Possible changes to AT&T cellular

Subsidiary of Liberty Global. Enormous multinational communications corporation whose roots go back to TCI in Denver.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Global

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Malone

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/liberty-latin-america-buys-att-s-puerto-rico-us-virgin-island-businesses-1246414

"The agreement stipulates AT&T will support Liberty Latin America for up to 36 months after the acquisition to ensure an efficient transition of services. Pending regulatory approvals, Liberty Latin America expects the transaction to close in the second quarter of 2020."

https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/john-malone-everything-need-know-americas-single-largest-land-owner/

In a news article published in The Denver Post newspaper in 2017, it was disclosed that Malone received the "Darth Vader" title because Al Gore's grandmother lived in territory where TCI provided service. She did not understand why cable bills went up when the company was delivering more content.^[29]

In 1994, Wired portrayed Malone on their cover as "Mad Max" from The Road Warrior (also known as Mad Max 2), with an interview describing his battles with the FCC.^[30] He is also known as the "Cable Cowboy".^[31]

So Darth Vader and Cable cowboy is taking over AT&T cellular business in VI. My take is that AT&T customers will be transitioned to services like FLOW on other islands. Travel to US will require roaming and high bills. Most of us leaving in VI are US citizens and travel frequently to US mainland. Hence we need cell service extending from VI to mainland with our roaming charges and data access. What other options do we have? Verizon is out, Sprint is very low quality and T mobile is really the only company left. 

Anybody using Tmobile in VI? How is their network here in VI? 

Sewing the seeds of panic a little early aren’t we?

I have t-mobile in the states and it's seems to work fine on St. Croix as well as St Thomas and St. John.  My family plan has 5 phones and the monthly bill with all taxes and fees is about $180/mo.  I've been a customer for more than 20 years.  As a seasonal resident I don't plan to change.

I read the article on line & it specifically stated NO roaming charges between PR, USVI, U.S., Canada, Mexico. In other words nothing different than what AT&T has.

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/10/att-facing-158-billion-debt-to-sell-puerto-rico-network-for-2-billion/?amp=1

I'm going to take a wait and see on this. My concern with Liberty is that they'll think everyone here speaks Spanish and it will be difficult to deal with them. Then, after the dust settles, they'll raise rates and charge for long distance to the mainland. I can always get an ATT cell package in Florida and keep my 340 number.

Mobile customers transferred from AT&T to Liberty "will continue to benefit from free roaming services between Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the mainland United States, Mexico and Canada," Liberty said.

AT&T said it will also continue operating DirecTV on the islands.

Just sign up with Google Fi and you wont have any roaming issues...I never had any issues when we were in STX and had good cell service.

https://fi.google.com

@stxdreaming

I tried google fi and wasn't happy with the service.  It uses the Sprint network, t-mobile and didn't connect well for me.  I had better reliability with verizon using the at&t network, I was really hoping that it would work as it's a great option.  

If you have t-mobile, or are interested I n trying it, they have something called a “personal LTE  cellspot” that installs in your home, connects (hard wire) to your internet router, giving you a mini LTE cell tower in your residence.  We have been using one for years on Martha’s Vineyard where our reception was almost zero and it works amazingly well.   I got it by going to my t-mobile store and they ordered it for me at no charge.  It was easy to install and there’s no additional fee.  All that’s required is to return the equipment if I drop my account.  It’s obviously only as reliable as the internet but otherwise highly recommended.

Most cell phones these days have wifi calling.

On an iphone

Open the Settings app.
Tap Phone > Wi-Fi Calling.
Switch the Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone slider to On.

No need for special devices if you have wifi available. 

I used to be an AT&T customer but not anymore, there are other companies that have better services, of course it also depends on the city you live in.