cell phone reception

ossipeeboater · 04-28-2010, 09:52 PM

Verizons not the cheapest but they have the best overall service and I've found their customer service nothing but great. Just had them retroactively change my plan today saving over 180 in overages, I had called last week and the girl couldnt; process a retor change before my normal bill ran but as she promised she called last night to fix it. WIll be moving from a BB to a HTC Incredible ina few weeks, outside the iphone Verizons phone offerings are as good as any carrier

fpartri497 · 04-28-2010, 10:19 PM

around winnipesaukee you better have verizon or reception will be scarce

upthesaukee · 04-28-2010, 10:30 PM

US Cellular works well also, or it did when I had it some years back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpartri497

around winnipesaukee you better have verizon or reception will be scarce

Lakegeezer · 04-28-2010, 10:44 PM

I'm on Verizon's data plan with a Moto Droid and love it. Solid reception in most places and an unlimited data plan. I browse the web from almost anywhere and Verizon has an open web policy - you can do most anything, including tethering a PC. North of Laconia, AT&T is getting better, but still sketchy.

Sman · 04-29-2010, 09:22 AM

from 2005 through last summer I could not get cell service in my camp/yard-Gilford, I have AT&T, this past weekend I got it in the house and around the yard, full bars, this is totally new for me, something must have changed over the fall/winter

Shore Driver · 04-29-2010, 09:27 AM

AT&T is useless in Northern New England - look closely at the next Verizon 3G ad for the massive holes in ME/NH/VT

VtSteve · 04-29-2010, 09:45 AM

Verizon has some pretty massive changes going on. Their 4G rollout will probably not occur on cell phones until the middle of next year, possibly no until the end. It's a pretty tricky thing to do, especially since they will be switching from the old CDMA system to the GSM technology. I also think almost all of their phones will have to have dual chipsets so users have access to 3G networks when needed. This was a real roadblock for them having an iPhone, which should be coming next year or so.

The biggest changes will be in usage costs and billing. Verizon has so much coverage that they could afford to cripple handsets and limit services. In the 4G world, they will be limiting data usage and charging more. A necessary evil given that the bandwidth usage for 4G users could very well cripple their network.

I just wish they'd become more friendly in billing terms. Carry forward minutes, changing plans online quickly, with no contract changes, and doing so quite a few times. All handy, cost-effective, and consumer friendly. I've had a cell phone from the days of fixed-mount car units and bag phones. I'm not really sure what people mean by customer service, I think I've been in for a battery once in about 16 years.

Bear Island South · 04-29-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VtSteve

Verizon has some pretty massive changes going on. Their 4G rollout will probably not occur on cell phones until the middle of next year, possibly no until the end. It's a pretty tricky thing to do, especially since they will be switching from the old CDMA system to the GSM technology. I also think almost all of their phones will have to have dual chipsets so users have access to 3G networks when needed. This was a real roadblock for them having an iPhone, which should be coming next year or so.

I just purchased the new HTC "Droid" Incredible from Verizon, so far love the features of the phone and the applications that are available. I own an iPod touch and the screens are similiar in the way you can scroll through the different screens and apps. I was waiting on the iPhone but didn't want to switch to ATT, I think this phone is the answer, plus it has voice texting.

ishoot308 · 04-29-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shore Driver

AT&T is useless in Northern New England - look closely at the next Verizon 3G ad for the massive holes in ME/NH/VT

I'm not sure why you say that as I have AT&T and have reception everywhere on the lake. The only place I do not have reception is in the Wineing butcher parking lot in Gilford for whatever reason and at the Olde Bay Diner in Alton. The funny thing is I have great reception in Alton Bay! I have no issues with AT&T whatsoever and would recommend to anyone in the Lakes Region.

Dan

Shore Driver · 04-29-2010, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

I'm not sure why you say that as I have AT&T and have reception everywhere on the lake. The only place I do not have reception is in the Wineing butcher parking lot in Gilford for whatever reason and at the Olde Bay Diner in Alton. The funny thing is I have great reception in Alton Bay! I have no issues with AT&T whatsoever and would recommend to anyone in the Lakes Region.

Dan

It's based on my experience with both carriers. I've been deep in the Pemi Wilderness and gotten 3 bars from Verizon, yet AT&T would go stone dead in such remote places as Keene, Rochester, Laconia...I travel for work in NH and my partner has AT&T for his iPhone - God bless him for having the better phone, but I prefer reception when I need it.

Lakepilot · 04-29-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shore Driver

It's based on my experience with both carriers. I've been deep in the Pemi Wilderness and gotten 3 bars from Verizon, yet AT&T would go stone dead in such remote places as Keene, Rochester, Laconia...I travel for work in NH and my partner has AT&T for his iPhone - God bless him for having the better phone, but I prefer reception when I need it.

This is good news then. My daughter has AT&T and was never able to get service at our cottage. I guess they've added a tower or two so she'll get coverage now??

Great Northern Cleaning · 04-29-2010, 06:47 PM

I have been with Verizon for the last 5 years...bills just seem to go up and up. So last week I went to walmart and bought one of these "straight talk" phones. They work off the Verizon towers. I transfered my number from verizon. For a mere 45 bucks a month..and I mean thats it..45 bucks..no taxes..no hidden charges..I get unlimited minutes..texting..and internet. How can you beat this. The only thing is they offer no camera phones..I can live with that. I had been paying around 110 a month for my verizon service. At 45 a month..thats 135 a quarter..or 540 for an entire year. I have a blank areas where I may be without service for a few minutes..but I'm learning where the dead spots are and will compensate my calls accordingly. Hell of a deal...as far as I'm concerned. Frank

VtSteve · 04-29-2010, 09:44 PM

Verizon's days of unbelievable billing will end at some point. I don;t know hwy people think they are great for customer "service", but I do know they are great at billing.

