Nation WideCell Phone Coverage??

[PurpleTail]

I have been trying to research different cell phone sevices (AT&T, Verision, Cingular, Sprint) and decide which one is best for national coverage? Who better to ask than my fellow aviators.

As a pilot for FedEx, I occasionally travel to some less populated areas such as Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, and Maine. Most of the new calling plans now-a-days offer "No Roaming/No Long Distance" "Free Night and Weekends" but how good are they really and what are the catches? Most of the time you have to be calling FROM their network to call anywhere and if you are not than there IS roaming charges.

I currently have AT&T, and the service is good, but I feel like I am paying an arm and a leg for VERY basic service ($60/mth for only 450 minutes). I can make calls to anywhere FROM anywhere and it doesn't matter what network I'm on.

Please tell me if you are happy with your service and which service to avoid at all cost and any other info you think would be helpful.

Thanks so much. Fellow aviator.

 

[aero99]

There was a very good thread on this a few months back. Try searching the forum.

Really matters where you live and where you are.

I would avoid sprint like PFT. I would choose not to have a cell phone if Sprint was the only outfit around.

Att, Cingular, and Verizon all have decent service depending on where you live.

 

[bigD]

I use AT&T. Love the service. I have digital one rate, which allows me to call from anywhere in the country with no fees, period. It's nice to not have to worry about it. It's not cheap though (I pay 60/month for 450 anytime minutes and 4000 off peak and weekend minutes), and I think you can find some better deals through Sprint. But AT&T's customer service is FAR better than Sprint's, and I'm willing to pay a bit extra for it.

I've spent time in Socal, Ohio, Indiana, New Mexico, Arizona, and am based in Texas. Never had a problem with service in those areas at least, even when I'm miles from anywhere.

My only complaint is with the phones that AT&T uses. I'm not a big fan of my 'baby Nokia'. I'd prefer one of those Samsung's that use Sprint's network. I hear the new Motorola V90 phone is nice, but at 300 bucks retail, it's steep.

 

[aero99]

The new Mot phone is worthless. I have a buddy that has had 3 new phones because of issues with it- all different issues like not ringing, not going into voicemail etc.

Everytime we are out doing something his wife ends up calling (and getting through) me to talk to her husband. I have the 69.00 Nokia and he has the 300.00 mot both on cingular.

 

[bigD]

I've had to replace my baby Nokia twice for things like buttons that stop working. I don't THINK I abuse my phone that much!

 

[Crusty]

Ya get what you pay for! Stick with AT&T. The service is the best and it is everywhere.

 

[canon]

thanks for posting this

I was just about to post the same question and BAM, there is the post in front of my face.

Cingular is trying to rip me off for moving.

Voice stream has a great family deal
2 phones
unlimited calls between the two
total nationwide
no nights
weekends
800 minutes

I need the best family deal, any better out there?

Either way I have to change phone numbers (**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**) but overall if you have a family and are a pilot Voicestream is best so far.

Please let me know about any better.

 

[canon]

censor

gosh censor X 4 and all i said was a word with a D an A a M and a N

But this message board is still the best (it rocks)

 

[PTWOB]

cell phone company

I liked AT&T while I had it. When I moved from Texas to New York I was forced to switch to Verizon. I feel that it has provided much better service at a slightly better rate. I would have stayed with AT&T if I hadn't moved and wouldn't know what I was missing. They both have great coverage with some gaps. Verizon just seems to have less gaps. My 2cents.

 

[machspeed]

i have had a mot phone with verizon for about 3 years. the first 2 years were ok but had phone problems and reception problems. this last year since verizon fixed all thier merger problems the service has been excellent. The reception has been great anywhere in the USA. They had to take the phone and run a new computer program on it and the phone problems went away.
My company gave me a nokia phone with AT@T and the reception was terrible in remote areas and sometimes in parts of major citys. I had to use the mot alot of places. Verizon has improved alot lately.


Machspeed

 

[Timebuilder]

In January, I will have had AT&T for three years.

For the digital one rate of $99/month, I got a free 5165 Nokia with case, 600 peak minutes, and 1,000 night and weekend minutes on a one year contract. The service is very good.

The 5165 is not the "small" phone, and it is very durable,

PS: they have a service called Canada Calling, where I can sign up for an additional $20 per month and I can use the plan while in Canada. As of yet, I don't go north often enough to justify the 20 bucks.

