Paul,
<< The time has come for me to buy a new cell phone ... I am partial to Qualcomm technology ... I can't tell which providers use which technologies ... I am particularly concerned about good reception inside concrete buildings and convention centers. I doubt that I will log over two hours a month, so I don't want an expensive plan, nor an expensive phone, but I definitely need reliability. >>
Lars gave some good advice:
I would forget all about technology and buy one that is supported by the provider with the best coverage in the areas where you are going to use it. Technology means nothing if coverage is poor.
... but since you are partial to Qualcomm technology the major providers are Verizon & Sprint PCS with the smaller players being Quest and Leap and several others.
Rob called me "unbiased". I'm really not.
As a user I have a strong bias for CDMA supplemented by AMPS (for coverage) and I have a strong bias for Verizon as a carrier because they go virtually everywhere I go, and I go a lot of places, in town (metro) through the suburbs, onto the highways and byways, and occasionally into the hinterlands - and they have good customer support.
Best bets on Verizon are their tri-mode models and their new Americas Choice Plan gets you 5 hours/mo. anywhere in the US with no roaming and long distance charges for $35/mo. and also gives you an additional bonus 50 hours off peak and weekends.
With Verizon you can change rate plans anytime with no penalty if your usage increases or decreases (But that extends the contract period).
There are cheaper plans out their but you could get nicked for roaming or long distance charges. stay away from contracts over 12 months.
<< good reception inside concrete buildings and convention centers >>
Convention centers would indicate you travel a bit, which is a good reason to look at a national carrier Verizon (CDMA/AMPS), AT&T Wireless TDMA/AMPS, and Sprint PCS (CDMA).
Since you are interested in "good reception) in-building and convention centers I'll warn that there are some old concrete and (thick) steel buildings that nothing will permeate, but that is increasingly rare.
Take a look at the websites of each of the major carriers to get an idea of equipment offerings, rate plans, and coverage areas:
verizonwireless.com
sprintpcs.com
attws.com
After initial screening best bet is to visit a retail outlet and ask a salesman what models give best reception for conditions you are looking at. Also ask them what models have a low return rate. wander around to the service department and ask for the service manager if your not satisfied with the answers.
Best,
- Eric - |
