Choosing between iPhones at Verizon and AT&T

I watch everyone using their smart phones, particular their iPhones, and I'm thinking I need one of those. Especially now that Verizon will be selling the iPhone. I switched from AT&T to Verizon several years ago, because AT&T's service wasn't reliable where I live.

Except I really don't need one. And the cost is rather staggering.

Popular Mechanics sums it up: Over the course of a two-year contract, the total cost of AT&T's service (not including the cost of the phone) ranges from $1320 to $2760 (assuming you don't incur overages). Verizon's plans range from $1680 to $3360 (more expensive, for sure, yet with the unlimited plan, the potential for overage fees is seriously diminished).

There are a couple of differences between Verizon and AT&T.

• First, the CDMA technology that Verizon uses will not allow users to talk on the phone and use data services at the same time. 
• Second, AT&T's GSM iPhone works in other countries (albeit with steep international roaming fees), while Verizon's does not. 

So I guess if you're in Paris wanting to talk to Mom back home in Schenectady and simultaneously look up the weather forecast there, you're out of luck with Verizon. Darn.

Walter Mossberg, the Wall Street Journal personal technology columnist, concludes: In my tests, the new Verizon version of the iPhone did much better at voice calling than the AT&T version, and offers some attractive benefits, like unlimited data and a wireless hot-spot capability. But if you really care about data speed, or travel overseas, and AT&T service is tolerable in your area, you may want to stick with AT&T.