If T-Mobile has service in your area they definitely have the best rate plans

Verizon has been awesome for me...

get's good reception everywhere...

you can always check on www.consumerreports.org (if you're a member online) or their magazine.
I don't happen to have Verizon, however, as I like the one rate and plan (and service) that AT&T offers...

Hope this helps,
Sedona

Verizon and Nextel are the 2 most common by me. Not sure which actually has the best service range. Seems that i have service in some places friends of mine with Verizon don't, and vise-versa with them compared to my Nextel.

  It should be somewhat interesting to see what happens in November when number portability comes into play. Carriers are going to have to increase the standard of their service or decrease the pricing to keep customers i would imagine.

-- Modified on 7/8/2003 10:53:28 PM

I have found that Sprint PCS has been invaluable since I travel a lot.  Their rate plans seem to be a little expensive when compared with other companies, but their coverage area has proved to be extensive.  However, they're a little lacking in the customer service department.  If you're looking for a great company for local Atlanta calls, you may want to try Metro PCS.  They have a flat rate plan for unlimited minutes and if you need to roam or make long distance calls, you can do so with a credit card.  

Jaclyn

I would suggest waiting to change wireless carriers until December.  The FCC has mandated that wireless companies allow you to transfer your telephone number to a new carrier when you change on and after November 24th.  There will probably also be alot of deals to be had as companies scramble to lock up their customers.  The best network actually varies alot by region of the country, but on a national basis, the following is true:


Verizon has the best coverage, best data service, least blocked/dropped calls, and highest customer satisfaction.  Verizon has a bad selection of handsets, does not support international roaming and has the highest prices.

AT&T is second in most performance categories, including customer satisfaction.  Coverage and dropped/blocked calls are improving rapidly with the introduction of a new technology.  Good data service is not available everywhere.  AT&T offers a great array of phones and supports roaming to just about everywhere but Japan and Korea.  AT&T has the second highest prices.

Cingular is hot and cold.  It is good in the south and Texas, but bad in the Northeast and California.  Data service is not available everywhere.  It has good handsets, supports international roaming and has attractive prices.

Sprint PCS has the worst coverage and worst customer satisfaction.  It has good data service.  It has a poor selection of handsets, although better than Verizon.  It has cheap prices.

T-Mobile has poor coverage and customer satisfaction.  It has spotty data service.  It has a good selection of handsets and cheap prices.

Nextel has spotty coverage - good someplaces and non-existent in others.  It is the only carrier with push-to-talk walkie-talkie type service.  Data service is ok.  Handsets are HORRIBLE and prices are not that cheap.

In San Diego, Verizon has the best coverage but I am not sure they have the best rates. Whatever you do, DO NOT get a Nextel. I use a Nextel at work and I want to toss it out the window at least twice a day due to problems. LTT

All cell providers have their share of bad coverage areas and a few other faults or two.  I have to say Nextel is the best I've used. Nextel targets the heavy users and business community rather than the mass market of personal end users.  I mention this only because I've found them to be more dependable and durable for the everyday heavy usage I do.

My biggest pet peave with cell providers was always hidden charges. Nextel has all inclusive rates so you don't pay any roaming or long distance fees. Nextel also has free incoming calls, if someone calls you it doesnt count against your minutes. Big bonus IMHO.  Some people say Nextel is pricey but when you factor these things in it is not pricey at all.

They have a plan now for $175 per month or so which gives you everthing they offer head to toe, including umlimited phone usage peak and off peak, wireless web, wireless email, data, Voice Mail, etc.. No hidden charges what so ever.

On average each month I could probably get away with a lesser plan but it only takes one month where you go wayy over your minutes and rack up a humungous bill to see the benefit of this plan.  

The only negative thing I can say about Nextel is that the Motorola phones have been no to feedback when used very close to a PC.

Great thread. It's interesting to see everyone's different experiences.

I think Sprint PCS has very good coverage and I like the Samsung handsets. I have the A460 which I got for free with Amazon and Sprint rebates. And I have a great service plan with unlimited evening and weekends and unlimited free long distance for only $30 per month.

I am thinking about getting the Sanyo 8100 with digital camera. Does anyone have any comments on this new phone??