In my area (DC) Verizon has the best coverage, but they also have the steepest fees. If money were no object, I'd probably keep my Sprint EVDO card and replace my Samsung phone with a 6700 (even though it can be tethered as a modem) PDA phone. As price *is* a factor, I'm moving to TMo with an 8700g (free after rebate through Amazon). Unlimited data is only $20/mo. EDGE is significantly slower, but should be fine for tethered modem emergencies. I'd prefer the additional multimedia features of a Windows Mobile device, but I just can't justify the expense.

I was in the same boat as you about a month ago. I was part of the V710 Bluetooth settlement with Verizon, where early adopters of the V710 could trade in their phones for credit on a new one. I had my heart set on getting either the Treo 700w, or the XV6700 PDA/phone, but I had read some horror stories on howardforums.com about people getting slammed with data charges. I didn't want to risk that, nor did I want to spend the extra $40/month for the unlimited data plan. I ended up getting a Razr V3C with a ton of accessories (all for free) and renewing my contract for another two years. I really don't like Verizon as a company, but you can't beat their cellular service (not to be confused with their customer service - that's a whole different rant), and that's really what matters the most (to me) in the end. After all, I'd rather pay a little more for a phone/service that works than a little less for one that doesn't. If I were in your shoes, I'd ask around to see how the coverage for the different carriers is in your area. If it's that important to you, then I'd just choose the one that seems to have the best.

I live in the DC area as well; and have to say that here far and away Verizon has the best coverage and service. My biggest problem with Verizon though is that you definitely pay for it, and you pay for the perks (text and picture messaging and so on) and Verizon has a serious lack of cool phones. I mean the E815 and the Razr are about it. (I will say though, hacking the E815 does give you all kinds of geek cred!) My friends who have the E815 absolutely love the thing though; it's a solid phone and was the one I was planning to get before the Razr appeared at Verizon, and I went for style over substance (although that might change when I back-flash the Razr to the Motorola OS) I've had my share of beef with verizon, but I like to refer to them as the company I love to hate, and since the only people I call also have verizon, I can skimp, drop down to their cheapest plan, and make a killing off of their in-network free calling. Around here the other networks might have cooler phones but they have comparatively lame service and network coverage, even for a city like Washington. For NYC though, I'm sure everyone's network does pretty well, but you'll definitely want to take coverage into account. Another thing-do you need all the minutes in your plan? If you talk to your wife the vast majority of the time, then you might be able to get away with getting el-cheapo plan with the lowest possible minutes and it won't matter since you talk to each other all the time.

Verizon as a company has gone way down hill. I'd drop 'em and go with a GSM carrier. Cingular has just as good a network and very cool phones. Just my $0.02!

I am on Sprint in Los Angeles. Their service is OK but their phone selection sucks. When will Sprint get some new phone models? My plan is great ($125/month including tax for 2,000 minutes, three lines, unlimited text, photos and free nights/weekends. Any suggestions? Sprint are you listening?

I'm in a the same situation currently - my plan is up next month. I'm looking at the new Q phone but another 40 on top of the 100 I pay already seems pricey. One factor that I'm seriously taking into consideration is Verizons Customer Service. I recently bought a new Samsung phone and it broke within the first week and instead of giving me a new phone they opted for a refurbrished model. I had to talk to about ten different people which didn't work. I threatened to pull my families four phone lines but they didn't even care. Verizon is only concerned with getting new customers and not maintaining relationships with their current ones. I've been with them for over 7 years and the coverage in Los Angeles is great but I'm going to finally make a move to cingular.

These are great tips, people. Keep 'em coming. Cingular is the carrier I'm LEAST likely to change to because of their severe network problems in NYC. This is an NYC-specific issue, and has to do with the fact that we were previously an AT&T-only market. Keep that in mind when you advise. (Though if someone wants to argue that Cingular *doesn't* have network problems in NYC, feel free.)

