What Cellular Phone/Service For This Use:

E

Evolute

Joined
Mar 19, 2001
Messages
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I'm a nature photographer. I'll be traveling most of the time, all over the US (actually, all over the world, but, in regards to this question, I'll keep it simple). Much of the time I'll be far from cities and development. I want coverage over as much unpopulated outdoors area as I can get. I want a cell phone that I can hook up to my laptop computer to use the internet on my laptop--the higher speed the connection is, the better. I'll also be making lots of long distance calls to friends and family. The times of day/night when I call people or use the internet are pretty flexible. I'd like my phone bills to be as cheap as possible, but I'd put quality of service and ability to meet my needs before price.

Does anyone have any ideas of what phone and service I should be looking for? Does anyone use a cell phone similarly, and satisfactorily?

Thanks

--Mike
 
I dearly love Sprint because it has NO static. But for your concern, don't bother.

When you sign up, they show you a map of covered areas. These are primarily population centers and the Interstate Highways. The rest are 'gray areas.' The phones will work, but at 42 cents for each roaming minute. And, of course, NONE of South Dakota is covered; and that's where my wife and I spend time way out in the boonies, where you could really use a cell phone if an emergency comes up. But then, I'm not sure any microwave dish covers those areas for any service.
 
Sorry mate, but based on the requirments you
outlined there is no cellular service that will
do ALL you want.....at the present time. :(

Most Cell companies are now upgrading to "world
standard" that will require a lot of hardware
changes and different phones than most of us now
use. At some point in the not to distant future
you'll be able to carry your phone anywhere in the
world and still get calls.

For now I'd suggest that you watch Cingular and
Nextel for deals. The other companies are to busy
signing up kids with gimmicky phones to get down
to real business. :rolleyes:
 
If you get Cingular and a tri band phone you will be able to use the phone all over the world. Since Cingular works with a small card you will be anle to buy a card locally (prepaid phone service) and save a bunch of money on overseas calls
 
I just upgraded to the 3rd generation phone with gsm from nokia and att wireless. They have a free upgrade right now. They told me that they will not put anymore money into digital. I was also told by a rep that in England they have been using gsm for several years.
They have a phone that is a tri mode analog,digital and gsm that searches for the best signal. If you want to use your phone for a connection for your laptop then you will need a phone with built in bluetooth. This is the new wave. I was over at Comp usa and spoke to a sales rep about a pda. You should check out the sony clie. It has a 2 megapixel camera and video capabilties, mp3 player built in, bluetooth capabilities. He told me that thing are changing for the better in 2 weeks for memory and in June for the new products.
Nokia seems to have a nice phone with the bluetooth. Check it out. Good luck.
 
I have both Cingular and Verizon. I use both extensively for internet connections with my laptop. Cingular has GPRS and Verizon has a similar internet express feature. Verizon has the edge when it comes to coverage in the USA. I rarely get a dead spot in the Western half of the United States. Cingular has the edge when it comes to world coverage. Cingular phones work almost anywhere in the world (except Japan). Cingular also allows one to own several phones and swap the sim card back and forth. Verizon only allows one phone to be on an account at one time.
 
Originally posted by RoninPimp
You should get Verizon Wireless' Express Network. Check their web site...
Click to expand...

I've been using it since it's introduction. Nothing like being in the Smokey Mtns National Park and online reading Bladeforums :D

Chris
 
I would recommend T-Mobile. I've used them for about 2years now and I have yet to have any trouble with the service. They do have one of the best plans outthere at the moment. $39.99/month for 600 anytime minutes, free nites and weekends, free long distance and roaming. They do offer dual and tri band phones which will work overseas.
 
Originally posted by K.V. Collucci
I would recommend T-Mobile. I've used them for about 2years now and I have yet to have any trouble with the service. They do have one of the best plans outthere at the moment. $39.99/month for 600 anytime minutes, free nites and weekends, free long distance and roaming. They do offer dual and tri band phones which will work overseas.
Click to expand...

T-Mobile (which used to be Voicestream) shares the same network with Cingular (which used to be Pacbell). I do like Cingular because they work overseas, and they have a swappable SIM chip, however, be forewarned, T-Mobile and Cingular have spotty coverage areas once you leave major metropolitan areas.

My Verizon account works in a lot wider coverage area, once I leave the big cities.
 
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