Live in Dead Zone

[Dead Zone]

Can anyone recommend a brand or model number of the phone I should get to increase my chances of a signal. I currently have an old Motorola, and have been told to get a TriMode or Dual Mode, that supposedly searches for both an Analog and Digital siginal. Neither Cingular, Sprint, or Verizon phones will work where I live.

[roberts1953]

Where do you live, Zip code? What model phone do you have?

[Dead Zone]

Live in Nineveh, IN, zip: 46164, currently have a Motorola V120

[roberts1953]

I forgot to ask who your current service provider is.

I'm not sure which v120 model you have, there are 4, the C, T, E, and X models of that phone. If the phone is old it might be the V120t, which is TDMA, most likely if you are a holdover from ATT. But most likely it is one of the other 3, which are all CDMA. All 4 of these phone models are "trimode" phones. Meaning that they all run on digital 850 and 1900, as well as AMPS 850. You can't get much better than that. Cingular still operates old TDMA accounts leftover from ATT. If you are one of these the TDMA network might be in decline and upgrading to a Cingular GSM account may sovle your problem. If you don't get any Cingular GSM coverage your V120 wouldn't work on that network anyway. There are few palces that don't get any coverage. Just because you don't live in Sprint, Verizon, or Cingular coverage area doesn't mean you don't have someone that would cover you in your area. There are many other regional carriers throughout the country. Check here for other ideas for cellular providers in your area. http://wirelessadvisor.com/checkzip.cfm
Maybe look in to some of these listed for your ZIP.
SPRINT
Together with NEXTEL

Special: Get a FREE Nextel i265 Walkie-Talkie Phone!


SYSTEM: 800 MHz iDEN



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

T-MOBILE
Get more from life.®

Special: 1500 nationwide Whenever Minutes $39.99


SYSTEM: 1900 MHz GSM / GPRS



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VERIZON WIRELESS
We never stop working for you.®


SYSTEM: 800 MHz AMPS CDMA 3G: CDMA2000 1X



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NEXTWAVE

SYSTEM: 1900 MHz



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CENTENNIAL WIRELESS

SYSTEM: 800 MHz AMPS TDMA



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CINGULAR WIRELESS
raising the bar®

SYSTEM: 1900 MHz GSM / GPRS (TDMA) 3G: EDGE



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CINGULAR WIRELESS
raising the bar®

SYSTEM: 1900 MHz GSM / GPRS TDMA 3G: EDGE



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SPRINT PCS

SYSTEM: 1900 MHz CDMA 3G: CDMA2000 1x



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CASCADE WIRELESS

SYSTEM: 1900 MHz

Some phones get better reception then other, so upgrading your phone might work. By the way, you have a 2-4 week trail period with any new cell company when you sign a contract. You can try it out for coverage. If it doesn't work out for you you can get out of the contract during that window without a termination fee.

[Brad729]

check out www.cellboosterstore.com or www.wilsoncellular.com for information on signal boosters. I plan to get one of them myself, since I don't get any reception inside my house. If you have trouble getting digital service out there, your next phone should have AMPS analog band. Sometimes, especially in rural areas, analog is the only service available. Plus, the advantage of analog is you can roam through many carriers because both GSM and CDMA providers use AMPS for analog roaming. Have you heard of www.cellularone.com because I think if they don't service your area they will forward you to one of their partners who can help.

[Dead Zone]

Current service provider is Verizon. No signal, My company cell phone provider is Cingular-no signal, and my son has Sprint-no signal either. So when I renew my cell service either with Verizon or another provider, I was wondering what Cell Phone (Brand and/or model #) would give me the best chance. Thanks

[roberts1953]

Unfortunately listing a service and a phone with the best reception probably wont help you. It is different for everyone in everyplace. The best bet is "trial and error".

Phonescoop says your phone is "trimode" and has AMPS already. It doesn't get much better then that. Verizon is CDMA and AMPS with some of the best coverage. Sprint would probably be roaming on the same towers as Verizon in your area. Cingular GSM coverage is good, too. I don't know if a different handset will really help. It sounds like you are pretty isolated. By the way, do you get cell receprion from anyone while outside your house? If this is the case, and you are only lacking indoor service, maybe an antenna or signal booster may help for inside. (Or "maybe" a different phone, but I doubt it). Other then that, the best advice I can give is try different services with their grace periods and see if that helps. If not then you are one of the lucky few that don't get cell service where they live. In which case call forwarding between cell and home lines could be your friend.
One other thing to mention that I do. I also don't get reliable cell reception with my primary cell phone inside my phone. No big deal because the cell is for when I'm out. I have a VOIP service for my home line. One option with the VOIP line is a dual ring feature. When someone calls my VOIP line it rings at home, but at the same time rings my cell. I can pick up either line and take the call. If I'm out I can pick up my home calls on the cell. Plus, this feature is free with the VOIP, and I only have to give out one telephone number.

[roberts1953]

Sorry, I mistyped. I meant to say I also don't get reliable cell reception with my primary cell phone in my HOUSE. Not my "phone".

[Dead Zone]

Thanks for the info-I'll try different sets.