VisorCentral.com - Question about cell phone coverage?

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Posted by Doggy on 10-11-2002 03:03 PM:

Question about cell phone coverage?

OK, so let's assume my wife wants to consider a Treo, my choice of providers according to the Handspring website are T-Mobile or Cingular on a GSM network or Sprint on their PCS network. Keep in mind I do not currently have any cell phone and am unknowledgeable on this topic.

As far as I know, GSM really misses a lot of coverage spots. For example I just checked the T-Mobile coverage map and they have almost no coverage in NH, VT, or ME, areas I like to travel to. They also have little coverage across I-80 in the western half of PA which I travel a lot to get to New England from Cleveland.

I have been to the Cingular website where I cannot even find a coverage map.

Then of course there is Sprint and to be honest, I have heard nothing but the worst about Sprint. From friends, consumer websites, and magazine/newspaper articles, all I hear are complaints about lack of coverage, constant dropped calls, and poor customer service. Not the kind of reviews that make you want to jump in and sign up.

These are the same reasons I never bought a VisorPhone for my Visor years ago, I did not like the providers. Any suggestions?

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Posted by Doggy on 10-11-2002 07:45 PM:

Update : I went to a Cingular store and found out they do not even offer GSM in Cleveland. I guess my only option on a Treo is Sprint, this sux!!!

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Posted by BudPritchard on 10-11-2002 09:24 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by maddog
Update : I went to a Cingular store and found out they do not even offer GSM in Cleveland. I guess my only option on a Treo is Sprint, this sux!!!

I feel quite fortunate that T-Mobile GSM is available in my area.

I have the family plan with 800 minutes anytime, unlimited weekends, and free phone to phone minutes. I use the phone for all long distance calls. My son uses his in place of a residential line in his apartment. Costs him $10 a month as part of our plan.

I previously had Sprint. Reception was dismal at my house. I think I was in "hole" between the cell towers. Not a problem with T-Mobile.

By Christmas I will have the T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition to eliminate separate phone and PDA.

Posted by KRamsauer on 10-11-2002 09:26 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by BudPritchard

By Christmas I will have the T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition to eliminate separate phone and PDA.

Ahem. Why don't you have a Treo? Heretic!

Posted by BudPritchard on 10-11-2002 09:45 PM:

Yes, I'm a known prostitute!

quote:
Originally posted by KRamsauer
Ahem. Why don't you have a Treo? Heretic!

The screen is too small; even my Visor.

My idea of the best PDA color screen would be one the size of a paperback book. Size doesn't matter to me, screen size does.

Even the Pocket PC screens are too small for my likes. But, have to get what is available.

Posted by Doggy on 10-11-2002 09:52 PM:

Bud, sounds like you could use a laptop!

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Posted by ToolkiT on 10-13-2002 06:51 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by maddog
Bud, sounds like you could use a laptop!

I agree, the biggest advantage of a PDA IMHO is its size..

If you want something big you migth as well go with something with more power...

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Posted by cml on 10-13-2002 02:30 PM:

Sprint in New England

Forget GSM in VT, ME and NH. No coverage period.

Sprint in VT & ME is a joke! In VT, they only have coverage along major highways (4, 7, I-89 & I-91). New Hampshire is a little more Sprint-friendly, but only down towards Nashua and Manchester (Boston commuters).

Your best choice for digital coverage up here in the middle of nowhere is Verizon. They have a decent digital network.

Make sure whatever you get can still make calls on analog networks. That is your only guaranteed type of network up here. I still use my good old analog Nokia 252.

- cml

Posted by KRamsauer on 10-13-2002 02:52 PM:

Aren't there local carriers you can use? A family member of mine was using her phone in the middle of nowhere Mass while my Treo was hopeless lost. She was using one of the regional carriers.

Posted by cml on 10-13-2002 08:48 PM:

Her phone was probably one of those Tri-mode (CDMA, TDMA, Analog) ones. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Treo will only work on one network.

-cml

Posted by Doggy on 10-14-2002 02:31 AM:

As far a I know, the Treo can either be GSM only or Sprint only. Nothing in between which is too bad, my wife has been very happy with Verizon Wireless.

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