Boston/DC/NYC and Maine

I am shopping for a provider -- can anyone give me some advice? I live
in Boston and frequently have to travel to DC, NYC and Columbia, MD. I
also travel to central and western (rural) Maine. How is Verizon
Wireless service in these areas? Is AT&T Wireless (or some other
provider) a better choice? Please help. Thank you.

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

(ellen withrow) wrote in article
:
I am shopping for a provider -- can anyone give me some advice? I live
in Boston and frequently have to travel to DC, NYC and Columbia, MD. I
also travel to central and western (rural) Maine. How is Verizon
Wireless service in these areas? Is AT&T Wireless (or some other
provider) a better choice? Please help. Thank you.

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]


Verizon has the best coverage in MA. Dave Markson can help you out with
Maine coverage, he'll probably reply when he reads your post. He has a
website that details cell service in Maine, NH and Vermont.

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

Hey Ellen,

I frequently traveled between Long Island, New York and Baltimore, MD over
the past four years. I even lived in Columbia, MD for a summer.

Hands down ... Verizon is the best service you can get. I have friends who
have Sprint, T-Mobile, Cingular, Nextel and ATT Wireless. Honestly, they all
have problems with their coverage. Frequently on trips they say they don't
have service and aren't bothered by it ... meanwhile, I'm making calls.

There are advantages to the other services obviously. Nonetheless, if you
are just looking for the most coverage and ... inmho, the best customer
service ... go with Verizon.

I hate to sound like I work for them ... I've just had a good experience.
:-)

One suggestion though ... I don't know how the Boston area Verizon works ...
but if you are deciding between getting a number in the Baltimore/DC area
and the NYC are ... I'd go with Baltimore/DC. They seem to offer a few more
little niceties in their service, i.e. #MIN results in a text message to
your phone with minutes, an updated voice mail service, voice mail
notifications with call back number for instant phone callback. Why the
Baltimore/DC area of Verizon offers these features and the NYC area does not
, I don't know. I don't even know if the NYC area is scheduled for a rehaul
of service (I guess this is where the VZW insiders help ... I'd appreciate
an answer to that as well). Nonetheless, the more you know the better.

Hope that helped.

Cheers,

Ryan

"ellen withrow" wrote in message
...
I am shopping for a provider -- can anyone give me some advice? I live
in Boston and frequently have to travel to DC, NYC and Columbia, MD. I
also travel to central and western (rural) Maine. How is Verizon
Wireless service in these areas? Is AT&T Wireless (or some other
provider) a better choice? Please help. Thank you.

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

(ellen withrow) wrote in article
:
I am shopping for a provider -- can anyone give me some advice? I live
in Boston and frequently have to travel to DC, NYC and Columbia, MD. I
also travel to central and western (rural) Maine. How is Verizon
Wireless service in these areas? Is AT&T Wireless (or some other
provider) a better choice? Please help. Thank you.

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

Thanks to Ryan and Yuk Fu for their helpful responses. As I narrow my
research I am becoming most concerned about coverage in Waterville,
Maine. Does anyone know anything about that area and whether there is a
way to avoid roaming charges in Waterville (with a plan that also works
in Boston, DC, NYC)? Am I wrong in thinking that the Verizon's and
AT&T's one rate plans do not cover Waterville? Any feedback is helpful.
Thanks.

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

I support everything everyone else has mentioned here. I would
underscore what Dave reports about AMPS (Analog) in Maine. Make sure
you have a tri-mode phone with analog (AMPS) capability. Verizon
digital service currently only reaches as far as the northern end of
Richmond, ME (at the Sagadahoc County line) and the northern end of
Sabbatus (in Androscoggin County). You can also get VZW digital in
Green and Turner area. North of there, VZW will roam on analog. But I
have found the service to be pretty good. I live in Augusta and there
is plenty of signal strength. Ditto with Waterville which is just up
the road about 25 miles.

Generally there is good analog service in central Maine and even in
the western mountain and along the coast. I've used my VZW phone as
far north as Bangor (haven't taken it further).

BTW, I have a pre-paid, FreeUp phone and have used it (generally
without a problem) all the way from Augusta to northern Virginia
(including all throughout Boston). And if you are not a "heavy user,"
pre-paid is a very good deal. It will cost you big money in roaming
areas, but if you need it for an emergency, it's a deal. Besides, when
you are in Waterville, you will be having too much fun to spend any
time on the phone :-)

jeb

John E. Brandt
Augusta, Maine

(remove nospam)
www.jebswebs.com


On Tue, 08 Jul 2003 08:19:00 -0000, (ellen withrow)
wrote:

I am shopping for a provider -- can anyone give me some advice? I live
in Boston and frequently have to travel to DC, NYC and Columbia, MD. I
also travel to central and western (rural) Maine. How is Verizon
Wireless service in these areas? Is AT&T Wireless (or some other
provider) a better choice? Please help. Thank you.

