I copied this from Consumer Reports.
There are differences among the major services. Here are the ones that count.
Now that number portability has given consumers more freedom to switch, the major cell-phone carriers are advertising heavily to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Here are the differences that really matter, which you won’t necessarily see in the ads.
AT&T WIRELESS
How good Middling levels of customer satisfaction in our survey. Overloaded circuits have been a problem in several cities.
Turnover rate 29 percent.
Specials mMode, a catchall term for an array of features, many tied to an Internet connection, that deliver data to the phone. Also GoPhone, a variation on prepaid, no-contract calling plans.
Digital networks TDMA and GSM GSM phones can roam only on other GSM networks. The TDMA network is bigger and allows roaming on other TDMA or analog systems.
CINGULAR
How good Middling levels of customer satisfaction in our survey. Overloaded circuits have been a problem in several cities.
Turnover rate 32 percent.
Specials Rollover minutes, available on many calling plans, let you carry forward any unused calling time.
Digital networks TDMA and GSM. GSM phones can roam only on other GSM networks. The TDMA network is bigger and allows roaming on other TDMA or analog systems.
NEXTEL
How good Middling levels of customer satisfaction in our survey. Fewer problems than most with call connections, and average customer support.
Turnover rate 21 percent, lowest of the major companies.
Specials First to offer push-to-talk walkie-talkie service with a cell phone (.
Digital network Uses iDEN network. No roaming on other systems. Offers only Motorola phones.
SPRINT PCS
How good Wide variation in customer-satisfaction scores in our survey. Dropped calls and customer support have been problems.
Turnover rate 35 percent.
Specials Latest to offer push-to-talk service. PCS Vision service is a collection of features, many tied to an Internet connection. Its calling plans begin nighttime hours at 7 p.m., two hours earlier than others.
Digital network Uses CDMA. Can roam with other networks using CDMA or analog.
T-MOBILE
How good Wide variation in customer-satisfaction scores in our survey. Static on calls has been a problem.
Turnover rate 38 percent, highest of the major companies.
Specials Known as the value leader, with low per-minute rates (but not necessarily the best rates overall). Weekend rates begin on Fridays. Offers only 1-year contracts.
Digital network Uses GSM. Can roam only on other GSM systems.
VERIZON WIRELESS
How good Highest levels of customer satisfaction in our survey. Fewer problems with service availability and overloaded circuits.
Turnover rate 23 percent.
Specials Push-to-talk walkie-talkie service. Some calling plans tie wireless service in with regular local and long-distance calling, plus high-speed Internet access.
Digital network Uses CDMA. Can roam on other networks that use CDMA or analog.
I have Verizon and I like it. I rarely get dropped calls or no service.
BTW I would suggest you get A credit card. Pay it off every month no exceptions and never be late with a payment. Little credit with a good rating is better than no credit. We know you’re a good and responsible guy, but unfortunately you have to prove that to the banks.
ALPHABET SOUP: CELL-PHONE TERMS
Analog The original type of wireless techology. An important backup for emergencies, but being phased out.
CDMA Code Division Multiple Access. The format used by Sprint, Verizon, and some regional carriers. It assigns a digital code to keep the calls separate.
Cellular Also known as mobile or wireless. It’s a call-handling system composed of a network of antennas. A call is relayed from antenna to antenna.
Cellular band The part of the radio spectrum originally allocated for mobile-phone use. See also PCS band.
Dual band Denotes a phone that can operate in the cellular and PCS bands, which can broaden coverage.
Dual mode, tri-mode, multinetwork Denotes a phone that can use at least one digital format, analog technology, or both.
GSM Global System for Mobile Communications. A digital format that’s widely used in Europe and Asia. It keeps calls separate by assigning a slice of time to each caller. Used by AT&T and Cingular.
iDEN Integrated Digital Enhanced Network. Used only by Nextel in the U.S.
PCS band Personal Communications System band. A portion of the radio spectrum allocated to mobile-phone use. Sprint and T-Mobile are the largest companies in the PCS band.
PTT Push to Talk. Allows a cell phone to be used like a walkie-talkie.
Roaming The common practice of seeking a signal from a “partner” carrier to handle a call outside your home area.
SMS Short Message Service, or text messaging. Lets you send short text messages from one cell phone to another or from the Internet to a cell phone.
TDMA Time Division Multiple Access. The digital format used mainly by AT&T Wireless and Cingular. Similar to GSM.
