Looking for carrier recommendations - Seattle & Eastside

[FinallyInSeattle]

I've had AT&T Wireless service for years - both here and in Florida. I now need to buy a new cell phone so I'm considering switching carriers since I do get a fair amount of dropped calls with AT&T. I'm considering either Verizon or Sprint for their new wireless Internet offerings (pay by the minute versus megabyte). Any and all opinions are very welcome.

Thanks!

[ockidd15]

I just moved from Seattle a couple months ago. I used everyone there except Cingular. They were all good when you are in the Seattle Metro area... so whether you choose Sprint or Verizon, it really won't matter too much. Their local digital coverage is very similar. However, once you start going towards the east and the rual areas you'll see that Verizon tends to have better coverage due to thier analog incorporation, although Sprint & T-Mobile continue to enhance those rual areas as well. So my advice, if you are in Seattle Metro most of the time, either carrier will work well. People tend to choose Sprint because of thier various phone offerings. I don't have much info on data/internet comparisons of the two companies, so maybe others could help you on that. I get the impression that Vision customers are much happier than Get It Now customers, but I might be wrong. Goodluck. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

You might also want to check these recent forums out. Click here and here.

[DGrayson]

I've had Verizon for 5 years (formerly Airtouch) and have never had a problem in the Seattle Metro Area. Only bad spot I have found is Hwy 18 near Tiger Mtn summit. Have used phone from Vancouver BC to Southern Oregon with no service issues. Also, coverage appears good along the I-90 corridor (Cle Elum, E'Burg etc).

Good Luck [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

[aiwapro]

I believe both Verizon and Sprint PCS charge by the MB on their data services, unless you get an unlimited plan, then it doesn't matter.

To be truthful, I've heard that Verizon's Express Network isn't everything it's suppose to be, and Sprint's Vision is suppose to be very fast, but in real-life, it's not even faster, nor as reliable as T-Mobile's T-Zones.

[PaulG]

I've used ATT, Sprint, Airtouch and Verizon. Happiest with Verizon for their excellent coverage (particularly on the eastside). I had ATT and could not receive or make calls from my downtown office. Verizon also has been the best for customer care. Check them out for the 15 day grace period and if it does not work properly in the areas you will be using the phone (work, home, commute, etc.) you can return the phone. I live in Issaquah and commute to Seattle on i90. No problems at all...

Good luck[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

[BikerBandit]

go with the carrier who has the largest coverage in the areas you use it.price should be one of the last things you consider. if you cant use your phone, its not even worth what you pay for it. i say spend the couple extra bucks and get verizon