Hey guys, some of you may remember my "Who wants to be in an article?" thread in the General xB forum. Well I got some great responses from that for the article I was putting together for my class. I'm doing another one that isn't so car-related, but I figured SL is a great way to get a range of responses from people in different areas.

I'm not planning to publish this article; I'm going to turn it in for evalation by my professor. The focus of the article will be cell phones. I want to focus on the basics of why people use them, what they think of them and where the industry is headed. I've compiled a list of questions to field responses in various topic areas.

I want to emphasize that I'm not doing a study or a survey, so if you want to respond, you don't have to answer all 20 questions. Just do whatever jumps out at you. Feel free to post here or PM me. Much appreciation to anyone who contributes anything.

Questions:

1. Do you use a cellular phone?

2. What carrier provides your service?

3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any

4. Describe your mobile device(s).

5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services?

6. Has your cell phone ever assisted you in an emergency or other difficult situation? If so, explain.

7. How much do you use your wireless phone?

8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.)

9. What is bad about your service provider? see above

10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.)

11. What is bad about your wireless device? see above

12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you?

13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) If no, why not?

14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market?

15. Why did you choose your current carrier?

16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so?

17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services?

18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.)

19. What new technologies or capabilities would you like to see in the future of wireless?

20. Any additional comments you might like to add.

 

1. Do you use a cellular phone?
- Yes indeed.
2. What carrier provides your service?
- AT&T/Cingular Wireless
3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any
- $49.99 + surcharges = $85.00/mo.
4. Describe your mobile device(s).
- Nokia 6820
Fold-open keyboard makes text entry quick and convenient
Mobile Internet - XHTML browser1,2,12
Built-in digital CIF camera with 352 x 288 pixel image capture19
High-speed data transmission via EDGE and GPRS1,15
Integrated speakerphone
Java technology for application downloads
5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services?
- Pay phone services is going out of business.
6. Has your cell phone ever assisted you in an emergency or other difficult situation? If so, explain.
- Not yet *knocks on wood* (emergency calls made from cell is too costly)
7. How much do you use your wireless phone?
- Often
8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.)
- Network coverage, CS, and Phone/Accessory selections.
9. What is bad about your service provider? see above
- Cingular bought out AT&T.
10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.)
- QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, and it's a Nokia.
11. What is bad about your wireless device? see above
- Needs a bigger memory for Video and Audio recordings.
12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you?
- Bluetooth capability, Cam/Vid camera, Vid phone capability and has to be a Nokia.
13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) If no, why not?
- Text, WWW, and Vid.
14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market?
- Cingualr/AT&T - I like the Rollover service.
15. Why did you choose your current carrier?
- I didn't have a choice since AT&T got bought by Cingular.
16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so?
- No.
17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services?
- Ghetto. It's for people who can't be responsible enough to keep a contract. *No Offense*
18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.)
- I like it, especially the driving restriction.
19. What new technologies or capabilities would you like to see in the future of wireless?
- To be able to control the home TV and the Theater System.
20. Any additional comments you might like to add.
- N/A

 

Questions:

1. Do you use a cellular phone? Yes

2. What carrier provides your service? Verizon Wireless

3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any. 90$

4. Describe your mobile device(s). Lg vx600 camera flip phone

5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services? i rely on my cell phone more often than a land line

6. Has your cell phone ever assisted you in an emergency or other difficult situation? If so, explain. Yes, auto break downs.Assists in the ability to contact friends or family and AAA

7. How much do you use your wireless phone? 3 hrs a day(average)

8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.) Coverage area, free mobile to mobile, free nights and weekends

9. What is bad about your service provider?not enough incentives for current customers, only for new ones

10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.) camera phone, clear sound

11. What is bad about your wireless device? battery life

12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you? longer battery life, sleek design

13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) Text,camera,web, email

14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market? Increased coverage areas

15. Why did you choose your current carrier? Great deal on family share plan.

16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so? no

17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services? Waste of money

18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.) Many are for very good reasons, like increased driver awareness.

 

Wow, you guys didn't waste a second. Excellent!

stick, thanks a lot!

J.P., you always come through for me, thanks ;)

One other thing, for inclusion in the article I need my contributors first and last names as well as location and age if it's not in your profile. Thanks!

 

I can vouch for ned's cell phone usage, I have yet to see him without his bluetooth headset on his ear! if it is a living part of him I would not be surprised!


