Rockwell Schrock
EF3
This might warrant its own thread, but as a follow-up: What cell phone services have people had good experiences with?
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What cell phone services work the best for chasing?
- Thread starter Rockwell Schrock
- Start date
PaulChambers
EF1
I used Verizon this past year and had service where some others did not. I know AT&T was one, but since they merged with Cingular, I am not sure how there coverage improved.
Jeff Snyder
EF5
I've generally used ATTWS in the past and have been quite pleased with the service on the TDMA National OneRate plan. I did try Verizon for a bit, but, in my experience, coverage wasn't as good as it was with ATT. I have since switched over to Cingular, though that doesn't really matter that much I suppose since ATT is now Cingular anyways. I'm excited to have moved on from the Ositech+Nokia 6160+ATT data setup of years past and into the GPRS age with my Motorola MPx220. Though I'm pretty excited about this data solution, I realize that even GPRS data (~30-50 kbps) is two generations old now, behind EDGE (100-150 kbps)and the new UMTS high-speed networks (400-600 kbps) that Cingular is said to be building starting next year. Refer to http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1734176,00.asp for some info on UMTS by Cingular.Craig Maire II
Best cellphone service
I purchased a TracFone in September and have found that no matter where I go I ALWAYS have excellent reception! I purchase my minutes as I go and have bought a 1 year Double Minutes card, which means when I purchase a 400 minute card I get 800 instead!! (for 80$) It may be a little pricier than most other cellphone companies but with my TracFone I don't have a monthly bill, contract, deposit, etc.!!
David Draun
EF5
I don't reccomend Sprint PCS. They kick out in nearly all rural areas. Nationwide network, my butt. Can you hear me now? Nope.
Also, welcome back Craig!
Terry Kollmeyer
EF0
What cell phone services work best for chasing?
I have been using Nextel. But, I'd advise against it. Main problem being is lack of service area. Granted, all cell companies have this problem, but Nextel seems to be at the top of the list.
Besides, the best advantage to using Nextel is the nation wide walkie-talkie feature. And unless you know other chasers or nowcasters with that, then you might as well look elsewhere.
Scott Taylor
EF4
Did EDGE ever become readily available to the public?? I thought I remember seeing that it had started being rolled out by AT&T to their towers back in early-mid 2003, but can't find hardly anything on this now. Was it dropped in favor of the UMTS thing?
Thanks
Scott
Tony Laubach
EF5
Gotta agree with David.. in fact, I will likely be a Verizon subscriber come next season. With additional features such as the roaming option, I was able to maximize the service areas, but even then, had issues getting service in deep areas of nowhere. I've been with Sprint PCS for a while now, so I'm not in a hurry to say don't use it if you don't mind shoving out the extra few bucks monthly for the additional roaming plan. Guess I'm hoping Verizon's service area covers those areas where I'd normally be roaming!Rockwell Schrock
EF3
I've read something about being able to access the Internet over ham radio... has anyone ever done this, and is it feasible as an alternative to cell-phone data options?
Jeff Snyder
EF5
I don't know about AT&T Wireless's EDGE network, but I know Cingular (which bought out ATTWS) has a pretty decent EDGE network, especially relative to the 'high speed' data systems of other providers. The problem is that wireless carriers are spending millions and millions of dollars on upgrading their systems every couple of years. And the sad part is that the "new" technology in the US actually tends to be "old" technology elsewhere across the world. For example, Japan has had 3G data services with realtime video teleconferencing capabilities for several years now, while U.S. carriers are JUST starting (or planning) to roll that out here. I'm not sure why some carriers didn't just jump technology generations, since most went from the older analog/digital/PCS technology to 2G (GSM/GRPS) to 2.5G (EDGE or similar) to now 3G (UMTS, EDVO I believe, etc) . I suppose it was all about competition and the sheer number of towers needed to cover the U.S., but it still seems interesting...
Tony Laubach
EF5
Change that, I am NOW a Verizon customer! I opted to make the change last night when I finally decided to pull the trigger. Their coverage is much more broad in areas where I travel (especially in the Spring). My next mission is to dispute the inevitable 'early termination fee' with reasons such as not being able to communicate to others on business in the Plains! Wish me luck! :lol:
Jeff Snyder
EF5
Depending upon your state laws and the carrier, I know that in some states, the "early termination fee" is pro-rated through the length of the contract. In other words, if you are half-way through your contract, you only have to pay half the fee. I don't about about CO, but just thought I'd bring it up...I had to drop my Verizon coverage when I moved up here. Apparently that motherf***** on the commercials never visited Oklahoma.David Diehl
I have had Verizon now for going on my third season. I have only had one problem with roaming, just south of the Kansas Oklahoma border. Other than that, I have been very pleased with my coverage. I have the nation wide plan, so That one roaming spot killed me :shock:
Other than that, I will continue to use verizon unless something better comes up.
