Verizon, Cingular and Cell Phones

[shortylickens]

I'll provide an opinion but will also add I live in the Mojave Desert.

Out here AT&T had the best service. (Next Gen). When they merged with Cingular the quality went down a little but not much. Even though I still pay AT&T my display just says 'Cingular' now.
Verizon is also pretty good. T-Mobile stinks and there is no PCS network. If you had a really powerful phone and stood on top of Panamint mountain you might get a weak signal.

While I prefer the menus and features of Motorola and Sony phones, I have to say that Nokias have always been more reliable. Good batteries and strong transmitters.
The first phone I ever had was a Motorola C333. It was also the smallest phone I have ever seen or heard about. The thing was great so long as you didnt need to talk.
I recently moved to a Nokia 3300. Thats the big sideways one with the QWERTY keypad. I find the menus a little less intuitive but its a much better phone overall.

 

[DaWhim]

if you can live up with verizon's sh!tty phones, you can go with that. I am glad that I got good service with tmo in my area and of course, any phones of my choice.

 

[GrouchyLadybug]

I have a Samsung SCH-a650 with Verizon. I had Cingular for 2 years and it was horrible. Reception was totally unacceptable, and I live in a major urban area. My parents have had Verizon for about 10 years now, and I switched over to Verizon too about a year ago (when my Cingular contract finally expired). Great family plan, great reception. It all depends on where you live, it seems.

 

[BMW2000z]

Do they even make unbranded and unlocked phones compatible with verizon? It seems like they don't, I haven't been able to find any.

 

[BMW2000z]

Do they even make unbranded and unlocked phones compatible with verizon? It seems like they don't, I haven't been able to find any.

 

[imported_Phil]

I'm in the UK so this may not apply, but I just started a new contract with a provider over here, with a Sony Ericsson S700i (might be the S710 over there) - got the phone free :beer:

It's gorgeous. The screen is freaking amazing, the camera is a 1.3MP Sony Cybershot that's been crammed into the case, and it has a nice weight. The only complaint is that it's a little chunky.

[Edit] Oh, and not only does it come with a 32Mb Memory Stick Duo, it plays MP3s (as ringtones as well as normally), and you can set a photo as someone's picture for when they call

 

[Anubis]

i use Verizon because they have more coverage then anyone, i couldent care less about the phone, all i need it to do is make and receive calls and have voice mail, as well as be small, and they have phones that do that, my 2 years is up this summer and ill prob renew with them i have no reason not to

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: BMW2000z
Has anybody used the Kyocera KX2? Is it small and comfortable against the ear? The V710 also looks pretty nice? Is it the same size as the V60 or is it bigger? And does it have an antenna that sticks out or is it internal? Also, anybody use the samsong or audiovox phones?


So it's not a good idea to just buy a phone that would work with the verizon network before going to their store to sign up for their plans, and then just tell them to activate my phone for my account?

And one more question, has anybody had problems transferring a phone number from a previous carrier to verizon? Thanks for all the help!

the v710 is pretty big. its much bigger than the v60. but bluetooth is sweet and i think the v710 is the only verizon phone with bluetooth at the moment.

 

[dr150]

Verizon is universally regarded as the best coverage and service.

HOWEVER, I use Cingular since I travel overseas. The Cingular network and phones work on the GSM band--the same as most of the world. So your cell phone will work when either in China or Paris. No other USA carrier has this ability (T-Mobile piggybacks off the Cingular network though)......And the fact that they merged with ATT creates much better nationwide coverage.

 

[BMW2000z]

Does anybody have any suggestions of unbranded and unlocked phones for verizon, preferrably models that they do not sell in the store? And where can i buy them?

 

[optoman]

Originally posted by: dr150
Verizon is universally regarded as the best coverage and service.

HOWEVER, I use Cingular since I travel overseas. The Cingular network and phones work on the GSM band--the same as most of the world. So your cell phone will work when either in China or Paris. No other USA carrier has this ability (T-Mobile piggybacks off the Cingular network though)......And the fact that they merged with ATT creates much better nationwide coverage.

You can actually use your Verizon phone in China, Taiwan, Isreal and a handful of others countries and Verizon does sell a global phone that is quad mode and works on GSM networks. Business users are the main buyers of the global phone.

Edit: Also, Cingular will be a while with changing over AT&Ts TMDA to GSM. Verizon sales in the first quarter were also looking very strong with the new $9.99 add a line promo. It'll only get better as the year goes along as in price plans.

 

[imported_Mike]

GSM has better phones, cheaper plans, and usuall just as good service area.

