Sprint PCS

[trinitron]

I just want to know what people think of Sprint PCS, does it suck, is it good. Also, what phones are good for any service? If you havn't surmised yet, im looking for a good phone service and a good cell phone.

[Cantacuzene]

If you live in a highly populated area, Sprint has the best service. The only bad part is that they have awful cust. service and if you travel to the middle of nowhere you will have awful service.

[ufcrusher]

Personally I have had nothing but bad luck with my sprint phones! First off, the customer service is perhaps the worst I have had the misfortune of dealing with. They kept promising us that they would credit our account for the numerous screw ups and problems that we had with the phones. It took 5 calls to get them to finally credit the minutes.

Second, the service is spotty to beat the band. For example, going up I-95 in South Florida, which for those who dont know is THE major road (equivalent to I-5 on the west coast), my phone had no service for about 10 miles in a heavily populated area. I had a similar problem in Northern California on I-5 where the phone was only good as a paperweight from Redbluff, Ca to the Oregon border. This meant that in the places where the phones would be useful, they werent.

Third, the first two things aside, compared to other carriers that I have tried, its still alot clearer sounding. Our contract ended a few months ago, and although we had nothing tying us to Sprint, we did elect to keep it, because of the clarity, the fact that we already had the phones, and wanting to keep the phone numbers.

Hope that provides some insight.

[JPR]

I just recently went with Sprint and am happy with them.

[brain]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
If you live in a highly populated area, Sprint has the best service. The only bad part is that they have awful cust. service and if you travel to the middle of nowhere you will have awful service.

Highly populated area = good service? No way... In Los Angeles, Sprint service blows... Granted, it has gotten much better since its inception in 1998.

[Cantacuzene]

Originally posted by freakinfreak


Highly populated area = good service? No way... In Los Angeles, Sprint service blows... Granted, it has gotten much better since its inception in 1998.

See how much it blows in rural nebraska. My guess is its a lot worse.

[brain]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene


See how much it blows in rural nebraska. My guess is its a lot worse.

Yeah, if by worse you mean... NO SERVICE. Sprint's network was built around cities with populations of 50k or higher. If your city is under that, good luck w/ their service. This is why carriers like Cricket exist. They offer unlimited wireless service to rural areas for $29.99 a month.

[whitak24]

i have PCS and have mixed feelings on it.
you get a ton of minutes @ a low rate, which i like.
you get very spotty service, esp outside of metro areas and away from major freeways.
their CS is a pain in the ass, but i don't think they're worse than any other company.
the nationwide thing is great, esp. if you travel a lot.

just for your reference, here are some past threads where people have talked about Sprint (this is by far not all of them....it's just a few recent ones). these should give you a few more opinions.

http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37502
http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37524
http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29483

what it all comes down to is where you live and what you're going to be using the phone for.

[UnReAL]

they got cool phones... the best by far. it's all about the look

[brain]

Originally posted by UnReAL
they got cool phones... the best by far. it's all about the look

All about the look if it's not activated. If my phones can't provide the service I need, I don't care how cool they look. I'll throw them in the garbage.

[MJordanash]

I use SprintPCS and I have better calls than I did through any other service. If you go into buildings into the basement or something you will be roaming. In city's Sprint is the best to use, but if you go off into no-where, forget it.

[styleee]

i'm undecided on sprint...

i think that the service is great when its working, but i've often had problems with my crappy samsung phone. so i'm not sure if its sprint or the phone. i do wish they still used nokia, because NOKIA ROCKS.

as for the price, i htink its about the same for everyone (verizon / voice stream) right now.

anyway, i've been thinking about switching to voice stream for a while now, i jst haven't gottne around to it.

and whatever u do, STAY AWAY FROM AT&T!! THEY SUCK!

[trinitron]

Does anyone have(or had) the sanyo phones, specificlly the 4700?

[whitak24]

Originally posted by trinitron
Does anyone have(or had) the sanyo phones, specificlly the 4700?
i currently have the 4500, and from looking at the specs of the 4700 on sprint's web page, it looks like the 4500 is basically identical.
i love the phone. i wish it were a little thinner, but other than that, the size is awesome. it works great, it's convenient and easy to use, and it appears to pull in as strong a signal as any other sprint phone. the battery life on it is decent, although mine has developed quite a memory and doesn't work for nearly as long as it should. i've had the phone for almost a year and although it's no longer a "novelty" i still like it a lot and have no desire to get rid of it.
in comparison to other sprint phones, i think it's as good as any, unless you want a flip phone (we have a corporate discount with sprint, so basically all my friends have sprint phones too. i wouldn't trade mine for any of theirs, except for the super-thin models).

[mcs328]

I think Sprint PCS on the East Coast is great. I never have a problem with billing, drop calls, or scratchy calls. Been with Sprint for about 5 year.

I hear Sprint PCS on West Coast however is horrible.

I have the Motorola StarTac 7762...yes it's the first model for Sprint way back when. I'm looking into the Sanyo 5150.

[MJordanash]

Sprint on the west coast is pretty bad with their digital towers. East coast is really good, especially in the New York area. I suggest going with Sprint. Coverage and calls is good.

[trinitron]

thanks whitak24 for the info on the 4500, your right, the 4700 is almost identical. They just improved it a little bit, or so ive heard. Anyone else have a good phone that i can get now(i.e. not the old qualcom)...maybe a good phone, but they off the market....

[trinitron]

lol

no, i was asking if anyone could recommend a good phone that i could buy today. Your phone is probably good, but its off the market, so i cant buy it

[TommyBoomfiger]

ive always heard good things about sprint in cali, but in chicago, it blows. my friend has it and its hard to keep a 10 minute conversation with him no matter where in chicago he is.

[Burzhui]

it's good in New york, New Jersey and CT

[trinitron]

has anyone called up threatening to cancel, and gotten a better plan? I was hoping to get free wireless web, and maybe some more minutes.

[brain]

Originally posted by trinitron
has anyone called up threatening to cancel, and gotten a better plan? I was hoping to get free wireless web, and maybe some more minutes.

Some other forums had threads on this topic. Sprint PCS has a customer retention department that will give you some freebies. However, this works best if you are no longer in a contract or are very close to the end of your contract so they don't think you are bluffing. Sometimes the CSR just won't care and will cancel your line and bill you for the cancellation fee.

[trinitron]

thats what im afraid of, ill call up to "cancel", and they will cancel my line......guess i will have to wait til contract runs out

[MJordanash]

I had wireless web on my phone for awhile. I liked it, just took forever to type out a short email if you are away from your home computer.

[trinitron]

i love the wireless web, but its $.30 per minute right now, and still like $5 per month if you sign up for it. but i was reading in some of the other forums, they called to upgrade their plans, and the people gave them more minutes, free web, etc.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by trinitron
i love the wireless web, but its $.30 per minute right now, and still like $5 per month if you sign up for it. but i was reading in some of the other forums, they called to upgrade their plans, and the people gave them more minutes, free web, etc.
Havent been able to use mine for a few days now. I only pay 3.05 per month for it with the first 3 months included free. Nice little service.

[trinitron]

the probably raised the price since you got it, its $5 now, unless my information is out of date.

[UnReAL]

my phone, samsung sch-8500 locked up last night for some reasons unknown... had to take the battery off to remedy the problem. and the problem was that the battery was jammed on there, man was that a bitch to get off. other than that i've had no problems in the 7 months ive had this phone.

[trinitron]

that sucks, when you took off the battery, did you lose all your info...(names, numbers, etc.)?

i havnt looked at the 8500 yet, ill have to check it out next time i go to work, thanks unreal.

[UnReAL]

thankfully no i didnt loose all my stuff... i am pretty sure all that information is stored on their side, sometimes it takes a second to access it so im guessing that it is d/ling it or something. and they dont make the 8500 anymore, there is a newer version of it.

[trinitron]

do you know the model #?

[MJordanash]

You shouldnt lose any information by taking the battery off.

[psycho-]

The best cellsite density in San Diego is on Verizon. I used to Use SPCS before I knew about the different technologies, but I wouldn't use anyting but Verizon in San Diego.

Why I stay with VZW:

Verizon uses SPCS towers whenenver VZW signal is weaker for free. SPCS cannot yet do that.

VZW has the most towers in the area..by far.

VZW has analog backup.

They have a 800mhz network supplanted with a 1900mhz network. 800mhz is better at the lower signal thresholds.

VZW has ironclad customer service in southern california.

VZW has a 8PM Nighttime/weekend starting time.

VZW has coverage where alot of companies don't...including all of julian and most of the areas around it.



What does SPCS have going for it?:

They have some cool phones.

[psycho-]

Originally posted by DarkFury

Well off into "no-where" you gotta figure that there probably aren't any "digital towers" on Sprint's "all digital" network.

