Claims about the quality of wireless networks are all fun and games until someone gets taken to court.
Cingular has done just that in a May 9 court filing against
Sprint Nextel, setting the stage for a legal showdown that could ultimately spell the end of ridiculous and meaningless claims that a network is "most powerful," "most reliable," or "l33t." It seems the spat started after Cingular began spreading the word that its network has the "fewest dropped calls" (you know, the commercials that cleverly drop out the sound, making you think your television's busted). Sprint Nextel, with its "most powerful" claim, took issue with that, and brought it before the Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division to sort out. Cingular, in response, told Sprint to go big or go home, bypassed the BBB entirely, and filed a lawsuit counter-claiming not only that they have the fewest dropped calls, but Sprint's network isn't the most powerful, either. (Oh, snap!) For the record, Cingular cites data from a 2004 report thrown together by Telephia, but they won't say
what data exactly, as they refuse to release the report itself (
sound familiar?). Don't expect this fight to end any time soon, folks, and don't be surprised if Verizon eventually gets dragged into the mud, too.
posted May 26th 2006 4:03PM
meow.
Both they're networks blow anyhow. VZW FTW!!!
Both networks suck ass. All independent studies have shown that Verizon and TMobile are the best. Cingular service is coppy reception at best and Sprint is a total ripoff compared to Verizon, tmoile and cingular.
I am sorry to say, you say Cingular service is copy when in reality T-mobile service is the copy. As I recall T-mobile was sold the old Cingular network, which means oh yeah they are using the old crappy network, maybe in your area T-Mobile rocks but with there whole 30 million customers in the entire us versus 62 million customers in the US I would have to say T-mobile lost.
UM im sorry G Money but the fact of the matter is that everyone of the US cell phone carriers sucks HUGE balls ini one way or another. There is no denying it, if you take your oh so wonder VZW for example, just look at how they are known to cripple bluetooth capabilities on their phones. Or how much of a pain in the ass they make it to hook ur phone up to your computer by any method. Or how they are on record of saying people shouldn't expect good coverage in their homes. Or how they are the only carrier who gets all pissy if you try to share a connection you have via one of there pcim cards with another computer. I can name bad things about all the other US carriers too. I only mention VZW because you brought it up. Name another and ill list all the stupid things about that carrier too. Point is ALL US CELL PHONE CARRIERS SUCK ASS.
All I know is I've been a Cingular customer for 4yrs, and I'm happy, at least when it comes to voice services I'm happy. And that's a DIRECT CUSTOMER saying that, NOT SOME THIRD party. T-Mobile and Sprint I wouldn't even consider to be in the ring, the best network battle doesn't even include them, the best network battle is between cocky Verizon, and the more friendly Rollover minute Cingular! ! !
Woof woof!
Let them decide this, please. If they stop being able to fight over network quality, maybe we can get them to compete on the best point of all. . .price.
This market badly needs a price war.
I'm a Cingular and Sprint customer: Sprint eats them alive. See, to not have a dropped call on Cing you actually have to connect first!
They have the fewest dropped calls because they have the fewest connected calls. I can't count how many times I've called a cingular user, went straight to their voicemail, and then had them call me while I'm leaving a message because they "missed" my call.
Not all US carriers suck.
Boost mobile yo!
word.
It depends on where you live as to how well a service provider is gonna work. Where I live I have a great signal with Cingular all the time, but Verizon doesn't have anything. I have a friend in another state that has great service with Sprint, but nothing with Cingular. I'm happy with my provider and wouldn't switch for anything, the phone is good and the price is better.
I was a Sprint customer from 98-06. I switched to Cingular because of the HTC Wizard. I would have to say that Sprint blows Cingular out of the water. Fewer dropped calls my ass.
I have no experience with Sprintel, but I know for sure Cingular has had an INCREDIBLY high record of undropped calls... mainly 'cos I could never make any even in areas with full coverage. Can't drop a call if you can't make one. I'm so glad I jumped off that ship.
