Cell phones: AT&T,Sprint,or Verizon?
AT&T,Sprint,or Verizon?
by Faysal21 - 12/5/07 1:29 PMI'm not sure how often i'll use the phone i might buy to call someone,but i know all three have Mobile Broadband,which is something i want to use.Most importantly,i'd look for the phone with the best features instead of style.So would i join AT&T,Verizon Wireless,or Sprint-Nextel?
There are many things to look at
by PudgyOne - 12/5/07 2:18 PM In reply to: AT&T,Sprint,or Verizon? by Faysal21Verizon will disable the music part on their phones. The only way you can get music is to purchase it.
ATT you can transfer items between your computer and phone, with a program.
Sprint, I'm NOT sure about.
Network
Verizon and Sprint both have great networks. Sprint is limited. ATT has rollover minutes. I think they all have some type of messaging plans.
Your location and the phone you're thinking about using can play an important part.
Rick
My personal preference is Verizon
by ca_mustang - 12/19/07 7:04 AM In reply to: There are many things to look at by PudgyOneI have used all three carriers at one time or another. Generally just for voice. My preference is currently for Verizon because I have had the greatest relaibility and fewest dropped calls.
I had Sprint about 5 years ago and dropped them in about 6 months. Their coverage area nation-wide was not good and I literally had to stand in my back yard at home to get any signal at all. I kept them for the 6 months only because that was my company's cell provider and the company paid the bills. Sprint also jerked me around when I cancelled and would not refund 2/3rds of a month service that I did not use but had already paid the bill. Never again for me. (At the time their slogan was "Free and clear." When they asked why I was cancelling I started by saying, "Because Sprint is neither free nor clear.")
Today I have Verizon for my personal cell phone (voice only). I also have AT&T service provided by my job and it includes data. For voice reliability, Verizon is hands-down better. I don't know where Cingular (now AT&T) got the data to claim "the fewest dropped calls" but it is far from true in my personal experience.
The data plan is useful for work since I travel a fair amount. I cannot say if Verizon is better or worse for data. I have noticed that the "3G" symbol on my AT&T phone (Samsung Blackjack) is present only about 75% of the time even though I know the area I am in has 3G (San Francisco Bay area). If I were to go with a data plan for personal use I would try Verizon since they have proven themselves to me to be the most reliable.
Good luck with the company you choose!
Go with Sprint
by stoopered - 11/11/08 11:07 AM In reply to: My personal preference is Verizon by ca_mustangUmm... you had Sprint 5 years ago!!! They have PRL updates since then have more coverage and improved their phone line-up. I've had them 4 years and when I started it did suck, but now it's the only company I will use
Sprint bonuses
by Ice Rogue - 12/7/07 5:17 AM In reply to: AT&T,Sprint,or Verizon? by Faysal21I have been activly searchiing for new plans latly, and from what I have come across if you not planning on talking much but still want a voice plan, sprint is the only one i have found with an inexpencive version. It is 200 minuets with unlimited nights and weekends starting at 9 ($5 more to get that bumped to 7). That plan is 29.99, which saves some money so you can maybe get a better data plan, though if you are looking at a blackberry for non entiprise the $30 bb plan is really nice.
Hope that helps.
More to mention
by Faysal21 - 12/7/07 8:42 PM In reply to: AT&T,Sprint,or Verizon? by Faysal21I forgot to discuss that i will be using my phone around the Baltimore area.Coverage in that city i think is at best for Verizon.
It looks to me
by PudgyOne - 12/8/07 7:06 AM In reply to: More to mention by Faysal21ATT & Verizon have the best coverage. You now have to decide what type of phone you'd like and it's features. Remember that Verizon disables the music part, unless you buy it from them.
Good luck
Rick
No music?
by Faysal21 - 12/8/07 6:53 PM In reply to: It looks to me by PudgyOneSo if i try to take music that i downloaded from LimeWire,it won't work on Verizon Wireless unless i buy it from V-CAST Music?
By the way,i'd take the iPhone if i get to AT&T instead.
I don't use mobile broadband, so I can't tell you
by PudgyOne - 12/9/07 2:23 AM In reply to: No music? by Faysal21The iphone has had items disabled in it.
Please read this before you consider the iphone
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7817_102-0.html?forumID=74&threadID=254082&start=0
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10152_102-0.html?forumID=97&threadID=244873&start=0
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10152_102-0.html?forumID=97&threadID=227636&start=0
Rick
What about broadband?
by Faysal21 - 12/8/07 7:03 PM In reply to: It looks to me by PudgyOneAlso,how do the networks stack up in mobile broadband?
CDMA is data faster.
by pmjohnson99 - 12/11/07 1:47 PM In reply to: What about broadband? by Faysal21Your are looking at GSM vs. CDMA (3G). People may disagree but CDMA has faster data rates. If you compare and coverage is optimal for both carriers then CDMA (Sprint and Verizon) is the way to go. However, GSM is easier on your battery since CDMA is always sending packets.
Not all GSM phones are battery conservatives...
by jgvillan - 12/12/07 10:03 AM In reply to: CDMA is data faster. by pmjohnson99Just wanted to add that not all GSM type phones are easier on batteries. Those that are 3G (UMTS/HSPDA) enabled will be battery hogs as their CDMA counterparts are.
Many Things to Consider
by jturnerspfld - 12/15/07 1:10 AM In reply to: AT&T,Sprint,or Verizon? by Faysal21Unfortunately, there's usually not a simple answer because there are many things you should consider when choosing a carrier. The most important is how good the coverage is where you will want to use the phone. After that consider rate plans: which carrier has a rate plan that you think best fits your needs, including whether you want just voice, limited internet access for email and weather, or a full data plan. Are there add-ons, such as unlimited calling to specific numbers, that would be beneficial to you. This is probably the hardest part because we can't always anticipate how much we will use a feature we have not had before. Then consider the phones available from carriers; if you have to have an iPhone, then you have to go with AT&T. Finally, ask people who have cell phones how satisfied they are with their carrier. I, for instance, can only speak about Verizon because that is the only carrier I have used. I would advise against signing with them for several reasons, not the least of which is I consider them to be dishonest and not at all concerned with customer relations. They sent me a letter that the change I requested had been made when in fact they were giving me notice (with no explanation) that they were correcting an error. They didn't have a clue why I was upset that they were increasing my cost yet had sent a form letter that did not pertain to the situation--a letter which they sent because "it was already in the computer." Then there's the fact that they disable many features of phones so they can constantly nickle-and-dime you to increase their revenue above what what you thought you would be paying. When they quote their rate plans, they don't mention that they tack on administrative fees as well as government taxes. Make sure you get the total cost of any rate plan, including fees and taxes.
Cell Phnone Provider
by larry5453 - 12/15/07 8:19 AM In reply to: AT&T,Sprint,or Verizon? by Faysal21I had Cingular now ATT. It was not bad, but I now have Verizon. It is as good, maybe a little better. Consumer Report has done a studiy and I think Popular Mechanics, both this year, and Verison is consistently the top performer, except for Nebraska I think.
Sprint, which I had a few years ago, seldom did well. It's net work is not really that good unless you are always in a metroplitan area.
One thing that ATT has is the international feature, which others do not.
One more ?
by S. Sapp - 12/15/07 8:29 AM In reply to: Cell Phnone Provider by larry5453Any feedbk on U.S.Cellular?
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