1. Do you use a cellular phone?
yes
2. What carrier provides your service?
T-Mobile
3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any
$40 - $50 a month
4. Describe your mobile device(s).
Sidekick 2
5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services?
I never used a pay phone before and I still use my land line if I am at home.
7. How much do you use your wireless phone?
although I dont think I talk on my phone a lot I do use the IM and Web functions all the time
8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.)
the customer service is great and I think I get more minutes per dollar with T-Mobile. and the coverage is also great
9. What is bad about your service provider? see above
I have nothing to complain about.
10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.)
Features!!!! the best looking PDA/Cellular out there IMO. I liked the idea of a PDA/cell but I didn't like how they integrated the keyboards in them. The Sidekick cell phones provide the coolest and most practical qwerty keyboard out there right now IMO/
11. What is bad about your wireless device? see above
Its not easy for other people to answer my cell phone for me. actually thats not that bad of a thing really.
12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you?
I think my current phone is perfect the way it is.
13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) If no, why not?
definately! i use it for web, text messaging, camera, email, games.....
14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market?
Well such mergers could danger the competative pricing that we currently enjoy. but we probably wont see anything too drastic for a while.
15. Why did you choose your current carrier?
They are the only ones who have the Sidekick cellular phones (legally anyway)
16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so?
no
17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services?
they are fine, my mom, brother and sister use them.
18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.)
restrictions dont seem to bother me.[/b]

 

1. Do you use a cellular phone?
I've had and used cellular phones since 1984 (a Motorola portable the size, shape, and weight of a standard car battery).

2. What carrier provides your service?
Currently SprintPCS provides my service.

3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any
Currently I pay about $70 month for two SprintPCS lines/phones.

4. Describe your mobile device(s).
Old reliable: Sanyo 4900, modern basic: Sanyo SCP200.

5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services?
I have discontinued my landline telephone services, and haven't used a pay phone in so many years it's amazing...

6. Has your cell phone ever assisted you in an emergency or other difficult situation? If so, explain.
Many many times over the years. A number of times reporting traffic accidents to authorities, twice summoning 'Medic One' emergency services, maybe a half dozen times reporting a fire, several times getting a tow truck, several times reporting downed lines or broken mains, etc.

7. How much do you use your wireless phone?
I'm not one of those annoying folks that constantly has a phone conversation going - I pay more attention to what and who is around me. I use my cellular phones any time I need to use a phone to communicate. Sometimes that's an hour a month, sometimes a LOT more.

8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.)
Coverage in my local area, metropolitan and highway coverage nation wide, quality of connections, and some of the phones offered.

9. What is bad about your service provider? see above
Rural coverage, deterioration of service under high loads, most of the phones offered, poor customer service.See http://www.tijil.org/blog/?p=6 for more detail.

10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.)
Sanyo 4900: Battery life (talk time is over 7 hours, standby is measured in weeks), much better than average fringe reception, digital and analog service, excellent full-duplex speakerphone, rugged. Sanyo SCP200: Better than average signal reception, digital and analog service, reasonable full-duplex speakerphone.

11. What is bad about your wireless device? see above
Sanyo 4900: Larger and heavier than current units. Sanyo SCP200: Weak speakerphone audio.

12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you?
Limit "features" to just voice phone features, extended battery life, rugged, high quality speakerphone, digital and analog service, excellent reception, quick and easy control lock.

13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) If no, why not?
I have in the past used my unit as a wireless digital modem for my laptop, done some WWW surfing with it's built-in browser, and used some SMS and e-mail services. Most of those uses were a waste of time...

14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market?
There are both good and bad effects from the mergers. While the mergers do tend to provide better coverage in many areas, they also cause a lot of overlap and unnecessary duplication of switching and cell site hardware. The US cellular market would greatly benefit from a universal cellular format as exists in most countries, rather than the current duplicated and non-interchangable networks. In small part the mergers are consolidating some of the networks, but that is not necessarily the best method for achieving any sort of 'universal service' in the market. One of the negatives with the mergers is the tremendous reduction of true competition in the marketplace. It would be nice to have all phones usable on all networks rather than each only usable on one or two, but that would require the 'ultimate merger' in this market...

15. Why did you choose your current carrier?
Local coverage quality, extent of usable (nationwide) coverage.

16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so?
Yes and yes.

17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services?
I had one for awhile and I've given them as gifts. They are very good for some needs.

18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.)
I agree with most of 'em. Braying into a cellphone in public places to the annoyance of others is NOT necessary (libraries, restaurants, theaters, etc.) and sacrificing attention demanded by some pursuits to an inane and unnecessary phone conversation to the detriment of other's safety is stupid (driving, etc.).

19. What new technologies or capabilities would you like to see in the future of wireless?
I think a lot of people are ready for their implants - a built-in cellphone...

