LG Wireless Phone

I'm looking for my 1st cell phone/wireless plan?

I might be the last person on this green Earth that doesn't have a cell phone. I've avoided it at all costs. Now, it's time to get one. I live in the Midwest. Looks like my options are Cingular, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon, Alltel, and Sprint. Any suggestions on what's good?

Public Comments

1. Verizon is Good...There a little rocky on the prices but Great service! Alltel..Well there a small company so I wouldn't go with them Sprint...OK phones.....OK Service (No good in mountains) T-Mobile...Bad service GREAT phones! Cingular..Great Service..Good Prices!..Great Phones! U.S. Cellular...Never Herd Of It
2. Ask your friends what service they have, and how good is it. It would be better than asking us considering the fact we don't know the town you live in. When you do, look up this website, http://www.cnet.com They have a list of cell phones that are carried by these mobile carriers that they and regular people review, with videos and pictures of the phones, and the features and specifications of the phone. It's really good.
3. First, I would throw out Cingular/AT&T simply because its too costly. I would also throw out T-mobile because they carry a limited supply of phones. The key in finding a new phone company also means you must find the right phone that accepts the technology of that company. For instance, Sprint/Nextel use IDEN while Cingular and T-mobile use GSM. Alltel isn't a bad company either although it is small it is still a good competitor. Verizon is said to have the best network. Not sure of Cellular....
4. Hey, We can start by throwing out three options. U.S. Cellular, Alltel, and T-Mobile. U.S. is a bottom feeder on all of those other companies. Alltel isn't far behind. Little known fact is that they don't own any towers (or very few), they lease. T-Mobile is really only good for L.A. and the northeast. Anywhere else and coverage is shoddy and the service is expensive (they do usually have the second cheapest deposits after Sprint/Nextel). Now to the companies that you should consider. Verizon - Decent phone service. TERRIBLE customer care. Terrible might actually be an understatement. Abysmal is good. The plans are pretty good. About on par with the other two companies. They offer unlimited Text, Pics, and Vids for one low cost, which is a bonus if that is something you need to do. If not, then Verizon is just a middle ground cell phone service. Cingular/ATT - Cingular has good coverage in a lot of places. They have a huge selection of phones. There deposits are sky-high (if you have really good credit, disregard deposit talk). They have roll-over minutes, which are awesome. Customer care is decent. And yes, you can use your phone all over the world....for an average of $2.10/minute outside of the US. They don't tell you that on the commercials. Here is the really bad news: IF you used over 50% of your minutes in roam (roaming is included now in the plan), they will politely ask you to leave the company. Even if you don't, they will not renew your contract at the 2 year mark. This is a new policy and it is driving a lot of Cingular customers to Sprint. Since you are in the midwest, this might actually be a problem at some point. Look into it. Sprint - more phones than VZ, less than Cingular. Cheapest deposits in the industry. $10 unlimited text messaging. Customer service is better than most, not as good as Cingular's though. Mountains are difficult, but that isn't different with most companies. Mainly above 13,000 you start to have trouble with signal. They do give you a 30-day return policy to bring it back if it doesn't work for you or you change your mind (YES, SPRINT HAD IT FIRST, NOT VERIZON....) Anyways, just some thoughts on my observations from my work in the industry....
5. U Wont Be Able To Beat These Plans, Except For The Little Unlimited Minute Plans That Only Work In 3 Cities Lol. Go Here, Sprint.com/sero And Use 1 Of These Emails, Savings@sprint.com Or Skiboard@sprint.com
6. Glad you're jumping in. ;) Do you plan on making very many calls? You could get a cheap prepaid with TracFone, Virgin, Net10, STI Mobile, etc. For plans, I'd suggest: 1) Sprint-- they have some cheap plans (try to get an employee referral!!) but a smaller selection of phones. They use CMDA, not GSM--- so you're always stuck with Sprint phones and can't use their phones on other networks. They have great service in my area. Their phones are typically not free with contract, but are cheap (say, $30-50ish) with contract. 2) T-Mobile- They have a large selection of phones, and have some cheap plans. Their service is lacking in some areas. In some areas here where my Sprint phone works, my T-Mobile phone does not. The good thing about T-Mobile and other GSM carriers is that you can use unlocked GSM phones on their network if you ever break/lose your T-Mobile phone. T-Mobile offers a number of free phones with contract and has a decent selection of them. 3) Cingular-- Works better in my area than T-Mobile, but has higher credit deposits and some of the phones seem a bit higher. 4) Verizon-- cool phones, but expensive phones and service. And, their phones are locked to their network (also CMDA). I wouldn't use them because of the price factor. Good luck!