Would you switch carriers for Windows Phone 7?

August 15, 2010 | By rush24

Please note: This post is mere speculation on my part but an interesting thought nevertheless.

Microsoft has promised that there will be WP7 devices on multiple carriers at launch and I haven’t seen any evidence to contradict the statement. However, I think there is one carrier that I think has a high probability of passing on the OS…at least initially, Verizon. The Big Red’s lust for the iPhone may be finally fulfilled in January 2011, if reports from Techcrunch and Bloomberg are to be believed and their 100% commitment to the Android platform, with the Droid campaign and with further reports of an Android tablet in the works, the thought is not out the realm of possibility. Combine all this with the leaked VZW 2010/2011 roadmap on Boygeniusreport.com that does not contain any mention of WP7 and lets not forget the Kin fall out, this fall may end up being the craziest period in the mobile space that we haven’t seen in a long time! So, if 34% of AT&T iPhone owners surveyed are willing to switch to Verizon if the device lands there, how many of you would be willing to switch from Verizon, or any other carrier, if they (your current carrier) did not have a WP7 device, to another one that did?

About Rush24

Rush24 loves everything Microsoft and is fascinated by the influence of technology in everyday life.

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Tagged windows phone 7, wp7

dropqube

Interested in the thoughts – for us in Europe the situation with the devices and the carriers in the US is pretty weird.
Lucky to be able to choose whichever carrier I want!

GP007

Exactly, If I see a WP7 phone I really like I'm just going to shell out the extra money and buy it unlocked, then pop in my sim card or maybe go get a nice data plan from w/e carrier I like (still keep my number) and not be tied to any contracts.
Jake

As a European I have to say that I am really sick of hearing Americans endlessly moan about having to switch carriers for phones. It seems like every conversation about phones has to devolve into a carrier discussion. Please stop.

comm

We can stop because is what happens here. Carriers and phone manufacturers sign exclusivity agreements and if want a phone that is exclusive in another carrier we have to switch. Examples: iphone-only at&t
HD2-only T-mobile USA
HTC Evo-only sprint
droid-only Verizon

majg

I consider Verizon the superior network compared to the big 4. However, I refuse to use/buy Google products (I could go on and on as to why I think Google is evil). I don't really want an iPhone either.

I may have to consider moving to a new carrier if they choose to go RIM/Android/iPhone only. That would be a real disappointment for me.
efjay

Sticking with T-Mobile come what may, only eventuality that would make me switch would be a change in my location and even then only at&t would be a contender, dropped calls and all. I would NEVER go to a CDMA carrier, be just like locking yourself in prison, being at their mercy for which phone you get, with GSM you always have options, like importing even if they're a bit more expensive. How I wish we had a Carphone Warehouse in the US. GSM baby!!!
Krekiere

Those questions are just weird. I mean, in France, there's no such questions, the whole network is about the same and most phones share common carriers, the iPhone itself is available in our 3 carriers. So I probably won't have to choose any carrier, I will only choose the phone.

dropqube

Yes it's interesting, here in Europe we can use any device in any country because it's all GSM.

Most funny thing about is that in the so called "Land of freedom" you have absolutely no freedom in chosing any carrier with any device – it's just weird.

GP007

If true makes you wonder how much money or what sorta deal google has done with verizon to get them to go mostly Android.
Person

I hate the idea of AT&T and Verizon price gouging on their data plans and T-Mo has terrible coverage in my area, so that leaves Sprint. I hope they have some nice devices, i would hate to have to move.
Michael

No more Windoze, ever!

Drewidian

So… Why did you even come to this site?

Manu

I've been waiting for Windows Phone 7 for maybe 3-4 years, ever since I gave up on my treo 700w. I've been a blackberry user since, but once WP7 was announced I've been lusting after it. That said, it's still not worth switching off of Verizon. Best network, best customer service, and they'll have 30 markets with LTE by the end of the year. In my opinion it will be a major failure to not have launch devices on Verizon. (or within 2-3 months).
qmt49

I live in the UK; can someone explain to me why many people in the USA seem to have a mobile operator assigned to them at birth and never change?

Guest

Habit.

Also, unlike tiny European nations, the U.S. is a vast nation, whose population is relatively evenly spread out with few real unpopulated places, like you have in a Canada, Australia, and Russia. And we demand good coverage regardless if we are in NYC, Alaska, L.A. or rural Kansas.

Some wireless carriers have better, and more consistent coverage in certain parts of the nation than others. Americans dont move from region to region that often, so we pick a horse and stay with it.