20. Any additional comments you might like to add.
One of the biggest problem with the current load of cellphones available in the US is creeping featurism. Providers appear to think if that if they can technically provide a feature everyone will want it. That is not true. Some folks only want QUALITY devices that can do a limited number of things extremely well. In the current market the units with only limited feature sets such as those that are voice only are only available at the bottom of the quality scale. It is impossible in the US market to buy a new phone that has the highest quality performance unless one loads in a camera, internet, video, text messaging, MP3, variable multiphonic ringtones, etcetera ad naseum. If one wants just a TELEPHONE one is stuck with the cheap, poor performance units for the most part. See http://www.tijil.org/blog/?p=12 for more detail.

Well, there are the SHORT answers - there isn't time or space for the longer ones.

(Among other things, as an engineer I designed many of the digital links between switching centers and cell sites, and the facilities installation at many of their installations, starting in 1984 when cellular service first came to this area.)

 

Questions:

1. Do you use a cellular phone?
yes

2. What carrier provides your service?
sprint

3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any
117 2 phones

4. Describe your mobile device(s).
treo 650 and lg

5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services?
alot
6. Has your cell phone ever assisted you in an emergency or other difficult situation? If so, explain.
yes, called for flat bed tow truck flat tire
7. How much do you use your wireless phone?
50%
8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.)
all
9. What is bad about your service provider? see above
phone selection
10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.)
features
11. What is bad about your wireless device? see above
battery
12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you?
all phones compatible with each other services
13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) If no, why not?
yes
14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market?
sprint/nextel excellent! been wanting to use work phone nextel with my sprint phone
15. Why did you choose your current carrier?
first service for 8+ years
16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so?
n/a
17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services?
good for emergency
18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.)
i agree with the decision
19. What new technologies or capabilities would you like to see in the future of wireless?
n/a
20. Any additional comments you might like to add.[/quote]

 

Thanks guys, great stuff!

 

well I couldn't help with your other one yet I think I still posted more than I should have there (dont remember) i figure I owed you..........

 

1. Do you use a cellular phone? YES

2. What carrier provides your service? Verizon

3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any? Company Pays... Approx 45 a month

4. Describe your mobile device(s). - Camera Phone. LG VX 6800

5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services? Never use either of them now

6. Has your cell phone ever assisted you in an emergency or other difficult situation? If so, explain. Yes, Two witnessed car accident and one self involved motorcycle accident in the country, had to call for help

7. How much do you use your wireless phone? approx 800 minutes a month

8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.) Coverage... Can't be beat

9. What is bad about your service provider? see above Lack of great phones

10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.) Long Battery Life

11. What is bad about your wireless device? see above No Bluetooth

12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you? Car Integrated Blue Tooth

13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) If no, why not? Photos

14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market? Lack of selection ..... BAD

15. Why did you choose your current carrier? Company Chose it... Coverage / Price

16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so? No

17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services? For people without credit only.... too expensive

18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.) .... Good.... people are getting more and more annoying

19. What new technologies or capabilities would you like to see in the future of wireless? Able to use wi-fi or bluetooth through the phone to get computer connectivity

20. Any additional comments you might like to add.

 

1. Do you use a cellular phone?
yes

2. What carrier provides your service?
verizon

3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any
my employer pays about $50 a month. I pay nothing.

4. Describe your mobile device(s).
kyocera kx2

5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services?
pay phone? I haven't even SEEN one of those in years... land line, still have it but don't use the LD too much.

6. Has your cell phone ever assisted you in an emergency or other difficult situation? If so, explain.
used it to call a tow truck once.

7. How much do you use your wireless phone?
less than 100 minutes month air time but I use the calculator and camera a lot.

8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.)
They aren't sprint.


9. What is bad about your service provider? see above
too many advertisments on tv.

10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.)
features

11. What is bad about your wireless device? see above
expensive

12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you?
being a limited edition or something that would inspire envy and awe

13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) If no, why not?
yup.

14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market?
bad - less competition is never good.

15. Why did you choose your current carrier?
They support CDMA and aren't sprint.

16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so?
yes.

17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services?
good idea but too easy for criminal exploitation.

18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.)
good idea except when applied to me.

19. What new technologies or capabilities would you like to see in the future of wireless?
cochlear implants.

20. Any additional comments you might like to add.
I really, really, hate sprint.

 

So many responses, thanks a million everyone!

