"Challenged" cell phone user needs help!

[tmcafe]

That's me, the [edited] challenged I still haven't figured what new cell phone and service to pick. I've been doing my homework, and my head is spinning with all that lingo, but now my POS cell phone can barely be used for a few mins at a time, the display has quit long ago, so I'll have to act fast, 'cause in spite of my cell phone ignorance, that's all I have as a phone, except for the land line at work. I'd like to be able to use the phone overseas too, mostly in Europe, so I'm looking at all options. I know T-Mobile works with local (foreign) SIM cards. Verizon can't do that, although it prolly has the best coverage. All I'd like to have in addition to phone is being able to surf the web on Wi-Fi hotspots and possibly on a phone network wireless plan. The I-Phone would be cool, Safari and all--but I'm being told that porn is too slow

 

So what's your experience fellas? (I doubt anybody would understand this subject less than I do)

[drewscura]

I'm no international traveler, but as soon as my contract is done with verizon, I will be a trendy new IPhone owner. I haven't had any problems at all with verizon, other than the fact that they don't have an IPhone. If for some reason I change my mind, the Blackberry Storm, through verizon, looks like they're trying to copy they IPhone. And they both offer a 3G network. But unless I'm miss informed, the Storm will only work off of the 3g, and can't pick up on wi fi hot spots like the IPhone.

 

Don't get stuck in a S#!++y contract. Best of luck with the your cell phone hunting!

[fotoguzzi]

I have Nextel for my work phone (sprint?) reception is crap... if you get out of town off the freeway by 30 miles, say headed to so Dakota or no Minnesota THERE IS NO SIGNAL! my company is so stupid! we need good communication nationwide and don't have it.. In those cases i end up using my personal Verizon which works EVERYWHERE! but I'm not under contract w/them- keeps em nervous that I might switch. I do like the Iphone and may go there someday.

You can buy the phone itself somewhere like CL or ebay and save some money but be sure the phone is for your network.

[Skeeve]

That's me, the retarded I still haven't figured what new cell phone and service to pick. I've been doing my homework, and my head is spinning with all that lingo, but now my POS cell phone can barely be used for a few mins at a time, the display has quit long ago, so I'll have to act fast, 'cause in spite of my cell phone ignorance, that's all I have as a phone, except for the land line at work. I'd like to be able to use the phone overseas too, mostly in Europe, so I'm looking at all options. I know T-Mobile works with local (foreign) SIM cards. Verizon can't do that, although it prolly has the best coverage. All I'd like to have in addition to phone is being able to surf the web on Wi-Fi hotspots and possibly on a phone network wireless plan. The I-Phone would be cool, Safari and all--but I'm being told that porn is too slow

 

So what's your experience fellas? (I doubt anybody would understand this subject less than I do)

 

Well, if you want a world phone, then you'll need to look for a 4-band GSM phone. Since it's cheaper to just buy a disposable [pay as you go plan] phone for the local network when traveling, I'd suggest just popping for whomever has the best coverage where you'll be using your phone.

 

Since I got a cell phone mostly for emergency use when riding in the hinterlands [ie, I don't like yakkin' on the phone much], I just went w/ Verizon since their coverage pretty much smokes everyone else's, Stateside. Do I like their corporate policy of hobbling their hardware to nickel&dime their customers to death? Not so much, but it's the price I'm willing to pay to have coverage where none of my iPhone usin', Star#ucks swillin' yuppie scum associates do...

[felix42o]

It really seems to depend on the coverage in your area. I liked Cingular, but the coverage wasn't great. I now have Sprint, which works everywhere really well (driven cross-country twice this year), but the customer service and billing leave lots to be desired. I've also heard Verizon is good, but two guys in my office have it and I usually have signal where they do not (in the office, that is).

[tmcafe]

Thanks, I knew I was going to get some good tips.

 

I've got Verizon but I've been on a month-to-month for a while so I'm not stuck. Having used my phone on both coasts and in between, nobody's ever complained that I was breaking up during phone conversations. Instead I sometimes notice problems when I talk with folks who have other companies. But I'm sure it also depends where you use a certain network.

 

Sprint: I heard many complain about its customer service. So I'm thinking if I switch, it'd be either T-Mobile or AT&T (the latter only for the I-Phone). But I might stay with Verizon and try to get the best deal on Blkb Storm I kind of like the idea to get the best phone from Verizon and a junk GSM phone for overseas. But Verizon's internet is $$, though it's supposed to be much faster than the other companies'.

 

Verizon is good, but two guys in my office have it and I usually have signal where they do not (in the office, that is).

Yup, the only times when I felt the reception wasn't best was in my office, both here and back when I was in Mass. Go figure.