Krekiere

Europe is about the same size as US, 500M inhabitants for 350M in US, so about the population it's not the problem. The thing is that we have a waaay better competition, for example : the 65M inhabitants that live in France have the choice between 3 carriers, and soon 4. This is the case in about every country in europe so I would say there are at least 50 carriers. You're not even close of this number in America.
Last but not least, the european union has very strict rules, that says you can't have a contract for more than 2 yearsand you are forced to offer a 1 year contract and a no contract service either.
Another thing : the iPhone for example, used to be on a single carrier in France, just like AT&T does. Seeing the popularity of this product the EU judged unfair to let it to only one carrier and forced Apple to have a contract with whoever wants to sell this phone.
Jake

The problem isn't the size of your country, it's that lack of a standard telephony system. If all your carriers just used GSM like the rest of the world then you would be able to use any phone on any carrier.

peter

I am with T-Mobile and there is no way I go to CDMA network (Verizon or Sprint). AT&T has so many drop calls and also expensive and a rip off. So as long as T-Mobile get WP7 I see no reason to switch.

Drewidian

You must be in a major metro area. T-Mobile sucks anywhere outside of the major markets. I'm on Verizon and have no complaints. I just hope they get good devices. HTC has a reputation for putting their best devices on Sprint and since Verizon looks like they are investing heavily in android, I question whether they are going to do much with WP7 after the Kin debacle. Also if they are getting the iphone as rumored, it also says they won't spend the money on WP7. Time will tell.

Since Verizon is going LTE the CDMA-GSM argument goes away anyhow. Besides with the rollout this fall for LTE there is a good chance that WP7 or any new phones to the network (that's supposed to be high end) will have it.

SUhfas

I wouldn't switch from Verizon unless they started capping data AND Sprint or another network upped their coverage area without capping data.

Basically, the carrier with the best coverage, no data caps, and either Android or WP7 wins!
Slayr007

Well I have heard on twitter that verizon, although not clearly obvious, will release wp7 devices. With a tweet stating that while eyeing a droid, the VERIZON Store manager told him to wait for wp7. Not saying that this is absolute proof of the big red getting wp7, I'm just saying why would vzw store employee say that to a consumer if vzw wasn't getting wp7? I would not switch carriers unless we get an official announcement stating that vzw will not get wp7. Let's just wait till november and see.
EminiSP

I would switch to Sprint if they have my WP7 of choice. ATT is terrible and Verizon is too expensive.
G Yeo

AT&T already announced itself as the "Premier Network" for Windows Phone 7, whatever that means.
SPYDER_43

A BIG FAT YES!!!
John

I have Sprint and im afraid that they wont have a device on launch day or a month after launch day, so im willing to switch to at&t if it means getting one of these devices sooner.
JTJT

YES, I have been doing that from a while now and switching between T-MO and ATT due to international travel. But I won't have to buy unlocked but better European phones anymore..
chinch

Verizon will have WP7 phones, you can take that to the bank. Just like they released the LG Fathom this summer.

Thing is they won't dump $100 million in to a marketing blitz for it.

I'd also be shocked too see an iPhone on Verizon in 2011… it contradicts the google investment when they have WP7 and Blackberry covering corporate (Verizon Business division). It also contradicts logic for apple waiting 3 years and wasting marketshare to do a cdma variation that also covers 4G on verizon. Pipe dream.
Ramon

I will just buy an unlocked model. Is that impossible in the US? If carriers get the phones before any stores, i will just walk in, buy a phone with subscription and pay the fee to have it unlocked. Usually about 100 euros. No need to switch carriers. I live in Europe.
Parker

If I wasn't on a family plan, I would be completely willing to switch to any carrier with WP7! But you can't beat $20 a month, for everything (but only 1300 minutes to LANDLINES, unlmtd mobile)
kings

people in US does not have carrier freedom… thank god it is not like that in my country ..

Hubba

Clearly you do not understand, we in the USA do have carrier freedom. We decide who to give our business to and we base our decision on the best network available, on phones/smartphones available and the operating systems supported, along with other variables in terms of agreements and costs, we choose our carriers. Nonetheless this is called Free Enterprise, America is the land of Free Enterprise. The business which markets itself, competes and awes the consumers WINS. Right now ATT is about to surpass VW sooner than expected if they screw up again by vowing not to provide WM7 phones to their consumers.

By the way I have been on both CDMA (VW/Sprint) and GSM (ATT) networks and I REALLY love the choices and freedom of a GSM network.

David

Of course I will leave sprint if They don't Launch a descent WP7 by next February when 4 of my contracts are up javascript: postComment(0);
TekDragon

I may have to, if Verizon dosn't get any (at least initially), but that only leaves Sprint where I'm at. Hopefully that will change soon, otherwise I may have to get more creative in my attempt to switch.