I currently have AT&T Wireless who have been acquired by Cingular. Somewhere in the process of merging their two technologies and cell sites, my reception became horrible. I think it searches and bounced back and forth different cell sites (AT&T and Cingular) so my calls oftentime get dropped. This is very annoying, I tell you, especially if I am on a tele conf while I drive (I know, it's not safe but sometimes it happens - at least I am using my headsets). Also, my cell phone sometimes reboots by itself while I am on the phone.

So my contract will expire soon and debating on switching over to Verizon, whom I have heard numerous good things about. So, I would like to get some advises on my next cell phone. I am not looking for a high tech phone that plays MP3 and all that but a flip phone with a digi cam will do. And all I am looking for in return is a splendid reception that does not drop my calls.

1. Who is your cellie provider
2. How do you rate it - reception wise (I'm assuming customer service is pretty much the same with any provider)
3. Cell phone choices and availability

TIA!

 

Anything but AT&T. I missed 90% of my calls but it can be attributed to a crappy phone.

I have T-Mobile cause I'm a big fan of Catherine Zeta Jones.

 

Yes yes... she is fine! But I hear T-mobile gets dropped calls too.

BTW, your post reminds me.. sometimes my phone doesn't ring but gets vm's.... what's up with that!? Is that my phone or is it my service?... or the combination of the above? I'm just hating my phone/service right now.

 

I work for Verizonwireless as a network engineer.... and I'm an ex-Cingular customer. Trust me when I say this (I think 50% of the folks here agree), Verizonwireless is by far the best and most reliable wireless service in the country right now. Oh and BTW T-moble leases Cingular's Cell sites.

 

Hey Sho-time. I use to have AT&t/Cingular and the service was crap so when my contract ended I switched over to Verizon based on the good things I heard from a lot of people. I have not had any problems since. I would recommend one of there "LG" brand phones. You will probably like the LG VX6100 or 7000. Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

I see I see. I keep hearing good things about them but since you work for them, what do you think separates Verizon from the others? Why is it so much better than the others? Is it the technology that you use? Is it the number of cell sites that you have? Locations of cell sites?

T-mobile leasing Cingular cell sites.... that all makes sense now. No wonder I hear as many bad things about them as Cingular.

 

I am with you, man.... AT&T/Cingular is the worst ever right now. I just can't wait for the contact to be over.

LG phones.... I will keep that in mind. I really hafta do some research to see which phones are good and reliable. If you can let me know what you like about the phone you have or you recommend, I'd highly appreciate it! Thanks for your inputs!

 

I''ve got Nextel as provide by my employeer with 500 free minutes to use as I want. The service is really good out here in the Inland Empire. There are areas around Camp Pendleton and out on the way to 'Vegas where there are outages.

 

Here is an article about consumer's opinions of the cellular carriers.

http://cdn.consumerreports.org/static/0503cell0.html

 

Before I first got the phone I did the whole research thing too. But I went off of someone recommendation. but the LG has good options and somewhat durable (i've dropped it several times and is still good). I have the older model LG VX6000 so I would imagine the 6100 or 7000 would be just as good if not better. Damn i'm starting to sound like a salesman... but check your options, just because I dig the phone, doesn't mean you will...

 

I completely forgot about Nextel... I don't know anyone that has it. So it's pretty good? Actually.... I remember hearing something about its phones being slightly bigger due to its two-way radio feature? Is this true?

 

GREAT REPORT!!!! Thanks tons man! So I guess Verizon has the least complaints... really. I'm not sure who US Cell is. I've never heard of them.

 

I just looked at it... it looks pretty good. Maybe 6100.
How does it flip? My panasonic has a little "click" right before it fully opens or closes to prevent the screen from banging against the touchpads. I know Motorola doesn't have this "click". I'm not trying to be picky but rather curious. I guess I'll go check it out one of these days. Where did you get yours from? verizon store? I hear depending on where you go, the shop gives you pretty good phones for free or pretty darn cheap.

 

No click on the LG, there are 2 very small rubber stoppers by the ear piece that prevent the touch pad from coming in contact with the screen. I'm always slamming my phone shut and no scratches. And yeah, got the phone from the Verizon store. You get a discount depending on how long of a contract you sign with them.

 

i got nextel too. Love it, except on the way to vegas, but then again who you tryin to call ?

 

I have Nextel also and really have no complaints.

 

Didn't nextel get bought out by Sprint? In any case, i've had sprint for over 3 years now and have had no problems with dropped calls since they've expanded their cell sites.

 

They merged together. I like Sprint! Only because I have connections

 

Verizon is a merg of at lease 7 major providers accross the nation there for we have the most local cell sites everywhere. Keep in mind though that Verizonwireless maybe the most expensive, and IMO we offer the most uncool phones, but they work. Nextel I heard is pretty good as well but for the most part for enterprse use. hope this helps

 

Verizon is the best due to the technology they use (CDMA). It can handle more connection per cell site than GSM (AT&T/Cingular/T-Mobile). I switched from Cingular to Verizon and my signal improved quite a bit in some areas. I would recommend LG phones as well. I dropped it several times and it still work great. Charge time is much quicker w/ LG too.