Somebody's catching up for signal, which is the most important aspect. They need to relinquish the silly Vcast monopoly, and give up the darn crippling of phones. Many people have no iea what a phone can be without Verizon crippling it.

Heck, I'm just happy as a boat in the broads without Verizon's voice mail.

beaner · 04-29-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Great Northern Cleaning

I have been with Verizon for the last 5 years...bills just seem to go up and up. So last week I went to walmart and bought one of these "straight talk" phones. They work off the Verizon towers.

A year ago when our contract with Verizon ended, we went to WalMart and bought a pair of $20 pre-paid LG TracFones. We're low-volume callers, so the per-minute rate on Verizon's least expensive contract was brutal. By switching to TracFone, we saved around $700. It really helped us weather the downturn. If we ever find a need for texting and internet on the fly in the future, we'll definitely look into the "straight talk" phones. Thanks for the tip!

trfour · 04-28-2010, 10:33 PM

Verizon, I've found to have the best coverage not only in the Lakes Region, and also all of the nooks and crannies in the United States. While visiting in North Carolina, besides a land line, my cell phone was the only one that worked! Had to lend it out often!

Terry
_________________________________

04-28-2010, 10:19 PM	#2
fpartri497 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Concord NH Posts: 681 Thanks: 97 Thanked 48 Times in 39 Posts	Verizon Wireless around winnipesaukee you better have verizon or reception will be scarce __________________ dont worry be happy

04-28-2010, 10:44 PM	#4
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,683 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 356 Thanked 641 Times in 292 Posts	I'm on Verizon's data plan with a Moto Droid and love it. Solid reception in most places and an unlimited data plan. I browse the web from almost anywhere and Verizon has an open web policy - you can do most anything, including tethering a PC. North of Laconia, AT&T is getting better, but still sketchy. __________________ -lg

04-29-2010, 09:22 AM	#5
Sman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 103 Thanks: 3 Thanked 27 Times in 8 Posts	At&t from 2005 through last summer I could not get cell service in my camp/yard-Gilford, I have AT&T, this past weekend I got it in the house and around the yard, full bars, this is totally new for me, something must have changed over the fall/winter

04-29-2010, 06:47 PM	#12
Great Northern Cleaning Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Belmont Posts: 89 Thanks: 17 Thanked 37 Times in 26 Posts	I should have done this monthes ago.... I have been with Verizon for the last 5 years...bills just seem to go up and up. So last week I went to walmart and bought one of these "straight talk" phones. They work off the Verizon towers. I transfered my number from verizon. For a mere 45 bucks a month..and I mean thats it..45 bucks..no taxes..no hidden charges..I get unlimited minutes..texting..and internet. How can you beat this. The only thing is they offer no camera phones..I can live with that. I had been paying around 110 a month for my verizon service. At 45 a month..thats 135 a quarter..or 540 for an entire year. I have a blank areas where I may be without service for a few minutes..but I'm learning where the dead spots are and will compensate my calls accordingly. Hell of a deal...as far as I'm concerned. Frank

04-28-2010, 10:33 PM	#15
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	So Far So Good... Verizon, I've found to have the best coverage not only in the Lakes Region, and also all of the nooks and crannies in the United States. While visiting in North Carolina, besides a land line, my cell phone was the only one that worked! Had to lend it out often! Terry _________________________________ __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

04-28-2010, 09:52 PM	#1
ossipeeboater Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 157 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Verizons not the cheapest but they have the best overall service and I've found their customer service nothing but great. Just had them retroactively change my plan today saving over 180 in overages, I had called last week and the girl couldnt; process a retor change before my normal bill ran but as she promised she called last night to fix it. WIll be moving from a BB to a HTC Incredible ina few weeks, outside the iphone Verizons phone offerings are as good as any carrier

04-29-2010, 09:27 AM	#6
Shore Driver Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tolland CT Posts: 194 Thanks: 20 Thanked 31 Times in 25 Posts	AT&T is useless in Northern New England - look closely at the next Verizon 3G ad for the massive holes in ME/NH/VT

04-29-2010, 09:45 AM	#7
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	Verizon has some pretty massive changes going on. Their 4G rollout will probably not occur on cell phones until the middle of next year, possibly no until the end. It's a pretty tricky thing to do, especially since they will be switching from the old CDMA system to the GSM technology. I also think almost all of their phones will have to have dual chipsets so users have access to 3G networks when needed. This was a real roadblock for them having an iPhone, which should be coming next year or so. The biggest changes will be in usage costs and billing. Verizon has so much coverage that they could afford to cripple handsets and limit services. In the 4G world, they will be limiting data usage and charging more. A necessary evil given that the bandwidth usage for 4G users could very well cripple their network. I just wish they'd become more friendly in billing terms. Carry forward minutes, changing plans online quickly, with no contract changes, and doing so quite a few times. All handy, cost-effective, and consumer friendly. I've had a cell phone from the days of fixed-mount car units and bag phones. I'm not really sure what people mean by customer service, I think I've been in for a battery once in about 16 years.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Great Northern Cleaning For This Useful Post:
beaner (04-29-2010), Rattlesnake Guy (04-29-2010)

04-29-2010, 09:44 PM	#13
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	Verizon's days of unbelievable billing will end at some point. I don;t know hwy people think they are great for customer "service", but I do know they are great at billing. Somebody's catching up for signal, which is the most important aspect. They need to relinquish the silly Vcast monopoly, and give up the darn crippling of phones. Many people have no iea what a phone can be without Verizon crippling it. Heck, I'm just happy as a boat in the broads without Verizon's voice mail.