Cell phone provider advice...

[Jim F.]

Surprised this topic doesn't come up more. The most recent one I found was from April. In that thread, the general consensus is to stay away from Sprint. Which is funny, because I've had Sprint for probably 4 or 5 years now, and have been very happy. No real problems whatsoever. There's been times when I'll have full signal strength one second, and the next second the call has been dropped, only to regain full strength the next second. Kind of annoying, but that's a rarity.

I'm not leaving Sprint because of the service; I'm actually leaving because of the phone selection. My main requirement is that it has Bluetooth built-in, but is not one of those huge-ass cellphone/pda things. Verizon has a new phone out (e815, I think) that looks great, so that's who I'm leaning towards. But my other general requirements are that it's a flip phone, and I really don't care about cameras or anything like that. I just want a phone that's a phone. (God, I sound like my dad...)

But as far as service in general goes (voice quality, coverage areas, signal strength), does anyone have any input (good or bad) about Verizon in the metro NY area? What about T-Mobile, Cingular, or Nextel?

I guess we could make this the "official" cell phone discussion thread .

-jim

[1961]

I just got a broadband router and transferred my cell phone number through Vonage. Since I got NYYFANS.COM I only sit in front of my pc so I don't need to worry about roaming charges

[ZYanksRule]

I've got verizon, for the most part it is pretty good, the service is usually good enough.

[wexy]

I have Verizon, when we had the blackout a couple of years ago, Verizon worked throughout and a lot of others didn't

[BoSox37]

But as far as service in general goes (voice quality, coverage areas, signal strength), does anyone have any input (good or bad) about Verizon in the metro NY area? What about T-Mobile, Cingular, or Nextel?

I guess we could make this the "official" cell phone discussion thread .

-jim

Any phone will work in the NY metro area, but I have Verizon and it works in places other phones don't. Verizon is the way to go, especially with the 'in' plan

[Big_E]

I love my Verizon phone. Verizon was the first (if not the only) company to have repeaters in the East River train tunnels, so when I take the LIRR to and from the city, I don't lose calls in the tunnels. For me, that is (or was) very important.

[RhodyYanksFan]

Jim,

I have Verizon and I just got the Motorola E815 last week. My friend works at the Verizon store and he told me that it's basically the V710 without all the bugs that were in that phone. It just came out last month. I really like it alot. It's a good size, has all the bells & whistles; Vcast, 4x zoom camera (that takes really good pics), video capture, and yes, bluetooth. I dont' use the bluetooth though because I don't have $80 for a headset. Maybe you could tell me what else it's good for?

All in all I've had pretty much every service and I think Verizon is the best, but I know that there are horror stories for every carrier and everyone has his or her favorite. I say get the phone, I got it for $100 after $50MIR so it's well worth it, espceically when you look at all the other phones for the same price.

[CoyoteYankee]

I've got Verizon too and like others have said, I often have phone service when other friends that have different services haven't had it. I've always had Verizon so I can't personally compare it to anything else.

[WhatRivalry22]

Cingular is really the way to go. If you're on the phone a lot, you will appreciate the rollover minutes. I have a Motorola V180 phone, flip top, color screen, and it's fantastic. I had Verizon and hated it. Cingular is the best without a doubt.

[b-ball-lunachick]

I had Cingular when it was something else -- comcast maybe? It's late and I'm gone...anyway, it sucked!

I've had Verizon a long time now and it's great...

Jim or anyone -- question on the bluetooth - I'm waiting for my thing to expire in November so I can trade in my phone for a bluetooth one so i can use it in my car...someone told me recently that bluetooth has been having issues with it being able to pickup or have other people pick up things from it? anyone heard anything about that or experienced any problems?

[RSoxHater]

I dont' use the bluetooth though because I don't have $80 for a headset. Maybe you could tell me what else it's good for?

Cars. Many manufacturers (all BMWs, for example, come with bluetooth connectivity as an option) are putting bluetooth in packages or sometimes even as standard options.

[RSoxHater]

I had Cingular when it was something else -- comcast maybe? It's late and I'm gone...anyway, it sucked!

I've had Verizon a long time now and it's great...

Jim or anyone -- question on the bluetooth - I'm waiting for my thing to expire in November so I can trade in my phone for a bluetooth one so i can use it in my car...someone told me recently that bluetooth has been having issues with it being able to pickup or have other people pick up things from it? anyone heard anything about that or experienced any problems?

A problem with all wireless technology. However, bluetooth has a small range, thus someone would have to be ~30 feet of you. I usually leave bluetooth off, if I am not using it.

[Evil Empire]

Jim or anyone -- question on the bluetooth - I'm waiting for my thing to expire in November so I can trade in my phone for a bluetooth one so i can use it in my car...someone told me recently that bluetooth has been having issues with it being able to pickup or have other people pick up things from it? anyone heard anything about that or experienced any problems?

