roaming on Sprint PCS?

I am thinking of switching from Nextel to Sprint PCS.

I live in NYC Metro and travel frequently throughout NY State and Conn.

I am concerned about the "switch" from PCS digital to analog. I see on the
website that most/all of the major Highways in the area had digital coverage
but most other areas of NY do not and it looks like it would switch to
analog.

Obviously, I don't want to worry about the constant switch back and forth
between in network and out of network and the high costs involved, if the
map is accurate.

I talked with Customer Service today and they said the map might be out
dated as most of NY is part of the digital network.

I guess my question is then how much of the NY State area and NYC Metro area
part of the Digital Network? Is this something I should be worried about.
And a further question how much of the US covered by the Sprint Digital
Network?

TIA

On Thu, 25 Nov 2004 01:57:53 +0000, Lmmr wrote:

> I am thinking of switching from Nextel to Sprint PCS.
>
> I live in NYC Metro and travel frequently throughout NY State and Conn.
>
> I am concerned about the "switch" from PCS digital to analog. I see on the
> website that most/all of the major Highways in the area had digital coverage
> but most other areas of NY do not and it looks like it would switch to
> analog.
>
> Obviously, I don't want to worry about the constant switch back and forth
> between in network and out of network and the high costs involved, if the
> map is accurate.
>
> I talked with Customer Service today and they said the map might be out
> dated as most of NY is part of the digital network.
>
> I guess my question is then how much of the NY State area and NYC Metro area
> part of the Digital Network? Is this something I should be worried about.
> And a further question how much of the US covered by the Sprint Digital
> Network?
>
> TIA

Well the newer sprintpcs phones have the ability to roam on both analog
and digital networks. All major cities I have been in have had a good
Sprintpcs native network connection but I have not used Sprintpcs in NY so
I can't confirm how well the service is there. If roaming costs concern
you Sprintpcs has a 50% roaming add-on called "Free and Clear America"
which, if available in your area, allows you to roam without charge as
long as 50% of your total minutes that month are also on the Sprintpcs
native network. This add-on costs 5dollars a month so it is worth it if
you may be roaming a few minutes a month. Since this is the north east you
are in a Verizon heavy area and if Sprintpcs coverage is not up to your
liking they would be worth looking into.

In article <B_apd.8732$sX5.1647@trndny05>, "Lmmr" <lee.mille@gmail.com> wrote:
>I am thinking of switching from Nextel to Sprint PCS.
>
>I live in NYC Metro and travel frequently throughout NY State and Conn.
>
>I am concerned about the "switch" from PCS digital to analog. I see on the
>website that most/all of the major Highways in the area had digital coverage
>but most other areas of NY do not and it looks like it would switch to
>analog.
>
>Obviously, I don't want to worry about the constant switch back and forth
>between in network and out of network and the high costs involved, if the
>map is accurate.

I don't believe the map is that inaccurate. Most of NY, on a square mile
basis, is not covered by the digital network, but that is true everywhere in
the US. If you REALLY must have service in the most remote, rural parts of
NY, you must have analog service. Nextel is not better in this regard, it is
worse by far.

So, if what you describe is true, that you will be travelling to rural areas
in NY and CT, I think you would be crazy not to get some level of analog
service within your rate plan. That mean going with Verizon, or getting
Sprint's FCA option, the $5 option to cover roaming charges. And of
course, getting a phone that can support analog (AMPS).

If actually you will only go into remote areas very infrequently, then a nice
Sprint CS person can add a 50 minute roaming bundle on your plan for
free. Otherwise, get the FCA option, and no high costs will be incurred.

Daniel Tso wrote:
>
> In article <B_apd.8732$sX5.1647@trndny05>, "Lmmr" <lee.mille@gmail.com> wrote:
> >I am thinking of switching from Nextel to Sprint PCS.
> >
> >I live in NYC Metro and travel frequently throughout NY State and Conn.
> >
> >I am concerned about the "switch" from PCS digital to analog. I see on the
> >website that most/all of the major Highways in the area had digital coverage
> >but most other areas of NY do not and it looks like it would switch to
> >analog.
> >
> >Obviously, I don't want to worry about the constant switch back and forth
> >between in network and out of network and the high costs involved, if the
> >map is accurate.
>
> I don't believe the map is that inaccurate. Most of NY, on a square mile
> basis, is not covered by the digital network, but that is true everywhere in
> the US. If you REALLY must have service in the most remote, rural parts of
> NY, you must have analog service. Nextel is not better in this regard, it is
> worse by far.
>
> So, if what you describe is true, that you will be travelling to rural areas
> in NY and CT, I think you would be crazy not to get some level of analog
> service within your rate plan. That mean going with Verizon, or getting
> Sprint's FCA option, the $5 option to cover roaming charges. And of
> course, getting a phone that can support analog (AMPS).
>
> If actually you will only go into remote areas very infrequently, then a nice
> Sprint CS person can add a 50 minute roaming bundle on your plan for
> free. Otherwise, get the FCA option, and no high costs will be incurred.

One caveat... With FCA, in order to keep the charge at $5.00/month, at least
half of your minutes must be non-roaming.

Notan