Best Carrier

Don't believe everything you hear. Sprint doesn't have capacity problems anymore. Modern CDMA technology at the cell sites and switches prevents that from happening. If it's still happening then some network engineers need to get fired. Of course there are always exceptions such as a hurricane or big event which could put too much strain on the system. But under normal circumstances this doesn't happen anymore.

 

I knew somebody would say that. Nextel is now part of Sprint so the stakes went up.

 

Basically they have an issue in Atlanta where during peak usage hours, coverage suffers due to overloading of the network apparently (generally referred to as cell breathing) then during lower usage hours, coverage improves again. I don't have any such issues around here but then again I'm in a much smaller city.

 

Alltel doesn't serve his area... thus he has no reason to include them in his list.

 

thats right... no us cellular or alltel here..

and as long as i have been with sprint i have never had a problem with their network being overloaded. the calls on my phone always go through with no problem unless the signal is weak.

 

If this is happening in Atlanta, some RF engineers aren't doing their job correctly. It would be due to poor design, or more likely laziness. Turning up maximum subscribers instead of adding new carriers where they are needed. If a cell is getting that full an additional carrier should be requested. Like I said modern technology should prevent that from happening.

 

Ok....you guys talked me into it! In other forums I know, this would've turned into a flame war already.

In New Jersey:

1) Cingular/Verizon (tied)
2) Sprint/Nextel (tied)
3) T-Mobile

T-Mobile is a very close 3rd to Sprint/Nextel as they have virtually identical (spotty) coverage in NJ. T-Mo has improved a lot here. They are no longer the shameful sweese cheese network they were a year ago! I expect T-Mobile to become better than Sprint/Nextel soon in this area since they have been very hard at work putting up towers everywhere. It's ironic since they now have less spectrum than before here.

Sprint/Nextel have already identical coverage here. No difference there. They're both weak or strong in the same spots. A clear distant 2nd from Verizon/Cingular.

Cingular and Verizon are almost identical. I can't tell which one is better. Maybe for call reliability (dropped calls, calls getting through, etc.) Verizon is a bit better since they are not dealing with network integration issues. But as far as coverage, they both has weak spots in the very same places. Though it is VERY hard to find a dead spot for Verizon or Cingular in NJ unless you are in an underground bunker or something.

 

In all seriousness, I would say, for the Manhattan, Kansas area the list is as follows...

1. Alltel & CellularONE (now US Cellular) tied for first
3. Sprint
4. T-Mobile

(at least as far as coverage goes, there are other factors which may influence who you might want to sign with.)

 

Alltel is much better than any of the other carriers in my area. I was a strong believer in Cingulr up until GSM. Now they suck. Alltels nationwide coverage is much better than any of the others that I have seen. We get our coverage, as well as all the partners. It's great!!

 

40 posts in and very little flaming... this obviously isn't HoFo.

 

People please there was no need for such crazy insulting posts (tndan and cryo.)..I was just stating my experience in my area which is in west knoxville within the city limits .I know i'm going to get flack for this comment but i rarely go out of west Knoxville unless traveling not being snotty or anything.Lets behave like adults and respect others opinions.Enough said...

 

I thank Joe for that every day.

 

This Comparision is all wrong.
You have to separate the BIG GUYS (National Carriers)
from the SMALL GUYS (REGIONAL/RURAL CARRIERS).
IN METRO AREAS like the TOP 100 Markets,
regional Carriers Don't Exist;
so they cannot be Compared.
I mean Do you compare them in THE bIGGEST 200 Cities
(Population:100 Million)
or in 1 small Rural Town Nobody has HEARD OF
(PopulatioN:45)?

 

Here in Pocatello it's:



1. (Tie) Verizon & USCC
Both have a great local footprint, and now both roam on each other. Which is better just depends on the type of plan you need.
2. Edge Wireless
Edge really dropped in quality when they switched to GSM, and while they are slowly improving to where they were, they took a big reputation hit.
3. T-Mobile
Small footprint, but it works well when it's there
4. Ubiquitel PCS (sold under the Sprint name)
Don't get me started.
5. Nextel Partners
Weak footprint, weak service.

 

Are you talking about North and Central NJ. Because in South NJ, Atlantic City, Verizon is even spotty on the Boardwalk in front of the casinos. and inside most.

 

Jones.... US Cellular, Alltel, Cricket, Metro PCS and others operate in the top 100 markets. They do not have alot of these markets, but they do sell wireless service in some major metro markets. Metro PCS will be building a network in the #2 market of the LA Metro next year.

 

I would have to say in connecticut....

Sprint
verizon
nextel
cingular

nextel DC is very good where I am but for cell... Sprint all the way

 

I still think the concept of this thread is nuts as I'd say most people have no valid CURRENT information to compare other carriers with their own. So, surprise everyone chooses their current carrier as the best and the ones they or their friends had problems with as the worst.

G.

 

Yep that appears to be true.

 

My awesome list for the USA:

AT&T (Pre Cingular)
T-Mobile
Sprint Nextel
Alltel
Virgin Mobile
Verizon
Cingular

My Brasil list:

TIM
Vivo
Claro

Yayness..

 

Why would you think someone would post a different carrier from the one they use as their favorite Gman? People arent going to say "I love Verizon but I went with Alltel anyway..." If someone likes something, they usually go with it . And my choices aren't just bs... Ive had every carrier on my Ameican list except Alltel. In Brasil, mostly everyone I know has TIM. Some people I know have Vivo. So I put them on the top, I dont know about Claro, so they are at the bottom.

 

....and I'm not saying anyone should believe another carrier is better than their own. I do believe that the question can not be validly answered here (or likely anywhere) due to bias and lack of current experience with other carriers. Networks and customer service are subjective things that vary with time and expectations.

 

I'll agree that the concept for this thread is nuts. I LOVE Cingular, I use to work for them, but where I live now Cingular has no coverage. So in my area VZW is best, but I still think Cingular is better. There is so many ways to compare providers, and we'll probably never be able to get a good answer anyways considering how fast things change too.

 

Well I think someday a carrier will finally perfect itself in all of the metropolitan areas in this country... it happened quickly enough in Europe and Asia, so its only time before carriers in America close the gap on this huge peice of land. Then the prefrences will be based on customer service (which starts a whole new game..)