I was concerned about it for a little while and then realized I am ok with not being able to call 911 at every possible moment. There are times when I've let the phone die or forget it at work and there is no easy way for people to contact us at home and it feels wonderfully quiet and I have a high tolerance for calamity risk I find.

But I only use my phone about 30 minutes per month so it was really a waste to pay for a landline.

You can also buy emergency cell phone batteries that can be stores with other disaster supplies

Hmmm considering T-Mobile and Cingular are both GSM and share cell towers I would expect their coverage to be nearly the same - at least here in So Cal.

I've had absolutely no trouble with Sprint. But the only thing I do with my phone is make phone calls so my demands are minimal.

Hmm... I hadn't considered the keyboard factor. That is one of the things I like about the MDA.

As far as TMobile is concerned (in regards to coverage), I have less problems with it than Verizon. Verizon wasn't bad, I just get better coverage with TMobile. YMMV

I was concerned about the coverage issue when I switched to TMobile. Their standard policy is that if you return the phone and cancel your service within 30 days, you will only be charged the pro-rata for the month's service. I think that others have the same policy and it might be worth checking out.

The problem with cell phones in power outages isn't the phone batteries, it's the fact that the cell towers are connected to the grid and they out with the power.

Ya beat me to it.

Additionally, the land-line systems have generator backups as well.

Again, not infallible; just more reliable.

Well if there is such an immediate crisis that would force me to make emergency calls while the power also happens to be down...then it is likely that the land lines would be overloaded for calls as well.

I guess I'm willing to take my chances for what I see as such a small improbability...besides...I've got a Range Rover in case of emergency that should get me most anywhere I need to go. And I'll bring the swords and guns just in case.

WOLVERINES!!!!

Kevy I believe you are correct. I may just do that. Try out Cingular and Verizon and see which I like better....or at least dislike less. I do like the Cingular 8525 phone best of all I have looked at.

HBTF- I thought it was that, but I am now on phone #3 with T-Mobile, so I am pretty certain it is not a phone issue, but rather a network problem.

Oh and 3G is the broadband speed internet access cell phone standard for GSM. Edge is the older outdated slower standard. Every new smart phone that has been developed in recent times and for the future is to have 3G capability, so it is terribly strange that the iPhone isn't going to embrace it.

One other thing to think about NM is the phone itself. I am not sure if you mean "three different models" or "three of the same phone". I know that Susan's Razr gets better reception than my MDA (both on TMobile).

I would think that too - but I've had much better coverage with T-Mobile than Cingular. Barely had Cingular coverage at my old place but I had great T-Mobile coverage. T-Mobile has some of their own towers and uses some of Cingular's as well. Last time I went to Vegas my friend and I were comparing bars. She's on Cingular. My phone consistently had better service (she has a basic Nokia).

Could be. I have a Motorola V360 which has better reception than the Pebl (and better battery life). I do know that the Q from VW sucks.