I signed on with Sprint yesterday and will be leaving Alltel next week when my contract expires. I have three cell phones on my plan – mine and one for each of my two kids.
I was with Alltel since 1999 and I should have left them years ago.
One of the major problems with Alltel was that it was impossible to make and complete a lengthy phone call out on the highway.
It was rare to be able to drive 30 minutes and continue a phone conversation with Alltel as the call would drop as I drove from one tower to the next or as I left one county and entered the next.
Sprint says their calls are never dropped due to a new type of technology.
Phone service with Sprint will be $25 per month cheaper than with Alltel.
If you have a cell phone service that drops calls on a regular basis you might want to consider changing.
I’ll see how things go with Sprint and report back.
^^^^^^
S N A F U (Situation Normal: All Fouled Up)
Replies
ive had alltell just about as long and one of the reasons I stay with them is the service is great in this area .
I have Sprint and have been relatively satisfied with there service, there was a period a while back where I was ready to switch because of billing snafu's on their end, they eventually made it right.
as for the dropped calls, I still have a few, though not many and always in the same 2-3 spots. I always thought it was ironic that I live 30 miles from their corprate headquarters and still not completly covered.
I just signed up with sprint too. I haven't had a personal cell phone before (sometimes had one for work, sometimes not), and I just don't talk on the phone that much. Their $30/500 minutes seems like a great deal, and I've heard they have great coverage in the areas that I'll be using it.
I hear that the tri-mode phones (analog ok) have better connections. Also, I've heard that nokia phones have great reception- too bad sprint sells almost no nokias.
zak
"so it goes"
Many of the cell phone suppliers will loan you a phone for a few days so you can test access in different areas where you work.
But be sure to get a test phone similar to the one you're apt to buy (or vice-versa), since access depends on phone type. Mine, eg, will do analog plus two different types of digital. Often inside buildings I can get only analog.
Another issue is whether the cell company lets you use other networks when theirs isn't available. Most local/regional companies will set up your phone to use a competitor's network (for no additional charge) if yours isn't available. Some national companies, however, set their phones to use their own network or nothing.
There used to be a thirty day right of recission on cell contracts. is that still part of the game?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I was with Sprint for a while. After I switched to Verizon, I found the quality of Sprint's calls was fantastic, too bad their coverage sucked, and Verizon's is fantastic...whaddaya do? Around here, Alltel stinks all all around...Good luck. I need a dump truck, baby, to unload my head
I've gotta agree. I had Verizon with its great coverage and lousy reception and now I have Nextel(Sprint) with crystal clear calls and lousy coverage.~TBone
either 14 days or 30 days. Sprint just went from 14 to 30 day no fee cancellation period, at least for the plan I got.zak
"so it goes"
Not to highjack the thread, but while we are on cel phones, does any of you have a truly rugged phone that can stand some abuse on a construction site? Would like a recommendation on brand/model.
DG/Builder
Motorola makes a military spec phone that is very rugged looking, but it's sold only with nextel plans. You can find it at Amazon.com, look under nextel phones, there's a black model and a yellow one, both kind of rubbery looking.
Personally, I got a basic samsung phone, no camera or anything. If it breaks, I'll replace it, and I can back up the contact list to my computer. I've got a digital camera for taking pictures, I don't need low quality pics from my phone.zak
"so it goes"
I use Nextel Radio / Phone. $100.00 a month for unlimited radio and phone.
I use a military model, but considering a good camera phone (helps with New Home Texas Style thread). Anyone have a Nextel camera phone that endures the abuse of constructuion. NOTE: My super dropped his Nextel Military model in a bucket of water and ran over it with the skid loader (on soil). It is still working.
I started using cell phones in TN with the only cell phones avaliable, mounted in your truck and before bag or brick phones. $100 a month for 100 minutes and $1.00 a minute after. "Hello, I'll call you later on a regular line, bye."
I know some folks have Nextel issues, but in my long experience it has served me better than any others.
Edited 7/6/2006 1:26 pm ET by txlandlord
Well, I was untying my boat at my worksite a couple weeks ago and my phone slid out of my shirt pocket and sank in about 30 feet of water.
It was a damned tough phone, too, but when I got a replacement, I was told that my old one was several technologies obsolete and was no longer available.
My new one is just about worthless....I may throw it in the lake on purpose!
There are phones specifically designed for construction, etc. Rubber on the outside, etc.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
Yes, I know there are. That's why I asked for a recommendation from someone using one.
DG/Builder
So far the only "rugged" phone I can find locally is the Motorola i305 (and its color version i355), which only works with Nextel. Any opinions on this one or others?
DG/Builder
The one I was talking about is the i560 or the i530. here's the link to the i560 phone.
zak
"so it goes"
The closest cell phones come to rugged are the Mil Spec 810-F ones from Motorola/Nextel. I have the i530, the yellow and black one sometimes called the "DeWalt" phone. ;-)
Not as rugged as, say, a cordless drill or tape measure, but maybe a bit more so than a PLS laser level. I've dropped mine a couple times (just from waist level), and got loads of demo dust on it. So far no ill effects.
