Question about Q and Verizon coverage - Motorola Q Forum

darkcyber · 01-20-2007, 11:23 PM

I just got a Q today and thought I remember reading somewhere that the Q acts only as a digital cell phone. Is that true? If so, I'm looking over the Verizon Wireless coverage maps and WOW is there A LOT of 'no coverage areas'.

I hope this isn't the case...because if it is, it's almost enough for me to return this thing and just get a cell phone.

Out of the major carriers who has the best coverage nationwide? I just switched 5 phones to Verizon and have 15 days to either cancel of keep the service.

Any input appreciated.

Bwizzy · 01-21-2007, 12:50 AM

I say check out Sprint unless MMS is a big deal breaker for you. They've got good coverage and their all you can eat data plan has no strings attached, plus its cheaper.

scottjb · 01-21-2007, 08:53 AM

@darkcyber,You mentioned over on another forum you are not having any problems with coverage. If that's the case, what are you getting at? Are you basing your decision on your experience or the published maps?Every carrier has a map--more than one will claim to have the best coverage. There is no better way to tell than what you experience with your own service. If your happy with your service you should keep it. If you re havings problems, you should probably switch.

swagner · 01-21-2007, 08:55 AM

Most PDA phones are digital only. Including those from Sprint. In many of the "no coverage" areas, your phone will work, you will just no be able to get data. Same goes for Sprint. I was told by Sprint my coverage would be fine as long as I didn't go more than 6 miles from the highway! I think you will find Verizon's coverage overall to be the best, Sprint will be cheaper by a bunch.

darkcyber · 01-21-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjb

@darkcyber,You mentioned over on another forum you are not having any problems with coverage. If that's the case, what are you getting at? Are you basing your decision on your experience or the published maps?Every carrier has a map--more than one will claim to have the best coverage. There is no better way to tell than what you experience with your own service. If your happy with your service you should keep it. If you re havings problems, you should probably switch.

Well, just like on the other forum...I'm basing this on the coverage maps. The one I looked at when I choose Verizon is the one they have on those little brochures in the store that shows the complete US map with the red colored coverage area. I also looked at Cingular, those are the two biggest carriers in our area. We don't have Sprint here, that I know of.

Anyways, after getting my Q and then looking at Verizons maps online, if the Q (and our other 4 regular phones are all digital) only works in Verizons Digital areas...then there are hugh gaps of service. That's what I'm trying to figure out. Here's the link I'm looking at for the Verizon Digital.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/C...ype=ZOOM%20OUT

I'm tyring to figure this all out before the 15 days are up. The service here is fine, but what concerns me is traveling via car and if there is service in a lot of those rural areas or not.

vaxick · 01-21-2007, 11:36 PM

Where you the one asking this on Qusers as well?

Just because the phone is all digital does not mean it can't use the analogue towers. Verizon is a CDMA network and one thing CDMA rocks at is it's ability to send signals a long distance. Your all digital phone can pickup and convert analogue signals to digital. The other postive of CDMA is that both digital and analogue audio will sound better due to the technology being used to send the signal. When you leave a area Verizon covers, there is a high chance you will enter into what is called their extended network. That being, Verizon teams with other companies to use their towers so you can get coverage in areas they might not cover so well if at all. I've been across America and very few times was I in a area where I didn't have a signal. Verizon is the best when it comes to areas they cover.

To sum it up, don't worry about your phone being all digital. All modern phones are 100% digital. Being digital, they just have to convert the signal to get it to work on your phone.

darkcyber · 01-22-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaxick

Where you the one asking this on Qusers as well?

Just because the phone is all digital does not mean it can't use the analogue towers. Verizon is a CDMA network and one thing CDMA rocks at is it's ability to send signals a long distance. Your all digital phone can pickup and convert analogue signals to digital. The other postive of CDMA is that both digital and analogue audio will sound better due to the technology being used to send the signal. When you leave a area Verizon covers, there is a high chance you will enter into what is called their extended network. That being, Verizon teams with other companies to use their towers so you can get coverage in areas they might not cover so well if at all. I've been across America and very few times was I in a area where I didn't have a signal. Verizon is the best when it comes to areas they cover.

To sum it up, don't worry about your phone being all digital. All modern phones are 100% digital. Being digital, they just have to convert the signal to get it to work on your phone.

Yep, that be me. They should just merge everythingq and qusers, because everyone seems to be on both forums. The reason I posted on both forums I thought there were different people on each, I did not realize both forums had all the same members.

Seems like each time I post on both, someone is making a reference to the post on the other forum...so my bad. I will try and make only 1 post on one or the other forum.

And thanks for your answer it was very helpful and just the info I was looking for...that was my biggest concern...would my phone work in the non-digital areas?

InnocenceMyth · 02-04-2007, 06:41 PM

It is absolutely untrue that a digital-only phone can convert analog signals to digital. A digital-only phone would be useless in an area with only analog coverage.

Utah Q User · 02-05-2007, 07:05 PM

I have an "all digital phone" as of right now <not a Q (soon to get one though)> and have NEVER had a problem w/ service other than driving through the continental divide or VERY rural areas where NO ONE has service. Verizon is hands done the best for coverage...can you hear me now?

InnocenceMyth · 02-05-2007, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Q User

I have an "all digital phone" as of right now <not a Q (soon to get one though)> and have NEVER had a problem w/ service other than driving through the continental divide or VERY rural areas where NO ONE has service. Verizon is hands done the best for coverage...can you hear me now?

What point are you addressing? Because the fact that you have fantastic coverage has nothing to do with the difference between analog and digital. Verizon could cover the whole earth but that would not change what an "all digital phone" can do.

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