no reason to use VZW any more?

[diablo]

Hi all,

I have been using VZW since I moved to NYC almost 4 years ago. My second 2-year contract will be up in a few months, and I just don't see any reason to stick with Verizon:

-Independent consultants have determined that Cingular has fewer dropped calls than Verizon in NYC
-Pricing is the same as Cingular but with Cingular you get roll-over minutes
-Cingular has (and always has had, and always will have) better phones
-Cingular does not disable Bluetooth functionality
-The new Verizon universal interface looks horrible!

I was willing to put up with a lot when Verizon had the undisputed best network in this area. But now it looks like Cingular has caught up, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to switch. What do you guys think? Thanks.

[ZaphodB]

I think that dropped call percentages only matter if you drop calls. I think that if you travel at all, you'll be better off with Verizon, but in NYC they're probably exactly the same. Haven't seen the new UI but I'll make a judgment on it when it impacts me.

If you're unhappy, switch.

[ronnieg56]

I have been using VZW since I moved to NYC almost 4 years ago. My second 2-year contract will be up in a few months, and I just don't see any reason to stick with Verizon:

-Independent consultants have determined that Cingular has fewer dropped calls than Verizon in NYC
-Pricing is the same as Cingular but with Cingular you get roll-over minutes
-Cingular has (and always has had, and always will have) better phones
-Cingular does not disable Bluetooth functionality
-The new Verizon universal interface looks horrible!

I was willing to put up with a lot when Verizon had the undisputed best network in this area. But now it looks like Cingular has caught up, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to switch. What do you guys think? Thanks.[/quote]


I just have to laugh at one thing. This "who has less dropped calls then . . ." and "who has the better phones".

Cingular and T-Mobile (GSM'ers) are holding sales on their V3's and waiting for new stock because of dropped calls. I guess that covers two things they brag about in one shot.

RECALL

I am not a Cingular basher either. I subscribe to both providers for a long time now and it is a fact that there are problems with all carriers. Always will be. When people have to "depend" on what others write about when it comes to cell service they might as well not even use it.

Cingular gives you a 30 days return policy so I guess you can make up your own mind with that instead of what is written.

It is also a know fact that the chips in GSM phones stink. Ever use a one touch dial number and listen to how long it takes for the tones to go out on a GSM phone? That's because the chip is slow as c**p.

I can go on for ever on what is bad but it's not worth it because people are going to like something even when someone else hates it.

Good luck.

[macsesso]

Originally Posted by diablo

Hi all,

I have been using VZW since I moved to NYC almost 4 years ago. My second 2-year contract will be up in a few months, and I just don't see any reason to stick with Verizon:

-Independent consultants have determined that Cingular has fewer dropped calls than Verizon in NYC
-Pricing is the same as Cingular but with Cingular you get roll-over minutes
-Cingular has (and always has had, and always will have) better phones
-Cingular does not disable Bluetooth functionality
-The new Verizon universal interface looks horrible!

I was willing to put up with a lot when Verizon had the undisputed best network in this area. But now it looks like Cingular has caught up, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to switch. What do you guys think? Thanks.

I own this bridge I would like to sell you.

[jones]

Two leading independent research companies have concluded that no wireless market has fewer dropped calls or is more reliable in the New York metro area. *


In 2005, we invested over $500 million and added more than 270 new cell sites in the NYC metro area to upgrade our network and bring you:


• Greater service coverage


• Enhanced voice quality


• Fewer dropped calls


• Improved access to advanced data services



While we take pride in delivering on our commitments, we will never stop striving to improve the ALLOVER™ network, the largest digital voice and data coverage in America.

[SkippyWattson]

VERIZON IS THE BEST. END OF STORY. YOU PAY THROUGH THE NOSE AND THEY SCREW YOU LEFT AND RIGHT BUT IF YOU WANT THE SERVICE, BEND OVER AND TAKE IT.

[Critic]

Jones - please don't repost Cingular literature without providing proper attribution. I know that you believe everything you read, but it's considered plagiarism if you don't attribute.