 

1. Do you use a cellular phone?
yes

2. What carrier provides your service?
t-mobile

3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any
62-70 a month

4. Describe your mobile device(s).
samsung e635 i believe

5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services?
i use my cell sooo much more

6. Has your cell phone ever assisted you in an emergency or other difficult situation? If so, explain.
not really. it has helped my friends when they have car trouble

7. How much do you use your wireless phone?
all the time

8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.)
coverage , prices , minutes...

9. What is bad about your service provider? see above
not much

10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.)
reception is damn good , battery life is long compared to alot of other phones , features r ok

11. What is bad about your wireless device? see above
not toomuch. expensive insurance deductible

12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you?
small , light , sloidly built , speakerphone , and more things

13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) If no, why not?
text messaging , aim , camera , voice messages

14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market?
doesnt bother me. seems to make those networks better.

15. Why did you choose your current carrier?
price , minute plan , and coverage

16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so?
no i did not

17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services?
theyre hideusly expensive but have a small market

18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.)
u can't use phones in banks and libraries? wow that's gotta suck.

the driving aspect i'm 5/50 on. i can drive quite well while talking yet i've met a few peeps who can't walk and talk let alone talk and drive. those people need to learn how tonot be idiots. it isn't hard.....

19. What new technologies or capabilities would you like to see in the future of wireless?
cheaper , free downloads , and yeah..

20. Any additional comments you might like to add.
not really. hope this helps ya kevin

 

1. Do you use a cellular phone?

Yes I do all the time.

2. What carrier provides your service?

Suncom

3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any

My monthly bill is about $110 but I have my phone and my brothers phone on the same plan and we split it so I pay $55 total.

4. Describe your mobile device(s).

Just a Motorola V505 camera phone w/ blue tooth. God I love bluetooth!!

5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services?

I never use land line or pay phones.

6. Has your cell phone ever assisted you in an emergency or other difficult situation? If so, explain.

I don't know about emergency but I would have been SOL alot of times if I didn't have my cell. Especially if I'm out of town and need directions.

7. How much do you use your wireless phone?

Everyday! I talk about 5000 min a month on average.

8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.)

I like the plan I have mostly. The Unplan is unlimited calling in the US for one flat fee and the coverage is pretty good. When I went to a GSM phone the Nokia I had was horrible but my Moto is great.

9. What is bad about your service provider? see above

customer service sucks now. They used to be really good but when Suncom became their own company it went down hill fast. If it weren't for the unplan and the fact I have a friend that works for them who pulls strings for me I would go somewhere else.

10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.)

Bluetooth! greatest technology ever.

11. What is bad about your wireless device? see above

I really don't have any complaints about it I just want a V3 razor.

12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you?

first it has to work as a phone. If it has a camera and MP3 player but doesn't have good signal then it's worthless to me. But I like it to have gadgets to. lol


13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) If no, why not?

Oh yeah. I use the text messaging to death. I also have mp3's on it. The camera gets used all the time as well.

14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market?

Well I say 2 heads are better than one. If they can come together to improve wireless technology then I'm all for it. Now if they get together and rise rates forget it. But all in all it think it's a +.

15. Why did you choose your current carrier?

I've had them for the last 5 years and I don't see another company offering a better deal. So i'm staying.

16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so?

No I haven't and it I switch I will be keeping my same #.

17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services?

I don't really think about it. I mean it's cool for what it is but I don't have a use for it.

18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.)

They don't bother me. When I go to a movie I don't want to here phones going off and the driving restriction I'm all for because I've gotten hit by a lady while she was on her cell driving. Talking on you cell while driving is acceptable only when if it's hands free. IMO.

19. What new technologies or capabilities would you like to see in the future of wireless?

Video cell phones would be great if they were in real time. Other than that I'm content with what I have.

20. Any additional comments you might like to add.

 

Questions:

1. Do you use a cellular phone?
Yes

2. What carrier provides your service?
Sprint

3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any
$56.xx, just changed plan so should be about $50.xx

4. Describe your mobile device(s).
Just a simple Samsung VI660

5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services?
I dont use land lines, other then at work & dont use pay phones.

6. Has your cell phone ever assisted you in an emergency or other difficult situation? If so, explain.
Nope

7. How much do you use your wireless phone?
On average about 100min a month & about 20-100+ text messages & some web surfing.

8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.)
Never had another provider, so no real room to say whats good.

9. What is bad about your service provider? see above
See above answer.

10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.)
I was free with purchase of my contract.

11. What is bad about your wireless device? see above
The thing has a retail of $179.99, no camera & the reception is not that great.

12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you?
Pretty much what I have is good enough for me.

13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) If no, why not?
Yes

14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market?
Dont have anything to say.

