looking for the best service in the metro-detroit area

[rodl2]

my current contract with cingular is almost up and I'm wondering if one of the other service providers in my area are any better than cingular. I don't have any actual complaints with my current service except that I get crummy signal when I'm at home, but I don't know if that's the fault of my service or my phone. I haven't started to look all the various contracts that all the companies have, I was going to wait till I had narrowed my choice of potential service down to one or two providers.

Any advice on what might be a good phone would also be helpful. I don't want anything with lots of bells and whistles. The one feature that concerns me is battery life, as my current phone is somewhat lacking in that area.

[CDMA]

I currently use Cingular and Verizon in the Detroit area. The cool thing with the new Cingular phones is the roaming on AT@T. If you lose your Cingular signal then they automatically roam on AT@T for free. It's like having a back up network. You don't need to wait until your contract is up to upgrade to GSM because they want you to. They have some nice phones, and Cingular should have the new Nokia video phone in June.

If you have a crummy signal at home, that sounds like a big problem since you can't take advantage of free night and weekend minutes, etc...

One thing to keep in mind about the AT@T roaming is that you pretty much need to lose the signal from Cingular before the phone will switch to AT@T, and it will only if AT@T has a better signal at that location.

You could try a new Cingular phone, and use the 15 day trial period to test it.

If you want to change carriers, I strongly recomend Verizon because of exelent signal and great customer service. They are my #1 choice.

[rallykid]

I have been with Verizon since they were Airtouch and even before that when they were Cellular One in the Flint/Detroit area. I have tried a lot of other carriers and no one comes close to their coverage or customer service. In Michigan, Verizon is number one. Cingular would be my number 2 choice so if you choose to stay with them it is not a bad thing, but I would give Verizon a try and see what you think.

[rodl2]

What do you think about t-mobile? I've heard some good things about them from friends.

Thank you for your advice.

[CaptainLoose]

I have Verizon and Sprint in this area. I've had Verizon since 93 (whoweve it was then). They have very good coverage and I've had no problems. However, I also have Sprint...don't ask! Verizon is more costly and seems more difficult to figure out -i.e., when are you roaming or not; web site access, etc. not as sharp. But, they have better coverage, hands down. Sprint is cheaper, expecially if you have multiple phones, large minutes, cell to cell, etc. They have some "cool" phones (but I'm not into that) and they have better web site and clearer roaming set up. But, their coverage isn't the best. Whether or not they're good for you will depend on where you live / work / travel.

[CDMA]

I tried T-Mobile for about 6 months and had reception problems at my house so I sold the phone. They do have good coverage on all the major expressways in the Detroit area. They have good fast wireless web access, good deals, nice phones, and GSM roaming works good. I would still be using them if they had good coverage at my house.