The main reason for picking the i530 is that it's the cheapest of the 810-F's. Eventually I lose or lunch them, so the idea is to limit the loss.
Nextel coverage is actually better than Verizon (my wife's phone) here where I live and work. It can go from great to nada over a distance of just a few blocks, so you have to test where you need it. For lots more discussion, have a look at:
http://www.wirelessadvisor.com
-- J.S.
Yes, I looked at those and they don't look good for my use. The 530 doesn't have an outside display so you need to open it to see who's calling. The 560 has very low talk and standby time. About half of the standby time of the i355.
For real construction use, the i305 looks better. Basic, no color, no frills and lots of talk/standby time. And no hinge to break like the flip phones. Sadly, I just don't have the time to play Internet games while I'm working :)
DG/Builder
I wonder if you couldn't buy your own cheapy non-flip phone and then build a case or "bumper" for it somehow. Mold something out of silicone or urethane caulk, eg.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
Dan, we were just tossing that idea around. Somebody told me there are such things available for some phones, just like the rubber holster thingies you get with a Fluke meter. But he had no idea who sells them or for what phones.
Anybody know anything about this?
DG/Builder
I've seen special "capsules" for boater use, etc, that seal in the phone, but you have to open them and take out the phone to use it.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
wrap the phone in saran wrap, silicone all over it, then cut a slit for taking the phone out?zak
"so it goes"
Moto/Nextel sells you the bare bones phone, then you can add the belt clip, a high capacity battery, hands-free earphone, etc.
I find that the flip isn't all that difficult to use along with the belt clip. My right thumb drops right down in between the stub antenna and the release, and it pops right out in my hand. I can even open and close it one-handed if I really have to. Kinda like a stick shift car, you get used to it. The hinge is big and solid, and the flip protects the screen and keys when it's closed.
-- J.S.
most around here have the I305 from Nextel..... it's the military spec yellow one.
Roy dropped his in a bucket of water ( ????? ) .... dried it out and back in businessMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
around here driving and using the (hands on) cell will net you a fine. good law IMO
hang up and drive!
I spent 1-2 hours in the Sprint retail store yesterday and I looked at phones at one end of the store that were free and then at the other extreme and at the other end phones priced at $600.The free phones looked like they were simple ordinary sturdy phones. The $600 phone had internet capability, you can watch TV on it, you can record music into the phone, and it has a built in camera to take still pictures or video recording.I ended up purchasing a $149 Samsung phone which has a built in camera.All the phones are flip phones nowadays - kind of like what we saw years ago on Star Trek, if you're old enough to remember the TV show Star Trek.^^^^^^
S N A F U (Situation Normal: All Fouled Up)
we've visted before and we're both in west wichita.i live over by tyler and maple. as soon as i would go over the hill by rolling hills golf c. headed east i was in the twilight zone. it was one happy day when my 2 years expired.next day i went to cricket and never would consider sprint again. oh by the way when your 2 years expire call them up ,tell em your going elsewhere,they will make you a deal!l larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
Not to hijack the thread, but it's been awhile since I've seen those street names. I grew up at the corner of Maple and Maize.Sorry, just indulging myself in some nostalgia.~TBone
your along ways from home now! how long ago did you live there?i,ve been here 51 yrs,they tell me theres a whole big world out there? larryhand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
I was there from '87 to '99. Lived in Oakridge Estates I believe it was. I loved it out there. They tell me it's changed a lot.~TBone
i reread your post ,saw you have kids on also. if sprint doesn't work out look at cricket,unlimted minutes and unlimted text 35.00 a month.now if your a old faart like me you could care less about text,my kid does about 500-1000 a month,drves me nuts!!!!! friend of ours has sprint their daughter run up a 450.00 bill 1 month in text messages. ouch!!!!also stop at lowes over at ridge road ,go inside and walk around,my phone would go to roam and if i answered it while in there it would cost me roaming fees,in the middle of town. by the way did i mention i hate sprint? lol larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
I've had just about every one of the major carriers over the years and currently have Sprint.. which I'm happy with. The one before this was Cell One, they were about half the price but in this area have major computer problems on a regular basis.. lots of times people would tell me that they got a message that said that the number was no longer in service (and other error messages) and I also had lots of messages that I never received until days later if at all. To some kid it might not matter but in business I could lose tens of thousands of Dollars because of a missed message.. or a late message. Sprint has excellent service but they do nickle and dime you to death.. but their system is pretty much flawless around here. I'd rather pay more and have good service than be missing calls and have people thinking that I'm out of business.. or just inconsiderate and not returning calls until four days later. Part of my other problem with Cell One was their general not caring attitude... money talks and I know of several others who have left them as well. Around here Alltell is horrible as a general rule.. lots of dropped calls. My phone roams on their network and I have been literally standing in one spot with a full signal and then lost a call after moving my head six inches.. and forget about trying to drive and talk on their network. I also had a Nextel phone for a brief period.. it worked well along the major roads but get a mile off of a road and nothing.. no roaming either. A few of my friends have them and sometimes when I call I get someone elses voice mail in another area.. lots of computer problems it seems. Since Sprint and Nextel merged they have put Sprint equipment on all of the Nextel towers and improved my coverage quite a bit as well. I guess that someday I will be able to two way with the Nextel phones as well but nobody knows when it will happen.. I asked about it and they said that they have to upgrade the whole computer system before it actually happens.. hopefully they don't mess everything up in the process. I have one of the Sanyo phones that is flawless in my opinion (although it doesn't take very clear pictures.. but I could care less about that)... It's voice quality is better than my landline at home, durable, and I like how the menus are laid out.. I probably only use about 25% of the features though. I literally tried every phone in the store and made calls from each one to get something that had the best voice quality.. I think that I ended up paying about $150.00 with a two year contract.. I've had several excellent Nokias in the past and would say that this phone is just as good or better than all of them.
