Alternative Phone Companies

[GMAN]

I was talking to a friend of mine over the weekend about telephone companies. I wonder if anyone is using a service for their business or residential phones that is cheaper than some of the large providers such as AT & T or some of the Bell companies? With business and rates down it is important to save as much as we can on services.

[Rev.Vassago]

Personally, reliable service is more important to me than cheaper rates. Verizon has done wonderful for me for almost 4 years now, and I can't imagine ever moving my service elsewhere. Their customer service is second to none.

Now if only the customers I pull for would learn the concept of reliable service vs. cheaper rates.

[Jumbo]

I use the old reliable two tin cans and a string. No big phone conglomerate is going to get my money. The bad part is when the string gets caught in the duals. Last week it ripped the tomato soup can right out the window while I was trying to call headquarters.

[GMAN]

A friend of mine recently got a phone with unlimited nationwide service for about $59/month. I believe it is called Boost? I think Sprint sells it. That is about half of what I pay for my Sprint service. I think it is prepaid, but if I could keep my number I would switch. I was primarily referring to land line phones rather than cell phone service. I also want service, but also want a good price. At this point, I don't think there is much difference in the quality of service between the major companies.

[Rev.Vassago]

At this point, I don't think there is much difference in the quality of service between the major companies.

You'd be surprised.

[GMAN]

I was primarily speaking of landline phone companies such as AT&T, Rev. Cell phone companies used to vary widely as to their service. I have had Sprint for about 8 or 9 years. When I first went with them service was really spotty in some areas, especially out west and I would get a lot of dropped calls. Over the years the quality as gotten much better. I rarely lose a call any more. I am still not crazy about Sprint, but I think that I am pretty comfortable with them, like an old shoe.

There is supposed to be an internet phone company called Skype that has regular phone service for next to nothing. I don't know much about them. I have also had a couple of customers who have had some sort of internet phone service. I have no idea about the name of the phone company. I would like to cut the cost of my landlines. I don't use them much any more but I still need a listed phone number. I would like to find one that is much less than what I am currently paying.

[matcat]

[b00m]

gMAN,

If you are refereeing to a land line , i think the way to go is VO IP over the internet.I bought magic jack and send it over to my in-laws in europe and they will call me with a US phone number,or i will be able to call them and speak with them.It's relatively inexpesive($19-20 a year).The only thing you need a good internet conection and your computer to be on at all times.There is vonage too,for like $20 something a month and they can give you same service,just like a regular landline but at half the price.Cell phone wise, i use t mobile and recently got on their loyal customer plan for $49/ a month with unlimited talk.If you have a good phone(quad band) you can have very good service since t mobile,att use the gsm networks.Their service is excellent,since you can roam from one network to another.Sprint,verison seem a little pricey for just about anything,but yet they have the best mobile broadband service for internet.