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OT: Verizon or Cingular?

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Old 05-31-2006, 02:57 PM
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OT: Verizon or Cingular?

I have a choice at work for a new mobile phone using either Verizon or Cingular - I will get a Blackbeery device - I need to converge my data/voice gadgets. I have always used Verizon (great service), but often have the need to use my phone overseas (I usually rent a GSM phone when travelling). Cingular uses GSM and works worldwide and Verizon uses CDMA and only works in North (and parts of South) America. My use will b e 90/10 (US/International). Anyone have any good/bad experience with Cingular service? Also, I live in NJ if that helps.

The other items splitting the two carriers is EVDO and EDGE. Verizon's EVDO brings 3G (DSL/Broadband) to the phone. While Cingular uses Edge which is a bit slower than EVDO. Both technologies can be plugged into your laptop/computer and used as a broadband connection. At the moment Cingular has better coverage (but slower speeds) and Verizon has insanely fast speeds (up to 2Mbits), but less coverage.

It's a toss up at the moment. It will come down to coverage....your opinions/comments are appreciated. Thanks!
Old 05-31-2006, 03:10 PM
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I don't believe that Verizon offers Blackberry support....
Old 05-31-2006, 03:25 PM
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I can't stand Verizon customer support. Their customer support is simply Miserable but they have the best coverage in the US. Definitely go with Verizon because when it comes down to it coverage and network availability are the most important aspect of a cell phone.

My advice is get a Verizon phone for local use and a separate unlocked phone for international use and just buy the appropriate SIM card when you travel. That's what I do. You are probably going to get a better rate when you buy a SIM card for the country you travel anyway.

Verizon does have a Blackberry phone. I personally prefer the added functionality of a Windows Mobile PDA phone but if all you need is E-mail Blackberry simply works.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...iceType=Phones
Old 05-31-2006, 08:05 PM
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I just left Verizon. Hated them with a passion. Could not wait to leave. 9 months of cell phone hell.
Old 05-31-2006, 08:11 PM
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this should prolly go in to the OFF TOPIC SECTION

But recently I left sprint and went to cingular and a month later I added a blackberry to my service. its great, and if you need to for an extra 30 a month you can use unlimited internet via a laptop

blackberry will work internationally as email is sent via RIMs network and internet and what not is sent via cell phone providers network
Old 05-31-2006, 09:02 PM
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Have had both, Cingular is my choice as at least in my area they have better coverage, fewer holes. Traveling, both in the US, Carribean and South America I can't compare, however my Cingular is satisfactory for me.A good friend just switched from Verizon to Cingular within the past year and says its much better all over the world and he is in Europe and the Carribean several times a month. He uses, I believe a Treo which compares very well to the Blackberry (T Mobile) that my wife uses.

Last edited by sosh; 06-01-2006 at 01:58 PM.
Old 05-31-2006, 09:54 PM
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Sorry I did not put this in the OT section...I did not know one existed. I have my browser setup to take me directly to W211.
Old 05-31-2006, 11:13 PM
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Verizon all the way! And Verizon now has two or three Blackberry models, plus the Treo 650, 700w and 700p. And just out the Motorola Q. The Moto E815 is a solid phone with great reception, which is included as part of the overpriced MB phone kit.
Old 06-01-2006, 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by pasto27774
I have a choice at work for a new mobile phone using either Verizon or Cingular - I will get a Blackbeery device - I need to converge my data/voice gadgets. I have always used Verizon (great service), but often have the need to use my phone overseas (I usually rent a GSM phone when travelling). Cingular uses GSM and works worldwide and Verizon uses CDMA and only works in North (and parts of South) America. My use will b e 90/10 (US/International). Anyone have any good/bad experience with Cingular service? Also, I live in NJ if that helps.

The other items splitting the two carriers is EVDO and EDGE. Verizon's EVDO brings 3G (DSL/Broadband) to the phone. While Cingular uses Edge which is a bit slower than EVDO. Both technologies can be plugged into your laptop/computer and used as a broadband connection. At the moment Cingular has better coverage (but slower speeds) and Verizon has insanely fast speeds (up to 2Mbits), but less coverage.

It's a toss up at the moment. It will come down to coverage....your opinions/comments are appreciated. Thanks!
If you travel to other countries, definitely go with Cingular. CDMA is not a universal system. In addition, you also need to get the phone "unlocked" so it will accept local SIM card so you can accept and make calls.
Old 06-03-2006, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by ClayJ
I don't believe that Verizon offers Blackberry support....
They do but they're the older 7250 and 7130e which has the inefficient "suretype" keyboard
Old 06-03-2006, 06:22 PM
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I switched recently to Cingular. They seem to have finally merged the AT&T and Cingular networks and coverage is now excellent. There is probably marginally better coverage in NE with Vz but no longer noticeable. All other advantages are with Cingular.
Old 06-03-2006, 08:44 PM
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Cingular or Verizon

Cingular all the way. I have had the cingular for over a year and I have not lost a call yet.
Old 06-03-2006, 09:42 PM
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All:

Thanks. I ended up going with Cingular and the Blackberry 8700c. Again, thanks for all your input!

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