Andrew Pritchard
EF5
I have Cingular as my cell phone service, and am very pleased. While I've chased the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin...the only place I've had service problems was rural central Wisconsin. No one has any business chasing up there anyways...
Adam Atkins
EF2
T-Mobile
Don't Get T-Mobile! My thoughts...
Have had good coverage with Cingular in Texas and Oklahoma as I can also use my phone as a wireless modem for my laptop. Coverage though is not good in Kansas west of I-35.
Skip Talbot
EF5
I'm going to put my vote in for Cingular as well. Although its been mentioned in other threads, I think its worthy to note here that there is a loophole in the pricing of data. An unlimited laptop data package from Cingular costs $80. However, you can buy the MEdia Works package for $20 and get the same kinds of speed, connectivity, and unlimited data. The difference between the packages is that the latter was designed for use only on a cell phone browser, however, it can be configured quite easily to provide an internet connection to a laptop as well.DanHinch
EF0
I have tried to do that with my motorola V400, but was never sucesssful... I can only get it to connect with the WIX and not the Media Works... I use the data cable to connect to my phone, if you got this to work, I would be interested in hearing how you did it.
DH
Skip Talbot
EF5
I need to play with it some more to figure out exactly what is going on. Right now I'm connecting over the switched circuit network which uses up minutes, but next step is the GPRS packet network which doesn't use minutes and is faster.
Perhaps there are compatibility issues with the phone? I have a Sony Ericsson Z500 and it came with a USB cable and software for using the phone as a modem. I login into Cingular's data network with the login: [email protected] and password: CINGULAR1 has to be all caps.
I'm a little confused by what you mean by WIX. That's the wireless internet express right, or do you man the laptop data access plans? I thought WIX was included in the MEdia Works package, but was meant for use only on a phone. Whereas the laptop data plans use basically the same thing but with a different log in name and software. My online bill isn't showing any extra data charges... yet.DanHinch
EF0
The data only packages is what I was referring to as WIX or wireless internet express...that’s what we called it when I worked for Cingular but that has been over a year now and things may have changed... The data only packages don't have to be used with a data card, but can also be used with a phone. Many Cingular Reps don't understand that and it can take a while when you want to have it added to your account. I wouldn't want to use the switching because it uses min. and can't be faster than 9600, or 14400 that I am aware of. I love the GPRS and can't wait to use edge someday. If there was away to make the network "think" you are accessing the internet through the phone, rather than a PC connection...it would certainly be cheaper, but Cingular could drop you from that plan and move you to a data plan if they noticed that large amounts of data.
Skip Talbot
EF5
Ah ha, an insider! So I guess I am going to have be careful with how much bandwidth I eat up. Do you have any idea how many MBs before a flag gets raised over there? I remember back in the dorm we used to change our MAC addresses to avoid the 500 MB daily limit, but we still had to keep it under 2 GB or else the network admins would catch on. I assume with MEdia works though that the number is more like 20 MB.DanHinch
EF0
I am not really sure, I wish I knew.
DHMike Johnson
FYI: Cingular is beginning to block Internet access for those who have been using the Media Internet Express. This service was designed for the
phone browser only, but some have been able to toggle the phone
and computer to establish an open Internet connection. Cingular's normal unlimited Internet service (through a laptop - Bluetooth, USB) is $79.00 a month. The only problem is very limited reception in hot chase areas like western/central Kansas and E. CO - Northward. Not worth $79.00 in my opinion, although it can be added on a monthly basis.
I was able to use the Media Express until I recently changed phones from a Sony E. to the Mot. V551. When I called into third level tech support, I got a spanking! I don't think they can block the old phones, but the new ones can be blocked. It's my understanding that some NWS data can be received via the phone's WAP browser, ($20.00 a month for unlimted access) but I do not know if the good stuff (SPC outlooks and meso's) can be downloaded or if the text files are posted in a timely manner?
MikeMatthew Hatton
Although I have been chasing for a few years now I have always had problems with the whole data access thing. I have tended to opt for wifi in hotel lobbys for now as this does offer high speed access and hotel owners are normally quite helpful.
I do want to get mobile though but last year the main problem was setting up an account being from the UK. Has anyone any solutions for someone not from the USA?Similar threads
