I'm just across the Delaware from Philly and all 5 of us use Verizon and are very happy with the coverage. However we have several friends who had to switch to AT&T for their work phones because it's the only carrier that provides coverage for their particular brand of phone and they're very unsatisfied. They have had problems with dropped calls in areas where their previous Verizon phone worked well.

Sorry I don't have any more details.

Years ago we had AT&T and were very satisified, but later when we moved to ND had to switch to Verizon because no could not get any help from AT&T. For many years there were locked out of ND because they slamed hundreds of people here and got taken to court. You might talk to Verizon to see about updating your phone. I get notices all the time. If you do switch, make sure it is for a year or less.

I just switched from AT&T to Verizon because our coverage here was really poor with AT&T,
I have only had Verizon for a week but I can get reception in my house and in my neighborhood. Before, to be assured to being able to call and receive calls, we had to drive to the library which is across the street from a cell tower.
I have the Senior plan which has limited minutes but plenty for me.... baseline is $29.99.
I had no trouble with AT&T customer service wise....just really poor reception in various places.
I bought at Costco and have 30 days to return it with out any problems....but I think a person can switch within 30 days when switching to any new service provider.

Our family has Verizon and are all very pleased with it.

I'm curious--how do you happen to have an 8 year old phone? Verizon gives you a free new one every 2 years or so. If you haven't been taking advantage of that credit, you really need to look into it.

Personally, I'd pay to buy a new phone rather than switch to a different carrier. Verizon has done very well for us, and I do hear that people with other carriers get a lot of 'dead' spots. But I really don't think you'll need to buy a new phone. Go on Verizon Wireless and check your credits--bet you can get a nice new one free, after 8 years of letting them off the hook.

We have Verizon and never had a problem. People I work with have a problem getting a signal with AT&T at work.

Consumer Reports just had an article on cellphones and coverage, and in every big city they listed, Verizon was number one.

I've been a longtime Verizon customer and just switched to AT&T because I wanted an iPhone. I was VERY hesitant to leave. It took me 6 months to finally decide to make the switch. I've just heard too many negative things about AT&T. But...they won me over because I really wanted the phone. I am happy I switched and keeping my phone number was huge for me. I will say that I have noticed the service isn't as good. I've had a few instances where a call wont go through and it takes a few tries and the calls in my opinion isn't as clear. I definitely like Verizons network better. But it's not bad enough for me to not continue on.

We have AT&T and no problems. No dropped calls, good reception.

My daughter had Verizon and was very happy with the service. Then recently she had to switch to AT&T (something to do with her hubby's job) and since she switched, she gets cut off in the middle of calls constantly. She is extremely upset with AT&T's service and is already wanting to go back to Verizon. Maybe they don't have enough towers or something? It's very frustrating to deal with dropped calls...

We get a new cell phone free every two years. I am on my daughter's plan with Verizon and have always been happy with them.

Sue

If the only reason you want AT&T is because you want an iPhone, look at the Droid Incredible at Verizon. People who have been hard-core iPhone fans are crazy for this new model. Makes me think, hmmmm.... maybe the time has come! Note 8 MP camera, too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Droid Incredible

Over the past 10 years I have had phones on ATT/Cingular, Sprint, TMobile and VZW(VeriZon Wireless). I am currently with VZW, and couldn't be happier. The other three carriers kept dropping calls, and their customer service was less than stellar. The only problem I have had with Verizon was a hardware issue (bad phone, not their fault). I love my current phone (Moto Droid), it seems to do everything I would want an iPhone for, plus the network is better.

I've been a Verizon customer since they were GTE! My phone back then was enormous! I don't think I would ever switch, have never had to buy a phone, great customer service and will suspend a line for free if a family member is in the service and stationed where there is no coverage on our plan.

Terrific. This is exactly the feedback I wanted to hear. My gut says to stick with Verizon and I think I will, however if everyone LOVED ATT, I'd switch. After all, I haven't had any issues with Verizon. I will sell my new gifted AT&T cell on CL.

