Regional Talk > Connecticut Chat > [RANT] AT&T blowing smoke ...

[RANT] AT&T blowing smoke ...

Recently, we’ve added more voice and data capacity to 387 cell sites in Connecticut. We’ve also built more than 8 new cell sites while expanding the mobile broadband network by enhancing more than 7 cell sites, increasing the number of radio frequencies that can connect to our network.

Probably 8 and planning to do more
That's like the ads for lawyer X who was rated one of the best 348 in the state.

reply to ctgreybeard
Maybe there is no one working for them that can count. That's come to light before.

O.
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Windsor, Home of the Decorative Zamboni

reply to ctgreybeard
and they now offer 4G in more than 1 place, nationally...

Including the stealth farmer's silo cell tower (shared by AT&T and Verizon) one street over from where I live. It's now 4G for AT&T (or at least HSPA+ 4G; the AT&T prepaid modem I'm playing with has HSPA+ but not LTE). Main internet connection for me is Millenicom/Verizon 3G but wanted to see what the competition is like...I'm impressed with the new AT&T speed upgrade (originally the AT&T stealth tower was EDGE and then 3G). Get 1 to 2 mbps with Verizon 3G and get 6 to 10 mbps with AT&T 4G.

Can't retest any more because I deactivated the Millenicom/Verizon modem about a month ago. This was a typical speed I got with the Verizon modem using various servers...was usually in between 1 and 2 mbps with the modem parked right on the window sill. Fastest I ever tested in any location was once I got 2.75 (at home very late at night) and another time 2.5 (in Houston airport very early in the morning).

Have since moved on to AT&T. Walked into an AT&T store, got a Momentum LTE modem (upgraded from the prepaid modem I was testing that had 4g but no LTE) and signed a contract with a corporate FAN discount. Needed this on a trip to STT through SJU. It was in-network on AT&T but would have been hundreds of dollars in roaming charges if I had stayed with Verizon. Plus I'm saving $15 each month on service.

Both are fine carriers but it's just AT&T better serves my data needs now.

I also just signed up last night for Netzero/Clear on their 200 mb a month free for a year plan. Really just as a wireless backup and to give me a little extra data allotment each month. Either will plug straight into my Mac or into a battery powered Cradlepoint router to create a mifi device. Might upgrade after a year to a smaller paid plan if it works out well. Used Juno, Netzero and Bluelight dial-up service a few years back (separately before they merged under the United Online holding company) before I switched to purely wireless data. And yes, I am aware of the coverage limitations of a purely Clear network footprint

reply to ctgreybeard
Great, maybe I can use this to call their bluff after getting throttled on my iPhone......

reply to GadgetKen
I'm thinking of going with the Clear free plan for a trial. I'd get their mobile hotspot device ($100) to replace my Virgin MiFi which has worked very well but the pricing plans are restrictive. I don't use it much at all but it's very handy when I need it. After the year I'd probably go for the $10/mo plan.
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Old dogs can learn new tricks!

200 mb is a small amount but free is a really good price to try it out(other than a reasonable equipment cost). Agree the Netzero/Clear $10/month plan for 1/2 a gb is a solid gold value; Virgin Mobile charges double that for Sprint 3g coverage. Just look very carefully at the maps on the Netzero or Clear website to make sure they have coverage where you need it....you either have coverage or you don't.