[RTC List] Wireless advice

[Dave Thewlis]

Another consideration is whether you travel internationally and, if so, 
whether you wish your phone to continue working with the same telephone 
number.  Most of the rest of the world uses GSM, so a CDMA phone is 
really a non-starter for international travel if you want to use your 
existing phone and existing number. 

As William says, AT&T seems to have the best international coverage -- 
and they offer GSM phones.  I originally chose Edge because they offered 
GSM and unlocked phones.  Now that AT&T has eaten Edge, I went with AT&T 
(and switched to an iPhone from my Razr).  I've lost the unlocked phones 
part (although I suspect that isn't going to last a whole lot longer) 
but I can take my phone internationally now, which I couldn't do with 
Edge. 

I also can take my disfunctional Razr to another country, purchase a SIM 
card in the airport or almost anywhere, and have a functional local 
mobile phone, although of course it will have a local phone number.  But 
it means I can do local calls cheaply and still get international calls 
when I need to.

I still have a Verizon Wireless card and haven't given it up as the 
coverage is indeed very good.  But I can't use it outside of the U.S.

Dave Thewlis

William Van Hefner wrote:
> Michael,
>
> There are quite a few national wireless providers. I've investigated them
> all at some point. Here's a very basic rundown, from my perspective:
>
> AT&T - GSM Service in most of Humboldt County. TDMA and analog service
> from Edge was phased-out awhile ago. Not as good coverage as Verizon or
> U.S. Cellular. No roaming if outside of their coverage area, since they
> are the only GSM provider in Humboldt. Good nationwide coverage outside of
> area, including international.
>
> Verizon - CDMA coverage in most of Humboldt County with roaming in some
> spots where not available. Excellent nationwide coverage.
>
> U.S. Cellular - Has most extensive local CDMA network with coverage in
> most areas of Humboldt County. National coverage areas few and far between
> though. Provides nationwide roaming service at higher prices.
>
> Sprint - Known primarily for being "the cheapest", Sprint has minimal
> network facilities in Humboldt. Signal disappears South of Fortuna,
> although they do allow roaming on U.S. Cellular's network for free on most
> plans, but it doesn't work everywhere, and SMS/data services don't work AT
> ALL in outlying areas. Side note: Sprint's network is completely oversold
> in this area. Unless you are within range of more than one Sprint cell
> site, you can expect all of your calls to be dropped at some point when
> the capacity of the tower you are on is exceeded. Sprint shut down their
> only local store last year. Nationwide coverage is second rate, at best.
> Customer service is worst in the industry.
>
> MetroPCS - A relative newcomer to the area, MetroPCS is a Mobile Virtual
> Network Operator, or MVNO. They have no network of their own. At present,
> they seem to be using Sprint's network here locally. The biggest
> limitation being that they offer NO roaming whatsoever, beyond Sprint's
> already limited coverage area. By far the most affordable though at around
> $40/mo for unlimited service. Don't expect much coverage beyond the
> Eureka/Arcata/Fortuna city limits though, and be prepared for plenty of
> dropped calls. Nationwide coverage is minimal. If you can remember back
> that far, their coverage is about equal to that of U.S. Cellular's... in
> 1995!
>
> T-Mobile - No service locally. I'm not sure that they even allow their
> customers to roam in this area.
>
> Boost Mobile - Another MVNO. This one is prepaid though. Looks to be using
> Sprint's network as well. Offers unlimited service for around $50 a month.
> Haven't tried them, but would expect results to be similar to MetroPCS.
>
> TracFone - Another prepaid MVNO. Sold in many local stores. The
> interesting thing with this company is that it purchases network capacity
> from more than one carrier. The coverage you get is dependent upon what
> model of phone you buy. Some use the Sprint network. Others use Verizon.
> Their website has more detailed info. Definitely more expensive than Boost
> or MetroPCS, but much better nationwide coverage. Their phones also cost a
> LOT less than the other MVNOs. Around $15.
>
> Other prepaid MVNOs - I haven't tried any of these locally. Would
> appreciate any feedback. Google for more info: Virgin Mobile, Liberty
> Wireless and Lucky Wireless.
>
> A word of advice about MVNOs. Never invest too much in one of their
> phones, since these companies have been dropping like flies the last
> couple of years. Usually, their phones are worthless afterwards. Some big
> MVNOs that have folded are Disney Wireless, ESPN Wireless and AMPD Mobile.
>
>
>   


-- 
*Dave Thewlis, DCTA Inc.*
+1 707 840 9391 (voice) · +1 707 498 2238 (mobile)
http://www.dcta.com · dthewlis at dcta.com <mailto:dthewlis at dcta.com>
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