company is not porting the number in a timely fashion and in some cases people are loosing their numbers. I have no idea how much this is actually happening but clearly there are more and more cases where for whatever reason, it might not be so easy to move your number once the cable company has it. Again, I'm sure your experience will depend on your cable provider.

There are also a lot of other discount cellular companies such as Consumer Cellular and others which will give you the same rates and sometimes better than the cable company. They also will provide you a device where you can port your landline telephone number so you can have a home phone if you want at a very inexpensive rate. You can also go to their store here in the Villages if you have a problem and they will resolve it for you in person.

Again, I'm not saying not to move and bundle your cell phones to the cable company but just be aware that it may not be so easy to change your service or move the numbers when they are all bundled together.

So when considering making this move like this, look at using one of the popular discount carriers for you cell phones and get your internet and streaming TV services from companies who's main business is providing these services. You will probably find the cost is the same or cheaper than bundling everything together with a cable company and a lot more easier to manage if you ever find a better deal.

When we tried to switch our cell phone out of Xfinity it was a nightmare that went on for months. I had to threaten them with legal action. Comcast is the worst company ever to try to deal with.

[tjdmlhw]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Here is what AI says:

"According to most recent data, Verizon is generally considered the best cellular network overall, particularly for reliability and coverage, though the "best" network can vary depending on your location and specific needs, with T-Mobile often leading in speed tests and AT&T also being a strong contender in certain areas."

I still have yet to read any independent review that doesn't rate Verizon as the best. Do you have another independent source?

Verizon is the leader in 4G coverage and because of that their overall coverage area is the fullest of the 3 major players, but T-Mobile's 5G coverage is far greater than Verizon.

Even 3rd place AT&T has a larger 5G presence than Verizon. It's as if T-Mobile and AT&T are building for the future while Verizon is relying on their reputation.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

No, I am not on a promotion. I have unlimited calling and texting, but I only have 1gb of free mobile data, which I have never exceeded in 4 years. A lot of people don't realize that, if you don't travel, you can use free wifi almost everywhere in The Villages, so there is no need for unlimited data. Most places have free wifi, and once you log in, it will automatically reconnect whenever you revisit that location.

One thing I don't understand is why Verizon is always rated the best network for at least the past 20 years. Why can't other networks catch up to Verizon?

It's free UNSECURED wifi. When I want wifi specifically, I try to use an xfinity wifi server whenever there's one available (many businesses in and around The Villages use xfinity for their wifi). That way I can log in with my own VPN on my phone, to my own xfinity account and password.

I wouldn't ever log into a store's unsecured wifi.

[jrref]

So, most are saying the cable companies are offering the cheapest cell service. That said, I wonder if they are giving you a discount on the cell service and making it up with overpriced TV and internet? Maybe a deal only for 1 year to get your business becasue they know most won't change to another provider once they have your phones?

I know Spectrum would give me a discount if I moved my cell phone to them but the price for the internet was still significantly more that what I paid for Quantum. So, my Quantum internet and Consumer Cellular, no offer but regular price, was a little cheaper than the Spectrum deal that they were going to give me for 1 year.

As far as Verizon, they don't offer minimal plans with very little data unless you get prepaid, which is why they are more money. It's the data that increases the cost because they need to provide the bandwidth at all times. Xfinity, Spectrum, Consumer Cellular, and other providers offer plans with minimal data which is why it might be best for those who don't use much data each month.

As far as cable's wifi service, although very convenient, I'm not comfortable on how secure it is when you access it outside your home. Too many ways to hack it. Just my personal opinion. When I was at Verizon, we deployed that service but it was spotty in some areas and too hard to secure 100% so it was discontinued. I guess it's good for those who get the least expensive service then use the hot-spots for data when they need it.

[RUCdaze]

I have T-Mobile for my cell. I pay $20.00 per month and I'm very happy. I have xfinity for my internet and land line, but they are getting ridiculous with their increases. I want to dump them, and will probably look into T-Mobile it they can handle my land line.

[Normal]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

LOL, some days I could use a new number as the number of phishing texts seems on the increase lately.

I enjoy the creativity some try to implement. We had one not long ago send a text telling us how to pay for express lane use….lol ( I guess Sunpass isn’t any good anymore). One of my favorite is the old McAfee expired texts (all we use is Apple at home). Then there is the your Visa was used to pay for a 699 dollar computer (except my visa statement can be read in a click or two with my credit card app).

It never ceases to amaze me what some try.