Oh yeah, T-mobile sucks. Horrible reception and the customer service ranks as the worst I've ever dealt with. Coverage in Montana is next to impossible.

Well thanks to everyone for the input. Sounds like I'll be checking out Verizon for now. Thanks again

Word to the wise...no matter which cell phone company you go with, when you have your plan set up, read it back to the rep assisting you. Maybe more than once. My family is on Verizon, and the service is fine, but getting the billing straightened out if there is a problem is a monumental headache. They couldn't seem to understand that, yes, we need text messaging...there are three teens on our plan! It literally took six months to get it right.

And always be sure to read over your monthly statements for the same reason.

Good luck!

I am looking at phones and plans. I need to be able to access my email account, and answer any emails. Also need good coverage to return calls. Tried AT&T (Cingular) they want a 2 year contract. And getting them to give me the bottom line is next to impossible. And never anything in writing!
I also travel overseas some, so the phone must be unlocked. All I have to do is slide in a SIM card and the phone will work in any country in the world.
Any ideas?

American companies really stick to the consumers here.

"ALL of them are a bit slack in the Southwest part of the country." Maybe 'cause there's no people? Probably hard to get coverage in the Colorado River gulch west of Glenwood Springs too. BOL

If you purchase your own telephone, you don't have to sign a 2 year contract, according to my cousin. He has been with most of them over the years and told me that he has never signed a contract.

GMAN:

Yes, you are correct. You can purchase unlocked cell phones here in the US and then buy a SIM card from a couple of companies. I had T-mobile but it was really only good around town, not so much away from the metro areas.
I was hoping to have my home/business number to be able to transfer to the cell phone. I think I'm stuck.