Going to be picking up the Nexus One, but before I spend the money, figured I'd ask a question on which carrier people prefer.

Currently I have AT&T, and if I'm in any store, Safeway, Tops, etc. I can't get a signal at all, have to go outside, but I do see others talking on their cells.

The phone isn't available on verizon yet, but will be within another week or two from what it looks like.

Anyone have any concrete opinions on which has better voice/data service around the harbor?

Hands down without question Verizon is the only carrier to currently have in Grays Harbor. My friends who have had AT&T have counted the days until they can switch back to Verizon. Most of those switched to AT&T for the iPhone and have regretted every minute of it because of the crappy service down here. Perhaps in the future this will change but for now I would not get anything with AT&T service.

If you happen to run into an honest AT&T sales person they will confirm the lack of service in this area. One of my friends who switched actually had the sales rep helping him to get out of his contract because of the lack of service down here.

Verizon.

I switched to Verizon from AT&T about a year ago and the service with Verizon is much better in this area. Like you said i couldn't use my phone in any store in Aberdeen or Hoquiam or get a signal at either Westport or ocean shores.

I don't recall having too many problems outside this area, but if your choosing based soly on the services in this area go Verizon.

I've been with Verizon since I got my first phone (now THAT was a weight lifting program!). I can't compare other services. I do know, however, that when I got Lil Stash's first phone, at least half of his calls were "out of network" or non-Verizon. One by one his friends have switched. To see one come through that is something other than Verizon is a rare event.

I'm guessing Verizon has something better in either customer service or reception area. It's either that or Verizon is much better at attracting masochists.

From my POV:

I've had Cingular/AT&T for a long time, even got a great deal on my cellular time that was a promo deal with Cingular and kept it throughout (much cheaper than anything I can switch to).

And I've had no problems with reception (iPhone 3G) around here. I know everyone raves about Verizon around here, but I've heard just as many complaints about them as AT&T.

So, that's my take. We now return to your regularly scheduled "Verizon rocks" thread...

ok.... Verizon rocks.





p.s. They really do!

Verizons new trick is when you get a new phone they make you get a data plan. There are a whopping 3 phones that you will not be forced to have a data plan. I'm not sure i will stay with Verizon once my contract is up because i had a data plan the entire time i was with AT&T and rarely used it.

Just noticed that myself. We need 4 phones in the family, and only I really need the data plan, but the "feature phones" that don't require the data plan are pretty much crap.

I'm so far behind technologically, I didn't even know if I have a Smart Phone. I don't. But, in the search I found this article in Tthe Technologizer.

A snippet:

Currently, Verizon says phones that need the plan are “devices with HTML capability.” Thus, if you have a full web browser on your new phone, you’ll be getting the new plan. Current customers would not be affected: they would be grandfathered until they upgrade their devices.

Now, I’m the first person to criticize Verizon when it comes to its cell phone service. The company cripples its phones with an awful propreitary interface, and locks out functionality more than any other carrier. But this move makes sense.

If you have a smartphone, you shouldn’t be skimping out anyway. The whole purpose of these devices are the Internet connectivity themselves. It’s a waste of money to buy a device like the iPhone or LG Dare, etc. and then not get the data plan with it.

Add to this the ridiculous way the smaller plans were priced, and its likely most were already opting for this plan anyway. You can’t fault Verizon for wanting to cash in on the smartphone craze, after all it does have investors to deal with.