I don't know how other phones are set up, but Sprint has a setting where you only receive signals from Sprint towers. They are not set that way when you first get the phone. If you set it to Sprint only, then you should not have roaming charges. Try roaming in Canada with Sprint. It is a bit pricey. And the nationwide coverage doesn't include Canada. They have their own system. They do have Sprint, but unless you include Canada on your plan you will need to roam to have service in Canada.

What would you guys recommend for me? I will be driving for Maverick, east of I-35 most of the time, as I understand it. I would like to have a wireless card for internet, plus a good phone plan. I'm guessing that either Sprint or Cingular would be my best choice?

What about Alltel or Verizon?

Thanks, Arky

Great Q...i was wondering about it myself...as my profile name suggests I am new to this, I've been with T-Mob for 6 years and my battery shows it---price of a new one is practically the same as a new phone---so I was waiting till I graduated from CDL school (In 2 weeks---yea) to ask about this. So, the consensus is that it doesn't matter? Stay with T-Mob? AND are their companies out there that provide or supplement cell costs?

You could probably get a new phone for free from tmobile if you sign a new contract. That's what I did and actually got 2 phones for free.

Thanks DK132...thing is I have the pay as you go plan...LOL I think I've put in say $50 this year....just don't use it all that much. Now knowing I will in the future is why I was so interested in this Q. I CAN get a plan but the pay as you go thing worked best to this point. That was why I was putting off the purchase of one and possibly changing carriers...

What's 'ROAMING'? I have Sprint's nationwide plan, and I've yet to see a roaming charge on my bill for a call made/received in the US. Now, if I go to Canada, that's a completely different story (it cost me something like $60 for close to 2 hrs of talk time in CA).

Now when I go to CA, I tell everyone to not even bother calling me. If I do get a call in CA, voicemail gets it, and I call back when I hit the border.

Tmobil also has free roaming no charge at all.

Sprint has different plans, they may have changed this, but it used to be default that outside the 'PCS' calling area you would be charged extra. The retention plan i had did charge for that... your plan may include roaming.