@mknielsen

Yes, yes, we get it. The rest of the world's cell networks are much more advanced. There's nothing new here.

@v4npro

I here ya. I really wish T-Mobile had the same bands as AT&T, man, life would be so much easier. There would be so many more phone options!

As far as the Even More Plus plan, you could try it - though you would have to get the phone unlocked/unsubsidized. I tried to get the CLIQ without the crazy-pricey data plan, but they said that it was mandatory if you're in a contract with them, or if you finance the phone. I ended up buying the phone full price, getting the plan separately, and then popping in the SIM after I left the store ;-)

They're pretty stubborn about that damn data plan. I was, however, able to switch to the contract-free Even More Plus - and I'm barely halfway though my existing contract.

@Wes Steele Ummm,

I freakin love my TMO 3G, and I wouldn't go back to AT&T - even if they paid me $60 a month. It was the most horrifying wireless experience I've ever had. Voice and data were a crap shoot, even when the phone said that you had 3G, and there were at least 3 bars. I was dropping calls more than I was making calls, and 3G was on and off. I tried three different phones.

I have TMO 3G in the metro-Detroit area, and that's all that matters. Never a single dropped call (I also travel back and fourth from SC to MI), and I get coverage just about anywhere I go. I've now watched six of my friends switch over from AT&T now. I would think many other people have had similar experience.

@m854

Alright, well we're assuming too much here. We're assuming:

a.) The phone has GPS, (not necessarily all smartphones have GPS).
b.) You are a person who uses the GPS. Most people I do business with have rarely used the GPS on their smartphones.

Now, I do realize that many people use it, but we're talking about the people who would benefit from the data plan. What I was saying in my previous post is that the data plan is not a NECESSITY - especially for casual users. It also does not change the fact that carriers should not force people to have to buy the (ridiculously overpriced) data plan if they want the phone on contract - in my opinion.

Obviously if you are a cheapskate like me, and don't feel the need for a data plan - GPS isn't of grave importance.

I have a very basic Samsung Slider with built in GPS for TMO without a data plan, and I can use TeleNav without accruing ANY data charges - and I don't even have WiFi on the phone. A rare instance? Possibly, but I'm just sayin. I still don't use it though.

@airtime I very strongly disagree.

Basically, what you are saying - is we should all pay the same flat rate because a many customers are idiots and don't understand (or don't care to understand) how their carrier bases data charges.

That does not make sense at all. I don't pay for other idiots (except when I pay taxes). US cell carriers are getting out of hand with these charges and fees. NOT to mention, you're data is no longer unlimited. I have had two blackberries, and a G1 without any data. In the last three years I have had these devices with wifi, and I have not ONCE paid for a single kb of data. But now, if I want the CLIQ, I have to pay an extra $30 a month? I'm sorry, but that's not how it should work. If the phone "needs" data for extra functionality (total bs) - well then fine, I'll add it on after I realize I absolutely can't live without facebook when there is no wifi available (which is rare for this area).

Data should be an option for ANY phone. Forcing people to pay for anything is out of the question. If these people that come into your store and yell at you want a credit - most of the time they will not get that credit. They'll call customer service and CS will say tough luck. Then, idiot consumer learns about the data plan and may just as well add it on. OR - they'll learn their lesson and stop using the data if it costs so much. We're forcing people to be ignorant with this "mandatory data plan."

Google voice is the best thing I have ever used. It may be the push that will help me win that $21,000 lawsuit for the idiot debt collector who thinks I'm bluffing when I say "I'm recording this phone call." Maybe they'll think twice now before saying things like "we'll make sure you go to jail if you refuse to pay this," or "we know who you are, stop lying.' (I'm not the person they're looking for, yet they accuse me of lying every day).

Oh well, I digress. Google Voice kicks ass, and I think the cell phone idea would be better if you could record calls and block calls as well. If they had an app available for most phones, I think it would work well.

Does that mean I can play "Walmart Bingo" right from the comfort of my own home?

speak for yourself. i live in "America" and i only use prepaid for the simple fact that i don't like being tied down and subjected to bullshit contracts. i have never been convicted of a crime, i live in a nice house in a great suburb, and i have almost perfect credit.

it's not just you... and it's not just the mobile telecom industry - it's the US telecom industry in general. land-lines, cable, dsl... virtually every way to communicate in the US is controlled by the top corporate giants (time warner, comcast, charter, at&t, verizon...)

i think the biggest problem with the cell carrier industry here is the fact that the towers are not owned/operated by the government as they are in other countries - so the smaller cell companies that cant afford to build/buy many of their own towers have crappy coverage and don't compete well. or, they have to buy tower/network usage from the big guys - which is very expensive.

most of my family lives in Canada, and they say it's the same raw deal for telecommunications there.

i really hope this is a step toward the end of forced contractual ties to carriers.

oops, that was supposed to go to the spam post!

my bad.