Hello all, this is my first post to this forum. I need help choosing a plan where I live (Atlanta) and hoped some of you could assist with that. I don't currently have a cell phone, but I will need one in the near future. Every review site I have checked so far is the same way, every provider has people that will say how great the service is and other people that will blast it as the worst experience they have ever had. Now I realize this is partly because different aspects are important to different people. So with that in mind, this is what I am looking for.

1. good reception/signal (especially around the midtown area)

This is by far my number one need. I primarily need to use it for business, so clarity is very important. It would also be good to a lesser extent if the quality of signal is good in other major eastern cities like Orlando, Jacksonville, Charlotte, DC, etc. as I sometimes travel in that general area.

2. price

If possible I would like to spend $40 or less per month. Also if possible I would like one of the plans that lets you get a free or discounted phone because I don't really have $100+ to spend on that right now.

Well, that's really it. I don't care about being able to download videos, play games, store 8 million contacts, have 1000 different ringtones, or any of that crap. I just want something that will work reliably. So if anyone in the Atlanta area would like to share their experiences/recommendations, I would greatly appreciate it.