Goodbye, Verizon...

In alt.cellular Cyrus Afzali <[email protected]> wrote:

> I think that's going to be something you'll see more on the"right
> coast" than left. Once you leave NYC, you can be "nowhere" within a
> couple of hours, especially since drives often take you off parkways
> and interstates.

I beg to differ. Try driving from LA or San Diego to Vegas on I-15.
Drive through Hesperia, Victorville, Apple Valley and Barstow - then past
Barstow, absolutely nothing. I mean, almost no exits, no buildings on the side
of the freeway, nothing except Baker (and the world's tallest thermometer)
halfway up from Barstow, a small stripmine at Mountain Pass, CA, and a few
casinos just over the state line in Primm. Other than that, nothing until you
hit I-215 on the outskirts of Vegas.

Point taken, however

--
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Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / [email protected]
PGP Key available from your friendly local key server (0xE3AE35ED)
Apple Valley, California Nothing scares me anymore. I have three kids.

---

› See More: Goodbye, Verizon...

In alt.cellular Robert M. <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, 7 Jul 2004, Steven J Sobol, Trying to convince himself he did
> the right thing

Don't bother going there. The SPCS regulars know you currently have a boner
for Cingular, and that's fine. I will absolutely not ever use Cingular,
having previously been screwed over on a DSL line by one of the telcos
that owns Cingular (specifically, SBC). If only BellSouth owned Cingular I'd
consider them, but SBC gets none of my money. Zero, zip, zilch. Even for
landlines (Apple Valley is Verizon territory).

Try to spin if you want to, but my overall experience with Sprint has been
good. Of course, you're the guy who supposedly came back to Sprint and bought
a ReadyLink phone but is now crowing about the Motorola handset he is using
on Cingular - sorry, I don't quite buy that, and you know your credibility is
rather suspect anyhow.

> of text messages for $20/month, $15 + $5 = $20 where I come from.

Well, actually, wise guy, it's $10 per month for unlimited if you don't
have a Vision pack or $5 if you do. Obviously, if you're paying the $5 you're
also paying the $15 for Vision. Duh.

> After 3 months SprintPCS will now require a new contract to change plans.
> Did you miss that minor detail?

Proof? I specifically asked about that, and was told "no."

> A very good reason to change carriers, and why so many people leave
> Sprint.

But it works where I want it to work. What's your problem with me switching
to Sprint?

> But then you're not porting and retaining your number, which SprintPCS
> STILL has problems with. and often for no known reason takes days.

Supposedly. I've seen exactly one example of that in the SPCS group. Can
you provide others?

--
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Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / [email protected]
PGP Key available from your friendly local key server (0xE3AE35ED)
Apple Valley, California Nothing scares me anymore. I have three kids.

In alt.cellular.verizon Mike <[email protected]> wrote:

> You knew I'd pipe up on this one, Steve.

I was just waiting for the post. I knew it was coming.

> I've used my VZW phone (actually, two of them) extensively in the
> greater Akron area, and have yet to run into such problems. I don't

I didn't get details; perhaps I should have.

> to really consider any other carrier, coverage-wise. I know Sprint
> has the "FCA" thing, but there are months I'd come dangerously close
> to stomping on the 50% thing!

I don't. There aren't many cities I visit that don't have native coverage
from both carriers.

> I can certainly understand what you're doing, and your frustration,
> based on what you've talked about it. It doesn't really seem like VZW
> gives a crap about that area you're in.

That was my point, yes.

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services, http://JustThe.net/
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / [email protected]
PGP Key available from your friendly local key server (0xE3AE35ED)
Apple Valley, California Nothing scares me anymore. I have three kids.

Jerome Zelinske <[email protected]> wrote:
> Anyone who knows for sure, please confirm/deny, but I did not
> think that you could port a number to an existing line/number. Does not
> a ported number have to be to a new line of service?

Radio Shack said no, but that was Radio Shack. (And that's why I didn't buy
the phone there.) Rob has told me yes, and this has been confirmed by other
SPCS employees.

If not, that's fine, they'll just have to let me out of my current contract
next month and start up a new one. And waive another activation fee (they
waived mine because I was activating a second line; it's apparently part
of a promotion they're running).

I don't know whether the Radio Shack issue is incorrect training, RS
managers telling their store employees stuff to try to get them to sell more
new contracts, or an actual technical issue in the activation system preventing
a port to an existing reseller-activated contract...