 

[MrChad]

You get what you pay for with Verizon.

 

[optoman]

Originally posted by: CheapArse
GSM has better phones, cheaper plans, and usuall just as good service area.

Actually Cingular and Verizons plans are almost the same except for rollover. If you ever look at the stats for rollover most people never use the rollover mins and they just drop off. Better to get a lower plan and pay less to begin with. You can also get free phones form Best Buy or Radio Shack when they run there specials and Verizons activation fee is less than cingular.

There was also a study that came out showing Verizon had about 3 times less for the amount of complaints compared to cingular.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: optoman

Originally posted by: CheapArse
GSM has better phones, cheaper plans, and usuall just as good service area.

Actually Cingular and Verizons plans are almost the same except for rollover. If you ever look at the stats for rollover most people never use the rollover mins and they just drop off. Better to get a lower plan and pay less to begin with. You can also get free phones form Best Buy or Radio Shack when they run there specials and Verizons activation fee is less than cingular.

There was also a study that came out showing Verizon had about 3 times less for the amount of complaints compared to cingular.

Oviously the service you receive is YMMV...but I havn't had a dropped call yet. The phones are better and not only are the calling plans cheaper(ie, more minutes for the same amount of $$) the data plans are cheaper.

 

[optoman]

Originally posted by: CheapArse

Originally posted by: optoman

Originally posted by: CheapArse
GSM has better phones, cheaper plans, and usuall just as good service area.

Actually Cingular and Verizons plans are almost the same except for rollover. If you ever look at the stats for rollover most people never use the rollover mins and they just drop off. Better to get a lower plan and pay less to begin with. You can also get free phones form Best Buy or Radio Shack when they run there specials and Verizons activation fee is less than cingular.

There was also a study that came out showing Verizon had about 3 times less for the amount of complaints compared to cingular.

Oviously the service you receive is YMMV...but I havn't had a dropped call yet. The phones are better and not only are the calling plans cheaper(ie, more minutes for the same amount of $$) the data plans are cheaper.

Verizon offers 450 mins for $39.99 with unlinited nights weekends, Cingular has 450 mins for $39.99 5000 nights & weekends, rollover.

Family share are better with Verizon for lower min plans if you have alot of lines. Cingular charges $19.99 until you go on a plan for $69.99 or higher. All family share with verizon are $9.99 for secondary lines.

Cingular offers unlimited data for $79.99 same as verizon, Verizon blackberry is $49.99 and cingulars is $49.99.

Verizon now has evdo and is rapidly expanding and the data price is still the same.

Edit: Verizon also has the lowest surcharges compared to the rest.

Edit: blackberry is $49.99 for both, $44.99 with calling plan, my mistake.

 

[BaboonGuy]

When it comes to phone quality Cingular absolutely destroys Verizon. For reception Verizon is better but not by much.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: amdskip
I just switched over to verizon from US Cellular. The speaker in my phone died within a week which pissed me off. I got it replaced and the b!tch wanted to charge me $10 to transfer my phone contacts over so I told her to forget it.

They're not supposed to do that if it's a warranty replacement. And more often than not, you can negotiate with them to do it for free even if they're supposed to charge you. It's one of the few things the in-store reps are able to do for you, because it doesn't involve giving product away or involve changing prices (which they have little to no leeway on, AFAIK); they just hook it up to "the machine" on the sly, while the manager's not looking.

Anyway, I've only used Verizon and Sprint, and in my area, Verizon is so much better, like ridiculously, insanely, I-didn't-have-any-idea-wireless-can-work-this-well, I-wish-I-knew-better-two-years-ago-when-I-signed-up-with-Sprint, incredibly, better. (And I didn't even think Sprint was all that bad!)

In Chicago, my sister had a similar, but even stronger opinion when she switched from Sprint to Verizon. (Because Sprint in downtown and north Chicago was noticeably worse than in Minneapolis when I would visit her, and she would complain to me about Sprint all the time.)

Regarding Cingular, well, they didn't exist up here in Minneapolis until a few months ago (they took over AT&T), so I have no opinion, but in the previous two February issues of Consumer reports, Verizon was on top in their surveys, while Cingular got less spectacular, less consistent responses. Based on that, and the fact that Verizon works well where and when I need it to (usually--except when they're upgrading a cell site for EV-DO, more capacity, etc.), I'm not going to be switching any time soon.

EDIT: For the OP's question, look at the Motorola V-265--it's turning out to be a pretty good phone according to user reports at the Howard Forums. (Check out thier forums at http://www.howardforums.com .)

