Centennial vs. others?

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:24 pm

My Centennial contract is up and I *may* consider another carrier.

I am considering Verizon.

Who do you have?

Pros and Cons?

Compare and Contrast.

Thanks.

diethyl · Post by **diethyl** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:28 pm

I really enjoyed my service through Cingular, though I neglected to pay the bill, and in turn my service was cancelled.. The rollover minutes are nice and when I had my serivce nights started at 7.

david sumner · Post by **david sumner** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:28 pm

id steer clear of tmobile ... they have zero towers downtown and everyone i talk to when im at home has a hard time hearing me

their customer service is a joke as well

from what ive been told by folks - its usually the lesser of all availble evils

verizon is the one that i hear the least amount of complaints about

but talk to lawrence first - because hes had plenty of nightmares with them

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:30 pm

Centennial sucks. When I started off with those guys, my bill was supposed to be $45 for 600 minutes. By the time my contract was up, I was paying nearly $90 for the same plan.

I've had no problems whatsoever with Verizon. As long as you buy a decent phone, the reception will be fine. Dealing with the goofy f*cks @ their customer service center is another story, though, if you ever have to do that.

The best thing about Verizon = no roaming EVER.

I was lucky to get a signal south of Gas City with Centennial.

I've had Verizon for about a year now and have no complaints.

WBOB · Post by **WBOB** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:35 pm

...have had decent service from Verizon,..
but advise to stay away from NEXTEL....

bwohlgemuth · Post by **bwohlgemuth** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:47 pm

I've had Centennial, Cingular, Sprint, and Verizon.

If you are hardly ever going to leave the Fort Wayne area, Centennial was the best as far as "phone service" went, but that's about it. Anything beyond voice service, look elsewhere.

Verizon and Sprint have the best coverage outside of Fort Wayne, but you will pay more for that. I'd lean more towards VZ over Sprint, except if you visit the Wabash/Peru area since that's roaming with US Cellular and that's $$$$$.

Cingular isn't bad, except when you move outside of Fort Wayne, then you will drop calls.

Are you looking for "cheap" or "good"?

My recommendation? VZ, but make sure you get a free phone. Walk in there with your existing phone and work them down.

Also, only sign a one year contract. Seriously....

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:53 pm

I have Sprint. Great coverage in major cities and major highways, not so great if you get off the beaten path very often.

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 2:00 pm

I guess I am looking for "Good" service.

Centennial hasn't been bad, but I need some insight on personal pros and cons.

I am due for a new phone too, Centennial wants and arm and a leg for a good phone.

I am thinking the Motorola Razor. Talk me out of it.

bwohlgemuth · Post by **bwohlgemuth** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 2:16 pm

Own a RAZR, very nice phone, quick charging. Be prepared to buy everything to charge it from Verizon since the phone only allows specific chargers to connect to it.

Sprint is getting better in rural areas, but think of where you might usually use it. My work phone is Sprint and my personal phone is VZ. VZ has better coverage overall, but it's more expensive.

And there is absolutely NO WAY Centennial should be dicking you around on a free phone. Talk to a manager of that store, or go to a different store. Be honest with them...I bet they will roll out the red carpet to keep you as a customer once you tell them what you are thinking of doing.

One more thing, if you are tired of the farting created by your GSM phone around anything electronic with a speaker...go to Verizon or Sprint, they use CDMA.

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 2:22 pm

The RAZR is never the 'free' option' phone

Centennial pretty much told me $129 for the RAZR. IF I didnt trade in my old phone, it was $179.

WTF?

I thought completing your contract 'paid off' the phone.

I walked out and here I post.

Interesting point about the RF noise. I have noticed that and its quite annoying since I am around speakers all damn day.

Post by **cwallace** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 2:24 pm

If you go with Verizon you can call me 24/7 FREE of charge because we would be in the 'IN' network together..

If you need more reasons (as if) they do have great coverage and good plans. I have 4 phones, 1400 minutes and it is $110 a month. (After tax it is around $129)

Good phone does = good service, but any of the LG flip phones tend to hold up well. Mine is 4 years old and has taken a beating, but I still get 3 days of battery with a little usage here and there on trips without bringing my charger.

Chris

B.M.R · Post by **B.M.R** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 2:25 pm

I've got centennial and I'm really happy with my service. Centennials home coverage area isn't the biggest but it's great for me. I mean I don't very often travel outside of ohio, indiana, or michigan. I RARELY ever have any trouble with reception or anything like that. I just figure if I'm not leaving the area that much centennial is the best for me. I have other friends that use different companies (Nextell, Alltell, Sprint) and they always have trouble with their service. A lot of dropped calls and low reception.

I don't know. Just my 2 cents. But I'm really happy with centennial and don't plan on leaving them.

bwohlgemuth · Post by **bwohlgemuth** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 2:25 pm

Several companies are now moving away from GSM because of the EMI caused by those phone (CDMA phones can also cause the same problems, but usually only when someone is on the phone).

I've had customers have significant problems with GSM phone in data centers. I personally will not carry one any longer since I'm surrounded by speakers all day long.

Post by **cwallace** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 2:26 pm

bwohlgemuth wrote:but usually only when someone is on the phone).

What other time matters?

Chris

P.S. Also...get your number ported when you switch over to avoid contact loss...

CW

bwohlgemuth · Post by **bwohlgemuth** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 2:32 pm

What other time matters?

When your phone is just sitting on your desk and you are on another call and it farts. Or when you are recording someone and you get the electronic "PPPBBBBTTTT" just because it can.