Considering Sprint Service

I am thinking about switching from Verizon Wireless to Sprint PCS. I live
in West Lafayette, Indiana. My coverage for Verizon Wireless is very good,
although I rarely get a signal inside of buildings. But I'm thinking about
switching because of Sprint's (supposedly) better data network and the
unlimited access that you have to picture mail and browsing the web. I have
several questions before I make the move though. Here is what I'm thinking
about signing up for:

- Free & Clean plan w/evenings starting at 7:00 PM and 700 minutes: $55.00
- Two additional phones that will share the minutes: $40.00
- PCS Vision Pictures Pack for all 3 phones: $25.00
- Video mail for all 3 phones: $15.00
Total monthly bill: $135.00 + taxes & fees

Phones: I'm considering getting the Toshiba VM4050 phones, although I might
consider the Samsung SPH-A620/VGA1000 or the Sanyo PM-8200.

Here are my questions:

- Does it use my regular minutes when I send pictures, e-mail, or browse the
web? Or only when I make voice calls, like I am hoping?

- Can I check and see what the total amount of minutes used are for all 3
phones easily during the month, or do I have to check each phone and add
them up?

- Should I go with the VM4050, or consider one of the other phones instead?
I want to get the best phone with the best picture quality and ease of use.

- What is a good leather case for the VM4050 with a swivel belt clip
included? Are any of the blue cases on eBay any good?

- Can I send pictures both to other phones and as e-mail attachments to
regular Internet users?

- Is it easy to move the numbers from my current 3 Verizon phones to the new
Sprint ones? My Verizon Family Share Plan contract expires on June 16.
Does it cost anything extra with Verizon or Sprint to move the numbers?

- How good is the nationwide coverage area if I don't plan to use roaming?
I'm worried that it isn't nearly as good as Verizon's.

- I believe that the PCS Vision Pictures Pack + Video Mail is $20 on the
primary line, correct? Is it $10 for each of the other phones ($5 + $5)?

- If I pay the extra $5.00/month on the primary line to start the evening
minutes at 7:00 PM, I don't need to pay anything extra on the other 2 lines,
correct?

- If my total bill is $135.00/month and I live in Indiana (6% sales tax),
any idea what my total monthly bill would be with fees and all?

- The description for PCS Vision indicates that you can send and receive
unlimited e-mail from Yahoo & AOL, and send & receive unlimited text
messages from AOL. But only 100 SMS messages/month. Do you just need the
normal free Yahoo & AOL accounts to take advantage of these services? How
difficult is it to send & receive e-mail & text messages? What would be an
example of an SMS message vs. AOL Instant Messenger?

- Is there any way to check my normal work e-mail account, or any other
POP3/IMAP account?

- How well does the web browser work? Would it be easy for me to go to
popular sites like espn.com, weather.com, yahoo.com, etc. and look up
information that I would normally access from my desktop computer? What is
the speed like?

- Is video mail really worth it? Should I consider the VM4050 phone even if
I don't end up using video mail because it's a nice phone in other respects?

- Where can I get the plan I want with the best deal on the phones? I
have already decided to stay away from Radio Shack based on comments in this
newsgroup. Some places are offering the VM4050 for about $120, but they
don't allow me to sign up for the family share plan that I have listed
above. I'm guessing I would get my accessories (car charger, extra battery,
leather case) from eBay.

- Anything else I should know about Sprint or why I should or shouldn't
consider switching from Verizon?

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to answer some or all of my
questions. I really appreciate your help!

Ernest Stalnaker

---

› See More: Considering Sprint Service

In article <[email protected]>,
"Ernest D. Stalnaker" <[email protected]> wrote:

> I am thinking about switching from Verizon Wireless to Sprint PCS. I live
> in West Lafayette, Indiana. My coverage for Verizon Wireless is very good,
> although I rarely get a signal inside of buildings. But I'm thinking about
> switching because of Sprint's (supposedly) better data network and the
> unlimited access that you have to picture mail and browsing the web. I have
> several questions before I make the move though. Here is what I'm thinking
> about signing up for:
>
> - Free & Clean plan w/evenings starting at 7:00 PM and 700 minutes: $55.00
> - Two additional phones that will share the minutes: $40.00
> - PCS Vision Pictures Pack for all 3 phones: $25.00
> - Video mail for all 3 phones: $15.00
> Total monthly bill: $135.00 + taxes & fees
>
> Phones: I'm considering getting the Toshiba VM4050 phones, although I might
> consider the Samsung SPH-A620/VGA1000 or the Sanyo PM-8200.

The Sanyo VM4500 might be your best bet.

>
> Here are my questions:
>
> - Does it use my regular minutes when I send pictures, e-mail, or browse the
> web?

NO

> Or only when I make voice calls, like I am hoping?

You are correct.

>
> - Can I check and see what the total amount of minutes used are for all 3
> phones easily during the month, or do I have to check each phone and add
> them up?

A recent upgrade allows this nicely on the web, or via Vision, or using
*4.

