Cell phone providers

[MJZiggy]

I am happy with my service.

[Little Whiskey]

my cell service is great.....until it sucks!!

[Fosco33]

Sprint and Verizon Wireless do not publicize this information very well but I am here to let you in on a bit of a secret to service when traveling outside of your "home" area - particularily out of state or at least a 50 mile radius.

I can't recall what the codes are for Sprint - but - for Verizon Wirelss - you simply dial *228 and select option 1 to "activate" or "program" your phone. (If you are wealthy enough to have a PDA use *22899 no need to make a selection just wait for "programming successful" to appear on your phone.)

You'll want to do this AFTER you arrive in your new destination (such as another metro area)

What this does is "resets" what they call a PRL or "preferred roaming list". This will ensure that your phone will attempt to "find" the tower that's geographically closest to you, instead of trying to "find" your local home tower first and then running through a progression of algorythms to attempt to locate your position or the closest tower.

To summarize: dial the activation # when you arrive in a new area for best service and reception.

I was just gonna post this.

While it's not posted, they will tell you to do that when buying your first phone. I travel all the time (west-east) and stop over in Chicago, Dallas/Houston, Cincy or NC. I do this monthly at least.

One thing that I'd disagree with though. It's not only if you travel.

As VW updates their coverage, you have to do this to keep your software on your phone up to date.

[MJZiggy]

As I just had to talk to them, they recommended this as well, but they suggest that after you dial *228, you choose option 2. Seriously painless.

[SkinBasket]

As I just had to talk to them, they recommended this as well, but they suggest that after you dial *228, you choose option 2. Seriously painless.

I don't know about painless. I spent 100 bucks for a fricken phone (before finding out it had been hobbled by verizon). Why can't it do this administrative bullshit itself?

[Fosco33]

As I just had to talk to them, they recommended this as well, but they suggest that after you dial *228, you choose option 2. Seriously painless.

I don't know about painless. I spent 100 bucks for a fricken phone (before finding out it had been hobbled by verizon). Why can't it do this administrative bullshit itself?

They probably could set something up - like Windows Updates - still have to install them for the most part. It's not a big deal really - I always remember when I pay those darn bills.

One other thing that I do - more to keep big bro a little less out of my hair - I switch the GPS locator to off. Obviously VW knows where I am and the gov't probably just hacks and grabs data so they have it but have to find it.

[Sparkey]

Re: Cell phone providers

My contract is coming up soon with Cingular. Ya know, the company that is raising the bar on customer frustrations and home to the most dropped calls anywhere? Ok, at least in GB....

What carriers do you use, do you like them? comments, etc....

I'm thinking of going to Verizon.

I live in Sheboygan, GBR and I still use Cellcom. Have a cabin up near Lakewood and overall, get really good reception throughout the state.

CELLCOM.......SIMPLY THE BEST! Mike Sherman said so!