I currently have Cingular with a 3 year old TDMA phone. I'm looking to upgrade phones and I don't mind switching my provider. Nextel's i830 and i730 phones look pretty nice and I was wondering what Nextel's service quality is like in the Boston area. Is signal strength and call quality usually pretty good? Additionally, I'm used to being on the Cingular Nationwide plan where I can roam on any provider's networks, so I'm worried that, with Nextel's limited coverage throughout the US, I may end up roaming frequently. Thanks.
I think the answer as to whether it's safe to go with Nextel depends on the places you frequent. If you pretty much stay in Boston and the inner suburbs, you'll be OK. But if you often go to the more rural areas of New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine, for example, you'll have problems with Nextel. If that is the case, at this point in time I would go with Verizon. You will be able to roam onto US Cellular's excellent CDMA network in the rural areas of ME-NH-VT, and get good service in Southern New England and most of the rest of the country from Verizon. At some point in the future, you'll probably be able to use Cingular in the boonies, once they get their GSM network completely built out. Right now it is not complete in rural areas of New England. Check out www.markson.net and click on NE Cellular. Lots of good info about each state in New England, who has coverage and using what network, etc. -way
Plus, be ready for the shock of having to charge your phone every day and twice per day if you're a heavy talker!!!!!
PCardoza, Don't know what phone you are used to, but I recharge mine only every 3-4 days, and I am a fairly heavy talker. Are you suggesting analog will come into play? I have been on a digital phone with US Cellular for about 5 years, and I have yet to make an analog call in Northern New England. I understand it is sometimes analog only in Northeast Vermont, but other than that I run into digital everywhere I go (CDMA). -way
If you like the Cingular Nationwide plan using TDMA, switch to a GAIT plan using the Nokia 6340i. All the same coverage, plus GSM service too. I've been using mine since December 2001. The rollover minutes are good, also. COtech
Unfortunately, there are no providers to roam on for Nextel - there are just no other compatible providers. You're stuck with Nextel native or nothing. GAIT plans are expensive, but to be considered along with your other options, including Verizon Wireless America's Choice. Since you have no problem with switching your provider, consider VZW.
My experience with nextel in Boston has been with my contractors I used in the area. They had great coverage in and around the city, but less than steller coverage to the east in the less populated areas especially as you get closer to NY state.
3-4 days out of a CDMA phone yes, 3-4 days out of a Nextel phone...NO! iDen is just too power intensive right now.
