BenXP
02-04-2007, 04:08 AM
I've been using my company phone through Sprint as my primary mobile phone for the last year or so gladly avoiding cell phone fees, contracts, and all the other hassles attributed to cell phone ownership. Unfortunately, after one restriction too many was put in place the other day I decided to get my own phone. After being screwed by Cingular with massive fees several years ago, and seeing how TMobile's coverage is a joke in my city, and Verizon & Sprint both charging an arm and a leg for plans & services, I decided to seek an alternative.
Two notable alternatives in my city are Cricket (http://www.mycricket.com/) and Pocket (http://pocket.com/). After doing some research and consulting one of MobileBurn's own I decided to hop on the Cricket bandwagon and chose the Nokia 6265i. My key reason for choosing Cricket instead of the Big 4 was NO CONTRACT. I also based my decision on coverage availability in other markets compared to Pocket (which is only available here in South Texas). The last key reason was phone selection, Cricket winning out on a better phone selection than Pocket at the time (conveniently Pocket decided to release 3 new phones after I made my choice).
So far, I haven't had much to complain about using Cricket. The following are the pro's / con's to date:
Pro's
- NO CONTRACT
- Numerous Fees NOT INCLUDED
- Unlimited Minutes whenever I want, to whomever I want, however I want to use them, period.
- I can SMS A.D.E.D. (all day every day), did I mention unlimited MMS, too?
- INFINITE MOBILE BROWSING (Although its functionality is somewhat limited for now, future updates should fix this)
- Coverage: I've been able to make/receive calls everywhere I've been all over town without dropping a single call and call quality hasn't gone below average once....yet.
- My phone (http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=769) (compared to previously owned phones) rocks, but then again I'm a Nokia fanboy
- $62 / month FLAT ($50 plan + $5 insurance + tax)
- With the $100 MIR rebate on the phone, the hit on my wallet won't be too bad
- Cricket Sales Rep was very courteous and patient while I tested the KRZR and 6265i side by side for an hour ;) and answered all of my questions
- Free Online Bill Pay and numerous brick-n-mortar stores available all over town to visit, ask questions, etc
Con's
- Java programs have no network accessibility (games, apps, nada!) and most downloaded apps just plain don't work :mad:
- WAP Browsing is restricted to Cricket-approved sites (35+) :thatswck:
- Initial price for phone was $330 up front :eek:
- Traveling outside a Cricket market? Plan on paying extra for "travel time" (http://www.mycricket.com/cricketfeaturesdownloads/#features)
- They charge $15 to change plans
That's it for now. Just thought I'd share my experience with everyone. :) I will be writing a review over this phone soon and posting it here.
Two notable alternatives in my city are Cricket (http://www.mycricket.com/) and Pocket (http://pocket.com/). After doing some research and consulting one of MobileBurn's own I decided to hop on the Cricket bandwagon and chose the Nokia 6265i. My key reason for choosing Cricket instead of the Big 4 was NO CONTRACT. I also based my decision on coverage availability in other markets compared to Pocket (which is only available here in South Texas). The last key reason was phone selection, Cricket winning out on a better phone selection than Pocket at the time (conveniently Pocket decided to release 3 new phones after I made my choice).
So far, I haven't had much to complain about using Cricket. The following are the pro's / con's to date:
Pro's
- NO CONTRACT
- Numerous Fees NOT INCLUDED
- Unlimited Minutes whenever I want, to whomever I want, however I want to use them, period.
- I can SMS A.D.E.D. (all day every day), did I mention unlimited MMS, too?
- INFINITE MOBILE BROWSING (Although its functionality is somewhat limited for now, future updates should fix this)
- Coverage: I've been able to make/receive calls everywhere I've been all over town without dropping a single call and call quality hasn't gone below average once....yet.
- My phone (http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=769) (compared to previously owned phones) rocks, but then again I'm a Nokia fanboy
- $62 / month FLAT ($50 plan + $5 insurance + tax)
- With the $100 MIR rebate on the phone, the hit on my wallet won't be too bad
- Cricket Sales Rep was very courteous and patient while I tested the KRZR and 6265i side by side for an hour ;) and answered all of my questions
- Free Online Bill Pay and numerous brick-n-mortar stores available all over town to visit, ask questions, etc
Con's
- Java programs have no network accessibility (games, apps, nada!) and most downloaded apps just plain don't work :mad:
- WAP Browsing is restricted to Cricket-approved sites (35+) :thatswck:
- Initial price for phone was $330 up front :eek:
- Traveling outside a Cricket market? Plan on paying extra for "travel time" (http://www.mycricket.com/cricketfeaturesdownloads/#features)
- They charge $15 to change plans
That's it for now. Just thought I'd share my experience with everyone. :) I will be writing a review over this phone soon and posting it here.