Question:
What cell phone plan are you using , and what do you think of it? What phone and headset do you think works the best?
I'll be going OTR linehaul so it's all drop and hook at terminals and not hunting for drops. Needing cellphone to stay in touch with home.

Answer:
i have had, Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon.
personal opinion:
Sprint sucks.
AT&T one rate is the way to go. Specially if you run OTR.
Verizon is pretty decent also. Not much difference between them and AT&T. Verizon also has a one rate plan, which i am using at the present.
Which ever you choose, try to go with a single rate plan, then you don't have to worry about tower charges, roaming charges.
Was looking at nextel, but they don't have anything like a "one rate plan".
http://www.eatmorchikin.com/

Answer:
i have heard that singullar is good for drivers sprint yea it sucks but hay what ever works for you at the time is the best at the time dude
dr

Answer:
Cingular nation wide plan 850/3500 minutes for 69.99 no roaming long distance changes works good however all cell phones will have dead spots.
This month(just looked a bill) I talked for a total of 1753 min.
You cant get this plan anymore because they changed it to 900/3000 with roll over min.
I have went over on the day time min. But never on nights and weekends thats a lot of talking.
And I like their billing statement easy to understand and to the point.
All cost of the cell phone can be written off on your taxes which is a very sweet deal.
Any hands free set up will work depends on which one you like might have to buy a couple to see which one works for you again write that off at the end of year.

Answer:
AT&T one rate is the ONLY way to go OTR.
Have killed many cell phones and many cell companies.
AT&T is the best, easiest and biggest. Its a nobrainer. All the rest have lousy interstate coverage. Roaming, no coverage in certain areas, weird billing, etc.
Besides in 6 months they are going to be the only cell co. with GLOBAL cell (GSM). Doesnt matter to Us but they will keep digital and have LOADS of new money to keep it right.
The Wilson antenna is one of the best investments I've made in trucking. Dropped calls are now the rarity.
I like the Nokia phones because the screen is easiest to see from a distance. I use a mount on the end of drivers dash.
Erickssons were my favorite but they die after a year.
Forget the name of my headset(Plantronics?) but its metalic blue with a mike boom and goofy hook for the ear.
The dispatchers & home say its really quiet at their end so I stopped switching. There must be better though, just spend more!
Used them all and this is what I stopped with. Once more,AT&T is the Best for OTR. Period.
TC
Dropped 12 phones off at sheriffs office for abused women. They didnt want my 4 bag phones.
That isnt counting the 6 is various ditches somewhere.


Answer:
"All cost of the cell phone can be written off on your taxes which is a very sweet deal."
From what is said on the tax forum only the items used strictly for business would be a write off. Kinda like clothes, if they are work uniforms that can only be worn to work OK.

Answer:
Originally posted by Beeman:
"All cost of the cell phone can be written off on your taxes which is a very sweet deal."
From what is said on the tax forum only the items used strictly for business would be a write off. Kinda like clothes, if they are work uniforms that can only be worn to work OK.
Have a house phone, and a cell phone, cell phone stays in the truck used for business thus the tax write off. Does that mean I cant make a personal call to the family on it? No its one rate plan the calls are not billed to where they go.
Dont know but when I get my taxes done, the first, or one of the first things they ask is, do you have a cell phone in the truck, how much a month, and for how long.
If you use it in the truck its a write off, sheets, paper note books, pens, cell phone holders, CB, the list goes on, basically everything you need for the truck that the company dosent pay for can be written off, right? Everything in the truck you need is for business.

Answer:
Besides in 6 months they are going to be the only cell co. with GLOBAL cell (GSM).
I don't see how that's possible since many companies are just now introducing the new color screen phones with GSM, tri-band bluetooth capability.
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.
www.livejournal.com/users/trucking_life

Answer:
GSM is what is used in the rest of the world, I guess. Heck I don't follow cell biz news, so I/she could be wrong.
Gal at AT&T informed me of this future development as I was discontinueing my service for a while. Have been off the road since May and don't see a chance to return in the near future.
So don't need the luxury of multiple cells. Wifes cute little Motarola flip fone will be enough.

Answer:
For $39.99 a month I get 400 any time plus 100 minutes of Nextel's 2 way radio use and unlimited nights and weekends.
Nextel has national calling plans with unlimited incoming and outgoing for I believe $89.99. The two-way radio feature is nice as it has large areas of coverage.
Keep the faith.
Mike
Disclaimer: The views posted are those of the author and in no way represent the US Department of Transportation or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The accuracy of the rules posted are subject to the status of rules and regulations posted by the GPO and other Government Agencies. The author accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies of any posted regulation or interpretation. Readers should seek legal counsel for all legal issues.

Answer:
We use Alltel National Freedom but be warned, their is no freedom in most of Texas - just roaming charges.
I saw a great deal on TV for a company but it also depends on where you live. We live in BFE and therefore, our choices are limited.
Even Verizon Wireless can't hear us now.....

Answer:
I called SunCom today which is AT&T wireless. They said sorry they offer no coverage in the area I live in. And everyone else thought they lived in the middle of nowhere!

Answer:
Sorry, you couldn't get AT&T.
Try Cingular or Verizon.

Answer:
Sprint has been my long distance provider for over 12 years. We now use their PCS service for internet access in the truck and home calls. Cost is $95. per mo. for 2 phones, unlimited nite and week-end use, 2000 minutes anytime (7:00am-9:00pm from calling zone). Calls to 2nd phone on PCS system are not charged minutes. Coverage seems to be best out East (I live in the West)-so far, so good, no complaints.

Answer:
Let's continue this interesting discussion.
I pay between $22.5 to 64.ish per month with sprint depending on useage.