Azzalea: I have a plan that Verizon doesn't offer anymore, and because I rarely use my cell (since I work from home), I didn't want to pay more $$ for the same 400 minutes. My phone is the basic with no camera, speaker, and I don't have a data plan (web/text/EM) since it's more $$ for something I won't use much, except for EM. I didn't know I could get a new, free phone every two years, so I'll look into that.

Thanks all. I know what I will do.

Verizon doesn't have good coverage where I live. I was on Sprint for many years and recently switched to AT&T. It works great for me and I love my iPhone!!!

We can't even get Verizon here. *sigh*

I am currently shopping for cell phone service. I'm happy with what I have (U.S. Cellular), but I want to see what else is out there.

To me, AT&T is the equivalent of sleeping with the devil. But I was willing to consider them until I went to their local store. After I stood in their store for 30 minutes (waiting patiently while they helped other people), a clerk finally looked up and told me I needed to "sign in" before I'd be waited on. ???

I walked out.

I have been with U.S. Cellular for almost 5 years now. I am very happy with my service. Every couple of years I get a new phone for one cent. I don't have a land line and I have lots of free minutes.

some one asked how they could have an eight year old phone when verizon does a knew every two. Yes they do but you have to renew your contract to get it. If you have run past your two years you can just keep going with the plan as it was your just no longer under a contract with them and if you decide to go with another carrier it doesn't cost to opt out of a contract early. Most of the smart phones now have a $350 early out.

I've heard you can go to Ebay to get a different cell phone. I'd do that if I could keep my plan. We have 4 cell phones in our house and when I checked on getting new phones and renewing my contract, the contract went up a lot so I am sticking with the phone for now. It's 4 years old right now. I'll need a new one soon.

I was about to say what Patches just did. I'm with Verizon now but was with Alltel before V bought them out. When my old phone died and I had to get a new one, it switched me from my Alltel contract to the new Verizon one and my bill went UP $45 a month for the same package that I had previously. Actually, it's not as good, I have limited web access now compared to unlimited before, with very pricey penalties should I go over.

Woody is still on with the Alltel contract and I'm not upgrading his Razr until I have to because I'm sure they'll figure out a way to jack our bill up even higher.

Cell service is good, though, I have no complaints about that.

I have been with Verizon for over 14yrs now and all the family have switched to it also. Sometimes i keep my phone for several years just so i don't have to renew contract. So many of the phones have to have a data plan now. That's one thing to watch buying on e-bay or craig's list. They don't tell you that the phone had to have a data plan. Which my guess is in a few years we will have to have with all our phones anyway. Grandson has the envy 2 and the screen went bad. When he took it in for replacement he found out he was under grandfather clause so didn't have to get data plan but if he would have bought the phone now he would have. They find ways of getting you. Just wish verizon did roll over min.

Exactly. That's why my phone is 8 years old. It has no bells and whistles, just calling. Since I operate a business from home, I'm not out and about as much as most, and while I'd like to have email and web options on a new phone for when I am away, I can't justify paying the $20-$30 for those options, plus more for a new calling plan.

IF I use 150 minutes a months, I'm lucky. And with my current, discontinued $35/month plan, I don't want to pay more per month for the same plan just because I got a new phone. So, I will keep this one until it dies. So far, it's working great and the battery lasts 5-6 days even when the phone is on (but not used), unlike most batteries today which last 2-3 days.

I looked into the pre-pay plans and that's not for me even though I don't use many minutes.

Debi, I have that same $35 plan that is no longer available, but the last time I got a new phone, they let me keep the same plan. At least ask them.

sushipup - When I talked to the sales guy the other day on the phone, he did say "sometimes" they allow you to keep the same plan (could be based on the kind of phone I'd be upgrading to). I'll check into it. Thanks.