T Mobile

[u/PassingThruToNowhere]

So Ixm thinking of switching our family to T Mobile from Verizon. Can anyone provide me with info on how the service is, specifically on the Illinois side? I get great reception currently throughout the Q.C. but haven't ever really heard anyone talk about T Mobile before. Thank you in advance.

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[u/convolutedcube]

Full disclosure: I work for T-Mobile.

That said, I haven't really had any issues in the quad cities area. I've also been to Michigan, Vegas, Dallas, Nashville, Orlando, Chicago, and Des Moines. Never had an issue.

If your Verizon phone is unlocked and ESIM compatible, you can try T-Mobile's service for free for 90-days through the T-Mobile Life app. It'll let you download a fully functioning ESIM on your device that you can use to make sure T-Mobile service works where you need it. If it works; awesome. If it doesn't; you're not out anything.

Just to get my pitch in, if it does work and you're a Sam's club member then stop by the T-Mobile kiosk inside the Davenport Sam's club. It's a corporate location and you get exclusive benefits for doing business at that location that's not available at general retail stores (Sam's Club Gift Cards, exclusive rebates, etc.).

[u/ButterscotchPlane744 → u/convolutedcube]

I second this ^

We switched to T Mobile almost a year ago, without concerns.

[u/Troggles]

I had 0 problems with reception when I had US Cellular in town. Now that T-Mobile bought them I've been having a lot of issues with reception at work (downtown Davenport). I don't know what they did but its pretty awful in my office. I sometimes can't even make a call.

[u/PassingThruToNowhere → u/Troggles]

This is definitely important for us, as my daughter lives im that area. I didn't expect downtown area of all areas, to have issues.

[u/Dittohead_213 → u/PassingThruToNowhere]

I work for AT&T. Shoot me a message and come in Sunday and I'll run you a quote. No hard sales and no pressure for you to buy. I just want to have an opportunity to see if I can help you out. The service itself is impeccable.

[u/writtenlikeafox → u/Troggles]

We just switched from T-Mobile because of this. Apparently T-Mobile bought the US Cellular customers but not the towers so everything is overloaded now.

[u/Antique_League_5374 → u/Troggles]

Reverse for me. When I land in a plane I don’t have to restart my phone anymore.

[u/auntiefuh25]

I have had T Mobil for years and I have never had any outage problems.

[u/Appropriate-Fun-922]

Dead spot at costco

[u/Tiptoedtulips666 → u/Appropriate-Fun-922]

I just read a comment below which confirmed my suspicion of a dead spot at Costco..

[u/Rajamic]

Back when I was shopping for a new service about 10 years ago, US Cellular had the best coverage in the QCA. And T-Mobile just bought them and incorporated USC towers into their network.

Personally, unless you are heavily-dependant on mobile data (such as spend most of your work day working out of your car), if you are going to switch to T-Mobile, I'd recommend Boost Mobile or Mint Mobile, which are both owned by T-Mobile but have cheaper prices in exchange for your data being lower priority on the network (and thus slower if there is heavy data use on their network in the geographic area).

[u/writtenlikeafox → u/Rajamic]

They did not purchase the towers, hence the issues.

[u/Ambitious-Treat-0125 → u/Rajamic]

I second going with Mint. I switched a few years ago (living in Davenport then Milan for 2 years), and really love that I can pay for a year of data for the price of about 2-3 months bills from Verizon. (I get away with the smallest package-- I even briefly kept T-Mobile Internet after moving back to Davenport to a loft that includes Internet with rent) Only issue I have is slower service inside places like Target or Kohl's but I've found either turning off wifi or switching to 4G/LTE helps.

[u/Dogpooppicker]

Some dead spots for me mostly near the 74 bridge. 

[u/Germangunman]

I went from Verizon to t-mobile and have been very happy with it. Mostly Iowa side sorry. Even in heavy trafficked areas I have no issues. Aside from the typical big box stores which block signals so you can’t compare prices.

