Cell Phone Carrier Query

[rokitwoman]

Alright ... I would appreciate input/opinions on this. I currently have Sprint, but I'm thinking about changing carriers. T-Mobile seems to have the best plan, but I'm not sure about the potential for spotty coverage. Verizon seems to be the best in the area for many factors, but I'm still not sold. I have some friends that have Cingular and

Comments

verizon

[elkethegreyt]

can't speak to the dfw area, but both houston and dc are very verizon-happy. the coverage seems pretty complete, and the signal is pretty good. you might not get as high a voice quality as sprint used to give on the higher frequency network, but you'll get as good as any other carrier. we've been pretty happy with verizon since i got it about 4 years ago. actually, L had sprint back in oklahoma, and kept it when we went to dc. it was fine until we moved to the house (further out of town.) my verizon phone, on the other hand, was not a problem at the house. she switched shortly after the move, and has stayed with vzw since that time. so far, so good. rates are competitive. benefits are competitive. unlimited "in" calling (all verizon customers, basically.) for 5 bucks/month more, unlimited "in" text/picture/video messaging, etc. we actually use the txt messaging part, believe it or not.

Re: verizon

[elkethegreyt]

I'd also check to see if you get any company discounts with the various providers. I get one for Verizon which helped with the switch.

On a useless side note, Verizon get service underground on the DC metro but none of the other providers do.

New to Verizon

[art1m1s]

I just switched to verizon. I have had the phone less than a month and ordered online. The transition was easy and they did follow up and answered any questions I had and reviewed the plan. I love the phone (LG 8300), especially the voice recognition. And the v-cast trial has been fun. (useful in entertaining a 3 year old on a hour car trip) But I'm not sure if i'll keep the vcast coverage.

Coverage appears to be good in the area. I have not have problems, but I havn't had the phone long to complain or find many problems.

The one downside is that verizon requires you enter your password every time you check voice mail. Its a bit annoying.

[stonedturtle]

Verizon is certainly the carrier of choice at my office. It has the best coverage in outlying areas (e.g. Prosper), and we've tested quite a few (the boss man is rather gadgety in nature, and has a basically unlimited spending account for such things). They've usually got the coolest phones on the high end, but they do impose some limitations on them too (like disabling things that would let you get ringtones off your computer rather than for $3.99 a pop). They've got EVDO if you're into using your phone as a high-speed modem away from the desk occasionally, but be prepared to pay for that privilidge too.

T-Mobile is cheaper, and it seems to be fine for my wife's usage - now if she'd just carry it sometimes ;) I think they share Cingular's network, which is pretty decent.

My main negative experience was with Sprint, but it wasn't negative enough for me to change for a few years either.

verizon

[ecoimp]

Been with Verizon pretty much since I have had a cell phone. Had no problems while living in DFW area.

A short stint with Sprint when I was working on the Williams Fiber Optic stuff, but my personal phone was still Verizon. With Sprint, I would have to sit within the city limits of some west Texas towns to have conference calls.

I still hold a grudge against Sprint from long, long ago. Chose them as my long distance company while living in ND. No company rep told me they did not have service in ND. Plus I was spending a lot of time in Alaska - another state they did not have service in. So, I had a long distance plan I could not use, and had to pay a huge charge to get out of.

Another plus with verizon: I can choose a lower minute plan because most of the people I call are "IN."