Expert: Denny Adams - 1/28/2009

Question
I have a T-Mobile plan for $19.95/month that includes 60 minutes weekdays and 500 minutes on weekends.  I pay $.45 a minute in excess of my maximum minutes. I currently have a Samsung SGH-T209 cell phone.  I live on Ernest Court in Kings Park, New York 11754.  I receive no reception on my block and certain areas on 495 LIE. I don't want to spend a lot, but want much better reception.  I am looking at the Consumer Cellular plan for AARP members-- either the Anywhere casual for $9.50 with no minutes included and a $.238 per minute charge, or the Anywhere 200 for $19.00 with 200 min included and $.238 overage charges. I am interested either in the Motorola W220 for $25,00 or the Nokia 6085 with camera for $50.00.  I do not see a map for reception.  In your opinion, is this choice better than my current plan?  Is the reception better?  Finally, can I use my current phone?  thank you for your time.

Answer
Steven, consumer cellular buys a huge bucket of minutes from one of the biggest wireless companies and resells them under their own brand.  Being that you mentioned a nokia 6085, it must be a gsm network.  that leaves either tmobile, which you have, or att.  I researched consumer cellular's website and looked at the coverage map. the link is right on the step one page after you enter in your zip code. link is in blue.  then you can enter your zip code again and it zooms down into your area.  based on what i saw on the nationwide map, it looks like att's, which is good news for you.  before you decide, give them a call at 888-428-6421, and ask them which wireless network they are working with.  if the answer is tmobile, you will still have no coverage. if it's att, your chances get much larger.  Depending on how much you actually use your phone per month, would dictate which plan is best for you.  get yourself a 6 month average and go from there.  if tmobile will unlock your phone, then you can keep it.  Hope this helps, and please write again if you have any further questions.

Denny