CT-Comments on Sprint performance?

[Mooby]

Hi,
I'm currently using Verizon Freeup but have been contemplating getting a rate plan. I can get 25% off my monthly bill for Sprint through my employer but I'm wondering how the performance is in my area. I know my neighbor has nothing but good things to say about it but there are some areas that I frequent that he doesn't that I'd like to know about.
I live just past West Farms mall and work in Hartford. I'll also be taking some graduate school classes in the fall at CCSU and do some trips to various places in the area (Berlin Turnpike etc). I know those areas are fine for coverage. However, I also spend some time at my parents house in Avon and I'm not sure how the performance of sprint is there. I also do the occasional hike in the Simsbury area. I also spend some time in the Fenn Road area of Newington and my brother's apartment near Newington High School.Can anyone comment on these areas? I'm thinking of going with the sliding scale plan. Also can anyone reccomend a phone? I remember hearing that Sanyo is the brand of choice for reception but I'm not entirely sure anymore. I don't need anything fancy but I want a clamshell. A speaker phone might be useful but a camera and color screen I'm totally indifferent to. Reception and sound quality are my main concerns. Thanks for any input. It's been a long while since I've been here so hopefully it's as good as it used to be

[Rasputin]

I was in CT a while back in and around the Hartford area, 2 of my subcontractors have SprintPCS they had good coverage. We were only there for a few days though.


The Sanyos are great phones.

[rich6880]

Verizon had good coverage in all of CT, other than NW portion. They have recently installed towers in Litchfield County (NW). They may be hard to beat.

[Mooby]

Thanks for the comments.
As for Verizon, I know they have great coverage, I've been usig Freeup for about two years now. The problem is I want to go to a rate plan and I can only get a company discount through Sprint (25%). From the research I've done on this site, Sprintsites.com, and speaking with my neighbor who has Sprint, I think I'm gonna do it and get the Sanyo 8200. Thanks for the comments.

[rich6880]

Try any company that you like, but take advantage of the 15 day grace period. You may want to try Verizon at the same time. Drop the one that you do not like. Yes, as far as service in NYC metro area, I am definately partial to Verizon

[Mooby]

Yeah I've heard that Verizon is definitely better in NYC, but I don't really spend any time in that area. I picked up a Sanyo 8200 this afternoon. So far I like the phone though the built quality feels a bit cheaper(more plasticy feeling, the A310 while made of plastic feel heavier and sturdier) than my old Samsung A310. Like I said, if we had the discount through Verizon, I'd have just gone with them but I'll be paying 26.95 per month for sprint before taxes and fees while it appears that Verizon's cheapest plan is 39.99. That extra 13 bucks is alot of money a month for me as I've yet to get a raise at my first job post college. So being on a bit of a budget plus the positive experience my next door neighbor has had with Sprint made it worth the gamble for me.
It's funny, some coworkers of mine we able to get the Verizon discount before it expired. They get 21% off their monthly bill and they got the LG-VX6000 for $20 after mail in rebate. They definitely made out on the deal but apparently Verizon screwed up in giving it to them since it was actually for the former parent company of our company. I'll see how Sprint does though. The people at the store were very helpful and so far the service has been good so I'm hoping it turns out well. When I used to post here though I was always first to reccomend Verizon followed by Sprint in many situations. I get the feeling that even if Sprint works out well for me I'll still reccomend Verizon first since they truly are nearly impossible to beat in this area. Hopefully Sprint will work out well for me though.