Cell Service in Dallas/North Texas

[jillc67]

Hi everyone

Just moved to Dallas from Baton Rouge where Cingular was the best coverage that I found. I have been a Cingular (formerly bell south mobility) customer since 1996, so I'm fairly loyal. However, I dont know whether Cingular cuts it in Dallas.

I still have my BR cell phone and am going to get a new cell here when I figure out the best service provider. Any advice? Should I stick with Cingular or go with a new provider?

thanks

[jones]

This is the other state where Cingular has the Most Spectrum License
than any other Carrier.

[Andy]

Jones, you always say that Verizon's coverage maps are a big red on the map, well, correct me if I'm wrong, but same is Cingular's. Also, owning most spectrum does NOT equal best coverage.
Jill, welcome to Wireless Advisor!
If you already have Cingualr it doesn't hurt to try them out around your neighborhod, the area you work/play/live in. If they fit your needs, then you might as well stick with them, if they don't, then you can go around shopping for a different wireless carrier.
Take care,
Andy

[mframe]

Jill -

If you are still using a TDMA phone, you may not be getting the benefits of combined Cingular/AT&T coverage. A new GSM phone would most likely show great improvement. Nokias are a good bet for excellent reception.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by mframe

Jill -

If you are still using a TDMA phone, you may not be getting the benefits of combined Cingular/AT&T coverage. A new GSM phone would most likely show great improvement. Nokias are a good bet for excellent reception.

Agreed-she should definitely try a GSM phone(if she doesn't have one already) before switching carriers.

[Rasputin]

You can not go wrong with Cingular or Verizon in the greater Dallas area, I would test them out and see what you like the best. I would also figure what providers most of your family and friends use the M2M minutes make a difference.

[jillc67]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll follow your advice and keep cingular for a while. Most of my friends and family are in Baton Rouge or southern Texas. The baton rouge ones use cingular but the east and southern texas use alltell. Does not really matter to me though.

As for TDMA and GSM...I have NO idea what those things mean! (I'm not very technologically savvy) I can tell you I have the free Nokia that came with Cingular service about a year and a half ago. Not sure what kind of Nokia it is but I definitely need a new one. I think the system is whatever the older of those 2 are. Baton Rouge was changing all of their towers over and having big problems (no service, etc) so I stuck with the older system b/c I knew I was moving.

I am thinking about getting that Razor Motorola phone- is that a bad one? I have always had great experiences with Nokia and not so great with a Motorola flip that I had a while ago. So I want to hear what others have to say before spending $200 on that phone. What I like most about it is the slim fit of it b/c my phone right now is fairly bulky.

Thanks again for all the advice. I appreciate it
Jill

[mframe]

Yep, thats the reason why your coverage doesn't seem so good in the Dallas area. You are using the "older technology" (TDMA), and I don't think you are roaming properly on AT&T (now owned by Cingular), in that area. All of Cingular's new phones are GSM, and will register better on all available roaming networks. You will probably have to change your plan to one of the latest ones when you switch from TDMA to GSM, however.

As for the Motorolas, I have seen posted both good and bad about the RAZR and the V551, but I suspect, in general, both are pretty good.

[Andy]

If you do switch to a GSM phone/plan and sign a new contract, make sure you make good use of the 30 day trial to see if Cingular fits you best.