Hello Hello Anyone Have A Cell Phone That Works!
Hello for 07-99
By: Mike Lipshultz
Mike@biznetonline.com


When it comes to selecting a Cell Phone company there is more to consider then just pricing plans. The most important thing to consider is where you are going to need the phone to work (the geographic areas that you will be traveling in when you will need your phone to work the most). After all, the best pricing plan is useless if your phone will not work in the areas you need it in.

The first thing we need to point out is that even though we call them Cell Phones (this includes PCS Phones etc.) they are not phones. In reality, they are two-way radio transceivers. And very low power radios at that. Like any radio device, a lot of different things can affect their usability. Weather (temperature and humidity), terrain (flat ground, mountains, buildings,) and a whole host of other things including Sun Spots (more on Sun Spots next month).

If you’re lucky and the area you really need the "phone" to work in is just right (as in the company you have selected has the area well covered with "cell sites") you will only need one phone to handle all the areas you must have "phone" coverage in. I know of some individuals that need to carry two or three "phones" with service from different providers just to make sure they have a "working" phone almost all the time.

So, how do you find out which is the best one for you? The first question you need the answer to is "where are you going to be using the phone?" After you know the area or areas that you will need phone service in, talk to people you see using "Cell" phones in those area and find out what service they use. Ask them how they like the service. Ask about call and sound quality. If possible ask them (very nicely) if you can make a call on their phone to see for yourself. After you have talked to people you will find that their opinion on the best phone service changes with the area you are in.

Why? Remember we are talking about radios here. So, if you’re not close to a "Cell" site, you have bad or no service. Now, before you ask why don’t the phone companies just put up more sites.... Believe me when I say for the most part they would love to, but with all the different companies each needing their own "Cell" site, and all the sites that are already up, it’s not easy to add more locations. Cities are starting to consider them eyesores, and neighborhood groups don’t want an antenna in their area. So, it’s a catch 22 for the companies. Every one is yelling for better coverage, and everyone yells to stop them from putting a site in their area.... Dammed if they do... Dammed if they don’t. This is why the companies with the best service tend to be the ones that have been in that area the longest, as they had first chance at getting their "Cell" sites up. To overcome a lack of their own sites, some companies partner up so the can share "Cell" site resources and in effect increase their coverage. In the case of companies that were first in the area, sometimes their sites can’t handle the number of customers they already have in the area, so when you try to connect, you get a busy signal. In either case, all the companies would love to put up more "Cell" sites.

In testing phones in different areas, do yourself a favor. Don’t go into a store to test the phones they have on display. Why? Because any phone they have for you to use will work great. They also will tell you how great their service is over the other guys. Why is this? Lets face it, no one is going to hand you a phone they are trying to sell you, if it does not work good in their store. But, just because brand "A" works good in the store does not mean it will work a few blocks, or miles away.

Like I said before, talk to the Man (or Woman) on the street. You will find out more about the usability of the different services then you will ever learn at a store.

One last thing. Best coverage does not mean best pricing or best company. On pricing, most companies are close to each other on their digital plans. Again in making your decision you will need to know the areas you will be using the phone in. Do you need a plan with free long distance and no roaming charges, or are you using the phone locally? Before you buy, you better know the answers, or you can easily find yourself on the wrong plan, or with the wrong company. You also need to know what is more important to you, good customer service, or good area coverage. On a recent trip to the Colorado river in a group of about 80 people, the only "Cell" phones that worked at the campground were on AT&T. None of the other phones (this included AirTouch, GTE, Nextell, Sprint, and Pacific Bell) worked in the area we were in. As I personally use AT&T (formally L.A. Cellular) I was glad to have a working phone. In fact the only reason I use AT&T is the simple fact that in the area’s I travel the most in, I have found their coverage to be the best (note I said best, not perfect, or without areas of no coverage, just the best as in better then the other guys). I can also tell you that their customer service is not the best. Please see this month’s article AT&T SUCKS. I personally believe in my area that AirTouch has much better customer service. I can’t say how the other companies are, as I have had no experience with them.

So, now you know, before talking on your own cell phone, talk to people that are using one.

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Last modified: November 08, 2002