[Southsider2k12]

So who is good and bad? I want to get a phone with a data plan and internet.

[JHeath]

We use Sprint. Our service is great all over, except on the lakefront, in the Pines (spotty), and headed north on 12 towards NB. I think they also offer the most cost-effective unlimited data & voice plans out there.

This is what I found on their site for MC coverage:

Simply Everything SM

Everything your phone, PDA or smartphone can do nationwide - unlimited text, surf, email, listen, watch, find and of course, talk - on one simple plan.
This plan includes

* Unlimited data: Web surfing, email, BlackBerry Internet Services (BIS), GPS Navigation, Music Premier, TV Premier, NFL Mobile Live, NASCAR Sprint Cup MobileSM
* Unlimited Direct Connect: Direct Connect and Group Connect (for capable phones)
* Unlimited messaging: Text, pictures and video
* Unlimited talk: Unlimited anytime minutes, nationwide long distance and no roaming charges
* More about what's included in this plan

Unlimited $99.99

[Ang]

I use Verizon and haven't had many problems. Occasionally I will get a bad connection on outgoing calls, but that typically only happens on Johnson Rd between LP and MC, so I avoid making a call in that area until I am off Johnson Rd.

[taxthedeer]

So who is good and bad? I want to get a phone with a data plan and internet.

If you and Parky ever happen to find yourselves calling a game at South Central High School near the town of Union Mills you're going to be SOL.

[MC Born & Raised]

If you and Parky ever happen to find yourselves calling a game at South Central High School near the town of Union Mills you're going to be SOL.

The man speaks the truth. Union Mills is a cell wasteland.

[edgeywood]

The man speaks the truth. Union Mills is a cell wasteland.

Best to see if you can get some kind of trial period, and make sure they will terminate the contract and return the equipment if you aren't satisfied. If it works where you need it, fine. The experiences of others really doesn't matter unless your concerned about customer service, which I assure you, all suck.

It's a radio, subject to all the vagaries and interferences that plague radio waves, with the addition of the constraints of shared access. So even if you can get good reception, the system has to have the capacity at any given moment to serve you.

[dusk]

I'm stuck with Verizon for another year and a half, but I'm exhausted of my roughly 8 year run with them. Many battles over their practices and blunders. Anyone know if http://www.straighttalk.com/ works around here?

[CaddyRich]

I've been with T-Mobile for 8 years and have been extremely satisfied. I left my phone in the washer one time - called customer assistance and told them what happened - and had a new phone in 48 hrs. at no charge. The only dead spots I've found are between New Buffalo and Three Oaks...and south of 30 on 421 in the LaCrosse/North Judson area of the "cell wasteland".

[mc46360]

Yes, straighttalk does work around Michigan City. Great deal, can't beat $30.00/month 1000 min or 45.00 unlimited

[Tim]

I seriously thought this was about what the inmates at the MC jail were being served for meals.

[dusk]

Yes, straighttalk does work around Michigan City. Great deal, can't beat $30.00/month 1000 min or 45.00 unlimited

Indeed, if that's where the pricing/cost ends. But as always the case with cellular providers, there winds up being numerous other fees and taxes.

Do you happen to know what the actual monthly cost winds up being for these plans?

[mc46360]

Indeed, if that's where the pricing/cost ends. But as always the case with cellular providers, there winds up being numerous other fees and taxes.

Do you happen to know what the actual monthly cost winds up being for these plans?

The total cost for the $30.00 plan is just that $30.00, you get 1000 minutes/1000 text messages and internet browser.

For the 45.00 plan you get unlimited minutes and text messages.

You have to go buy a phone card every 30 days for the service to continue and any unused minutes you do lose. Right now they only place I think you can buy the phones and service cards in Wal Mart.

I've had mine for only 1 week, so it's really hard to tell if I am going to have any kind of problems, but so far so good, everywhere I have been, like Walkerton and Plymouth, outlying places, I have had good service.

[MC Born & Raised]

I've been with T-Mobile for 8 years and have been extremely satisfied. I left my phone in the washer one time - called customer assistance and told them what happened - and had a new phone in 48 hrs. at no charge. The only dead spots I've found are between New Buffalo and Three Oaks...and south of 30 on 421 in the LaCrosse/North Judson area of the "cell wasteland".

We also have T-Mobile and haven't had any big problems. There's also that dead spot on Indiana 2 right around New Prairie High School. I used to commute back and forth from school in South Bend, and it never failed that I would make or receive a call near there, completely forgetting that I'd soon be dropping that call. But as cell phone companies go, I suppose you could do worse than T-Mobile.

[MCRogers1974]

I've been with US Cellular for about five years now and I am very happy with their service. Coverage is good throughout the entire area with excellent coverage in the bigger cities of Fort Wayne and Chicago. I am a little skeptical of the local sales people as I was told I would not be signing a new contract when I needed to purchase a new phone. Two weeks later I get a letter thanking me for signing up for two more years. I guess just a shady salesperson in the local store on Franklin St.

[Southsider2k12]

I'd call the company. You can get out of the contract in the first month. You might also get some free service out of it.