T Mobile - San Luis Obispo CA

She can try the T-Mobile @Home service, it's basically a wireless router that 2 of their phones can connect to & she can use the internet to make & receive calls. There is an additional fee a month, but it doesn't use her minutes.

http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/wireless-news/63669-t-mobile-usa-launches-home-wisconsin.html

 

It's not a problem, it just could cause you getting too many confusing answers in 2 seperate places it's ok.

Hope the @home is a choice for her.

 

drop t-mobile like a bad habit i had them for 4 years if you do not live in a major city you'll always have problems with reception, especially indoors..

 

I understand they are very good in CA, as well as in the NYC area, I am suprised in such a growing area as Sarasota they aren't that decent. My parents live there & I know my AT&T was good, my parents Alltel is excellent as well.

Every area has a good carrier & it does seem CA is good for Sprint, T-Mobile & Verizon & the OP seems to say the only area with a problem is at the new home.

 

If you are able to make calls, then that must mean T-Mobile has a roaming agreement with Cellular One. Otherwise, the phone would show "Emergency Only" and you could only call 911.

First of all, document everything! I'd try calling T-Mobile customer support and explaining what is happening. Customer Care is generally very quick to pick up and very friendly (I wish I could say the same for Sprint!). They can verify whether or not they have an agreement with Cellular One in San Luis Obispo. If they do, they should be obliged to help you and should open a trouble ticket on this to get the issue resolved.

If T-Mobile doesn't have service or a roaming agreement with Cellular One, or if they try and fail to fix the problem, you should be able to cancel without any ETF. Technically, you moved into a location where there is no service. If they will not fix the problem and they will not let you cancel without ETFs, it is time to escalate to executive customer service. See this Consumerist.com article. Email T-Mobile's CEO and carbon-copy to the Better Business Bureau, your state's public utility commission, etc. Briefly explain the problem and document T-Mobile's failed attempts to fix it (including date and time of the calls, the agent's name, what you were told, ticket numbers, etc.).

 

Intersting - there is a bit of roaming coverage to the NE of town - see the image attached. Can your friend "force" her phone to look for t-mobile? One of the network settings (network selection, or something like that) will have an option to search for a network - it's probably set to automatic noe, maybe switching it to manual will help and allow her to use only t-mobile if the signal is strong enough there.