However, they still own the biggest digital network in the country... and if you compare digital to digital they still are the best. Now if you want analog service out in the rural areas, I guess you gotta find another provider.


They own the largest "all digital network". Verizon owns the largest "network"

[trinitron]

hmm, never thought of verison before...ill have to go check them out.

sprint ive heard has good service from this forum, and most of all they have the best phones, but phones cant compare with a good service...verison has ok phones anyways.

[trinitron]

......thanks for the info psycho

[psycho-]

Originally posted by trinitron
......thanks for the info psycho


No problem, if you have questions, ask me. I can answer based on your tech knowledge level.

I can probably answer questions about tower handoffs, phone signal performance, system implementation method, etc. and why I think Verizon is better.

[trinitron]

if i got a dual mode phone(analog & digital), i would mostly use digital, unless i went on someone eles's network, then i would switch to roaming & analog?

[psycho-]

Originally posted by DarkFury
Ummm yeah... and you said this to say what again??? You lost me... (I thought I had already said that they had the largest "digital" network... but you added the word "all" :shrug: )

BTW, there is no roaming on Sprint as long as you stay in the digital portion... and my calls are still pretty much clear. Therefore, I have no problems with Sprint being my cellular provider.


Sprint PCS built a digital-only network. So, they have the largest "all digital network", which means "digital-only network".
They do not have the largest digital footprint coverage in the end. That honor goes to Verizon. That, plus the analog backup, and verizon covers 248mil POP (out of 300 million people) vs. that of SPCS's 240mil POP.

[psycho-]

Originally posted by trinitron
if i got a dual mode phone(analog & digital), i would mostly use digital, unless i went on someone eles's network, then i would switch to roaming & analog?

In the case of sprint, yes. Sprint is 1900mhz CDMA, and is essentially the only 1900mhz CDMA licensee that has a 1900mhz network deployed. (Most other CDMA licensees use 1900mhz sparingly to supplant their 800mhz CDMA network wherever needed) So, the chances of roaming on another 1900mhz digital network is not very likely. In the cases where there is 1900mhz CDMA carriers, I can't think of any one that has any roaming agreements with Sprint PCS.

So, yes, you would be roaming onto analog when you don't get any signal. In most cases, analog roaming is provided by Verizon or Alltel (verizon's affiliate)

[psycho-]

By the way, the reason Alltel and Verizon are aligned is because alltel knew it couldn't survive on it's own. Now they have reciprocal usage agreement and have boosted each other's network coverage by quite a bit.

http://www.mountainwireless.com/acvmap.htm

This should be a map of Verizon's and Alltel's "Network Plan" licenced areas. It also reflect's alltel's aquisition of Centurytel. Now, it doesn't mean all the area is covered down to the last corner, but it does mean that can (and most likely plan to) cover it. As for actual coverage, they mostly have built out most of the licensed areas . So, you don't just get highways and major cities, but also everything in between.

http://www.justalurker.com/bigmap.html

The current america's choice (network plan) plan will only grow bigger. But, as you see, it covers Verizon's network, Alltel's network, and SPCS's network

[trinitron]

thanks psycho, so with verison, they use their network, alltel's, and sprint's. you roam less, correct? they have a huge network....3 different ones combined. or is it covered, cuz you roam off verisons lets say, but roam onto alltel, so its not charging you raoming fees like mad? so i would roam the same amount, but verison uses other networks, and covered in their plan, so it would only cost me # of minutes?

[psycho-]

Originally posted by trinitron
thanks psycho, so with verison, they use their network, alltel's, and sprint's. you roam less, correct? they have a huge network....3 different ones combined. or is it covered, cuz you roam off verisons lets say, but roam onto alltel, so its not charging you raoming fees like mad? so i would roam the same amount, but verison uses other networks, and covered in their plan, so it would only cost me # of minutes?

Yes, SPCS and Alltel is considered part of your home area.

What is included with the Verizon "Network Plan" (America's Choice):
Verizon Digital/Analog/PCS, Alltel Digital/Analog/PCS, Sprint PCS

and soon Centurytel Digital/Analog/PCS (after the the alltel aquisition goes through)

[psycho-]

Here's a way to compare the "nationwide network plans"

http://www.mountainwireless.com/3netmap.htm

[trinitron]

holy crap, verison blows the competition out of the water so to speak. sprints, all i can see are lines(most likly following the interstates). at&t's is a little better, but verison is huge, they cover almost anywhere, except alaska, but im not going there anytime soon.

thanks for the compare maps psycho, i think ill go to my local verison store this weekend, see what they can give me.

[psycho-]

Originally posted by DarkFury

Yeah... but doesn't Sprint have "contracts" with analog providers to give them analog coverage as well?

BTW, is Verizon's "non digital" coverage free of roaming charges?

Yep :D Their contract for analog is with Verizon and Alltel in most areas.

As for Verizon's analog coverage, it considered part of the "system". The reason is because not all areas (rural arizona, for example) have digital systems built out yet, but still have the older analog system in place owned by them. So, digital/analog/PCS don't cost any extra. In most cases, your phone will automatically chose what has the best signal and jump onto there. It works well for underground parking garages and rural towns in the middle nowhere. Almost all rural areas have digital coverage these days though.

[trinitron]

with sprint, you can set your phone to drop a call if you start roaming right?

[psycho-]

Originally posted by trinitron
with sprint, you can set your phone to drop a call if you start roaming right?

It just drops no matter what, if I'm right..

[trinitron]

ok, i understand now, alot of sprint phones are dual mode, but if you can set them not to roam...thats good. lol, with verison you dont have to worry about any of that eh?

[psycho-]

Originally posted by trinitron
ok, i understand now, alot of sprint phones are dual mode, but if you can set them not to roam...thats good. lol, with verison you dont have to worry about any of that eh?


Yep, it switches whenever it needs to :-)

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by trinitron
ok, i understand now, alot of sprint phones are dual mode, but if you can set them not to roam...thats good. lol, with verison you dont have to worry about any of that eh?
I just bought a new phone from Sprint and they only had one model left that didnt roam. On my phone you can set it to send you a special warning before you answer so you know that its roaming.

[MJordanash]

I think Verizon is a good company to go with, but Sprint has clear calls, they have that portion beat. The coverage is all about Verizon, depends where you will be going I guess.

[psycho-]

Originally posted by MJordanash
I think Verizon is a good company to go with, but Sprint has clear calls, they have that portion beat. The coverage is all about Verizon, depends where you will be going I guess.

both use the same CDMA systems, most of them use the same vocoder. When you're on Verizon digital, you are as clear as Sprint PCS. You just have to try it to believe it :-)

[trinitron]

i think he just knows alot about how the networks work, but that would be funny if he was.

[psycho-]

I'm a USOB (unemployed...)

[whitak24]

Originally posted by MJordanash
I think Verizon is a good company to go with, but Sprint has clear calls, they have that portion beat. The coverage is all about Verizon, depends where you will be going I guess.
i might have to argue that point with you.

most of the time, sprint is excellent. calls on sprint often sound better than calls from my landline.

but then other times, sprint echos, it buzzes, it cuts in and out constantly, etc etc. basically, i wouldn't make the blanket statement that sprint has clear calls. in most places ON THEIR NETWORK and in most weather conditions, they're fine. but other times, they're pretty bad.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by whitak24

i might have to argue that point with you.

most of the time, sprint is excellent. calls on sprint often sound better than calls from my landline.

but then other times, sprint echos, it buzzes, it cuts in and out constantly, etc etc. basically, i wouldn't make the blanket statement that sprint has clear calls. in most places ON THEIR NETWORK and in most weather conditions, they're fine. but other times, they're pretty bad.
I guess I havent had any problems with them so I cant say their clear calls arent always that way. I just travelled across a few states through some rural areas and had no problems what so ever. But I can see what you are saying. I have heard that before.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by DarkFury
Maybe you can get a job at Verizon in their marketing department.

You already got the scoop on what's goin' on... :hihi:
Sprint offered me a job the other day...you get a nice discount on your phone contract. Verizon offers a nice price cut on the contract as well.

[trinitron]

called cingular today, i have to wait until may 26th to end my contract. i can't wait to dump them. still can't decide if i should go with sprint or verison, but i have plenty of time to decide.

[psycho-]

Originally posted by trinitron
called cingular today, i have to wait until may 26th to end my contract. i can't wait to dump them. still can't decide if i should go with sprint or verison, but i have plenty of time to decide.

