I'm sorry to hear about your troubles Sondra. I've never used Sprint nor plan to but I've heard other horror stories from friends as well.

I've had past cell service with Bellsouth Mobility (now called Cingular) and AT&T and they are horror. Reception is absolutely horrible. Customer service... well there was none. Also they would regularly make billing errors and overcharge.

I've had Voicestream for about 5 years now. Before they were Omnipoint in my area but they taken over by VoiceStream. Excellent service. Their phone selection is somewhat limited by my tastes (since I'm a gadget geek) but because the cellular technology is GSM 1900MHz based, I purchase my phones from this European retailer (http://www.mphone.co.uk) and I get literally the latest and greatest technology has to offer, months before they come across the Atlantic to the US. I've had some problems (2 broken phones and one billing issue) but they quickly took care of me and without any hassle and bullshit. I highly recommend them if you're looking for a new cell provider.

 

MAV-

Do you know if you can use your phone and voicestream in Europe?

 

I have heard horror stories about Sprint's customer service which is one reason that I didn't switch over from AT&T. Also, AT&T now has comparable or even better plans so I feel pretty safe with them. Sorry you had these problems Sondra. So, are you going to stick with them or change to another provider?

Kirk

 

No, unfortunately not. Europe, as a whole, is on a different GSM frequency than the US and North America.

 

Changing on Monday... I have too much to do this weekend (the new house closed today) to do anything about it right now.

 

In San Diego, Sprint is a joke. Absolutely no service and what you do get is analog. I switched to Verizon and am very happy with it.

 

I started out with GTE, now Verizon and received the worst customer service. With any luck their service has improved with the name change. At any rate I replaced GTE with AT&T and found all aspects of their product, performance and service to be top flight. The rate plans were more expensive in comparison but worth every penny.
I switched to Sprint last year in order to try the Kyocera SmartPhone (PDA/Phone) not yet supported by AT&T. Although the phone is a brick it's better than carrying my Palm PDA and a phone. The Sprint rates are great and I've yet to experience any problems. I had the opportunity to buy the same phone with Verizon service but the rates were much higher for less features and I haven't put my bad experience with GTE behind me yet.
The one thing that has made a difference is where I bought my phone. Rather than buying from Sprint I purchased my phone from Circuit City with plenty of affordable insurance and no questions asked replacement. Maybe I was just lucky enough to find a clerk with a brain and a good phone.

 

Sondra,

By chance were you operating your phone in predominantly ANALOG areas while you were traveling? I was shocked (and caught without my charger) by how fast my 8 day battery expired while in W. Virginia. My battery life returned to normal within digital or PCS coverage areas.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mav
[B]

No, unfortunately not.

 

JANUARY 22, 18:54 ET
Sprint Suffers Long Distance Outage

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)