Looking for cell phone provider
 

Well, after all these years of stalwart resistance, I've been beaten. All my roommates have cellphones and refuse to pay for a wired line. After price comparing, the mobile is cheaper and I'm going to have to get one. After comparing rate plans, AT&T and T-Mobile seem to be the best deal here in town. ATT has better statewide coveage (TN) but I've read some horror stories about their TDMA network. I also read bad stuff about TM's support. Any advice? (phnoe selection help would be appreciated too.)

Thanks

Stay away from AT&T GSM service. Att is the best at digital. the gsm you can't get any service in like the desert or outside service. im thinking about switching back to digital just cause i hate this gsm service so much. if you will be in town all the time, id go with gsm, cause you get a kick ass phone for free.

GSM IS kool, but VERY unreliable. It just does not work outside the calling areas because other providers are not supporting it yet.

I have been very happy with Sprint PCS...I know some people don't really like their service, but I travel ALOT and I can't believe how many states they have coverage in.

I just can't wait til November 15th. This is when the new cellular portablility act goes into effect. Then we can change service providers as often as we would like without losing our phone numbers...Highly anticipating this change...:-)

I personally like Verizon. :)

Friends of mine who use Sprint or Cingular lose their signal a lot, while I still have it.

I have had AT&T for almost two years now and have never had a problem with them.

I'm in the DC area and I'm very happy with Cingular. The price is right and coverage on the eastcoast seems to be very good. What I think is *real* important tho is their customer service, and the fact that you can call them up at any time and change rate plans! There's often very little hold time and the people are always helpful and friendly. I've even asked them for certain promotions, and they were happy to hook me up just for asking.

When I drove through TN last summer, my sprint cell was great. You have to be sure not to get a Samsung if you go with sprint; They have the worst reception. Try a sanyo or a LG if you go with Sprint.

I have Alltel and I have had no problems with signals.

I have free long distance and 3000 minutes, I never use them all either.

I have to say that their Customer Service is not the best, but I like the reception.

I've sold cell-phones in the tri-state area, and Verizon is the only real choice to go with. From what I hear, it's the only way to go for the rest of the country. Just look at a coverage map for Verizon and compare it to Sprint.

Phone models to avoid:
Lg 1010, the worst phone ever made
Qualcomm 2025, not too good

Phone models to look for:
Motorola T720, but any Motorola is good
Lg 5350, I have and love this phone, it's durable as hell
Sanyo 6300, It's got a built-in camera
Samsung A500

See, I would have thought so... I've used their chips in building circuits, and of course, their G4 microprocessor is great, but everyone I know doesn't seem to care for their phones. They complain about awkward menu systems, and everyone with the T60 especially has horrible problems acquiring a strong signal. Reviews I've read (cNet) seem to indicate this as well.

Ive got a great plan that fits me well through verizon. So I guess add me to the Verizon pool. but im kinda paranoid about my phone. its a 9155-GPX, and its got a GPS reciever built in, but i cant access GPS functions, they only broadcast GPS info incase i call 911.. I dunno. I dont like the idea of GPS and a phone that i carry with me all the time being bundled.. but im just paranoid...

:)

just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't after you.... since some legislation several years ago, all phones are required to broadcast to GPS. The stated purpose is for 911 and other emergency purposes, but many suspect otherwise.

You should be able to turn off location features. The unfortunate part of the GPS for emergencies is that Rhode Island is the only state that has an e911 system, at least in the northeast.

I have a Panasonic EB-TX310 on US Cellular service. I've been with them for a few years now and can only complain about the lack of coverage in rural areas where I live. No one has rural coverage though. I absolutely love my phone, it is compact, has plenty of features, and operates a lot like my old Nokia 6161. Their plans are very reasonable, I have 450 anytime/unlimited N&W minutes for $35 a month. Their new plan at the $35 mark gets you 900 anytime minutes and unlimited N$W.

On a related note, I would like to see cell phone providers/manufacturers focus more on providing quality service and coverage and less on cramming cameras and PDA's and shit into the phones.

sprint pcs here brother. i've been with them for 4 years now and the service and coverage and rates keep getting better. where else can you get 2500 anytime mins, unlimited nights and weekends, free long distance and free pcs to pcs calling for $110?

right?