Hahah
Most of my friends are off cingular and on either AT&T Wireless or Verizon. Esp. in san deigo, I wouldn't reccomend SPCS. (Former SPCS user in san diego)

[trinitron]

my uncle has sprint, and he says he can't use it in La Jolla, and a few other places. the thing is....im not going to be in La Jolla, i go there like 10 times a year(and mostly in the summer). i live up north quite a bit. when the 26th comes around, depends who gives me a better deal. does verison have very good promos? i.e. free activation, more minutes, free web, $$ credit. although, might just have to go with the free raoming & long distance. spint will only give me long distance free, unless they change their plans by the end of may...

[trinitron]

hey psycho, what phone do you have?

[psycho-]

Originally posted by trinitron
hey psycho, what phone do you have?

Sharp Z800 (http://www.verizonwireless.com/ics/plsql/equipment.phone_popup?p_mkt_code=San%20Diego&p_name=Verizon%20Wireless%20Z-800)

http://www.verizonwireless.com/images/shared/phones/phones_med_cream/vzw_800_cream.jpg



Mode Type - Tri-Mode Digital
Battery - Standard Lithium Ion (850 mAH)
Dimensions - 3.6"H x 1.9"W x 1.1"5D
Standby Time - Up to 150 hours (Digital)
Usage Time - Up to 120 hours (Digital)
Warranty - One Year
Weight - 4.24 oz.


Phone Details: Verizon Wireless Z-800

Qualcomm MSM 3100 CDMA chipset
Tri-mode operation: CDMA @ 800 and 1900 MHz and AMPS @ 800 MHz
BREW capable
Standard 2.5 mm headset jack
Multi- Guide Navigation Key
Color LCD (2 inches, 256 colors)
Vibration Alert
16 chord melody ringer
Ability to assign pictures and/or ringers to caller ID
Mobile Originated SMS capable
OTA capable
Mobile Phone Manager Software
WAP/ 4.1 Web Browser capable
Meets FCC SAR limit. Manufacturer's highest FCC reported SAR 1.29 at ear, 0.38 on body. Actual SAR may vary.


Included Accessories:

Lithium Ion Battery
Travel Charger
Holster
Data Cable
Mobile Phone Manager CD
User Guide
Warranty Card

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by psycho-


Sharp Z800 (http://www.verizonwireless.com/ics/plsql/equipment.phone_popup?p_mkt_code=San%20Diego&p_name=Verizon%20Wireless%20Z-800)

http://www.verizonwireless.com/images/shared/phones/phones_med_cream/vzw_800_cream.jpg



Mode Type - Tri-Mode Digital
Battery - Standard Lithium Ion (850 mAH)
Dimensions - 3.6"H x 1.9"W x 1.1"5D
Standby Time - Up to 150 hours (Digital)
Usage Time - Up to 120 hours (Digital)
Warranty - One Year
Weight - 4.24 oz.


Phone Details: Verizon Wireless Z-800

Qualcomm MSM 3100 CDMA chipset
Tri-mode operation: CDMA @ 800 and 1900 MHz and AMPS @ 800 MHz
BREW capable
Standard 2.5 mm headset jack
Multi- Guide Navigation Key
Color LCD (2 inches, 256 colors)
Vibration Alert
16 chord melody ringer
Ability to assign pictures and/or ringers to caller ID
Mobile Originated SMS capable
OTA capable
Mobile Phone Manager Software
WAP/ 4.1 Web Browser capable
Meets FCC SAR limit. Manufacturer's highest FCC reported SAR 1.29 at ear, 0.38 on body. Actual SAR may vary.


Included Accessories:

Lithium Ion Battery
Travel Charger
Holster
Data Cable
Mobile Phone Manager CD
User Guide
Warranty Card

Thats an awesome phone. Was looking into that one.

[trinitron]

what is brew?

[psycho-]

Originally posted by trinitron
what is brew?

http://www.verizonwireless.com/ics/plsql/brew.intro


What is Brew?

BREW is a technology and service that allows you to download and use computer-like applications on your Verizon Wireless BREW-enabled phone. For example, you can quickly and easily download ring tones, games, e-mails, directions, instant messages and more to your phone and use them right on your handset. It is the newest enhancement to wireless technology and it's offered exclusively by Verizon Wireless.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by psycho-


http://www.verizonwireless.com/ics/plsql/brew.intro


What is Brew?

BREW is a technology and service that allows you to download and use computer-like applications on your Verizon Wireless BREW-enabled phone. For example, you can quickly and easily download ring tones, games, e-mails, directions, instant messages and more to your phone and use them right on your handset. It is the newest enhancement to wireless technology and it's offered exclusively by Verizon Wireless.
Yea, you should definitely think of working for a cell phone company. You know your stuff.

[goyo2]

I like Sprint service because of the cool way I can hook my phone to my PDA and cruise the net using only minutes and not some exorberent charge like other companies...

[psycho-]

Originally posted by goyo2
I like Sprint service because of the cool way I can hook my phone to my PDA and cruise the net using only minutes and not some exorberent charge like other companies...


Verizon is the say way

*777

username: qnc
password: qnc

And you are ready to go. All you use is your minutes.

[MJordanash]

Verizon and Sprint are both good companies to go with if you want Wireless Web. As was previously stated, you only use up your minutes when you log on to the net. Plus with Sprint you get the first three months free of it. I am unsure of Verizons deal if anything.

[trinitron]

spint doesnt use up minutes on the wireless web, they just charge you $.30/minute, unless you pay $5/month to get unlimited......or so i understood it

[psycho-]

Originally posted by trinitron
spint doesnt use up minutes on the wireless web, they just charge you $.30/minute, unless you pay $5/month to get unlimited......or so i understood it

Oh yah, you're right...I think


I know VZW is free for *777 usage. But, if you want to use the mobile web, you have to pay 6.95, which includes 100 SMS messages too. Not taht bad of a deal. Very useful with my phone too. 11 or so lines of text viewable at the same time.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by trinitron
spint doesnt use up minutes on the wireless web, they just charge you $.30/minute, unless you pay $5/month to get unlimited......or so i understood it
I was told it uses up your minutes, plus you pay a flat fee of $5.00 per month.

[trinitron]

that deal kind of sucks then, $5/month plus taking minutes. if you go online during the day that would cost you peak minutes and those bastards at sprint made nights start at 9.....just retarted

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by trinitron
that deal kind of sucks then, $5/month plus taking minutes. if you go online during the day that would cost you peak minutes and those bastards at sprint made nights start at 9.....just retarted
I personally think 9pm is way too late to start night and weekend minutes. I still have my contract through Sprint, but am looking into Verizon now. When you sign on they dont even tell you about the first three months free of the wireless web. Technically it isnt even free, it still uses up your minutes, you just dont have to pay the $5.00/monthly fee.

[MJordanash]

Suncom (http://suncom.com/service_plans/plans.html) might have something interesting to look at. I know for awhile they had some deals on unlimited night/weekend minutes and around 300-600 day time minutes. I dont know if thats still going on or not.

[brain]

Originally posted by MJordanash
Suncom (http://suncom.com/service_plans/plans.html) might have something interesting to look at. I know for awhile they had some deals on unlimited night/weekend minutes and around 300-600 day time minutes. I dont know if thats still going on or not.

Suncom is classified as a "rural" carrier. Meaning, they are not nationwide such as a carrier like Cricket Wireless, US Cellular, etc. My point is that their promotions will not carry nationwide.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by brain


Suncom is classified as a "rural" carrier. Meaning, they are not nationwide such as a carrier like Cricket Wireless, US Cellular, etc. My point is that their promotions will not carry nationwide.
Ah, ok I didnt realize that. Well then Verizon still comes out as one of the best to go with then. I havent heard of Cricket...I am going to check into that. Thanks for the information.

[trinitron]

looks like verison is getting better and better with every reply here, if only they had sprint phones. then, in my opinion, it would be perfect.

[Cantacuzene]

Can we let this thread die please?

[trinitron]

let it die? i assume that means people should stop replying?

why do you say that?

[psycho-]

Why does it need to die? If you don't like it, just don't read it.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
Can we let this thread die please?
Just quit replying to this thread and dont worry that its still active. Isnt bothering anyone except for you.

[Cantacuzene]

You guys are just repeating the same thing over and over again.

Verizon has the best service.

Sprint has the best phones.

OK, I think that about says all that needs to be said.

[MJordanash]

Here's an idea: Quit Reading It. Actually we have determined who has the best plan, that is correct, but we are also discussing other parts of plans specifically that will help people decide who to go with. If it bothers you, just dont read it. Its really that simple.

[Cantacuzene]

hmmmmmmm, ill take your advice into consideration. wiat no i wont.

[Jihforce]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
Sprint has the best phones.


Hmmm no Sprint doesn't have the best phones.

[trinitron]

cantacuzene, i dont see the problem in talking about phone services. for some odd reason you are annoyed with the topic. if you really dont want to talk about your opinion on cell phone plans and cell phones, thats fine, just dont read it then.

jihforce, if sprint doesnt have the best phones, who does in your opinion?

