What is the best deal for cell phone plans?

nativesunshine

Diamond Member
Jan 6, 2003
3,284
0
0
My current plan expires in April...(so that Nicholai problem will end soon!!! :))

If i'm going to get another plan...I have to pay for it myself and stuff. So does anyone know which plans are the best (good service + cheap)??
 

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
1
71
Verizon has been rated the top carrier nationwide.

1000 anytime minutes and unlimited night/weekend for $69 is my plan.


AT&T's GSM network is growing but very decent. THey might have their charter plans still available.

SprintPCS has horrible customer service but they're cheaper, no contract necessary, and decent service in metropolitan areas.

Cingular is so-so, pretty much hit or miss.

Voicestream/T-Mobile sucks.
 

prodigy

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
14,822
1
0
Depends on your area. Ask friends to see which service provider they use and if they are happy with it. Cost will be negligible between providers as most cheaper plans are 19.99/29.99/39.99 for about the same # of minutes unless you want to go prepaid.

 

prodigy

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
14,822
1
0
Originally posted by: amnesiac 2.0
Verizon has been rated the top carrier nationwide.

1000 anytime minutes and unlimited night/weekend for $69 is my plan.


AT&T's GSM network is growing but very decent. THey might have their charter plans still available.

SprintPCS has horrible customer service but they're cheaper, no contract necessary, and decent service in metropolitan areas.

Cingular is so-so, pretty much hit or miss.

Voicestream/T-Mobile sucks.

This is why it depends on your area. For amnesiac who is on the west coast, ATTWS is decent but TMobile sucks. For me, I've had no problems with Tmobile but hate ATTWS with a passion. YMMV.

 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,994
426
136
Originally posted by: prodigy69
Depends on your area. Ask friends to see which service provider they use and if they are happy with it. Cost will be negligible between providers as most cheaper plans are 19.99/29.99/39.99 for about the same # of minutes unless you want to go prepaid.

Exactly.

Depends on your area. Sprint PCS may be great in Dallas but may suck in New York.

First ask around to find the best 3 cell phone carriers then compare their prices to find the best plan.
 

nitsuj3580

Platinum Member
Jun 13, 2001
2,668
14
81
gotta stick up for T-mobile. has been awesome for me in New York and Washington DC/NoVa areas
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
Look into T-mobile, if they provide decent service in your area, some great prices on their phones (most free after rebate) through Amazon.

If they go under, just use a different carrier...

Epinions gives some advice on regional coverage.

You also have a remorse period if the service isn't what you want...
 

dud

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
7,635
73
91
Nativesunshine, I'll throw another issue to consider at you ... youve considered price/minutes, etc. consider coverage. DO NOT sign up for a plan that will not allow you to use the phone for a week or more and return it if you don't like it. Case in point: bought a T-Mobile contract (Nokia phone) just recently. Got the best price/accessories for cheap. Charged up the phone and tried to use the phone in a number of different locations (I live in Florida). Well, my random sample indicated that I could access T-Mobiles' cellular network only 25% of the time! No matter how good/cheap the plan is if they will not let you test the phone (for at least a week) don't sign up! T-Mobile was nice enough to offer a 14 day money-back guarantee and I used it. I returned everything 8 days after purchase and received a full refund. I HIGHLY recommend T-Mobile IF you receive a good deal AND you get good cellular coverage. Good luck ...
 

nativesunshine

Diamond Member
Jan 6, 2003
3,284
0
0
I have TMobile now....family plan. I really have no complaints except it's unlimted weekends only. So...all those late night calls I wanna make take off from the 800 whenever minutes I share w/ my mom and dad. 800 really is a lot if you think about it...but once my mother gets on the phone w/ someone.....you quickly find out that 800 isn't enough at all.

I was thinking Verizon..b/c according to everyone, it's the best. I'll look into it more. So far, my top 2 choices are Verizon and AT&T. We'll see what happens. Thanks all!
 

prodigy

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
14,822
1
0
T-moble has 600 anytime and unlimited weekends for $39.99/month; You can also add free nights (9pm-6:59am I believe) for an additional $2.99/month.

Since you're already a customer and you seem to like them you might as well stay, you can even change your existing plan once the contract is up to the one mentioned above. Of course if you're looking to get a new handset you're better off opening a new line but you'll have to pay the $35 activation fee.