View Poll Results: Best Cell Phone privider/coverage
Sprint
10 20.83%
At&T
5 10.42%
Verizon
18 37.50%
T-Mobile
8 16.67%
U.S. Cellular
5 10.42%
Other
2 4.17%
07-17-2007, 10:28 AM
Location: Bronzeville, Chicago, IL
137 posts, read
658,061 times
Reputation: 43
Best Cell Phone provider/coverage
We will be moving to Chicago (specifically Bridgeport) in a month. I will be teaching on E. 72nd st. My wife probably we working either downtown or in the suburbs. We will be traveling to West Michigan with some frequency. We currently have Sprint and will be able to switch providers in December.
So City-Data community... WHO is the best Cell Phone provider (plan and coverage) in Chicago (and for our needs)??? (And why??)
THANKS in advance!!!!
-TM
07-17-2007, 11:01 AM
4 posts, read
23,664 times
Reputation: 12
I used to have Verizon, but switched to t-mobile in the spring.
07-17-2007, 11:08 AM
284 posts, read
1,494,023 times
Reputation: 136
its really hard to drop a call in chicago, esp Bridgeport with the myriad of cell towers all up and down the Ryan and the super tower on U.S. Cellular Field. The same will apply to the east side b/c of cell towers on the skyway bridge.
07-17-2007, 11:10 AM
Location: Western Chicagoland
18,531 posts, read
42,158,120 times
Reputation: 6977
Verizon. Works 100% perfectly. Never had a dropped call in the 6 years of service. Bills are always correct, and if for some slight chance its wrong, theyre quick to fix it and even offer apologies and offer discounts! I used to have Sprint, it was a nightmare. I dropped them, switched to Verizon and never looked back.
07-17-2007, 11:55 AM
Location: Chicago
31,940 posts, read
41,763,186 times
Reputation: 18774
Coverage is so saturated in the Chicago area that I don't think it really matters. So it's more a matter of which provider has the best plan for you. I use Virgin Mobile which piggybacks on another provider's network (T-Mobile I believe) and I have no complaints about coverage. Since I rarely use my cell phone, I use their pay-by-the-minute plan. I'm only required to spend $20 every 3 months to keep my service active.
07-17-2007, 12:05 PM
Location: Near West Burbs, IL
624 posts, read
1,634,908 times
Reputation: 162
I've got virgin mobile as well, it uses Sprint. It's just fine.
07-17-2007, 12:11 PM
1,464 posts, read
3,083,790 times
Reputation: 368
I\'ve always had good luck with US Cellular. You know, \"US Cellular we connect with you.\"
I may not be a big fan of Joan Cusack
, but the service is very good from US Cell, and the plans are very cheap.
07-17-2007, 02:29 PM
Location: Bronzeville, Chicago, IL
137 posts, read
658,061 times
Reputation: 43
More opinions?
THANK you so much for the input. Some of you regulars are ALWAYS helpful (Drover, et. al.)!!!! I am hoping to get more opinions and reasons as the work day ends... (just wanted to keep this post near the top..)
07-18-2007, 08:03 AM
Location: Mid Michigan
60 posts, read
122,765 times
Reputation: 15
T-mobile here. When we travel to Chicago from Michigan we never get any roaming and coverage is great. That is what my son will be taking with him on down to Chicago. Had it for 5+ years 3 phones and all of us have had great luck traveling the country or UK.
07-18-2007, 11:35 AM
Location: Hollywood/Brookfield, IL
677 posts, read
2,645,782 times
Reputation: 312
I've had Verizon for six years and I don't have a single complaint. I get a new phone for free every two years, and calls and text messages to other Verizon customers are free. I always order my new phones from their website, and the delivery time is very fast, about 3 days. I've never had a dropped call in Chicagoland, only in the Wisconsin Northwoods, where I was surprised to have service at all.