[Cantacuzene]

I'm not opposed to the discussion of phone services. I am simply suprised that this thread is 4 pages deep, all you guys are doing is repeating the same things over and over again.

[trinitron]

to a certain extent with this many posts a person might be repeating something already said. but as you can see, everyone thought sprint had the best phones and jihforce didnt think so. it is good to know everyones opinion. and we didnt just come out and say verison is the best service(well....a few people did), but we talked about coverage, wireless web, and other plan perks. not everyone has the same opinions about everything, andif someone repeats something they may be trying to argue their point.

[MJordanash]

Does anyone know of an email to reach customer support with SprintPCs? I cant find an email anywhere off of their site and I dont want to use any 1-800 numbers to reach them. Thanks.

[Leon]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
Can we let this thread die please?

The thread is fine. Leave them alone.

[Hoser]

I just bought my son the Samsung SPH-N300 for Sprint PCS. The phone was $129.99 with an instant $100 rebate, and a mail in $50 rebate. The total out the door was less than $39. I'll get a $20 credit for referring him and he'll get a $10 credit for being referred.

[trinitron]

hoser, where did you get it from? i.e. sprint store, cc, bb, goodguys, radioshack, etc.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by Hoser
I just bought my son the Samsung SPH-N300 for Sprint PCS. The phone was $129.99 with an instant $100 rebate, and a mail in $50 rebate. The total out the door was less than $39. I'll get a $20 credit for referring him and he'll get a $10 credit for being referred.
They offer some pretty good deals with rebates and referrals. I have the SPH-N300 as well and love it so far. I just got my rebate back for $150.00.

[trinitron]

it might be my area, but they have only crapy deals on phones right now. best i can get is $50 off.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by trinitron
it might be my area, but they have only crapy deals on phones right now. best i can get is $50 off.
Give it some time and keep checking the websites, I am sure you'll find something more than just $50.00 off.

[trinitron]

yea, the bestbuy ad just came out today, $150 off select phones, everywhere else has $25-$75 off with activation.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by trinitron
yea, the bestbuy ad just came out today, $150 off select phones, everywhere else has $25-$75 off with activation.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure you wont do much better than that. You have to wait I think 6-8 weeks for it, but its worth it.

[Hoser]

trinitron, I got the phone at Nebraska Furniture Mart in Omaha NE. They always have good deals on phones, but only for new customers. I don't know why anybody would shop at a Sprint PCS store here, because they don't give any deals.

[MJordanash]

Sprint told me that in order to have a phone activated, you had to buy it from their store. Ha, they really try and jack people around with that type of stuff.

[Hoser]

I can buy a Sprint phone from at least two other places than a Sprint PCS store. I'll go where the best deal is. What I hate is that the new customers get the best deals, while existing customers get next to nothing. You can get a rebate on certain phones, but I don't want any of them.

[Jihforce]

Originally posted by trinitron
jihforce, if sprint doesnt have the best phones, who does in your opinion?

Verizon has pretty good phones (as long as you stick with motorola, like v60c) and with one of the best services, it hard to beat.

My old roommate had 2 of the samsung phones from Sprint and had them replaced 3 times because the reception was poor and the battery kept dying. Now Sprint has motorola phones too, BUT their service isn't all that great so having a "nice phone" doesn't do much for you.

I personally went with nextel and got the i90c. I pay about 50 bucks a month for 350 anytime and 3600 nights/weekends and 250 min for the two way radio. Of couse the 2way radio is an addd bonus ONLY if you know people who have nextel phones. I'm pretty happy with my service and phone I'm covered almost everywhere. It does suck up a lot of juice because of all the java apps and features it has.

I don't know too much about ATT, but where I live, it isn't all that great. I do know some people with ATT and loving it because they have nice phones too.

Bottom line. Motorola phones are better. As long as you get one of those phones, you'll be ok. It all depends on what service you go with. Good luck.

[MJordanash]

The only time they give deals to "Exsisting" customers is when they threaten to cancel their contract. Then all of a sudden they get free wireless internet and extra minutes.

[trinitron]

yea, call up sprint, they will let you upgrade your plan without playing more.....i think

[psycho-]

Man, you guys still don't believe me when I say that SPCS service is poor in San Diego. :rolleyes:

[trinitron]

well, i hear conflicted reports from different people, i know 10 people at my work that have sprint, and they all love it. and then there are a few people, yourself included, that say it suck. i think i will swap phones with my friend for a week. try out sprint around my house, see if it is ok

[psycho-]

Drive through the canyon where highway 52 is, between I-5 and 805, and tell me you're able to hold a phone call there. Now, drive on genessee from UTC to Clairemont mesa and count the number of dropped calls. Do the same driving from 805 up and down.

Add driving up 163 in either direction from mission valley (I-8).

Now, after you try all that, try getting help on the phone or cancelling your phone w/o waiting at least 30 or 40 minutes on the phone. If you you do get through faster, try not to laugh when you understand the depth of their knowledge. If you go to a store to try to change out a phone because it's defective, try to give yourself between 1 hour and 2 hours of time.

Sprint PCS is a joke down here, and I'm going to say outright. I will say now that they do not have the base station density, they do not have they network buildout. They do not have adequate redudancy for base station communications. All they have going for them is the license for the market, and the extra available spectrum. Ohh...and if you do get Sprint PCS, please learn and be weary of something called "Dead Spots". As my qualcomm engineer friend says, "Ohh, Sprint PCS is good in theory....."

They were a joke when it was implemented by Cox Communications, it's still a joke now.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/columns/lamb/0012.htm

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by trinitron
yea, call up sprint, they will let you upgrade your plan without playing more.....i think
You can change your plan at any point in time without paying more aside from if you increase your minutes on your plan, then obviously it will be more a month.

[trinitron]

wow, harsh words for sprint there psycho. i will barrow my friends sprint phone and try those places out in the next couple of weeks. i have until the 26th, so still plenty of time. an extra thing about verison, i noticed they carrier samsung phones. got to go to their website to look up my closest store.

[whitak24]

Originally posted by psycho-
Ohh...and if you do get Sprint PCS, please learn and be weary of something called "Dead Spots".
dead spots? what are those?

hmmm...now that i think of it, i think one of my friends was about to tell me what they were but my phone dropped the call :heh:

Originally posted by psycho-
Now, after you try all that, try getting help on the phone or cancelling your phone w/o waiting at least 30 or 40 minutes on the phone. If you you do get through faster, try not to laugh when you understand the depth of their knowledge.
:heh: truer words were never spoken.

but i still am getting a better deal from sprint than i can get from anywhere else, so i'm staying here for now. besides, i don't find the service intolerable....i can live with a couple dropped calls a week.

[Jihforce]

Just thought i'd point out something really funny...
I'm pretty much a anti-sprint guy right now. And guess what my gf decided to do yesterday? Get a Sprint phone. Haahaa.
Luckily for her, she got 750 anytime minutes, $185 worth of rebates for a 149.99 phone @14.99 per month.
Crazy huh? :heh:

[MJordanash]

The only complaint I have with Sprint is the fact that I only get 200 daytime minutes in my plan. I talk a lot more before 9pm when the night/weekend kick in. In that portion of the plan I have 3,000 which I never even come close to using up.

[Cantacuzene]

Jihforce, care to explain that deal for us? I would post something like 750 anytime minutes for 14.99$ a month in the GotDeals forum.

[ApltnHkyMutt]

Originally posted by MJordanash
The only complaint I have with Sprint is the fact that I only get 200 daytime minutes in my plan. I talk a lot more before 9pm when the night/weekend kick in. In that portion of the plan I have 3,000 which I never even come close to using up.

Oh really... and how come you can figure this out but not a C++ problem???

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by ApltnHkyMutt


Oh really... and how come you can figure this out but not a C++ problem???
Pay no attention to Mutt here. If it werent for me, he would have had to drop the class by now. I give him the answers all the time and he never can come up with even a simple program using a nested for loop...:D

[Jihforce]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
Jihforce, care to explain that deal for us? I would post something like 750 anytime minutes for 14.99$ a month in the GotDeals forum.

Unfortunately, I found out that this deal is only available to employees only (she works at Staples) this isn't an advertised program unfortunately. :(

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by Jihforce


Unfortunately, I found out that this deal is only available to employees only (she works at Staples) this isn't an advertised program unfortunately. :(
SprintPCs employees cant even find a deal like that. They offered me 250 daytime minutes and 3000 night/weekend for $20.00 a month. She is pretty lucky she got that.

