sprint coming up to end... where to go next?

[Astral]

My 2-years Sprint contract runs out in a few months.

I have decided that I'm a simple wireless user. I want voice and text, alongside occasional web (like once a month) for yellow pages. I don't care for the camera. I also want good coverage.

(I was originally given a VGA1000 as a present, and was all sorts of giddy about the camera... since then, it has kinda wore off, as the camera shots tend to be mostly poor, and okay at best)

I want SMS bad. VGA1000 has no SMS and receiving SMS's via that phone is an ordeal: get a text notification saying that I have a new SMS, then have to open a web browser that takes 15-45 seconds to connect, then I get to see the SMS scroll slowly and painfully in one line (that's not even the full width of the screen).

I alsor realized that my usage is low. Last month I used 130 anytime, and 230 night/weekends (although I have 7pm nights/weekends). My current plan is 500, but I think that is too much now.

So I am not sure whether to stay with Sprint and try to get a new or used phone with SMS, or switch to a different provider.

My experience with Sprint has been okay. The coverage has been good out in the boonies, primarily because I have the F&C America (roam half the minutes for free) plan (no fear of roaming).

I primarily talk around the greater Boston metro area, but I also visit White Mountains in NH (Kangamangus Hwy) and Mallet's Bay (Colchester, VT). I tend to have okay reception in both those places, whereas my friend with T-Mobile has no coverage up in Mallet's Bay.

Lack of SMS is my biggest upset. Plus, I'd like to get a new phone that perhaps is more compact.

I considered going to T-Mobile, and I love the 1-year contract, but the coverage is poor in the boonies.

I looked into Cingular, but I am confused about the blue network, orange network. It seems like GAIT is cool (GSM & roam on TDMA/Analog), but it's a "hard to get" (?) option and not available on all phones and is being phased out? Otherwise, it *seems* like Cingular has good phones and okay coverage.

Nextel is out of question.

Verizon Wireless... seems like the safe "best coverage" fallback, but I am morally opposed to giving Verizon more money (although I'll do it if there's no other choice).



So basically, I just want to talk and text (less than 75 messages a month). I want to have good coverage in Eastern and Central MA, and most (except for T-Mobile) provide similarly good coverage. However, who has the best NH/VT/ME coverage? (possibly via roaming... only looking at 25-50 mins a month)

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

[Dale]

Hi and welcome. Remember, Verizon Wireless has good coverage, but guess what? They charge for everything!!!

[Astral]

Oh, wanted to mention that I am not writing off Sprint... if there's a way that I could get a quality phone w/ SMS that has tri-band for cheap, and maybe sign only a 1-year contract, then I would consider that.

An attraction of switching the providers is that they may give me a better deal as a new customer than an upgrade as an existing Sprint customer.

[Dale]

Don't know how much you can do with a 1-year contract. Sprint likes 2-years at the minimum for any sort of good deals. I know what you mean tho, but keep in mind that other carriers will charge more on the monthly plan to make up for the 1-year contract. I know, I have Verizon and if I wasn't free, I wouldn't be paying for it myself!!!

[Astral]

I understand. I will consider 2-year from Sprint as well.

[FloorMatt]

Basically, you're already getting the right coverage you need, but you just want full SMS capability.

Look at the other carriers (that you'd be interested in), and figure the costs. (phone and plan....with all of the things you want.) If something is cheaper, but doesn't work the way you need it to, it's not worth it; be sure to try a phone from another carrier that you may decide on......and see if it works in the areas you want.

There are many regular SMS phones available......and ones that are compact. Are you under contract with Sprint? Would you have to pay a deposit to join another carrier (and the deposit's cost could get you a good, compact SMS phone.)

[Astral]

Basically, you're already getting the right coverage you need, but you just want full SMS capability.

Essentially, yes.

Look at the other carriers (that you'd be interested in), and figure the costs. (phone and plan....with all of the things you want.) If something is cheaper, but doesn't work the way you need it to, it's not worth it; be sure to try a phone from another carrier that you may decide on......and see if it works in the areas you want.

There are many regular SMS phones available......and ones that are compact. Are you under contract with Sprint? Would you have to pay a deposit to join another carrier (and the deposit's cost could get you a good, compact SMS phone.)

I am under contract with Sprint until October (2 years run out there). I don't have to pay a deposit, as I have decent credit (FICO Equifax 650, TU 690).

What's a good, compact SMS phone? I guess it could be worth paying for a phone, but staying contract-free under Sprint.

[FloorMatt]

If you care about a camera: LG PM-225

If you don't care about a camera: LG VI-125

Honorable mention: Sanyo VI-2300 (I don't think it's as compact in size)

[New91]

Dont you have the rebate thing?

[mcurtiss1970]

cingular in Mass (especially along the pike) is pretty good. no complaints from me when i lived there

[Astral]

If you care about a camera: LG PM-225

If you don't care about a camera: LG VI-125

Honorable mention: Sanyo VI-2300 (I don't think it's as compact in size)

Ok, I'll come by and take a look at those phones in the Sprint store. Then again, I have to wait until Oct, so they may have something new out by then.