 

[frenchy]

I have ATT and Cingular both work very well and the price is almost the same, I would remain with ATT if you are happy with them.

 

[lrgrl]

Cell Phones International

What about phones for international use? I use Sprint for domestic, cheapest price for minutes and available coverage.... But, not so happy with customer services. I just got a job that will take me internationally a lot and was looking for one for that use....... Any ideas would help......

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I read the last postings extensively, recently go nationwide coverage for my wife, and just researched new coverages/phones for me at my new job.

From the previous set of posts:

AT&T is the most expensive-terrible customer service
Verizon has the best nationwide coverage-a number of posters noted that in many places an AT&T phone wouldn't work, a Verizon one would-somewhat cheaper than AT&T-customer service is OK
Sprint has the worst coverage of the three-customer service is bad-service is the cheapest

From my own experience/researching:

Verizon is the ONLY service with complete nationwide coverage-their prices are moderate (less than AT&T, more than Sprint, Cingular, or others)-their customer service is reasonable-their phones DO NOT work in Mexico-their Canda plans are OK-***Verizon allows you to change plans without major penalties

AT&T is the most expensive-their own map on their website shows the coverage is less than Verizon-a good amount of roaming off of the network in the US-their phones WILL work in Mexico-prices pretty high-their Canada plans are about the same as Verizon

Sprint is cheaper than Verizon-they have the least US coverage-they have NO coverage in Mexico-***if you change plans with Sprint before your contract is up-BIG penalties!!!

Cingular is the cheapest of the four, but definitely nowhere close to nationwide service. My wife could not use them as they provided 0 coverage anywhere near where we lived.

My wife has been using Verizon nationwide and got a phone at a mall kiosk for $20. She doesn't think any of the phone services are good enough. I am getting Verizon for my new job. We go to Mexico a lot, but the AT&T is so expensive in Mexico, and less-so in general, that I am going with Verizon-plus the fact that Verizon has better nationwide coverage-we go to a lot of small places all over.

Hope this helps!

Definitely check the websites before you decide. I would also check with a store/mall kiosk to see if they have older phones on special.


Cliff
GRB

 

[Anaconda]

my girlfriend is an f/a and flies all over the u.s. not once has she had a problem making a call with cingular. unless you're out in the sticks you should not have a problem. i seriously doubt any provider has true NATIONWIDE service.

69.99 850 anytime minutes, 3500 night/weekend.

i also use them but not all over like she does. never a problem except in my crashpad.

 

[sf340flyer]

i had Nextel for 3 years, it was ok. 6 weeks ago I went with Cingular, and so far i have been impressed. I fly for a regional so we "get off the beaten path" and I have never had a problem. As soon as I turn my phone on my voice mail is there. I have 500 anytime, and 3500 Night & Weekends, with no long distance or roaming anywhere in the 50 states (including AK and HI) for $49.99. Cingular will connect with any cell phone tower, so if your At&t works your cingular will work.

I got the Motorola V60 from Best Buy for $110.00, and set up my service there also. Only a 1 year contract.

 

[dmiller]

I've had a AT&T Cell phone since they bought out MetroCell here in DFW. (Had the same phone number for 12 years) I also use the phone in excess of 4000 minutes a month. I love the service and the plan. I have been to remote areas of the country and have still had service.

The only thing I wish, is that I could get a cool looking phone with more features, but, oh well, a phone is a phone.

 

[machspeed]

a mot phone has a bigger ear piece and everybody says it sounds better on the other end. they also store better then most phones. programing the phone is not as user friendly as a nokia but it closes up so you don't have to worry about unintentional calls or haveing to lock and unlock the keys. you always have to move the nokia around to hear good not a problem with the mot. they also are proud of themot i guess and they charge a large price but they give good discounts occasionally with a one year signup.


machspeed

 

[Anaconda]

sf340flyer: how do you like your V60?

all for $110??? that phone is $250 at my local cingular store...

what's up with that?

 

[habubuaza]

STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM SPRINT!!!!

The biggest mistake I made was after my AT&T contract was up I got suckered into going to sprint. The customer service sucks. They will CHARGE you for speaking to a human being. They will CHARGE you for paying your bill at customer service center using a person. Heck, they will even charge you for paying at Radio Shack. So you always have to mail a check or call and use your credit card. They constantly drop calls. Really stay away from sprint, you will be much better off.