[agentHibby]

If you want to go to Cingular that is fine.
I have a hard time to believe at this point Cingular is #1 in NYC. I am not saying the network is bad at all. Until Cingular sells off the Orange network to T-Mobile that network is going to get overloaded. Cingular is got alot of Network problems here and there in NYC. Once in awhile parts of the network does down for awhile. Rarely do hear about VZW in NYC. If you use subway you may want to see if the coverage is just as good as VZW. In the comming years all wireless providers will have good coverage in subway, but I still hear that VZW still has an upperhand in the subway.

Verizon is fixing UI and will probably soon offer almost full blue tooth.
The reason why Cingular to some people have a better phone selection is that the manufatures like Nokia and Motorola bring things to GSM first and then CDMA.
Saying we have the best network is what people want to hear. When you can say that customers come get your service. Worked for Sprint in 99-01 and for VZW since 2002.

[jones]

Cingular has a SIM card which store your Phone # and Contacts
so changing phones is fast.
Something that VZW does NOT Have so it can't do.

[mikegateway]

Originally Posted by diablo

Hi all,

I have been using VZW since I moved to NYC almost 4 years ago. My second 2-year contract will be up in a few months, and I just don't see any reason to stick with Verizon:

-Independent consultants have determined that Cingular has fewer dropped calls than Verizon in NYC
-Pricing is the same as Cingular but with Cingular you get roll-over minutes
-Cingular has (and always has had, and always will have) better phones
-Cingular does not disable Bluetooth functionality
-The new Verizon universal interface looks horrible!

I was willing to put up with a lot when Verizon had the undisputed best network in this area. But now it looks like Cingular has caught up, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to switch. What do you guys think? Thanks.

I agree but VZW is the best network in my area so I am stuck. VZW needs to stop making profits off of their customers' personal material. My digital photos and my cell phone should be able to get together without VZW charging me a fee to put my stuff on my stuff. I hate it!

[Etorres777]

Originally Posted by SkippyWattson

VERIZON IS THE BEST. END OF STORY. YOU PAY THROUGH THE NOSE AND THEY SCREW YOU LEFT AND RIGHT BUT IF YOU WANT THE SERVICE, BEND OVER AND TAKE IT.

You're speaking about your area only right? Because that's not the case where I'm at.

[diablo]

Thanks for your input guys, some of it was helpful and some of it obviously was not (like people putting in all caps that their network is the best without providing any data, justification, or observations to back it up).

Right now no one has coverage in the subways in NYC. Some subway stations have limited signal near the entrance, if it is a station that is just below street level. But that is just because you are not far underground. None of the tunnels have coverage, and the vast majority of stations have no signal that reaches them. So coverage in the subway is not an issue. They have been talking about making it available for the past 5 years, but so far nothing.

I don't know if Cingular is necessarily *better* in NYC, but I think it is getting to the point where it is comparable. I haven't been that amazed with Verizon lately. I've been dropping calls and getting fuzzy reception. And yes I have done the PRL update thing recently - it didn't change anything.

It just seems to me at this point that Verizon is losing its edge in terms of its network, which was really the only thing it ever had going for it in the first place. Their phones and pricing have always lagged behind everyone else. A few of my friends have switched to Cingular already. I think I will at least do the 30 day trial.

[ronnieg56]

Forgot something. For Tivo users. VZW made a deal with Tivo to be the cellular provider to enable programming your Tivo via your cell phone.

Now how can you live without that?

[macsesso]

Originally Posted by jones

Two leading independent research companies have concluded that no wireless market has fewer dropped calls or is more reliable in the New York metro area. *


In 2005, we invested over $500 million and added more than 270 new cell sites in the NYC metro area to upgrade our network and bring you:


• Greater service coverage


• Enhanced voice quality


• Fewer dropped calls


• Improved access to advanced data services



While we take pride in delivering on our commitments, we will never stop striving to improve the ALLOVER™ network, the largest digital voice and data coverage in America.

Ever have any original thoughts?

[diablo]

Originally Posted by ronnieg56

Forgot something. For Tivo users. VZW made a deal with Tivo to be the cellular provider to enable programming your Tivo via your cell phone.

