best celluar service provider?

[beach bum]

I know nothing, don't even know how much a phone should cost me. Anyone feel like edumacatin' me with the basics?


tia,

[Mrs Smith]

I think it varies greatly by region. We recently took the plunge and I used www.myrateplan.com to compare. We ultimately went with Voicestream because we wanted a family plan, but I found that calling around to local cellular stores got me a better deal on accessories. (If I buy from you, what will you give me?)

Just a thought. I did about a month of casual research before deciding. Also, ask your local friends and coworkers about coverage areas, etc. You'll get all sorts of responses, but it can't hurt to get multiple opinions.

Danielle

[beach bum]

thanks Danielle, I'll ask around a bit.

[Alice]

I have Voice Stream for work. It's better than it used to be. A couple of years ago, in our area anyway, it used to get wierd glitches all the time. Coverage area is getting expanded all the time, in fact, I can now get a signal at the coast. I had the phone on while we were camping, just so I could see what time it was, and I about had a heart attack when it rang! I turned it off, LOL.

Think about when you'll be using the phone the most before deciding on a plan. All those free evening and weekend minutes look really attractive but if you're using the phone during the day, especially long distance, it can add up to a hefty bill if you get a plan with hardly any day time minutes.

My $.02

Alice

[Doug1]

Defiantly check your coverage area, and charges My company uses the Nextell phones wih 2 way communications, depending on he plan they are great. I am in southern oregon and can talk via 2 way or phone up and down the main north -south freeway from here to seattle, but the cell phone coverage dies 9 miles out of town to the south

[opihi]

chris,
don't get cingular. they're service in the bay area is spotty. i had sprint and verizon. they're both pretty reliable. i hear bad things about AT&T too.

j

[FishDaddy]

Chris,
I recently went through the cellular shopping thing when my provider was bought out by Verizon. I went through all the gymnastics of trying to compare services (no two plans are alike from company to company). I finally chose Verizon because of their free long distance and extensive coverage area. Many companies offer free long distance but you need to check their coverage map to see if the places you are likely to call from are included.

I can only suggest visiting all the different shops you can; get all their brochures; compare what you expect your usage will be; then pick one. Also check their phone costs....some will offer free phones for new customers but require longer contract periods.

Good luck; it's a cellular jungle out there!
Dick

[Junkzoo]

Being in a "fringe area" Verizon was the first and only one to finally work for me,,,,just my 2 cents,,