I know for sure, at least 6 years ago, that Sprint had about the worst
network coverage of any wireless carrier in my general (Houston, TX)
area.On top of that, during the past 3 years I had a
work-issued nextel, that while much better than anything I had with
Sprint, didn't work for squat inside any buildings I frequented, and
I had several 'dropped calls' when I was stationary--go figure. Full
signal, then bam, call dropped.From my perspective (again
Houston, TX) Verizon Wireless has the best coverage while
simltaneously having the worst customer service/customer
policies/rates of any US wirless carrier.I can't speak to
Cingular's service, never having any dealings with them, nor knowing
anyone who uses it, but I have been a happy T-Mobile customer for the
6 years since I broke the chains of Sprint PCS bondage, and while
their coverage may not be the 'ultimate' their customer service has
been top-notch, and I haven't had a contract for 5 years.
Cingular has great coverage everywhere, and their network is great EVEN inside buildings. I've seen other carriers bars drop like crazy inside buildings.
AT&T Wireless had a great network (and great international coverage) and cingular has taken over their network in addition to the good network Cingular already had, so why does everyone deny the fact that their network is not widespread and good enough for 99% of the population.
Look, the fact of the matter is that if you have a Sprint Fair and Flexible plan, you have access to the fastest data network, and you can roam off of a Verizon tower, so you get good phones (without disabled bluetooth) that work anywhere that Verizon does. Cingular, their phones suck compared to either VZW or Sprint. The real crown jewel will be when a sprint phone is released that works with the Nextel network.
I am in KC, the home of Sprint, and it completely sucks here. The funny thing is that once you get by their huge campus you can't use your Sprint phone. It was crazy. I have nextel and its voice is great, but of course you get outside the city and the coverage is very spotty. Their phones are bricks though and their data service is a complete joke. My office switched to Cingular very briefly, but like everyone said above, nobody in the office could ever connect or receive a call, it was crazy. Around here (KC) everybody that I know that has Verizon or T-Mobile loves it. It pisses me off about Verizon crippling their data service. I am not sure, but don't they give their internet away for free to subscribers, if they did, that could be why they cripple it for laptops and such.
Well I've been on VZW Sprint and now Cingular and I have to say it depends on where your at. Cingular has the best coverage where I'm from in central Tennessee and the Sprint and VZW don't even have towers there.
I've been a sprint customer for about 8 or 9 years now, and I've had t-mobile as a company phone, but THESE ARE MY REASONS why I have stayed with Sprint. I live in Wash DC Metro Area.
Sprint's adjustable night and weekend calls > all other night and weekends
Sprint's Unlimited Free Incoming CallsFair and Flexible plans > Cingular Roll Over minutes.
Verizon Data Speed for now > Sprint's Speed (until Rev 0 comes out in '07, already testing in DC) > all other carriers
Sprint Data Plan $ > all others
Verizon coverage underground on subway = I can still roam with my 6700 + free Roaming
I do like SIM card so I switch phones easily though, but other than that, the only up to date phones I LIKE have to be imported and are way too $$$.
Just my IMO
Sprint's "Fair and Flexible" plan is an absolute joke. Their coverage map is exaggerated beyond belief. Cingular isn't much different. There are areas they say are in their roaming partners area, but you can't make calls. Example: the entire thumb area of Michigan.
Both carriers claim of "free" roaming is less than honorable. READ THE FINE PRINT:
Sprint:
Not avai'l with single-band or digital mode only phones, or to customers residing in an area not covered by the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network. Sprint may terminate service if a majority of minutes in a given month are used while roaming off the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network.
Sprint also has different coverage plans depending on where you live.
Cingular:
Cingular reserves the right to terminate your service if less than 50% of your usage over three consecutive billing cycles is on Cingular-owned systems.
At least Verizon doesn't have silly fine print or limitations on calls made. The phone will display either Verizon Wireless, Extended Network or roam.....and roaming areas are few and far between.
Take a poll of truck drivers and you'll find which carrier is best overall.
All depends on your location. I live in Buffalo and Verizon is the superior service.
I've heard complaints for all the providers. The problems that que pointed out don't affect me at all for Verizon. I don't have Verizon or Sprint, but I know that Sprint requires a 2 year minimal commitment every time you adjust your plan at all, however their insurance plan for their phones is very good, with no questions asked.