Now how can you live without that?

Well, I can live without it because I use a Time Warner DVR instead of Tivo. It's cheaper and does not require an extra box. And it's integrated with the on-screen interactive TV schedule. How can you live without that?

[ruddy64]

During natural (and unnatural) disasters, Hurricanes, Blackouts, etc. Verizon was the ONLY provider that worked. Now, ask yourself, if you stuck in an emergancy situation, would you want to have a nice phone that would let you listen to music and play games or would you rather have a not so nice phone that will let you make a VERY IMPORTANT phone call?

[diablo]

Originally Posted by ruddy64

During natural (and unnatural) disasters, Hurricanes, Blackouts, etc. Verizon was the ONLY provider that worked. Now, ask yourself, if you stuck in an emergancy situation, would you want to have a nice phone that would let you listen to music and play games or would you rather have a not so nice phone that will let you make a VERY IMPORTANT phone call?

I don't know if there is enough data on that to make that claim. How many hurricanes and blackouts have you been in? During the blackout in NYC a few summers ago, most people's phones still worked, Verizon or otherwise. It was just hard to get through because all the lines were in use...

[Matt]

Originally Posted by ruddy64

During natural (and unnatural) disasters, Hurricanes, Blackouts, etc. Verizon was the ONLY provider that worked. Now, ask yourself, if you stuck in an emergancy situation, would you want to have a nice phone that would let you listen to music and play games or would you rather have a not so nice phone that will let you make a VERY IMPORTANT phone call?

I'm not going to let this get into a flamewar, but here's an example where T-Mobile worked throughout Katrina. Jsut saying that, once again, the almighty Verizon press machine doesn't always cover all the bases.

http://www.t-mobile.com/company/pres...release146.asp

Historical Data:

--The T-Mobile New Orleans Switching facility, which serves New Orleans and Baton Rouge, remained operational throughout Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.
--In order to keep the switch operational following the storm, T-Mobile immediately began airlifting supplies, technicians and diesel fuel into the facility to keep the switch supplied with generator power [Editor's Note: video footage available to the media upon request]. This would not have been possible without the exceptional aid of local law enforcement agencies, which have been instrumental in assisting T-Mobile in keeping this vital communications link operational.
--On 8/29, T-Mobile processed 600,000 wireless calls in and out of New Orleans
--On 8/30, T-Mobile processed 1.1 million wireless calls in and out of New Orleans
--On 8/31, T-Mobile processed 1.4 million wireless calls in and out of New Orleans
--The T-Mobile switches which serve Alabama and Mississippi also remained in operation throughout Hurricane Katrina despite the fact that the switch buildings sustained heavy damage due to rain and wind.

[kashkanantambu]

I recently switched to VZW about a week ago and I love it. I haven't had any problems thus far nor have I had any dropped calls and the customer service was the best. Wish I can say the same about Sprint.

I am of the belief however that all of the carriers have their pros and cons, and that it is up to the individual user to select a carrier that best suits their needs. If we all liked the same carrier there will only be one.

Wish you the best.

[ruddy64]

Originally Posted by diablo

During the blackout in NYC a few summers ago, most people's phones still worked, Verizon or otherwise. It was just hard to get through because all the lines were in use...

During the NYC Blackout, Verizon was the only provider working. I was stuck at work for 32 hours and my phone was the only one working. I guess Verizon was getting through, unlike others. T-Mobile, Sprint and cingular couldn't get a signal. BTW, i work in Midtown (40th and 2nd). As for Hurricanes, ask people who were in Florida during the last one.

[Grizzld]

Originally Posted by ronnieg56

Forgot something. For Tivo users. VZW made a deal with Tivo to be the cellular provider to enable programming your Tivo via your cell phone.

Now how can you live without that?

I believe Verizon only has exclusivity to that deal for 90 days before Tivo can begin talks with other carriers.

[agentHibby]

Think we all can agree Verizon is not the best for everyone.

That is why we have different choices and some stay with the providers they like.