OK, so I am probably one of the last people on earth who still doesn't have a cell phone, but that's probably gonna change by next week. I was wondering what service providers yall recommend, and if yall are happy with everything, etc. I know Dallas has T mobile and he's pretty happy with it, but I would like to see what other people's opinions are. I've kinda been casually looking around, but ya'll opinions on things would really help me out on this. Thanks!
don't do it! resist the heinous future of the masses stumbling around looking into their palms and trying to punch tiny buttons while walking into lamp-posts. resist the heinous present of infantile "mommy do I exist?" incessant emotional gratification! fight the good fight!
whatever carrier you decide on, make sure you shop around....look on the internet for the best deal you can possibly find for a phone. Print that offer out and go up to a mall...find that carrier's kiosk and show them your add. 90% of cell phone stores HAVE to pricematch per their policy. I save over 200 dollars doing this when I bought my Nokia 3650.
Cingular is pretty good. However, if you drive in the middle of nowhere, it's new GSM network will not have service in some isolated pockets. I'm talking boondock area. If you are going to be in a decent-sized city for 99% of the time, then Cingular is good. I've found Cingular to have the best rates.
yaopao, how long have you been with cingular? I've heard stories about them jacking with your bill after a couple of months - any truth to that, or just pissy people?
My wife still doesn't have a cell phone... but my girl friend does. I have verison that the company pays for and it works great almost all the time.
Ditto. I've been with Sprint for 4 years. I've had to purchase a new cellphone every one and a half years or so as technology progresses, but if you've got a good phone with current software, their network is great. Got my newest one with newest software 3 months ago and it hasn't dropped or scrambled a call yet.
Lemme know when you need a new phone. You may have to drive to Katy to get it, but you'll at least get a few free beers out of it!
I got my first cell phone in 1996. I thought I was so cool with that huge brick. I loved being able to call anyone at anytime. However, after a few years, I started to realize the downside of being available to people at all times, and all hours of the day and night. I felt like my privacy was slipping and I couldn't just "get away" because you are always expected to answer your cell phone (b/c its always with you). So I started leaving it at home for a while, which annoyed the crap out of people. Finally, last year I decided I was through. I wanted my privacy back and not to have the feeling of being at everyone's beck-and-call 24 hours a day. I HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER (though my friends and family think I'm nuts and hate that I don't have one. They even offered to buy one for me and pay the monthly bill. Too bad I can't get it through their heads that it has absolutely NOTHING to do with the money).
Sprint was the devil. They're crappy service was also a reason I got rid of my cell phone. I got so fed up with dropped calls during important times, that I tossed it out the window on Mopac one night.
Since I already know that you want to spend around $45 a month (total), I checked out these for you... http://t-mobile.com/ 600 whenever minutes, unlimited night & weekend, nationwide calling area with no roaming charges. http://www.attwireless.com/ 600 whenever minutes, unlimited night & weekend, nationwide calling area but roaming charges apply when outside of regular coverage areas. http://www.cingular.com/ 600 whenever minutes, 5000 night & weekend. Rollover minutes, limited calling area, so roaming may apply. http://www.sprintpcs.com/ 300 anytime minutes, unlimited night & weekend, nationwide long distance.
I use verizon and the commercials don't lie, it has some pretty good coverage(aka doesn't disconnect randomly). My phone was pretty cheap too.
PS, on any of those you'll be able to call whomever as if it were a local call. Just watch out when you're commuting between Austin and Houston or wherever and hit spots where there's no coverage. That's when roaming charges apply. The plans with no roaming charges offer a courtesy of paying other companies for your usage of their towers; those that don't charge you when you have to use another company's tower. Coverage in Texas is pretty much the same for all of them from looking at their maps, so different reception integrities and what not won't be an issue for you realistically. Just look for good honest service and the best deal for your price range, and you should be set.
I have been using the same cell phone since 2001 so I'm getting this: http://www.attwireless.com/ngage/index.jhtml
For a year or so here in San Francisco, I walked around with this enormous old white cordless phone. I'd occasionally just start having a fake conversation on it in public (especially saying "what? damned thing! hello?" a lot). My friends thought it was funny, but Mrs. B-Bob got a little sick of it, even as performance art.
