Guys I need an honest opinion. I currently have a Blackberry on BES, I am looking to get the new 8800. My question is, currently I am on Verizon and the network is great. I have never had a problem and to be hoenst I love Verizon.

I am thinking about switching to Cingular, I am tired of not being able to get the newest phones. Verizon does suck when it comes to getting new phone.

Here is my question, is Cingular's network as good or Better then Verizon? I know all cell phones drop calls, the voice clearity is what is important to me.

Thanks for your input.

The voice quality varies from location to location. I am in the Central Pennsylvania area and call quality is great in PA, NJ, NY and DC areas. One thing you will notice is from a speed perspective Verizon's Data network for Blackberrys is better than Cingular (until a 3G BB) is available. Just my opinion...

I am located in Chicago if that helps.

i have never had any problems with cingular. i had a drop call problem with my old motorola but since i switch to a bb, i never drop a call no matter where i am even in those places where they place street signs on dirt roads.

You're at least asking the correct questions. A cool new phone with service that is spotty at best is the dumbest move you could make.

In a large Metro like Chicago, you should be good. If you don't need to port your number, get a Cingular phone before you cancel your VZ service, and use the 30 day return as an opportunity to test the phone in the places you work and play. Then cancel the one that doesn't work as well.

I'm in Southern CA and I used to have Cingular. I am the type that is infuriated by the circuits being busy (a HUGE problem for me when I lived on the west side of LA) and lack of signal so I switched to Verizon and have been very happy. However, Verizon gets crappy signal in my building (by the airport) but a co-worker with TMobile is a-ok so it's not a failproof assessment.

I'm getting the 8800 for my internet/BES needs and getting a small, light phone with really good call quality from VZW. I'll end up with 2 devices but it won't change my bill total and I figure that actually going without my blackberry [horror] when I go out to dinners, etc might do me some good!

I live 2 hours south of chicago and visit chicago often--I have cingular and have had them for 14 years--no problems here especially with blackberry phones. I hope this helps

This is the information you need. You need to know how cingular works in your area. A lot of people like t-mobile. My roomate (t-mobile) likes his provider but cant get a good signal in our apt. I (cingular) get full bars. Thats what matters most so that is why I am with cingular. Everyone has good a bad stories with several differnt cell providers. To me, all that means nothing. Service where I am located is most important. I like the idea of trying both and returning the one the works worst.

really depends on the area but i can tell you the worst is nextel so stay away from them... i had verizon and was very happy and ive also had cingular and both seem to be the same so i stuck with the cheaper rates of cingular if that helps

Cingular and Verizon are the two best in terms of coverage areas.

That is a good idea. I rather make sure I have the best service and a not so new device instead of having a great device and bad service. I know Verizon is a Great provider and Cingular is a Great Provider I just like getting the newest phone and Verizon always seems to be behind. I think that no matter if I stay with Verizon or move to Cingular I will have good service.

Nextel in Chicago is Great. I had them for work. Phone always sounded awesome. Nextel is even worse for getting new Blackberries.

Cingular is great in Chicago. I switched to the pink T a few years ago and it was spotty, even in Chicago. I switched back to Cingular and coverage is everywhere and call quality is great.

I don't think you'll see much of a difference in call quality/coverage, in Chicago, between Verizon and Cingular.

Check out your most used areas first. I have been all over the US, and use Cingular. Sometimes I have cell when VZ doesn't and sometimes its the other way around. I personally think they are both very good, but VZ is late to market with devices and cripples features at times.

The crippling of devices is another reason why I am considering leaving. I like my toys and when a new phone or new bb comes out I want it and Verizon is always behind. I have just had great luck with the service of Verizon in the past 6 years.

Consumer reports did a survey of various mobile providers in the major metropolitan areas in the US a few months ago (Dec or Nov I think?) and ranked each provider according to customers' satisfaction in each metro area. I can't remember what Chicago was, but in every city except for like 2, Verizon was #1. Here in Phoenix, Cingular was the worst. And I can certainly attest to that. It's terrible here in Phoenix. T-Mobile however is excellent and was #2 here in Arizona. Just depends on where you are I guess.

All really depends on your coverage for that particular carrier.

I have never seen wiser words that what Pizzel said above!

Cingular, and other carriers, typically have a trial period... take advantage of that. Go to a cingular dealer and buy the handset and service and ride around with it for 30 days to be sure it works where you need it. No reason to guess...

Stac