DC Area - AT&T Contract Up.. Need Advice

[Dharmster]

My AT&T Next Generation contract is up September 9. I have a S46 on the multiband National Network Plan where I pay $34.99 for 500 anytime minutes (300 base and 200 bonus) plus unlimited N&W and nationwide domestic long distance included. I also pay $7.99 for 1MB of wireless web access.

Here's my problem. I switched because I was on the TDMA network and had a Ericsson RL280 which was on it's last legs and when I went into the store in 9/2002 they were pushing GSM with attractive plans . I was on the AT&T Regional Advantage Plan at $39.99 wherre I had 400 anytime minues with unlimited N&W and domestic long distance included. In addition I had the free "basic" Pocketnet service and with Regional Advantage I could roam on Cingular TDMA and analog as well as Verizon analog in the Metro (important because I commute by Metro). Also nights under my old plan began at 8PM instead of 9PM which MORE than compensated for the fact that I have 100 more anytime minutes under the Next Generation service.

Now, I can't even roam on the Verizon analog in the Metro because my phone isn't analog capable. Plus, while I can roam on Cingular TDMA I have to PAY $0.79 a minute (what a ripoff). I'm just not satisfied with the GSM/TDMA coverage compared to my old phone. Okay, their are pluses in that I can use my S46 most places anyone would want to go in the World, and the GPRS web service blows the old CDPD based Pocketnet out of the water. Also where there is GSM coverage the speech quality is better and the battery life of my S46 is downright amazing (rated at 5 hours, I've easily got over 4 at times). The bottom line is that the AT&T GSM/TDMA network just doesn't offer the local coverage I would like.

Okay so my question is what other carriers should I consider. Remember, I'm going to have to buy a new phone so keep that in consideration. I REFUSE to sign up with Sprint (I even have my old phone with them) as their customer service is terrible and their network is overstressed at many times of the day. I will also not even consider a Nextel phone. Also while T-Mobile is cool, their coverage still leaves much to be desired. So that leaves me with Cingular and Verizon.

Any opinions on those services from current subscribers. Also any advice on what handsets are cool? I know Cingular is rolling out GSM in the DC Metro area this fall, so if I have to stay with AT&T for another month until Cingular GSM is rolled out I can do that.

[GoodmanR]

Verizon has the best network and coverage in the DC area hands down. They are the only provider to work on the Metro. Cingular GSM has not been great in other areas recently after it was rolled out, so I would stay away from that, and definately stay clear of anything with TDMA..Just about everyone, even sprint users, will tell you Verizon is best in DC. I wouldnt even consider anything but Verizon in DC. They are starting to introduce PTT (direct connect type thing) in the next month or two, so no reason to even think about Nextel. They are introducing some new handsets also, which ahs made many older ones cheaper so you can get a good deal on that. If you have questions about DC coverage or anything else, let me know. I have used T-Mobile, Sprint, ATT and Nextel in DC and none can come close to Verizon. Verizon also uses 800mhz so you get coverage farther from towers and better inside buildings.

[jsb]

I'm in a somewhat similar situation. I'm in DC and my AT&T contract is up at the end of August, and although it's a super-cheap TDMA plan, I've decided it's time to move on. One of the reasons Verizon was attractive is the availability in the Metro. I've decided to go with an America's Choice plan from Verizon. The fact that there's now Express Network available just using your plan minutes is an added bonus.

BTW, if you decide on Verizon and you plan to order online, I came across a $15 discount. Go to verizonwireless.com and click on the Store Locator link at the top. Put in your zip code and search for nearby stores, and you'll get a popup window offering you $15 if you order online instead. I believe this will only let you sign up with a 2-year contract, but I haven't poked around all that much.

[Dharmster]

If you are on any of the "old" AT&T (Local or Regional Advantage) you should be able to roam in the Metro on Verizon in analog without paying roaming fees.

I don't own a laptop (and have DSL at home) so Express Network is not that attractive at this point.

One thing I did notice though is that Verizon charges you like $7 for wireless web access and it draws off your minutes. That's good in that you can surf on your phone at nights and on weekends to your hearts content. It's BAD though for me because I like to surf on weekdays (check my hotmail, look up a number, etc) and that draws against your anytime minutes. I really prefer the AT&T/Voicestream approach of charging by the amount of data. That way you don't have to burn your valuable (especially since Verizon gives you less than both Voicestream and AT&T) anytime minutes.

[jsb]

Originally posted by: Dharmster
If you are on any of the "old" AT&T (Local or Regional Advantage) you should be able to roam in the Metro on Verizon in analog without paying roaming fees.

