I have been a verizon customer for a long time and my understanding is that the coverage area is superior. I have a 8830 right now, but really want the gps functions of the curve. Verizon cripples the gps and it can only be used by vznavigator. I understand there is a work around for that on the AT&T network.

I live in the Philadelphia Metro area. Does anyone have an opionion on AT&T versus Verizon in this market?

There's no "workaround".
The 8800 (or 8820) on AT&T's network simply doesn't have a crippled GPS, like the Verizon 8830.

You can't use your 8830 on AT&T's network.. if that's what you were planning on.

I'm thinking of buying a curve on the AT&T network. When I say workaround, I'm talking about on the AT&T network. My understanding is that the gps doesn't work on AT&T phones, other than their nav programn you have to pay for, unlesss you delete the vendor file and maybe something else. There is not way to do that with verizon.

But my main question is about the AT&T service coverage areas in the Philly area.

Thanks.

In my opinion... as an At&T customer, I would not suggest them. If it really means that much to you, then yes. But I know Verizon's customer service is alot better.

That's completely incorrect.
Not sure where you got that information, but it's wrong.
AT&T does not cripple the GPS on any of their devices, and you're free to use it with any software you choose.

AT&T doesn't even have their own nav program. They resell Telenav, but you're certainly not forced to use it if you don't want to.

I dont know where some of the garbage comes from. People will say anything these days. Thanks for being in the know Penguin.

I was in an AT&T store yesterday and the rep told me that the gps only works with their nav subscriptions. Actually one rep asked the 'bberry expert' in the store. That's where I got the info.

Anyway, thanks for setting me straight on that. That wasn't really the point of the thread for me though.

I really am hoping for some comparisons of the ATT versus Verizon networks in the Philly Area.

Thanks again.

I can't give you specifics in Philly, but I can tell you that I moved from the 8830 on Verizon to the Curve on AT&T just recently. I was worried about the service, too so I maintained the Verizon account for one month while evaluating the Curve on AT&T.

I have to say that I set up the curve and have never looked back. In reality, the AT&T networks (EDGE) is just a little slower than Verizon for data service, although the benchmarks indicate Verizon is MUCH faster. I have not had any trouble with dropped calls yet, but I use the device much more for data than I do voice.

Overall, the form factor, keyboard, ringtone volume, keyboard backlight, GPS, etc. is far superior on the Curve and it has a camera, too. The Curve is smaller, has a more efficient keyboard, yet maintains the same size screen as the 88XX series. It was a no-brainer for me.

Good luck in your decision, but you might contemplate the 30 day review period if that's something you're really concerned about.

Well I can tell you first hand these so called BB experts they have in stores are usually idiots. I was in the local VZW store and this guy says I know everything there is to know about a BB. So I started quizzing him about simple things like shortcuts and OS questions. He answered 2 or 10 very rudementary questions. He didnt know you could turn off data services on the pearl and other units. He had no idea you could download new themes. He said the BB messenger was using SMS. The only two questions he knew were where to download the new OS and That you had to have a data plan to use it.

I gave him a BBF business card (yes I know old school. I only have a few left) and told him to make sure he learns a little more before claiming to know every thing there is to know.

They usually only know what other people have told them and they generally only know enough to sound stupid in front of people who really do know a little more.

Joe, choose your carrier by who has the best signal/coverage where you live, work and play. <<My motto when people ask.

Honestly, I would test AT&T service first, you get a 14 day no questions asked cancellation of the service. Just use it side-by-side for that period and you will know if it serves your needs.

Good luck.

Speaking as an ATT customer who travels extensively in the US, I can tell you that they have an excellent coverage area. Customer service is about on par with the other carriers. I mean every now and again you get someone who is clueless, but all in all they have always worked to satisfy me as a customer.

But as far as coverage in Philly its spot on, even in the areas (like the Co-lo facilities at 401 N. Broad and 800 Chestnut) where there is high interference and radio noise they have always come through for me.

I can assure you also, the GPS is NOT crippled as I use it regularly with Google Maps and I DON'T have the subscription to TeleNav.

Only place I have trouble with the coverage is in Bedford, MA - that part I get like 2 bars, maybe 3 but I hear thats going to improve.

Best way to check coverage is to test for yourself. Go to Walmart and get a $20 go phone. It uses the AT&T network. Compair the coverage between that and the phone you have now. A small price to pay to find out what kind if coverage you will have in the places you go.

I put up with Verizon's archaic policies and crippled devices for far too long because I bought into the "far better network" mantra. I got a prepaid Cingular/AT&T phone and tried it out for about a month and had excellent coverage everywhere I need my phone (comparable to Verizon coverage). Ported two lines out (paid ETF on one) and haven't looked back.

Definitely think about T-mobile. I've been with them for over 3 years with no problems, excellent customer service and the best price from what I understand. They don't have the 8310 with GPS but I just bought one with no plan and got it unlocked. Soo....... If you go with them, you can buy the 8320 for whatever they sell it with a brand new plan, which in some stores is free, put that on ebay and they get a 8310 from ebay. Kind of what i did. I love it. I'm in class and typed this very quick, I hope I made sense.

I just made the switch myself from Verizon and so far my experience has been good. I'm not in the Philly area but in NYC, so I can't speak about their coverage over there... but data has been just as fast as Verizon's and voice service seems to be good.

Rule 1 if you're new with at&t is never trust what any at&t rep says without corroborating information -- preferably with these forums.

THanks for the advice everyone.

I just bought a 8310 from ATT to try. I haven't changed my number over yet.

The first call I made had some static on it like I remember from years ago. I've never used a different network. I know that verizon advertises their network as digital, I assumed all were now digital. Is that not true for ATT?

By the way, I disconnected the call, called back and the call quality was fine.

I've almost to the point where I am ready to switch to AT&T due to VZW's inability to keep on top of the current device offerings.

I've been with them for 20 years or so - my original 'bag phone' was with BAM and have never left due to the superiority of the coverage areas.

These days, the coverage has to be at least *close* to comparable, and I'm really just sick of waiting a year+ after RIM drops a device for VZW to release the CDMA variant.

pearl 2 wasnt a year.

I switched from Verizon to AT&T and but I am not in Philly. The GPS receiver in my Curve (a great phone by the way) works smoothly with Google Maps and other apps that use a GPS receiver. There is a workaround for this but AT&T does hide the BB Maps icon on the phone to induce you to use their proprietary GPS app known as Telenav ($10 per month as is VZW) but you can use the GPS receiver as I do with other apps unlike Verizon.

Get a phone (try a Curve for a while) and see how it works. You can always return it if you are not satisfied if you have it less than 30 days. That experience will tell you what to do. I did and was satisfied but YMMV.