>
> - Should I go with the VM4050, or consider one of the other phones instead?
> I want to get the best phone with the best picture quality and ease of use.
>

Generally folks consider the Sanyos as having the best reception.

> - What is a good leather case for the VM4050 with a swivel belt clip
> included? Are any of the blue cases on eBay any good?

Leather case helps protects the phone should it accidently drop.

>
> - Can I send pictures both to other phones and as e-mail attachments to
> regular Internet users?

Only to SprintPCS phones currently.

>
> - Is it easy to move the numbers from my current 3 Verizon phones to the new
> Sprint ones?

FCC says it should take 3 1/2 hours, Bring your most recent Verizon bill
with you on or after June 17 to a SprintPCS store.



> My Verizon Family Share Plan contract expires on June 16.
> Does it cost anything extra with Verizon or Sprint to move the numbers?

Not on Sprint's side.

>
> - How good is the nationwide coverage area if I don't plan to use roaming?
> I'm worried that it isn't nearly as good as Verizon's.

Verizon has the best coverage on most areas. Is there an area in
particular you are concerned about? Its not even obvious from Sprint's
small scale coverage maps what the coverage is in West Lafayette. It
looks to be mainly in corridors along the Interstates.

<http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/co...?FOLDER%3C%3Ef
older_id=1571405&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_SCID=ECOMM&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_P
Code=None&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_cartState=group&bmUID=1086315618187>

>
> - I believe that the PCS Vision Pictures Pack + Video Mail is $20 on the
> primary line, correct? Is it $10 for each of the other phones ($5 + $5)?

Yes.

>
> - If I pay the extra $5.00/month on the primary line to start the evening
> minutes at 7:00 PM, I don't need to pay anything extra on the other 2 lines,
> correct?

Correct. Ask for free PCS to PCS.

>
> - If my total bill is $135.00/month and I live in Indiana (6% sales tax),
> any idea what my total monthly bill would be with fees and all?

You pay fees on all three lines. Could be close to $150 total.

>
> - The description for PCS Vision indicates that you can send and receive
> unlimited e-mail from Yahoo & AOL, and send & receive unlimited text
> messages from AOL. But only 100 SMS messages/month. Do you just need the
> normal free Yahoo & AOL accounts to take advantage of these services? How
> difficult is it to send & receive e-mail & text messages? What would be an
> example of an SMS message vs. AOL Instant Messenger?
>
> - Is there any way to check my normal work e-mail account, or any other
> POP3/IMAP account?

Another $5/month

>
> - How well does the web browser work? Would it be easy for me to go to
> popular sites like espn.com, weather.com, yahoo.com, etc. and look up
> information that I would normally access from my desktop computer? What is
> the speed like?

Speed is slow, weather maps charge $3 or $4/month. etc

>
> - Is video mail really worth it? Should I consider the VM4050 phone even if
> I don't end up using video mail because it's a nice phone in other respects?

The Sanyo VM4500 has Video Mail

>
> - Where can I get the plan I want with the best deal on the phones? I
> have already decided to stay away from Radio Shack based on comments in this
> newsgroup. Some places are offering the VM4050 for about $120, but they
> don't allow me to sign up for the family share plan that I have listed
> above. I'm guessing I would get my accessories (car charger, extra battery,
> leather case) from eBay.

Is there a Costco near where you live? There warranty may help where
Sprint's wouldnt.

>
> - Anything else I should know about Sprint or why I should or shouldn't
> consider switching from Verizon?

Find a colleague or neighbor with Sprint to see how Sprint works for
them in your geographical area.

>
> Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to answer some or all of my
> questions. I really appreciate your help!
>
> Ernest Stalnaker

Røbert M. wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Ernest D. Stalnaker" <[email protected]> wrote:

>>- Is it easy to move the numbers from my current 3 Verizon phones to the new
>>Sprint ones?
>
>
> FCC says it should take 3 1/2 hours, Bring your most recent Verizon bill
> with you on or after June 17 to a SprintPCS store.

Having done a few ports, I would suggest that the estimate given to you
by Sprint, while sounding precise, and usually down to the minute (like
9:43am) may be somewhat optimistic. Expect it to be accurate to the day
and you'll be less likely to be disappointed.

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

> Røbert M. wrote:
> > In article <[email protected]>,
> > "Ernest D. Stalnaker" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >>- Is it easy to move the numbers from my current 3 Verizon phones to the new
> >>Sprint ones?
> >
> >
> > FCC says it should take 3 1/2 hours, Bring your most recent Verizon bill
> > with you on or after June 17 to a SprintPCS store.
>
> Having done a few ports, I would suggest that the estimate given to you
> by Sprint, while sounding precise, and usually down to the minute (like
> 9:43am) may be somewhat optimistic. Expect it to be accurate to the day
> and you'll be less likely to be disappointed.

If it takes more than a day, and you have produced your most recent
INVOICE from your old carrier, by all means file a complaint with the
FCC, and ask for compensation from SprintPCS.

