Mobile Phone Companies (Sarasota, Bradenton, Siesta Key: insurance, how much, home)

[AnotherDayInParadise]

My contract with ATT (originally Cingular) is up in October and I had been planning to switch to Alltel... until the recent buyout by Verizon. Now I'm not sure what to do... I've been researching ATT, Verizon, TMobile, and Sprint; and quite frankly, it all seems to be the same to me. I'd like to hear thoughts from those of you that live in the area on who you're with, how the coverage is (dropped calls, dead spaces) and whether you think you get value from you provider.

Thanks!

[Suncoast Guy]

Originally Posted by AnotherDayInParadise

My contract with ATT (originally Cingular) is up in October and I had been planning to switch to Alltel... until the recent buyout by Verizon. Now I'm not sure what to do... I've been researching ATT, Verizon, TMobile, and Sprint; and quite frankly, it all seems to be the same to me. I'd like to hear thoughts from those of you that live in the area on who you're with, how the coverage is (dropped calls, dead spaces) and whether you think you get value from you provider.

Thanks!

I've been with Alltel, AT&T and Verizon. Hated Alltel, then again that was back in 2001. I'm with Verizon now and haven't had much problems with them. AT&T always was so/so with me, and I never tried TMobile or Sprint/Embarq. I would say go with Verizon Wireless. Good Luck with your search!

[NJDevil]

I had AT&T down there, then we switched to TMobile for 2 years because it was cheaper. Did not have any problems with TM and I was all over the counties (Manatee/SRQ) for various things. No dropped calls, but there is one very small section of I-75 between Bradenton & Sarasota where you sometimes lose reception.

As a side note I know how popular Verizon is but they along with AT&T were the ones who did the wire-tapping so ya'll may want to keep that in mind. Decide what kind of companies you want to give your money to.

[SoFLGal]

I was with Cingular for about three years then switched to AllTel and have been with them for about three years. Everyone I know has AllTel so we can talk for free between each other and then they have the My Circle so you can have ten friends that don't have AllTel and talk to them for free. Often times if I know I have a customer that I'll be talking with a lot during the month I'll put them on and take them off when the contract closes and I won't be talking to them as much.

I haven't had any problems with AllTel though.

[Ladywithafan]

I've had Alltel since 2003 and just renewed. Prior to that I had Verizon wireless. Even though I'm pretty newsworthy, I just came across the Alltel buyout by Verizon....can't change that now, can we?

When I did have Verizon, they were fine. I've barely had any dropped calls in my five years with Alltel. I have no idea how the Alltel contracts are going to be honored with Verizon. I do know that V is more expensive than A. I have 900 minutes, free nights & weekends (also went with the 7 p.m. start time), and I pay around $65/month. One of my co-workers has 450 minutes with V and pays $61. My base plan is $39, plus $7/insurance, $5/nights/weekend start at 7 p.m. and I think $5/300 texts....along with taxes my bill's usually around $65....I do not go over my minutes as I REALLY make use of the nights/weekend calling...

I have the Razor V9. I have found with the cheaper phones, you get more dropped calls no matter who your carrier is.

Meto PCS is also another option...

[AnotherDayInParadise]

Originally Posted by Ladywithafan

Meto PCS is also another option...

I haven't heard much about them... have you?

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by AnotherDayInParadise

I haven't heard much about them... have you?

With Metro PC, you have to buy the phone from them, you pay one price for everything....somewhere in the $65-75 range with taxes/insurance...but that's it...however, from my friends who use that service, lots of dropped calls as they haven't worked out all the bugs with their towers...also, lousy out on the islands....

It's such a pain in the ass trying to figure out the best service these days, best is to ask around to people who use their cell service similar to the way you use yours....

Like I said, I make great use of my free nights/wkends at 7p.m. feature...I think last month I had 2,300 minutes of air use on that....I don't have a land line at home. Haven't had one since 2004.

[iuki001]

Originally Posted by NJDevil

I had AT&T down there, then we switched to TMobile for 2 years because it was cheaper. Did not have any problems with TM and I was all over the counties (Manatee/SRQ) for various things. No dropped calls, but there is one very small section of I-75 between Bradenton & Sarasota where you sometimes lose reception.

As a side note I know how popular Verizon is but they along with AT&T were the ones who did the wire-tapping so ya'll may want to keep that in mind. Decide what kind of companies you want to give your money to.

I have T-Mobile and am so happy to hear it's available in Florida.

We plan to relocate from Washington State to Florida.

Do you also have the $10/month unlimited nationwide calling from your home phone with T-Mobile@Home?

We're thinking of signing up for the home program when we move to Florida. Do you know anything about the home service program?

Thanks.

iuki001

[ShepsMom]

I've been using Verizon for the last 2 years, before i had Cingular, but switched.
Have no problems with V, very clear reception, no dropped calls. We are on a family plan also.

[lilaclady]

Opinions vary over everything. I had Verizon for several years and have now been happy with Sprint/Nextel for 8 years. I never had a dropped call and I have a good signal every where in Florida and haven't had to use the phrase "can you hear me now".
A store rep will check the map for you to see if Sprint or Nextel is best for you. I am using Sprint, my brother in Tenn uses Nextel for the areas he's in. (he's an across country truck driver)
I pay $5.00 more a month to have the after 7:00 p.m. free minutes option where some other companies offer free after 7:00.
I'd say, it will all depend on the service plans and how much you'll talk on it.

I know several guys at work who use Metro PC and when they call in to the Office I sometimes have a hard time with them breaking up. That happens especially when they are on Longboat or Siesta Keys.

The boss has AT&T and sometimes when he calls he tells me I am breaking up. I have to remind him I'm on a landline so it must be him breaking up.