So my contract with Cingular expired last month and I can't wait to get rid of my dysfunctional microscopic samsung. I have been thinking about switching my service to Sprint since I've heard good things about them and you get a lot more minutes for your money than with Cingular (mind you, they don't even offer free roaming with my plan ). Besides, I've never been too happy with my service in the 4.5 years I've had them no matter what phone I had.

However, I recently heard from a couple of people that after taking over Nextel, Sprint service has deteriorated a lot and I was told to stay away from Sprint. Any of you guys have any personal observations? And how happy are you with either Cingular or Sprint, if you have them?

 

Go with Verizone, no problem what so, ever.

 

i have cingular............i hate it

 

I have Cingular and I am not too pleased with the reception or customer service. Previously, I had T-Mobile. I had no problems with them at all. Before that, I had Verizon...I hated it, but that was 5 years ago. I'm sure things have changed.

 

I've had Sprint since 2000, they're awesome. At one point I had a retention plan that was like 35 bucks after taxes for 1200min 7pm N/W Free PCS to PCS, and a bunch of other great things like free data usage, pictures, and a huge credit for a new phone. Now my plan even has free incoming mins and for every 100 mins I go over its only 5 bucks instead of 40-50. So they've treated me pretty well. Coverage in my area has been top notch too.

But I've experienced some of what you've heard, since they've gotten with nextel, they've screwed up my bill for 4 months straight only to fix it finally last month, hopefully. But overall, not counting the past 4 months having to deal with customer service, sprint has been really good.

 

teddie get on aim
and ill tell you about phones.

 

verizon really is the best network. It just flat WORKS!!!

cingular has all the "cool" phones, but having a great wireless provider is far more important.

 

+1. I am on a great old pla with 2k minutes. service is great and have been comped a lot of time due to the billing fubars. CSR has always been easy to work with when I had to deal with the few problems have had.

I worked for ATTWS back in the day and I made my service selection based on my knowledge of the industry.

Just keep the phone simple and realstic expectations about the service.

 

AT&T used to be top shelf. When they merged with Cingular I think they now suck. I seem to have more dropped calls, more Network Busy and lack of a signal than ever before.

So Verizon huh...

 

i have had nextel since they first started, the only reason is its through my dads company, ever since sprint bought them out, they suck!! stay away from them. i have never heard anything but bad from sprint, my roommate just got T mobile and hates it, but other people have good luck with it (TM) he has to turn his cell phone off and back on every morning.


this is a really good question because i am getting a new phone this month but not really sure who to go with. also you kinda need to get replies with people who live in your area, because one might work better up here that doesnt work at all down there....

 

I worked for ATTWS shortly after the bought out cellular one, run by mccaw communications. The McCaw's did a great job with the traditional analog roll out then att went heavy into tdma for a long period of time which was horrible. Digital static aka warrble, echos lots of dropped calls.

From what I read they have upgraded since then. Sprint bought out someone cdma network whihc cost more but worked a lot better. But phones are a big part of this equation as well. Handhelds are only allowed, or were at the time, to xmit .6 of a watt and the fixed around 3 watts.

These days though the handhelds xmit at around .3 to .4 watt. Cell sites are more numerous but oftenreach capacity in one sector of the antenna in high traffic areas. Plus topographcal issues do come into play and solar storms, sun flares, have been a bit more frequent and can overwhelm these cute little cellphones.

I end the technical diatribe now.... sorry to run on. Some one did mention a very valid point... you need to find out from people in your area. The cell companies drive their service area all the time to check for quality signal and audio but no one knows better than a friend with a good phone.

I have read great things about Verizon and their customer service but do not know anyone that uses them. Plus they have taken a very aggressive approach to wireless highspeed data service. I have been thinking about defecting but I hate the idea of giving up on something I know that works.

 

Ive been on Verizon for a long time and dont have a single complaint about billing, calls, connection, etc. They have always been at the bottom when it comes to the "cool phones", but that is due to their very strict testing. No matter how good it will sell, they wont let it on their network unless it is high quality as well.

I travel a lot for work, and no matter where I've been and how far off the main roads I go my cell works great. I used to carry a TMobile work cell, and my coworker had Sprint. Half the time we had to use my personal cell when the others couldnt get a signal... I hope this helps.

 

hey find out what their buyers remorse period before you settle on one carrier. If they stink you ca cancel during the period or at a minimum change phones. Also check out what cnet.com has to say about the device you are deciding on; have found them to be very helpful and they allow members to rate the products as well.

 

I think Verizon is 30 days to change phones or cancel service.

 

Wow that is very good. I wonder how the rest of the crowd stacks up. I was thinking most are about 3 to 5 days but i have had my phone an service for so long I am out of touch with it all.