cell phone questions

[Mato Winyan]

I'm looking to get cell phones... I put it off after I found out a couple of years ago there was no service in my area. Now that I am in the market... what do I want to look for?

I need free roaming and as much free long distance as I can get.

[ghostrider]

Disclaimer here real quick- I don't work for any cell phone company so this is just my opinion.


I agree to check Verizon. They always seem to have the best deals, and plans, plus their service seems to be pretty reputable.
From what I been hearing from folks who travel Verizon is about the best for service across the country.

[spottedeagle]

I use to use Verison at my old job, it wasn't too bad, but there were a few areas we went that we lost service or had a poor signal.

I use Sprint. My wife and I got a pretty good package deal. We both got a phone for like $40. Then our deal is 300 anytime minutes each, unlimited nights and weekends 9 pm to 7am. free PCS to PCS (Sprint to Sprint), and nationwide coverage. I think we pay $35 for each phone.

[superndngyrl]

I have Sprint PCS and I travel a lot so its worked almost everywhere I take it.

My plan is 500 anytime and basically free weekends cuz its like 2500 mins and there's no way i'd ever use 2500 mins on a weekend. Its an old plan so i'm sure there's cheaper and better ones.

anyways I love the phones too. I got that lil slim one but i'm a technophile so i'm always down for getting new gadgets and they sure deliver. :)

[Daca_Taino]

We use Cingular and that's been pretty good to us (we've gone out of the country with it and it worked just fine)...Erm...I can't think of the deal we have! Something like 5,000 anytime minutes and of course the whole rollover minutes, free roaming, etc. deal for $40.....And we only paid $40 for the new Sony Ericsson (although I hear they have it for 1 cent now)...

*Taisia*

[Paul G]

I've had Sprint PCS as my personal cell phone for a couple of years. The serivce has been great. I've used it everywhere I travel with very few problems.

I also have a Verizon phone from work. That service seems to be about the same as Sprint's. However, their phones are not as up to date as Sprint's and they don't have all the features on thier service as Sprint.

Also, I recently purchased a new Sprint phone, the Sanyo 8100. Not only do I now get to surf the web in color and play games like Tetris and Ms PacMan, but my phone also now works as a modem. And when I use it as a modem, I connect at about 80kps - 120kps. That's twice as fast as regular dialup and it only costs and extra $5/month for unlimited internet usage!!

[Riverwoman]

Originally posted by Paul G
I've had Sprint PCS as my personal cell phone for a couple of years. The serivce has been great. I've used it everywhere I travel with very few problems.

I also have a Verizon phone from work. That service seems to be about the same as Sprint's. However, their phones are not as up to date as Sprint's and they don't have all the features on thier service as Sprint.

Also, I recently purchased a new Sprint phone, the Sanyo 8100. Not only do I now get to surf the web in color and play games like Tetris and Ms PacMan, but my phone also now works as a modem. And when I use it as a modem, I connect at about 80kps - 120kps. That's twice as fast as regular dialup and it only costs and extra $5/month for unlimited internet usage!!

Why Cant I be an american now? Check out "our" rates for a cell phone etc...

Personal plans

Small Talk 200 $ 25



• 200 anytime local minutes
• 25¢ per additional minute
• Call-forwarding included
• 1- and 2-year terms

Small Talk 400 $ 45



• 400 anytime local minutes
• 25¢ per additional minute
• Call-forwarding included
• 1- and 2-year terms

Big Talk 600 $ 69



• 600 anytime local minutes
• 20¢ per additional minute
• Call-forwarding included
• 1- and 2-year terms

Big Talk 800 $ 89



• 800 anytime local minutes
• 20¢ per additional minute
• Call-forwarding included
• 1- and 2-year terms


Please note: Digital plans are only available in the Fort Nelson, Whitehorse and Yellowknife markets.