I wonder if there's a good used phone that I should look for? Something that does SMS and has good voice? (Perhaps even not a flip?)

[the2ndflood]

My 2-years Sprint contract runs out in a few months.

I have decided that I'm a simple wireless user. I want voice and text, alongside occasional web (like once a month) for yellow pages. I don't care for the camera. I also want good coverage.

(I was originally given a VGA1000 as a present, and was all sorts of giddy about the camera... since then, it has kinda wore off, as the camera shots tend to be mostly poor, and okay at best)

I want SMS bad. VGA1000 has no SMS and receiving SMS's via that phone is an ordeal: get a text notification saying that I have a new SMS, then have to open a web browser that takes 15-45 seconds to connect, then I get to see the SMS scroll slowly and painfully in one line (that's not even the full width of the screen).

I alsor realized that my usage is low. Last month I used 130 anytime, and 230 night/weekends (although I have 7pm nights/weekends). My current plan is 500, but I think that is too much now.

So I am not sure whether to stay with Sprint and try to get a new or used phone with SMS, or switch to a different provider.

My experience with Sprint has been okay. The coverage has been good out in the boonies, primarily because I have the F&C America (roam half the minutes for free) plan (no fear of roaming).

I primarily talk around the greater Boston metro area, but I also visit White Mountains in NH (Kangamangus Hwy) and Mallet's Bay (Colchester, VT). I tend to have okay reception in both those places, whereas my friend with T-Mobile has no coverage up in Mallet's Bay.

Lack of SMS is my biggest upset. Plus, I'd like to get a new phone that perhaps is more compact.

I considered going to T-Mobile, and I love the 1-year contract, but the coverage is poor in the boonies.

I looked into Cingular, but I am confused about the blue network, orange network. It seems like GAIT is cool (GSM & roam on TDMA/Analog), but it's a "hard to get" (?) option and not available on all phones and is being phased out? Otherwise, it *seems* like Cingular has good phones and okay coverage.

Nextel is out of question.

Verizon Wireless... seems like the safe "best coverage" fallback, but I am morally opposed to giving Verizon more money (although I'll do it if there's no other choice).



So basically, I just want to talk and text (less than 75 messages a month). I want to have good coverage in Eastern and Central MA, and most (except for T-Mobile) provide similarly good coverage. However, who has the best NH/VT/ME coverage? (possibly via roaming... only looking at 25-50 mins a month)

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

T-Mobile charges for roaming. Don't let their commercials fool you. Their service sucks, their plans are cheap for a reason. And when I had T-Mobile, they would charge me for all kinds of crap and would flat out refuse to remove them! So you should not even think about going with them.

Most analysts have said it is going to take "Years" to fully get Cingular and AT&T wireless's networks working together. AT&T alone let their network fall way behind when it came to upgrades. Cingular just purchased crap from other wireless carriers. So their network has never fully worked correctly. So their coverage "map", does not mean anything. notice how they don't ever show any real-deal maps of their network? Just a full america view.

I would stay with Sprint. Call them up, negotiate a better plan/options/discounts/ect.

Trust me, I read everything that comes out on the different carriers. Plus I have used Verizon Wireless, Cingular, Nextel, T-Mobile, PrimeCo, Metro PCS, and now Sprint. Not to mention Pre-Paid carriers going back years and years.

So just going on what I know now, I would stay with Sprint.


Russell

[NaughtyPine]

T-Mobile charges for roaming. Don't let their commercials fool you. Their service sucks, their plans are cheap for a reason. And when I had T-Mobile, they would charge me for all kinds of crap and would flat out refuse to remove them! So you should not even think about going with them.

Most analysts have said it is going to take "Years" to fully get Cingular and AT&T wireless's networks working together. AT&T alone let their network fall way behind when it came to upgrades. Cingular just purchased crap from other wireless carriers. So their network has never fully worked correctly. So their coverage "map", does not mean anything. notice how they don't ever show any real-deal maps of their network? Just a full america view.

I would stay with Sprint. Call them up, negotiate a better plan/options/discounts/ect.

Trust me, I read everything that comes out on the different carriers. Plus I have used Verizon Wireless, Cingular, Nextel, T-Mobile, PrimeCo, Metro PCS, and now Sprint. Not to mention Pre-Paid carriers going back years and years.

So just going on what I know now, I would stay with Sprint.


Russell


I agree with the2ndflood. Stick with Sprint. Other providers have no clue as to how or even if the Network works that why they do shotty advertising and have "cheaper" plans. Cause they need them. Sprint is the way to be. :music:

[New91]

I remeber when I had t-mobile and went to the Dominican Republice, t-mobile sent me a little present of $400.28 of reaoming charges! I even called them before I left but they did not explain a thing correctly. I hate them!

[Freak4Dell]

Just stick with Sprint. It will probably end up being the cheapest. Check out the Samsung A740. I have one and I love it. Well, I didn't love the first one, but after I got it replaced, it's a pretty decent phone, considering I got 2 of them for $50. By October, they will be free with a 2-year contract, I'm guessing.

