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Vyperz · 12-26-2003, 10:01 PM

I'm researching for my sister who will be attending school in Columbia, SC. She is out of contract with Sprint and is not pleased with their service, so she wants to switch carriers. What are viable options in terms of coverage and and clear voice lines?
Thanks in advance!

NokiaKrazy · 12-27-2003, 7:39 AM

This past July, I was in Columbia roaming on Verizon. I thought their coverage was good. My mother uses Suncom. I notice that her Suncom is not very good at her home. Mine roaming on Verizon was much better.

ComicalMoodyDan · 12-27-2003, 8:28 AM

Cingular Wireless has pretty good coverage in the Carolina's. There rate plans in this area are pretty good also. I think she should look into Cingular.

Cingular Wireless

Vyperz · 12-27-2003, 10:13 AM

With Cingular, any difference with GSM or TDMA (is that their other network?) With my experience with AT&T, the TDMA has better quality than GSM, so I wonder which is better on the Cingular side.

ComicalMoodyDan · 12-27-2003, 11:02 AM

Cingular Wireless is pure GSM in the Carolina's and in East TN. Those markets from day one have been GSM.

Vyperz · 12-27-2003, 9:46 PM

Thanks for the feedback so far! Any more input from other carriers would also be appreciated.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

parthery · 12-27-2003, 10:13 PM

SunCom is an option...only from the standpoint that the unPlan may enable her to avoid the expense of a landline telephone. The 300 additional minutes is nice too when she travels.

Just watch SunCom's contracts...they self renew.

lordsutch · 12-28-2003, 7:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Vyperz
Thanks for the feedback so far! Any more input from other carriers would also be appreciated.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

I have a friend (then at USC) who had SprintPCS in Columbia; she never mentioned any problems, and she had a positively ancient flip phone of some description. However, I think Columbia's an affiliate market for Sprint, which may add some headaches.

Alltel might also be an option in Columbia; I'm not sure.

NokiaKrazy · 12-28-2003, 8:35 AM

Yes. Alltel is another option in Columbia. I did observe that they have a big presence there.

tjkadar · 12-29-2003, 7:21 AM

I've used SunCom, Alltel, and Cingular in Columbia. SunCom was okay. Like any provider, there were some dead spots depending on where you were. My big beef with SunCom is their inability to provide up to date phones or services. In addition to this, they automatically renew your contract year after year after year. If you want to cancel your service, or move to a month by month basis, you have to notify them in writing 30 days before your anniversary date. It just sounds cheap to me.

SunCom has been unable to upgrade their service, install towers where their coverage is lacking, and the choice of phones is lacking. On the plus side, their customer service reps are usually pretty nice.

Alltel was our first service provider 4 or 5 years ago. Back then they sucked. I imagine it is a bit different today.

I've been using Cingular for just over a month now and it has been pretty good. I'm a little disappointed the signal doesn't penetrate my building at work, but then again, when I'm at work I have a landline. I've been able to access the internet via my phone in most places in Columbia, Charlotte, and Sumter.

The sound quality is much better on Cingular then SunCom. I guess that is about it...

NYCDru · 12-30-2003, 8:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: tjkadar
I've used SunCom, Alltel, and Cingular in Columbia. SunCom was okay. Like any provider, there were some dead spots depending on where you were. My big beef with SunCom is their inability to provide up to date phones or services. In addition to this, they automatically renew your contract year after year after year. If you want to cancel your service, or move to a month by month basis, you have to notify them in writing 30 days before your anniversary date. It just sounds cheap to me.

SunCom has been unable to upgrade their service, install towers where their coverage is lacking, and the choice of phones is lacking. On the plus side, their customer service reps are usually pretty nice.

Alltel was our first service provider 4 or 5 years ago. Back then they sucked. I imagine it is a bit different today.

I've been using Cingular for just over a month now and it has been pretty good. I'm a little disappointed the signal doesn't penetrate my building at work, but then again, when I'm at work I have a landline. I've been able to access the internet via my phone in most places in Columbia, Charlotte, and Sumter.

The sound quality is much better on Cingular then SunCom. I guess that is about it...