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Unemployment (%)
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Commute - mean travel time to work (minutes)
Population density (people per square mile)
Household density (households per square mile)
Population - Males (%)
Population - Females (%)
Population in households (%)
Average household size
Family households (%)
Nonfamily households (%)
Family households with own children (%)
Households with people 60 years and over (%)
Households with people 65 years and over (%)
Households with people 75 years and over (%)
Households with one or more nonrelatives (%)
Households with no nonrelatives (%)
Population in families (%)
Average family size
Occupied housing units (%)
Vacant housing units (%)
Owner occupied housing units (%)
Renter occupied housing units (%)
Marital status - Never married (%)
Marital status - Now married (%)
Marital status - Separated (%)
Marital status - Widowed (%)
Marital status - Divorced (%)
Likely homosexual households (%)
Likely homosexual households (% change since 2000)
Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (%)
Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (% change since 2000)
Likely homosexual households - Gay men (%)
Likely homosexual households - Gay men (% change since 2000)
Races - White alone (%)
Races - White alone (% change since 2000)
Races - Black alone (%)
Races - Black alone (% change since 2000)
Races - American Indian alone (%)
Races - American Indian alone (% change since 2000)
Races - Asian alone (%)
Races - Asian alone (% change since 2000)
Races - Hispanic (%)
Races - Hispanic (% change since 2000)
Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (%)
Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (% change since 2000)
Races - Two or more races(%)
Races - Two or more races(% change since 2000)
Races - Other race alone (%)
Races - Other race alone (% change since 2000)
Median house or condo value ($)
Median house or condo value ($ change since 2000)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, detached ($)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, attached ($)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 2 ($)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure by units in structure - 3 or 4 ($)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 5 or more ($)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Boat, RV, van, etc. ($)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Mobile home ($)
Median contract rent ($)
Median gross rent ($)
Median monthly housing costs ($)
Median household income for houses/condos with a mortgage ($)
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage ($)
Houses occupied (%)
Houses owner occupied (%)
Houses renter occupied (%)
Mortgage status - with mortgage (%)
Mortgage status - with second mortgage (%)
Mortgage status - with home equity loan (%)
Mortgage status - with both second mortgage and home equity loan (%)
Mortgage status - without a mortgage (%)
Median year house/condo built
Median year apartment built
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
Median number of rooms in apartments
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
Renter moved in on average (years ago)
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities (%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities (%)
Vacancy status - For rent (%)
Vacancy status - For sale only (%)
Vacancy status - Rented or sold, not occupied (%)
Vacancy status - For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use (%)
Vacancy status - For migrant workers (%)
Vacancy status - Other vacant (%)
Housing units in structures - 1, detached (%)
Housing units in structures - 1, attached (%)
Housing units in structures - 2 (%)
Housing units in structures - 3 or 4 (%)
Housing units in structures - 5 to 9 (%)
Housing units in structures - 10 to 19 (%)
Housing units in structures - 20 to 49 (%)
Housing units in structures - 50 or more (%)
Housing units in structures - Mobile home (%)
Housing units in structures - Boat, RV, van, etc. (%)
Year house built - Built 2005 or later (%)
Year house built - Built 2000 to 2004 (%)
Year house built - Built 1990 to 1999 (%)
Year house built - Built 1980 to 1989 (%)
Year house built - Built 1970 to 1979 (%)
Year house built - Built 1960 to 1969 (%)
Year house built - Built 1950 to 1959 (%)
Year house built - Built 1940 to 1949 (%)
Year house built - Built 1939 or earlier (%)
Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1999 to March 2000 (%)
Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1995 to 1998 (%)
Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1990 to 1994 (%)
Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1980 to 1989 (%)
Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1970 to 1979 (%)
Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1969 or earlier (%)
Residents speaking English at home (%)
Residents speaking English at home - Born in the United States (%)
Residents speaking English at home - Native, born elsewhere (%)
Residents speaking English at home - Foreign born (%)
Residents speaking Spanish at home (%)
Residents speaking Spanish at home - Born in the United States (%)
Residents speaking Spanish at home - Native, born elsewhere (%)
Residents speaking Spanish at home - Foreign born (%)
Residents speaking other language at home (%)
Residents speaking other language at home - Born in the United States (%)
Residents speaking other language at home - Native, born elsewhere (%)
Residents speaking other language at home - Foreign born (%)
Geographical mobility - Same house 1 year ago (%)
Geographical mobility - Moved within same county (%)
Geographical mobility - Moved from different county within same state (%)
Geographical mobility - Moved from different state (%)
Geographical mobility - Moved from abroad (%)
Residents with income below the poverty level (%)
Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level (%)
Children below poverty level (%)
Poor families by family type - Married-couple family (%)
Poor families by family type - Male, no wife present (%)
