SoCal General Questions...

[SDTinCup]

Hey all! Well needless to say I've been reading some awesome reviews of different coverages and this seemed like the best place to go for some advice...so anyone who can give their .02 fire away! Currently I just signed up with VZW and my girlfriend's had it with AT&T...we're lookin' at all our options.

1. VZW vs. TM (Cing.) - Does either TM or Cing (not sure who's the official carrier in San Diego) have tri mode phones...or am I completely stuck on their digital signal for coverage? I know with VZW I've got 2 levels of digital plus analog backup with a tri-mode phone. Moving to Cardiff...2 blocks from the beach living on a hillside...not the best coverage area! Mainly looking for solid coverage in the SoCal area.

2. I signed a 2 yr w/ an LG-510...only had it a couple days, seems cool enough. I've heard talk about other phones, V60_ for one, and also just signing a 1 yr...any suggestions? I've got my 14 day window to get out.

3. Either carrier better for mobile to mobile?

4. ANy other suggestions for anything are very welcome!

I thank everyone in advance for whatever help you guys can provide, very much appreciated!
-SDTinCup

[Matt]

T-Mobile and Cingular are digital only. Even though you get a tri-mode phone from Verizon, it's not "two levels of digital and then analog" In each market they offer digital at either 800 MHz or 1900 MHz, not both. So it's one digital, and then analog. Which digital depends on what city (market) you are in.

[larry]

Verizon operates at 800 MHZ digital and analog here in CA. I've read that Sprint is no longer a roaming partner for Verizon in So. CA. so the 1900 Mhz band on Verizon tri-modes is useless except when in other states.

[SDTinCup]

Okay, very cool...now I know a bit more about the digital aspects for both networks. Any recommendations on either carrier...and associated phones?
Thanks!

[Rasputin]

Originally posted by: SDTinCup
Okay, very cool...now I know a bit more about the digital aspects for both networks. Any recommendations on either carrier...and associated phones?
Thanks!

I have the LG510 it works well, I also have the t720 seems to work well. San Diego is a tough area to cover. I would suggest Verizon or ATT over Cingular in SD. I think the Mobile to Mobiles are about the same for the carriers. I have had the best coverage for myself with Verizon. I have a friend how uses Cingular in SD and seems to have more dead spots than I do. I had a couple of problems with ATT in East County, and would pickup the Mexico Cell Carrier sometimes around the border on the US side instead of ATT, which sucks if you need to make a call.

Verizon with the CDMA technolgy has a lot more capacity than either the ATT or Cingular system, the soft handoffs are better than hard handoffs with TDMA or GSM.

Just my opinion though.

[psycho]

Everyone I know who works for Qualcomm in San Diego uses VZW.
Everyone I know who works for Kyocera Wireless in San Diego uses VZW.
Everyone I know who works for Nokia CDMA in San Diego uses VZW.


Does that answer your question? :-)

[Rasputin]

Originally posted by: psycho
Everyone I know who works for Qualcomm in San Diego uses VZW.
Everyone I know who works for Kyocera Wireless in San Diego uses VZW.
Everyone I know who works for Nokia CDMA in San Diego uses VZW.


Does that answer your question? :-)

I know some people at Qualcomm a lawyer and DSP data type of engineer who use Sprint, luckily it works well at their house in by Pacific Beach. But, they are the exception to the rule, other people I know all use Verizon. The people at Qualcomm, Kyocera, Nokia CDMA are smart people who make smart decisions.

[SDTinCup]

Rasputin & crew,

If I may get some other recommendations...

Based on all my research (online, JDP & Assc., etc) and the posting's I've seen here, think it's safe to go with Verizon right now...most likely to give solid reliable service in the greatest area range. I've currently got a LG-510 with a 2-year contract...any other phone recommendations that I should consider...Motorola's v60i or T720, LGVX1, Samsung A310? I need to get another phone for my girlfriend, preferably a Nokia...any insights? Also...we need a mobile to mobile plan...I signed up for the America 300...but considering the more limited travel I'd be doing...maybe a more local plan would be better...again, any suggestions? Finally...would it be better to only commit to a 1 year given the pace of cellular market changes?

Thanks again!

[Rasputin]

Originally posted by: SDTinCup
Rasputin & crew,

If I may get some other recommendations...

Based on all my research (online, JDP & Assc., etc) and the posting's I've seen here, think it's safe to go with Verizon right now...most likely to give solid reliable service in the greatest area range. I've currently got a LG-510 with a 2-year contract...any other phone recommendations that I should consider...Motorola's v60i or T720, LGVX1, Samsung A310? I need to get another phone for my girlfriend, preferably a Nokia...any insights? Also...we need a mobile to mobile plan...I signed up for the America 300...but considering the more limited travel I'd be doing...maybe a more local plan would be better...again, any suggestions? Finally...would it be better to only commit to a 1 year given the pace of cellular market changes?

Thanks again!

the LGVX1 wait until there is a VX10, so far I like the T720, I am just now trying to test out the audio differences in the mic between the LG510 , T720 and my old startac 7868.. V60 is a good phone. I have heard good things about the A310, but for the same money you can have the t720 after rebate. I prefer the 1 year contracts myself, the 2 year is great if you are not a phone freak, like most of us are here. Local vs Nation it all depends on the minutes you use out of your area.