 

[imported_hscorpio]

If you want a trendy phone that will impress all the 15 year old girls then go for cingular. If you actually talk on your phone more than you play pac-man then go for verizon.

Edit-
Forgot to say that it's better to buy your phone from verizon/dealer if your a new customer. You get a good discount that way. Amazon has some good deals right now where the phone is free when you buy a plan and you get cash back after rebates.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: optoman

Originally posted by: CheapArse

Originally posted by: optoman

Originally posted by: CheapArse
GSM has better phones, cheaper plans, and usuall just as good service area.

Actually Cingular and Verizons plans are almost the same except for rollover. If you ever look at the stats for rollover most people never use the rollover mins and they just drop off. Better to get a lower plan and pay less to begin with. You can also get free phones form Best Buy or Radio Shack when they run there specials and Verizons activation fee is less than cingular.

There was also a study that came out showing Verizon had about 3 times less for the amount of complaints compared to cingular.

Oviously the service you receive is YMMV...but I havn't had a dropped call yet. The phones are better and not only are the calling plans cheaper(ie, more minutes for the same amount of $$) the data plans are cheaper.

Verizon offers 450 mins for $39.99 with unlinited nights weekends, Cingular has 450 mins for $39.99 5000 nights & weekends, rollover.

Family share are better with Verizon for lower min plans if you have alot of lines. Cingular charges $19.99 until you go on a plan for $69.99 or higher. All family share with verizon are $9.99 for secondary lines.

Cingular offers unlimited data for $79.99 same as verizon, Verizon blackberry is $49.99 and cingulars is $49.99.

Verizon now has evdo and is rapidly expanding and the data price is still the same.

Edit: Verizon also has the lowest surcharges compared to the rest.

Edit: blackberry is $49.99 for both, $44.99 with calling plan, my mistake.

Hmm, I get unlimited for $25...so I checked it out and Im getting their unlimited "works" for $25. Works just fine for me though, web, email, etc. I have the treo 650

 

[psiu]

Well, we just got hooked up with Verizon, I talked to people in the area (Detroit) who all liked it, also my sister-in-law and her family have a couple of Verizon phones, are quite happy, and they get coverage in the rural areas that we have family in.

Got 2 Motorola v265 phones, quite nice looking actually, speakerphone, voice dialing, camera...both phones free with car charger, home charger, handsfree earpiece, and belt clip. Go over to Hot Deals forum,

topic

that topic has info on phones from all service providers...generally no rebates ( ) just straight up cheap.

 

[psiu]

Originally posted by: amdskip
....
EDIT: For the OP's question, look at the Motorola V-265--it's turning out to be a pretty good phone according to user reports at the Howard Forums. (Check out thier forums at http://www.howardforums.com .)

Ah, just finished reading the rest of this thread...yeah, I put my review in that Hot Deals topic. Even though I kinda picked out the negatives on the phone, overall it is definitely a :thumbsup:

 

[datdamkid]

I like cingular personally, my parents have had cingular for 6 years and i've been w/them for 4 years. Service was crappy the first year but when they got the GSM giong its great, I live in the subs of philly and it works awesome in the subs anywhere i go even philly has awesoem service never lose service anywhere i go.

 

[Zenmervolt]

A CDMA provider will have a wider service area than any GSM provider within the US. I have yet to see a US GSM network that was not strictly highways and major metropolitan areas. It's only the CDMA providers that have anything even resembling service in truly rural areas.

Plus, CDMA is a newer technology than GSM (GSM is two years older and still partially based up on TDMA), and offers higher voice transmission bandwidth, lower emission of radiation, vastly superior call security, and higher theoretical data speeds. CDMA towers can also handle more calls than GSM towers, but that's a non-issue from an end-user standpoint since a company is going to install enough towers to meet demand and CDMA's higher per-tower handling ability just means that the provider needs fewer towers.

So, why is everyone touting GSM then? For one, it's more widely available outside the US. Mainly because Europe invented it and then promptly stagnated it, and then refused to admit that any other system might ever be any better. While GSM was a leap forward from TDMA, it has been surpassed by CDMA and right now it's only still in use outside of the US because Europe refuses to use CDMA which is a US-developed technology. It's pure politics. In the US, GSM is touted because a GSM phone can be used overseas and not just in the US. Also, companies have a vested interest in pushing GSM since it's cheaper to implement a GSM network than it is to implement a CDMA network. (Kind of like how a Yugo is cheaper than a Mercedes.)

If you need a signal in rural areas in the US, CDMA is your only realistic option. If you need to take your phone overseas, then GSM is the only realistic option. If you need both, you have to decide which is more important, or get two phones.

ZV