Well with Bluetooth, I believe it does take some configuration, at least a selection screen to turn on the accessory its connecting too(like headsets etc.) I don't think it would just connect to someone elses device without both clients manually allowing it too.

[RSoxHater]

Surprised this topic doesn't come up more. The most recent one I found was from April. In that thread, the general consensus is to stay away from Sprint. Which is funny, because I've had Sprint for probably 4 or 5 years now, and have been very happy. No real problems whatsoever. There's been times when I'll have full signal strength one second, and the next second the call has been dropped, only to regain full strength the next second. Kind of annoying, but that's a rarity.

Now you come supporting Sprint. In the April thread you referenced, I sound like King Lear raving in the midst of the storm, or at least the other forumers, on how Sprint actually worked well.

[yankeeschic12324]

Cingular is really the way to go. If you're on the phone a lot, you will appreciate the rollover minutes. I have a Motorola V180 phone, flip top, color screen, and it's fantastic. I had Verizon and hated it. Cingular is the best without a doubt.

Ditto on it all! I get signal where places my brother won't (Verizon) I also have the V180..it rocks.

[Luvtino]

I use Verizon and I have never had one problem with my service. Highly recommend them.

[IncredibleByNature]

Cingular is really the way to go. If you're on the phone a lot, you will appreciate the rollover minutes. I have a Motorola V180 phone, flip top, color screen, and it's fantastic. I had Verizon and hated it. Cingular is the best without a doubt.

Same phone I have. I love it.

As for me, I'm in a family plan w/ T-Mobile and have had no problems so far.

[Jim F.]

RhodyYanksFan, I'm picking up a new car today that has bluetooth built-in, so I'd be using the bluetooth for that.

I've narrowed it down (if you can call it that!) to Cingular or Verizon. Nextel or T-Mobile don't really appear to have much more selection as far as bluetooth phones than Sprint does.

Cingular has the Moto v550 (I think that's what it was) and the new Moto RAZR, which looks really slick. Verizon has the E815. From what I hear, the RAZR is the only one that fully integrates with the car, meaning that caller id, battery, and signal strength are displayed on the dashboard. The other two don't display the battery life, but do display everything else.

I'm going to Best Buy or someplace today where I can see each of the phones, and then I'll decide. But I like that Cingular has the rollover minutes AND 2 good phone options, so I'll probably go with them.

What's funny is that some people love the same service other people hated. I guess it really depends on what equipment you have and how the service for that particular provider are in the areas where you spend most of your time.

[PalmerGA]

Verizon is the way to go...

Apparently they have improved significantly in the past year. I heard a guy on the radio a while back that said he "could probably walk around with a Verizon cell tower stuck up [his] ass, and still get cut off during calls".

I have no experience-based input. I have a Taxpayer-funded Blackberry... no personal cell phone.

[RhodyYanksFan]

Cars. Many manufacturers (all BMWs, for example, come with bluetooth connectivity as an option) are putting bluetooth in packages or sometimes even as standard options.

If I don't have $80 for a bluetooth headset, what makes you think a BMW is in my near future?

[yanksrule69]

Apparently they have improved significantly in the past year. I heard a guy on the radio a while back that said he "could probably walk around with a Verizon cell tower stuck up [his] ass, and still get cut off during calls".

I know someone who wrote Sprint and said that. It was hilarious.

Anyway, as I have stated in all these other cell phone threads Verizon has the best all around service. I had Sprint for years and they sucked big time. I have a few friends who have either T-Mobile or Cingular and they do not get nearly as good service as I do. In fact, one of my good friend's father actually works at Cingular and even she switched to Verizon last year because Cingular was that bad. An added bonus for me is that 95% of anyone I talk to has Verizon.

[Stealthspy]

Cingular is really the way to go. If you're on the phone a lot, you will appreciate the rollover minutes. I have a Motorola V180 phone, flip top, color screen, and it's fantastic. I had Verizon and hated it. Cingular is the best without a doubt.

Same. I have a friend with Nextel and he hates it, but he's under contact. I have my Motorola v551 (probably a little excessive for Jim, though) and I love it.

[Jim F.]

I have my Motorola v551 (probably a little excessive for Jim, though) and I love it.

Don't know why you think it's excessive for me... that's the exact sort of phone I am looking for, and even reference it (though incorrectly as the v550) earlier in this thread.

I'll be deciding between that and the RAZR as soon as I get a chance to get to to the store.

[jespak]

I've had t-mobile for, I believe, 3 years now. Solid service in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as well as parts of upstate and parts of Jersey I've traveled. Pricing is very good. Definately recommend it, not sure if the bluetooth phones are available.

