Cell Phone advice

[Bassy]

With my new job I will be on the road alot(Teaching Independent Study). I'm looking at cell phones but am overwhelmed with all of them and their features. What do I need and who can provide it is what I need to know.<br />Here is what I need:<br />A phone that will have good reception due to the fact I will be spending alot of the time in the mountains.<br />A plan that allows me to call anytime. <br />Price really isn't an issue, but reasonable.<br />It will be used mostly as an emergency phone.<br />Any advice would be appreciated.<br />Bassy

 

[muskyone]

Re: Cell Phone advice

i just switched to verizon nation plan and i really like it works great were my nextel and att had nothing i pay 150 for 1500 min

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Cell Phone advice

Bassy, Verizon seems to get the best reception in the most number of places. If you just want it for emergencies, get a plain jane phone. No flip phones, no color screens, no video phones. These features drain battery power and they get worse reception. Also get a phone with Digital and Analog. Often times Analog is all that is available in remote areas.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Cell Phone advice

When you narrow it down, go to local retailer and ask for a loaner, to check the connectability in the areas you will be traveling. <br /><br />If they won't loan or rent you one for a couple days, move on.

 

[JB]

Re: Cell Phone advice

Hi, Bassy.<br /><br />I think this is a non-Boating Tech question.<br /><br />I will move it there for ya.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Cell Phone advice

Cells phone (like digital cameras) are a little complicated and as you said, initially overwhelming in their feature’s complexity. I have found that if I start with the basic functions and only use those until I am familiar with them I do well. I then implementing one advanced feature and become familiar with it, then another, then another… by the time I’ve learned how to use all the functions on my piece of advanced electronics, it’s obsolete and available on Ebay, auction starting at $1. <br /><br />ATT and Verizon have large and robust networks. It’s a toss up between the two. Nextel was rated very good but not as extensive. T-Mobil (European) and SBC (American) use the same network, it’s not as extensive or developed. Sprint is their own competition. Their network is extensive but flaky, overall quality is rated poor like SBC/T-Mobil. In major metropolitan areas, everything works well.<br /><br />Fwiw, for the last couple of months ATT has been battling hostile takeover attempts by the parent company of Verizon. Either ATT or Verizon is a good bet.<br /><br />My next cell will have Bluetooth built in. Right now I use an adapter on the phone. BT is behind-the-ear, wireless technology. You can use a little headset that loops over the ear for cordless, hands-free use of the cell. At .8 oz you can’t really feel it when wearing it and the quality is exceptional. ATT has been doing a deal for a free Sony/Ericsson T616 phone (pix and Bluetooth). Note Drowned Rat and Roscoe’s advice.<br /><br />

<br /><br />EDIT: the FCC requires all phones, including cells, must be able to dial 911 at all times, activated or not. Some people carry a ‘dead’ or inactivated cell phone in their car. If ever needed, they can call 911 for help. No cell phone plan is required. No fees.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Cell Phone advice

If you mainly are using it for emergeny use and dont plan on using a lot of minutes check out virgin wireless. No monthly fees and no contracts. You dont even have to let them know who you are. You can get them at best buy. The catch is that calls are 25 cents a minute for the first 10 minutes each day and then 10 cents a minute after. I dont use a phone much so it is costing me about 15 bucks a month and I use it all I need to. It runs piggy back to sprint so anywhere sprint works this does to.

 

[wajajaja]

Re: Cell Phone advice

i'm biased to verizon, got the national share plan, for 1200 mins, college girl, and a high school girl, free 2100 to 0600 mon to thu, and free fri 2100 to 0600 monday, 1st phone is free to any other verizon wireless at all times, and the 3 slaves are free to each other at all times. text messages are 2cents each incoming. <br />go to verizonwireless.com and check the map.<br /><br />verizon pays my mortgage

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Cell Phone advice

Another thing…I think all the companies will let you upgrade your plan with a new contract at anytime. They will not allow you to downgrade. Select the plan you think will provide the minutes you need. You have no way of knowing until you start using the phone. If you need more, upgrade.<br /><br />Also, consider the provider your friends/family are on. Most have free mobile-to-mobile minutes so you can select a lower cost plan (fewer paid minutes) if you have compatible phone plans. Recently, off-peak airtime has changed for some companies. Used to be 6pm, then 7p, then 8pm, then 9pm, now back to 7pm, etc so you have to consider that as well.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Cell Phone advice

SBC and Southwest just bought AT&T wireless.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Cell Phone advice

There goes the neighborhood...

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Cell Phone advice

Bassy,<br /><br /> I would look at getting a flip phone as they are somewhat smaller and you won't get the occasional accidental call that can occur when the phone get bumped. I don't have a purse.. <br /><br />Get ready to be invaded. My customers have no problem calling me on my cell at 4.30am when for some reason they don't call the office phone at this time. Advise, be careful with handing out the number. You are going to pay for the privledge of having an electronic leash.... I would have to say it is one of my least favorite conveniences I am afforded. You are now instantly available to not only those you want to communicate with but the "others" as well.<br /><br />Good luck with the new job...

 

[BiXLL]

Re: Cell Phone advice

Verizon, Hands Down! I drive truck, and have had Verizon, ATT, Sprint, and a couple I can't think of at the moment. Verizon has best coverage, least drop calls, and best plans.<br /><br />In your phone selection, remember the more it does,(color screen, game playing, web searching)the less battery time you are going to have. Myself, I have gone with the Motorola V60, and have been more then happy with it.

 

[muskyone]

Re: Cell Phone advice

what i'll tell you about att is i used to have signal just about everwere i went then one day i had none so i droped them i just found out that thay weren't makeing any money off my calls so thay told all my roaming towers not to let me use them i got the samsung flip phone for 49 bucks and ya the batter life sucks on it but thats what car chargers are for

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Cell Phone advice

i've had sprint from the beginning of free nationwide coverage. i think they all stink.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Cell Phone advice

You have all been so helpful. I'm alot better prepared to go shopping now. Thanks!<br />Bassy

 

[Jwill]

Re: Cell Phone advice

This topic has come up on a fishing forum I frequent which is located in Northern California. According to most of the posters AT&T is the best service in this area. Verizon is JUNK.<br />AT&T has more cell towers in our area than Verizon.<br />A friend of mine had Verizon and I know his reception wasn't good. He has AT&T now and likes it better.<br />I think T-mobil is another good one.<br />Talk to the locals and see whats best in your area.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Cell Phone advice

O K here is my two cents worth.<br />Regardless of the cell phones that all have location disfunction at one time or another the best way to go would probably be with a satellite phone. I'm pretty sure that you can rent these on a monthly basis. Check out if cheaper to buy or rent<br />Also remember that the cell phone is not considered a safety device when boating, even tho it is nice to have with ya.<br />Good luck

 

[Bassy]

Re: Cell Phone advice

Question-<br />What is a roaming charge?<br />Bassy

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Cell Phone advice

Bassy, roaming charges occur when you make or receive calls from outside your specified plan area. They can be kinda hefty.