this is all so confusing!!!!!

There has been so much discussion about certain markets and I know the two you mention have been discussed. Use the "Search" function and perform a unique search for those markets. You'll get plenty of reading.

 

Try 'em all, check out the cancellation period before you activate anyone.

For your use, sounds like Cingular Nation or Verizon SingleRate Nation might be the best bet, but you're gonna pay a good bit for 'em.

P

 

Not trying to argue, but if he "uses it wherever he gets a signal" and "doesn't worry about it" he might incur roaming charges. As I understand it, Sprint does not allow free analog usage and it is possible to come across an analog tower in his travels. I just wouldn't say "don't worry about it" a friend of mine was roaming in a bar that is in an area he gets digital service (poor building penetration in this case?).

Scott

 

I will say this much about Sprint: They do have an SPCS only feature on the phones that keeps them from roaming off-network. My suggestion would be to set this feature on and drive around and see how coverage is. From what I've been reading, NYC is a decent market for SPCS, and frankly most of the trash talkers have issues with billing and customer service, not so much the coverage. I haven't seen too many rants about unjustified roaming charges and what not, as Sprint's policy is as easy to understand as they come. Phone reaads Sprint PCS = package minutes apply.... Phone reads anything else = roaming fees. Verizon is a little more difficult in that not only do you have to look at the roaming indicator, you have to see whether it's flashing or steady, or if your roaming indicator is off (and your banner reads Verizon Wireless). Given the original poster's intended usage, Sprint sounds like it would be a good fit, provided it works in most of the places he needs it to. He's already ruled out T-mobile, which means he might as well rule out Cingular unless he wants to get a GAIT phone (with a GSM phone, coverage would be identical everywhere). AT&T might be a good fit as well, however I know virtually nothing of their coverage up there... I can only speak for the fact that they roam on Cingular TDMA in many areas and have NO on-network coverage in upstate NY.. no Buffalo, no Rochester, Syracuse, etc, so beware of that... As far as VZW's coverage goes, it's pretty well known that they're second to none in the northeast US... Their phones are, for the most part, lackluster and their rate plans are slightly higher than Sprint, but I guess that's the price you pay for the largest coverage area. All in all, Sprint should work well, provided that you don't expect miracles from Vision and you pick the right phone (I'd suggest the Sanyo 4900 if you can deal with a candybar... The LG 5350 seems a good choice if you need a flip).

 

ok first of all for what i hear sprint def. isent the answer. in the wall street journal a couple weeks ago they did a report on the worst wireless company in america and sprint was at the top of the list. as far as coverage goes yea your almost never roaming, but u almost never have a signal either, so who cares if your roaming or not. i think the only real choices in your situation is either verizon, or cingular GAIT plans. and being a cingular rep. i can tell u what cryogenic said about cingular GAIT being identical to cingular GSM other then in new york(because of att not letting cingular make a deal with them on network usage) the service is pretty good. its VERY competitive to verzions nationwide plan and at&t's digital one rate plans location wise. price wise its a toss up between cingular GAIT and verizon. what i get from what u said as the first post on this thread, and as if u were a customer walking into my store i would recomend the cinglar GAIT plan at 49.99 a month with 3000n/w mins with 650 included rollover mins

but then again that could be the cingular agent in me telling u that -=]

 

I would give Sprint a try. You have a 14 day return policy. I live in one of sprint's least covered areas and I have been happy with them so far. I like the Idea of having a rate plan that costs the same as other carries local calling rate plans but that I get SPrints Nationwide coverage. Sprint is not for everyone, but their service is good. Also they are trying to fix all the terrible customer service blues that everyone has been complaining about. Sprint, I think will rise above the rest before its all over.

 

still after reading the wall street journals article on the best and the worst sell fone providers, and with all the expireience i had with sprint i would have to say the only reason i would even concider sprint was because of samsung and now since samsung is in the talks with cingular,t-mobile,and at&t about makeing abunch of gsm fones, even that reason will be thrown out the window

 

Personally I know a lot of people (family and friends) in various parts of New York that have Sprint, and their complaints are minimal.

Most of my family have upgraded their phones (thanks to my wonderful advice) to the Sanyo 4900; hence good phone + good reception = customer!

 

to the original poster if it is sprint you go with try a sanyo phone (the 5150 is a flip phone and you can get it for $100 after instant rebates) or try the sanyo 6200 or 6300 or 4900 for candy bar phone or hitachi p300 and if money is no object go for the sanyo 5300.

 

Tamarindo,
Unfortunately for you, Verizon would give you the best coverage in the areas you mention. Fortunately, the wireless division is very different than the wireline, and, along with AT&T Wireless, are regarded in this group as the best with Customer Service.

Start your search at a local cellular store who offers different cell services, and ask for their experiences in your neighborhood.

I like Sprint PCS. They have a very good network. I dropped them as my full-time carrier because they have a poor signal when I live, and where I work. Their up-sides were very compelling, but if I don't have a signal, my phone is worthless. AT&T also has a useless signal where I work, so even bad things can happen to good carriers.

-Bill

 

cingular and roaming isnt a problem for me... im good on my "local/regional" plan in most of new england... ct, mass, and rhode island. i get charged in ny tho.. and it likes to roam to nj for some reason, but i really dont have any problems service wise

everyone i know with sprint cant get service anywhere, theres too many dead areas, atleast in ct anyway.

all in all i dont mind cingular.. except that they still dont have gsm up here yet :-/

 

Try AT&T's Regional Advantage plan. It covers all the areas you've stated for $30 a month, gives you nationwide long distance and recently added usage monitoring online. The downside: AT&T is pretty skimpy on peak/anytime minutes with this particular plan. So if most of your calls are daytime weekdays, you may be better off with a different plan.

Bottom line: Peak/anytime minutes + customer service = a usable plan.