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services, http://JustThe.net/
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / [email protected]
PGP Key available from your friendly local key server (0xE3AE35ED)
Apple Valley, California Nothing scares me anymore. I have three kids.

Robert M. <[email protected]> wrote:

>> Anyone who knows for sure, please confirm/deny, but I did not
>> think that you could port a number to an existing line/number. Does not
>> a ported number have to be to a new line of service?
>
> Nope, you just change numbers.

Mmmm, but I think Jerome works for Radio Shack (right?) and a Radio Shack
employee specifically told me no. As previously mentioned, I don't know
whether it's an issue with Sprint's system that prevents it, or something
else.

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services, http://JustThe.net/
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / [email protected]
PGP Key available from your friendly local key server (0xE3AE35ED)
Apple Valley, California Nothing scares me anymore. I have three kids.

No wonder we haven't seen you grace the VZW newsgroup lately.

I'm surprised you went with SPCS considering GTE Wireless (now VZW)
has been pretty solid in the Richmond area.

Where I live, SPCS doesn't work worth a darn. VZW works OK. Cingular
maybe on a good day. Haven't tested with AT&T, Suncom or T-Mobile
though.

Dave


On Thu, 8 Jul 2004 03:07:58 -0400, Steve Crow <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Steven,
>
>As you may well recall, it was back in November that I declared I was
>leaving Verizon Wireless and switching to Sprint PCS. That, too, was
>"unthinkable." I haven't looked back. Sprint's been a heck of a lot more
>reliable than Verizon Wireless, and with far better customer service, than
>what I was getting before the switch. I believe you will find fewer
>network problems, better service, and better value (note: did not say
>"better prices") when you come over to Sprint PCS.
>
>I took the plunge, and I welcome you to the family.
>
>Steve
>

On Wed, 07 Jul 2004 22:10:09 -0500, Steven J Sobol
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
>What I'm getting with Sprint PCS that I wasn't getting with Verizon:
>
>1. Wireless service that actually works when and where I need it to work.

Hence why I'll never use SPCS. I'd even use Cingular (what my wife
uses) before I'd ever go to those bastards. Their coverage around here
is so bad that people who know I have Verizon ask me to borrow my
phone to make a phone call!

Also, Sprint ripped both my father and I on their LD plans (double
billings, removing us from their plans, etc). I will NEVER touch
anything with a Sprint name on it for as long as I shall live.

However, if VZW wasn't working for you, then I understand the move to
Sprint. However what other carriers where you live? Did you look into
them first? I really wouldn't like to go on a 1900 MHz only carrier.

>6. Unlimited PCS to PCS calling, which because I have lots of family and
>friends on Sprint, will save me much more than the $5/month I'm paying for it.

Hmm.. I get In-Network for free. Works just great.

>7. Flat-rate unlimited web browsing and download time through PCS
>Vision for $15 per month (ringtones and screensavers and apps are
>charged individually if purchased from Sprint, but the downloads don't
>cost extra if I go to a free site and send content to my phone).
>Includes a monthly download credit for content I buy from Sprint, or I
>can pay $10 if I don't want the download credit.

Never used that sort of stuff. A waste of money if you ask me.

>8. Flat-rate unlimited text messaging - something I really, really
>wanted to have when I used text messaging on my Verizon phones. This
>will finally make it practical to receive network outage notices,
>notices about my servers going down, etc., to my cell phone as I will
>not have to worry about counting messages. With Vision, 100 text
>messages/month are free or unlimited would be $5/month. ($5 and $10
>without Vision.)

Doesn't VZW have a text plan for sending text messages? I've only sent
a handful since I started with VZW in 2002. Figured a phone call would
be faster and cheaper.

>10. Slightly lower monthly access fees on PCS Free and Clear than on
>Verizon's equivalent plan (America's Choice). Plus, they're running a
>promotion, an Area Wide plan that covers CA and NV (just like VZW's
>local plans), 1000 minutes for $45, and since I am not planning on
>travelling for a while i might sign up for it and switch back to F&C
>later.

Price doesn't necessarily mean its better. Heck, if that were the case
I'd go with T-Mobile or Cingular.

>15. Wireless service that actually works when and where I need it to work.

