Need help deciding

[our3rotts]

I'm in Eastern Iowa & travel mostly in the central US, though I do make a several trips outside of the Midwest each year.

We had USC starting in the 90's - then 2 years ago, switched to Vzn, to get better nationwide coverage.

I've always had a clamshell/flip phone. I loved all the things I could do with my LG4400. the connectivity with the data cable to change ringtones & update the address book were the best. I didn't ever use it for the calendar, though I should have.

But I'm not getting good coverage with the old phone - it's hitting analog about 50% of the time when I want to make a call.

I'd like to get a new phone - preferrably a pda-type that gets good reception - and if I have to, a new carrier. I am not at all interested in having a camera phone.

I'd like to go with a quad-band GSM - if only for the next 2 weeks, as we're taking a 10 day trip to Portugal & I'd like to be able to receive messages & calls from my family.

By the time I get back, my trial period would be about up & I could trade in if need be.


So - Long story short - pda with no camera & international access - and do I need a new carrier?

Plus - I heard this rumor that Blackberry is having some patent problems??? If I went with a Blackberry, am I in trouble?

[observer]

Need a little more information on minutes of use and long-distance vs. local calling before we can be helpful!

[observer]

Need a little more information on minutes of use and long-distance vs. local calling before we can be helpful!

Oh, and for darn sure I wouldn't base a 1 or 2 year contract off a 2 week overseas trip you have planned. ya gotta pick your poison!

[our3rotts]

Current minutes is 400 - I only use about 300 of them.

I use about 60 min of IN calling with 2 family members - the rest of them are not in-network.

I do quite a bit of LD calling - so I go with a nationwide plan.

And traveling internationally will be at least a once a year thing.

[observer]

You could look at i wireless' new doubletalk plans, if you need more than one line -- you DID say "we" are taking a trip.

http://www.iwireless.com/plans_nationwide_share.asp

They've got some new awesome plans, nights start at 5 p.m., and you get the benefits of their roaming agreements with T-Mobile, Cingular, and just about every other smaller GSM carrier out there.

http://www.iwireless.com/plans_detail.asp?plan=33


I think their doubletalk promotion gets you up to $100 off each handset, too, but there are probably some strings attached. There's no Blackberry listed on their website, but the RAZR and Nokia 6620 have robust feature sets. The RAZR for certain is quad-band, but you'll have to check on the Nokia. Both have cameras, unfortunately.

[our3rotts]

One reason why I don't want to stay with Verizon is their only clamshell without a cell is FUGLY.

DH doesn't need a cell, as he has a work one - Nextel.

So our family just needs the one phone.

I need good coverage in MN, ND, IA and unfortunately the backwards state of KS, also.

[observer]

Our3rotts, did you get any help on this?

[our3rotts]

haven't decided yet.

maybe once I'm back from Europe.

Having fun - playing with dh's work blackberry.

And Skyping with our baby back home.

[observer]

haven't decided yet.

maybe once I'm back from Europe.

Having fun - playing with dh's work blackberry.

And Skyping with our baby back home.

Let us know when you make a choice! It's always good to see how/when/if advice is taken.

[Jay2TheRescue]

If you regularly travel to europe then I recommend a GSM phone from Cingular. It has international capability.

[Dogma]

I would try and stick with a CDMA provider living in Eastern IA and traveling to those states you mention. But that limits you to USCC, Verizon and Sprint. If you travel to Europe quite frequently, you could pick up Cingular, but you may suffer in coverage when your back in IA. CDMA coverage on the norm is much better in the areas your mainly travel here.

[agentHibby]

Have you used the Motorola A840??

I think Sprint has a CDMA/GSM phone.

Here is a smartphone, but no GSM for European roaming.
Just remember in almost place in Iowa if you are not getting a good CDMA signal it will usually be worse with GSM.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Have you used the Motorola A840??

I think Sprint has a CDMA/GSM phone.

Here is a smartphone, but no GSM for European roaming.
Just remember in almost place in Iowa if you are not getting a good CDMA signal it will usually be worse with GSM.

VeriZon won't let you onto a USA GSM network with that phone. It is strictly for international roaming.

[our3rotts]

After playing with my dh's blackberry in Spain & Portugal - don't think the data package is worth it- so no pda for me.

I'm back & checking out my employer's discounts with various services - pretty sure I'm down to staying with Verizon or jumping to Cingular.

The Verizon people don't have a business webpage, so I'm waiting to hear back...

I'm not thrilled with IA Wireless plans or phones.

I had USCC for over 6 years & dread going back. Most if not all of their phones are camera phones.


I'd like Bluetooth, but do I want it for the wrong reasons??

A wireless headset would be great - and I'd like to integrate the phone into the next car that we purchase. I've started to find my wired headset a PITA since the wire is always tangled.

The thing I really need to start doing with my phone is keep my calendaring updated - through personal & business. That is all Outlook. Can I do it thru Bluetooth, or do I need a cable for that? I need to get better about backing up my address book, also.

I really don't need IM capability. Making text messages easier would be good - I use them instead of voicemail to connect with family when they are in meetings & such. Usually, I can go to their provider's website if I'm at home or work to send it. I mainly use phone text messaging for Google purposes when we're out & about trying to find phone numbers, places, restaurants.

One more thing - do I need all the *extras*? Added protection/insurance? I've always paid it with our other phones - we've had to use it twice in over 8 years.

Man, I just keep coming up with more questions.

Thanks for all the help.