Poor families by family type - Female, no husband present (%)
Poverty status for native-born residents (%)
Poverty status for foreign-born residents (%)
Poverty among high school graduates not in families (%)
Poverty among people who did not graduate high school not in families (%)
Place of birth - Born in state of residence (%)
Place of birth - Born in other state (%)
Place of birth - Native, outside of US (%)
Place of birth - Foreign born (%)
People in Group quarters - Institutionalized population (%)
People in Group quarters - Correctional institutions (%)
People in Group quarters - Federal prisons and detention centers (%)
People in Group quarters - Halfway houses (%)
People in Group quarters - Local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups) (%)
People in Group quarters - Military disciplinary barracks (%)
People in Group quarters - State prisons (%)
People in Group quarters - Other types of correctional institutions (%)
People in Group quarters - Nursing homes (%)
People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards, hospices, and schools for the handicapped (%)
People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill (%)
People in Group quarters - Hospices or homes for chronically ill (%)
People in Group quarters - Military hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%)
People in Group quarters - Other hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%)
People in Group quarters - Hospitals or wards for drug/alcohol abuse (%)
People in Group quarters - Mental (Psychiatric) hospitals or wards (%)
People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the mentally retarded (%)
People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the physically handicapped (%)
People in Group quarters - Institutions for the deaf (%)
People in Group quarters - Institutions for the blind (%)
People in Group quarters - Orthopedic wards and institutions for the physically handicapped (%)
People in Group quarters - Wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%)
People in Group quarters - Wards in military hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%)
People in Group quarters - Juvenile institutions (%)
People in Group quarters - Long-term care (%)
People in Group quarters - Homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children (%)
People in Group quarters - Residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children (%)
People in Group quarters - Training schools for juvenile delinquents (%)
People in Group quarters - Short-term care, detention or diagnostic centers for delinquent children (%)
People in Group quarters - Type of juvenile institution unknown (%)
People in Group quarters - Noninstitutionalized population (%)
People in Group quarters - College dormitories (includes college quarters off campus) (%)
People in Group quarters - Military quarters (%)
People in Group quarters - On base (%)
People in Group quarters - Barracks, unaccompanied personnel housing (UPH), (Enlisted/Officer) (%)
People in Group quarters - Transient quarters for temporary residents (%)
People in Group quarters - Military ships (%)
People in Group quarters - Group homes (%)
People in Group quarters - Homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse (%)
People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally ill (%)
People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally retarded (%)
People in Group quarters - Homes for the physically handicapped (%)
People in Group quarters - Other group homes (%)
People in Group quarters - Religious group quarters (%)
People in Group quarters - Dormitories (%)
People in Group quarters - Agriculture workers' dormitories on farms (%)
People in Group quarters - Job Corps and vocational training facilities (%)
People in Group quarters - Other workers' dormitories (%)
People in Group quarters - Crews of maritime vessels (%)
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Ancestries Reported - United States (%)
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Common Occupations - Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations (%)
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Common Occupations - Fire fighting and prevention, and other protective service workers(%)
Common Occupations - Law enforcement workers including supervisors (%)
Common Occupations - Food preparation and serving related occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Personal care and service occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Sales and office occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Sales and related occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Office and administrative support occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Construction, extraction, maintenance, and repair occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Construction and extraction occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Production occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Transportation and material moving occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Supervisors, transportation and material moving workers(%)
Common Occupations - Motor vehicle operators (%)
Common Occupations - Material moving workers (%)
Class of Workers - Employee of private company (%)
Class of Workers - Self-employed in own incorporated business (%)
Class of Workers - Private not-for-profit wage and salary workers (%)
Class of Workers - Local government workers (%)
Class of Workers - State government workers (%)
Class of Workers - Federal government workers (%)
Class of Workers - Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business and Unpaid family workers (%)
Means of transportation to work - Drove car alone (%)
Means of transportation to work - Carpooled (%)
Means of transportation to work - Public transportation (%)
Means of transportation to work - Bus or trolley bus (%)
Means of transportation to work - Streetcar or trolley car (%)
Means of transportation to work - Subway or elevated (%)
Means of transportation to work - Railroad (%)
Means of transportation to work - Ferryboat (%)
Means of transportation to work - Taxicab (%)