I use TracFone because I don't need to use a phone for work and I don't talk a lot on the phone. TracFone offers unlimited incoming text messaging which is the best deal for me because I can get sport updates, instant messages (from AIM) and pay $90 a year. Great deal
I want them to go apesh*t over this lawsuit so they can all stop making those crapy commercials..
sprint- singing..SEVEN PEEEEE- EEEEEMMM!!!
cingular- ugly girl yelling about how she can't tell her girl friend that she got cheated on..
Well, the whole..."Fewest dropped calls" by cingular, was proven by an "Independant Researcher"...meaning a company they pay...
Sprints "Voice Calling So Clear You Can Hear A Pin Drop" add...Was proven by none other than, JD Power and Associates.
Cingular is Sprint's top competition in my area, however the only thing dragging people to Cingular is the "Rollover minutes"...what people dont seem to understand is the fact that, if you HAVE rollover minutes, it's obviously because you're paying for minutes you dont use nor do you need.
I find the rollover concept ridiculous..and a waste of time, people who use that as their excuse to stick with a carrier, shouldnt be allowed to carry cell phones to begin with.
Sprint IS the most powerful network in the United States. Sprint is not just SPRINT, my friends..
Sprint Owns:
Nextel (Which is ACTUALLY named #1 in Wireless, for you slow...yet fragile Verizon fans.) Because of their Walkie-Talkie Network and Direct Customer Service.
Boost Mobile(Fat Joe likes it, it must be good.)
Virgin Mobile(probably the best Pre-Paid service in the country.)
And even that adorable "Disney Mobile"...Runs off of Sprints towers.
Within the next 3-5 years, there will be only 2 major wireless networks running in the united states, the others will be bought out and converted by these two major networks.
The networks that will be standing in my opinion, will be Verizon, and Sprint.
I'm now stuck in a contract with Cingulair Edge PC Card service. Quite plainly its TERRIBLE! I've been traveling in Manhattan, DC, Philly, and a bunch of other places and can't get anything near dial-up speeds.
I signed a 1-year contract, and since its so damn useless I also got a Verizon wireless PC card and it actually works. Works great in fact.
I mean, if I can't get decent access in downtown Manhattan how does Cingulair expect me to get decent converage for Edge anywhere else.
Ok guys i'v not only sold every single tear 5 carrier (all the ones mentioned here)but i'v had most of them or known someone that does. Basically they all work about the same when the playing field is leveled. The whole dropping calls things with cingular in my personal opinion is true I'm yet to drop more then 2 calls in the past 2 years i had cingular... with sprint i had alot more drop or dead air call with sprint. Also sprint seems to be alot worst with their INBUILDING coverage i mean really alot worst. So cingular only claims to not drop calls that's ONE CLAIM on the other hand SPRINT claims to be the most powerfull... that's alot of claims... first of all they dont' have the most NATION WIDE high speed data network... they have alot of EVDO sites yes ... is hardly nationwide they have 1xrtt nation wide which is slower then dial up...while cingular has edge upto 200kbps which is concidered 3g and in most cases you will have DATA coverage instead of voice so in data speed and coverage cingular wins hands down and in terms of Customer service we wont' even go there cause sprint is the worst here they treat you from the store level to the call center lever as a third class citizen and are very condecending this seems to be a pattern i'v gathered from the huge number of customer I have signed up FROM sprint... so they dont' have the minutes they dont' have the features they don't have the service and they don't have the phone power either so what do they have? MUSIC download over the air and EVDO hot spots in about 20sotmhing cities... hey guess what Verizon has the same thing in alot more cities... oh well they loose out here again... oh and one more thing... the IDEN network that nextel uses (read the FAQ section on sprint.com) will be shutdown by 2008 which seems to me as a forced MIGRATION into their CDMA network...oh yeah one more thing i promise :) tmobile has the best customer service experience they really do SO GOOD IN FACT that when ever i call in about my friends account i don't even have to verify his last 4 digits of his snn# they will just give me all the info i want as long as i do make any changes to the account...they are sooooooo nice!!!! :) so you trust them with your info god knows their network will never be hacked .. ( OH SNAP) sorry Paris hilton and everyone else's how's info leaked to the internet....