[trinitron]

where i work at cc, you can get cell deals on plans if you sell cell phones. the one this guy has now is from at&t: 600 anytime, 600 nights for only $15/month

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by trinitron
where i work at cc, you can get cell deals on plans if you sell cell phones. the one this guy has now is from at&t: 600 anytime, 600 nights for only $15/month
Thats a good deal. Thats actually reasonable for what a cell phone should be per month, not this $30 some dollars.

[brain]

Originally posted by trinitron
where i work at cc, you can get cell deals on plans if you sell cell phones. the one this guy has now is from at&t: 600 anytime, 600 nights for only $15/month

The AT&T dealer plan should be:

500 anytime/500 night & weekend - Demo
1000 anytime/500 night & weekend - Executive
2000 anytime/1000 night & weekend - Premier

All for $15.

[brain]

I personally like my Nextel demo line. It's 1000 anytime minutes and unlimited Direct Connect for $0 per month.

[trinitron]

i thought he said 600/600, but it could have been 500

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by trinitron
i thought he said 600/600, but it could have been 500
Either way its still a great deal for a phone plan.

[whitak24]

Originally posted by brain
I personally like my Nextel demo line. It's 1000 anytime minutes and unlimited Direct Connect for $0 per month.
do you have some kind of deal where you "pretend" to be a dealer so you can get their specials?

[brain]

Originally posted by whitak24

do you have some kind of deal where you "pretend" to be a dealer so you can get their specials?

No, one of my friends is a dealer and he gave me one of the demo lines to use.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by brain


No, one of my friends is a dealer and he gave me one of the demo lines to use.
Share the wealth.:D

[brain]

Originally posted by MJordanash

Share the wealth.:D

Ha. I can't just give these demo lines out to people I don't know. The only drawback of the dealer Nextel line is that overage is $0.50 per minute.

[ApltnHkyMutt]

Originally posted by MJordanash

Pay no attention to Mutt here. If it werent for me, he would have had to drop the class by now. I give him the answers all the time and he never can come up with even a simple program using a nested for loop...:D

Your full of crap i give you answers all the time, like today for instance in the case study!

What do you recomend for a good cheap cellphone! oh and cheap but great plan.. you know for us highschool students

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by ApltnHkyMutt


Your full of crap i give you answers all the time, like today for instance in the case study!

What do you recomend for a good cheap cellphone! oh and cheap but great plan.. you know for us highschool students
Yep you gave me one answer to an assignment. Remember all of those times I print off the program for you?? huh huh huh?? j/k...anyway, for a cheap student, I'd recommend a plan from US Cellular or possibly Sprint PCS if you are staying in the area. For Sprint I pay $34.99 a month with 3000 night/weekend minutes starting from 9pm-7am and 200 daytime minutes. It includes caller id, three way calling, call waiting, call forwarding, stuff like that. US Cellular has a similar plan.

[ApltnHkyMutt]

anything cheaper than 34.99 a month?

[trinitron]

about a month ago sprint had 200 anytime/2800 nights for $30, but their cheapest plan now is 20 anytime/20 nights for $20. its more cost effective to get the $35 plan

[ApltnHkyMutt]

Originally posted by trinitron
about a month ago sprint had 200 anytime/2800 nights for $30, but their cheapest plan now is 20 anytime/20 nights for $20. its more cost effective to get the $35 plan

20 minuts... are you kidding me.. you should here me talk, i never shut up!!! MJordanash can probably testify to that!

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by ApltnHkyMutt


20 minuts... are you kidding me.. you should here me talk, i never shut up!!! MJordanash can probably testify to that!
lol, nah he isnt that bad. SprintPCs (http://sprintpcs.com) has the listings of all their plans...but aside from the 20 minute plan for $20.00 you cant go any cheaper than $34.99.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by brain


Ha. I can't just give these demo lines out to people I don't know. The only drawback of the dealer Nextel line is that overage is $0.50 per minute.
Yeah, thats basically what I have to pay if I run over on my minutes as well. You have a nice deal going on for you.

[PokeyThePenguin]

Watching their commercials Sprint PCS seems to have improved alot. You no longer have to fight over the static to hear the other person. I know I had a big problem with this in the 1980's. I'm glad Sprint has fixed this problem. Too bad that Sprint PCS is the #1 complained about company on www.ecomplaints.com though. And for some reason the guy that made this website, www.sprintpcssucks.com , seems to be mad at them.

[ApltnHkyMutt]

Originally posted by PokeyThePenguin
Watching their commercials Sprint PCS seems to have improved alot. You no longer have to fight over the static to hear the other person. I know I had a big problem with this in the 1980's. I'm glad Sprint has fixed this problem. Too bad that Sprint PCS is the #1 complained about company on www.ecomplaints.com though. And for some reason the guy that made this website, www.sprintpcssucks.com , seems to be mad at them.

Alot has changed in 20 years!

[Cantacuzene]

I should hope that Sprint improved some since the 80's. Heck, even Hyundai improved some since the 80's.

[trinitron]

the guy that wrote sprintpcssucks.com probably just lives in an area where sprint is not strong. as people have written in this thread, its all about the location

[brain]

Originally posted by MJordanash

Yeah, thats basically what I have to pay if I run over on my minutes as well. You have a nice deal going on for you.

I don't use the cellular a lot. I use it mainly for the Direct Connect two way radio.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by brain


I don't use the cellular a lot. I use it mainly for the Direct Connect two way radio.
I dont have that option on the phone I currently have, but I really do like that feature. Some friends of mine have its a great option to have. Saves on minutes too.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by ApltnHkyMutt
anything cheaper than 34.99 a month?
Here is the link (http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/servicePlansOptionsV2/PlansOptions.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=129425&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_SCID=ECOMM&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_PCode=None&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_cartState=group&bmUID=1020948634034) for SprintPCs plans.

[trinitron]

the nextel radio thing, dont you have to get "extra" minutes just for that? like you have your cell minutes, then your radio minutes?

[PokeyThePenguin]

I was joking about the 1980's :heh: It's just that I don't understand why Sprint PCS is marketing the fact that you don't get static with digital service. Who are they marketing to? I live in the L.A. area and I don't even know who to go to in order to get analog service anymore unless I had a time machine and went back to that past. I assume it's the same in most metro areas these days. Sometimes I wish I had analog service because static is better than clear digital calls that drop every other word so you can't understand what the other person is saying.

Meanwhile AT&T is marketing mlife!!! Woooooooo!
What is it?
Something wonderful that will change your life!
What???
Text messaging!
But I already have text messaging.
Oh. But is it mlife?
Shut up.

The wireless companies need to start working on what people need: GOOD RELIABLE COVERAGE. They need to spend some of their advertsing money on improving their service.

Ok sorry about the rant. I get a bit emotional when talking about cell phone service.

trinitron, when you are comparing plans remember to figure in that 'nighttime' minutes are calculated differently by different companies. For instance in my area, Verizonwireless' nighttime minutes from are 8:01pm to 5:59am whereas SprintPCS' are from 9:00pm to 7:00am. If you tend to use more of you minutes at night that's an extra 1200 minute nighttime window you get per month with Verizon unless you do a lot of calling between 6:00am to 7:00am :D

[psycho-]

I just changed over to a promotional plan on VZW...without signing onto a new contract. 45/month gets me 700 peak/4000 offpeak/free long distance. My home area went from 13 west coast states down to Only cali and Nevada. But, then again I rarely leave Cali nevada. One of the cool things is that no matter what network your on, if you have signal, you can make the call w/o worries about roaming. of course there are very few places that don't have signal if you're on VZW :P

[PokeyThePenguin]

Originally posted by DarkFury
Why? Is it really that troubling of an issue?

Well I have Cingular in the L.A. area. The people with Cingular here know what I am talking about. Dead spots galore (strange thing is there are more dead spots now than before). Dropped calls, calls where every other word drops out, constant 'system busy' during my free unlimited hours and I go from having 4 bars to none on my signal strength when I'm in the same spot :angry: . The same thing happens to everyone I know that has Cingular here. Cingular use to be good but within a year the service has severely degenerated. I think they signed on too many users. They have been giving me the 'we are upgrading our system and it will take a couple of months' excuse for the past year.

Those of you thinking of getting Cingular in the L.A. area.. DON'T! Save your money and go with another service.

[psycho-]

Originally posted by PokeyThePenguin

Well I have Cingular in the L.A. area. The people with Cingular here know what I am talking about. Dead spots galore (strange thing is there are more dead spots now than before). Dropped calls, calls where every other word drops out, constant 'system busy' during my free unlimited hours and I go from having 4 bars to none on my signal strength when I'm in the same spot :angry: . The same thing happens to everyone I know that has Cingular here. Cingular use to be good but within a year the service has severely degenerated. I think they signed on too many users. They have been giving me the 'we are upgrading our system and it will take a couple of months' excuse for the past year.

