Verizon, Nextel, or Sprint?

I have the Kyocera 2345 from sprint and I love it. I have had the opportunity to play with most phones that sprint sells even the 4900. Even though the 4900 has the best reception of the phones I still prefer the kyocera. I like the user friendly interface and the speed of wireless web versus the speed of vision. I can access yahoo email and aol email much faster with the kyocera than with the 4900.(aol doesn't work on vision yet) Everyone has different prefences but the kyocera is hard to beat. Kyocera has some new phones coming to Sprint also the 3245. I have a total of 3 Kyocera's....2235 on Cellular south cdma service.....2325 on Cellular south cdma.....and the 2345 on Sprint service. I have not had one problem with any of these phones.

 

well in my opinion the nextel service is better because the phones wll not roam but if you want the feature to roam the go with sprint. As far as the phones on Nextel the I1000 is no longer and either of the other one are good the I60 doesn't have a lcd screen on the outside of the phone so it is hard to know who is calling with out opening the phone you can set it not to anwser when you open it so you can see who is calling before you anwser. As far as the rate plans Nextel really has sprint beat. Also one more thing about the Nextel phones the I1000 might still be avaiable in some places but don't get it, it is not a SIM based phone so when Nexel goes nation wide with the direct connect (2-way) that phone will not be able to do that. And one last note here at All 4 One we sell both Sprint PCS and Nextel along with all the other carriers except Verizon. So we can sell you the phone nd will ship them to you at no extra charge vistit our web site needaphone.net or call toll free at 1-866-701-CELL (2355) and you can e-mail me at brokenphone@comcast.net with any questions.

 

If you choose Sprint PCS do NOT get the SamSung A460 or the LG 1010. From what I hear those are both terrible phones. Most Sprint users seem to agree that the Sanyo 4900 is the best reception wise.

 

That's the first time I've heard that approach...you are correct nextel phones do not roam, I would see that as a drawback not a benefit.

As far as the Sprint phones, out of the ones on your list I would recommend the 2345 or the 4900 both are great phones.

 

not true at all, the original i1000 without the a software upgrade you are correct, but that phone hasn't been available in three years. I think it is something like 98% of all the handsets currently in service will be able to support the nationwide direct connect.

 

Agree wholeheartedly. More flash than substance, too many negatives on these two phones, especially the LG-1010.

 

Both SPCS and Nextel are good in that area -- shop based on price and which one has coverage in other cities where you need it

As for phones --

For SPCS: Sanyos are by far the best performers on the SPCS network. Kyoceras aren't far behind; the newer Samsungs and virtually all LG phones have major reception issues.
For Nextel: The i1000plus is dated, is rather spartan, and has a "techie" interface (and is no longer being sold except by some agents with old stock). The i88s has more features than the i60c; if you must have a flip I recommend the i90c instead.

-SC

 

I would say Nextel simply because between Nextel and Sprint PCS, Nextel does a much better job of working inside buildings. Sprint PCS has spotty coverage even in strong coverage areas. Example: I could be inside K-Mart in Macon, my Sprint PCS phone would not work, I'd have to walk outside to kake a call. With Nextel, I could call from anywhere within the store, their signal runs deeper.

The only advantage I see to Sprint PCS is that you can roam. However, I found their analog roaming to be quite poor in terms of reception.

 

Analog will be analog...not Sprints Fault...that is dependant on the carrier that owns the analog network. But If I traveled I would rather have the ability to roam vs. no Roaming at all.

Nextel's current success is based on push to talk...I'm betting that once Verizon and Sprint roll out their PTT products that Nextel is going to be in for a long struggle.

Hopefully the lag in the CDMA PTT product will be reduced, but this may not happen until the next speed increase. so it could go like this in the immediate future.

Nextel: great PTT, not so great cellular
Sprint & Verizon: Great cellular, not so great PTT

 

I disagree with you that "analog is analog." As you may know, Cell One was a completely analog network. But not ONCE did I ever hear echos in the reception. With Sprint PCS, I had echos when I'd roam. Consistent, even in places where the roam signal would be strong.

One of the main reasons I ditched Sprint PCS was because I thought their analog service was useless if I'm going to have to put up with echos every time I'd have to roam.

 

I would have to agree with wirelessbeachbum, its not sprints fault, Sprint doesn't maintain any analog network. They simply provide a phone that has the ability to use someone elses analog network. As far as not being able to roam with nextel.....Sprints handsets have menu features that either allow the phone to be set on sprint pcs only or have the ability to prompt the customer before they make a roaming call. What else could you ask for......my 2 cents

 

I used to be with Sprint, so I am aware of that. But what good does it do to be able to roam if you're going to have to endure the echo every time? If you're going to use analog, you'd be better off with Cell One.

 

Greg,

My advice would be, stick with what you know and can count on. Don't get locked down in something you're not sure about.

Regards.

 

Definitely stick with Verizon. If it's not broke,why fix it?

 

I don't know anything about the phones...however, I will say that in my opinion and after almost 4 years with Sprint, there was a complete deterioration in customer service. If you enjoy being on hold for interminable lengths of time, trying to talk with a "virtual" person to resolve problems, and finally speaking to young, rude, and inexperienced reps, go with Sprint. I changed to Verizon about a week ago and time will tell...but their service could not possible be worse than Sprints and I got a far better rate plan. At the least, if I encounter rudeness, I will be paying less for it!

 

If you leave Verizon, you will be disappointed with Sprint. I have used both around the state of Florida, and Verizon has much better coverage. Sprint's customer service before their most recent round of layoffs was terrible. My experience with Verizon's customer service has always been very good.

 

You've said your employer is playing for the phone so I don't know how important it is, but you should make sure your read the fine print on the contract to see if Verizon is going to be pulling any minute deduction tricks. You may reference a current thread on this topic here: http://www.wirelessadvisor.com/waforums/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=15273

 

The only halfway decent provider you've listed is Verizon.

You haven't told us your needs, however...if you need a lot of minutes, have a lot of comrades with Nextel, and don't mind having your own personal brick phone, then Nextel's for you. The i1000 is such a piece of garbage, however...don't even consider it. Pick up an i90c or an i60c if you want a flip phone.

Sprint's customer service is the pits. Try talking to "Claire," their virtual customer service rep (as mentioned earlier). It's a nightmare. Add to that: you must pay an extra fee to pay bills in person, their phones are insanely expensive, and their coverage is extremely lacking.

 

All the providers distribute mtm this way to my knowledge. One way to get around that if you were actually using up all your 1000 mtm on the n&w is to dial *67 which was mentioned in another thread.

 

If you are in the market for a mostly-local plan with 1000-1200 minutes, then you might want to consider a plan with local coverage, but enables you to roam nationwide for a price. If you don't go out of town but once or twice a year, than $0.50 a minute might not be so bad if you can get more for your money. For instance, we have a provider here in SE VA that offers 1200 anytime for 49.95, but has no nationwide coverage. Roaming outside is only $0.39 a minute.

Something to ponder.

 

I USE A SANYO 4900 WITH SPRINT. IT HAS EXCEPTIONAL SIGNAL RECEPTION.

 

Sarasota, Nextel is very strong in Myakka City and the southwestern part of Florida.