Nextel & Sprint have Notoriously Bad Coverage
Cingular is Okay, But Verizon is the Best So Far.
"...but Sprint's network isn't the most powerful, either. (Oh, snap!)"
Haha, that made my day. Thanks :)
All the people i know who have Sprint (i live in Nashville TN, surrounded by TONS of hills) say it works great. Everybody with Cingular has problems. I personally have Verizon, and have never had a dropped call, and get great reception inside my house. Just putting my opinion out there.
I was with Sprint for several years. The coverage was mediocre, and many times I "missed" calls. i.e., the phone would never ring when someone called, but a voicemail would come up 5, 10, or even 90 minutes after not ringing.
With Cingular, I haven't had a single problem. I receive all calls, and haven't dropped a call yet.
I'm hoping that the judge in this case lays the smackdown on *both* of these companies and grants a permanent injunction against any of the US telecom companies from ever claiming anything good about their network quality.
Right now, arguing over who's got the best network in the US is about like arguing whether Clay Aiken or Kevin Covais would win in a fistfight. It's almost comically moot; it's like something grade school kids argue about in the schoolyard. It's beside the point. The fact is all the networks here suck ass. How they fare in relation to each other is irrelevant.
Yes, I have used cell phones in other countries - using a cell phone in Japan is really no different than using a land line. People there would not consider any of the US networks anywhere close to acceptable. We shouldn't either.
I was with sprint for 4 years -- service sucked arse ; than moved over to ATT -- cancelled that shi*t in two days -- customer care was insulting me over the phone (forgot the reason).
Now I'm with Cingular. I gotta say I don't take sides because ALL cell companies want to rip you off! On the flip side, If you travel overseas you want a carrier that has GSM as in sim cards. So T-mo and Cingualr are the only parties in town for that feature, sorry Sprint.
Oh EDGE, 2.5G, 3G and all that jazz -- Cingular has Sprint by the NUTS on that one. T-mo is a close second except for the T-mo hotpsots that run at 1Mb rates.
P.S.
The bad on cingular -- they have a con act going on with their media net. They state it doesn't work outside the selected 2 or 3 websites but in realization it works dam well. Cingualr just wants to charge you for PDA connect -- 44bucks -- for the the same service, repackaged.
I say the hell with them all. Dam, but i need a cellie. Oh well,
I'm sticking with cingular for now. T-Mo has a weaker signal in NY metro areas.
Like a few people said already, it's all where you live.
In northeast PA sprint and nextel are seperate and each owned by affiliates. iPCS for sprint sucks and doesn't do the corporate no-roaming plans and have horrible coverage. Nextel is owned by Nextel Partners who are just about the worst/evilest company I've ever dealt with.
Cingular and verizon are all corporate and offer the best coverage here and each has niches. Cingular works better in the most eastern counties and inside my apartment, so I love it. Verizon works better up north by the New York border, so it all depends on where you live and what you want.
And T-mobile, while I LOVED my sidekick 2, has the absolute worst coverage in the area. They don't even cover state college in central PA, and there's 50,000 members of their main demographic living there at Penn State.
All I want is cingular to get the SK3 or a close knockoff, but considering they killed the ogo off when they bought at&t I don't see that happening.
#15 Chris- What are you on? Cingular's phones are newer, better, and flashier than any other US carrier's phones. Who had the RAZR(v3, v3i), ROKR, SLVR, s710a, w600i, bb7130 first?(It's not t-moble) Who doesn't cripple their phone's bluetooth?(It's not Verizon) Who offers reasonable rates for their phones?(It's not Sprint/Nextel)
Hands-down Cingular wins nine times out of ten when it comes to phones. Sure, I may have a dropped call every now and again (actually it has yet to happen for about 5 years now) but at least I can take a song I own and turn it into a ringtone without paying $3. Oh, and I can transfer my pictures to my computer for free, too! Isn't technology great(when your service provider doesn't interfere)?
Does anyone see a pattern here? If this nonsense/lawsuit ever goes to a court what do you think the makeup of the jury will be? They'll argue for a week about who REALLY has the shittiest service before voting on the verdict.
