How is T-Mobile in Chicago area?

[CaymanDreamin]

My son is on my AT&T account, but we're looking at switching his Focus S to T-Mo and one of their monthly plans. First question, will his Focus S work ok on their network and secondly, how is the service here (southwest burbs of Chicago)? Thanks for your input.

Sent from my SGH-i937 using Board Express

 

[wolf1891]

I'm in the western 'burbs and I've been pretty pleased with t-mo's coverage for the most part (there are a few rather odd dead zones that I've found). Check the coverage maps on the t-mo website and you'll be able to get a pretty accurate picture of how good a connection he would be able to expect in your part of the Chicago area.

As for using a Focus S on the t-mo network... it should work but, I'm pretty sure you'd be limited to Edge (2g) speeds with it so, that might be an issue for him and would certainly need to be considered).

 

[selfcreation]

hey CaymanDreaming,

First thing you wana do is check the network that your Focus has and the one that the carrier has/ and see if they use the same frequency.

you can actually call T-mo and give your ESN/MEID/IMIE to a rep ont he phone and they can check if its compatible.

regarding the reception in Chicago , im not sure

 

[bear_lx]

check this out
Cell Phone Coverage Map in Chicago, IL - Page 1 of 38 - CellReception.com

 

[CaymanDreamin]

Thanks for the feedback. Won't the Focus S be compatible with their 4G?

Sent from my SGH-i937 using Board Express

 

[HeyCori]

Thanks for the feedback. Won't the Focus S be compatible with their 4G?

Sent from my SGH-i937 using Board Express

Not until T-Mobile finishes re-farming their towers to work on AT&T's signals. You're looking at late 2012 through mid 2013.

 

[CaymanDreamin]

Just making sure I understand, if he went with a 710, he would have T-Mo 4G in our area, but if he stays with his Focus S he won't because T-Mo's 4G is different from AT&T.

Sent from my SGH-i937 using Board Express

 

[jfa1]

yes for now!

 

[eric12341]

Well according to the latest PCMag study T-mobile was declared the fastest and most reliable network in the north central rural/suburban region. I myself have experienced better signals and speeds across Chicagoland than anything I've seen on sprint. So you won't be disappointed on that front and regarding the focus S it will only be EDGE until T-Mobile completes their rollout of HSPA/+ on the PCS band which should be in the colder months.

 

[CaymanDreamin]

Thanks for all the feedback, WPCentral forums and the Windows Phone community are the best!

Sent from my SGH-i937 using Board Express