[amdave1]

Looking to sign up with a service provider in order to do business in NYC as well as internationally. Which service is better for data? Which service is better for voice? Which is better internationally? Can anyone help???


Thanks
David

[Mr. T]

I traveled to Hong Kong, Toyko, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Hawaii and France last year and the only place I did not have service was Toyoko. I think I needed a quad mode device in order to receive messages and phone calls there. The 7290 I had is only tri-mode. I now have the 8700
which is quad-mode.

Hope that helps....

-T-

[Webby]

T-Mobile is waaaaaaaaaaaaay better. More minutes, less money.

[phillyslickster]

It would be better to get T-Mobile. More minutes for less money. T-Mobile works better internationally than Cingular. T-Mobile is a much better company than Cingular as well.

[cleaner416]

I'm in NYC - from anecdotal evidence it seems the coverage is the same. Economically T-Mobile seems to have a big advantage.

HTH

[stevec_ny]

On T-Mobile here too using a 7290. The only places I've had coverage problems is deep inside large office buildings, & parts of Jamaica Queens. I have the $45.99 1000 minutes & free nights & weekends for voice, & $19.99 BIS add-on for data. When I went to Canada back in April, I added the $19.99 International Blackberry Data Roaming option.

Note: if you go this route, you need both add-ons. I had a novice rep mistakenly remove my BIS add-on thinking it was a replacement, & blew away my data connectivity in the process. Thankfully a RIM tech was able to recover my account & settings.

I have no data experience with Cingular. I found their voice coverage was on par with T-Mobile in the metro area when I was researching both networks. In the end, cost won out for me also.

[bscanlon]

Cingular and T-mobile both have there good points.

Cingular:
Largest GPRS network in the united states with the largest user base
More money devoted to 3GSM on a faster deployment track then t-mobile
Strategic Alliance with RIM (atleast for the time being)
Better support for RIM's firmware releases (Carrier's have to approve RIM Operating systems before they can be released for a device.)

T-mobile:
Cheaper
Arguably better international carrier agreements.
Catherine Zeta Jones makes me want to buy from them.

Keep in mind that the original Bell South network, one of RIM's first carriers is now under the AT&T fold with cingular as well. In the game of wireless carriers it's all about market share and capital. So far Cingular (AT&T) has the larger of both. Unless t-mobile can do something to change one of those two things we'll be having a talk about whether or not AT&T is going to get rid of the t-mobile signs on all their stores after they buy them.

[NJBlackBerry]

Originally Posted by Mr. T

I traveled to Hong Kong, Toyko, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Hawaii and France last year and the only place I did not have service was Toyoko. I think I needed a quad mode device in order to receive messages and phone calls there. The 7290 I had is only tri-mode. I now have the 8700 which is quad-mode.

Hope that helps....

-T-

Even a quad band phone will not help you in Japan. They do not use GSM/GPRS/EDGE in Japan.

[cybermikey3]

If you live in new York check out cellularone.com it uses the same network as cingular. For 80 bucks a month I have 1000 mins 7 PM nights and weekends and unlimited bis add on they have a new York unlimited plan for 50 a month then you have to throw the bb add on for 50 with plans like that the first plan is a special bb package so that's why its cheaper.

[tkdlove]

even though you are in new york on business, where else do you travel state side? i think that no one can argue that Cingular Data is better across the board campared with T-Mo. Edge class 10 on the 8700 is smokin fast to so take that into consideration, plus remember that most carriers hold roaming agreements and in new york if you happen to spend a good majority of your time "roaming" on another network they can cancel your contract and hit you with liquidation damages... not common but seen it happen.

[bscanlon]

What are your guys thoughts on Cingular and TMO's EDGE and HSPDA networks? Does anyone know if Cingular is going to be shipping HSPDA 8700's in June when they release the new network?