[jrt]

I'm glad you brought this up. I'm in a similar situation, so I've done a small amount of research.

I'm not an expert and I could be mis-informed on some of this.

For world access, you'll mostly be limited to T-mobile, Cingular and AT$T compatible phones.

If you want a phone for political reasons and support liberal causes, you could get Credo service (it's listed on wikipedia and they have a web site). It's the mobile branch of Working Assets. Credo uses the Sprint network, if I recall.

My friend who travels all over (US/Europe/S. America/Australia/etc) uses the AT&T network. I'm thinking of doing that as well.

My general advice is simple: get the coverage that you will use around your home and work. That's 99.9% of the calling you will use.

[tmcafe]

Good coverage seems to keep coming up as the no. 1 issue. Perhaps I'm taking it for granted. Who knows, maybe I've been spoiled with Verizon all these years as I haven't had the issues with coverage and connection quality that others complain about. Maybe I should test ATT and T-Mobile to see how they compare to Verizon at least in this area.

 

As for phones, I'd like to have a few of the features iPhone has, including wi-fi and video play.

[Dan M]

I use ATT mobile with a basic 4 band phone. Besides the US, I've used it with good results in Europe & Mexico.

[mznyc]

Use ATT in EU and Medico no problemo.Just call them before you go overseas,and add on International roaming.I'ts about 5 bucks a month.It gives you a reasonable rate when IN Europe.Then remove it when you return.I keep international calling on my plan so I can call Europe from the US for cheap.

 

PS I'm sure you meant no harm,but I would be careful in using certain terms in an open forum that might offend someone,especially since you may not know everyone reading the forum personally.Some people who have autistic family members and some who don't, may take issue .

Michael

[tmcafe]

Use ATT in EU and Medico no problemo.Just call them before you go overseas,and add on International roaming.I'ts about 5 bucks a month.It gives you a reasonable rate when IN Europe.Then remove it when you return.I keep international calling on my plan so I can call Europe from the US for cheap.

Thanks. I know they all have some int'l plan, worth looking into what they charge per minute when you're there. Even Verizon, my current carrier has some kind of deal. What I'd like is to see if I could get a local SIM card and so have a local number where the local folk could reach me (no dice if they have to call a US number). I wonder if a phone sold by AT&T under a plan agreement (=cheaper than with no plan) could be unlocked so that it wold take foreign SIM cards. Smb. said even Verizon BB Storm has a slot for SIM cards? (bun no Wi-Fi capability).

 

PS I'm sure you meant no harm,but I would be careful in using certain terms in an open forum that might offend someone,especially since you may not know everyone reading the forum personally.Some people who have autistic family members and some who don't, may take issue .

Michael

Thanks for pointing out. My bad--fixed. Actually it's a word I never use, though you hear it everyday. And given that I work in a very PC environment, I should have known better (I remember one of my coworkers mentioned this term in an informal list of "how-can-they-say-that"-words.

[raz]

Just remember that in a modern version of Easy Rider, they wouldn't ditch their watches

 

Over here all locked phones can be unlocked for a fee. I'm not sure if it's due to regulation. Also, there are sites on the Internet offering cheap unlock regardless of what your operator wants or permits. I haven't tried them though.

[tmcafe]

Just remember that in a modern version of Easy Rider, they wouldn't ditch their watches

 

Over here all locked phones can be unlocked for a fee. I'm not sure if it's due to regulation. Also, there are sites on the Internet offering cheap unlock regardless of what your operator wants or permits. I haven't tried them though.

Update: Got an iPhone from AT&T. I'm under a 30-day trial, haven't even transfered my Verizon number as I got a "dummy" number for now. My main concern is quality of reception, and whether it can be unlocked or not. Sure AT&T won't unlock it, but I'll look into doing it on the gray market.

 

What sucks is that you have to get their data plan too, but I got a 15% discount for both phone and monthly plan through my employer, so it's not that bad. We'll see. I do like the phone and Apple stuff, but if the deal doesn't work I can return it.

[jrt]

So, if you want to test it out, just post the number here on the forum. Someone will be sure to call you at the worst possible time

 

Seriously- I'm looking at ATT also (though not the iPhone...) so let me know how coverage is.

J

[tmcafe]

So, if you want to test it out, just post the number here on the forum. Someone will be sure to call you at the worst possible time

 

Seriously- I'm looking at ATT also (though not the iPhone...) so let me know how coverage is.

J

Get the iPhone if you can. Writing on it as we speak. After a few hours, i'm totally hooked. So far coverage seems fine (home and work), reception same, web browsing same even on edge which is said to be slower. It's a masterpiece of design, totally intuitive and easy to use. Amazing. Hope it can be unlocked.