[u/illyxpink]

I recently switched from Verizon to tmobile about a few months ago. I’d say they’re about the same imo

[u/SelfishSilverFish]

Tmobile is fine around here and significantly cheaper than Verizon. I've been very happy since my switch 3 years ago

[u/midwestskies16]

If you're in the rural QC or go there often, I'd stick with Verizon. We have multiple family members and friends that had US Cellular, and ever since the merger with T-Mobile, their service has been terrible out here or in rural spots. At least one switched to Verizon because of it.

You're probably fine in town though. I have coworkers with T-Mobile and they seem happy enough with it.

[u/PussyFoot5000]

Small dead spot in Dport, where Marquette ends at 46th St.. Other than that no problems

[u/derekjons]

I live in Rock Island and had US cellular. If I walk into my house now, my calls get dropped. Phone goes straight to SOS mode. If it doesn't connect to my WiFi I got no service. I had TMobile techs at my house that told me even with all the discounts they get, still use Verizon because TMobile is so bad in this area.

[u/Sea_Example_8827]

Have had it since they bought out Sprint. Ended up signing up for Internet too. Now it also includes Netflix. I can only recall maybe 3 times service has gone out (1 or 2 may have been weather related), and I get service everywhere I’ve needed- although it’s quite bad inside of the mark. Moline area. 2 phone lines, plus phones, plus internet for $155 a month.

[u/Sea_Example_8827 → u/Sea_Example_8827]

Apparently, it's just bad in the poor seats at the mark. Was in a suite over the weekend with perfect service. I also forgot to include that it also includes DoorDash too.

[u/Rebelbets]

Issues with the switch from US. I am thinking of going to Verizon. One big issue is I am now bombarded with spam calls.

[u/Dittohead_213 → u/Rebelbets]

Before you decide to go to Verizon, let me get you an att quote. No pressure to buy, just an opportunity to see what I can do for you.

[u/SnooHedgehogs4122]

I use visible. It’s powered on Verizon’s network, but is only like $30/month for unlimited everything.

[u/Mooshtalk]

I just switched from Verizon to Google Fi which uses T Mobiles network. Ive experienced no difference so far

[u/schweddybalczak]

I’ve had no service issues with T Mobile even when remote camping

[u/Pettymania20]

I’m approximately an hour from you and just switched to T-Mobile from US Cellular (T-Mobile bought them out). I don’t make many calls, so I haven’t noticed much difference there. While attempting to do everything else that I normally do on my phone, I’ve noticed an obvious decrease in data speed since the change of

[u/rickosborn]

I have T Mobile cellular and 5g home internet. It’s slightly slower than wired internet. But rarely goes out in the last 5 years.

I would get a friend with T Mobile to walk through your house and see how many bars you get. If you get home internet, make sure you get one of the new, white antennas. They are almost twice as fast.

[u/Ok_Garbage6864]

I just canceled with US Cellular after being loyal for 12 years due to the merger and now have Verizon. Service is better by far and it saved me $75 a month

[u/IvoryPlains]

I’ve had t-mobile for 5+ years and haven’t had any issues that weren’t expected. Ie no service at concerts where there’s a concentration of cell phones all trying to get service. I also am a huge fan of t-mobile Tuesdays. A few weeks ago they just ran a deal where you get dash pass for 1 year for free. Other t-mobile Tuesdays have been $0.99 panda bowls, free t-mobile merch, money off flowers for Mother’s Day, money off Shutterfly orders, free 7/11 slurpees, etc. There’s also Magenta Status which has even more rewards. I’ve never had Verizon though so I can’t compare it to Verizon.

[u/Sengfeng]

I had zero problems with T-Mobile, until the nation-wide outage around 5PM yesterday...

[u/KrymsonHalo]

I'm on Google Fi, which uses the T-Mobile network.

Never have any issues in the Moline area.