Sprint sucks, Verizon sucks, Cingular sucks, T-Mobile sucks...they all suck. Write a letter.
I'll put out miy situation as well.
I've been a Sprint customer for 7 years, and in Southern New Hampshire / Northern Mass. the coverage is generally good. It's a bit spotty at the NH location, but in the city of Boston it's fantastic. In my house in Roxbury, however, the service drops so low that I get dropped calls all the time. My parents in NH are switching to Verizon because it has far better service in that area, and my girlfriend whom I live with uses Verizon and has 2x-3x better service than I do anywhere in the house.
I have Cingular, and the only thing that I know is that the only crappy voice quality I ever get is when I talk to my friend on his T-Mobile RAZR.
Sounds like it's constantly in AMR-HR or something. Completely garbled every call. He even replaced his phone, and that didn't help. It also interrupts our conversations constantly saying "We're sorry, but the person you are trying to reach is either unavailable, or has travelled outside of the service area." That's IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR CALL. Network busy, anyone?
My Cingular almost never switches to AMR-HR (occasionally at 5 PM when work gets out), and I have not dropped a call since I got it 4 months ago. My wife hasn't either. I don't know how anything else could be better. I have only found one area with sketchy service, and I was amazed any cell phone works there. Verizon is sketchy there too. I switched from Verizon, by the way, and I constantly got voicemails on Verizon without it ringing, constantly switched to analog in digital areas, and of course had to deal with all of the crippling. I had them for 8 years (minus a few hiatuses). I'm VERY happy with my Cingular. It all depends on your situation.
zoro said:
"Cingular isn't much different. There are areas they say are in their roaming partners area, but you can't make calls. Example: the entire thumb area of Michigan."
My Cingular works phenomenally across the entire thumb region. It is extended on Dobson/NPI Wireless throughout, and I've never had a single problem.
You are always dialing the area code with no 1, right? My Dad programmed his numbers without area codes, and the ones with area codes with 1s in front, and it never works out of his home area. Be sure you are dialing digits like 5171234567 or else it won't work on Dobson/NPI usually. If it still doesn't work, I'd recommend that you get your SIM card replaced, or maybe even your phone. Coming from another Michigander, it works great.
I love my sprint 5pm plan, it's unbeatable and 15 dollars Power vision. It belows me away, no complain.
I have Cingular, and the only time I get dropped calls is when I run out of signal bars.. as to being the most powerful..... thats not such a good thing... my phone majorly interrupts all electronic equipment from 5 feet away esp stero's and TV's
I lived in Nashville, TN, and I had Sprint, AT&T Wireless (pre-Cingular) and T-Mobile. Sprint was OK... but it randomly switched from Sprint to Digital roaming to Analog roaming IN THE SAME APARTMENT! Switched to AT&T Wireless... that was lots better (no matter what you all say, I firmly believe that AT&T Wireless was the greatest thing to happen to this earth compared to Cingular), except that I jumped ship when I heard of Cingular took over. Then I switched to T-Mobile. I loved it, because the plans covered practically EVERYTHING! Unlimited internet, text messaging, and a load of voice minutes for cheaper than anywhere else. Now that I'm in China, I believe that the Chinese market's current status is the logical result of a price-war in the US. Here I can get 400 voice minutes for about $7.50, and unlimited GPRS internet for about $25 with WiFi access at various places around the city.
oops- forgot to add, I'm in Shanghai, China.
The really funny thing here is that _all_ of their networks are built by Lucent Technologies using Qualcomm's chips and protocols. Everything the wireless providers tell you about their networks being the best is pure marketing, except for coverage areas (although those maps they show you are rather inaccurate, too).
Whats up with that Rosewood font (used here in VS) I see it somewhere new everyday. check it out:
http://greedoneverfired.blogspot.com/2006/05/font-spotting.html
Most of you guys are asses. Your cell phone reception and coverage is good or bad depending on where you live. If you live in the fucking woods, you will have shit reception no matter what carrier you have. I live in NYC and the best carriers are Cingular and Verizon. Simply because they have a significantly larger amount of towers up than Sprint and T-Mobile. And another thing that people tend to forget is that some phones get really shitty reception and some get excellent reception. There are WAY too many variables to say that one is better than the other from the consumer perspective.