Additional options
• Voice mail: $6.95/mo
• Conference calling: $3/mo
• Call waiting: $3/mo
• One call: $5/mo

Additional fees
• Activation (one-time):
$50 for 1-year term
$25 for 2-year term
• System access: $6.50/mo

Notes
• No ROAMing charges apply in Canada within Plan minutes
• Long distance charge is 20¢/min if you sign up for the 20/24 Long Distance Plan ($3/mo to subscribe)

[Riverwoman]

Analog Plan:

Occasional talker

Starter Plan $ 19



• 30 local minutes
• 65¢ per additional minute
• 1-year term

Saver Plus $ 24



• 65¢ per minute
• Add $10/mo for unlimited evenings
• Add $10/mo for unlimited weekends
• 1- and 2-year terms

Starter Plan Plus $ 29



• 30 peak minutes
• 300 weekend minutes
• 65¢ per additional minute (peak & weekday evenings)
• 35¢ per additional minute (weekends)
• 1-year term

Companion Plan $ 9



• Available on Starter Plan, Saver Plus, and Starter Plan Plus
• Additional per-minute rate based on existing plan
• Add $10/mo for unlimited evenings
• Add $10/mo for unlimited weekends
• 1- and 2-year term





Please note: Analog plans are available in all markets.



Additional options
• Voice mail: $6.95/mo
• Call waiting: $3/mo
• One call: $5/mo

Additional fees
• Activation (one-time): $50
• System access: $4/mo

Notes
• Be a business talker and get call waiting for free
• Weekday evenings:
6:00 pm to 7:59 am
• Weekends:
6:00 pm Friday to
7:59 am Monday

[NDNQt]

SPRINT!

I have Sprint now and LOVE it. I'm like Super and Paul and travel alot and have no problems with it. I had Verizon and couldn't use it in certain spots in North Carolina. I have 500 daytime and unlimited nights and weekends for $45 a month, which seems high to some people but I use my phone ALL the time. A friend of mine told me that most cell companies will let you cancel your contract within 30 days of activation if you don't get the coverage you need. But be sure to check before signing.

[eap7]

I have Verizon as well. I got the cheapest plan, and then did the Family Plan thing, so my mom got one for only $20 per month extra. Its the two for one deal, whatever its called. Then I got unlimited weekend minutes and after 9 PM for $5 extra per month. It all comes out to around $55 per month for 2 phones and we haven't run out of minutes yet. The service is good- last year we didn't have much of a signal in my part of town but now its fine. They are building new towers and what not.

When we went to Ontario last summer, my phone wasn't roaming till we were about 1/2 hr from the border (and the home area is in RI) so that was really cool!!

[tradish_wiyan]

Is there any "hidden costs" associated with cell phones? I am a bit skeptical about the costs. Or maybe I am just missing out on a good deal. I have one of those pre-paid cell phones from K-mart, they aren't bad because I don't have a bill every month, but I am thinking of upgrading to a real cell phone...any input?

[Messiah Knight]

I don't do plans myself. It all depends on what your looking for in a phone, and the reason behind it. If you make massive amounts of calls from it, I'd go with maybe Sprint, I have several friends who enjoy the plans they have on sprint. However, I myself, I usually get a call, and call that person back from a regular phone, in that case, get a pre-paid plan, that allows first minute incomming free. I can make 1 minute last for a month, then buy another 10 dollar card.


Hope I could help ya out, if not, I tried

[Jammer]

Come on mato. Go with nextel. Their phones and service rock. Plus they have built in walkie talkies that can reach 25+ miles and its free depending on the plan you choose. And if its ever lost they have built in tracking devices that can be found by using satelite. My dealer up here has been going with verizon plans and the cost is the same the only thing is you pay a little more for the phones.

[TurtleWoman]

I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile-------Big Mistake! My contract is up July 27, and I am getting away from T-Mobile.

Yes, there were hidden charges, like 40 cents to check voice mail from your cell, you have to check it from a regular line to get it free---but then it's not free, it cost you minutes. The price is rediculous if you go over your original agreement of minutes. Plus, it said free roaming, and National calling----well instead I get "No Service." To up grade meant a new contract date.

The key is to look at what is in print, and make sure you get the plan, with number of minutes best for you, and your traveled areas.

My two cents, anyway ;-).

[ghostrider]

talked to some different cell phone companies today to see about what kinda prices I could get. Found out that when you in the lower price plans, regardless they stick it to you. On the packages with bunches of minutes and unlimited weekends the better service, cept you pay for it. If you don't want to pay for voice mail messages/checking get you 1 on prepay without voicemail.