Best Wireless Phone Service in NYC?

[ArkiStan]

OK, it looks like I'll be living in NYC for the next 3 years and of course I'm gonna want a cell phone. I know different services work better in different areas. For example, back in around 2000 when I was studying in the Bay area I used Verizon, because Sprint was the crap to avoid.

What's the most reliable wireless phone service available in NYC (Manhattan to be more specific)??

Thanks in advance.

[AlpineJay]

I know this for sure: Nextel works in NYC Subway. I'm not entirely sure if that holds true for other carriers but that to me is a big selling point.

I'm with VZW and I think their signal strength can't be beat. I've used them routinely in Manhattan with little to no problems - but no signal in the subway!

I know one thing for sure - T-Mobile has had issues in the city regarding signal reception. I have a handful of friends who quickly ported their numbers out to other companies in order to get away from them as soon as their contract was up.

[Markel]

I know this for sure: Nextel works in NYC Subway. I'm not entirely sure if that holds true for other carriers but that to me is a big selling point.
I seem to remember some news stories that said they may stop carrying cell phone signals in the subways (as a result of the London bombings).

[ArkiStan]

Thanks for your info guys. Speaking of Wireless services, what is the difference between "cellular" and "PCS?" Which is preferable?

[JackHammer]

GO with verizon. I have never tried my Nextel in the subways. I have a work nextel and I rarely ever go in the subway with my nextel.

[ArkiStan]

thanks jackhammer.

I was looking at some Verizon calling plans and they specified "Unlimited IN Calling." Does this refer to calling among other verizon users? Or does it mean unlimited incoming calles?

[speedracer120]

IN calling is for those "in" the Verizon mobile network.

[Markel]

From the Verizon web site:


Unlimited In Calling On All Lines
Talk with any of our over 43 million customers anytime from within America’s Choice calling coverage area, without using your allowance minutes.
My wife and I have a shared Verizon plan. Any calls to/from other Verizon users are unlimited (no "minutes" used).

[ArkiStan]

So I guess using a popular service can be both good and bad. It can help save calling minutes, but then there's also possibility of greater network capacity loads....

[Burzhui]

Sprint and Verizon, everything else sucks
i personally have been with sprint for the past 6 years

[jstreet]

I have AT&T Wireless (now Cingular but I refuse to acknowlege that development) and I can vouch that it (and Sprint) worked very well in NYC. I don't recall either working in the subway system, though.

[Lolita]

I have AT&T/Cingular and it works pretty well in the city. Whatever you do, stay away from Tmobile - all it does is frustrate your friends when they try to call you.

[LegendKiller]

I have been with Sprint for ~6 years. Service is good depending on the phone. Many Samsun phones suck. Sanyo's are decent.

Overall, Sprint's phone selection *sucks*, they are usually 6-12 months behind every other carrier in most accessories for their "normal" consumer phones and even their high-end phones. Their consumer phones are just now getting Bluetooth, but even then they are capped transfer rate and features. Vision blows, text messaging blows.

Needless to say, I am switching after my contract is up in March.

I am thinking Verizon or Cingular. I am not going to get Nextel, don't like their phones much either and they are now Sprint (more or less).

[Yossarian]

I like verizon's coverage. I was the only person who could get service in some buildings on campus because i have Verizon. And i can decent coverage in the sticks, and i've only had one called dropped. and that was because i drove out of coverage

[tupacboy]

verizon.... when i was in nyc... i had great reception pretty much anywhere i went...

[Butch]

I had AT&T, then switched to Verizon in NYC. My mother had Sprint, then switched to Verizon as well.

In my view, Verizon is the best in NYC.