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

BIG THANKS to Dave Markson (awesome website), John Brandt, cell play,
Ryan and Yuk Fu for your great advice. We're going with Verizon and
getting the America's Choice Family Plan (going to give one phone to
college student at Colby in Waterville, ME). We're all going to get LG
VX 4400's except for one family member who likes the Motorola V60i
(discontinued on the Verizon web site but still on sale at Cambridgeside
Galleria Verizon kiosk in Cambridge, MA).

WOULD ANYONE ADVISE AGAINST MOTOROLA V60i? I know about the antenna
problems, but the one who wants it isn't hard on equipment and doesn't
care about extras -- just wants a small analog/digital phone with solid
reception and long battery life.

Thanks, again.
-Ellen



Dave Markson wrote in article
:
I am shopping for a provider -- can anyone give me some advice? I live
in Boston and frequently have to travel to DC, NYC and Columbia, MD. I
also travel to central and western (rural) Maine. How is Verizon
Wireless service in these areas? Is AT&T Wireless (or some other
provider) a better choice? Please help. Thank you.

Verizon has a very good reputation throughout the northeast, although my
experience is mainly in northern New England. Around Boston any of the
wireless providers will be good, although they all have dead spots (it's a
matter of where you are and where the towers are). If you will spend a great
deal of time using the phone indoors, make sure that your phone will work there!

On to Maine ...

The two major Waterville providers (Unicel and U.S. Cellular) are not national
providers so you can't sign up with them (not that you would want to in your
situation).

Don't expect great cellular service if you wander too far from town or a major
highway such as Rt 2. There is just not enough population to support the cost
of building and maintaining a cell tower.

Cingular and AT&T's one-rate plans would cover you, but they are expensive.

Nextel and T-Mobile do not cover rural Maine so they are out.

Sprint's Free & Clear "America" plan would cover you in all the places you go.
This is a higher cost plan (probably $10 more) than their regular Free & Clear
Plan.

My choice (no surprise) is Verizon.

Based on where you said you would use the phone, there is no need to sign up for
Verizon's National SingleRate plan.

Verizon's America's Choice plan covers the areas you have mentioned including
ALL of New England with no roaming charges. However, you will be on analog roam
in most of northern New England since the local providers' (Unicel and U.S.
Cellular) digital technology is not compatible with Verizon. However, as long
as your phone supports analog (aka AMPS) then your phone will work just fine
(albeit with reduced security and battery life).

Based on what I've read and heard, the best of the current Verizon phones are
probably the LG VX4400 or the Audiovox CDM9500. Perhaps these are not the
kewlest phones, but they probably offer the best performance as far as a phone
goes. The Audiovox battery is on the wimpy side.

IMPORTANT: If you choose Verizon, DO NOT choose one of the all-digital phones
such as the Samsung SCH-A530 or the LG VX6000 or you will have NO SERVICE in
Maine outside the Portland and York Co. areas. If you really want a camera
phone then you would be better off going with Sprint PCS..

Check out my web pages for more info

--
Dave
Visit my New England Cell Phone Page at
http://markson.net/cell_phones.htm
(to reply take out the "remove" in my e-mail)

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

BIG THANKS to Dave Markson (awesome website), John Brandt, cell play,
Ryan and Yuk Fu for your great advice. We're going with Verizon and
getting the America's Choice Family Plan (going to give one phone to
college student at Colby in Waterville, ME). We're all going to get LG
VX 4400's except for one family member who likes the Motorola V60i
(discontinued on the Verizon web site but still on sale at Cambridgeside
Galleria Verizon kiosk in Cambridge, MA).

I was not aware that someone would use the phone full-time in Waterville.
You're still okay with Verizon, but you should be aware of the following:
(1) Analog eats batteries - make sure they have at least one spare battery
(2) Analog is not "secure". Although okay once in a while, you have to be
careful what you say, as almost anyone with a scanner (like me) can pick up the
conversations. No credit card, banking or other revealing personal information
should be given over an analog connection.

I have found that Caller ID and the voice mail indicator seems to work okay with
both Unicel and U.S. Cellular so that won't be a problem.

