[jonsidneyb]

I guess alot goes into picking the best company and service.

Hmmm

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› See More: So much information.

[roberts1953]

What are you looking for?

[jonsidneyb]

I recieve about 50 calls for every call I make.

I am in alot of areas where I can't get service and want reminders of all missed calls.

Typical business stuff.

Somewhat high volume but few calls made. I do spend too much of my time where I can't get a signal. I am an outdoorsman and my business is specialised outdoors equipment.

[skier8848]

have you tired looking into Verizon. they seem to provide the best service coverage? any Motorola phone will provide you with a message waiting beep or indicator.

[taslo]

Well, try checking out the tower locations of where you are going around to the most. Then, check out the all over coverage next. Here is a tower location web site for you. http://www.berkana.com/tower.html But, I agree with skier 8848. Verizon is the best way to go for you.

[BlkBear]

I recieve about 50 calls for every call I make.

I am in alot of areas where I can't get service and want reminders of all missed calls.

Typical business stuff.

Somewhat high volume but few calls made. I do spend too much of my time where I can't get a signal. I am an outdoorsman and my business is specialised outdoors equipment.

Would help a lot to know what cellular providers are available to you.
May also help to know the area(s) that you are in that are not covered by your current carrier.

Would more than one carrier be an option to fill in the gaps?

It's very possible that a Satellite phone service (spendy) may be an option for you, depending on how much time you spend "Out in the field", away from normal cell service. Especially if you are spending considerable amount of time (5 to 20 days), 50+ miles from the nearest cell tower, in the back country, mountains/valleys, roaming or otherwise.

[Brad729]

Hmm, I was going to mention that Sprint has a free incoming plan, but you pay 10c/min on outgoing calls. Also, I believe roaming is included in that plan. I have gone out of the Sprint service area a few times, only to find that my coverage was just as good roaming on a Verizon or Alltel tower. The only difference with Sprint when roaming, you can't receive notifications of voicemails, and text messaging/web don't work roaming. Also, sometimes calls go directly to voicemail when there are no bars. Something to consider...

[taslo]

http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/co...towermaps.html
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/cell/completecell.htm

This is a page of dead spots in Indiana......http://www.cellreception.com/deadspo...ana/page1.html

[/QUOTE]I was going to mention that Sprint has a free incoming plan, but you pay 10c/min on outgoing calls. [QUOTE]

The Free incoming plan would be good for her. But, yeah, the roaming would eat her up. Is there an extra fee on the plan for no roaming if she wanted it?

[roberts1953]

Are you mostly in indiana or do you travel around the country? In general you will finf 2 different technologies, GSM and CDMA. If you send any time at all in remote areas I would avoid GSM (cingular, tmobile, and others). Go with a CDMA company such as Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Alltel, etc. You will find that most of these companies have near identical coverage because they roam on the same partners and ame towers. Especially in remote areas. The other nice part is that most CDMA (digital) providers will also fall back on AMPS (analog) coverage where a digital signal isn't available. Just make sure you get a tri-band phone that is AMPS compatable. Check coverage maps that will include local calling in places where you will be the most. On top of that I would suggest taking advantage of the trial period that most providers give you before you commit to a contract. Take the phone to the important places that you need service and make sure it is tolerable for your needs. If you spend a lot of time out of cellular coverage and getting a hold of you is that important, get a Sat phone, which as mentioned is very expensive. Most cell providers should provide Vmail notification while roaming. (Also something to check out while trying out the service).

On a side note, US Cellular offers service in parts of indiana. They are CDMA/AMPS and offer competitive nationwide plans and FREE incoming calls while in their native coverage area. Nationwide coverage is on par with Verizon or Sprint. Just something to think about if you are in their service area.