Carriers

Verizon CFO says the carrier won’t change plan pricing after Edge launch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Verizon joined AT&T and T-Mobile yesterday by introducing a new upgrade program called Verizon Edge. Similar to the other two carriers' offerings, the plan involves customers paying a monthly fee in exchange for the ability to upgrade their device earlier.

After crunching some numbers, we found T-Mobile's program to be the best deal, due to the fact that it separates equipment and service charges. And some folks were hoping Verizon would follow suit here, but CFO Fran Shammo says don't count on it...

Comparing device upgrade plans: AT&T vs Verizon vs T-Mobile

Cody Lee ∙ July 18, 2013

Last week, T-Mobile unveiled 'Jump,' an ambitious new upgrade program that allows subscribers to pay $10 per month for the chance to upgrade their devices more frequently. At the time this hadn't really been heard of, as most carriers were on a 2-year upgrade model.

But that changed almost immediately after T-Mobile's Jump event. Just a few days later, AT&T introduced its Next device upgrade program, and this morning, Verizon made its Edge offering official. So what's the difference between all of these options? Let's take a look...

Verizon confirms early smartphone upgrade program Edge coming August 25

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 18, 2013

DroidLife on Monday leaked Verizon's upcoming early upgrade initiative that some critics readily labeled a knee-jerk reaction to AT&T's Next initiative,in and of itself a hastily created response to T-Mobile's Jump, arguably "the best upgrade program in America" (in T-Mobile's parlance).

Ending speculation, the Big Red telco during today's earnings call officially announced the rumored program dubbed Edge. Available only to subscribers who are on one of Verizon’s Share Everything plans, Edge is being pitched as a "flexible equipment payment plan" which lets you spread the retail price of a new phone over a 24-month period...

Move over Verizon, AT&T says it now has the most reliable network in the US

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

The wireless provider industry here in the United States is dominated by 4 major carriers: Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. You could actually narrow it down even further, to two carriers, as Verizon and AT&T are much larger than the other two.

And both carriers have their strengths. Verizon is known for having an expansive and reliable network, offering more coverage in more places, while AT&T is known for its network's speed. But AT&T is now claiming it has the most reliable network too...

The problem with smartphones: they’re losing their cool and wow factor

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 17, 2013

It has been six years since Apple introduced the original iPhone. The event was likened to a seismic shift that ignited the push to adopt smartphones in the United States. Now with up to 70 percent of subscribers owning smartphones, the big three carriers are searching for ways to encourage upgrades.

However, the push comes as consumers complain the 'wow' factor is missing from the industry. The slowdown in smartphone upgrades - evident in Samsung and Apple's sales - fell nine percent in 2012 with 68 million U.S. subscribers upgrading their devices, according to a Wednesday Wall Street Journal report...

Why AT&T’s ‘Next’ device upgrade program is a bad deal

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Yesterday, AT&T introduced a new device upgrade program called AT&T Next. An obvious response to T-Mobile's 'Jump' plan, Next will allow customers, willing to pay a monthly fee, to trade in their device and upgrade to a brand new one every 12 months.

At first glance, this sounds like a good deal. After all, the carrier's current policy is that you only get a subsidized equipment upgrade every 24 months. But after crunching a few numbers, it's fairly clear that the Next plan is actually a big ripoff for customers...

AT&T introduces new ‘AT&T Next’ device upgrade program

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Well that didn't take very long. Just hours after a report surfaced regarding Verizon's plan for a new device upgrade program, AT&T announced a new upgrade plan of its own. It's called 'AT&T Next,' and its description sounds awfully familiar.

The AT&T Next program will allow subscribers to purchase a new smartphone or tablet every twelve months with no activation, upgrade or financing fees. The catch is, they'll have to make monthly payments equal to 1/20th the device's retail cost...

Verizon to allow more frequent device upgrades with new ‘VZ Edge’ plan

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 12, 2018

It looks like T-Mobile's recent Uncarrier campaign is starting to catch the attention of the other major US carriers, because hot on the heels of it announcing its new 'Jump' upgrade program, comes word that Verizon may be following suit.

The news comes this afternoon in the form of a [purported] leaked Big Red training slide. The slide details 'VZ Edge,' a new upgrade plan that allows Verizon subscribers to pay a monthly fee for the ability to upgrade their devices more frequently...

AT&T buying prepaid U.S. telco Leap Wireless

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 12, 2013

In another sign of a major consolidation taking place in the U.S. wireless industry, carrier telco on Friday made known its intention to buy regional prepaid carrier Leap Wireless.

AT&T has agreed to pay $15 per share in cash to acquire all of Leap Wireless’s assets. As you know, Leap provides wireless services through its prepaid Cricket Wireless brand.

The transaction, pending customary regulatory approval, is meant to bolster AT&T’s coverage, enhance its spectrum, increase AT&T's retail store presence and make AT&T more competitive to customers interested in low-cost prepaid service...

Russia’s #3 carrier Beeline drops iPhone over ‘harsh conditions’

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 12, 2013

Looks like Apple's just been dealt a major blow over in Russia as another carrier reportedly quit selling iPhones. Vimplecom-owned Beeline, the nation's third-largest wireless carrier, has allegedly cut its ties with Apple. The firm will not renew its iPhone distribution agreement over too "harsh conditions", the story goes.

While the move doesn't mean the iPhone isn't popular in the country (just ask the local elite and celebrities), it does leave Apple without a major carrier presence there. Russia's two biggest carriers MTS and Megafon stopped selling the handset earlier.

Both telcos criticized Apple's demanding requirements: committing to large-volume purchases, generous subsidies and advance payment...

Sprint introduces new unlimited plans with lifetime guarantee

Cody Lee ∙ July 12, 2013

It's been a busy week for the folks over at Sprint. Not only did the carrier rebrand itself as the Sprint Corporation, and complete its buyout deal with SoftBank, but today it announced two new rate plans that include unlimited talk, text and data.

While the unlimited data itself is notable—few carriers still offer this—the real highlight of the plans is the lifetime guarantee. That's right, in a world where the rules seem to change every other year, Sprint is promising unlimited everything, forever...

T-Mobile unveils Jump, ‘the best upgrade program in America’

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

So, both AT&T and Verizon are now making you wait longer to upgrade to a brand spanking new smartphone, going from 20 to 24 months?

That's exactly where T-Mobile is hoping to leapfrog the nation's leading telcos with its new upgrade initiative called Jump.

As reported earlier today, Jump basically lets you upgrade when you want, not when you're told ("two years is too tong to wait" to upgrade your phone").

More precisely, you can upgrade up to twice a year as soon as six months from enrollment. So welcome to the Jump upgrade club my friend and don't forget to jump past the fold (pun intended) for the full breakdown...