It might be worthwhile checking out what Unicel and U.S. Cellular deals are
offered on campus. Colby has a corporate deal with U.S. Cellular, but I have no
idea if any discounts are extended to students.


WOULD ANYONE ADVISE AGAINST MOTOROLA V60i? I know about the antenna
problems, but the one who wants it isn't hard on equipment and doesn't
care about extras -- just wants a small analog/digital phone with solid
reception and long battery life.

From what I've seen here, people seem to think the CDMA version of the v60i
works fine.

--
Dave
Visit my New England Cell Phone Page at
http://markson.net/cell_phones.htm
(to reply take out the "remove" in my e-mail)

The 4400 is a great phone and the v60i is also a good choice.


(ellen withrow) wrote in article
:
BIG THANKS to Dave Markson (awesome website), John Brandt, cell play,
Ryan and Yuk Fu for your great advice. We're going with Verizon and
getting the America's Choice Family Plan (going to give one phone to
college student at Colby in Waterville, ME). We're all going to get LG
VX 4400's except for one family member who likes the Motorola V60i
(discontinued on the Verizon web site but still on sale at Cambridgeside
Galleria Verizon kiosk in Cambridge, MA).

WOULD ANYONE ADVISE AGAINST MOTOROLA V60i? I know about the antenna
problems, but the one who wants it isn't hard on equipment and doesn't
care about extras -- just wants a small analog/digital phone with solid
reception and long battery life.

Thanks, again.
-Ellen



Dave Markson wrote in article
:
I am shopping for a provider -- can anyone give me some advice? I live
in Boston and frequently have to travel to DC, NYC and Columbia, MD. I
also travel to central and western (rural) Maine. How is Verizon
Wireless service in these areas? Is AT&T Wireless (or some other
provider) a better choice? Please help. Thank you.

Verizon has a very good reputation throughout the northeast, although my
experience is mainly in northern New England. Around Boston any of the
wireless providers will be good, although they all have dead spots (it's a
matter of where you are and where the towers are). If you will spend a great
deal of time using the phone indoors, make sure that your phone will work there!

On to Maine ...

The two major Waterville providers (Unicel and U.S. Cellular) are not national
providers so you can't sign up with them (not that you would want to in your
situation).

Don't expect great cellular service if you wander too far from town or a major
highway such as Rt 2. There is just not enough population to support the cost
of building and maintaining a cell tower.

Cingular and AT&T's one-rate plans would cover you, but they are expensive.

Nextel and T-Mobile do not cover rural Maine so they are out.

Sprint's Free & Clear "America" plan would cover you in all the places you go.
This is a higher cost plan (probably $10 more) than their regular Free & Clear
Plan.

My choice (no surprise) is Verizon.

Based on where you said you would use the phone, there is no need to sign up for
Verizon's National SingleRate plan.

Verizon's America's Choice plan covers the areas you have mentioned including
ALL of New England with no roaming charges. However, you will be on analog roam
in most of northern New England since the local providers' (Unicel and U.S.
Cellular) digital technology is not compatible with Verizon. However, as long
as your phone supports analog (aka AMPS) then your phone will work just fine
(albeit with reduced security and battery life).

Based on what I've read and heard, the best of the current Verizon phones are
probably the LG VX4400 or the Audiovox CDM9500. Perhaps these are not the
kewlest phones, but they probably offer the best performance as far as a phone
goes. The Audiovox battery is on the wimpy side.

IMPORTANT: If you choose Verizon, DO NOT choose one of the all-digital phones
such as the Samsung SCH-A530 or the LG VX6000 or you will have NO SERVICE in
Maine outside the Portland and York Co. areas. If you really want a camera
phone then you would be better off going with Sprint PCS..

Check out my web pages for more info

--
Dave
Visit my New England Cell Phone Page at
http://markson.net/cell_phones.htm
(to reply take out the "remove" in my e-mail)

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

On Tuesday, July 8, 2003 at 4:19:02 AM UTC-4, ellen withrow wrote:
I am shopping for a provider -- can anyone give me some advice? I live
in Boston and frequently have to travel to DC, NYC and Columbia, MD. I
also travel to central and western (rural) Maine. How is Verizon
Wireless service in these areas? Is AT&T Wireless (or some other
provider) a better choice? Please help. Thank you.

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

Hi Ms withrow,
I am searching for an Ellen Withrow. Did you happen to graduate form High school in Papillion, NE? If you are not my ellen, I apologize for the inconveninece. If so, call Monty at 347 641 0551.