Hello, I"m attending Syracuse University in New York in August as a freshman. I'm looking for a cell phone to use while I am there. I was curious what everyone would reccommend service wise. I've been looking at the plans but I need to know if the providers have good coverage and quality in the area, because no matter how nice the plan is, if I can't use the phone, there is no point. Brian
I can't use Voicestream because they don't have service in Richmond, at least according to their map. Anything else?
Cingular or Verizon are your best bet. Cingular has the best rate plans but Verizon has the best coverage.
Coverage outside of Northen Virginia is coming online now. Northen VA has been covered for years. Richmond/Petersburg, Cahrlottesville, Lynchburg, Norfolk/Willmsburg/VABeach are all coming up now, and full service should be up along 95, 64, 29, etc. by next month. Richmond service seems to be about twice the size it was when it first came up in April. You just can't get a local number down there yet. Are you in Richmond now?
I'm in Florida, moving to Syracuse. I was looking at the coverage map on VS's website and it doesn't say that richmond is. That's why I didn't think it was. I'm getting a National Plan, with whoever I end up with. When you said Verizon had the best coverage was that best coverage non-roaming? Same with Voicestream in Richmond?
Verizon is a good choice and there America's Choice Network covers most of the US with no roaming charges. Verizon Wireless Network Coverage (America's Choice plan)
Voicestream doesn't charge for roaming either. They don't charge for lond distance either. Voicestream gets my vote from all of my experiences with them.
By the way, Voicestream usually doesn't add new coverage areas to their map until they have an exact launch date in mind, and are done upgrading.
The best coverage means the chances of dropping a call or having no signal are less with Verizon. Roaming is another issue.
