PrimeCo Reliability

[DSJKALLEN]

I've used cell phones since 1993, primarily for maintaining contact with home
and the kids. Contrary to the majority today, I still use two analog cellular
"bag phones" (an Ameritech (Motorola) and a Mitsubishi) hard wired into our two
cars with Ameritech (now Verizon) as the wireless carrier. Since we utilize
less than 100 minutes/month for the two lines, I've been considering changing
to a single handset phone and moving it from car to car, etc. since the cost of
the two separate lines and service is less cost-effective, and it would be
easier for my "now driving age" daughter.

In looking at the offerings for Central Illinois, I first looked at Verizon.
However, they still only offer analog systems in this area. Whereas, Amica
Wireless, PrimeCo, and Sprint PCS, of course, offer digital capabilities. In
terms of package plans, the one that "seems" to meet my needs best is one offer
by PrimeCo -- their PrimeCo Now 100 Plus plan at $19.99/month (until Aug. 9).
This would be coupled with a Nokia 6185 Tri-Mode, Dual Band CDMA phone -- I
would prefer the Nokia Tri-Mode, but PrimeCo does not offer it in this market.
PrimeCo seems to have the best combination of local coverage, and reasonable
"roaming" fees and free domestic long-distance from the local calling area.

I realize the "shake-up" and "mergers" that are currently going on, as well as
the proposed digital system that Verizon may offer as early as January 2001.
What's everyone's opinion of PrimeCo as a reliable wireless provider? Or,
should I just hold on to what I have and wait until all the dust settles? Any
suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Don Allen W9CW
Urbana, IL

[wylie2k]

whats going to happen on Aug 9th? You should be able to find the 6185 at a
Best Buy or a Circuit City. They still sell them here in Texas but not at
the Verizon stores I've been in.

Wylie2k

"DSJKALLEN" <dsjk...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20000712013212...@ng-cp1.aol.com...

[Thomas Fleming]

I have a PrimeCo 6185 in Naperville Illinois. I have had excellent service
south to Springfield on I55 but have not tried it over on I57 (Urbana). The
trimode phone was great in Verizon territory in New Jersey as well. My
question is where are we going from here. The PrimeCo web site no longer
includes Florida in its area. This market is very important to me as are the
Texas areas still listed.
Tom Fleming
--

[zen...@mindspring.com]

Florida no longer up? It still works here in orlando at 1900 Mhz. I think
all of Florida will remain 1900 in verizon

----------
In article <BgGi5.11465$ZL5.7...@bgtnsc07-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>,

[B.B.]

Florida is going be using the PrimeCo 1900 Mhz licenses - GTE licenses are
being sold off down there, perhaps to Alltel?

--

-----
<zen...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:8mh5rk$agt$1...@slb7.atl.mindspring.net...

[Justa Lurker]

It was Fri, 04 Aug 2000 21:07:45 GMT, and "Thomas Fleming"
<tom-f...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in alt.cellular:

| I have a PrimeCo 6185 in Naperville Illinois. I have had excellent
| service south to Springfield on I55 but have not tried it over on
| I57 (Urbana). The trimode phone was great in Verizon territory in
| New Jersey as well. My question is where are we going from here.

Good question ... Verizon Wireless MUST sell your area, as it is
over the bandwidth cap to keep both PrimeCo Chicago and the former
Ameritech Cellular service.

| The PrimeCo web site no longer includes Florida in its area.

PrimeCo.COM is split into two sites. YOUR PrimeCo area is
on the 'non-joint venture' site http://wwwnjv.primeco.com/
(Which also shows the Texas recently traded to AT&T and the
Virginia area, which I believe has also been sold.)

Florida's PrimeCo is on the 'joint venture' site ...
http://wwwjv.primeco.com/ Which includes all PrimeCO
that is joining in on Verizon Wireless.

| This market is very important to me as are the Texas
| areas still listed.

Not all of them (on your site) and not for long ...
Houston / Port Arthur will be transferred to AT&T -
Verizon Wireless will get 10mhz of the 1900mhz band
to use, but they will have to build it out. (AT&T
shows coverage in Houston, but using zip 77001 doesn't
zoom in to an area ... strange.)

Sorry to say this, but if you had PrimeCo in Illinois
as a service provider, you are not a Verizon Wireless
customer, per se. Your service will be sold as soon
as they find a buyer.

JL

[Justa Lurker]

It was Sat, 05 Aug 2000 14:48:30 GMT, and "B.B."
<nowayru...@mymailaddie.com> wrote in alt.cellular:

| Florida is going be using the PrimeCo 1900 Mhz licenses -
| GTE licenses are being sold off down there, perhaps to Alltel?

DEFINATELY to AllTel --- The signs are already up!

JL