 |
|
|
|
August 15, 2007
Dear CNET members,
With the recent release of the Apple iPhone exclusively to AT&T Wireless (previously Cingular), many people jumped ship from their current cellular carriers to AT&T in order to buy and use the iPhone. To me, while the iPhone is an awesome piece of equipment, it's not enough of a compelling reason to switch carriers. For me, it's the coverage area in the places I would most likely use my phone--in my home and places where I travel most often. If my carrier can't provide coverage in those areas, I would switch in a heartbeat to one that did, even if I have to pay an early termination fee.
What about you? What would make you switch cellular carriers? Better selections of phones or rate plans? How about shorter contracts? Maybe it's a special feature? What about faster wireless networks for better Internet access? Better coverage area? Or maybe it is as simple as better customer service. Whatever the reasons, share them with the group in the latest Make the Call discussion. Talk about the reasons you would ever make the switch from your current cellular carrier to another. We are all ears to hear what you have to say. I'm hoping that the cellular carriers out there are listening to the consumers here, so that they can make changes to give us what we want, to entice us to switch to their network.
Just a reminder for all those folks who are into car stereos and in-car media. Tomorrow, Thursday August 16, from 11 a.m. to noon PT, CNET editor Kevin Massy will be hosting the Ask the Editors Live chat event, where he will answering all your car stereo questions, ranging from in-car iPod connectivity to HD radio, and much more. Get your questions ready and join us at this event!
|
|
This week's hot topic:
What would make you switch cellular carriers?
There can be many reasons why one would switch from one cellular carrier to another--ranging from better rate plans or shorter contracts to exclusive special features. In the latest Make the Call discussion, we asked our members what would make them switch cellular carriers? And many were quick to give us there reasons.
"I would switch in a heartbeat for..."
"I would switch in a heartbeat and never look back, for a plan without one of those damnable contract extension clauses, that restarts the 2-year clock when you change anything in your plan. These are inexcusable and exploitive..." (Read more)
"Smaller plans!"
"I would switch to a different carrier if they offered smaller voice plans. I only use 100 to 150 minutes per month, because most of my communication is done via text messaging. I would like to see a plan with 200 minutes per month..." (Read more)
--Submitted by: CNET member mgb5011
"EV-DO coverage with handset interchangeability
"I'm a data user, which means I need high-speed, and I'm usually carrying some kind of $500+ PDA-type device. Give me a carrier that allows me to switch devices without having to call CS. And of course, make sure that service..." (Read more)
"High-speed data access"
"Since I live in a rural part of western Kentucky, none of the carriers have or are going to install their 3G networks here anytime soon. My Nokia 6126 supposedly should pick up an EDGE signal on the AT& network, but it..." (Read more)
--Submitted by: CNET member UK135
Speak up!
Now we turn the microphone to you. Switching carriers can be expensive if you pay an early termination fee, but some customers jump ship regularly. So even if you had to pay a fee, what would make you switch carriers? Is it better rate plans or shorter contracts? Better coverage areas? How about better selections on phones or exclusive features? Don't hold back--give us all the reasons that would make you jump ship to another carrier.
• Editors' top cell phones
• Compare cell phone carriers
• Cell phone buying guide
• Cell phone radiation charts
• Cell phone tips and tricks
• Cell phones forum
Quick hits
 Here are some interesting comments you've recently submitted
on CNET. Read up on it and talk about it.
• Is the Chevy Volt overhyped?
In CNET editor Wayne Cunningham's recent column, "Chevy Volt runs on hype," he tried to figure out why this concept car from GM has generated so much interest. What do you think of the Volt? Does it deserve all the attention, or are there more worthy concepts?
• User opinions/reviews: Useful or useless?
Not only does CNET offer unbiased, in-depth reviews from our editors, we open up the floor to our users to give us their opinions. We don't screen the user opinions, so they can vary widely in quality. Do you find the user opinions/reviews helpful or not worth the trouble?
• Do you like milk?
Off-topic fun posted by member BradPois in the Buzz Out Loud Lounge forum. Nothing technical or complicated--just simply asking other fellow members, do you like milk or not? Have fun and leave your mark.
News.com hot discussions
|
CNET blogs
News, reviews, and opinions from CNET's editors and selected experts... Check them out and post your thoughts on them.
Hot products
Along with discussing reasons to switch cellular carriers, CNET members had plenty of new tech products to talk about this week.
Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS Digital Camera
CNET member surgeon1919 says:
"This camera can take pictures! It has the ability to meter the light properly allowing the pictures to be super clear. It must have some kind of face detection because when I zoom onto a person's face even just a little, and I move the camera, the detected subject lock tries to stick to the person's face. The flash is great and you can adjust the flash compensation..."
(read more)
See
all user opinions | Compare prices
HP Pavilion dv9500t
CNET member abhi2023 says:
"My processor is an Intel Core 2 Duo (1.8 GHz). This is enough for me as I am not a gamer. I use laptop for surfing, watching movies, and working with applications such as MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Adobe. No need to spend extra bucks for higher processor speed if you are going to stick with basic applications as I do. It's not worth it..."
(read more)
Read
all user opinions | Compare prices
Sony NW-S705F Noise Canceling Walkman (2GB, black)
CNET member cabouche says:
"I bought it as a second MP3 player. I use a Creative Zen vision, but it's a little bulky for every day use, so I was looking for something more portable. The sound is as good as the Zen, I use a Sennheiser CX-300 ear canal earphone (very recommendable too) and sounds excellent!!..."
(read more)
Read
all user opinions | Compare prices
|
|
|
What would make you switch?
