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thehawk · 05-15-2002, 3:22 AM

My family is looking into getting a family wireless plan and the two main options here in SLC are ATT and Verizon. I was just wondering if anyone out there has any experience with these providers here in Utah. I really don't travel much, so I really don't care about nation coverage, BUT I do spend a lot of time in the mountains and on the ski slopes. A lot of my friends were disappointed with the Voicestream coverage in the mountains. A lot of my friends have been happy with their Nokias, so I was considering going with the ATT and a Nokia 8390 or 8260. I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions.

Thanks for the help!

Malial · 05-15-2002, 8:24 AM

I'm not sure that you would be able to get the Nokia 8390 in SLC. Has ATT and converted to GSM there yet? Even is they have, I probably wouldn't go with it if your friends are complaining about coverage with Voicestream in areas that you want coverage. VoiceStream uses GSM also, and if they aren't getting coverage, the odds are you won't with your ATT GSM phone either.

Now if ATT is still TDMA there (which I think they are), then you will probably receive better coverage with an 8260.

Verizon is 1X in SLC, which is their upgraded network. You should get better call quality and battery life with a 1X phone there. Thy also have good family plans with the America's Choice plans.

As far as actual coverage in that area, I've never been there, so I can't comment.

Check outwww.mountainwireless.com for more info in that area. BillRadio runs that site and he frequents here...He'll be able to provide you with better info.

BillRadio · 05-15-2002, 10:27 AM

The Hawk,
If your choice boils down to Verizon and AT&T, Verizon is the easy choice. Let's just talk about Utah coverage and not national. In town, all providers serve the Wasatch Front well, except maybe for Cricket. It is when you leave town is the difference.

Just outside of SLC metro, an AT&T phone will no longer be on the AT&T network, it will be roaming on Cellular One, and it will be all-analog. Except for in Vernal, Verizon phones will stay on the Verizon network, and it is all-digital except around Richmond and along I-70 across the mountains to Moab.

For coverage outside of SLC, you won't get good coverage with the 8260-series phones. They essentially have no antenna. That's not a big problem in town, but it is out of town. All Verizon phones have a pull-out antenna. You can leave it down, but you'll appreciate having it in the boonies. Nokias are good phones, but concensious here is Motorolas are better.

The Verizon Utah Local plans include all of 5 states, AT&T's Local plan includes only the cities in those states. I think you can get 700 peak minutes for $45 with VZ, 400 minutes w/AT&T for $40. If you really want lots of minutes, Qwest gives you 1,000 for $40, and the cover most of the ski areas, but not south of town.

Verizon, Qwest and Sprint made a big effort to upgrade service in Utah for the Olympics. Service w/ Verizon and Sprint are excellent, and digital all the way through St. George.

Our specific sites for Utah info are:
Utah Carrier Reviews
SLC Carrier Ratings

I recommend you get the Verizon Local plan. The plan gives you calling to the whole state without LD charges. The best value in phones is the StarTac which is under $100. if you really want a Nokia, Verizon's 3285 is a fine phone.

And to Malial, thanks for the vote of confidence!

-Bill Radio

thehawk · 05-15-2002, 6:29 PM

Thanks for the help. Bill are you located here in Salt Lake? I don't have to go with ATT or Verizon, those are just the providers I have heard the most positive about. Bill, are there any other providers you would recommend above the previously noted? If I do end up going with the Motorla and the Verizon, is there any model of phone that you would suggest? I have just been impressed with the reception on my friend's Nokia.

BillRadio · 05-16-2002, 10:51 AM

Hawk,
No, I'm in Denver, but we travel west quite a bit. Your carrier choice depends on where you live, and where you go. The newer Nokia phones are very cute. But smaller range is the price for cuteness. Any of the Motorolas work well, but the StarTac and the v120 are a good value in that they cost around $100 or less. Even most of the free phones work well.

-Bill Radio

Jack · 05-16-2002, 9:01 PM

with verizon go with the lg vx1 or the startac

Jack

05-15-2002, 3:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
thehawk I have arrived! Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ATT or Verizon in Salt Lake City? My family is looking into getting a family wireless plan and the two main options here in SLC are ATT and Verizon. I was just wondering if anyone out there has any experience with these providers here in Utah. I really don't travel much, so I really don't care about nation coverage, BUT I do spend a lot of time in the mountains and on the ski slopes. A lot of my friends were disappointed with the Voicestream coverage in the mountains. A lot of my friends have been happy with their Nokias, so I was considering going with the ATT and a Nokia 8390 or 8260. I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions. Thanks for the help!

