Aloha and Thanks!

[secretagent007]

Hello to everyone and thanks for all of the great info on this site. I've spent many hours researching and educating myself on BB's here. As a result, I intend to purchase an 8700 c or g shortly and was hoping to get some input on the following to help make the final decision:

Service Provider (T Mobile vs. Cingular):
1. Which is better (and why) for international travel?
2. Which is better for national travel?
3. Which is better for So Cal CA?

Phone Quality:
This is my biggest concern. I demo'd an 8700c the first week it came out. I had multiple complaints about the sub par phone quality from people on the receiving end. They complained of excessive background noise and marginal sound quality. I tried two different units as well as sim cards 3G and non. Still no luck. Has there been an upgrade correcting this since the initial rollout? I thought I read a post talking about an improvement but cannot seem to find it.

Thanks to all the BB masters on this site. I look forward to giving back to this site myself.

[coreyg510]

Welcome to the forums from the Gecko. We hope you find many answers to your questions. I personally use Cingular and like it much better than TMO. That IS however, my opinion.

By the way. I have deleted your post in the General Forum discussion. Please refrain from double posting on the same issue.

Thanks and welcome again.

[secretagent007]

Thanks for the help. I wasn't sure where to post it.

Any pearls of wisdom regarding the phone quality question?

[coreyg510]

As a man that sells for Cingular, I can tell you that the 8700c is a much better phone than the 7100g or the 7290. However, that is the case with most newer model phones.

If financially possible, go with the EDGE device (8700c). Your web browsing experience will be more satisfactory. Don't think I am completely biased in my opinion of Cingular. Feel free to check out TMO as well. A lot of people like the company and have had great experiences.

A good rule of thumb, pick what is good for you, not what you read on this forum. There are plenty of people that HATE Cingular and just as many that HATE TMO. Don't let those experiences and opinions impaire your judgement.

Good luck,
The Gecko

[secretagent007]

I just read that the Zen theme upgrade improves the phone quality. Do you know anything about this? Doe it improve the ear piece as well as the mic sound quality for the receiving person?