Community Forums

davidb104 · 11-21-2024, 04:01 PM

We have had ATT for many years, and have acceptable cell phone service. I took a look at Consumer Cellular ads this week, particularly the special rates for AARP members that are substantially lower than ATT rates. The information I reviewed indicated that Consumer Cellular uses the ATT network of towers. Please advise whether any of you have used CC, and if so, your experience.

We live in a largely rural area, and ATT is the only provider with widespread coverage. If CC phones can use the same towers the cost savings would be significant.

PS89 · 11-21-2024, 05:14 PM

I've used CC for my phone for about 7 years now. No complaints as to their service for voice or text. If your data consumption is modest, they have tiered plans that save a lot of cash. If you use a LOT of data, then it may not be the right choice. Also, if you travel internationally, you have to make preparations ahead of time and be prepared for extra international roaming charges when you get back.

Yes, CC uses the ATT network.

Dieselboy · 11-21-2024, 05:45 PM

Just remember, with these carriers that lease towers you get lower priority for bandwidth. If that doesn’t bother you they can be a good deal.

wildtoad · 11-21-2024, 06:01 PM

We switched to Consumer Cellular from Spectrum. We switched to Spectrum from Verizon. We switched to Verizon from AT&T.

We are happy with CC, have about the same level of service as the other three. Spectrum was actually cheaper, but they p'd us off when they didn't offer the same pricing for existing customers as they did for new.

We started out with a shared 10 gig plan, and moved up the line. They automatically upgrade you if you use more than your current plan, but you can switch back after the billing month. We finally moved to their "unlimited, but if you blow past 50g they throttle you. So we still look for WIFI spots when available.

I would have no issue recommending them.

chindog · 11-22-2024, 04:04 PM

We've had CC for several years. When we first started traveling, sometimes I would have a good signal, but my wife's phone had poor to none. Other times she had a great signal but I didn't, but mostly it was my phone that had the best connection. We contacted Consumer Cellular customer service (which we think are great reps), and they checked our equipment and found my phone was on AT&T towers, and my wife's phone was on T-Mobile towers. CC uses both of those carriers networks. They told us to go to a nearby Target store and get a new AT&T sim card for my wife's phone. We had to pay $10 for it, but CC gave us a credit for that amount on our next bill. Since then, we've had no problem with connectivity, except where there is poor AT&T coverage.

Rexlion · 11-24-2024, 02:13 PM

My wife and I have had CC for several years. No complaints. Reception seems fine. I don't know of any downsides, and we're saving quite a bit.

Supersail · 12-12-2024, 02:04 AM

Another vote for CC, and their customer service really is that good. When you sign up just ask for ATT towers, the T-mobile coverage is only good in big metro areas it seems. Our winegard connect even has its own sim, but it’s really easy to blow past the 50gb on the road, and there’s no way to get around it easily. And when they say it’s throttled it is REALLY throttled.