Need help in Orlando

[dazed]

I know this is the end of the year but...

I need some help. I have narrowed my search down to Verizon or Cingular. (I like the deals offered by Voicestream, but am concerned about coverage when I have to travel (infrequently, LA; NY; DC, etc.)

1) Is now the time to decide? If so, which one?

2) Are new phones on the horizon in my area? If so, details, recommendations, please.

I prefer a light phone (<3.5oz) and plan on needing a program with about 600 minutes per month, long distance dialing (prefer no roaming fees) and can change programs up/down at any time.

Any thoughts out there???

Happy New Year,

Cingular offers nation plans to take care of any roaming charges you might incur while connected to a competitor's service. If the "infrequent" travels can allow you to eat the $0.69 per minute roaming charges for the out of area calls, I'd advised the cheaper home plans as they offer more peak minutes for the money. Cingular recently added 3000 off peak minutes to its region and nation plans. Since I always advise customers(am a CSR for Cingular) to get a dual mode phone, it's doubtful your equipment will be as weightless as you think. While dual modes aren't the bricks of old, some can double as door stops.

gm

[TNDan21]

I don't live in Orlando but out of 7 reviews on Epinions.com Cingular Wireless has a very low rating for that area. Verizon only has one review but its a good one.

http://www.epinions.com/elec-Comm-Mo...ce-All-Orlando

http://www.epinions.com/elec-Comm-Mo...erizon_Orlando

http://www.epinions.com/elec-Comm-Mo...ngular_Orlando

[dazed]

Thanks for the links. The problem is the epinion comments are not very recent so it is hard to really judge where things stand at this juncture.I am now waivering between Verizon and Voicestream as I hear nothing but bad things about Cingular's customer service (not that the others are much better!!).

Any more thoughts????

[TNDan21]

Verizon is a better choice if you travel a bit. GSM Coverage is still limited in the US. I've delt with Verizon Wireless myself and coverage wise I think they are a pretty good provider its just there customer service that seems to stink. In my area they have great coverage but I have heard many bad things about there customer service.

I've had VOICESTREAM for about a month and feel that I cannot recommend the company. I had heard a lot of bad stories about their service, but wanted a particular phone (nokia 3390). While researching prior to purchase, I had few specific questions. On the day of purchase, I repeated my few specific questions several times. The salesman must have been operating in the "say anything" mode that day. Unfortunately, I did not ask the question the required amount of times to get an honest answer. Perhaps it's their pay or hiring practices but something is NOT right with voicestream.

[dazed]

It sounds like you were taken advantage of by a salesperson, not necessarily the company. That kind of thing happens anytime you hav salespeople on commission- most are honest and honorable, but some just don't care. I can't tell by your comment, but I am not sure that there is a problem with the quality of service (technologically speaking)...

You are absolutely correct. Technology is like a hammer. If you don't have the skill to swing it........

Dazed,

My comment is just my experience with a salesman. I do think that the phone and the technology is just perfect for me. I do not travel out of my big city (tampa) and signal strength is not an issue. I've heard (and it makes sense to me) that voicestream has problems on the open road. I guess they stick with only one type of technology and count on growing fast enough to put their own cell sites all over the country. This is not as cooperative as the other services and may be a sign that, if they succeed, it'll be like ma bell (monopoly).

I also have heard bad things about their billing practices but my one bill was somewhat straightforward. I did have to call customer service due to the fact that their website says long distance costs and the plan says it doesn't. Customer service said that the website was wrong and hasn't been updated.

One last thing. Until I realized that I had been lied to (lied...not miscommunicated...lied), I was very protective of my choice of service providers. I do understand that this industry is so hot that my experience means squat to voicestream or any other provider. They have more new customers than they can handle. Everything will come out in the wash but, by identifying themselves with the automobile industry (car salesman), they do their whole industry a disservice.

[ChadMW]

I work for an authorized dealer of 5 carriers in the Orlando area. Based on what your looking for, I recommend VoiceStream. The $59.99 rate plan will give you 800 whenever minutes and unlimited weekend minutes. When traveling or making calls they also give you free long distance and nationwide roaming.