Those of you thinking of getting Cingular in the L.A. area.. DON'T! Save your money and go with another service.


The major issue is that everyone thinks that cingular (in california) is too expensive, and doesn't give enough "unlimited" features. In fact, the unlimited features is what killed the system. What Cingular (in california) did was sell itself on a price/value point. So, people paid for what they got.

Verizon, on the other hand doesn't give away free phones (unless it's an authorized dealer, which VZW is trying to phase out), doesn't offer many free services on the plan (everything is limited, like only 4000 nights/weekends instead of unlimited), sells itself based on the quality of service. Of course, the network is much better.

The lesson here, you get what you paid for.

[PokeyThePenguin]

I don't understand. Are you saying that Verizon is good b/c they are expensive and a poor value? Cingular hasn't offered unlimited minutes in over 6 months. In fact the best value now is with Verizon (700 minutes for $40 or 1000 minutes for $50 with the most night/weekend minutes of any company). What company doesn't sell itself on a price/value point? Plans get better and better. I'm actually on a older more expensive plan now but refraining from upgrading and therefore extending my contract. The problem is not that I'm getting what I paid for; the problem is that I'm not getting what I paid for.

The fact of the matter is that Cingular hasn't upgraded their system along with their increasing subscriber base whereas Verizon has. If Verizon doesn't upgrade along with their increasing subscriber base there service will just be as bad. Hopefully they will keep upgrading. I am going to switch to Verizon not becuase they don't give away free phones (Although they do. Every company gives away free phones. Just probably not the one that you may want) or b/c they don't give away free services, but because they actually have the cheapest service plans right now (I actually do hope I get what I pay for ;)) AND they have one of the better services.

BTW, just out of curiousity, how many minutes of the 3000-4000 nighttime/weekend minutes that most companies give you do you guys actually end up using?

[psycho-]

Originally posted by PokeyThePenguin
I don't understand. Are you saying that Verizon is good b/c they are expensive and a poor value? Cingular hasn't offered unlimited minutes in over 6 months. In fact the best value now is with Verizon (700 minutes for $40 or 1000 minutes for $50 with the most night/weekend minutes of any company). What company doesn't sell itself on a price/value point? Plans get better and better. I'm actually on a older more expensive plan now but refraining from upgrading and therefore extending my contract. The problem is not that I'm getting what I paid for; the problem is that I'm not getting what I paid for.

The fact of the matter is that Cingular hasn't upgraded their system along with their increasing subscriber base whereas Verizon has. If Verizon doesn't upgrade along with their increasing subscriber base there service will just be as bad. Hopefully they will keep upgrading. I am going to switch to Verizon not becuase they don't give away free phones (Although they do. Every company gives away free phones. Just probably not the one that you may want) or b/c they don't give away free services, but because they actually have the cheapest service plans right now (I actually do hope I get what I pay for ;)) AND they have one of the better services.

BTW, just out of curiousity, how many minutes of the 3000-4000 nighttime/weekend minutes that most companies give you do you guys actually end up using?


First of all, you have to understand that Verizon doesn't really give phone subsidies, as well as discounts because it knows that people who want to pay for a particular level of service will pay for it.

Think about this issue in this fashion. I am paying an extra XX dollars a month for XX less minutes because I want to : (a) Make sure My call goes through the first time i hit the dial button, (b) I want to make sure I have good signal quality and strength, (c) I want good customer service (d) I care about quality of severice (QOS)

You pay and choose what you think is worthwhile to you. If you want "the most minutes for the cheapest price" without the consideration of "best quality of service" as a factor, you get what you pay for. all wireless providers are Limited Liability Contractors, which limits their contractual obligation to provide a certain QOS level, so it comes down to what a particular company emphasises. Right?

The problem is that most people DO NOT know the differences between phone companies because they just don't better. In fact most people are probably on only their first or second phone and provider. What you're paying extra for is the service.

There are many factors that come into play when you choose a wireless service, including CS, coverage, usage policies and capacity.

Now, an issue of capacity is actually based off a few factors
(a) base station density
(b) base station circuit handling capabilities
(c) Spectrum effiency
(d) Trunk line capacity

So, you can't just say "upgrading a system" to explain it. If you want, I can explain it to you in person, but you'll need approx 30~45 minutes of time for that.

Every other factor is pretty straight forward.

You can say that there are "free" phones, but if you want Verizon's Customer service level at the store, you have to buy it from the company store. The difference is glaring as if you did not buy a Verizon phone from the company store, you will not recieve customer service from the company store. you would have to go back to your store of purchase to get service. Now truthfully, the only places where you can find non-company stores (authorised agents) are few and far between. I would reccomend you to go to a company store instead. There you will see that there are no free phones.

Truthfully, your attitude of going for the cheapest service isn't the right attitude to carry into something that requires a contractual obligation. If you wanted "the cheapest as I can get" criteria to buy car w/ the best warranty, you would go for a Hyundai Accent. But, there are many more factors to owning a car then just a warranty and the cheapest price, right? The same thing applies to cellular service.

By the way, the special Verizon promotion is ending in a week or two

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by trinitron
the nextel radio thing, dont you have to get "extra" minutes just for that? like you have your cell minutes, then your radio minutes?
Nope it doesnt use up any minutes.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by PokeyThePenguin
Ok sorry about the rant. I get a bit emotional when talking about cell phone service.

Calm down dude, its just cell phone plans and such. :heh: Either way everyone gets screwed to some degree with the amount of money needed to pay each month for the service. I like SprintPCs and Verizon is just as good. All depends on location and how you will use your minutes.

[PokeyThePenguin]

Originally posted by psycho-
Truthfully, your attitude of going for the cheapest service isn't the right attitude to carry into something that requires a contractual obligation. If you wanted "the cheapest as I can get" criteria to buy car w/ the best warranty, you would go for a Hyundai Accent. But, there are many more factors to owning a car then just a warranty and the cheapest price, right? The same thing applies to cellular service.

Of course going for the cheapest price service isn't the right thing to do. That is not what value means. I just mentioned that Verizon had the cheapest plan currently AND good service. BTW what I meant by service was the cell phone service i.e. call quality, amount of dropped calls, coverage, etc.. and not the service you get from the POS. I rarely need service from the POS stores and haven't had any problems with them or authorized dealers.

I've had service from every major cell phone company in L.A. (and a closet full of cell phones) except AT&T. My latest contract is with Cingular and I did NOT go with them b/c they were the cheapest. I went with them b/c they had reasonable prices with good service (Cingular, or Pacbell at the time had the best rated coverage). Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier, their service has since deteriorated so I am about to go back to Verizon b/c they seem to currently have the best service in L.A. with the added bonus of having the cheapest plans.



Originally posted by psycho-
Now, an issue of capacity is actually based off a few factors
(a) base station density
(b) base station circuit handling capabilities
(c) Spectrum effiency
(d) Trunk line capacity

So, you can't just say "upgrading a system" to explain it
These factors are important to the provider. The provider can have good base station density and poor circuit handling capabilities but to the end user (person forking over the $$$) poor service is poor service no matter what the cause.

[trinitron]

which cell phones do you have?

[PokeyThePenguin]

trinitron,

I don't know the model numbers of some of the older ones and they are discontinued anyway. My current phone is the Nokia 8290. I also have a Nokia 3390, a Nokia 6100(?) series phone, a couple of older ericsson GSM flip phones, a big bulky Sony CDMA phone and two Samsung TDMA phones.

One of my friends with SprintPCS has to switch to a Samsung phone in order to get good service. He had a Motorola (sorry I don't know which model #'s) with the same service and got really bad reception so the phones do make a difference even on the same network.

I've heard that SprintPCS is suppose to rollout 3G this summer. I don't know how true this is (I'm kinda skeptical of most wireless co's rollout and deployment schedules) but you might want to consider that in your purchase of phones if you decide to go with them.

[trinitron]

3G? consider this? what is it?

[brain]

Originally posted by PokeyThePenguin
trinitron,

I don't know the model numbers of some of the older ones and they are discontinued anyway. My current phone is the Nokia 8290. I also have a Nokia 3390, a Nokia 6100(?) series phone, a couple of older ericsson GSM flip phones, a big bulky Sony CDMA phone and two Samsung TDMA phones.

One of my friends with SprintPCS has to switch to a Samsung phone in order to get good service. He had a Motorola (sorry I don't know which model #'s) with the same service and got really bad reception so the phones do make a difference even on the same network.

I've heard that SprintPCS is suppose to rollout 3G this summer. I don't know how true this is (I'm kinda skeptical of most wireless co's rollout and deployment schedules) but you might want to consider that in your purchase of phones if you decide to go with them.

Samsung does not make any TDMA phones. They strictly make CDMA and GSM. As for SPrint PCS rolling out 3G, they alreay have it up and running in select markets.

