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Dead zones and choice of wireless service for phones, laptop wireless card, etc

By Pacita Dimacali

Real Estate Agent with Alain Pinel BRE 01367196

June 02, 2010 06:26 AM

It almost feels like I'm a prisoner of AT&T.

Because we have AT&T landline service, and because of my fascination (heck, love!) for my iPhone, I selected AT&T as well when it came time to getting a wireless card for my laptop.

Regardless of which wireless card or wireless phone one chooses, the quality and strength of transmission boils down to coverage.

Because it's been so annoying --- okay, I feel like screaming sometimes --- to lose signal, I've been searching for information about coverage. AT&T has this wonderful ad that shows billowing orange draping over the country.....but like real estate, it boils down to local conditions.

Found this site where one can see dead zones (as reported by consumers). AT&T, by far has the most dead zones. Of course, it may also mean that AT&T has more customers. Nonetheless, it didn't give me a sense of comfort in my choice of service provider.

http://www.deadcellzones.com/

When I checked Sprint's dead zone service, there were so very few! But I remember when I had Sprint cellular service....I had just as much of a problem with poor coverage then as I do now with AT&T.

But perhaps I should break up with AT&T when it comes to wireless (for laptop) and find something else. Don't want to give up my iPhone just yet, so I guess I'm stuck with AT&T for a while in terms of cellular phone service. Although Verizon's Droid is drawing me in.....

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Ann Allen Hoover

RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL

CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

I've not broken down and gotten a wireless card for my laptop yet. I have AT&T for my iPhone and overall been happy with their service and I've had it with them for years.

Jun 02, 2010 06:33 AM

Vicki Pedersen

Pedersen Real Estate - Riverside, CA

Providing Exceptional Real Estate Service

Pacita, I was in the same boat as you - not happy with the AT&T service but not wanting to give up my IPhone. I finally got tired enough of the many dropped calls I was experiencing and moved to Verizon. And I didn't lose anything really because of the new Droid phone. I love my new Droid. Apparently it has more capabilities than the IPhone - but I can't say for sure yet because I'm still learning about the phone. But so far - I give it a thumbs up and I don't even miss my Iphone.

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA

Probate Real Estate Services

Pacita, I agree ... it boils down to local conditions. I have Verizon and get good coverage and service. My issue is with my Blackberry ... I have had two phone replacements and have had to wipe and re-install my phones several times. I spent 4 hours on the phone with tech support ... and was finally escalated directly to Blackberry ... at which time my phone went dead. It wasn't funny at the time ... now I can laugh about it. We are so spoiled with instant access to information ... when it does not work ... of course we want to scream!

Jun 02, 2010 08:04 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Ann ---- I've only been with AT&T and Sprint, and have had issues like anyone else. I would hate to change....

Vicki --- The more I read and hear and see about the Droid, the more attractive it becomes. The only reason why I haven't changed phones yet is because all the other manufacturers seem to aim to the iPhone killer. So if they all want to BE the new iphone, then my phone must be the standard....

Kathleen --- the biggest fear that I have, besides dropping calls, is having to go through HOURS, like you said, of installing and re-setting applications and email accounts. I have to go through this every time I change computers and phones. Never easy.

Jun 02, 2010 08:34 AM

Lori Churchill Cofer

Beasley Realty - Pullman, WA

Realtor - 509-330-0086 - Pullman, WA

Pacita,

Ah...the dreaded dead zone....and the dropped call...so frustrating!!!! Fortunately for me in Pullman...very few :)

Jun 08, 2010 02:50 AM

Lori, I was on the verge of changing my wireless card...but then I was in another city last week, and the transmission was blazing fast!

Erratic, to say the least. But I'm sure that happens no matter who the service provider is.

Jun 08, 2010 09:41 AM

Steve, Joel & Steve A. Chain

Chain Real Estate Investments & Mortgage, Steve & Joel Chain - Cottonwood, CA

We've always had AT&T. In certain areas we consider Verizon and Metro PCS, but due to our travels stay with AT&T. Oh, yes and then there's the iphone reason.

Steve

Jun 28, 2010 04:46 PM

Mike Hendren

Mike Hendren Photography - Cloudcroft, NM

Hi Pacita, I understand! I love my iPhone but AT&T sure seems to drop lots of my calls and so many dead zones, even right in the middle of town. I live in an "almost" dead zone and just added AT&T's MicroCell to my house - good strong signal, now, but sometimes the call quality is a little funky.

Have a great day!

 Mike
-----------------

Jun 30, 2010 02:11 AM

Robert L. Brown

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

They got us coming and going. I have Nextel and there are lots of dead spots as well.

Aug 05, 2010 01:44 PM

Terkel Sørensen

Real Estate Places - Temecula, CA

Realtor, 951.805.0773 , Bank owned and Short Sales

But now... you can have your iPhone on big red... :-) Feb 10

Jan 30, 2011 04:31 PM

Evelyn Kennedy

Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA

Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Pacita:

Now that Verizon has the iPhone you should switch to Verizon. My husband and daughter have AT&T and when we compare service, mine is better.

Jun 19, 2011 06:56 PM

Evelyn -- I did switch to Verizon in January before they had the iphone. I enjoyed using my Droid X but it met an untimely watery death. So I got an iphone4.....and an ipad2....and a wireless modem...all with Verizon.

Alls well that ends well.

Jun 19, 2011 07:42 PM

Rosemary Brooks

BMC Real Estate - 209-910-3706 - Stockton, CA

The Mother & Daughter Realty Team

I see you switched - how is for you after using it for a few months? I have Verizon.

Jun 20, 2012 01:02 AM

Rosemary

I haven't had a single dropped call with Verizon. So very satisfied!

Jun 20, 2012 01:08 AM

Dead zones and choice of wireless service for phones, laptop wireless card, etc

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