Cell Phone Providers?

[Duh Professuh]

I'm looking into getting a cell phone plan for my girlfriend and I. I was with Sprint for the last 2 years, and my plan runs out on the 21st. So I'm looking for what provider all of you would recommend.

Sprint wasn't that bad, but I found that there were a lot of areas that I would be roaming, or had no service at all.

Another thing is that my girlfriend just moved to Montana, so I need a provider that will work for her there. To me it looks as if Verizon is the way to go. But I want to see what you all think is the best way for me to go. And possibly the cheapest way too. The cheaper the better. LOL!

[gschwendt]

Re: Cell Phone Providers?

Cingular for me... been with them for around 3 years now and havent had a problem really. I do live in the South (where they are rated the highest) and not sure about their coverage in Montana.

[fishepa]

Re: Cell Phone Providers?

I have Verizon through my work and it works pretty well. It's weird though with all these people following me everywhere though.

[TheGenius]

Re: Cell Phone Providers?

I've had Alltel for about 5 years and have had no problems at all. I had US Cellular before that and wasn't a huge fan.

[Jimplication]

Re: Cell Phone Providers?

If you're in PA, I highly recommend Verizon Wireless.

Various friends have Cingular and Nextel, and hate them. Nextel text messages are delayed, and sometimes never sent at all. Cingular's coverage/customer service is mediocre, and every single friend I know that uses Cingular can't wait to get out of contract and switch.

I have Verizon Wireless and have zero complaints. I get coverage everywhere, including on hiking trails at French Creek, which are literally out in the middle of nowhere. I also get nice coverage in buildings and other areas where friends can't get a signal.

Verizon's text plans are more expensive, and in general their plans might be more pricey, but in my experience you really do pay for quality, as I've heard many complaints from friends regarding Cingular, and my experience with calling/texting Nextel subscribers has been mediocre at best.

Since you apparently are interested in a service for someone not in PA, the results may vary though. I love Verizon though. They lack some of the nifty phones of Nextel/Cingular, but their coverage is the best in my experience, and ultimately that is what matters most.

[gschwendt]

Re: Cell Phone Providers?

If you're in PA, I highly recommend Verizon Wireless.

Various friends have Cingular and Nextel, and hate them. Nextel text messages are delayed, and sometimes never sent at all. Cingular's coverage/customer service is mediocre, and every single friend I know that uses Cingular can't wait to get out of contract and switch.

I have Verizon Wireless and have zero complaints. I get coverage everywhere, including on hiking trails at French Creek, which are literally out in the middle of nowhere. I also get nice coverage in buildings and other areas where friends can't get a signal.

Verizon's text plans are more expensive, and in general their plans might be more pricey, but in my experience you really do pay for quality, as I've heard many complaints from friends regarding Cingular, and my experience with calling/texting Nextel subscribers has been mediocre at best.

Since you apparently are interested in a service for someone not in PA, the results may vary though. I love Verizon though. They lack some of the nifty phones of Nextel/Cingular, but their coverage is the best in my experience, and ultimately that is what matters most.

Well, it really all matters where you'll be staying and where the majority of your calls will be made from (ie home location). I used to work customer support for Cingular coming up on 2 years ago (yes, I was that guy that you cussed out on the other end of the line because your son/daughter rang up $100 text charges). Anyway, our area of support was for the NE US including Mass, Conn, Virginia, DC, upstate NY (not NYC). Everyone we spoke with would complain about poor coverage and how much better Verizon is, however, nearly every friend I have here in Arkansas has Cingular and loves the service. Its just a matter of where they devote their coverage and support. Plus, once a provider gets a stake in an area, its hard to get better coverage than them because they have first choice over tower locations, etc.

So the moral of the story goes, ask someone who lives in that area what they think before you get your service. Plus, if I remember correctly, NO ONE had very good service in Montana 2 years ago... that was before Cingular bought AT&T Wireless but not sure if that changed much of anything.

[dieselboy]

Re: Cell Phone Providers?

I think Verizon is the best.

I have had T-Mobile for four years, and haven't had much of any problems, but Verizon is still better.

[Duh Professuh]

Re: Cell Phone Providers?

Thanks for all the replies, that were also very indepth and helpful. I'm going to ask my girlfriend to ask around out there what service people prefer. Then from there we'll decide. Because my parents and sisters have Verizon, and they seem to have coverage everywhere around here. The full 4/5 bars, whatever it is. Sometimes for me with Sprint, I get 1 or 2 bars where they have full coverage. And Sprint is probably the most expensive of all the providers.

[Pappy Knuckles]

Re: Cell Phone Providers?

i have verizon and i'm thinking about trying cingular. i'm not too happy with the reception i get in most cases.

[RockyTop1]

Re: Cell Phone Providers?

I have Verizon through my work and it works pretty well. It's weird though with all these people following me everywhere though.

It's the network!

Verizon for me. I was thinking about switching to Cingular, but with my new job, I get a corporate discount for everything with Verizon, so I'm staying put.

[Macar91]

Re: Cell Phone Providers?

I live in the Chicagoland area and I've got Cingular. The reception is good and I rarely, if ever, have my calls dropped. I'd recommend it to you.

[Cataschism]

Re: Cell Phone Providers?

Not trying to hijack the thread, but my question is similar to the thread starters. I want to have a phone just for emergencies and such so I am looking at prepaid. What does everyone recommend?

[gschwendt]

Re: Cell Phone Providers?

Not trying to hijack the thread, but my question is similar to the thread starters. I want to have a phone just for emergencies and such so I am looking at prepaid. What does everyone recommend?

what do you consider an emergency? If just 911 calls, then actually you dont have to have service... it is required by law that all carriers provide 911 service regardless of paying customer or not.

Now if you mean emergencies like you are at the store and forgot what your wife's favorite ice cream is, then probably prepaid or a $19.99 play that gives you like 50 minutes per month (you have to come close to begging for this plan).