15. Why did you choose your current carrier?
They had unlimited internet usage for $15 a month & I could set that up to be used as a modem & get on scion life while I was in tech school. So I had a 243kb connection for $15 a month.

16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so?
Nope, first cell phone & have had 2 numbers with it now.

17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services?
Good idea for those who dont use a cell to much. Just not ment for me.

18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.)
I can see the use behind these, so I have no problem with them.

19. What new technologies or capabilities would you like to see in the future of wireless?
What else could we really have? We already have voice activated dialing, cameras, camcorders, blackberries & other things like that. The next thing I guess would be a cell phone that clips on your ear ie: like the blue tooth ear peice, but it would be your cell phone not just a ear peice.

20. Any additional comments you might like to add.[/quote]

 

Questions:

1. Do you use a cellular phone?
yes

2. What carrier provides your service?
verizon

3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any
$50

4. Describe your mobile device(s).
very basic get calls/ make calls - no camera

5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services?
Whats land line? LOL only cell phone for me

6. Has your cell phone ever assisted you in an emergency or other difficult situation? If so, explain.
not emergency but driving directions

7. How much do you use your wireless phone?
3500 minute per month is pretty typical

8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.)
plan and coverage

9. What is bad about your service provider? see above
customer service

10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.)
reception

11. What is bad about your wireless device? see above
battery life

12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you?
send calls/ get calls. Thats what they were made for. I don't need all the extras.

13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) If no, why not?
no - if i need to talk to someone i call them if i wanted to text i would, but when you have unlimited minutes just talk

14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market?
mergers happen all the time...who cares?

15. Why did you choose your current carrier?
first store/company i walked into

16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so?
yes

17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services?
If that is what you like go for it...it is not for me though

18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.)
I am indifferent about driving, as for movies you are there to watch them not talk to others, libraries you are there to read a book not talk.

19. What new technologies or capabilities would you like to see in the future of wireless?
Im happy with what I have.

20. Any additional comments you might like to add.

 

Thanks again everyone, I think this is more than enough. I'm going to have to read over everything that has been submitted so far. I might need to contact some people via PM to get additonal basic identification information since I can't just use your screen name in an article. You guys are great!

 

1. Do you use a cellular phone?
- Yes.
2. What carrier provides your service?
- Sprint
3. Approximately how much do you pay for your phone service monthly? base rate + average overages, if any
- $50
4. Describe your mobile device(s).
- Flip phone w/ camera and color screens inside and out.
5. How has cellular service affected your dependence on land line and pay phone services?
- It has eliminated my landline, and is the only phone I use
6. Has your cell phone ever assisted you in an emergency or other difficult situation? If so, explain.
- Yes, called the police when I had a wreck, and in a couple wrecks I have witnessed.
7. How much do you use your wireless phone?
- About 500 minutes/month, mostly shorter calls.
8. What is good about your service provider? (coverage, customer service, prices, etc.)
- Good coverage, good price.
9. What is bad about your service provider? see above
- Coverage slips when way out in the country (very, very rare for me)
10. What is good about your wireless device? (reception, battery life, features, etc.)
- Great battery life, good camera and interface
11. What is bad about your wireless device? see above
- It is a little bit thick compared to some newer phones (it's about two years old) and it sometimes doesn't tell me when I have voicemail (very, very annoying)
12. What would make the ideal wireless device for you?
- Durable, a color that is not silver, good battery life, small size, easily navigable and fast internet.
13. Do you use your wireless device for things besides traditional phone calls? (text messaging, wireless web, video, mp3, camera, e-mail, etc) If no, why not?
- I rarely take pics, but often check game scores, movie times, weather, etc.
14. What do you think about mergers such as Cingular/AT&T and Sprint/Nextel and their effect on the cellular market?
- I like companies merging as that will often provide better coverage and more phones. As long as there are 3 or more major players in the market, I'm not worried about price gouging.
15. Why did you choose your current carrier?
- When I went to them, they had the best phones and features (like internet)
16. Did you port your telephone number from an old carrier? If you switch, will you do so?
- No, yes.
17. What do you think of prepaid wireless services?
- Good for people who rarely use phones, but way overpriced for regular use. I don't want to make the decision on whether to save money or make a call.
18. What do you think of the many restrictions that have been placed on cell phone usage (driving, movies, libraries, banks, etc.)
- I like it. Phoning while driving is never a good thing. At the other places you mentioned, I understand and support.
19. What new technologies or capabilities would you like to see in the future of wireless?
- Whatever technology is required to make phones cheaper.
20. Any additional comments you might like to add.