I'm trying to decide on a bluetooth phone and carrier. I've always heard that analog capability (AMPS) is a good feature for those who travel outside metropolitan areas. For example, http://sfbacell.com states "AMPS is Ubiquitous; Don't choose a carrier that doesn't include AMPS capability." A quick search on www.phonescoop.com shows only one current bluetooth phones that has AMPS, the Motorola V710 which has far more features than I need and costs more than I'd like to pay.

Is AMPS still important or can I get digital in most places in the Western U.S. now?

Thanks.

-David

 

T-Mobile baby, ALL THE WAY.

 

Agree, AMPS is good feature to have, especially when you're out of the metro areas.

 

When I take my vacation in my 04 TL later this month driving through Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming including several days at Yellowstone, then back along the Columbia River, into Oregon, with almost no towns of any size most of the way, will T-Mobile give me similar coverage as I would get with Verizon and a CDMA/AMPS phone like the V710? I hope the answer is "yes" because there's a larger selection of bluetooth phones at lower prices from T-Mobile than from Verizon which only has the V710.

Thanks.

-David

 

David, I would highly recommend you consider the following:

(1) Don't buy into a year (or more) with a provider that has rotten reception in your home area. Don't let your vacation reception be the driving factor unless both providers are good in your home area.

(2) If (1) isn't an issue, be sure to try looking at the coverage maps to see how well you are going to do on your vacation. I have put some links below, but they may not work very well.

http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/national_popup.asp

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/coveragemap.jsp?item=planFirst&mapURL=/images_b2c/maps/national/ac.gif&disclaimerURL=/images_b2c/maps/national/ac_text.gif&planCatDisplayName=America's%20Choice®

Good Luck!

 

T-Mobile phones do not have AMPS. As far as I know, none of the current GSM carrier's phones have AMPS. AMPS is the main reason why VZ coverage maps looks so good. If you want to see how good VZ's CDMA coverage is look at their mobile to mobile map.

 

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'm a bit confused looking at the Verizon maps, though. In the areas I'm looking at (California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming) there are only a few small areas that the maps show as analog, the rest is either digital, extended digital (another carrier), or not covered at all. I'm I misinterpreting these maps?

I'm trying to find this map. In fact, I don't even see any mention of mobile to mobile at the Verizon site. Do you have a link to this map? But as I mentioned above, I do see Verizon maps that break apart coverge into digital, extended digital, analog, extended analog, and no coverage areas.

-David