[PalmerGA]

Don't know why you think it's excessive for me... that's the exact sort of phone I am looking for, and even reference it (though incorrectly as the v550) earlier in this thread.

I'll be deciding between that and the RAZR as soon as I get a chance to get to to the store.

Excuse my ignorance about all this stuff.... but why don't you get one of those deals you stick in your ear and just leave there? Kidding.... those are the stupidest looking things I've seen in years.

[mtchbx20rol]

Nextel is the way to go really.

I have had it for 2 years and I haven't had a problem with it. Service goes all over the place except my bedroom and my computer room, which is kinda stupid but whatever.

IMO, Cingular is going down the drain. My girlfriend has it and she hates it. Verizon is just too darn expensive for me.

[b-ball-lunachick]

RhodyYanksFan, I'm picking up a new car today that has bluetooth built-in, so I'd be using the bluetooth for that.

cool -- congrats jim...what kind did you buy? my acura has it in there which is why i want one.

[RSoxHater]

If I don't have $80 for a bluetooth headset, what makes you think a BMW is in my near future?

I didn't say one was in your near future, I mentioned there were many manufacturers and gave an example. It just popped into my head since I lease one.

[BronxByTheBay]

Don't know why you think it's excessive for me... that's the exact sort of phone I am looking for, and even reference it (though incorrectly as the v550) earlier in this thread.

I'll be deciding between that and the RAZR as soon as I get a chance to get to to the store.

Careful with the RAZR, Jim. Recently I did a LOT of research into a new cell (along with a pda) and I got a lot of feedback that suggested the sound quality on the RAZR wasn't good.

The lil' f*cker looks cool as hell, especially the new black model, so it was tough to resist.

[krystl]

.... Nextel or T-Mobile don't really appear to have much more selection as far as bluetooth phones than Sprint does.

Nextel and Sprint are soon to be one and the same. I am wondering how/if it will affect my service (Nextel).

[Jim F.]

cool -- congrats jim...what kind did you buy? my acura has it in there which is why i want one.

I, personally, didn't buy a car since I drive a company car... but I got to pick it out . I got a new Acura TL. I'm assuming that's what you have, since it's the only Acura w/ Bluetooth in it .

[Jim F.]

Careful with the RAZR, Jim. Recently I did a LOT of research into a new cell (along with a pda) and I got a lot of feedback that suggested the sound quality on the RAZR wasn't good.

The lil' f*cker looks cool as hell, especially the new black model, so it was tough to resist.

I just looked at the RAZR at a local shop earlier this evening... while it's wicked cool because of how thin it is (which makes it fit in my pocket really well!) it feels like I'm talking on an empty envelope. Plus it's so wide, it looks kind of silly. I think it's got the "cool" effect, but I think it only looks good when it's closed.

I'm going to check out the e815 at a Verizon store tomorrow hopefully, at which point I'll decide between that and the v551. That said, Best Buy has a good deal on the RAZR... $99 w/ new 2yr activation.

[BronxByTheBay]

I think it's got the "cool" effect, but I think it only looks good when it's closed.

Funny you should mention that, I thought the same thing the first time I opened one. It seems the phone really is a great fashion piece as long as it stays shut.

[b-ball-lunachick]

I, personally, didn't buy a car since I drive a company car... but I got to pick it out . I got a new Acura TL. I'm assuming that's what you have, since it's the only Acura w/ Bluetooth in it .

well maybe i should say congrats on the job if it's new -- a few siblings of mine get company cars but not Acuras -- they got lower end Fords -- either a small SUV or a sedan. Must be a good job!! Anyway, very cool -- mine's a year old this month and I love it - I think you'll love yours... I went with the anthrocite by the way - the only thing I wasn't crazy about were the color choices but I like mine.

[Jim F.]

well maybe i should say congrats on the job if it's new -- a few siblings of mine get company cars but not Acuras -- they got lower end Fords -- either a small SUV or a sedan. Must be a good job!! Anyway, very cool -- mine's a year old this month and I love it - I think you'll love yours... I went with the anthrocite by the way - the only thing I wasn't crazy about were the color choices but I like mine.

Not a new job, just a new car... and yes... I love my job and the company I work for . I wanted the white, but it's not available with a black interior. So I went w/ silver. I do like the Anthracite. I've seen a few of the dark red TLs driving around recently, and that's nice too, but I'm not a red kind of guy...

[Jersey Yankee]

Get Verizon. I've got the same phone that Jim has, but in elevators or basements of office buildings in Manhattan, the Verizon keeps working.

[chanman7483]

I, personally, didn't buy a car since I drive a company car... but I got to pick it out . I got a new Acura TL. I'm assuming that's what you have, since it's the only Acura w/ Bluetooth in it .

wtf that's hot

get me a job at your company dammit

[Hitman23]

I don't know about NJ Jim, but Verizon seems to have the best service on LI. Not that it helps you, but just a tid bit of info anyway.