Breaking your posts up into paragraphs makes 'em MUCH more readable.
Tom Ridge announced a new color-coded alarm system. ... Green means everything's okay. Red means we're in danger. And champagne-fuschia means we're being attacked by Martha Stewart (Conan O'Brien)
abm.... have a heart ..
<<<
75751.15 in reply to 75751.14
I've had just about every one of the major carriers over the years and currently have Sprint.. which I'm happy with. The one before this was Cell One, they were about half the price but in this area have major computer problems on a regular basis.. lots of times people would tell me that they got a message that said that the number was no longer in service (and other error messages) and I also had lots of messages that I never received until days later if at all. To some kid it might not matter but in business I could lose tens of thousands of Dollars because of a missed message.. or a late message. Sprint has excellent service but they do nickle and dime you to death.. but their system is pretty much flawless around here. I'd rather pay more and have good service than be missing calls and have people thinking that I'm out of business.. or just inconsiderate and not returning calls until four days later. Part of my other problem with Cell One was their general not caring attitude... money talks and I know of several others who have left them as well. Around here Alltell is horrible as a general rule.. lots of dropped calls. My phone roams on their network and I have been literally standing in one spot with a full signal and then lost a call after moving my head six inches.. and forget about trying to drive and talk on their network. I also had a Nextel phone for a brief period.. it worked well along the major roads but get a mile off of a road and nothing.. no roaming either. A few of my friends have them and sometimes when I call I get someone elses voice mail in another area.. lots of computer problems it seems. Since Sprint and Nextel merged they have put Sprint equipment on all of the Nextel towers and improved my coverage quite a bit as well. I guess that someday I will be able to two way with the Nextel phones as well but nobody knows when it will happen.. I asked about it and they said that they have to upgrade the whole computer system before it actually happens.. hopefully they don't mess everything up in the process. I have one of the Sanyo phones that is flawless in my opinion (although it doesn't take very clear pictures.. but I could care less about that)... It's voice quality is better than my landline at home, durable, and I like how the menus are laid out.. I probably only use about 25% of the features though. I literally tried every phone in the store and made calls from each one to get something that had the best voice quality.. I think that I ended up paying about $150.00 with a two year contract.. I've had several excellent Nokias in the past and would say that this phone is just as good or better than all of them.
>>>>
try reposting that by using the "enter " key to break it up Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Thanks for the info about sprint. Sprint told me I could try out my phone for 30 days and see if I'm happy with it before I commit to a two year contract.I have a friend who's been with sprint and she lives on the west side of town at central and maize and then back west from there.She's been with sprint for 3-4 years cont'd^^^^^^
S N A F U (Situation Normal: All Fouled Up)
She says she's had no problems with Sprint, no dropped calls, and overall is very happy with Sprint.One of the mistakes I've made is being cheap and keeping the same phone for several years. With new technology and changes the new phones are probably a lot better than the old ones.^^^^^^
S N A F U (Situation Normal: All Fouled Up)
from what i was able to pick up from sprint is the tower is over at central and maize,so her meter ought to be pegged! have you done a walk at lowes yet? i'd be real curious if they ever got coverage over there. larryhand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
I’m surprised nobody mentioned Centennial Wireless. Is their coverage really that bad? Perhaps I don’t know what I’m missing.
Since 2001 I’ve had a plan with Centennial that gave me free mobile to mobile, free incoming calls, and a free 300 anytime minutes each month. I don’t understand why anyone would need to talk on the phone more than that.
The insurance I had on the phone was a joke. My Nokia lasted for about 5 years – construction jobs and all – until just this year it slipped out of my pocket and onto someone’s driveway, where it was ran over that someone’s car.
Since the plan I had was working on their old technology, the only phone they would replace mine with was a cheap Motorola piece of junk. Actual retail value: $19.95. I originally paid somewhere around $99.95 for the one I had. If you don’t have a habit of losing things, the insurance is a jip.
After that I decided to sign a new contract and get another Nokia phone. It’s the same model I had before, and was also only $19.95. I signed up for the “five state plan.†My monthly bill is about $10 higher, just over a total of 50 bucks. However, I can now call four additional states with no long distance charges. While I’d have to check my contract to be sure of which, I believe I retained most if not all of the freebees in my original plan.
Clicking on my signature will link you to a sturdy leather cell phone case I sometimes carry my phone in.
-T
Edited 7/8/2006 12:29 pm by JourneymanCarpenterT