Not Quite Nirvana

Regular readers have heard me go on and on how T-Mobile was the worst cell phone provider...ever. While that still may be true, I have a different perspective of the situation after almost two months with Verizon Wireless.

The coverage by my house is considerably better with Verizon. While I couldn't go away from my house in any direction without hitting a 5 mile "dead zone" with T-Mobile. They clearly weren't providing the coverage I needed at the price I wanted. The best cell phone is useless without any coverage.

Verizon on the other hand is much better in the coverage department, but not perfect. I've found one dead spot so far as I drive. It was in a place where T-Mobile has no coverage as well. However, while T-Mobile had 5 miles of no coverage, Verizon just drops the call there, and it comes right back in 100 feet or so. This I can live with.

One thing I took for granted was that it never seemed to matter with T-Mobile if I was inside or outside. I never even had any coverage issues in any spot in my basement. It must be a function of the wavelength transmitted on, but being inside never bothered my T-Mobile phones. Verizon, on the other hand, definitely works better outside. go inside, and you know it. The voice quality is less, and there is no service in half of my basement. Even for more dinero, it is no nirvana. I can see how winning the wireless auction for the analog TV signal was crucial to them as a company.

In the end, while I couldn't stay with T-Mobile, it is clear that Verizon is far from perfect. Once again, I'm locked into a 2 year contract. Clearly this business model works better for them than for me. Hmmm, maybe I should just go back to the two cans and a string!

Jonas