Expert: DebiN - 9/7/2009

Question
Thanks Debi - just a couple of quick follow up questions.

If I buy an unlocked IPhone and use a sim card from a post paid ATT plan, you indicated that ATT would message me that I need a data plan.  Would there be a problem if I do not purchase one, or can they stop service to me.

One more question - I take it that TMobile does not roam on ATT's network in areas where TMobile does not yet have service? Is that why there is a difference in their coverage?

Thanks
Brenda

Answer
I don't believe that they will stop your service, but it is hugely to your advantage to purchase a data plan. It will be very costly on an iPhone without one. They are $30.00 a month. You can add this plan very easily and it doesn't matter than the iPhone is unlocked. T-Mobile has their own network and so does AT&T. The difference in coverage is based on their individual networks. T-Mobile does not have anywhere near the number of towers that AT&T has, but there are areas of the country where T-Mobile has better coverage than AT&T. A few years ago, the two carriers had some roaming agreements, but today, AT&T uses their own network in the vast majority of locations in the country. AT&T is the second largest carrier in the country and T-Mobile is a very, very distant fourth. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN