My Verizon contract is up again and I've decided to get a smartphone/PDA this time, either a Blackberry or wait a couple months for the new iPhone. Both have their pros and cons, that I've researched to death so I don't wanna go there. Let's just say that 3 out of 4 Blackberry users I know who switched to an iPhone quickly sold it on eBay within weeks and re-activated their Blackberry's.

In one case it was a Verizon vs. AT&T thing and in 2 others it was problems getting them to sync with MS Outlook in a single-user situation. My 4th friend who kept the iPhone does serious business too but worked around the major problems (she's an IT pro), and kept it because it's cool and she loves iTunes (I don't).

I also know that the V2 iPhone is coming soon and should solve most of the problems that caused my friends to sell their first ones so it's probably a moot point. Probably, but I digress.

Anyway, my cell phone is my primary voice phone and soon to be a critical part of my email communication. My primary criteria is coverage, coverage, coverage and reliability. I can deal with the pros and cons of either phone, but if it doesn't have signal it's just taking up space.

Though I do travel a lot it's primarily in the Western US, but it mostly just has to work reliably in the greater LA area.

Virtually everyone I know says that Verizon has the best coverage and the fewest problems but I've also heard that the bugs have finally been worked out with the Cingular/AT&T network merge and that it works almost as well, sometimes better, sometimes worse. T-Moble is a non-starter, not enough coverage yet here.

Cost is an issue; AT&T's total cost of running a Blackberry over two years will cost significantly less than running a Blackberry on Verizon. iPhone will surely be more expensive than either but they seem to have RIM in their crosshairs and should be a seriously good alternative if the V2 hardware and software is up to the task, which it probably will be in the near future.

Anyway, again that's not what I'm really asking, I just want to know what y'all think has the broadest and most reliable network, especially in Southern California.

I know this isn't a cell phone forum but we all travel for work and I trust you guys. Trying to get meaningful advice elsewhere on the Internet is like trying to sip sewage water from a fire hose, it's a freaking jungle out there, filled with dated mis-information from people living in un-known locations.

Apologize for the off-topic message, just looking for some rational information that's almost impossible to find elsewhere.

Thanks!

I just upgraded to a Blackjack II on ATT. Very happy, $49. Great fun. Get the 4G card if you can find one that works; not all mini-SD's do. Cliff Moore

Is wireless broadband also a consideration?
For example, for your laptop.
Asking in case Verizon has a package that offers this with cell service (for extra cost).

I just was switched from a Sprint-based Blackberry to an AT&T-based Flip phone by my employer.

Pros: Screen much better. First touch-screen device I've ever had that really worked well (I've owned at least half a dozen, including an original Palm Pilot.) Keyboard easier to use. Battery life longer.

Cons: Internet connection much less reliable and somewhat slower. Sound quality somewhat lower. I hate Microsoft-based products and the browser on this thing is not half as generally page-compatible as the Blackberry.

The thing to keep in mind here, specifics aside, is that ALL TELECOM COMPANIES SUCK. It's just a question of how much, and in what capacities. If you never try to do a thing or get support in a SUCK AREA for whichever provider you select, you'll be okay, probably. If you do, you'll be sure that you've picked the suckiest company in the world. That's not so: they all suck about the same amount, it's just a question of whether you encounter suck or non-suck at any given interface. If you're prepared for suckitude going in, your blood pressure will thank you for it.

M

I was with AT&T/Cingular for eight years and found their Customer Service to be horrible. It's very much like walking into an Apple Store and getting attitude. When my contract was up, I asked for a new phone which would have been a lateral move and I met a stone wall. I walked into a Verizon Store and they not only gave me a new phone but a rebate on top of that. I do not care for the software interface but at least I know that someone is there to help if I have a problem.

Kevin,

What about buying an unlocked iPhone? You won't have a warranty though.

quote:

Is wireless broadband also a consideration?
For example, for your laptop. Asking in case Verizon has a package that offers this with cell service (for extra cost).

They do, and of course it costs extra. Everything costs extra on Verizon. AT&T offers it as well but their 3G network is far from complete and still not as fast as Verizon's when it does work, or so say some people I know.

quote:

ALL TELECOM COMPANIES SUCK

Can't disagree there! Verizon wireless is a bright spot in the company though, their customer service is much better than their landline CS and, especially, their DSL group, which is positively evil.

quote:

What about buying an unlocked iPhone?

What good would it do me? Apple has an exclusive arrangement with AT&T. Even if Verizon could activate it, and technically that should be possible by the end of the year when their GSM overlay is finished, but they won't because of the AT&T contract. I'm pretty sure that Verizon doesn't want to be sued by both AT&T and Apple.

I know there are cracked iPhone's that let you run non-Apple software, but they don't fix the hardware shortcomings (no 3G, soldered in battery, no GPS, etc.). That's why I might wait to see version 2 before doing anything. Meanwhile, I'm suffering with a 5 year-old backup phone because my Razr broke. Pity me.

Then again, virtually all of my clients use Blackberry's which is yet another consideration. Using RIM's PIN number thing I can stay in touch with them from anywhere in the world without burning up minutes or incurring roaming charges.

