T-Mobile Versus Cingular the New AT&T

For the past five years our family has been under a contract through Cingular wireless, which is now the new AT&T. Recently we switched to T-Mobile service. So how do they measure up? Which one is best for you?

Well I have to say I have been so loyal to Cingular for so long, but my comparison is not bias at all, as I now have the experience of T-mobile as well.

When comparing Cingular, the New AT&T with T-Mobile, lets look at the plans first. They are typically priced equally. For about the same amount of money you can get the same amount of minutes, not exact, certain plans are better priced then others on either or plan. For example T-mobile offers their basic plan, individual line, with 300 minutes, for only $29.99 month and this includes free weekends, however you do not get free mobile to mobile minutes with this plan.

Now, Cingular, the New AT&Ts most basic individual plan runs for $10.00 more per moth. However you get the benefit of 450 minutes (thats 150 more the t-mobile) but this plan does not include unlimited night and weekend, although they give you 5000 weekend and night minutes, typically more then enough, plus you get free mobile to mobile.

So as you can see you need to weigh your options. Free mobile to mobile is a good benefit, but only useful if you know a few people who have that certain cell phone carrier. With T-mobile you can usually purchase, for an addition amount (depending on family or individual plan) free mobile to mobile minutes. It is my option looking at the two that Cingular looks to be offering the better deal, but not by a landslide.

To throw matters off a bit more, T-mobile also offers an individual plan for $39.99, same price but you get 600 minutes, free night and weekend minutes, just no mobile to mobile. So now T-mobile wins the prize for the best deal! To just throw in one more option, T-mobile offers just one more plan relevant to this comparison. They offer a plan for 39.99 month with the same minutes as their basic plan, with all the same features, with the addition of a "my favs" feature which allows to to make and receive calls for free to ANY five people you wish, landlines, and other cell phone companies included!

I must admit it really sounds like T-mobile has offered more variety to their consumers in pricing and plan features. However, the price is not the only thing to compare when getting a new cell phone. You must also take into consideration their coverage area, what good is a cell phone if you cant make calls because there are not enough towers to give you a signal, right?

Well, Cingulars slogan has been "raising the bar, more bars in more places" I for one found this to be true. I loved that in most places, my cell phone worked where a lot of other people couldn't get a signal, one of the worse was sprint. I hardly ever dropped a call unless I was really in the middle of nowhere though with Cingular. However this all depends on your area. If you live in the middle of nowhere, for example, you probably won't get a signal no matter the slogan.

T-mobile is a little weaker in this side of the comparison. Not by much, I have very little dropped calls, but none the less, they exist, and while I could talk anywhere in my house before, i find my T-Mobile phone doesn't give great service in my bedroom. From my own observation, anywhere T-Mobile works Cingular will most likely have a signal too, but Cingular, the New AT&T may work even where your T-Mobile does not.

Both companies excel in customer satisfaction, hands down, both make customers the priority. Both T-Mobile and Cingular the New AT&T advertise well, so you have a good chance of knowing someone if you do get free mobile to mobile, who uses their service. Both offer free on line management, where you can make changes to your plan, view minutes used, and view your balance. The one this I do favor in T-Mobile is their minutes usage is up to the minute, where as Cingulars is up to three days behind. Both Cingular and T-Mobile also offer the newest feature in cell phones, text messaging, Internet usage, ring tones and more, all at a price of course. As well, as both also offer family plans, with additional line usage at the same cost. It seems the real decision is based on your location and what plan personally fits you best.