Best Cell Phone Companies for Fishermen?

Hey guys,

After a recent switch to Tmobile, I've found that I hate them.  I have had more problems with them in 4 months than I had with AT&T/Cingular for 7 years.  Luckily I only have a 1 year contract with them so I am looking to move as soon as its up.

Which cell phone provider do you think is best based on everything including price, coverage, plans, etc?

T-mobile for me is cheap but they've failed me too many times already to consider them.  Their coverage maps are not accurate as the last three places I've fished (Merced River, Del Valle, & Mcclure) the coverage = non existant.  I don't remember ATT having the same problems but I haven't fished everywhere.

Verizon is more expensive than Sprint but both are on CDMA - any experiences with either?  I remember that quite a few charter boat captains I knew before had Nextel due to the walkie feature and was curious if any one else had input on this.

Ive had nearly every service provider. Verizon has had the best coverage. Especially in the higher elevations all the way up through Arnold. Sprint had to have the worst coverage Ive had. I currently have MetroPCS (dont laugh) I have good coverage out on the water, but doesnt work past Oakdale up torward foothills.

Verizon is the best carrier by far. They are a little more expensive but the level of coverage is far greater and the 3g Network they have is the largest in the nation.

They also just launched Trimble outdoors for your phone. http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/TrimbleOutdoors.aspx

I've got ATT&T and have been pleased - not ecstatic, but pleased.  I switched over from Nextel or what is now Sprint.  I was with Nextel for 3-4 years and was never impressed - lots of dropped calls and poor reception in the foothills.  Of course now that they probably have finished or near completion of merging systems and whatnot, they may be alright.

I do hear lots of people on the board say good things about Verizon.  Doubt you could go wrong with them.

Michael

Stay away from Sprint if possible. They have merged the systems but the IDEN network( Nextel PTT) is a mess and they are not investing anything into that network and all of their cash is tied up in developing their WiMax network which is still a long way off. If customer retention is any clue, they lost 1 million customers at the end of Q4.

Cingular sucked they sold me a plan and my home area didn't get cell service. Verizon has been great, my local dealer has been great on phones too.

I have verizon and get intermittent coverage at del valle. Overall better than sprint.

I had T-Mobile for years and was very pleased with them and the service. I eventually got rid of them late last year due to my work cell being AT&T (got tired of carrying 2 cell phones).

The only issues that I have had with AT&T has been with the actual handhled devices.

RR