Cell Phones Networks - who do you have?

[OakLeaf]

I switched to Verizon 3 years ago because Cingular (now AT&T) no longer offered phones that had analog service. I'd been really happy with Cingular, but I needed a new phone. Verizon still offers a VX5400. It's a pretty basic phone, but that's how I am - I prefer another device to do everything else, so I can take notes when I'm on the phone. (Yeah I know I could do that with a Bluetooth headset, but that's still another device I'd have to carry.)

It's much less of an issue now than it was even 2 years ago, out east anyway - I think there still isn't digital coverage in a lot of places in the west? But anyway I don't want to reduce my ability to get help in an emergency by going with a digital-only phone, when I spend a lot of time in the boonies.

[TsPoet]

I had Verizon for years and was happy. My family all switched from Sprint to AT&T, so I switched, too.
We are all terribly unhappy. So unhappy we are considering eating the early cancellation fee and going back to Verizon.
We got Razr phones, cause that's what AT&T were pushing really hard. Two of us have re-charging issues and have had to buy new batteries. and we all three hate the phones.
AT&T reception stinks, dropped calls are the norm. I can't tell you how often my phone beeps to tell me I just missed a call when I am not moving, totally can't understand why it can get through to tell me it couldn't get through. If you accidentally talk at the same time as the person on the other end, the signal goes silent for a second.
Their customer service seems good, but doesn't do anything.
Can't wait to get back to Verizon. My mom and brother can't decide between Verizon and Sprint, they were happy with Sprint.

[pardes]

I have Virgin Mobile since I get totally rabid about companies that demand two year contracts.

The Virgin company is fine to deal with and very helpful. Coverage is fine for my area but then I probably only make a dozen calls a year so it rarely becomes an issue.

I have a cell phone for emergencies only. Talking on a phone for anything longer than a minute or two has never been a pastime of mine. Naturally this inflames anyone trying to reach me since I rarely answer the phone. Shrug.

[Crankin]

I have AT&T. We just switched in July, after 15 years with Sprint. We basically switched because my husband got an I phone and we also wanted the GSM phone, since he travels to Europe a few times a year. Sprint jacked us around and we finally had it.
I could care less; I am like Pardes. I hardly ever turn my phone on and I can't stand to be around people yapping on their phones in public. I used to keep it on all day, when I was teaching, since it's pretty hard to reach teachers. Now that there are no kids calling for rides, I don't see the point of having it on. No one calls me on my cell. My husband sometimes gets mad if he can't reach me, so I will check it at least once a day, if I'm not at home. I also see it as a safety thing, especially for when I am riding.

[TxDoc]

I had T-mobile (ex-VoiceStream) for a long time, and always been happy with it.

[SadieKate]

Doesn't it really make the most difference based on where you live? Network strength and least number of dropped calls would seem to me to be the most important. The same carrier in one area may not have the best coverage in another, no matter how big and powerful and all-knowing they say they are (ask me, I know from experience but I'm stuck due to my employer's contract).

[Becky]

T-mobile here for personal use, Verizon for work.

T-mobile: Best darn CS I've ever encountered. Very fair rate plans too IMO. Their coverage is still a little weak in our area, but it's improving and I'm willing to make the trade-off for the good CS.

Verizon: Awful CS. I occasionally need to deal with them about our work phones, and getting anyone to help me is like pulling teeth. However, they have the best network in our area, hands-down. That said, I'm not willing to pay their prices and deal with the CS nonsense for better coverage.