Again, what works for you doesn't work for necessarily anyone else.
VZW works great for me. I re-upped on a 2 year contract with them in
April. Got a new v60s phone (an OK phone, but didn't like the LG phone
that the CS guy was pushing either)

Sorry to see ya jump ship, but let us know what happens. It may work
where you live, but if you travel, you'll be yelling and screaming
that you wish you'd stayed with VZW. I almost guarantee it!

Just my 2 1/2 cents.

Dave

In alt.cellular Diamond Dave <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hence why I'll never use SPCS. I'd even use Cingular (what my wife
> uses) before I'd ever go to those bastards. Their coverage around here
> is so bad that people who know I have Verizon ask me to borrow my
> phone to make a phone call!

OK, I won't try to use my phone wherever it is that you live. You're
the second person to post a reply like that. I think people are missing
the point that I'm *not* trying to evangelize Sprint to people for whoom VZW
is working fine.

> Also, Sprint ripped both my father and I on their LD plans (double
> billings, removing us from their plans, etc). I will NEVER touch
> anything with a Sprint name on it for as long as I shall live.

Yeah. I believe it. All the major LD carriers play games. Sprint hasn't
screwed us yet. (although I've had fun with MCI and AT&T in the past)

> However, if VZW wasn't working for you, then I understand the move to
> Sprint. However what other carriers where you live? Did you look into
> them first? I really wouldn't like to go on a 1900 MHz only carrier.

No, I didn't. My options here are Sprint, VZW, T-Mobile, Nextel, AT&T and
Cingular. Nextel is too expensive and they focus more on their push-to-
talk technology than on cellular. AT&T has had major, major network and CS
issues and is being bought by Cingular anyhow. Cingular is part owned by SBC
and SBC *has* screwed me before, and therefore I will not do business with SBC
or any joint venture in which they're involved.

That leaves VZW, Sprint and T-Mobile. T-Mobile is still paying Cingular for
the use of their network in California until Cingular's merger with AT&T is
complete and they sell most of their CA network to T-Mobile, so T-Mobile is
out since I don't even want Cingular making money off me indirectly. And
since I'm leaving VZW, that only leaves one choice. Besides, as mentioned
before, I know a lot of people who also carry Sprint phones, and Sprint will
work where I need it to. The only place VZW works where Sprint doesn't is
at my parent's place in rural Geauga County, Ohio, and that might have
changed by now. Plus, out in the Ashtabula area, VZW seems to have some
coverage issues that Sprint doesn't.

> Hmm.. I get In-Network for free. Works just great.

In-Network would be completely useless to me. No one I speak to on a regular
basis uses VZW.

>>charged individually if purchased from Sprint, but the downloads don't
>>cost extra if I go to a free site and send content to my phone).
>>Includes a monthly download credit for content I buy from Sprint, or I
>>can pay $10 if I don't want the download credit.
>
> Never used that sort of stuff. A waste of money if you ask me.

I'll primarily use it for email and messaging. Maybe I'll buy a couple games
here and there, and I can upload my own ringers and graphics, and even
applications - unlike Verizon, Sprint phones run Java2 Mobile Edition, and
I happen to be a Java programmer, so I can even write my own software to run
on my phone if I want (and I probably will, in order to hone my J2ME skills).

> Doesn't VZW have a text plan for sending text messages? I've only sent
> a handful since I started with VZW in 2002. Figured a phone call would
> be faster and cheaper.

Yes. They have several, and they're reasonably priced. Just no flat monthly
rate for unlimited text messages.

> Price doesn't necessarily mean its better. Heck, if that were the case
> I'd go with T-Mobile or Cingular.

Of course not, and I'd never choose a carrier on price alone. Sprint's lower
price is gravy in this case. Sprint's network in this area is reason enough
to switch.

> Again, what works for you doesn't work for necessarily anyone else.

I am not trying to imply that, and I hope other people didn't assume
the same thing you apparently did.

> Sorry to see ya jump ship, but let us know what happens. It may work
> where you live, but if you travel, you'll be yelling and screaming
> that you wish you'd stayed with VZW. I almost guarantee it!

Except that in the Southwest, there are a lot of larger cities where VZW
doesn't even have native coverage...

> Just my 2 1/2 cents.

Your comments have been noted. Please don't think I'm suggesting Sprint
as a panacea. There are places where Sprint sucks too.

