Cell Phone Service Providers? (Greenville, Spartanburg: coupon, apartment, credit)

[MaggieDog]

I'm in the process of getting a new service plan for my cell phone needs as my current phone is past my two year contract and is a bit beat up now. The three companies I am considering are Verizon, Alltel, and Sprint.

I currently have Sprint. I love the free 7pm nights and weekends minutes and my fiance is on Sprint as well so it's free to call him anytime. I like that I can add 50 mins/month for $5 if I want, especially since I'm looking at the 450 min plan. I'm currently having a little issue with service at my apartment, but I am told that the newer model of my phone gets better reception. New phone costs $100. I can have a 30 day trial period as well.

Alltel seems good, I like that I can start nights at 7pm if I'd like, though it does cost extra. It looks like coverage is good everywhere. If I paid more for the 900 min plan I could get AllCircle so I can call my fiance for free anytime as well as my parents, which could be handy. They have phones for about $60 with mail in rebate and a 14 day trial period. I'm a bit hesitant to go with a company that is relatively new though.

Verizon is the provider all my coworkers use as it get fabulous reception everywhere in this area. Unfortunately their plans cost the same as the other two but I cannot get nights that start at 7pm (they start at 9pm period) and I can't call people out of network for free - regardless of whether I pay or not (though all my coworkers are in network). Phone is $50.

So any personal experiences with any of these companies? Any perspectives on which company I should go with, especially given that I live in Spartanburg?

I'm leaning toward Sprint since I have a coupon for a $100 credit with a new 2 yr agreement and just checking its reception out over my 30 day trial to be sure what they say is true. if Sprint doesn't work, I'm leaning toward Alltel, but I'd really like to hear from people who have that service before I sign on the dotted line.

[myrc60]

I have Alltel. In the Carolinas I wouldn't choose anyone else. Everyone I know around here has Verizon or Sprint and they have a lot of trouble with reception. I cannot honestly remember a time I've had trouble with reception with Alltel. The coverage area is huge, both Carolinas and Virginia Beach I believe. Not many give that big a service area before you get to roaming. If you get MyCircle you add the numbers you call the most and that helps keep your bill from jumping when you go over.

I've been with Alltel for 3 years; I'm not sure I would call that new.

I hope this isn't too late!

[BLM_1410]

I have Verizon and never have any reception problems. On the family plan, you can call all your phones and home phone for free. Plus, all Verizon Wireless customers for free. I don't think I've ever used all my minutes and I have the smallest plan.

Everyone I've talked to with Alltel tells me they have major reception problems. Alltel's coverage area is actually the smallest. They should be OK in the Carolinas, but they are not nationwide like Verizon or Cingular (the new AT&T)

[Nashcash23]

I have Cingular (AT&t) as a servive provider and the service is pretty good. I live in Nashville. When I am talking on the phone I notice that sometimes it I get bad reception and other times good reception. I could be on the phone with someone and one minute I hear them very nice and clear, then I go to another room and the phone starts to break up very badly. This gets very annoying sometimes because I could be having a very important conversation and next thing I know the phone is breaking up and I have trouble understanding what the person is saying, which means I have to ask them to repeat themselves over and over, which gets very annoying to the other person. Cingular(AT&T) is an overall reliable service however. You should consider it.

[BillRadio]

Of your 3 choices, I like Alltel the best. They are not new. They have better priced plans, excellent coverage and great roaming. Be sure to use that 14 day trial period to use the phone in all the places you need it.

Look here for South Carolina Cellular Carrier Reviews, and a guide on How to Switch Carriers.

[RestedTraveler]

I get a lot of dropped calls with Verizon, so "the network" isn't as great as they advertise it to be. I had other problems with Sprint's billing practices. I can't speak to Cingular/at&t, Altell, or SunCom, though as I've never used any of them.

[Carolina_1690]

Verizon works everywhere in Spartanburg. So does Alltel. I have Allet, but used to have Verizon. I switched because I wanted a certain phone, not because service issues. Stick with those and you'll be fine.

Cingular is decent, but can be spotty at times. SunCom is good if you can actually see the tower you are using, otherwise I wouldn't use them.

The terrain in Spartanburg is very hilly (it is the piedmont after all), so you'll always hit that spot from time to time where there is no service. But I find that the most consistant are Verizon and Alltel. I hope that helps!

[charlie swords]

I have Verizon and dont have any problems however when i used to have Sprint i could be standing in my front yard, staring at a cell tower and i would be roaming...

[NoodlesKnowles]

I have Verizon, and I have to say I'VE never had a dropped call. My fiance' on the other hand has dropped calls just about every day(and has verizon as well), I own a Nokia phone, while she has an LG. I think the brand of the phone has a lot to do with how well you get a signal, Motorola and Nokia being the best in the signal department, anyway just wanted to point that out.

[RestedTraveler]

One other thing about Sprint (not sure if it applies to your needs or not)...their broadband coverage area doesn't include Greenville. This was a big one for me because I sometimes need to use my phone as a tethered wireless broadband modem.