I live in the Baltimore/DC area and I've been using sprint for the past eight months or so. I had Nextel for two years, ending Sept '05, and I hated it. I never used the walkie-talkie, the reception was poor and I would go places during my normal day to day activities where I wouldn't have signal.
With Sprint, I have signal all the time. Sometimes it's roaming, but roaming is free so I don't mind. I have the a900 right now and am loving it. Cheap plan, fast EV-DO and great looking phone.
I think sprint is maligned unjustly by a lot of people. Lot of GSM elitists out there who won't give Sprint a second glance because they don't use SIM cards and "they're not Verizon." Sure, Sprint's customer service is pure ass and yeah, their upgrade policy is a terribly anti-consumer practice, but service-wise they've been great.
to #30:
"Hands-down Cingular wins nine times out of ten when it comes to phones. Sure, I may have a dropped call every now and again (actually it has yet to happen for about 5 years now) but at least I can take a song I own and turn it into a ringtone without paying $3. Oh, and I can transfer my pictures to my computer for free, too! Isn't technology great(when your service provider doesn't interfere)?"
Uh dude, everyone can make their own ringtones and text them to their phone for just the cost of a text message. Sites like FunForMobile give you step-by-step instructions on how to make MP3 ringtones from the MP3's you already have or cds or sound effects or whatever. All of my ringtones on my A900 are .AAC and made by me, all by myself. My friend even has Verizon, the VX8000, and he also uses FunForMobile to make his own ringtones. Right now, I have the Picard song as my ringtone, I made it myself, and it cost me ten cents (the price of a text message).
Oh, and I can transfer my pictures to my computer for free, too. I can hook my phone up to a printer via the included usb cable and print directly. I can even print via Bluetooth. Can your Cingular phone do that? How about OTA firmware updates? Hmm, my a900 supports those. How about that EDGE high speed data? How's that compared to my EV-DO? Oh, it's slower? You don't say.
The point is, you can do a lot with your phone nowadays, on any carrier. Did you honestly think Cingular was the only carrier that allowed you to make your own ringtones? Of course not. My phone uses J2ME and I can download any free Java application I want. I put my own mp3's on my phone, not the insanely-priced songs from the Sprint Music Store. The price? Zero dollars.
I have been with Sprint for ages, never a problem for me. I'm pleased with the customer service too, my only gripe is the Treos they have been selling are not tri-mode phones. I'd like to have access to all three frequency bands.
It does depend on where you live. I live in Tucson, AZ and cigular is the absolute worst phone service I have ever had. Altel was good, t-mobile was bad, and cigular the worst. My cigular phone drops 90 to 80% of all my calls and I cant even get signals when I walk by their stores in the mall. Im lucky if I get more than 2 bars.
You guys totally missed the point is that both are claiming to be the best. When in truth it is just a marketing gimmick. This is great that this is being brough on, hopefully they might have to use some truth in marketing soon. We all know that Cingular had that independant study done, payed by them. And that Sprint isn't telling the truth with their marketing. This is a good thing, this should not be a flame war, but a chance to voice our opinions about how these companies need to use TRUTH, and I mean real truth in marketing. When you say UNLIMITED, you mean that I can use the connect to download what ever I want.
I have never had any problem with Sprint, works every where in Colorado and at times I have used 100% of my minutes roaming, no terminateing of my service and no extra charges. I must say though Sprint merger with Nextel was amazing, Nextel is the organinic network of all network. Yes they dont have roaming as a part of their plans, in fact roaming is not even possible, but they do have off net work walkie talkies, meaning when every cell phone company fell off the board with katrina, people could still use their phone as a short range walkie talkie (3-5 miles) depending on terrain, + they are international and have the cheapest out of country rates. Sprint will soon be launching a phone that you get sprint service on with a built in i-den walkie talkie. Other companies that have push to talk sucks even sprint old ready link blue. who wants to wait 15 secs to connect to someones walkie talkie and with verizon and cingular their push to talk only work s in digital areas. When I look into the future I see Yellow. Its the new color. Dont believe me try it
Why do people feel this insane loyalty to large, multi-national corporations? Maybe some are trying to clarify facts and review sevice, but those who don't explain... YOU pay THEM. Why advertise?