Sascha, For me, it comes down to coverage. I live in Colorado, west of Denver in the foothills, and the only carrier I can use from home is VZ. Coverage for all carriers should be pretty good in and around the "tri-state area" in the North-East. I have also found that when I travel, which is often, VZ offers the best coverage and capacity. But, it is the most expensive, especially their ddp's. (Damn Data Plans). Sprint has worked to improve their network coverage, and their voice and data plans are definitely cheaper, so you might ask to borrow a friend's Sprint phone and see if you get coverage where you need it, or buy a Sprint phone to test and return it before the 30 days are up if the coverage is where you isn't. Of course, you might want to do this before you give up your VZ phones and numbers; you can always port your numbers later. If you travel internationally, it's worth considering Cingular or T-Mobile to get the GSM handset that can travel. If none of this matters, than the path of least resistance is to stay with VZ. Customer service is roughly equal among the carriers (I've yelled at all three at one time or another). Good luck!

I re-upped with VZW in December when they finally came out with the Razr. What a disappointment. They have disabled so many of the features my friends with other carriers have that I'm kicking myself for not just switching companies and getting the phone I want with the features Motorola built into it. But I agree with the others who rave about the network coverage - it's great. It's even the best in my building in Manhattan.

I am on Tmobile with my wifes phone. We have 1000 minutes on nationwide plan for 69.99 per month total plus tax. The quality is great. Also I have my phone setup to forward to my home phone if I am not available. This way if I am at home I can let my cell phone forward calls and use my home phone to not use minutes and also I only have to call and check one answering machine for my home and cell messages. I also believe tmobile is in the same circle with at&t and cingular just like sprint and nextel are which makes the quality good. I have not experienced any problems in northwest ohio or when I have traveled to chicago or dallas.

Here in Palo Alto, CA I used to use cingular and it was great, but then my work switched it to TMobile which is even better. Either one has great quality and great coverage in the Bay Area.

Really think about what you need the service for and what you're using the phone for. If all you're doing is making a few calls, then think about Pay As You Go. It can work out a LOT cheaper for you. I'm paying $10-20 per month v the $75 previously. On a GSM network you can have any unlocked phone you want, look on eBay for them.

I've been a user of Tmobile in the NYC area since it was Omnipoint, and through when it was VoiceStream. I dabbled with AT&T wireless before the Cingular mess, and came out of the experience scarred and wiser. Like I predicted in a previous post, I got a Tmobile MDA, and I love it as a data device and as a tethered modem, but it is a little disappointing as a phone: the RAZR I gave my wife is a much better voice phone. That said, you can't beat the 1000 minute Family Plan we have, and the all you can eat EDGE data isn't as fast as EVDO, but it is a LOT cheaper at 29.99, though I would've taken a $10 discount to drop the unlimited wifi hotspot service. I just don't hang out in Starbucks or Borders often enough to make that extra $10 worth it.

Verizon has about the best network that we've run into. We are older and do a LOT of traveling. We live in Washington State and are members of Trend West timeshare. In addition most of our relatives live in the midwest. Verizon usually has some sort of connection available, even if it is roaming. There are places out west here in the middle of nowhere that doesn't have any service. You can find them in any western state. But NOBODY has service there. So I would say that if you move around a lot, stick with Verizon. If you're basically a homebody, Find the cheapest service with the widest coverage for your home area. Just keep in mind that all services DON'T travel well. And roaming can be expensive. Verizon is working to cut back on their roaming by having agreements with other services in their extended network. As always, YMMV. Phil

My contract w/Verizon is up and I'm considering switching to T-Mobile due to Verizon's miserable phone selection and poor reception in my apt building. Can anyone attest to T-Mobile's service specifically within NYC (esp Manhattan)? I travel occasionally to San Francisco as well so that's also a factor.

I live in the seattle metro and have Sprint. Everywhere I go I have great call qualitiy and pcs vision works. When in southern washington i have great digital service to with sprint and roaming. I have a samsung A900 which might help also cause it cancels out call noise in the background and maybe people think im just calling from a landline but im not! Had cingular and calls were always dropping and I would sound like I was gargling something when talking to people! Thanks.

Had Sprint for 3 years in LA and the service sucked badly! Still baffled how I'd drop calls with Sprint when I was standing outside on a frigging movie studio lot (you figure that reception would be adequate there)?! Your cell phone is literally your life here; Sprint was apparently not prizing my life so highly :( Gonna do Verizon service based on online reviews and friend opinions.