Need Help/Advice With A Family Cell Phone Plan

Self | August 23, 2005 | JohnRobertson

[John Robertson]

I always get great advice from Freepers when it comes to practical matters--dogs, construction, guns, guns, guns, cooking, guns, Gettsyburg travel, etc.

Now I would like to ask for input on cell phones. We are currently with T-Mobile. Our contract is up in a week. Our coverage is pretty good, but now and then it gets spotty and drops out (probably true for all). We currently have 1600 Whenever Minutes, and rarely go over that. 1000-1200 would probably do it. Current bills running about $165 (for four lines). I am wondering if I can do better.

Is there a good online comparator for all the companies?

Parameters below....

[John Robertson]

Need occasional national coverage, but most calls are sent/recieved in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and to a daughter in South Bend, Ind.

Half or more of our calls are number-to-number--IOW, wife to son, son to me, etc.

I will be keeping my Treo 600 (GSM/GPRS), but I'd give it up if I had to for a superior plan. Otherwise we need 3 new phones (with two serious requests for Motorola's Razor). Equipment incentives could be the deal maker.

Thank you all, in advance.

[newgeezer]

Why isn't this in Breaking News?

... {{{ running and ducking! }}} ...

[John Robertson]

I'll post it in breaking news as soon as I make a decision--THAT'S when it will be big. It will probably break on Drudge, too.

Come on, quit being a fill-in-the-blank. You KNOW that a small but significant percentage of the posts here are requests for advice, aid, information, prayer, etc.

[newgeezer]

Hey, I's just hackin' ya!

(I thought the 'running and ducking' would have been sufficient. ;)

[patton]

Verizon - four phones, 1600 min, no LD, no roaming, about $150/month. includes pics and txt.

[John Robertson]

Great, thanks. What about new equipment offers? Know anything?

[patton]

No idea - they change so fast...

[John Robertson]

I knew you were hacking me. I was overhacking, back at ya.

I love you, man! (but not in the homo way).

[John Robertson]

Thanks for the guidance you did give.

[martin_fierro]

I will be keeping my Treo 600

Has your 600's performance been flaky?

Mrs. F. got one of the first units, and that thing has NEVER worked right.

Me, I'm sticking with my trusty old 300.

Current plan: Sprint PCS Free & Clear Plan

    * $35.00 PCS Free & Clear Plan
    * All Minutes Include Long Distance
    * 300 Anytime Minutes
    * 1000 Night and Weekend Minutes
    * Nights: M-Th 9PM-7AM Wknd: F 9PM-M 7AM
    * Caller ID, Call Waiting
    * Three-way Calling
    * Voicemail
    * Additional Anytime Minutes $.40 Per Min.
    * + $10 for Sprint PCS Vision (unlimited messaging and email, games and Picture Mail, Web access)

[Tijeras_Slim]

I couldn't get coverage with a Motorola Iridium at my place.

[martin_fierro]

This model has excellent coverage.

It even blots out the sun.

[John Robertson]

I am on my FIFTH Treo 600, in 18 mos. They keep giving me new or refurb. units for problems. I must love it, because I put up with that.

Thanks for the Sprint specs--I'll look into it.

[John Robertson]

bttp

[PennsylvaniaMom]

In SW Pa. also, and we have five cell phones (four on the Verizon family plan, all Samsung camera phones). The fifth phone is a Razor and not worth the extra money IMO...but teenaged son spent his own $$$ to buy it. He made the purchase earliers this month...lets see how long the Razor Moto lasts...As for the Verizon service...we have very few dropped calls, and the family plan (calling the other numbers on your plan) makes no impact on minutes...so you can just call So. Bend as much as your heart desires :)

[John Robertson]

Thanks, PA Mom, useful info.