Growing GSM or dwindling CDMA?
Myrmidon
Baron von PuttenhamCalifornia Icrontian
Gentlemen and antigentlemen, I require your advice.
I'm currently hunting for a new cell carrier. I'm also insistent that that carrier be budget-as-fuck. To make things more helpful, I have narrowed down the type of phone I'd like - looking at the Samsung Galaxy S3 (S4 would be nice, but can't hack the price).
With the recent T-Mobile and MetroPCS merger, now seems like a pretty good time to get in with MetroPCS - especially since they're awfully cheap. Metro currently has a quite-small CDMA network, and T-Mobile will be phasing out that network come 2015 in favor of their GSM network. Over the course of the next two years, Metro GSM customers will see increasing network sizes... at least, that's how I understand it. The CDMA customers will notice no difference until two years (though the reps assure me there is nothing to worry about).
As a plus, Metro currently has a 'bring your own phone' deal, where any GSM-capable (UNLOCKED) phone can be slapped with a SIM card and added to their network. Caveat: it's currently only available in four cities. I don't live in one of the four... though the gentleman on the phone assures me that I can still do it in LA.
However:
I am an idiot. I can build a computer, crunch numbers, and acquire a fiance, but my knowledge of cell networks could fill a very, very small container.
Half full.
This is where you come in, ladies and nonladies of Icrontic. As I see it, I have a few options:
1. Buy the MetroPCS CDMA version of the S3 (SCH-R530).
PROS: Guaranteed to work with the Metro network. Company may offer incentives to buy GSM phones in the future as CDMA is phased out. Supports 4GLTE.
CONS: Will not work in Europe (and yes, I'm planning to go in the semi-near future). Metro's CDMA network is very limited. Network will not grow.
2. Buy a secondhand T-Mobile version of the S3 (SGH-T999), get it unlocked, hand it over to Metro.
PROS: GSM capable. Can use phone with european SIM (I THINK). Network will grow.
CONS: Network barely available (?) right now. The SGH-T999 doesn't support 4GLTE, has shittier network speed than other S3s. Not sure how to unlock.
3. Buy a secondhand ATT version of the S3 (SGH-I747), get it unlocked, hand it over to Metro.
PROS: Same as 2, plus this phone does support 4GLTE.
CONS: Network barely available (?) right now. Not sure how to unlock.
4. Buy the international version of the S3 (GT-I9305), hand it over to Metro.
PROS: awesome fucking phone. Network will grow.
CONS: May not work in the US (is there a band mismatch? I don't know these things). Network barely available (?) right now. Also,
Now, I don't even know if these pros and cons lists are RIGHT. I could be COMPLETELY wrong - maybe the ATT version of the phone straight up won't work. Maybe the international version screams out here, and everything is awesome. Maybe the T999 doesn't actually suck.
Professional opinions, chaps: WAT DO? CDMA or GSM? Go for scary unlock-oh-god-will-this-even-work or safe CDMA and gamble on later company incentives?
HALP
tl;dr Should I go with a guaranteed-to-work CDMA phone on a moderately sized network, or risk trying to unlock a GSM phone to a small-ass network that should grow to be huge in the span of two years? Also, if the latter, which version and how I do?
I'm currently hunting for a new cell carrier. I'm also insistent that that carrier be budget-as-fuck. To make things more helpful, I have narrowed down the type of phone I'd like - looking at the Samsung Galaxy S3 (S4 would be nice, but can't hack the price).
With the recent T-Mobile and MetroPCS merger, now seems like a pretty good time to get in with MetroPCS - especially since they're awfully cheap. Metro currently has a quite-small CDMA network, and T-Mobile will be phasing out that network come 2015 in favor of their GSM network. Over the course of the next two years, Metro GSM customers will see increasing network sizes... at least, that's how I understand it. The CDMA customers will notice no difference until two years (though the reps assure me there is nothing to worry about).
As a plus, Metro currently has a 'bring your own phone' deal, where any GSM-capable (UNLOCKED) phone can be slapped with a SIM card and added to their network. Caveat: it's currently only available in four cities. I don't live in one of the four... though the gentleman on the phone assures me that I can still do it in LA.
However:
I am an idiot. I can build a computer, crunch numbers, and acquire a fiance, but my knowledge of cell networks could fill a very, very small container.
Half full.
This is where you come in, ladies and nonladies of Icrontic. As I see it, I have a few options:
1. Buy the MetroPCS CDMA version of the S3 (SCH-R530).
PROS: Guaranteed to work with the Metro network. Company may offer incentives to buy GSM phones in the future as CDMA is phased out. Supports 4GLTE.
CONS: Will not work in Europe (and yes, I'm planning to go in the semi-near future). Metro's CDMA network is very limited. Network will not grow.
2. Buy a secondhand T-Mobile version of the S3 (SGH-T999), get it unlocked, hand it over to Metro.
PROS: GSM capable. Can use phone with european SIM (I THINK). Network will grow.
CONS: Network barely available (?) right now. The SGH-T999 doesn't support 4GLTE, has shittier network speed than other S3s. Not sure how to unlock.
3. Buy a secondhand ATT version of the S3 (SGH-I747), get it unlocked, hand it over to Metro.
PROS: Same as 2, plus this phone does support 4GLTE.
