Do you like your mobile network? or not.

Poststructural Pub
1

I’m specifically looking for opinions comparing Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon,
and here’s the long-winded story why:

I currently use a Palm Centro on AT&T.

In the summer, I moved the other 4 phones which were in our (originally Cingular) Family Plan to Verizon, because it is the only network with functional service on the campus in southern Maryland where 2 of my kids are in school, and 1 is working.
I kind of talked AT&T out of the cancellation fees, pleading (correctly) no service, and threw them the bone of keeping my phone with AT&T.

Meantime, we discovered that there are a few other key places where our Verizon phones worked, but the AT&T did not. The Skyline Drive area near the Virginia/NC border (where one daughter has been a camp counselor) is one the spots where AT&T is dead and Verizon works.

Still, as unthrilled as I am with AT&T, I don’t have a legit. excuse to get out of the cancellation fee on my phone, so odds are I’ll keep it until next summer when I’m emancipated, so to speak.

OTOH, Credo (formerly Working Assets) with whom I have landline long distance, offers to buy out contracts if you switch to them. They operate on the Sprint network. I don’t know how the Sprint network performs, compared to Verizon and AT&T. I’ve heard their customer service is abysmal, but then, technically, I’d be with Credo, not Sprint.
The other thing is, Credo offers a very limited selection ( 8 ) phones, only one of which–a Moto Q 9c–would do the stuff I do with my Centro.

So, the choices–at the moment–are:
Hold out with AT&T 'til next summer, then switch to Verizon or
Take a gamble on Credo.

…awaiting the collective wisdom of the Chiff…

2

I’d like to take advantage of yet another opprotunity to voice my complete and utter discontent with Verizon and all its subsidiaries.
In my neck of the woods ( a la Al Roker), ATT works everywhere, I have them for local, long distance, cell, and several other services. Is it more expensive? yes. But, Mrs CHasR can call the jersey shore whilst on vacation in central PA, all her girlfriends Sprints, Verizon’s, etc were signal-less. On Att, I get business calls from Philly while in VT, and straight down to (east) VA.
The only reason I keep any service from Verizon AT ALL is because if you dont, they wont list you in the yellow pages. (talk about blackmail), so I keep a low budget-cheapo- incoming-call-only-line with Verizon, just for faxes.
my vote: att-1
all others -0

3

I changed from AT&T to Verizon for my home base mobile phone because of poor signal strength on my block even though I am right in the middle of the city. AT&T sent a monitoring vehicle to test my suspicions, so they let me out of my contract without penalty. I have since been pleased with Verizon’s service.

Although I don’t know anything about Credo or the Sprint network, I have had experinece with Working Assets. I think that I would take a chance on Credo. Usually there is a short time where you can test the service and new phone and can cancel the service without penalty if the service (Credo) doesn’t meet your needs. If that happens, you can either wait for your AT&T contract to expire, do more persuasive talking with AT&T, or buy out their contract. I found that my new Verizon bill was significantly less than my AT&T bill for the same service.

4

The sense I’m getting, from some online hunting around, is that on the Sprint/Credo network, almost anything that doesn’t fall within their sometimes limited coverage area will be billed as roaming, at 69¢/minute…possibly unless one has their $100/month “everything” plan.
This is not a good sign.

5

I had Verizon when I first got a mobile phone, but didn’t like them. I’ve been with T-Mobile for so long now that I can’t even recall why I didn’t like Verizon, but I remember distinctly that I didn’t. I’m sure that’s helpful to you.

