Too Many Options!

[MauMauOrig]

Hi all,
I just registered as a new member. I did refer to your great website 2.5 years ago to select a wireless provider and phone.
My AT&T Contract recently expired, and I am faced with all sorts of decisions . I have to say that the service has been good, and I have no Customer Service complaints. As for the phone (Motorola v60), the Antenna has broken off three times and I am considering purchasing a new phone rather than have it repaired again (@ $35 a pop).
I really need your help / suggestions as regards the following questions:

1) What Phone would you recommend? I am partial to flip phones with an external display and belt clip / holster. I really don't care for the cameras, games, etc...

2) Should I stay with my current plan (National, TDMA), or upgrade to a GSM / GPRS plan?

3) Should I stay with AT&T, or is there a better wireless provider out there? I spend most of my time in the NorthEast (NY/NJ), but do occasionally travel to the MidWest, SouthWest and Europe.

I really appreciate you taking the time to offer any help / suggestions.

Thank You.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by MauMauOrig Hi all, I just registered as a new member. I did refer to your great website 2.5 years ago to select a wireless provider and phone. My AT&T Contract recently expired, and I am faced with all sorts of decisions . I have to say that the service has been good, and I have no Customer Service complaints. As for the phone (Motorola v60), the Antenna has broken off three times and I am considering purchasing a new phone rather than have it repaired again (@ $35 a pop). I really need your help / suggestions as regards the following questions: 1) What Phone would you recommend? I am partial to flip phones with an external display and belt clip / holster. I really don't care for the cameras, games, etc... 2) Should I stay with my current plan (National, TDMA), or upgrade to a GSM / GPRS plan? 3) Should I stay with AT&T, or is there a better wireless provider out there? I spend most of my time in the NorthEast (NY/NJ), but do occasionally travel to the MidWest, SouthWest and Europe. I really appreciate you taking the time to offer any help / suggestions. Thank You.

Welcome to WA
First of all, if you service works everywhere you need it, then I wouldn't switch unless you really want to try something else.
If you go the GSM route with AT&T, you will be able to use your phone in Europe if you get a tri-band phone(per minute rates are expensive though when International roaming).
Good luck,
Andy

[Scrumhalf]

Pick your provider/plan before you pick the phone. Are you going to stay mostly in the metro areas or will be venture into rural areas? GSM coverage may be worse in rural areas where it has not been built out as much. You need to really research the coverage of the various providers and make sure service is available where you need it.

Once you have decided which provider best meets your needs, you can ask for opinions on phones.

[MauMauOrig]

Andy & ScrumHalf,

I spend most of my time in Metro areas. Rural only when driving through.

Like I said, I am fine with AT&T for now, but wouldn't like to renew my Contract if there are better deals out there... There's also the Cingular merger / acquisition to consider.

Thank You .

[bobolito]

If you are in the NJ/NYC area, AT&T has great TDMA coverage and their GSM is even better.

[Fire14]

I would suggest in this area of NY/NJ to go with AT&T's GSM National plan, the coverage in very good and since you travel on the Natl plan there are no roaming fees, also since you occasionally go to Europe I would suggest getting the Moto V600 since it's a quad band and can be used in other countries with there SIM's. That would cover you no matter where you travel to, and with the pending merger about a month away the coverage here in the US should get better.

[MauMauOrig]

I really appreciate the advice I have received and apologise for not responding earlier. I have decided that I will go with the ATTWS GSM America National Plan. I just have one more question:

Which of these three phones would you recommend?

1) Motorola V600
2) NEC 525
3) Nokia 6820

I trully appreciate your advice. Thank You .

[Fire14]

If you travel outside the US go with the V600
otherwise either the V600 or 6820 are both excellent phones, just make sure your fingers will be ok with the smaller keys of the 6820, I have the 6800 & wouldn't get the 6820 due to the smaller keys.

[budney]

Out of the box I would go with the 6820 (Nokia, Good RF, bluetooth, & EDGE). The V600 is a good phone, but it is great if you flex/flash it with OEM firmware. And if you don't know what you are doing you can turn the phone into a paper weight.

[MauMauOrig]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I just went to the Times Square ATTWS store, intending to purchase the Motorola V600, but the "Comm Specialist" suggested that I would be better off with the Nokia 6820.
According to him, the V600 has a lot of problems (blank screens, requires resets, poor reception) and the Nokia is more reliable. He said that he originally had the V600, but he dumped it for the 6820...

My heart was set on the V600, but now I'm all confused .

What's the final word; V600 or 6820???

Thank You.

PS: How do you "flex/flash a V600 with OEM firmware"? Where can I have it done?

[MauMauOrig]

I finally decided to purchase the Motorola V600 . When I went to the Times Square ATTWS yesterday, they were out of stock, and were expecting a new shipment today.

I just came from the store and guess what: they are now waiting for the Motorola V505, probably in by tomorrow!!! No more V600s!!! Sounds like just what happened at Cingular ...

Is anyone familiar with the Motorola V505? Is it an upgrade or downgrade to the V600? Would you recommend it?

Help Please !!!

[bobolito]

V505 is basically the same as V500, V525 and V400. The only difference is that the V500/505/525 add currency converter, have slightly better talk time, and a slitghly better MIDI player. Plus, it has the Yamigo IM client which supports AIM and ICQ.

[Etorres777]

Originally Posted by bobolito V505 is basically the same as V500, V525 and V400. The only difference is that the V500/505/525 add currency converter, have slightly better talk time, and a slitghly better MIDI player. Plus, it has the Yamigo IM client which supports AIM and ICQ.

It's really nice, I saw one

[Fire14]

A few people on the AT&T forums have gotten the phone & they said it's nice, good Rf & it has Bluetooth as well as they said the feel is nice.
I just got a 400 thru ebay & now found out i am eligialble for a discount from AT&T, I can get the phone for 149.99 with a 2 yr contract, but might hold off till i see if any people have problems with it, but i need to do something quick before the merger.