05-15-2002, 10:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
BillRadio Wireless Consultant Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Denver Posts: 1,387 Phone(s): Motorola, Nokia Provider(s): Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Images: 1	The Hawk, If your choice boils down to Verizon and AT&T, Verizon is the easy choice. Let's just talk about Utah coverage and not national. In town, all providers serve the Wasatch Front well, except maybe for Cricket. It is when you leave town is the difference. Just outside of SLC metro, an AT&T phone will no longer be on the AT&T network, it will be roaming on Cellular One, and it will be all-analog. Except for in Vernal, Verizon phones will stay on the Verizon network, and it is all-digital except around Richmond and along I-70 across the mountains to Moab. For coverage outside of SLC, you won't get good coverage with the 8260-series phones. They essentially have no antenna. That's not a big problem in town, but it is out of town. All Verizon phones have a pull-out antenna. You can leave it down, but you'll appreciate having it in the boonies. Nokias are good phones, but concensious here is Motorolas are better. The Verizon Utah Local plans include all of 5 states, AT&T's Local plan includes only the cities in those states. I think you can get 700 peak minutes for $45 with VZ, 400 minutes w/AT&T for $40. If you really want lots of minutes, Qwest gives you 1,000 for $40, and the cover most of the ski areas, but not south of town. Verizon, Qwest and Sprint made a big effort to upgrade service in Utah for the Olympics. Service w/ Verizon and Sprint are excellent, and digital all the way through St. George. Our specific sites for Utah info are: Utah Carrier Reviews SLC Carrier Ratings I recommend you get the Verizon Local plan. The plan gives you calling to the whole state without LD charges. The best value in phones is the StarTac which is under $100. if you really want a Nokia, Verizon's 3285 is a fine phone. And to Malial, thanks for the vote of confidence! -Bill Radio __________________ Cellular Reviews & Ratings. www.MountainWireless.com

05-16-2002, 10:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
BillRadio Wireless Consultant Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Denver Posts: 1,387 Phone(s): Motorola, Nokia Provider(s): Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Images: 1	Hawk, No, I'm in Denver, but we travel west quite a bit. Your carrier choice depends on where you live, and where you go. The newer Nokia phones are very cute. But smaller range is the price for cuteness. Any of the Motorolas work well, but the StarTac and the v120 are a good value in that they cost around $100 or less. Even most of the free phones work well. -Bill Radio __________________ Cellular Reviews & Ratings. www.MountainWireless.com

05-16-2002, 9:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jack Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,475 Phone(s): Motorola T720 Provider(s): Alltel Devices: Sirius Satellite radio, ipod, laptop, pda Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	with verizon go with the lg vx1 or the startac Jack __________________ Current Plan with alltel 3000 anytime minutes w/nationwide LD $74.95 a month---Waiting not so patiently for the Alltel version of the V710

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05-15-2002, 8:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Malial Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 749 Phone(s): Motorola v710 Provider(s): Verizon Devices: Dell Axim X5 Advance, palmOne Tungsten T5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm not sure that you would be able to get the Nokia 8390 in SLC. Has ATT and converted to GSM there yet? Even is they have, I probably wouldn't go with it if your friends are complaining about coverage with Voicestream in areas that you want coverage. VoiceStream uses GSM also, and if they aren't getting coverage, the odds are you won't with your ATT GSM phone either. Now if ATT is still TDMA there (which I think they are), then you will probably receive better coverage with an 8260. Verizon is 1X in SLC, which is their upgraded network. You should get better call quality and battery life with a 1X phone there. Thy also have good family plans with the America's Choice plans. As far as actual coverage in that area, I've never been there, so I can't comment. Check outwww.mountainwireless.com for more info in that area. BillRadio runs that site and he frequents here...He'll be able to provide you with better info.

05-15-2002, 6:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
thehawk I have arrived! Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the help. Bill are you located here in Salt Lake? I don't have to go with ATT or Verizon, those are just the providers I have heard the most positive about. Bill, are there any other providers you would recommend above the previously noted? If I do end up going with the Motorla and the Verizon, is there any model of phone that you would suggest? I have just been impressed with the reception on my friend's Nokia.

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