[the2ndflood]

I remeber when I had t-mobile and went to the Dominican Republice, t-mobile sent me a little present of $400.28 of reaoming charges! I even called them before I left but they did not explain a thing correctly. I hate them!



Yep!!! Oh boy T-Mobile! They say there is no roaming charges, but they always seemed to show up on my account, and Customer support could never seemed to find a way to take them off of my bill. :mad: :furious:

[Rei Li]

I would suggest you check your rebate eligibility status, see if you can get a rebate towards a phone that has what you need/want. Also, I'd suggest you talk with a rep and see what plan would work for you (sounds like the 300 min fair and flex would work nicely) and you might qualify for a contract renewal bonus.

Review your options with Sprint THEN look at other carriers.

[CDMAisGOD]

My 2-years Sprint contract runs out in a few months.

I have decided that I'm a simple wireless user. I want voice and text, alongside occasional web (like once a month) for yellow pages. I don't care for the camera. I also want good coverage.

(I was originally given a VGA1000 as a present, and was all sorts of giddy about the camera... since then, it has kinda wore off, as the camera shots tend to be mostly poor, and okay at best)

I want SMS bad. VGA1000 has no SMS and receiving SMS's via that phone is an ordeal: get a text notification saying that I have a new SMS, then have to open a web browser that takes 15-45 seconds to connect, then I get to see the SMS scroll slowly and painfully in one line (that's not even the full width of the screen).

I alsor realized that my usage is low. Last month I used 130 anytime, and 230 night/weekends (although I have 7pm nights/weekends). My current plan is 500, but I think that is too much now.

So I am not sure whether to stay with Sprint and try to get a new or used phone with SMS, or switch to a different provider.

My experience with Sprint has been okay. The coverage has been good out in the boonies, primarily because I have the F&C America (roam half the minutes for free) plan (no fear of roaming).

I primarily talk around the greater Boston metro area, but I also visit White Mountains in NH (Kangamangus Hwy) and Mallet's Bay (Colchester, VT). I tend to have okay reception in both those places, whereas my friend with T-Mobile has no coverage up in Mallet's Bay.

Lack of SMS is my biggest upset. Plus, I'd like to get a new phone that perhaps is more compact.

I considered going to T-Mobile, and I love the 1-year contract, but the coverage is poor in the boonies.

I looked into Cingular, but I am confused about the blue network, orange network. It seems like GAIT is cool (GSM & roam on TDMA/Analog), but it's a "hard to get" (?) option and not available on all phones and is being phased out? Otherwise, it *seems* like Cingular has good phones and okay coverage.

Nextel is out of question.

Verizon Wireless... seems like the safe "best coverage" fallback, but I am morally opposed to giving Verizon more money (although I'll do it if there's no other choice).



So basically, I just want to talk and text (less than 75 messages a month). I want to have good coverage in Eastern and Central MA, and most (except for T-Mobile) provide similarly good coverage. However, who has the best NH/VT/ME coverage? (possibly via roaming... only looking at 25-50 mins a month)

Thanks in advance for your opinions!


Stay with Sprint PCS. Trust me, they are the best!

And why don't you change the name of this tread. Sprint PCS is not coming to an end.
Change the name to reflect the question.

[Matt]

heh heh I have never been charged for roaming on T-Mobile. :)

[pdx77]

heh heh I have never been charged for roaming on T-Mobile. :)

same here.

[the2ndflood]

heh heh I have never been charged for roaming on T-Mobile. :)

You are lucky then. T-Mobile charging for roaming is one of the most common complaints against them on file with the FCC and BBB. T-Mobile last year had the most complaints with the FCC then any other carrier. Cingular/AT&T was pretty bad as well. They might have been the worst with the BBB.

Russell

[mcurtiss1970]

why would someone not think they would be roaming in a different country? shame on them as much as shame on any rep that told them otherwise

[the2ndflood]

why would someone not think they would be roaming in a different country? shame on them as much as shame on any rep that told them otherwise



When I had T-Mobile, one of their selling points was out of country roaming. new4fun was just saying that T-Mobile did not inform him correctly. I was charged for roaming many times. T-Mobile said it was okay if my phone said roaming on it, that I was just using a part of Cingular's And/Or AT&T's network that allowed for roaming. Even when my phone did not mention anything about roaming, I was charged. New T-Mobile customers might not be charged as often for roaming, because those roaming contracts with Cingular and AT&T are now canceled.

Russell

[danny.boi]

heh heh I have never been charged for roaming on T-Mobile. :)


You always have those customers who subscribe to "regional plans" who think regional means national or international because they misunderstood the sales representative.

Occassionally, you might have a representative who accidentally puts a customer under the wrong plan but I think it's usually the other way around.

I used to be in wireless sales. I've heard and seen it all.

[danny.boi]

. Sprint PCS is not coming to an end.
Change the name to reflect the question.


Relax. The OP is speaking about their Sprint contract. :rolleyes: