My contract with Cingular expires soon. I've been with them for three years now, and am considering a change. Here are my requirements:

1. I travel, often to remote parts of the CONUS, and need great coverage and no roaming. Three years ago I had a GAIT phone and I could get coverage in some unbelieveably remote areas. Now, with my V551, coverage doesn't begin to compare. Within the past year I've actually been to places (SE Wyoming) where I lost Cingular coverage for 100+ miles but other providers were fine. That was not the case four years ago: if anyone on my team had coverage I had it too. Will a switch to Sprint get me better overall CONUS coverage?

2. I do not text message.

3. I am interested in the Sprint TV feature. I know that it costs extra, but I can't find any info on Sprint's site about the cost of just a channel or two. Besides cost, how available is it within Sprint's coverage? Can I test drive it?

4. I really don't need multi-media or camera phones: a simple phone that has a bright display, first-rate signal reception, bluetooth, and a good, easy-to-use speakerphone (I once had a Motorolla that wouldn't allow switching to speakerphone untill a call actually connected)

5. I'm not too worried about price: I'm paying perhaps $50-60 now and usually have plenty of minutes left at the end of the month.

6. Are there incentives (besides free/cheap phones) to entice customers to stay/move?

7. I'm not worried about the cost of a new phone: I'd rather avoid a lengthy (year+) contract. I know nothing of Cell phone use outside of long-term contracts: Can I get my own phone on Ebay or elsewhere and then sign up with Sprint for a month or so? Or, if I decide to stick with Cingular, can I keep using my 551 and go month-to-month?

Thanks,

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