Need advice! What company delivers the best cell phone service?

[CTyankee]

My contract with Verizon is just about up. I don't use my cell phone very often, just when travelling or emergencies, so I don't need lots of minutes. I never use my allotted amount in a month. My monthly fee is about $42. Verizon wants to add to my minutes and send me another phone (do I need a replacement for a 2yr old phone?) for the same amount if I renew with them.

Any advice you can offer would be gratefully accepted!

[YellowRubberDuckie]

1. We generally go with international companies if given the chance...

We really like T Mobile. Never had any problems with them. We've had them for 7 years now.
Duckie

[CTyankee]

2. What difference does international make?

Hope that's not a dumb question. I just don't know that much about cell phone technology.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

3. I have no idea....

It just sounds cool. :evilgrin:
Also, we plan on travelling soon, and we would like a company that we can find in every country we may go to. I don't know if cingular is all over, but i know they have tmobile in England, Germany, etc...
Duckie

[CTyankee]

4. REally? I was told last year that my cell phone wouldn't work

in Sicily where I went on a trip. They said I had to buy a phone card to use there. Or get a special cell phone for international use. They didn't say it applied only to American based cell phone companies.

So if I get a T Mobile I can use it on my trip to Italy this fall?

[YellowRubberDuckie]

5. That's what I was lead to believe.

:shrug: I might be wrong.

[Rambis]

7. I don't think it works

I called verizon before I went to Europe and the guy told me not to buy their plan because it was too expensive. He said nobody has an international calling plan that is worth it. He suggested buying a phone card as well. I am not saying it won't work but it will cost you.

[LeftyMom]

8. American phones work on different frequencies

Unless you get a phone marketed to international travelers, the best you can do is get a phone that works there and pop your GSM chip in it to use your normal account and billing.

[Kellanved]

10. All modern GSM phones are multi-band

With a few exceptions like the palm pilots, that is. Almost all GSM phones made since the late 90s are able to operate on both sides of the big pond.

[Kellanved]

9. Yes, if you have a GSM tri-band phone, it will work in Europe

At least if your contract allows roaming. IIRC, T-Mobile USA is a GSM service, so their phones will work in Italy - it just might be expensive to use them there.

I use my European cell-phone in the US without any problems whatsoever. It's not even terribly expensive - far cheaper than hotel phones.

[CTyankee]

11. Not tech savvy, here. What does GSM mean?

Verizon tells me they have eliminated charges for roaming.

[Kellanved]

12. GSM is the European cell-phone standard -"Global System for Mobile ..."

IIRC T-Mobile and Cingular are GSM, while Verizon still uses CDMA.

[Deja Q]

6. I hate to say it, but spying aside: Verizon. And don't use Sprint. EVER.

Who doesn't spy anyway?

Sprint is garbage, trying to cancel is a real fight (they also automatically renew the contract and if you try to cancel they will sock you the $150 early termination fee, fuckin' dirty vultures... not that I'm upset or anything, mind you...)

[KitchenWitch]

13. I have had Cingular for years

Have been very happy with them.