Means of transportation to work - Motorcycle (%)
Means of transportation to work - Bicycle (%)
Means of transportation to work - Walked (%)
Means of transportation to work - Other means (%)
Working at home (%)
Educational Attainment - No schooling completed (%)
Educational Attainment - Less than high school (%)
Educational Attainment - High school or equivalent (%)
Educational Attainment - Less than 1 year of college (%)
Educational Attainment - 1 or more years of college (%)
Educational Attainment - Associate degree (%)
Educational Attainment - Bachelor's degree (%)
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School Enrollment - Nursery, preschool (%)
School Enrollment - Kindergarten (%)
School Enrollment - Grade 1 to 4 (%)
School Enrollment - Grade 5 to 8 (%)
School Enrollment - Grade 9 to 12 (%)
School Enrollment - College undergrad (%)
School Enrollment - Graduate or professional (%)
School Enrollment - Not enrolled in school (%)
Houses
Urban houses (%)
Rural houses (%)
House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Utility gas (%)
House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%)
House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Electricity (%)
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House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Coal or coke (%)
House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Wood (%)
House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Solar energy (%)
House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Other fuel (%)
House heating fuel used in houses and condos - No fuel used (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Utility gas (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Electricity (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Coal or coke (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Wood (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Solar energy (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Other fuel (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - No fuel used (%)
Armed forces status - In Armed Forces (%)
Armed forces status - Civilian (%)
Armed forces status - Civilian - Veteran (%)
Armed forces status - Civilian - Nonveteran (%)
Median household income ($) - White
Median household income ($) - Black or African American
Median household income ($) - Asian
Median household income ($) - Hispanic or Latino
Median household income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native
Median household income ($) - Multirace
Median household income ($) - Other
Median family income ($) - White
Median family income ($) - Black or African American
Median family income ($) - Asian
Median family income ($) - Hispanic or Latino
Median family income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native
Median family income ($) - Multirace
Median family income ($) - Other
Unemployment (%) - White
Unemployment (%) - Black or African American
Unemployment (%) - Asian
Unemployment (%) - Hispanic or Latino
Unemployment (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native
Unemployment (%) - Multirace
Unemployment (%) - Other
Median house or condo value ($) - White
Median house or condo value ($) - Black or African American
Median house or condo value ($) - Asian
Median house or condo value ($) - Hispanic or Latino
Median house or condo value ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native
Median house or condo value ($) - Multirace
Median house or condo value ($) - Other
Population - Males (%) - White
Population - Males (%) - Black or African American
Population - Males (%) - Asian
Population - Males (%) - Hispanic or Latino
Population - Males (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native
Population - Males (%) - Multirace
Population - Males (%) - Other
Population - Females (%) - White
Population - Females (%) - Black or African American
Population - Females (%) - Asian
Population - Females (%) - Hispanic or Latino
Population - Females (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native
Population - Females (%) - Multirace
Population - Females (%) - Other
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - White
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Black or African American
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Asian
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Hispanic or Latino
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Multirace
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Other
Median resident age - White
Median resident age - Black or African American
Median resident age - Asian
Median resident age - Hispanic or Latino
Median resident age - American Indian and Alaska Native
Median resident age - Multirace
Median resident age - Other
Median resident age - Males - White
Median resident age - Males - Black or African American
Median resident age - Males - Asian
Median resident age - Males - Hispanic or Latino
Median resident age - Males - American Indian and Alaska Native
Median resident age - Males - Multirace
Median resident age - Males - Other
Median resident age - Females - White
Median resident age - Females - Black or African American
Median resident age - Females - Asian
Median resident age - Females - Hispanic or Latino
Median resident age - Females - American Indian and Alaska Native
Median resident age - Females - Multirace
Median resident age - Females - Other
Average household size - White
Average household size - Black or African American
Average household size - Asian
Average household size - Hispanic or Latino
Average household size - American Indian and Alaska Native
Average household size - Multirace
Average household size - Other
Average family size - White
Average family size - Black or African American
Average family size - Asian
Average family size - Hispanic or Latino
Average family size - American Indian and Alaska Native
Average family size - Multirace
Average family size - Other
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I may not be a big fan of Joan Cusack 
, but the service is very good from US Cell, and the plans are very cheap.
More opinions?