Susan

6

The answer to this question will be very geographically-oriented. Some
networks work better in different terrain than others. I had a colleague
who loved Sprint in Columbus, Ohio, where it’s flat, but had to change
networks when he moved to Durham, NC, because it’s hilly here.
Sprint’s PCS just did not seem to do well without line-of-sight. I’ve
been on Verizon’s network since it was called GTE Wireless, including
a year in Columbia, MD, and I’ve been pretty happy with it (except that
there’s a dead spot directly over my house now).
:swear:

Verizon’s sales people in MD like to say that they’ve had so many phones
in government hands that their DC-area network is even better than
their regular network… Who knows how true that it, though it has a
certain Truthiness to it…

Note that Verizon is buying Alltel, so its network is going to expand
dramatically. Also, maybe we won’t have to see those stupid “Chad”
commercials anymore.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/technology/06phone.html

7

On a related note, I’m thinking of getting a range extender for my
house, if I can find a cheap used model, maybe. Something like this:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/9823/?cpg=cj

Anyone had experience with this sort of tech? I can get service at
the end of my driveway, just not inside the house, so I figure maybe
I can put the antenna either up in the attic or out in the yard and put
the unit in the house. Voila, instant cell service!??!?(I hope?)

8

We use Verizon and have been happy. We get good coverage pretty much everywhere we use it. They’ve been cooperative with hardware issues. I do wish they’d have rollover minutes and as a result we are paying for plans with more minutes than we might need because some months, depending on my business needs, we use a lot.

9

I’ve come to the conclusion we are VERY lucky.

We have our cells (and our land line and our internet) through our local phone company (Cincinnati Bell).

They have NO contracts! Yet once you sign up for a service, especially if you “bundle”, they also don’t change your rate. I’ve had the same plan on the cells for 4 years now, and while I’ve added to it (Tom got a Blackberry last year and we added the information package for that) other than the additional stuff, the rate has not changed. And they don’t even offer our minutes package any more.

We also been in areas where no one but us has coverage. Luckily we have enough minutes (shared between 4 phones, 2000 peak, 1000 mobile to mobile and unlimited other times) and free long distance that we’ve been able to let others use our phones when this happens. I also have unlimited text on all the phones.

We can get a replacement phone for whatever the “deals” are once a year. I’ve had the same phone for over 3 years, Noah just replaced his for free with a coupon we got in the mail. Nate had to replace his once (he cracked the face on his old one), and Tom upgraded to a Blackberry last year. They have a pretty good selection to choose from.

If you loose a phone they have a pretty good policy, too. You have 30 days to “reactivate” a sim card once you have it deactivated (if you find the phone) for no charge. If it’s been less than a year since you got your phone, they will sell you the exact replacement for the same price you paid even if it’s not that price anylonger, if it’s over a year you also get a deal on a new phone.

10

It’s been clear for some time that there’s nary a U.S. phone company (land or mobile) in existence that hasn’t provoked plenty of headaches among its customers. Missy’s tale may be the most optimistic. Still, as most of us are limited to the bigwigs, I’m strongly leaning toward the devil I know (Verizon) versus the one I don’t (Sprint/Credo.)
Especially as there is no compelling reason for me to switch from AT&T to anyone else at the moment. My service is adequate around here, and when I venture into Verizon only areas I take what we call the boy phone–that is, the little Samsung unit on our Verizon family plan which is designated for the occasional use of either kid #4 or his padre.

Really, I was just kind of interested to see if anyone would pop up and declare undying affection for the Sprint and/or Credo system. Hasn’t happened, and I’ve encountered plenty of red flags on the 'net.

11

All cell phone services verify our worst feelings about big corporations. They all suck.

That said, ATT actual reception and service have improved markedly out here in the last two years of my mandatory contract, which is now expired. I am month to month and don’t have a compelling reason to change, except I like the phones that other companies offer. I like the cute little Rumour phone but only Sprint (?) offers it..

But then, I don’t text anyway. I am a virgin texter. And I’m stayin’ pure. I’m too old to put up with the lil buttons anyhoo. Can’t see 'em, so how can I punch 'em?

12

Had T-Mobile for the longest time but I wanted an iPhone so I made the change. T-Mobile’s coverage ( at least for me) was “spotty”. AT&T seems to be good, but then I wanted an iPhone

13

I’ve been content with Sprint. No roaming, free long distance, free mobile to mobile, unlimited nights and weekends.

14

I am 100% happy with my Net 10 prepaid and Skype through free Wifi :smiley: