Being a Verizon customer, I have seethed with how infrequently they offer new smartphones to their customers. It seems to me that every new smartphone, especially BlackBerry devices, go straight to AT&T. Aside from the BlackBerry Storm – which had its own slew of problems – every new BlackBerry makes its way to AT&T almost immediately it seems. The Bold? AT&T. The Curve 8900? AT&T after T-Mobile had it. The Apple iPhone? Duh, AT&T…
This has caused me to wonder why I am with a service provider that, although the coverage is terrific, the selection of phones is ridiculously limited. It seemed to me that since Verizon is playing the “our coverage is better than [insert competitor here]” card, they should have the selection of new, high-tech devices to back it up.
Verizon claimed, in an email response to me from their customer service department,
“Verizon Wireless will not offer a product or service unless it meets the high standards our customers have come to expect. Verizon Wireless is constantly improving the services, features, and wireless phones we offer to our customers for their communication needs. There are several wireless phones being tested for functionality and reliability with our network.”
Anyway, all my ranting aside, finally some light at the end of the tunnel surfaced today in an Engadget article, where it was made clear that Verizon Wireless will soon (as in next 6 months) be carrying the Palm Pre. Lowell McAdam, a top exec at Verizon and Vodafone, was quoted to say: “Over the next six months or so you will see devices like Palm Pre and a second generation Storm.”
This is huge. While I have been itching to switch over to AT&T to get the iPhone or test out the Palm Pre when AT&T picks it up, but hesitant to do so because of coverage issues with AT&T, this news has certainly made me more optimistic and enthusiastic to stick with Verizon.
What do you think? Any other Verizon customers out there that are excited about the new BlackBerry Storm 2 or the Palm Pre?
dear mr. brad,
i have had no problems with my at&t service – it has improved tremendously in the past 2 years and i think the last time i experienced no service was in red rock national park outside of vegas when we were there (but i don’t think anyone had service there). if you can wait 6 months to get a new phone more power to you but it might be worth checking out your options in between, especially if you had issues with the first generation blackberry storm.
xox
megan
Haha, thanks Megan
I would be up for switching providers, but I have heard many people I work with complaining about AT&T’s service with their iPhone. Considering I am on a family plan, its not worth it to me to drop off of it and get on my own plan (where I’d have to spend a minimum of $90/month to have a decent plan too.)
I didn’t have a BlackBerry Storm, my mom does, but she hates it, lol. I’m optimistic for the Palm Pre when it comes to Verizon, but I’m not going to pay the early termination fee, plus start a new plan just to have a different phone.
I’m just going to twiddle my thumbs for the time being, and maybe use one of my family member’s upgrades to upgrade myself in a few months.
Thanks for the comment!!
Well, since I am just now sorta-kinda figuring out how to even USE my Blackberry Curve…I probably shouldn’t comment but I do really appreciate my coverage never being an issue w/ Verizon!
Haha well I’m glad you’re learning how to use it! I really do like Verizon’s coverage, and there have been TONS of blog posts talking about how AT&T has been dropping the ball lately, especially with the iPhone and it’s visual voicemail…some people (thousands, actually) haven’t even been getting their voicemail messages until days or weeks later!!
Thanks for the comment!
-Brad