MaximumPC 2007 07

SPRINT

Sprint is far and away your best bet if your main need

is a widespread high-speed data network. Although

Sprint operates on the internationally unfriendly CDMA

network, it is rolling out its EV-DO data network

quickly and has the best overall coverage nationwide.

Individual plans begin at $40/month for 450 minutes;

a 2,000-minute plan costs $100/month. Sprint’s nights

begin at 6:00, 7:00, or 9:00 p.m., depending on the

plan selected; roaming rates begin at 65 cents a min-

ute. The activation fee is $36, and the early termination

fee is $200. For data, a 40MB plan costs $40/month,

while an unlimited plan is available for $60/month.

VERIZON

Our least favorite part of cell-phone contracts is the early ter-

mination fee, and while Verizon doesn’t do away with it entirely,

the company does make it easier to swallow. Verizon’s contract

termination fee starts at $175 but drops $5 per month for each full

month you hold the contract. Verizon’s activation fee is $35.

Verizon operates on a CDMA network, so unless you purchase

a combined GSM/CDMA phone, you’ll be limited primarily to use

in North America. Individual plans range from $40/month for 450

minutes to $200/month for 6,000 minutes, with unlimited usage

from 9:01 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. Monday through Friday, and weekends

from 12:00 a.m. Saturday until 11:59 p.m. Sunday. International

roaming rates start at 69 cents a minute. Two data plans are avail-

able: $30/month for 10MB and a $50/month unlimited plan.

CINGULAR

Cingular is increasing its 3G data network, but if you’re

not in a major metropolitan area, you’ll have to wait to

see the benefi ts of this rollout. Cingular’s voice plans are

similar to the other providers’, but the company bests

its competitors in terms of data plans. Smartphone data

plans begin at $10 for 5MB of data, and the unlimited

data plan is $20. For voice, plans range from $40/month

for 450 minutes to $200 for 6,000 minutes. Unused min-

utes can be used in following months. Cingular’s activa-

tion fee is $36 and there is an early termination fee of

$175. Night rates run from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m, and

weekends are from 9:00 p.m. Friday to 6:00 a.m. Monday.

T-MOBILE

T-Mobile operates on a GSM network, which makes it a

good choice if you travel to Europe often; however, the

company’s domestic coverage lags behind the other pro-

viders’. T-Mobile is also just beginning to construct a high-

speed data network, so for the time being, expect slow

downloads and web surfi ng. Voice plans range from $30/

month for 300 minutes to $130/month for 5,000 minutes.

The myFaves plan, which includes unlimited calls to fi ve

people on any network, starts at $40/month for 300 min-

utes. T-Mobile’s unlimited data plan is $50/month. Night

rates are from 9 p.m. to 6:59 a.m.; weekends are from mid-

night Friday to midnight Sunday. T-Mobile’s activation fee

is $35, and the early termination fee is $200.

38 MAXIMUMPC JULY 2007

SMART

PHONE

STATE OF

THE UNION

BUYERS GUIDE (CONTINUED)

NO COVERAGE

COVERAGE

NO COVERAGE

COVERAGE

NO COVERAGE

COVERAGE

NO COVERAGE

SPRINT POWER VISION

COVERAGE

ADDITIONAL DIGITAL

SERVICE

ROAMING

SPRINT PCS NETWORK