Blackberry 7100t-Tmob vs. Nextel

[A4toS4]

So i'm just about to get a blackberry and I'm not sure who to go with. Anyone have any comments (or hooksups :).
I've been with Verizon for so long I have no idea how either company is.

I've heard good and bad things about both companies and done alot of online research and I'm still clueless.

This will lead me to my next post in the Audi Forum..................

[creanium]

If you're going to be anywhere away from a major freeway or business area, you'll probably have issues with Nextel. My dad has had his work Nextel for 3 years now and he can't hold a signal at all at our house, and we're in a heavily-populated residential area.

With Nextel's recent merger with Sprint, their network will improve. However, their current iDEN network won't be improving much. Nextel will be switching over to CDMA in the next few years and phasing out their iDEN network, so all current Nextel phones will be paperweights within the next 5 years.

I would personally stay away from Nextel for the time being because there is going to be some shuffling as they combine with Sprint. If you're deadset on those two companies, then go with T-Mobile. A T-Mobile phone is a bit more flexible than a Nextel phone because there are several GSM carriers in this country, so you can roam on them. Whereas Nextel is really the only iDEN carrier in the country so you're limited there as well.

I see you're interested in the Blackberry. In that case, most definitely go with T-Mobile over Nextel because they have GPRS which has faster data rates than the iDEN network Nextel has. I have a friend who's a rep for T-Mobile, but don't think that sways my opinion. I personally have Verizon and have no intentions of switching to anyone else myself. But, at any rate, he hasn't had a single problem with his phone or Blackberry on T-Mobile.

Soooo, that was basically my long-winded way of saying you'd probably be happier with T-Mobile.

[A4toS4]

cool thanks for info....now where's the hook up! :P
I would stay with verizon because I have never had a problem with them but thier phones suck and I'm over my VX 6000.

[creanium]

cool thanks for info....now where's the hook up! :P
I would stay with verizon because I have never had a problem with them but thier phones suck and I'm over my VX 6000.
IF you're willing to hold out a little more with Verizon, Nokia has a Bluetooth clamshell phone coming out in the next couple of months. LG has the VX-8000 coming that's EV-DO, so high speed data on that phone.

If you're interested in a Blackberry-like device, they have JUST released the Audiovox PPC-6000. It's a Pocket PC device that has Bluetooth, SD card slot, and has a sliding QWERTY keyboard. It's also an EV-DO phone so you will be able to have broadband speeds on the phone as long as you're in an EV-DO market. Otherwise you get rougly 56K modem like speeds which still isn't bad.

If you want more info: http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=570

[Woody]

With Nextel's recent merger with Sprint, their network will improve. However, their current iDEN network won't be improving much. Nextel will be switching over to CDMA in the next few years and phasing out their iDEN network, so all current Nextel phones will be paperweights within the next 5 years.

Just curious where you heard or read this. I am interested in this and would appreciate any URL's you might be able to provide. :)

[creanium]

Just curious where you heard or read this. I am interested in this and would appreciate any URL's you might be able to provide. :)
In the official Sprint-Nextel press release (http://www.sprintnextel.mergerannouncement.com/), down in the "Robust Network Capabilities" paragraph:

Sprint Nextel’s plans include migrating over time Nextel services, including push to talk service, to Sprint’s CDMA EV-DO network.

[A4toS4]

damn you know a lot about cell phones! =P

[creanium]

damn you know a lot about cell phones! =P
Pretty much all my guy friends work for various cell phone companies. I've got friends in Verizon, Cingular, T-Mobile, Sprint, and had one at Nextel. I just have an inherent interest in them and follow all the companies; service providers and manufacturers.

I personally have been with Verizon for 4 1/2 years and have not had any single problem with them. Customer service has ALWAYS been top-notch. While I agree Verizon's phone selections are lacking a bit, you can expect them to pick things up in the coming months. With Verizon deploying the Nokia-developed 1xEV-DO network nationwide, you can expect more offerings from Nokia. Also, with Sprint-Nextel coming together, and Cingular being so big now, expect Verizon to become more and more competitive.

Right now is a pretty good time to be a cell phone consumer as the three big companies will be going all out to drum up business. Whether it be with more competitive plans, or better phone offerings.

If you are still considering staying with Verizon, you might want to check out the Motorola v710. I have it and love it. I think it's an awesome phone feature-wise, albeit with its own flaws. The camera's not all that hot, but the video quality is actually pretty good, especially from a cell phone. You'll hear complaints about the Bluetooth being "crippled" because it doesn't contain certain Bluetooth profiles that other cell phones do on other carriers. The phone comes with Dial-up Networking, Headset, and Handsfree profiles. To be honest, that's all I need it for. I can get online from anywhere using my iPAQ or laptop, and the wireless headset is neat too. It's got a memory card slot so that's how I get MP3s, pictures, and videos to and from the phone. Sure it would be nice to be able to send pictures, videos, or contacts too and from the phone using Bluetooth; but is it a necessity for me? No.

On the other hand, if you're steadfast on leaving Verizon, and you've pretty much decided you'll go to either Nextel or T-Mobile, definitely go with T-Mobile as they're more of a consumer-oriented company as opposed to Nextel's business-user approach.

[RADO 18T]

Please be careful and think twice about purchasing the blackberry. I took two phones cross country (San Diego to Pensacola, Florida) with the same provider (Blackberry's and Motorola T720). The blackberry is always comes short by 2 signal bars or no signal at all. It may be a great phone; however, the signal strength of that phone isn't good at all.



So i'm just about to get a blackberry and I'm not sure who to go with. Anyone have any comments (or hooksups :).
I've been with Verizon for so long I have no idea how either company is.

I've heard good and bad things about both companies and done alot of online research and I'm still clueless.

This will lead me to my next post in the Audi Forum..................

[A4toS4]

i think i'm going to just wait it out and see what verizon has to offer in the coming months. I want a phone with bluetooth so when I get in my car that will work.....and I need it to be able to access email as well.

All the picture video mp3 crap...is just that. I own a camera, camcorder and i have more cd's mp3's, dvds then I know what to do with! :P

Thanks for the info!

**for the record....after doing some more research it looks like I'm going to go with the treo 650 when verizon picks it up!

Thanks guys (anyone with a hookup to Verizon...I will gladly hook up if you do me the favor as well!)