After finally deciding that it really is time for a new cell phone, I did some initial research and was pleasantly surprised by my current carrier’s data plan pricing policy. I initially switched to them (T-Mobile) because they were the only GSM provider at the time to offer truly unlimited data service, and they did so at a pretty decent rate ($20). Since then, I’ve added HotSpot coverage at a discounted rate, so I now have unlimited cell data PLUS WiFi at any Starbucks (or other “HotSpot” locations) for only $30.
The great surprise for me was in inquiring about moving up to a phone that supports the faster “EDGE” speed data on the phone, as well as (and probably more relevantly) for use on a paired device (PDA, laptop, etc). I was somewhat surprised to find that I can just keep my current data plan, because T-Mobile data plans will cover the top speed that your equipment is capable of using, and that’s all there is too it. All I need to do is get a phone that CAN use EDGE, and I’m already set up for using it, with no additional fees or configuration, INCLUDING no ridiculous surcharge for tethering (meaning using another device like you laptop) that some other providers try to get away with.
2 Comments
You thought you’d have to pay extra for edge? That would be crazy if you did have to pay extra for faster speeds.
So what kind of phone you going to get? I’d recommend an unlocked phone that way you don’t have to worry about any lock downs from the carrier, including a lock-in if you ever want to switch if they get crazy with charges.
Yes, I’ve seen some pretty wacky charges for data plans with every carrier other than T-Mobile, so I wasn’t sure if they’d gone to the dark side too. Luckily they haven’t.
I will blog on the new phone later. I wouldn’t buy an unlocked one for two reasons: (1) I don’t want a used phone, I want a new one, and (2) I don’t want to prevent myself from being able to get updates in the future or risk the system being unstable due to an (obviously) unsupported hack.
The *only* restriction T-Mobile puts on there is to lock it in to their network, which isn’t a huge deal for me right now for several reasons. The first is that I don’t plan on switching anytime soon, and I know that IF I ever did, I could just unlock it at that time; I’d rather use a stable phone until that happens. The second is that I still have my old phone if I did need to use another network (while still on T-Mobile), and on that one I can just throw in a SIM and be good to go.