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services, http://JustThe.net/
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / [email protected]
PGP Key available from your friendly local key server (0xE3AE35ED)
Apple Valley, California Nothing scares me anymore. I have three kids.

On Thu, 08 Jul 2004 17:08:50 -0500, Steven J Sobol
<[email protected]> wrote:


>Your comments have been noted. Please don't think I'm suggesting Sprint
>as a panacea. There are places where Sprint sucks too.

Understood. I assume you've done your homework well. Good luck and
hope everything works out for the best. Keep us informed.

Dave

In article <[email protected]>,=20
[email protected] says...
>=20
> Anyone who knows for sure, please confirm/deny, but I did not=20
> think that you could port a number to an existing line/number. Does not=
=20
> a ported number have to be to a new line of service?
>=20

It's called a port swap. So long as the number you're porting is in=20
the same service area (called a CSA) as the existing number, it's a=20
trivial operation. No harder than porting it in on a new line.

--=20
R=D8=DF
O/Siris
I work for Sprint PCS
I *don't* speak for them

On Thu, 08 Jul 2004 10:52:47 -0500, Steven J Sobol
<[email protected]> wrote:

>In alt.cellular.verizon Mike <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> You knew I'd pipe up on this one, Steve.
>
>I was just waiting for the post. I knew it was coming.

Hey, I've used my VZW phone in more square miles of the greater Akron
area than anyone else here.

>> I can certainly understand what you're doing, and your frustration,
>> based on what you've talked about it. It doesn't really seem like VZW
>> gives a crap about that area you're in.
>
>That was my point, yes.

And if I were in your exact same shoes, I may have even made the same
decision...with a close eye on Sprint's roaming coverage and if it fit
my needs, and with investigation of how they've gotten their act
together customer-service-wise...

Mike

On Thu, 08 Jul 2004 10:50:38 -0500, Steven J Sobol
<[email protected]> wrote:

>In alt.cellular Robert M. <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Wed, 7 Jul 2004, Steven J Sobol, Trying to convince himself he did
>> the right thing
>
>Don't bother going there. The SPCS regulars know you currently have a boner
>for Cingular, and that's fine.

I'm confused...is Phillipe pushing Cingular, AT&T or Sprint PCS? He
seems to bounce between the three depending on what mood he's in...

Mike

In article <[email protected]>,
Mike <[email protected]> wrote:

> And if I were in your exact same shoes, I may have even made the same
> decision...with a close eye on Sprint's roaming coverage and if it fit
> my needs, and with investigation of how they've gotten their act
> together customer-service-wise...

They haven't; JD Power just rated them worst again.

In article <[email protected]>,
Mike <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Thu, 08 Jul 2004 10:50:38 -0500, Steven J Sobol
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >In alt.cellular Robert M. <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> On Wed, 7 Jul 2004, Steven J Sobol, Trying to convince himself he did
> >> the right thing
> >
> >Don't bother going there. The SPCS regulars know you currently have a boner
> >for Cingular, and that's fine.
>
> I'm confused...is Phillipe pushing Cingular, AT&T or Sprint PCS? He
> seems to bounce between the three depending on what mood he's in...

Unlike the SprintPCS apologists, I just tell it like it is, rather the
color the truth.

The unvarnished truth:

J.D. Power for the 3rd straight year has rated SprintPCS worst for
customer service.

"Robert M." wrote:
>
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Mike <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > On Thu, 08 Jul 2004 10:50:38 -0500, Steven J Sobol
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > >In alt.cellular Robert M. <[email protected]> wrote:
> > >> On Wed, 7 Jul 2004, Steven J Sobol, Trying to convince himself he did
> > >> the right thing
> > >
> > >Don't bother going there. The SPCS regulars know you currently have a boner
> > >for Cingular, and that's fine.
> >
> > I'm confused...is Phillipe pushing Cingular, AT&T or Sprint PCS? He
> > seems to bounce between the three depending on what mood he's in...
>
> Unlike the SprintPCS apologists, I just tell it like it is, rather the
> color the truth.
>
> The unvarnished truth:
>
> J.D. Power for the 3rd straight year has rated SprintPCS worst for
> customer service.

I hear a voice, similar to my father's, when I was a kid,
saying, "It's not what you say, but the tone you say it in."

Notan