Why would one choose Verizon over a GSM carrier?

[Shadowknight]

GSM has different flavors, so you can have a GSM phone in the U.S., but it isn't compatible with services in europe. I don't remember where I heard that, but if true, really takes the "global" out of GSM.

 

[Imdmn04]

Originally posted by: Shadowknight
GSM has different flavors, so you can have a GSM phone in the U.S., but it isn't compatible with services in europe. I don't remember where I heard that, but if true, really takes the "global" out of GSM.

Not different flavors, but different frequencies. Most GSM phones are tri-band or quad-band nowadays, these will indeed work in Europe.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: InlineFour
verizon, nextel, sprint, and all the other cdma carriers lock you to one phone. moreover, the phones available are limited. why would one choose their service over GSM carriers? are their plans cheaper? i don't see any advantages in choosing a cdma carrier.

EVDO... 3G is significantly faster than 2.5G EDGE. Also I get unlitmited EVDO +text + 400 mins for 30 bucks a month.

Actually EDGE is 2.75G, GPRS IS 2.5G, GSM is 2.0G and TDMA is 1.0G. For REAL 3G on 'GSM' network, you want UMTS which I significantly faster, supporting speeds of 1Mb/s while EDGE supports up to 160Kb/s+ (Most likely higher) and GPRS supports speeds of around 112Kb/s, GPRS for the most part gets speeds that max out at 56K..

 

[InlineFour]

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
sprint has better phones. period. and my dad has been with them for over 10 years. no joke, so we get a nice plan and deal.

the razr/rokr/slvr/all other 4 letter phone names and models suck.

yeah right. ever notice most phones come out in GSM now?

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Bartino
GSM sucks compared to CDMA. the wavelength is so much shorter so you get passed around towers alot more which just makes more room for error

care to elaborate on that (the second part of your statement)?

Frequency hopping.

 

[InlineFour]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: loup garou
I have TMobile, but Verizon is looking pretty tempting right now:

1) Best coverage in NYC area
2) EVDO
3) Motorola Q

Not only that, but Motorola Q for $199 I've heard that it has a $99 rebate too...

plus 2 year extension.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Good question. With a quad-band GSM phone, there is nowhere on the globe I can't talk, whereas with Sprint/Verizon you are limited to the USA.

There are plenty of places with no GSM.. Do those four bands include TDMA bands?

 

[Bartino]

the range of a GSM signal is much shorter than that of a CDMA signel which means you get passed around a lot on the towers. When you are getting passed around so much, it is just more likely that something will get meesed up. lost signal, dropped call, etc...

 

[ladyjd]

I've been with them forever
I get good reception in the sticks
Motorola Q (just as soon as one of you guys lend me $200)

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04

Originally posted by: Shadowknight
GSM has different flavors, so you can have a GSM phone in the U.S., but it isn't compatible with services in europe. I don't remember where I heard that, but if true, really takes the "global" out of GSM.

Not different flavors, but different frequencies. Most GSM phones are tri-band or quad-band nowadays, these will indeed work in Europe.

That's only if you buy those 850 phones. Who the hell needs 850 these days. Then again if you live in rural areas with Cingular.. maybe.

But still, I use 900/1800/1900 phones from Asia and they're always fine in my area.

Bottom line is that if you live in a metro area which 80% of America does, then your reception is about equal with any carrier. I use T-Mobile. Why? Because where I live, I get reception with any carrier, so then the next thing is phones.

Forget 2 yr contract. T-Mobile has 1 yr. They also pay the highest commission, so I get the best phones (i..e V600 for free in Aug 2004, SE K750i for $100 in Aug 2005). Let's see you beat those deals on phones.

And for those of you getting free RaZrs thinking thats whoah so awesome? They were free back in Nov. 2004 at Asian stores...

 

[slpaulson]

Because there is no GSM service in central Wisconsin.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: InlineFour

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: loup garou
I have TMobile, but Verizon is looking pretty tempting right now:

1) Best coverage in NYC area
2) EVDO
3) Motorola Q

Not only that, but Motorola Q for $199 I've heard that it has a $99 rebate too...

plus 2 year extension.