I don't mean to insult everyone or anything, but what drives people to claim a cell-phone company as worthy of internet tirades? They just don't care. So neither should any of you.
ps. I find the lawsuit really funny! Suing over adjectives and absurd claims everyone knows aren't true- classic.
Price and service aside...I own a Cingular Razor and I can do just about anything I want with this phone. My Mother unfortunately bought a Sprint razr/razor/blade whatever phone yesterday and it appears the bluetooth capabilities are useless on the phone...store mp3s? Great...it's a phone not an ipod so what is the purpose of storing the 1 or 2 songs you can fit on a phone when you can get an ipod? The Cingular Razor lets you use any images you want and any audio files for whatever you want...Read: make your own ringtones with the Cingular Razor...Good luck trying to do that with Sprint phones. They want and FORCE you to buy lame PC ringtones and everything else from them in order to personalize your phone! Beware! A Cingular Razor can actually be your phone specific to every detail you want it to including the tasks of soft keys and every other key on the phone. Sprint phones won't even let you assign ANY task to your own keys! Avoid Sprint at all costs!
I have had phones from every major tier 5 cell carrier and I have lived in NYC and Houston. By far the carrier with the best mixture of call clarity, reception, data speeds and affordability has been Sprint. I have been with them consistently for 8 years and been through hell and back with their customer service but I have seen them make every effort to upgrade their network and also resolve issues that they created. Sprint has been maligned by many people who do not pay their bills on time or have unreasonable retention ideas. I currently have two data connection cards and also a Sanyo 8300. I am more than happy with their service.
On another note, I personally like the phones that GSM carriers have been would never - repeat - never use Cingular. Especially in NYC, when you call someone on Cingular you either get their voicemail (immediately) or your ring into dead air. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to wait at street corners until the recipient received their voicemail. I also had their service and found their call clarity less than acceptible.
T-mobile has such overloaded circuits in NYC that trying to get a call out at times is like playing Russian Roulette.
The only other carrier I would consider is Verizon but their prices and data speeds are less than acceptible, in addition, their TOS is so restrictive that I would not even think of taking out an EVDO contract with them.
My two cents.
I've had all three: Verizon,cingular and sprint,in my opinion I think sprint is the better of the three. Verizon and cingular are way overly priced,also their towers are always too busy(call later)or dropped calls,all the time,got fed up,so I went with sprint,they have great prices and phones,also I had only one dropped call in two years since I switched.Most people go with fancy names like sheep,I go where the quality is,ditgital sharp and clear.
Cingular, AT-T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Nextel, Kricket they all sucks. (depends on where you live). In 1997 i got my first cellphone, happen to be ATT. didnt like the phone/i can barely hear the person. in 1998 switched to Sprint, Service was okay, Clear voice calls. In 2002 Switched to Cingular I had motorola V555, V551, V600, Sumsang7-- rateplans was okay but i didn't like the serviceand the phones. Im a contractor so flashy, razors, fragile and slick phones wouldnt be for me.
one Year ago ISwitched to Nextel and i finally found my phone that can handle everything, the i580 is awsome! It just about has it all camera/video, multimedia, walkie talkie under a sec, and best of all it meets military standards. i'm a construction contractor and i've dropped, spilled soda/coffee on it, dusted, muddied, I use a 150 PSI compressor blower to undusted it, my one year old son plays with it, trows it on the floor, you name it. no damage at all. I will never own another phone. This just takes a lickin and just keeps on ticking. Just like they Say: Meets Military Specifications and they really meant it.
honestly: I'll stay with my Chirp: 20 million customers and every single nextel phone has chirp built in.
Cingular over 60 millions of costumer: pay 9.99 plus tax for use a copy-cat chirp that takes 15 sec to connect. and buy a ptt functional phone
T-mobile havent tried. but i heard is the leading wireless service provider. WWW.JDPOWER.COM