Optimal Cellular Plan Provider?

So, I'm kind of a Luddite when it comes to phones, but my wife and I have decided that we finally need to stop mooching off of her family's cell plan and get a family plan for us.

We need: to call each other for free, a good text plan, and really low costs. Good national (USA) coverage is also a must.

Who do you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your help!

He also needs advice on a good phone to snag... nothing that could like... hack the Matrix, but enough to get him at least .5 past lightspeed.

Moved it here cuz this is an actual discussion on phones rather than a "WHO WILL WINS?!?!?!" thing. :thumbs:

Verizon isn't bad if you don't care to splice the minutes up. I don't know how much you and your wife talking on the phone, but I have a plan with very limited minutes per month since I don't do a lot of jibber-jabbering and an unlimited text package, which saves a **** ton of money because that's what I do most of. They're usually pretty reworkable, but I'd get a second or third opinion before diving in.

And I can't tell you anything about good phones. All of my friends have Blackberrys and iPhones and stuff, and I have a grey flip phone with "PHONE" written on the back.

I don't use my cell too much unless it's for texting and emergencies, but I went with T-Mobile To Go. It's actually easier for me to just buy minutes than getting charged every month. But from what I know about their regular service, T-Mobile is pretty good.

And this is my phone.

Max, if you have an iPhone in mind, I should tell you those are AT&T exclusives right now, and according to a friend of mine, you're gonna end up paying a small fortune.

I have t-mobile as well, and I'm satisfied. I actually started out w/ VoiceStream, which then became T-Mobile

Fayt Leingod said:

Max, if you have an iPhone in mind, I should tell you those are AT&T exclusives right now, and according to a friend of mine, you're gonna end up paying a small fortune.

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Yeah, the iPhones are sexy as hell, but there's no way in hell I'd get one, despite being a huge Apple fanboy. Right now, Patty and I are sharing a cell phone (which will end as soon as we get a new plan) and I send a text message about twice a week. I cannot fathom paying another 50-80 bucks a month for a phone that plays super monkey ball and lets the goverment track my movements more efficiently. /tinfoil hat

T-Mobile is pretty cool and the G1 Android phone is much sexier than the iphone in my humble opinion. But if your in the Madison area much it's all roaming on the Einstein network, kinda sucks.


Verizon and AT&T have the best Nationwide coverage, AT&T is a little bit better on the coasts.

Us cellular may not have the best nation wide coverage but all incoming calls and text messages are free, along with the normal night and weekends and free in network calling.


I'd suggest AT&T or Verizon if good Nationwide coverage is needed. Each carrier will have coverage maps on their websites, you can check those out to ensure they will have coverage where you need it.

Any phone recommendations on phones, Justin? Cuz I know you went through a bunch recently.

ODP isn't looking for top of the line, but something that has a calendar organizer.

Mine has one. Nothing too complicated, though.

Depends if a data plan is wanted for internet/email.

The phones I juggled through the past few months were all Windows Mobile and BlackBerry's, they require a data plan.


AT&T has a windows Mobile phone called the Epix that is supposed to work well.

Verizon has the HTC touch and the Samsung Omnia, both Windows Mobile. The Omnia is supposed to be bad ass.


They both have a bunch more but those are the somewhat cheaper ones. all range $100 to $199.


I don't have much input on non smartphones. Personally I would buy:
AT&T -> Epix
Verizon -> Ominia
T-Mobile -> G1 Android



For non Smart phones, I hear that LG has some nice ones out. Kori bought the newest Moto Razr which is pretty nice and has lots of features. costs the same as the HTC Touch(6900) Windows phone I bought and doesn't do nearly as much, but you don't need a data plan for it.