Cingular vs. Verizon Nationwide Networks

If anything, the maps are a little conservative. In a few places where I expected poor coverage because the map showed "holes", I actually got excellent coverage. Most of my experiences have been with Verizon, but I have also used some of Cingular's roaming partners.

If the map shows coverage in areas you are interested in, you should feel confident it will work as expected. Of course every system has its dead spots, but generally, the regions are covered as advertised with both carriers.

Cingular's plans may be better today. Verizon will have new promotions on Oct. 15. I don't know what to expect then. Don't be fooled by the "Rollover" plans, they are a gimmick. You need what you need. and you can't count on 'leftovers' to supply you with your monthly minimum of minutes.

-Bill

 

Actually, I'm rather certain that both Cingular's and Verizon's maps have a disclaimer saying, "Map depicts rate areas and doesn't reflect actual coverage" but both are great for nationwide service.

In regards to rollovers being a gimmick, my feeling is that it's the best gimmick that's been launched in a while. Nothin much new has shown up besides text messaging since Unlimited or 3000 night and weekend minutes essentialy became an industry standard.

P

 

Anonymous,
If you're looking between the two carriers, you have to make sure you look at overall value. The biggest thing that sets Verizon apart from other carriers is that they OWN the largest network. Regardless of whether another carrier can also offer national coverage, you are going to get the most seamless coverage where the carrier is going to be the preferred carrier on the majority of your footprint. Cingular does boast the whole nation, but that's because they have a LOT of roaming agreements. I'd rather use my phone knowing I'm on my carrier's network most of the time, than to roam on a partner's who might not have your number loaded properly, or even recognize it. Further, Verizon has that New Every Two to allow you to get a new phone every two years. Some other carriers give you the promotional phone at the onset, and that's it. Any upgrades are solely out of pocket.

 

Cingular, when you're finished or near finished your contract, let's you renew your commitment and get a new phone at a rate similar or equal to the cost of the phone to a new subscriber. And we don't even make you sign a two-year agreement like Verizon does to be eligible for new every two!

Not with Cingular. Most companies require a contract extension whenever you take a lower plan than you currently have. As far as I know, you can go upwards in plans without problem. What I can tell my customers is that they're committed to Cingular service, not any particular service plan. With Cingular, if you want to switch, up or down, to any other plan we offer (nation or home), you can switch as long as the new plan is CURRENTLY offered. The thing to be cautious of is if you switch from a plan that's no longer offered, you cannot get it back.

Pat

 

YOU JUST DONT LIKE CINGULAR THERE TOUGH GUY,THEY ARE THE BESTCINGULAR ROCKS

 

Up to the Single Rate National plan and you lose your night/weekend minutes, which is a real drag.... Though from what i hear, you can get 1000 weekend minutes on the SNR for $10 a month, but still that's not a lot of minutes for a lot of money. I miss Cingular's Nation plans with 3500 Night & Weekend minutes

 

If it's not offered, I've heard mentioned elsewhere in these forums that you can call Cingular cs and they'll give you night/weekend minutes (like 3000) on your Cingular Nation. Or you can go to an area where they're still offered, such as upstate NY (I know this b/c it's where I am.)

I also want to say thank you to John Doe for, as usual, supporting my pro-Cingular attitude with not only intensely intelligent commentary but also solid support for every fact he states.

P

 

Care to elaborate on what you meant there? I have no idea what you're saying. BTW, given the fact that more people have access to Verizon service than Cingular based on licensing issues, it's not bad at all that Cingular is not to far behind Verizon.