Which service provider should I go with for my Treo 650?

[rhart00]

I am purchasing a Treo 650 within the next couple months. I know Sprint is the only provider currently offering the 650 but is coming out on Cingular. Any recommendations on which service provider I should go with? I am considering price, coverage areas, web services, etc. Thanks

Ryan

[Ardy]

I'm currently a Nextel user and quite happy with their service. However I really really like the treo 650. I think I will go with a GSM provider since I could use the treo 650 internationally, but if you use it only in the U.S. then wait for Verizon since they have the best CDMA national coverage. As far as GSM carriers either Cingular or T-mobile, whichever has the better reception in your area. I personally like T-Mobile since they have a $30 unlimited Data usage plan.
Hope I was clear enough, good luck.

[Reggie]

I say Cingular(AT&T). They support EDGE.

[bobby jones]

my vote would be:

a) who has the best voice coverage in your area?


if the same, then getting an unlocked gsm treo 650 would be better, and edge is nice

[tmarks11]

I have heard some evil rumors about overcharges by Verizon on people using the Treo 600 with them (unless you pay the $45 unlimited monthly data fee, the cheaper 5MB service will get a $2500 phone bill due to the constant polling by the Treo of it's service provider regardless of how many MB you download). Anybody want to comment on that?

SprintPCS seems to have the cheapest data plans ($5-15 additional charge for unlimited web access), and better nationwide coverage... except in my area, where I don't get a signal half the time, and ended up switch to Verizon. Too bad, since I had Sprint for three years before this, and they seem to get all the coolest phones first.

Verizon is more expensive... $45/month for unlimited data service in addition to your normal cell plan. That is what I am stuck with now, and they seem slower to pick up the new phones.

No experience with T-mobile or Cingular. T-mobile has very cheap plans ($20 extra for unlimited internet), but I have heard complaints of spotty coverage in the Northeast where I live. Cingular is by far the most expensive, with unlimited data plans costing an extra $70 per month.

[BennieBoi]

Well, i have already posted a thread on weather i should buy a treo 650 or not, but i also have a question. I saw a PalmONe commercial on TV that was advertising the Treo 650 and it had small advertisements for many other companies (phone services) Verizon, Cingular, Sprint and some others. When is verizon going to be made availiable to Treo 650. Thanks -Ben

[evildead]

Cingular is by far the most expensive, with unlimited data plans costing an extra $70 per month.

Thats for a wireless PC card and a laptop. MediaWorks unlimited data for a Treo is $19.99.

[NX01]

I live in Trinidad but travel to the US several times a year.
How and from whom can I get an unlocked GSM Treo 650?

My plan is to get an unlocked Treo and use my existing SIM card when in Trinidad and purchase a pre-paid SIM from T-Mobile or Cingular for use when in the US.
Any suggestions?
Thanx.

[NX01]

BTW, what is EDGE?

[Ardy]

EDGE stands for Enhanced Data rate Gsm Evolution. In plain english much much faster data transfer rate. Sorth of a DSL/Cable as oppose to 56k for the gsm network.

[FESCSteve]

Yeah, in an EDGE covered area (most of the network now) you can get 80k-over 200k speeds. I get an average of 100k at home with an EDGE pc card on Cingular.

Note that you may have trouble getting the media works unlimited plan for $20.00 if you tell them you have a PDA. Cingular has unlimited PDA plans for a few bucks more. If you have a cingular phone you can add the media works and then swap the SIM into your Treo and all should work well. I do something similar with my data card.

Good luck and let us knwo what you go with.

PS - if I had to choose between Sprint which was my last service provider or Cingular, my current provider, I would definately go with Cingular. Sprint's customer service is the worst I have experienced and will never deal with them again. Cingula has been great to me however.....

[Jeff275]

Can someone tell me if I can use a Treo 650 to hook up via bluetooth (or whatever would work) to use that for decent internet connectivity? I can't really justify a cell phone without getting rid of my land line and I can't justify broadband at all so it would be nice if the Treo was workable for a reasonable price and at dial up speeds at the very least. Anything faster would be a bonus.

[evildead]

Yeah, in an EDGE covered area (most of the network now) you can get 80k-over 200k speeds. I get an average of 100k at home with an EDGE pc card on Cingular.


thats Kbits/per sec correct?

[Ardy]

Here EDGE is explained in a simple to read paragraph.
https://www2.nethawk.fi/docs/templates/basic.php3?page_id=580&lang_id=1

[NX01]

Fantastic! Thanks for the info on EDGE... interesting

[BennieBoi]

Thanks for some interesting info that i did not know before, but i have one question. Does anyone know when the Treo650 will be availiable with Verizon Wireless service?