Coverage: VerizonWireless vs cingular

I was in the Washginton DC Metro area in April. Coverage was great but some places I would get full coverage, turn off my phone and then turn it back on and get no service. Also my voicemail was acting up - wouldn't work, callers would get this message "The Cingular User, number XXX-XXX-XXXX, you are attempting to dial is currently not in service. Please check the number and dial again"

But they may have worked out those kinks. Otherwise great coverage EVERYWHERE! Only lost service when I went underground in the Nataional Art Gallary.

 

It depends on where you're talking about. I see you're in Washington D.C., I'd suggest you just try out Cingular if you have the urge, and see if they fit you.

 

I agree with Andy. Also, if I remember correctly. The Treo 650 had some issues when it first came out. So the person you talked to may have had a bad 650.

Speaking of DC, where is GoodmanR? He would be the one to talk to about the DC area.

 

I'm not sure, haven't seen him around forever...??
Something I do know is that Verizon has an exclusive agreement to offer service in the Metro-so if you want to use your phone down there, that might be something to take a look at, but that's about as far as my knowledge goes about D.C. coverage.

 

Also, you should know that VZW just released THEIR Treo 650. And they've also just announced a significant drop on their data pricing.

 

We've had Verizon for several years and have driven to Washington, D.C., Chicago and the north woods of Wisconsin. Except for few weak spots out in the sticks it works everywhere. Can't complain. It worked particularly well in DC.

 

I have used Verizon quite a bit in the DC area and have had good coverage, I have a friend working at the state department he has Cingular, and tells me his coverage is good, they only area he complains about is the metro coverage.

 

I would be shocked if all the major carriers did not have good coverage in such important city as DC.

 

GoodmanR moved to NYC or somewhere up north I think. Haven't seen him around in a while.

He was happier with Cingular than with Verizon. I've had service issues in DC with Cingular...and wasn't happy at all. Try it out if it will save a lot--and see how it does.

 

I have heard people don't have problems with Cingular in the DC area. If you really want to test the waters, get a Go Phone & see how the coverage is vs Verizon.
As for the Treo 650, my sister had it & had problems with it & got rid of it for a blackberry, this was when they 1st came out & I didn't hear if they found a fix for them yet.

 

Different Carriers can be good in Different Places
and not in other Places.

 

Only reason why GoodmanR left Verizon in 2004 was Cingular at that time was cheaper than Verizon. Verizon also messed up on his bill and had to pay more than what he should have and left once contract was up.

 

OMG-Cingular is lying on their maps since it's all yellow in/around D.C.

 

It's only T-Mobile that Truly Provides the Most
Accurate Map of all.
VZW Lies in their Coverage Too.
Are you able to find the street Name
where you Live on their Map?

 

My sister had the 650 & wasn't happy with it, she ended up with a Blackberry & was happier with that, You could try a Nokia just to see if it's the unit or actual coverage, also you could call CS to make sure they do an OTA update of the SIM to make sure the phone use's the prefered network for that area, which I believe is Orange's own network.

 

When I look at the Go phone coverage map it is not the same as the regular Cingular map...it has less coverage. Anyone know why? I remember that the old cingular pre pay (KIC) was the same way...even less coverage than the Go Phone.

 

Maybe there roaming area's are smaller then the post-paid accounts? but in the DC area, there is only Cingular/AWE's network & T-Mobile, you can't even count Suncom as part of it & maybe some coverage is provided by T-Mobile.

 

The echo type thing you're describing sounds like a common problem Cingular is having(they're having the same problem in my area); I guess you still have some time to decide

 

I don't think it is the Coverage Issue.
It's more like the Treo,
(that's exactly what that Link Says.)
you have to test other phones.
the echo happens in few spots
which Needs Fine Tuning.
Better return it ASAP
replace with something Different
other than this.
Different Phones have Different RF
Capability in Picking up Signals,
but carriers Never tell this to Customers.
PALM was never in the
Cell Phone Business but
only in PDA's.
How many Cell Phones only have PALM Manufactured?
This reminds me of Kyocera VS Audiovox,
this 2 are very Different in Hanging on to Weak Signals.
Usually Manufacturers Don't share their Secrets.

 

Actually the echo issue is a widespread network issue Cingular is having in quite a few areas: Salt Lake City, NY/NJ(as bobolito will agree), and apparently D.C. A different phone won't make a big difference since we're talking echo issues, which are directly related to the network.

 

Cingular tends to drop more calls in my area than Alltel.....even though Cingular has twice as many towers. Maybe handoff issues......

 

I really don't have that Problem in Metro NYC
So it can't be widespread.
NUNKA!

 

VZW drops calls more in the Residential areas here.
So VZW has to concentrate more on the Residential areas,
not just the commercial areas.

 

I've only heard an echo twice in the CT area over the last 2+ years on GSM. My time spent across the border into NY state has been fine. GSM voice is most times as good as landline. Within NYC, were my visit have been more limited, but last Feb was also fine, with no echo.

Perhaps in the DC area, those Deep Throated FBI guys need to tweak their listening devices to give less feedback in the phones.

 

VZW is WEAK in Residential Areas,
that's why i ALWAYS have Missed Calls
if on REsidential Streets.

 

I rarely get an echo problem in my phone. But it has happened. Nothing to make an issue about.

My biggest complaint is dropped calls and audio issues. TDMA was much better in those two aspects.

 

I have been noticing more of the echo issue then in the past, I just fill out the report a network form & it gets fixed fairly quickly, as for Audio issues, that seems to be happening more to me lately, dropped calls are low but happen more now then when AWE had the network alone.
I am just hoping this is part of the integration & hope it will clear up soon.