problems with Cingular in California??

[phasmatrope]

Hey, I'm wondering if there are any Cingular users here who been having many problems with their service in California like I am.

I live in Los Angeles, and occasionally my calls won't come through... like my phone will just suddenly announce that I have new voicemail, even when I've been holding it in my hand the entire time! Or, I'll get a voicemail warning several minutes, even up to an hour after the other person made the call.

Thing is, I pretty much expect to have problems receiving service/calls if I go out into a rural area (like Northern California), but this is a major metropolitan area we're talking about!! I just saw the post about Verizon having the best coverage, and am not about to doubt those claims. But is there any possibility that my PHONE could also be at fault? I have an Ericsson T28 World Phone, which has already been discontinued. Could getting a newer model possibly help?

But even besides Cingular's coverage problems, I'm not too happy with the bills I've been getting lately. I'd really like to switch to Verizon, but they'd charge me $90.00 combined for a new phone and activation fee, plus $50.00/month for long-distance (which is ridiculous, as that should be included to begin with).

Cingular's service may have flawed reception, but at least it includes free long distance, for $10.00/month cheaper than Verizon, no less.

I guess I COULD switch to a cheaper plan on Cingular, put up with their crappy service for another month or so free of contract until I have the money to burn on a new phone, and THEN switch to Verizon. I just don't want to pay Verizon a lot right not for a new phone, activation fee, and extra for--what should be included--long-distance if they're not going to be some absolutely kick-___ service, or if the problem is something that simply getting a new phone could possibly help fix.

[budney]

Hi, If you want to go with Verizon. Go to one of there stores, and talk to a sales person. Let them know your situation and what your looking for in a plan & phone. They will work with you the best they can. There customer service & sales people have been great to me. I have gotten two phones with them for the two year contract price, while just signing for a year. And I never did not pay an activation fee on either phone. I have never had them customize a plan, but I have heard they do it. Good luck!!!

[phasmatrope]

Thanks Budney; yeah, that seems to be the general consensus around here.

I pretty much expect that I might have to pay for a new phone or activation fee with any new service (with Cingular I didn't, but then again that was probably their method of quickly signing a lot of customers to their overbooked, unreliable service); I just find a hard time believing that that wouldn't include free long distance. I guess charges for something like that are non-negotiable, but at least if I can get them to hook me up with a free/discounted phone, especially if I'm going to be signing a contract, then that should balance things out somewhat.

But back to my original question: does the phone really have that much to do with your reception/dropped/missed calls? I don't know how good the quality of an Ericsson's supposed to be, but I'm wondering if I were simply to get an upgrade if that might improve matters....


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[budney]

I have not heard any great things about Ericsson phones. Except that a couple of there new phone are pretty nice, but I know Sony is a partner now. I think now more than ever the differance is with the phone. Like they say you get what you pay for. The cell Companies are always improving there coverage and service. I have even noticed it myself with more than one company. If Cingular will give you a few days to try out a new phone. I would do that before switching. My recommendations would be the inexpesive Nokia 3395 or the expensive Motorola V60gi. I have used both, the Nokia was a big surprise for me.

[ljh]

I have the same phone and it has worked fine everywhere I've gone with it including southern California.

[ttrimmer]

I've had a Nokia 5190, 6190, Ericsson T28w, Siemens S40, and SonyEricsson T61z on Cingular. They all had ok reception. I was ready to jump ship to Verizon but didn't love any of their phones. I just bought an unlocked Samsung S105. The reception blows every other phone I've ever had away. I can talk just about everywhere I couldn't before. I actually get perfect calls in those places too. I love my phone. I think SonyEricssons menus system is pretty good and so is their build quality. If you need reliable reception go S105.