Whih of your phones has the problem at work? The SE, the LG or both?

tjkadar · 01-10-2004, 8:38 PM

Both my SE and LG phones have trouble at work. In addition, my SunCom phone only received intermittent service. I honestly believe it is an artifact of the building more then a problem with the carrier. I've yet to meet anyone in the bowels of our building that gets cell phone reception regardless of who provides their service.

tjkadar · 01-12-2004, 4:58 PM

Lo and behold, I had plenty of signal in my building at work today. Don't know what has changed, but my phone worked fine. I was able to surf the net with ease during a long, boring meeting. Now I really don't have anything to complain about.

vger · 02-21-2004, 6:51 PM

I've used Suncom, Sprint, Cingular, and Verizon here in Columbia. I've had the best results with Verizon. Cingular had some serious capacity problems, especially after 9 PM and on weekends. Sprint's coverage is spotty (I dropped calls on the Interstate all the time), and I don't recommend it. Suncom is still TDMA here, but has pretty good coverage in well populated areas. I also used T-Mobile on Cingular towers, and had the same problems as just using straight Cingular.

Verizon costs more, but I think it pays off.

jayc · 02-21-2004, 7:17 PM

Columbia is one of VZW's largest markets in the south.. VZW should give you superior coverage.

Vyperz · 03-01-2004, 9:18 AM

Thanks for all the input. I referred my sister to this thread so she can make her decision.

futureMD · 03-13-2004, 9:50 PM

I recently spent some time in Columbia, and I have to put in another vote for Verizon. Their coverage was great.

SQFreak · 03-14-2004, 10:14 AM

I have found that where Verizon has coverage in the Carolinas (which is most of it, just not extreme NW NC or Eastern NC - Myrtle Beach, SC is up now), they are far superior to anyone else. Alltel has the most widespread coverage, but the quality isn't as good in most places as Verizon.

Oh, and Cingular in the Triad, NC - don't even go there.

WirelessBeachBum · 03-14-2004, 8:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: SQFreak
I have found that where Verizon has coverage in the Carolinas (which is most of it, just not extreme NW NC or Eastern NC - Myrtle Beach, SC is up now), they are far superior to anyone else. Alltel has the most widespread coverage, but the quality isn't as good in most places as Verizon.

Oh, and Cingular in the Triad, NC - don't even go there.

I agree, however before the Verizon companies merged, I could not say the same thing, Alltel was pretty solid in the Carolina's, but once GTE and Bell Atlantic merged they took the two second place companies and became the best. I'm looking to see Verizon either purchase some US Cellular territories for Eastern NC or find some unused PCS licenses to buy as they did in Myrtle Beach.

Rasputin · 03-15-2004, 4:32 PM

I have used Verizon in Columbia, SC and had good coverage, after that I know that Cingular also has good coverage.

tattoounknown28 · 04-08-2004, 5:07 PM

I live in Columbia i can help you out verizon is very good now sunn com i think had the area in mrytle beach covered really good so it hard to get message there with verizon and cingular verizon has coverage all over the us except for like seattle and alaska i have verizon and they are very good i called them about my phone breaking and they told me i could buy a used one for cheap til my plan was up since i didnt wont to pay 275 for a new one and every two years they give me a 100 dollar credit to get a new phone free with service.

12-26-2003, 10:01 PM	#1
Vyperz Fresh Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC I'm researching for my sister who will be attending school in Columbia, SC. She is out of contract with Sprint and is not pleased with their service, so she wants to switch carriers. What are viable options in terms of coverage and and clear voice lines? Thanks in advance!

12-27-2003, 7:39 AM	#2
NokiaKrazy Now I use a LG Join Date: May 2002 Location: Utah Posts: 646 Phone(s): LG AX5000 Provider(s): Alltel (RIP Cellularone) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC This past July, I was in Columbia roaming on Verizon. I thought their coverage was good. My mother uses Suncom. I notice that her Suncom is not very good at her home. Mine roaming on Verizon was much better. __________________ I did not switch to Alltel. They switched to me! And I do not use Nokia anymore!

12-27-2003, 8:28 AM	#3
ComicalMoodyDan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kingsport, TN Posts: 6,085 Phone(s): Blackberry 8520 Provider(s): T-Mobile Devices: T-Mobile @Home Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC Cingular Wireless has pretty good coverage in the Carolina's. There rate plans in this area are pretty good also. I think she should look into Cingular. Cingular Wireless

12-27-2003, 10:13 AM	Original Poster #4
Vyperz Fresh Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC With Cingular, any difference with GSM or TDMA (is that their other network?) With my experience with AT&T, the TDMA has better quality than GSM, so I wonder which is better on the Cingular side.