[brain]

Originally posted by trinitron
the nextel radio thing, dont you have to get "extra" minutes just for that? like you have your cell minutes, then your radio minutes?

It depends on the rate plan you're on. Some plans include 0 Direct Connect minutes. Other plans offer unlimited DC minutes.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by brain


It depends on the rate plan you're on. Some plans include 0 Direct Connect minutes. Other plans offer unlimited DC minutes.
My friend pays $30.00 and he gets unlimited Direct Connect and 150 daytime - 2000 night/weekend minutes.

[trinitron]

what is 3G ?!?!?!?!?!?

[PokeyThePenguin]

Originally posted by brain
Samsung does not make any TDMA phones. They strictly make CDMA and GSM.
My bad. I have two CDMA Samsung phones from when I had SprintPCS.

brain, which markets have it already and have you heard anything about how the service is and what the rates are?

[PokeyThePenguin]

trinitron,

http://www.nokia.com/3g/what_is.html
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/threeg/3gintro.htm

[psycho-]

More specificially

3G is:

3G System Capabilities
Capability to support circuit and packet data at high bit rates:

- 144 kilobits/second or higher in high mobility (vehicular) traffic
- 384 kilobits/second for pedestrian traffic
- 2 Megabits/second or higher for indoor traffic

Interoperability and roaming
Common billing/user profiles:

- Sharing of usage/rate information between service providers
- Standardized call detail recording
- Standardized user profiles

Capability to determine geographic position of mobiles and report it to both the network and the mobile terminal
Support of multimedia services/capabilities:

- Fixed and variable rate bit traffic Bandwidth on demand
- Asymmetric data rates in the forward and reverse links
- Multimedia mail store and forward
- Broadband access up to 2 Megabits/second


Here's a good FAQ on 3G network technology:
http://www.3gnewsroom.com/html/faq/index.shtml

[brain]

Originally posted by PokeyThePenguin

My bad. I have two CDMA Samsung phones from when I had SprintPCS.

brain, which markets have it already and have you heard anything about how the service is and what the rates are?

Supposedly, 3G is supposed to be up and running in most of their markets by June. From my understanding, the rates haven't changed for 3G markets. As for as specialized 3G services, there really isn't any with the exception of high speed data since the newest technology 3G phones haven't been released.

[trinitron]

damit! i was all ready to go phone shopping and get a cell phone. you guys have to bring this 3g technology up. im just going to have to wait til it comes out and check it out before i buy a phone.

[PokeyThePenguin]

I think whether you wait or not depends alot on your what type of user you are. If you are a 'casual' voice user I don't think it will make that much of a difference. If you are a 'power' user and want all the specialized 3G services you may want to wait but it's yet to be seen how the services will pan out and even when it will be fully deployed in your area. SprintPCS is suppose to have it deployed by this summer. A SprintPCS sales rep told me August in the L.A. area and they are suppose to be the first company to do so. Which means that you'd probably want to wait after deployment to see how the service is unless you want to be guinea pig. I've been SprintPCS' guinea pig once when they started their PCS service in L.A. and it wasn't fun. But more importantly some of the phones available now can be used on 3G systems.

[trinitron]

i went to sprint's website, they have a list of "realease" dates for 3G technology.

http://www.sprintpcs.com/aboutsprintpcs/CDMA_3g/index.html

[brain]

Originally posted by PokeyThePenguin
I think whether you wait or not depends alot on your what type of user you are. If you are a 'casual' voice user I don't think it will make that much of a difference. If you are a 'power' user and want all the specialized 3G services you may want to wait but it's yet to be seen how the services will pan out and even when it will be fully deployed in your area. SprintPCS is suppose to have it deployed by this summer. A SprintPCS sales rep told me August in the L.A. area and they are suppose to be the first company to do so. Which means that you'd probably want to wait after deployment to see how the service is unless you want to be guinea pig. I've been SprintPCS' guinea pig once when they started their PCS service in L.A. and it wasn't fun. But more importantly some of the phones available now can be used on 3G systems.

I remember when Sprint PCS was luanching in LA. I couldn't wait for the launch so I went into Orange County and purchased a phone. It was the WORST service on the face of the planet. This is my concern when Voicestream (T-Mobile) launches in LA this June. They're going to piggybacked off of Cingular's GSM network which is overloaded as it is. Supposedly, they must improve network capacity by 80% within the next 30 days for the system to work correctly.

[PokeyThePenguin]

Originally posted by brain


I remember when Sprint PCS was luanching in LA. I couldn't wait for the launch so I went into Orange County and purchased a phone. It was the WORST service on the face of the planet. This is my concern when Voicestream (T-Mobile) launches in LA this June. They're going to piggybacked off of Cingular's GSM network which is overloaded as it is. Supposedly, they must improve network capacity by 80% within the next 30 days for the system to work correctly.
Luckily there was no long term contract back then. I remember I discontinued the service within a month and was out just the cost of the phone. That's one of the reasons I don't trust SprintPCS. How they decided to rollout service with that shotty a network back then is hard to understand. I'm sure heads rolled after that fiasco. I didn't know about Voicestream piggybacking on Cingular's network. I'm so glad my contract with them ended last month. Their systems are beyond overloaded. I tried to convince one of my friends not to re-sign with Cingular a few months ago but he decided to re-sign b/c he wanted to keep his number. Now he is regretting it and I'm sure with Voicestream it's going to get worse.

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by PokeyThePenguin

Luckily there was no long term contract back then. I remember I discontinued the service within a month and was out just the cost of the phone. That's one of the reasons I don't trust SprintPCS. How they decided to rollout service with that shotty a network back then is hard to understand. I'm sure heads rolled after that fiasco. I didn't know about Voicestream piggybacking on Cingular's network. I'm so glad my contract with them ended last month. Their systems are beyond overloaded. I tried to convince one of my friends not to re-sign with Cingular a few months ago but he decided to re-sign b/c he wanted to keep his number. Now he is regretting it and I'm sure with Voicestream it's going to get worse.
Voicestream is terrible right now. Few friends have it and cannot wait to terminate their contract. Cingular is just as bad if not worse.

[trinitron]

yea, i can't wait to end my cingular contract on the 26th

[mcs328]

Originally posted by MJordanash

Voicestream is terrible right now. Few friends have it and cannot wait to terminate their contract. Cingular is just as bad if not worse.

I agree...Voicestream is horrible. My gf had it and they like to squeeze every penny from you whether it's your fault or theirs (such as making sure your payment is not cashed in, cutting your service, charging for deliquent payment, charging you for re-initializing your service b/c they finally cashed in your payment after having it hand past the due date and using the money that should be credited back to you as 'store credit' to pay for your future bills).

I think their billing system involves a monkey who opens the payment recevied with his teeth and tries to hand deliver it to another monkey in accounting who then tries to type in the account and payment in using punchcards but then just ends up writing a Shakespeare play instead. *breathe* Sigh...I could say and think all of that but I would be insulting all the monkeys who no doubt can open up a banana better than Voicestream can open the letter with your payment. :monkey:

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by mcs328
I agree...Voicestream is horrible. My gf had it and they like to squeeze every penny from you whether it's your fault or theirs (such as making sure your payment is not cashed in, cutting your service, charging for deliquent payment, charging you for re-initializing your service b/c they finally cashed in your payment after having it hand past the due date and using the money that should be credited back to you as 'store credit' to pay for your future bills).

I think their billing system involves a monkey who opens the payment recevied with his teeth and tries to hand deliver it to another monkey in accounting who then tries to type in the account and payment in using punchcards but then just ends up writing a Shakespeare play instead. *breathe* Sigh...I could say and think all of that but I would be insulting all the monkeys who no doubt can open up a banana better than Voicestream can open the letter with your payment. :monkey:
Yeah its pretty terrible. I have been fighting back and forth with SprintPCs for the past week and a half. They added Wireless Web to my bill without notification, and charged me the flat $5.00 fee for that, plus they said I used 45 minutes of it and charged an extra $22.50 for that. Needless to say I wasnt very happy when I opened that bill up by any means. All cell phone companies have their faults, some more than others.

[trinitron]

yep, i am definetly going to have to get a 3g phone. i have been reading up on all the news articles. its going to be really big, great technology. good thing you guys said something, now i have to remember to get a 3g phone.

[CyByte]

i have sprint pcs with the samsung 8500 the reception is horrible in southern wisconsin where i live...

i love the service when im in open areas though so nice and clear!

but god they're support sucks

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by CyByte
i have sprint pcs with the samsung 8500 the reception is horrible in southern wisconsin where i live...

i love the service when im in open areas though so nice and clear!

but god they're support sucks
Where in Wisconsin are you? I'm up in Appleton. Anyway, yeah I got my bill the other day and they charged me for everything they did on tech support to get wireless web working even though they told me it was all free and included. Three emails and a phone call was all it took (sigh) to get my credit back and some free minutes out of it. Its really clear for me up here.

