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General discussion

AT&T Wireless Vs. Nextel

Aug 12, 2004 10:03PM PDT

I want any info you can give me about these 2. I have AT&T with a Nokia 7210. I hardly get any reception when I am in my house, it is my only source of long distance. At the most i get 3 bars and it only last a few moments. I have to sit next to a window to get any decent reception. I live near the Downtown Disney area, does anyone else have this same problem? I'm considering Nextel's Motorola i730. My girlfriend just got one and 90% of the time she was at full strenght or at least 75% when she was at my place. I can get a similar plan to AT&T's price wise. Could it be my phone? I've never really had great service in my house, only when I am on the road, which does me no good when I need to make personal calls. I am on the GSM network, and I havent seen any increase in quality in over the year + that i've had it. Any suggestions? Anyone? Price for the phone isnt an issue, as im sure I can find a good deal online somewhere? Please tell me any pros or cons you've had...no matter how insignificant they seem.
It will all be greatly appreciated.
As of right now I can't see any reason not to switch, except the 2 year contract scares me.
Sorry for the long post.
Thank You.

Discussion is locked

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Re: AT&T Wireless Vs. Nextel
Aug 12, 2004 11:36PM PDT

I have been using Nextel since its introduction in L.A. nearly 10 years ago. It was a bit spotty in the beginning, but, so are most new networks.

Since I use it for business, it was the best way to go. The two-way radio feature helps for field service/repair type businesses like mine. I found that I usually had coverage in the worst areas imaginable. This includes basements in high-rise office buildings, fringe areas of the L.A. basin and computer rooms. The system was built and marketed to business fleets. They have done a good job of adding sites as requested/required by their subscribers. Only some of the smaller markets or remote areas seeme to have problems with coverage.

Now, their plans include rates for single users. You still get the benefits of the business apps such as the two-way radio. In all, I would say its a good deal.

Hope this helps

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Re: AT&T Wireless Vs. Nextel
Aug 14, 2004 4:13AM PDT

AT&T isn't really making any major upgrades now that Cingular will be acquiring the service in most markets, and I say most markets because AT&T and Cingular overlap in a number of markets. I believe AT&T's Chicago market will go to someone else since both services cover the same territory. That's what happened when SBC bought Ameritech. SBC was able to acquire the land line service, but not the wireless service since then Cellular One covered ever market Ameritech Cellular did, and Verizon Wireless got most of that service. Depending on where you live, you may or may not be acquired my Cingular. If you had Cingular before and didn't like them. You won't like them now because it's no guarantee coverage will improve with the acquisition.
Nextel work in more areas as long as you're on their proprietary IDEN network, and no analog backup or other digital backup. Price is high, but at least you'll know you have service in the major cities.
While I'm no fan of either service, but I'd pick Nextel over AT&T anyday if it were between those 2 services.

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Re: AT&T Wireless Vs. Nextel
Aug 16, 2004 6:27AM PDT

I switched from AT&T and a Nokia phone to Nextel and the i730. I have no regrets whatsoever. Great reception and I love this phone. What's amazing is how cheap the phone is now. I got it at Wirefly.com a few months ago and now I see it's $100 cheaper. I would definitely buy it again.

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Re: AT&T Wireless Vs. Nextel
Aug 19, 2004 3:32PM PDT

trust me att will do much good for u than nextel with their week signal the only thing about nextel is their weird alien radios that i cant understand.

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Re: AT&T Wireless Vs. Nextel
Sep 3, 2004 9:48AM PDT

AT&T is much better and the GSM AT&T NETWORK IS GROWING QUICKLY. Anyways Netel IS LAME

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Re: AT&T Wireless Vs. Nextel
Sep 28, 2004 1:19AM PDT

I had at&t got tired of their crappy service and poor customer service,also have had all other services and now on nextel,At&t was so crappy I bought out my contract at $400.00(200.00 a line) just to get out of crappy contract,and went to nextel,have had for two years and it is great.Direct connect is the best,also don't listen to the two know it alls that say it is bad they probably never have tried it I am a happy nextel customer,also watch out for the i930 that will come out by the end of the year.

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Re: AT&T Wireless Vs. Nextel
Sep 30, 2004 9:49PM PDT

It is very hard to make a recommendation about a service because everyones signal (strength) is different.
This much I can tell you. The Nextel clearity is great. We built a new house a long way from town and the reception is just fine. Other people come here to visit and can't get a signal with there phone. One other thing to consider. The walkie Talkie feature is terrific. I just renewed with Nextel for two more years, (They made me an offer I couldn't refuse)

The only real way to know if a phone will work at your location, and with your travels is to get them to give you a two week trial with no strings attached. If you explain your situation with them, most services will.

Tommy Fountain