Cingular or Verizon in Central IL?

[nickyd]

Hi,

I will be getting a new plan shortly. I would really appreciate your help in this decision.

Which of the two carriers - Cingular/Verizon has better coverage in the Decatur-Champaign area and neighbouring areas of Illinois? Does Cingular have GSM or CDMA coverage in this area?

Thanks in advance.
Nicky

[COtech]

nickyd, you might also look at US Cellular. They cover both cities, also. Their coverage is 1900 MHz CDMA, so they'll cover major roads. They might not directly cover routes between Champaigne and Decatur, but add it by including roaming on one of the cellular licensees, below.

Cingular is selling GSM 800/1900 MHz only phones, as well as GAIT (800/1900 MHz GSM/TDMA + 800 MHz AMPS). That means that they're splitting their bandwidth, reducing the number of TDMA/AMPS channels to increase the number of GSM channels. This happens all inside of their cellular-B license.

And Verizon is 800 MHz CDMA on cellular-A.
I'm not in the area to have personal experience.

COtech

[nickyd]

Thanks for your response COtech[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I had not considered US Cellular at all. I will try to get as much information as possible about them soon. Looks like my phone choices also improve when I include US Cellular as a potential provider.

[BG1811]

I pass through your area and have gotten good service from Verizon. I previously had Cingular and get much better service from Verizon.

[nickyd]

Thnx. Your responses are appreciated.

After going through the websites of US Cellular, Verizon and Cingular, I haven't been able to get information on coverage or number of towers.

Your responses make me lean towards Verizon/US Cellular.

How come AT&T & T-Mobile display something like a coverage map but all the other providers show rate maps instead of coverage maps?

[Codepyro]

this is primarily due to the roaming agreements...while verizon shows rate maps it generally means that you won't get cahrged for using your phone in that area....for example if you have verizon service...verizon lets you roam in alot of places on alltell or USCC for free...and vice versa....

[nickyd]

Thanks - I didn't know that.

It looks like mine'll be Verizon then. Has anybody heard/read about any forthcoming plan changes or new phones? Even if there are no new phones, I am inclined to chose something available soon.

[Codepyro]

there will be new phone but i suggest getting the lg vx4400 if you fancy color phone with great features and good recention and the v60i if you want great reception and don't care about color....the new phones from verizon are going to be digital only ...most of the new phones will not have any analog...i think analog is very importatnt for backup...

[nickyd]

Looks like its gonna be a v60i with a $45 + 4.99 America's Choice for me.

Thanks a lot. You have been very helpful.

[Dantheswim]

I think Verizon may be the right choice. I visit IN frequently in a very sparsly populated area and they have service out there, although it's analog I still get and make calls like normal. US cellular is the only other provider out there and my aunt and uncle have them and my uncle is constently complaining. He works for the stae police and they use Verizon phones in the police cars, often he cant get a call to go through on his US cellular phone, but Verizon will go through.

In central IL I'm sure service is much better with both providers, but if you ever travel to more sparsly populated areas, that might be a consideration...

[tiktok]

Hi Guys,

first post here.

I have had verizon service in this area now for eight years and can tell you there are pretty much no dead spots. Service is great with Verizon.

[jsch222]

Get Verizon, i have traveled i live in the decatur area and travel the route to chicago and st. louis at least once a week for work. i have never hit a dead spot w/ verizon and i am always in digital w/ a strong signal.

Verizon is the way to go!

[EuRo]

In the next beginning next year Cingular will be building out in Danville as well.

Central IL SUPER HOME MAP

Cingular's SUPER HOME Rate Plan

**CINGULAR is the only company that offers roll over minutes .