[Jim F.]

For those interested, I went with Verizon and got the E815. It integrates with my car beautifully. Plus, it's my first camera phone, and I'm actually kind of really enjoying that part of it . It's also got all sorts of other goodies... It's not really that much smaller or lighter than my last phone, which is too bad, but it's not a bad size at all.

When closed it does feel like the top half is a little loose at the hinge; I asked for another one, but that one was the same way. I'm wondering if this is the way all these phones are.

[RhodyYanksFan]

For those interested, I went with Verizon and got the E815. It integrates with my car beautifully. Plus, it's my first camera phone, and I'm actually kind of really enjoying that part of it . It's also got all sorts of other goodies... It's not really that much smaller or lighter than my last phone, which is too bad, but it's not a bad size at all.

When closed it does feel like the top half is a little loose at the hinge; I asked for another one, but that one was the same way. I'm wondering if this is the way all these phones are.

I have the E815. Mine does the same thing when it's shut, but I don't think it's an issue. It's also my first camera phone. It's so fun. I love the big screen. If you take pix at the game, feel free to send them to me. I got unlimited pix and txt messages. Good pick Jim, you'll enjoy it.

[SuperMario66]

I have Cingular and really haven't had any problems. Honestly, the main reasons i have it are the people I talk to. Most people around here have Cingular and I really like having the mobile to mobile. I can't imagine what my phone bill would be without it.

[b-ball-lunachick]

For those interested, I went with Verizon and got the E815. It integrates with my car beautifully. Plus, it's my first camera phone, and I'm actually kind of really enjoying that part of it . It's also got all sorts of other goodies... It's not really that much smaller or lighter than my last phone, which is too bad, but it's not a bad size at all.

When closed it does feel like the top half is a little loose at the hinge; I asked for another one, but that one was the same way. I'm wondering if this is the way all these phones are.

Cool...I'm writing that down for when my contract expires in November. Are you uploading your address book into it so it reads in the display? Also, did they give you the navigation system? I didn't choose that option...

edit to add: one more thing..a little off topic - those camera phones -- they scare me a bit! Can you get the bluetooth one without that feature?

While cool in theory and some experiences, I've seen some people doing some strange things to others with those phone -- some who don't know it's being done. Had a few strange experiences myself -- when you turn around and you see a guy with a funny look on his face, your stomach just drops out...it's like yikes! I'm sure I'm way in the minority here but I'm not a huge fan of those things...

[Evil Empire]

I see that many people have Cingular and are happy with it. I have Cingular and it sucks for me. I get very little service in most places. I get absolutley no service on campus, so I'm switching, most likely to T-Mobile. Any suggestions on which phone to get?

[yanksrule69]

I know a bunch of people with the Verizon E815 and most of them seem very happy with it. It seems like it is the "new" V60 which everyone used to have and love, myself included. Looks like I may have to switch over to this phone too.

[chanman7483]

For those interested, I went with Verizon and got the E815. It integrates with my car beautifully..

How does your phone integrate with your car? Can you make calls and hear the person through the car speakers, etc? What?

[YankeeClemens22]

I have a V551, and I just had to send it in for warranty service. I like the phone, so I hope that it works like it should when I get it back.

[Jim F.]

How does your phone integrate with your car? Can you make calls and hear the person through the car speakers, etc? What?

Yeah...

This is how it works. You would say "call 2125551234" and it will dial for you. Or you can store a certain amount of names in the car's phone book, and then just say "call Tom". There's a mic up near the rearview mirror, and the person's voice comes through the stereo speakers. There's a screen on the dashboard that displays the incoming callerid, battery life, and signal strength.

The car recognizes the phone automatically, so I can be talking on the phone, get in the car and it will transfer to the car system, and then get out of the car and have it transfer back to the handset automatically again.

All in all, it's very cool .

[Yankchic22]

When we had all those hurricanes down here last year, and all the landlines were out, Verizon was the only service (cell phones, that is) that worked for the weeks following each hurricane. I would have neighbors coming over just to use my phone since all these cingular, nextel, and alltel users didnt have any service.

Plus, I remember during the blackout two years ago in New York, I had Nextel at the time, and the guy I was seeing had Verizon. Well, I couldn't make a call for two days, and his phone was working just fine.

[DaBomber25]

I've got Cingular and I'm sick of it. It seems like they charge up the ass for texts and most everyone else offers free texts or offers them extremely cheap.

If I switch carriers do I have to switch my phone and my current phone #?

[yanksrule69]

If I switch carriers do I have to switch my phone and my current phone #?

Phone - yes
Phone Number - No