How much did you pay for your MDA again? And the freaking 700p is $329 after discounts and 2 yr extension. The Q is a damn good deal.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: Imdmn04

Originally posted by: Shadowknight
GSM has different flavors, so you can have a GSM phone in the U.S., but it isn't compatible with services in europe. I don't remember where I heard that, but if true, really takes the "global" out of GSM.

Not different flavors, but different frequencies. Most GSM phones are tri-band or quad-band nowadays, these will indeed work in Europe.

That's only if you buy those 850 phones. Who the hell needs 850 these days. Then again if you live in rural areas with Cingular.. maybe.

But still, I use 900/1800/1900 phones from Asia and they're always fine in my area.

Bottom line is that if you live in a metro area which 80% of America does, then your reception is about equal with any carrier. I use T-Mobile. Why? Because where I live, I get reception with any carrier, so then the next thing is phones.

Forget 2 yr contract. T-Mobile has 1 yr. They also pay the highest commission, so I get the best phones (i..e V600 for free in Aug 2004, SE K750i for $100 in Aug 2005). Let's see you beat those deals on phones.

And for those of you getting free RaZrs thinking thats whoah so awesome? They were free back in Nov. 2004 at Asian stores...

I agree with you. I'm in a metro area, so my service is completely fine with T-Mobile or Cingular. I use T-Mobile right now because their International Roaming tends to be a bit more competitive than Cingular. I'm sure that is about to change. Plus, T-Mobile has the absolute best customer service I've run across. I also love the 1 year contract and the fact that T-Mobile is always willing to give a discount or do something to help you. Unlock your phone? Sure. Phone got lost? Discount. Etc...

Finally, it is absolute bullsh!t that Verizon is always better in rural areas. My parents live in the Mountains of Northeast Alabama. Verizon only works in the valley, and even then it is quite limited. I roam on Farmer's Wireless (GSM provider up there), and I get signal anywhere I go. EVEN IN THEIR HOUSE. Which is insane because Verizon is dead for miles around. As always, it makes the most SENSE to go with whatever provider provides the best coverage and services you need. For 80% of Americans that is a GSM provider. Unless, of course, you live in a traditional Verizon market that has much more penetration and services. (Namely the Northeast). I don't have a problem with Verizon, but I refuse to be unable to use my phone whilst overseas.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: Mill
As always, it makes the most SENSE to go with whatever provider provides the best coverage and services you need. For 80% of Americans that is a GSM provider. Unless, of course, you live in a traditional Verizon market that has much more penetration and services. (Namely the Northeast). I don't have a problem with Verizon, but I refuse to be unable to use my phone whilst overseas.

80%? I think that's a bit high, do you have anything to back that up?

Of course it makes sense to use whatever provides the best coverage and services... but I think that Verizon has the vast majority of the NorthEast, MidAtlantic, and MidWest, from what I've heard from those around me.

As for overseas... I'd say that you're one of the few that exercise that option. That's not even a remote factor for me, and I don't think it is for most of the people I know.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: Mill
As always, it makes the most SENSE to go with whatever provider provides the best coverage and services you need. For 80% of Americans that is a GSM provider. Unless, of course, you live in a traditional Verizon market that has much more penetration and services. (Namely the Northeast). I don't have a problem with Verizon, but I refuse to be unable to use my phone whilst overseas.

80%? I think that's a bit high, do you have anything to back that up?

Of course it makes sense to use whatever provides the best coverage and services... but I think that Verizon has the vast majority of the NorthEast, MidAtlantic, and MidWest, from what I've heard from those around me.

As for overseas... I'd say that you're one of the few that exercise that option. That's not even a remote factor for me, and I don't think it is for most of the people I know.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/Rurality/WhatisRural/

82% of Americans live in an Urban area.

Even many rural areas have GSM coverage available:

http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_us.shtml

Over 125 million North Americans traveled abroad in 2004. While it is likely some of that number is Canada and Mexico, it is likely that over 100 million US Citizens (not neccessarily unique citizens) traveled abroad last year.

http://www.world-tourism.org/facts/eng/pdf/indicators/outbound_region.pdf

So, yeah, I think GSM is pretty useful. I never have to go to a T-Mobile store or even call them. I can use more than one phone and I never have to worry about losing data. It is all stored on my SIM, and I copy the SIM to an old phone that I keep in the house. Thus, even if I lose my phone, I am not messed up with numbers or data.