Thanks for the reply! I just have a few additional questions.....see below:

> The Sanyo VM4500 might be your best bet.

I read one review that didn't like the VM4500 as much because the screen was
smaller and not as nice as the VM4050, and the speaker phone didn't work so
well. Do you have this phone? I would appreciate a list of what you think
are the good/bad points. What is the best deal I can get on this phone?
Where is the best place to get a battery, leather case, and car charger?

> Generally folks consider the Sanyos as having the best reception.

Have you encountered the dropped calls problem that so many people complain
about on here?

> Verizon has the best coverage on most areas. Is there an area in
> particular you are concerned about? Its not even obvious from Sprint's
> small scale coverage maps what the coverage is in West Lafayette. It
> looks to be mainly in corridors along the Interstates.

I know there are people in my city using Sprint, but I haven't talked to
them yet. But I'm fairly sure that the coverage in my immediate city is OK.
I'm wondering if it's better inside buildings than what I get with Verizon
though. I need to actually talk to some people to find that out.

> > - I believe that the PCS Vision Pictures Pack + Video Mail is $20 on the
> > primary line, correct? Is it $10 for each of the other phones ($5 +
$5)?
>
> Yes.

In your opinion, is video mail worth it? If I decide I don't really need
video mail, would you recommend a less-expensive phone than the VM4500? I
want a phone that handles the web well and takes good pictures (VGA
quality).

> > - If I pay the extra $5.00/month on the primary line to start the
evening
> > minutes at 7:00 PM, I don't need to pay anything extra on the other 2
lines,
> > correct?
>
> Correct. Ask for free PCS to PCS.

I thought that was $5.00 extra/month? How can I get that for free?

> > - How well does the web browser work? Would it be easy for me to go to
> > popular sites like espn.com, weather.com, yahoo.com, etc. and look up
> > information that I would normally access from my desktop computer? What
is
> > the speed like?
>
> Speed is slow, weather maps charge $3 or $4/month. etc

But can I go to web sites that I normally use now, like espn.com or
weather.com and access information like I can on my normal computer? Are
the web sites at these locations formatted to work with cell phone screens?

> Is there a Costco near where you live? There warranty may help where
> Sprint's wouldnt.

There is a Sam's Club. They sell Sprint, but I haven't checked their offers
yet.

In article <[email protected]>,
"Ernest D. Stalnaker" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Thanks for the reply! I just have a few additional questions.....see below:
>
> > The Sanyo VM4500 might be your best bet.
>
> I read one review that didn't like the VM4500 as much because the screen was
> smaller and not as nice as the VM4050, and the speaker phone didn't work so
> well. Do you have this phone?

I have the RL 2500 which is similar without the camera. The speaker is
large and excellent, as is the screen, although you are correct the
Toshiba is a tad larger. If screen size is the determining factor, get a
Treo.

In article <[email protected]>,
"Ernest D. Stalnaker" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Have you encountered the dropped calls problem that so many people complain
> about on here?

Dropped calls are a fact of life with Digital. In analog your call goes
all staticy, with digital, it gets dropped.

In article <[email protected]>,
"Ernest D. Stalnaker" <[email protected]> wrote:

> I know there are people in my city using Sprint, but I haven't talked to
> them yet. But I'm fairly sure that the coverage in my immediate city is OK.
> I'm wondering if it's better inside buildings than what I get with Verizon
> though. I need to actually talk to some people to find that out.

Everything else being equal (and it never is) indoor coverage would be
worse, as Sprint uses 1900 MHz which is not as good for building
penetration as the 800 MHz used by verizon.

In article <[email protected]>,
"Ernest D. Stalnaker" <[email protected]> wrote:

> > Correct. Ask for free PCS to PCS.
>
> I thought that was $5.00 extra/month? How can I get that for free?

You don't ask, you don't get.

In article <[email protected]>,
"Ernest D. Stalnaker" <[email protected]> wrote:

> But can I go to web sites that I normally use now, like espn.com or
> weather.com and access information like I can on my normal computer? Are
> the web sites at these locations formatted to work with cell phone screens?

Most normal web sites dont work so well on the small cellualr screen.
Many have web sites designed for WAP on a cell phone, but then dont have
room for pop-up ads, and so charge a monthly fee to cover costs.
- i.e. Weather maps

Just stay away from Radio Shack(screwed my younger brother over) also check
out this site

http://www.sprintusers.com read the message forums.. Very imformative.
Especially on the phone reviews posted by current users.. Also check out
this site http://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/carrier.php?c=1 .

"thunder" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> Just stay away from Radio Shack(screwed my younger brother over) also
> check out this site
>
> http://www.sprintusers.com read the message forums.. Very
> imformative. Especially on the phone reviews posted by current users..
> Also check out this site
> http://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/carrier.php?c=1 .
>
>
>
The newer sanyo phones are not as good as the older ones. the 8100 and 8200
are fair with signal reception but the caller hears you breaking up