Web Worker Daily

MSfromtheOC says: May 23rd, 2008 12:22pm

Here in the OC, no carrier provides a solid signal over time. Carrier quality comes and goes as they build out their network and then load up on new subscribers. Currently I’m using T-Mobile - specifically because of their HotSpot@Home service. Coverage does not matter when I’m just transmitting the 6-10 feet between my phone and my router.

Jonathan says: May 23rd, 2008 12:58pm

I’ve been w/ my regional carrier (nTelos) since 2002, and couldn’t be happier. I don’t really have use for data plans so I can’t speak to those who rely on these services, and the phone selection is only mediocre. *BUT* the service and price are outstanding. They’re pcs, so if I’m in a bad area and need to make a call, I can still go analog (which does happen here in the hills of southwest Virginia!)

Last year, they sent me a text message when my bill was more than $20 over the usual, and offered to switch to earlier nights/weekends retroactively at no charge, which brought me back w/in my allotment of daytime minutes.

Eric S. Mueller says: May 23rd, 2008 1:09pm

I’ve had AT&T for years. My wife hates them, but I’m not sure another carrier in our area would be better. My company gave me a Verizon RAZR for work use, and the coverage doesn’t seem any better than AT&T.

Alec McNayr says: May 23rd, 2008 1:40pm

A few years ago, AT&T/Cingular unveiled an advertising campaign stating that they had “the fewest dropped calls of any carrier.”

Not true. In fact, they have THE MOST dropped calls, especially in Los Angeles, where I live. I switched to Verizon about a year ago and couldn’t be happier.

My Verizon cell phone even works in my apartment! Imagine that, AT&T!

DEC says: May 23rd, 2008 1:45pm

Been a VZW customer for over 15 years (before they were VZW!) but am now planning to switch to either AT&T or T-Mobile. The network is great, but I can save $15-$25 per month on a 4-line family plan by switching. They’ve been screwing me for too long…

George Pasley says: May 23rd, 2008 1:52pm

I’ve been with Verizon since they were Bell Atlantic. I’ve stayed with them because of the coverage. I am considering switching to AT&T just for the iPhone though. But perhaps Apple will open it up to all carriers…

Khürt says: May 23rd, 2008 1:53pm

I have no issues with Verizon Wireless’s service. I almost always get a strong clear signal. I do no however dislike their bait and switch marketing and general disregard for their customers.

Chris says: May 23rd, 2008 2:57pm

I’ve had Verizon for some time now and have never had a dropped call issue. I can’t remember the last time I had a dropped call. That said, I’m considering leaving Verizon over their business practice of locking down their phones/software not to mention their high prices.

Otto says: May 23rd, 2008 3:57pm

Handset makers are making these amazing handsets and network providers seem to be doing everything in their power to slow innovation.
The model is broken and something has to change.

Tsugumi says: May 23rd, 2008 4:51pm

I’ve had T mobile for 9 months now and I’m not really happy with them I always lose signal even inside my house, but their family rates and international texts are cheaper. I used to be with AT & T for 6 years and the main reason for leaving them was because they wouldn’t want my rollover minutes rollover in the new contract. I talked to every higher level in the customer service and i just got tired of being passed on. i don’t really care for what kind phones they have as long as it can connect me to whoever i call. having people locked in for 2 year commitment is really brutal, why have us commit for 2 if the manufacturer’s warranty come only a year? the insurance crap for phone you still have to pay $50 and an activation charge. i don’t get it.

Charles C Stirk Jr says: May 23rd, 2008 5:11pm

I will just second the love hate relationship with Verizon . ..

Love the coverage hate dealing with Verizon

Verizon phone selection is a joke

But coverage is generally quite good in the United States Canada & Mexico .

“considering leaving Verizon over their business practice of locking down their phones/software not to mention their high prices.” ..”They’ve been screwing me for too long…” .. “I do no however dislike their bait and switch marketing and general disregard for their customers.” …

This also sum up my feelings about Verizon …

I have been with Verizon for years since Bell Atlantic .. also as my ISP since the mid 90s customer service for both has gone from good to total crap .. Verizon ISP tech is now know nothings in a call centre half way across the planet ….

My legacy phone plan is only u$s 35 per month for voice .. & reluctant to touch

But the having to renew for another 2 year contract & pay more for the same is frustrating to say the least .. If I want to do any thing with the phone another two year contract

I would love to have more features in a mobile devise aka iPhone

I tried a friends iPhone for a bit and coverage was flakey at best …

The ATT coverage is such crap in the States I am reluctant to buy in for another two year contract even though the iPhone is so great …

It would be great to check email & such on something other then the laptop but at u$s 60 + & ATT crap coverage iPhone bargain is a bit dear …

I tend to work in wifi environments so leaning on a iTouch or maybe a hacked iphone …

I had used Telefónica S.A in South America & they had very competitive pre pay plans in Peru several years back about half of what I was paying in the States….

