Welcome to the latest Street Tech feature. Every Tuesday, we'll publish a question asked of us in Shop Talk, our conferencing area or via email. The answers will be provided by the Street Tech staff or one of the Shop Talk Irregulars (the superbright deep geek hangers on who goof off on Street Tech rather than doing real work :-) If you'd like to ask a question, see the "Ask Street Tech" topic in the Information conference or send us email. - Gareth
Dear Street Tech,
I'm looking to buy a cell phone, nothing fancy just regular city and on-the-road calls. I'm promising
myself that I will not use it on the street unless it is an emergency and will not be using it for casual
communication (does everyone say this?). I plan to use it mostly when I'm driving by myself (I take
frequent trips to Baltimore) or in situations where I don't want to look for a public phone.
I know the phone service plans vary and I'll deal with that elsewhere. But one friend told me to stay away
from digital and another told me to stay away from analog and still another told me to get one that has
both. Is there a brand or style that you recommend?
- Ellen
The Nokia 5170 phone available from Sprint PCS
Ellen,
If your trips are up and down I-95, I recommend Sprint PCS. There are several advantages that I've not
seen in other carriers:
1. No contract. Just order the service and assuming you pass the credit check, they turn it on, give you a
phone number and send you on your merry way. You pay for it just like you would for regular phone
service. And if you don't like it, just turn it off. No fuss, no muss.
2. A large number of pricing plans, some of which include free long distance.
3. The upcoming WirelessWeb. I've seen a preview of it and it looks like it will be interesting.
4. As long as you are on the Sprint Network, you don't have to pay fees. There is no "home calling area"
for most types of calls. (But check on this point to make sure!)
There are, of course, some downsides:
1. You have to buy the phone the cheapest of which run around $100.
2. PCS service still is not as built out in the suburbs as it could be. It will work on I-95, most close-in
suburbs, but even at 15 miles outside either city, service starts to get spotty.
I've used a variety of cellular plans and found this one to be best suited for someone who travels.
Also, if I may make a recommendation on a phone, get a Nokia 5170. It's only digital, but it looks good,
is light and easy to carry and a snap to use. Also, get the hand's free-kit so you don't have to hold the
phone while driving (safety first).
- Sachin
For more information:
Nokia 5170 page
Sprint PCS site
PC Computing article on digital phones
Wireless Outpost (Site with PCS services and phone databases)
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