12-27-2003, 11:02 AM	#5
ComicalMoodyDan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kingsport, TN Posts: 6,085 Phone(s): Blackberry 8520 Provider(s): T-Mobile Devices: T-Mobile @Home Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC Cingular Wireless is pure GSM in the Carolina's and in East TN. Those markets from day one have been GSM.

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12-27-2003, 9:46 PM	Original Poster #6
Vyperz Fresh Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC Thanks for the feedback so far! Any more input from other carriers would also be appreciated.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

12-27-2003, 10:13 PM	#7
parthery Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 392 Phone(s): Nokia 6230, Mot V60 Provider(s): Cingular Blue (ATTWS) ; VZW Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC SunCom is an option...only from the standpoint that the unPlan may enable her to avoid the expense of a landline telephone. The 300 additional minutes is nice too when she travels. Just watch SunCom's contracts...they self renew.

12-28-2003, 8:35 AM	#9
NokiaKrazy Now I use a LG Join Date: May 2002 Location: Utah Posts: 646 Phone(s): LG AX5000 Provider(s): Alltel (RIP Cellularone) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC Yes. Alltel is another option in Columbia. I did observe that they have a big presence there. __________________ I did not switch to Alltel. They switched to me! And I do not use Nokia anymore!

12-29-2003, 7:21 AM	#10
tjkadar Fresh Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC I've used SunCom, Alltel, and Cingular in Columbia. SunCom was okay. Like any provider, there were some dead spots depending on where you were. My big beef with SunCom is their inability to provide up to date phones or services. In addition to this, they automatically renew your contract year after year after year. If you want to cancel your service, or move to a month by month basis, you have to notify them in writing 30 days before your anniversary date. It just sounds cheap to me. SunCom has been unable to upgrade their service, install towers where their coverage is lacking, and the choice of phones is lacking. On the plus side, their customer service reps are usually pretty nice. Alltel was our first service provider 4 or 5 years ago. Back then they sucked. I imagine it is a bit different today. I've been using Cingular for just over a month now and it has been pretty good. I'm a little disappointed the signal doesn't penetrate my building at work, but then again, when I'm at work I have a landline. I've been able to access the internet via my phone in most places in Columbia, Charlotte, and Sumter. The sound quality is much better on Cingular then SunCom. I guess that is about it...

01-10-2004, 8:38 PM	#12
tjkadar Fresh Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC Both my SE and LG phones have trouble at work. In addition, my SunCom phone only received intermittent service. I honestly believe it is an artifact of the building more then a problem with the carrier. I've yet to meet anyone in the bowels of our building that gets cell phone reception regardless of who provides their service.

01-12-2004, 4:58 PM	#13
tjkadar Fresh Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC Lo and behold, I had plenty of signal in my building at work today. Don't know what has changed, but my phone worked fine. I was able to surf the net with ease during a long, boring meeting. Now I really don't have anything to complain about.

02-21-2004, 6:51 PM	#14
vger Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Southeast Posts: 127 Phone(s): Palm Treo 650, Motorola V60s Provider(s): Cingular, Verizon Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC I've used Suncom, Sprint, Cingular, and Verizon here in Columbia. I've had the best results with Verizon. Cingular had some serious capacity problems, especially after 9 PM and on weekends. Sprint's coverage is spotty (I dropped calls on the Interstate all the time), and I don't recommend it. Suncom is still TDMA here, but has pretty good coverage in well populated areas. I also used T-Mobile on Cingular towers, and had the same problems as just using straight Cingular. Verizon costs more, but I think it pays off.

02-21-2004, 7:17 PM	#15
jayc Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Johnson City, TN Posts: 1,418 Phone(s): Samsung A670, LG VX6100, AirPrime PC 5220 Provider(s): Verizon Wireless Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC Columbia is one of VZW's largest markets in the south.. VZW should give you superior coverage.

03-01-2004, 9:18 AM	Original Poster #16
Vyperz Fresh Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC Thanks for all the input. I referred my sister to this thread so she can make her decision.

03-13-2004, 9:50 PM	#17
futureMD Join Date: May 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 224 Phone(s): LG VX6000 Provider(s): Verizon Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverage in Columbia, SC I recently spent some time in Columbia, and I have to put in another vote for Verizon. Their coverage was great. __________________ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. -II Corinthians 4:18

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