Nextel or Nextel/Sprint Hybrid

I am currently a verizon user. I will be switching over to Nextel in the next month or two. I am at odds to which phone I should buy. I have seen/heard mixed reviews for the Hybrid Phones. I will be using the phone for the following ways:

Voice
DC
Text

I also need the rugged features of the phone. I tend to bump the phones around a bit. Advice? Anyone?

grazzt

PS The primary area I use the phone is So. NH and No. MA

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› See More: Nextel or Nextel/Sprint Hybrid

Well if you don't mind only being on Nextel's Network for 2 years or so, then go with it. But eventually, around 2009 or 2010, Sprint is dumping the Nextel network and by then will have everything merged over technology wise.

Have you considered going with Sprint Network since they are merged? If you really want DC, then yeah, go with Nextel. It seems you are looking for a rugged phone so I would definitely recommend the i580, hands down. It'll give you what you need, and no other phone right now in Nextel's lineup has the ultimate ruggedness.

Thanks for the reply. I have not heard that Sprint will dump the nextel network. I need the DC, but will use voice more than anything.

I thought after 1 year you can upgrade the phone with a new plan? Is this not true?

grazzt

you can upgrade at anytime, you remaining contract length just determins your discount. the IC502 is also a rugged phone made to the same shock specifications as the i580, just no camera and it is all nextel. The hybrid phones work well, you will just want to check the sprint/nextel website for coverage since the hybrid phones only use the 1900mhz sprint bandwidth which is the newest and is not in all areas that sprint had coverage. There is also a new hybrid coming, June/July launch has been discussed, which will have a camera and bluetooth although I do not believe it will be a rugged phone.

The DC on hybrid phones work off the nextel network. Its highly unlikely that the iDEN network will be dropped (its not possible to merge it, and if you've used Sprints readylink, you know how poorly it compares)

Originally Posted by grazzt

I am currently a verizon user. I will be switching over to Nextel in the next month or two. I am at odds to which phone I should buy. I have seen/heard mixed reviews for the Hybrid Phones. I will be using the phone for the following ways:

Voice
DC
Text

I also need the rugged features of the phone. I tend to bump the phones around a bit. Advice? Anyone?

grazzt

PS The primary area I use the phone is So. NH and No. MA

im sellling my i850 if interested. It's about 2 months old but you must take over my current account which has 1 year left, or pick your own plan. Let me know if you're interested.

Nextel service in the MA NH area is horrible!!!!! Dropped calls, System Busy, poor reception!!!! I have 3 plans with Nextel and I have called them repeatedly to complain and the answer I get is that they don't garuntee service in all areas and that I should expect 2-3 dropped calls per day. I can be in downtown Boston and not be able to make a call!! My service is SO BAD that I am switching to Verizon and paying a early termination fee for two of the three phones! It's worth it to me to get rid of the poor cell service and the poor customer service. I can't wait until 2010 for them to get their act together. I WOULD NOT RECCOMEND SPRINT OR NEXTEL AT ALL!! The hear the new hybrid phones have even worse service. If your smart stay with Verizon.

Originally Posted by grazzt

Thanks for the reply. I have not heard that Sprint will dump the nextel network. I need the DC, but will use voice more than anything.

I thought after 1 year you can upgrade the phone with a new plan? Is this not true?

grazzt

After one year of service or upgrade you are eligible for a $75 instant savings off the price of a phone of your choice. Two years after service or upgrade you are eligible for the full $150 instant savings, both would require a two year contract. Honestly, even tho I do work for them, I don't reccommend going with Nextel unless you REALLY want DC, and don't even consider the hybrid phone unless you REALLY want DC, and you don't have Iden coverage in your area.