CONS: Network barely available (?) right now. Not sure how to unlock.
4. Buy the international version of the S3 (GT-I9305), hand it over to Metro.
PROS: awesome fucking phone. Network will grow.
CONS: May not work in the US (is there a band mismatch? I don't know these things). Network barely available (?) right now. Also,
Now, I don't even know if these pros and cons lists are RIGHT. I could be COMPLETELY wrong - maybe the ATT version of the phone straight up won't work. Maybe the international version screams out here, and everything is awesome. Maybe the T999 doesn't actually suck.
Professional opinions, chaps: WAT DO? CDMA or GSM? Go for scary unlock-oh-god-will-this-even-work or safe CDMA and gamble on later company incentives?
HALP
tl;dr Should I go with a guaranteed-to-work CDMA phone on a moderately sized network, or risk trying to unlock a GSM phone to a small-ass network that should grow to be huge in the span of two years? Also, if the latter, which version and how I do?
0
Comments
This is literally the worst possible choice you could make if you care about coverage or compatibility with other carriers.
Thanks for the input, but I don't think that's quite right.
MetroPCS merged with T-Mobile about two weeks ago. They WILL support GSM phones in the future, and currently are rolling out support for it now in select cities (I realize this press release doesn't say LA, but the three techs I spoke to over the phone insist it's doable in LA. I'd wager "soon.") http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/12/metropcs-launches-gsm-based-bring-your-own-phone-service/
So CDMA is starting to fall off the face of the earth, is that what I'm hearing? Or wait, you're telling me to not choose the carrier, not to choose CDMA, or not to choose a GSM phone with this carrier? I am become confuse.
They run off Sprint's network, but the customer service is top-notch and the pricing is excellent. Plus, what other company refunds you for unused service? Answer: NONE OF THE BASTARDS!
My one real recommendation is that when you go to Europe, turn every service on your mobile off except voice and enjoy the disconnect (if possible). You can always use hotel wireless if you really want data.
Alternatively, if you really want the Galaxy S4, T-Mobile does offer zero percent payment plans. Based on some quick looking, you'll pay $20/mo for 24 months plus an up front payment of whatever that $480 doesn't cover (looks like around $99). If you decide to leave T-Mo before that 24 months is up, you'd have to pay the remainder of that $480 when you leave.
Stay away from CDMA.
@PirateNinja - Virgin uses CDMA. The only reason I'd really consider Metro is because they're getting off CDMA eventually... but god, to virgin's prices look good.
@Tushon This is worth looking into for sure...
@Thrax @mertesn I do like T-Mobile, but no matter which way I go, this is handing 70-90 bucks a month over to them. I'm actually making less money as an IT guy now than I did as a fake teacher... it's only an extra 30 bucks either way, but I can pinch that penny.
The whole crux of this is, though, is "what if I DID want to gamble on Metro?" Mostly because if I gamble and lose, I can always switch to one of these ideas anyway. There's very little risk when you have no contract.
To my infinite sadness, I don't see T-Mobile's $35 unlimited text and web deal.
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans
EDIT> found searching wal-mart $30/m plan
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tmobile-30-Wireless-Airtime-Card/15443357
"The $30 Unlimited Web & Text with 100 min talk plan works only with T-Mobile Phones purchased from a Walmart store or from Walmart.com."
I'm glad I looked into this - I straight up called T-Mobile and they do in fact still have this exact $30 plan that you're talking about. They sent me a sim card for my current ATT phone (which I must now unlock) and a sim card for a future S4 that I'd like to buy... totalling two bucks (apparently they had a sale?).
Now all I have to do is port my number to my google voice account for 20 bucks and I'm set!
Thanks for the input, you guys!
How come? I notice that my ATT phone does support UTMS and HSDPA at 1900 MHz, and T-mobile's 3G network is this frequency and both these protocols.
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-5736 (this is actually more recent than their official 3G overview, which DOES state it only uses 1700/2100).
According to this, T-Mobile DOES have HSPA on 1900 MHz. Now, my phone definitely handles HSDPA (though no word on HSUPA). Reckon I can still use the D part of HSPA?
Meanwhile, Wiki seems to think they do UMTS at 1900MHz. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile_US#Radio_frequency_spectrum_chart . Is this just completely wrong? I don't see any mention of UMTS in the Network Evolution document.
HAVING SAID ALL THAT, The samsung focus will also do UMTS and HSDPA at 2100 MHz... which is where T-mobile sits anyway. Any reason beyond that that I wouldn't be good?
2) The 2100MHz on your AT&T phone is for Europe, which is not the same as the 2100MHz used for T-Mobile. They are not compatible.
3) Both 1700MHz and 2100MHz are required for T-Mobile, because they handle downloads on one band and uploads on the other. The phone will not function on the network without both.
4) HSPA, HSDPA and HSPA+ are generational improvements in 3G GSM download technologies, ordered from slowest to fastest. HSUPA is the upload component of all three technologies.
5) To reiterate: you need a new phone, or to be content with 2G.
@Thrax - is there a good review article on cell network infrastructure for someone like me - like, the way academia does review papers every now and then to bring new researchers up to speed? Most of the shit I find on google regarding cell networks seems heavily watered down and pandering, leaves me with more questions than answers.