Archive for the ‘USA’ Category
|AT&T vs. T-Mobile vs. Verizon
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
Over the past years I accumulated a number of plans from different carriers. I’m constantly using 3 phones (this is going to change soon), running on all kind of platforms, BlackBerry, Android, iPhone…
The number one question people ask about phone service targets reliability of the network. I decided to write a quick post to share my experience. This is a non-scientific review based on phone usage – voice and data- in different US cities.
AT&T:
Customer since 2007.
Device: BlackBerry 9700
I was reluctant at first. Heard so many bad things about AT&T.
Reason to pick them was/is 3G. I couldn’t stand the slow T-Mobile edge connection.
Voice: Best network in South Florida. Fewer drop calls vs. T-Mobile. Sucks in NYC.
I do get those ‘congestion’, ‘call failed’ from time to time. Voice quality is good.
4/5
Data: Fast, solid 3G network. Blackberry is a no brainer on the network. AT&T should give up on all their ‘multimedia services’. They are all terrible. I wish my BlackBerry was not infested with so many worthless applications imposed by the carrier.
4/5
International calls: World Connect for $5/month offers great pricing for calling foreign destinations. I use Google Voice for all my long distance calls but I still appreciate the ability to pay cheap for premium quality over AT&T.
5/5
Customer Service: I can’t believe AT&T customer service is not 24/7. This is a deal breaker for me. They take our money 24/7 they MUST provide service 24/7. I hope VZW jumps on this for their next comparison campaign against AT&T.
2/5
Total: 15/20
Customer since 2005.
Currently running on HTC Hero
When I first heard of T-Mobile landing in Miami I saw hope. The underdog would conquer mobile subscribers by offering better pricing, better service and newer devices. Over promised – under delivered. Definitely not what I expected from them. Hoping HSPDA (fast cellular broadband) will put them back in the game.
Voice: Coverage in South Florida is growing but still displays a lot of ‘no signal’. I have a much better experience with them in NYC. Voice quality is average.
3/5
Data: So far I haven’t got anything higher than Edge on T-Mobile network. Even my HTC Hero locks in as Edge. Apparently T-Mobile is rolling out a new HSPSA 21Mbs today J. Definitely something I will try.
3/5
International calls: T-Mobile offers a discounted calling option. Prices are a bit more than AT$T. Again I encourage to use Google Voice for this service.
4/5
Customer Service: AT&T and Verizon are pretty flexible when it comes to discuss billing issues. T-Mobile will not reduce your bill – ever. One should know that. They are very helpful on technical support though.
4/5
Overall: 14/20
Customer since 2008
USB Dongle and Droid
I first signed up for a Verizon account to get fast internet access while roaming in the US. So far VZW has been super solid on all counts.
Voice: by far the best coverage compared to competition. Clear crispy sound, very few dropped calls. Excellent quality.
5/5
Data: Fast and reliable. I use my dongle everyday with no complaint whatsoever. Works everywhere even in confine places.
5/5
International calls: VZW is CDMA and won’t offer roaming service outside the US [actually they do on certain phones using a Vodafone sim card]. I don’t use them either for long distance BUT they have a very open policy to allow VOIP applications on their network. That enough deserves a good grade.
3/5
Customer service: when you offer a flawless product you handle much less customer support. I never really connected with their CS. The only time I needed to change my plan to cut some extra charges they were prompt to credit me back. Awesome.
5/5
There is room for competition in the US and I really hope Google will grab the momentum to invade this space. Only 2 GSM carriers is just ridiculous compared to 5 in the UK and 4 in France (with Free Mobile).
Just for fun I added a YouTube video of all AT&T ads attacking Verizon.
Tags: android, att, Blackberry, iPhone, mobile, phones, tmobile, verizon, voice, vzw
Posted in Apple, Blackberry, Telecom, USA, android, google, iPhone | 2 Comments »
Is Square a sham or the next big thing?
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Seems everyone is falling for this but me. I had to look at the TechCrunch video presentation of Square few times and I still do not understand what Square is up to.
Is it a clearing house, a merchant provider, payment gateway, a mobile POS – read Point Of Sale 
, a technology platform or all the above? I don’t have the answer and my guess is Square is exploring all possibilities.
Whatever is shown on that short video presentation is not an easy form of payment process. It took a couple of minutes to pay for a coffee as it takes less than 10 seconds 
to do the same at any Starbucks. What happens during rush hour when 60 people need to pay for coffee? Expect a 120 minute wait to process payment!
What’s the point of a $200 iPhone PoS (Point of Sale – don’t want any confusion here) when you can process credit/debit payment on a virtual terminal at $0 additional cost?
I read somewhere it’s a huge opportunity for pop and mom kind of business, eBay sellers, Craigslists transactions, farmers and so on.
First I believe they could all accept credit cards today if they wanted to. There is a gazillion solution out there for them.
Second do you think those really want to be exposed to chargeback, fraud, IRS, sales tax and potential liability for identity theft?
Third – credit/debit card sales is not CASH in da pocket. Often I shop at Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market and let me tell you – they don’t like/want your plastic. Cash allow them to live. They already struggle, take it away from them and they die.
So what am I missing? Should I buy the concept because Jack Dorsey – Twitter co-founder- is behind it? Enlighten me.
Tags: dorsey, iPhone, mobile payment, payment, square, transaction, virtual
Posted in Apple, Economy, Entrepreneur, Geek, Telecom, USA, iPhone | 10 Comments »
New York city portrait
Monday, August 24th, 2009
I love NY. This movie is incredible. You feel the city, the ambiance.
Tags: hd, New-York, short movie, Video
Posted in Art, New-York, Travel, USA | No Comments »
2008 – what will remain?
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
CHANGE because an African American was elected President of the United States of America, CHANGE because ‘money‘ has switched hands, CHANGE because crude oil price is not ruling our world anymore, CHANGE because Europe is finally born, CHANGE because China and India have awaken, CHANGE because Madoff created a Big Bang in the world of finance, CHANGE because we will never think the same anymore.
I know this year was rough for everyone but I personally feel very lucky to be part of this historical moment. Looking at the big picture, my friends, will help us get through those times.
The important moment of your life is NOW – reconstruction. How changes are going to affect our everyday life? How we will behave in future and how we will ‘run’ our world.
I’m hopeful new values are arising. Respect and work will take over arrogance and ignorance.
There is no second chance in a global world where butterfly effect is part of our life!
CHANGE is not a concept unless you want it.
We need to rebuild for generations to come a safer and better world. My most sincere wish for 2009 is for everyone to CHANGE. Think different – think POSITIVE.
Tags: 2008, change, china, crisis, crude oil, india, madoff, obama, Recession
Posted in Economy, Politics, Recession, USA | No Comments »