I thought that competitive model was bound to come to the states but no joy

But Telafonica has gone the same way as the bait and switch sign up for a multi year contract to do any thing ..no good carriers in the the States ….

I will just second Otto “Handset makers are making these amazing handsets and network providers seem to be doing everything in their power to slow innovation.
The model is broken and something has to change.”

I just wish there was a good GSM bulk reseller out there so I could us one of the Über GSM smart phones & not get locked into a crap long term relationship with a phone provider

Jay says: May 23rd, 2008 7:07pm

I’ve been happy with T-Mobile. Could wish it to be lower cost, but not sure it’s higher than alternatives. Haven’t traveled extensively with it.

I had a Verizon prepaid phone for a few years and generally loved it, apart from it was mainly for emergency/limited use and there was the bit about having to add $ before it expired or lose the rollover. It went across the country with me and there was nowhere I checked it that it was without signal, and almost nowhere it couldn’t send text. There were reasons for going T-Mobile and getting the Blackberry through them, but I’d not rule out Verizon again.

Sorry, I know this is supposed to be grumbles…

Joel Falconer says: May 23rd, 2008 7:38pm

I don’t know about US carriers, but here in Australia, Virgin has given me great coverage everywhere I go, and has ridiculously cheap Virgin-to-Virgin rates.

Of course, the trouble with that is getting everyone you know to switch carriers!

Daniel Smith says: May 23rd, 2008 10:07pm

Long time reader, first time commenter! (cliche, but true)

I live in Canada, so I am not sure if my answer is relevant, but I have had service with all three major wireless carriers here (Bell, Telus and Rogers), and aside from Rogers having better devices because they are the only Canadian GSM network, I’ve found them all to be equally bad service and reception wise.

I actually just wrote a bog post about this sort of thing this week, talking specifically about the wireless and banking industries - I call it collaborative incompetence, when all the big companies in a certain niche figure out they don’t need to be the best to succeed, they only need to… not be the worst. You can read the post at the link above if you like.

Keep up the good work here - one of my favourite feeds to read daily.

Daniel

Antoinette says: May 24th, 2008 4:05am

I don’t have a cell phone. All I hear is horror stories about overpriced contracts that you get trapped in, low connectivity, etc. Plus, I have a passionate dislike of cell phone users who carry on business or intimate calls in public places in a loud obnoxious voices (I don’t care what you’re buying for dinner tonight or whether Kim called that client back!).

If I do get a phone, it will be the prepaid variety. But I’m still not sure I even need one. And I sure don’t need another monthly bill.

Boston Margy says: May 24th, 2008 7:20am

I have T-Mobile and am going to stick with them. Verizon is too expensive and ATT has terrible customer service. I decided to try ATT, as a possible alternative to T-Mobile, and hated it. Wait times, screw ups, etc., were endemic. I passed the service onto my husband and he inherited the same horrible customer service.

T-Mobile has its ups and downs, but they have relatively good customer service and I’m happy with their coverage. I use a data + voice plan with a BlackBerry Pearl and am satisfied.

Hate the two-year s*** though. Especially when the phone breaks after one year and you have to pay full price for another one!

Matt says: May 24th, 2008 7:27am

I used a AT&T monthly prepaid phone service in addition to Vonage. As I become more active, my prepaid phone service held up, especially during the nights and weekends. However, they changed my usual plan, and I end up having to pay more. I switch from the monthly plan to a “pay as you go”, but that gets used up quickly. I have to call people back via Vonage or if I’m outside… sighs… a payphone!

My credit is not up-to-par, but I decided to go along with Sprint and an unlimited plan. I can’t be cheap about my communication device.

jopincar says: May 25th, 2008 9:21pm

I was with Cingular/AT&T until last August. In the last few years that I was with Cingular/AT&T, I couldn’t even use my cell phone in my house which is in a very populous suburb of Houston (Katy). I would hit spots for years on major highways where my calls would always drop. I could barely hear people. When I went in and complained (I had been a customer going back to Houston Cellular days), they told me I should just switch. As soon as my contract was up, that’s exactly what I did. I know have Verizon for both cellular and mobile broadband. My service and coverage have been great so far.

jayda says: June 22nd, 2008 8:20am

I have had Verizon for 6 years. I HATE the way they treat their long time, loyal customers. They lure you in with all their new customer deals, but once a customer they treat you like dirt. They have good coverage but to me customer service is more important.

sandra moreno says: July 6th, 2008 1:02am

I have Alltel and love it, specially their “my circle” since not everyone is with my carrier.
I havent had issues with calls or with customer service.