Decisions, decisions. If I had a little more faith in AT&T's coverage I'd probably pick up a Curve via Best Buy for $80...today, but I've heard so many mixed things about the AT&T network that I'm reluctant. Suppose I could try it for 10 days or whatever and do some driving around to see for myself, right? If it works out OK then I could flip the thing on eBay if the new iPhone works better, right?

quote:

Originally posted by John MacLean Photography:
[qb] Kevin,

What about buying an unlocked iPhone? You won't have a warranty though. [/qb]

John - I am surprised you would even suggest such a thing - this to me is just as bad as someone violating usage/copyright or using an illegal copy of software.

I gotta be honest here - as someone who switched from sprint to ATT on the day the iphone was introduced -Att has been a blessing compared to sprint. Especially when they understand you're an iphone user they are wonderful to deal with!

Sprint was a friggn nightmare - I still have 4 more phones with Sprint that they screwed me on and renewed that contracts when I canceled my phone to make the switch to the iphone.

When I was with Cingular, I had to go over every bill, item by item, with a fine tooth comb. They always tried to pad the bill, and it was a big fight to get the money back. About a year into my first Verizon contract, I stopped going over the bill. It was always correct. I just renewed for another year with Verizon.

Scotti

shapps,

I only suggested it because I heard that it wasn't illegal to do so, but it just voided the warranty. Otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned it.

www.engadget.com/2007/08/24/know-your-rights-is-it-illegal-to-unlock-my-iphone/

quote:

Virtually everyone I know says that Verizon has the best coverage and the fewest problems but I've also heard that the bugs have finally been worked out with the Cingular/AT&T network merge and that it works almost as well, sometimes better, sometimes worse.

I agree. Verizon used to be far better, but Cingular has caught up after gobbling up AT&T Wireless (which is now again, ironically, AT&T). I have friends who use both, and they both have complained with regards to coverage (in the Bay Area and Northern California), though it's pretty much a non-issue these days. I'm pretty sure that Verizon does offer better customer service though.

If you travel overseas, having an unlocked GSM phone is definitely the way to go (except in Japan). In which case you'd want to go with AT&T, unless you already have an unlocked GSM phone lying around (such is the case with some of my Verizon friends).

With 2-yr contracts the norm these days, it certainly does make one's decisions harder. But then again, contract termination isn't that expensive -- definitely worth doing if the service does indeed suck. If you go with AT&T and decide to cancel, just make sure to get your handset unlocked before terminating, so you can hawk it on ebay afterwards (AT&T will provide the unlock code).

I'll throw in my two cents. I used to do a lot of driving across the US, I had ATT at the time. Driving from LA to Detroit, ATT used to only have service up to Las Vegas after that you were on your own. I used to get roaming charges driving on the 80 south of Chicago(!). I'd complain, they'd put up a stink about their coverage being fine for others. Nebraska, Iowa, Montana and even most parts of Michigan all blew for coverage (Nebraska and Iowa had none).I couldn't even get service in my studio south of Santa Barbara. Might be different with Cingular now but its their customer service ultimately that made me switch.
My ex was lied to about a phone and had 30 days to return it. We were on a trip and called the toll free line to say we were coming back on the 31st day, they said it was not a problem and would make a note on her account. Now, we paid hundreds of dollars a month for each of our phones, so I kind of expected some leniency. When I got to the Santa Barbara office I was greeted by 5 employees who ignored me for 20 minutes; there was only 2 customers in the store. When I was finally waited on, the guy told me to send it back in the mail. I explained that the woman on the phone said to return it to the store; classic he said she said. I told him about it being 31 days and he said I was SOL. I'd told him it was notated on her account. "Sorry but I can't bring up her account since you are not her". Ha(!) "Can I speak to the manager please". (I am a calm person and pride myself in that), well this ball buster of a woman comes out and in less than 5 seconds she is yelling AT me. I'm being very apologetic and telling her what was said on the phone and she says" send it back in the mail". By this time the employees are now standing behind her like a football line rushing towards a crippled defensive player clutching a ball. The store clears out of customers and I am now alone in this lonely store off a shopping mall and fearing for my actual safety. Customers are opening the door to come in, hearing her screams and turning and walking straight out again. She has totally gone mental; yelling and screaming and telling me to get out of her store. I tell her no, not until I get our new phone that was promised to us (you know, one of those "loyalty phones" for not switching when your term is over). Well, after about 20 minutes of trying to reason with her I couldn't take her 'foaming at the mouth' anymore so I left to try to deal with it over the phone again. When I got home and explained things to my ex, she called and worked out a solution and we made a formal complaint against the store. I talked to friends about the story in the following months and they said she was still there and still very aggressive. For the most part, all of my dealings with ATT over the 5 years I had them were negative.
In 2005 I switched to Verizon; they are amazing. Never had a dropped call, have great coverage where ever I need to be. I think their International text messaging is priced a little high but that would be my only "near" negative.

A friend who lived in brussels for nearly 20 years recently moved back to the states (miami area) and signed up w/ verizon.

mentioning this because the u.s. has been far less progressive in implementing cell technology for the benefit of consumers and choosing any carrier in the u.s. would have been a compromise compared to what he had in europe.

but i can yack with him as a verion user with no time penalty.

as a consumer, we went with the most dominant carrier with coverage in the mid-atlantic area, but seems to do well on the east coast in general and had no problems during travels to the west coast several years ago.

so far, zero complaints in five years but we use ours only as voice phones and receive text msgs only from verizon for bill reminder and payment confirmation.

did I mention, Sprint sucks? haha!

re - Sprint sucks

aren't they pretty big up and down the west coast?