 

[Fr8Dog]

I have SunCom now, they are part of the ATT network, and I had ATT when I lived in North Carolina and loved them there. With SunCom it is basically the same service and coverage. Lately I have been going to some places out in the middle of nowhere and for the most part the service is very good. I curently have 600min for $70.

 

[sf340flyer]

Anaconda: the phone was $150.00 on sale, and i got a $40.00 mail-in rebate. Also I got a 3 year warranty for $60.00, anything wrong with the phone take it to ANY Best Buy and if they can't fix it on the spot they give you a new phone. This even inculdes the battery, so you can get a free bat., after it won't hold its charge. You will have to sign a contract with Best Buy saying that if you cancel your phone contract with Cingular within 6 months you owe Best Buy $300.00, and that is why they can sell the phones so cheap.

I love my V60. Reception is very good, many different ring tones, voice-activated dialing, and the bat will last at least 2 days with a lot of use. Motorola make a very well built phone.

 

[tdvalve]

Every time cell phones are discussed several folks say to avoid Sprint like the plague. Just to give a different perspective, I've had Sprint for about three years and am very satisfied with the price and the service. For 69.99 a month, I have two phones with separate phone numbers that share 600 anytime minutes and 3000 off-peak minutes including true nationwide long distance. I go most everywhere in the US and have had to roam only a few times at places that are definitely off the beaten path. I've never experienced the dropped calls that others complain about. And no, I'm not affiliated in any way with Sprint.

 

[PurpleTail]

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info, all good stuff. After talking to different sells reps and reviewing all the plans I think I'm going to re-up with AT&T for 1 yr.

The Digital One Rate is the best plan out there for national coverage without having to worry about where you are calling from. It is a little more expensive but very reliable. Verison almost made the cut, I just didn't want to have to change my phone number and have to go through the hassle and having to notify half the world.

Thanks again.

 

[xjcaptain]

Just a little more info that I havn't seen mentioned. I've also had the digital 450 nationwide plan for about 2 years and have been very happy with it even in some very small cities. They do offer an unadvertised offer to "special customers". If you've had the phone for at least 6 months they will either add 1000 night and weekend minutes a month for an additional $9.95 or if you renew your contract for an addtional year they will add the same thousand minutes/month for free. So if you're gong to extend your contract for another year this might come in handy. I had to be persistent on the phone with the customer service person at first but they were able to find the offer. You can also get discounts from AT&T based on membership with some unions. ALPA members can get 10% off of the basic rate which also helps.

 

[flx757]

The previous two posts seem to sum-up the AT&T way......pay more money....sign up for an extended (or an even more extended) plan. No thanks.

 

[enigma]

I switched from Alltel to Cingular about six months ago. So far, I've had little problem with the service. If you get a signal, you talk. Period. No roaming charge. It even works in San Juan. I've heard that cingular roams on the ATT network and I've never had a problem getting a signal. At the time I had to choose a new carrier, Verizon was not selling nationwide plans in my home area, so I passed them by, but I hear good things about them as well.
Alltel stunk, to be polite.

8N

 

[banned username 2]

I have the Verizon Nationwide plan and a Motorola V60c phone with the high capacity battery....

I have excellent coverage everywhere in the US (even Alaska) and Canada and the V60c has a ton of features and has nearly 10 days of stand-by time with the high capacity battery, it also will do 240+ minutes of talk time... The high capacity battery fits right in the case, no piggy-back battery like the older phones... Plus I have dropped the phone several times already and it still works great.

 

[PurpleTail]

The V60 is a great phone and it sounds like Verison has there system pretty well set up now. I am up in Canada some so it is nice to know that it works there too.

I know Motorola and Nokia are the most popular phones but like the looks of that new Sony Ericsson T68m or T61z, does anyone use these phones?

 

[banned username 2]

Ericcson phones have not had a good reputation (that is why they have slipped from #3 to like #6 in world cell phone supplier)...

Motorola phones have always been very rugged and technically superior... they lost ground to Nokia a few years back based on style... They are quickly gaining back ground with the V60, V70, V120 and the new A388 Phone ... This phone doesn't have any buttons, it has a touch screen!

Nokia phones got ahead because of style (and supplier incentives) but generally lack ruggedness and have a high failure rate.