[trinitron]

i went with sprint. got myself the sanyo 5150, such a sweet phone. i just want to thank everyone for all the input!

[MJordanash]

Originally posted by trinitron
i went with sprint. got myself the sanyo 5150, such a sweet phone. i just want to thank everyone for all the input!
I'm sure you'll like it. Sprint is a good company to go with.

[theHNIC]

The Sanyo 5150 is not 3G compatible.

Oh I do the Wireless Web support for sprint. Which I probably shouldn't have mentioned.:D

[psycho-]

Originally posted by gotmilk
The Sanyo 5150 is not 3G compatible.

Oh I do the Wireless Web support for sprint. Which I probably shouldn't have mentioned.:D

FINALLY! Someone who speaks some sense. It IS 3G Voice compatible, but NOT 3G data compatible. In other words, you won't be able to take advantage of the high speed data networks. The qualcomm chipset just doesn't support it. you probably should've waited for the 6100 or 5105 chipset to come out for some phones....of course qualcomm botched up on those, so they're only coming out now. The only two other manufacturers of 1x compatbile chipsets for CDMA is motorola and Nokia...neither of which SPCS carries much of anymore.


So...what does 3G voice compatibliity give you? Nothing really..no improved signal, no better voice quality (CDMA already has one of the best Vocoders...kicks GSM butt). You get nothing! Only people that benefit from it is SPCS, with increased network capacity...but then again they've never had a capacity issue here in california, as much as they have a RF performance issue.

I really didn't like how SPCS was claiming in investor releations that they had 3G handsets out already...it wasn't much of a benefit to consumers...

VZW, on the other hand, is only releasing handsets that are both 3G voice AND data.

[theHNIC]

Originally posted by psycho-


FINALLY! Someone who speaks some sense. It IS 3G Voice compatible, but NOT 3G data compatible

Correct.

Me personally, I dont know who would want to access the WEB from their handset in the first place, with the little screen and all.
Only benefit that the 3G would have (in my opinion) is being able to hook it up to a computer and have somewhat of a broadband connection. But come to think of it they are wanting too much for 3G services.

Oh, 3G is actually being tested by the "big wigs" at this time, and should be available mid-summer.

[mcs328]

Glad I haven't bought the 5150 yet. My old motorola is almost dead. It has three small cracks in the casing already. I'm holding out for 3G and discounts for current customers on new phones.

Anyone have an idea when they are going to get some new phone models or have a remote chance of pushing out a Nokia style phone?

Thanks for the tip on 3G voice only on the 5150.

[theHNIC]

When 3G data becomes available there should be about 3 or 4 phones that are compatible with it

[psycho-]

Originally posted by gotmilk
When 3G data becomes available there should be about 3 or 4 phones that are compatible with it


That said, you can probably tell, since most of the 3G data capable phones will have J2ME support, as well as some other features on SPCS.

For VZW, it has to say "Express Network capable"

Either way, both companies are more on the "cutting edge" than anyone else. AT&T/Cingular/VStream GSM w/ GPRS network overlay is an anachronism and just plain stupid. what the hell were they thinking???? When is edge taking place? 2006-2007? What a joke.

CDMAOne --> CDMA 2000 1xrtt --> EV/DO --> EV is a much better upgrade path

[psycho-]

BTW, GSM is only around becuase the european governments pushed as the only accepted standard. At that piont, CDMA was barely out on the blocks, and insider sources noted that the europeans balked at paying Qualcomm royalties, as well as the fact that it was american developed. They knew it was more spectrally efficient by approx 4 times, and call capacity is also much more efficient.

So, essentially, the europeans went with pride rather than sensibilities. This is what current wireless analysts are saying is going to lead to many problems down the road, including insolvency in many wireless providers (capital costs of constantly upgrading equipment).

In the US, Cingular and ATTWS are going TDMA--> GSM --> GSM w/ GPRS overlay --> EDGE --> W-CDMA (which they still have to pay royalties to qualcomm in the end). All these all require either new base station equipment to be overlayed (constantly buying new spectrum recycling old spectrum one step at a time) and constant subscriber equipment changes. (new handsets all the time)

CDMAOne -->CDMA 2000 1xrtt --> CDMA EV/DO --> CDMA EV
Only require adding new hardware and software, but won't to any downtime or require constantly overlaying equipment, since the network is completely backwards compatible.

Once again, proves how stupid people can get. (Europeans, in this case)

it also proves how stupid people are around the world, who think their Time-based half/duplex Circuit switched Digital GSM phone is cutting edge. (Most people who use GSM)

[trinitron]

hmm, you are right about the 3G. but since i got the 5150 for 75% off, i really dont give a crap. ill be better off getting one of the better redesigned 3G handsets in a year or two. why wait for it now? i guess if you really want one.....

[MJordanash]

Sprint whether it be local or not I am unsure is running a huge deal on their phones. Ones that were $200.00 are down to $112.

[rajatQ2]

Originally posted by trinitron
has anyone called up threatening to cancel, and gotten a better plan? I was hoping to get free wireless web, and maybe some more minutes.

did it, tried it. They offered me a free month of service, so i accepted. Turns out they never put the order through for the free month, and also forgot to "suspend" my account while i was in japan, so the day i got back they slapped me with a $185 bill.


SPRINT CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE WORST!!!!!
The only way i have ever gotten them to actually do something right on my account has been to tell them to email me with exactly what they are doing.

[psycho-]

I wonder how trinitron likes his Sprint PCS service :heh:

I wonder how he likes the new Vision phones :heh:

As James Earl Jones says:
"Your wireless phone is only as good as the network it's on"

True Dat

[MJordanash]

Sprint messed up a bill and when I confronted them on the issue and told them I would take my business elsewhere, they gave me free wireless web and increased the minutes on my plan. Not too bad for five minutes of my time over the phone.

[Mike_N_Ike]

Sorry, this may be a bit late but I've been away for a while and wanted to throw in my two cents about Sprint PCS. They have by far the worst customer service I've ever had to deal with. And that's including Staples, Frys and all those shady New York-based camera shops. It's absolutely unbearable. I thought having to talk to Claire, the virtual service rep was bad enough since it's just another form of an automated menu - but their entire damn customer support team is another form of an automated menu. The people you talk to don't know a single thing about the policies or terms of the company. Everytime you ask them a question, they put you on hold so that they can go punch your problem into the same automated menu. Needless to say, if your particular problem requires a solution that is any more complicated than charging your battery or turning up the volume on your phone, they come back completely stumped. For the past two months I've been trying to get 300 dollars credited back to my account that was deducted solely due to a mistake on their part but which they refuse to take responsibility for. I would have never thought I would have said this before, but it may be worth paying the 300 just to not have to deal with them anymore.

Oh, and another thing - I don't know how equipment replacement (insurance) works with other companies. All I know is that when I had Cingular, you called in a claim, paid the deductible and went in to a store and got your new phone. With Sprint, you call in a claim, pay the deductible and then get to sit on your hands while they take their sweet time shipping you your new phone. New, in this case meaning the re-furb piece of sh*t thats all scratched up, has a broken antenna, and a poorly repainted battery that chips paint off everytime you put it in your pocket, that they send you.

Not to mention you can't drive from LA to San Diego without losing reception for at least 10 minutes. And I drive fast - that's a good 17 miles of no service.

I could go on forever about these guys. The strongest advice I can give anybody is to stay away from Sprint PCS.

[mcs328]

Originally posted by DarkFury

Heh... well I bought the store insurance from Beast Buy... they claim that they'll cover the replacement of your phone if anything (other than "water damage" happens within 3 years... for $69 policy fee.

Pretty much, anything breaks... you get another phone or credit for the original purchase price of the phone to go buy another phone. :D

Really? So if I buy their store insurance (how much is that?) and something happens to my phone (dropped it a few times) then I can go in and use the credit for a new phone? Hmmm...maybe I can get a cheapy phone to tie me over for now over my StarTac until a better phone comes out instead of these crap ones they've been peddling.

[cheapie]

if you go with sprint, get your phone at best buy with the service plan. i'm not a big best buy fan but i was able to get 3-4 new phones during the 2-3 years i was with sprint. something little was always going wrong with the samsung phones and i would just wait until the newest and coolest phone dropped in price, then i would return my current phone and get one. totally legit. in fact, when i switched to nextel (because i moved and couldn't get sprint signal at my house), i traded in my phone, and sold the new one on ebay for 175. it was selling for 160 at bb. i used the money to buy a nextel i90c. hehe.:D