My plan is even older than those, and I can indeed roam on the Metro for free. Sorry, I wasn't clear above...I've decided to move to Verizon because they have the best combination of coverage in the Metro (which is important to me) and more advanced technology.

Originally posted by: Dharmster
I don't own a laptop (and have DSL at home) so Express Network is not that attractive at this point.

One thing I did notice though is that Verizon charges you like $7 for wireless web access and it draws off your minutes. That's good in that you can surf on your phone at nights and on weekends to your hearts content. It's BAD though for me because I like to surf on weekdays (check my hotmail, look up a number, etc) and that draws against your anytime minutes. I really prefer the AT&T/Voicestream approach of charging by the amount of data. That way you don't have to burn your valuable (especially since Verizon gives you less than both Voicestream and AT&T) anytime minutes.

I'm no expert on Verizon's services, but I believe that people either here at WA or somewhere else (Howard Forums or one of the LG VX4400 Yahoo groups) made mention of being able to change the default Verizon proxy in your phone to be able to surf from the phone for free, using only airtime. It still uses your anytime minutes if you surf during the daytime, but at least it should save the $7 charge. Check for yourself, I may have misunderstood what I read. I've been reading a lot, trying to get up to speed on things Verizon [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I do have to say that, so far, Verizon has had extremely accommodating and nice customer service and sales reps. I've called a few times with questions, and they've generally been knowedgeable and friendly. I actually just ordered my Verizon phone this morning, and the rep was very nice and extremely helpful, matching online discounts and the like. In addition, he called me back shortly after to indicate that he wasn't immediately processing the $15 discount I'd mentioned earlier, so that I'd get an invoice with full price shown, which is necessary for the mail-in rebate on my phone. He said they'd immediately follow up with a $15 credit directly to my credit card. Yes, it's the way things should be done all the time, but I've found good customer service to be rare in the mobile phone business. Regardless, it seems that I'm starting my relationship with Verizon off on a good note.

[GoodmanR]

If you have an old ATT one rate plan, your roaming on the metro is still ANALOG. So you might as well get off the train and use a payphone because it wont be worth bothering with. Roaming coverage is never the same as native coverage, and never as reliable. If you are going to regularly rely on analog roaming off of verizons network, why not just get Verizon. Verizon's coverage throught metro Washington is far superior to that of any other network.

ATT has terrible data speeds also.

The have a promotion allowing for free 1xrtt (express network) access, using only your mins on americas choice. This is different from mobile web, which acrriers a 7$/month charge. You can easily set up mobile web to work without paying that fee. The express network is for connecting a laptop or other device and using your phone as a modem.

[jsb]

Originally posted by: GoodmanR
If you have an old ATT one rate plan, your roaming on the metro is still ANALOG. So you might as well get off the train and use a payphone because it wont be worth bothering with. Roaming coverage is never the same as native coverage, and never as reliable. If you are going to regularly rely on analog roaming off of verizons network, why not just get Verizon. Verizon's coverage throught metro Washington is far superior to that of any other network.

Actually, I've got an old AT&T government plan, which has long since been discontinued. And of course, it's purely analog roaming in the Metro. But thanks for answering a question I hadn't yet asked: namely, whether Verizon's network in the Metro was digital or not. Since it's apparently digital, I'll go one step further...do you know if it's CDMA2000 1x or still cdmaOne?

Originally posted by: GoodmanR
ATT has terrible data speeds also.

The have a promotion allowing for free 1xrtt (express network) access, using only your mins on americas choice. This is different from mobile web, which acrriers a 7$/month charge. You can easily set up mobile web to work without paying that fee. The express network is for connecting a laptop or other device and using your phone as a modem.

This sounds like what I'd read previously about mobile web. I'll have to look into that more carefully once I get the phone and make sure everything's working properly. Even then, Express Network is a higher priority for me than mobile web.

[GoodmanR]

the network in the metro is digital. all verizon equiptment in the area is 1xrtt, so it would support express network in the metro. you would probably not want to use it there though, there are a few spots where youll drop out of coverage with most phones....especially on the red line between woodley park and metro center...

express network uses only your plans mins, with the promotion they have now. its a great deal.

[Dharmster]

Goodman:

How do you set up your Verizon phone for wireless web access without paying the $7 recurring monthly fee?

[GoodmanR]

what kind of phone do you have?

you ahve to get in the service menu, change the wap ip address and wap port to a free wap gateway....you can find the correct settings at www.waptunnel.com . you also ahve to set your own homepage, i use www.wildrice.com/wap...

tell me what your phone model is and ill tell you how to do it. or even easier, go to the search tool and search for free wap and your model number. i promise youll find it there. theres a boatload of it in the lg forums recently... and everywhere else.