The telecommunications giants have boxed against one another for years. In terms of threats, their customers like to taunt the aspect of leaving one for the other, but is there a difference between the two largest mobile phone carriers? Not really. There are some clear differences, such as Verizon customers being tied to a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, and AT&T customers connect to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network. Basically, two different paths to reach the same destination when one considers the bottom line for both.
AT&T has adopted a global approach for their phones. A lot less hassle to unlock, even older models, and typically it can be used for all carriers. Verizon’s newer devices like iPhone 6 and the Galaxy s5 has no issues, but try to do so for that older smartphone and basically it is useless on a GSM network plan.
The real concept many want to know? The phones and cost. Threatening one of these carriers for the other is like threatening to leave the Ford dealership for the other Ford dealership, except one has more colors of vehicles. The essence just kind of draws flat. If customers are not happy with a carrier, it may be time to consider mobile usage altogether. Why? It costs money, and it will not be cheap to receive the coverage AT&T and Verizon offer. Yes, there is Sprint and T-Mobile, but coverage and speeds can become jeopardized.
Price Points are typically the tipping point for customers but many times these two carriers are neck to neck in comparison or just close on monthly costs.
Each carrier has millions of customers, and to offer the usage explosion for that many phones - get ready to cough up some extra cash monthly. Verizon has their More Everything Plan and AT&T has the Mobile Share Plan. So, where are the price differences? For this example a family of three is looking for two smartphones and one basic phone.
Verizon More Everything:
Selected the LG G3 and discovered a G Pad could be offered for free (with a contract) with the purchase. For this price point, the G Pad offer was ignored, as was the Verizon Edge installment plan. The LG G3 is $29.99 with a 2-year contract. Two were added to the cart. For this example the device protection was also skipped. Based on the customer’s data use, the 10GB plan was selected. Accessories were skipped, and the search for a basic phone continued.
*Verizon was offering a limited special for $150 to switch a number to them with the Edge activation or even a 2-year.*
The basic phone selection was dismal, but the LG Revere 3 was selected for this example. In the shopping cart $65.83 was due today, and the monthly bill before taxes was $180. Not bad for unlimited talk, text and 10GB of data. Plus, the phones were inexpensive, add in the limited special and Verizon is offering a pretty cool deal. The site was pretty seamless.
AT&T Mobile Share
Visiting the AT&T site immediately showed me the AT&T Next installment price, which was off-putting. They did have a pretty easy to use filter, so it was a simple click to move to 2-year and locate the LG G3. I did wince at the price of the LG G3, it was listed at $199.99 - more than $170 above Verizon. Since this is for example purposes, two were added to the cart with a 2-year contract. I was routed to the plans page, and it stated $100 for the shared data and $40 for the smartphone.
For example purposes the accessories and insurance were skipped, but AT&T was at the time offering 20 percent off any two accessories. There was also a bill credit of $150 but it was specific to selecting the AT&T Next, it was slightly sad to see the bill credit would not apply for the 2-year. Based on that and the increased pricing of the LG G3, I would have reconsidered, but this is for example purposes.
When it came to adding the basic phone, it showed none, that is because the AT&T Next is on, so with a quick filter click, I was able to bring up the options. AT&T should default to 2-year or show all options like Verizon does. They did offer a free slider phone, that was added to the cart.
The cart showed $399.98 due today, and $195 monthly for the Mobile Share 10GB. While AT&T has tremendous service and a preferred network, there is a definite cost increase when selecting this specific carrier.
What carrier do you prefer?
Paul Rivera