BB Geeks: Blackberry Information, News and Reviews

As much as I would love to hate on Verizon - I simply can't. Their coverage is unreal. No matter where I am in the country I can pretty much count on being able to talk on my BlackBerry and have it be crystal clear. I almost don't even need a phone in my house or office because their service is so good.

So with heavy heart (due to some past experiences and their corporate policies) I give them the highest rating.

I have never been happy with Verizon's inability to give you the full features of a phone without disabling to charge you for something. However, the strongest strength they have is their network, which is second to none.

I would have to disagree, Verizon is a horrible company with outragous customer service. I had no reception in my house, even though it was in bright red on their coverage map. I had to walk about 15 yards away from my door to make a phone call. There network is incredible outside, best there is. Once you are inside any building it disapears. I couldnt use internet in 8 out of 10 buildings i would walk in too. It was horrible i was paying over $100 a month and couldnt use my phone unless i was outside. 3 of their representetives told me that verizon phones are not made to work inside. And i hated how verizon bloks most of the useful features on their phones ( even smartphones). I got so frustrated after changing 10 phones in 3 years they send a technitian to my house to see what was the problem, and he determined there was no tower around that area. I live in the heart of Baltimore city, lol no tower? they kept exchanging my phone as faulty equipment. Anyway they let me out of the contract after some serious negotiations simply i because they were faulse advertising the coverage map. Knowing that there is no tower signal and they didnt know when the tower will come up. I switched to T-Mobile got a curve for $50 with $50 rebate (free phone) and my plan is $65 before taxes. Service is incredible, unlimited internet - e-mail $19.99, 1000 minutes $39.99 and 400 text $4.99 unbelivable. And i swear i dont work for t-mobile. Verizon is just as bad as at&t i had them too. Get tmobile you will not regret it.

Coverage is good. They will disable functions of a phone so you will have to pay them more to use their services, such VZW Navigator. They disable the GPS on Blackberries so you have to pay Verizon, when you would be able to use the one on the phone for what you paid for it.

Hello,
I'm a Network Engineer for VZW, and after reading B. Brooks review, I wanted to say this. VZW does have hands down the most reliable network. If you do the non bais research you'll see how clear that is i.e. (JD Power and Assoc.)
As for your service not working in your house or in certain buildings, it is noted in the contract that we(VZW) cannot garuntee service inside certain structures. There are MANY reasons why, cabling, Electronis, Electrical wire, Building material. On a cell phone you need a direct signal, if there is an obstruction, with no matter what company, you will not have that signal, HWOEVER rest assure that VZW does have the best coverage as far as quality, reliabilty, and coverage. Customer service is great too.

Got the blackberry Curve because of the touted turn-by-turn GPS service - they didn't tell me they had disabled it so that it will only work with their Navigator (another $10/mo) "service". It COULD work nicely in conjunction with their Maps program, but they were toio greedy. Sprint, here I come.

You MUST be kidding..Sprint? Makes perfect sense, purchase a phone to work with a company that probably won't be around for much longer. Get over price, to have nice stuff you gotta pay for it. If something is cheap, do yourself a favor and simply ask "Why?". Most cases it is because something is lacking. Believe it or not, the reason Verizon DOES have such a good network is the revenue they take in and then REINVESTS into that network. I bet you always ask to have the charger "thrown in for free" too. Oh yeah, T-Mobile? Hope you don't plan on leaving town. Cause if you do, expect an earfull of static if that at all. For God's sake people just look at a coverage map! Even if not 100% accurate, the difference is undeniable. Hate all you want but the two major carriers "At&T and Verizon" are just that because of quality of service, not who can sling the cheapest phones and features. Network does not mean just service at your house, that's called a landline.

Also, some of the information listed here has changed for example early termintaton fees are now prorated down the longer you keep your service

I used my 8830 World phone in Germany, Hungary and Taiwan (no service in the Tokyo airport). I had a few problems but they were manageable. My data in Taiwan took about 1 day before it became active. Also, sometimes incomming calls did not go through. Outgoing was fine once I figure out the exit code for Taiwan. Europe had zero issues.

The one thing I have to agree with is the Vcast crap. I do not have a problem with charging for services (GPS, etc.) but at least let me customize my phone. My wife has a RAZR and they locked down the menu. That is why I can only give them 4/5 stars.

To Brian B, it may suck but what you describe is typical for all carriers. My brother's service (Cingular/AT&T) in rural FL was so bad I found an indoor repeater for him. Now he gets better service in the house than he does outside.

Pros: Awesome coverage. Excellent customer service. 20% Discounts on accessories if you have a plan over a certain monthly price. Unbelievable data speed.

Cons: Phones models are not the latest in the industry. Disabling features on phones (like GPS) and limiting internet services (like messenger clients) needs to stop!

I have been a Verizon Wireless Customer back in the Bell Atlantic Mobile days. The service is the best! I have sold wireless products and service for Cingular, AT&T, and Sprint PCS, but always kept my personal service w/ Verizon. I carry the Blackberry 8830 and I love it, especially because I'm on Verizon. "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW"!

I have a Blackberry 8830 World Edition. I have used, Cingular, Sprint, ATT and TMobile and finally ended up with Verizon. Why? Because there service was literally better than all the rest. It just took me a while to get there and realize it. ATT and TMobile are both owned by ATT. But, the don't work on each others backbone. Crazy huh? Cingular in my opinion ranks 2nd to Verizon both in reliability and customer service. But, they still have lots of dropped calls. I know this due to using them for a while and my wife has ATT through her company. She complains about the problems with it all the time but, she is stuck with them. I work in IT and everytime I call Verizon, they have given me top notch service. Even if I do something stupid, they don't talk to me like I'm an idiot. I'm glad to have Verizon and will not change for any below cost coverage!

I've read some of the reviews for Verizon Wireless and I have to join the bandwagon because I've had Tmobile, Sprint and At&t and I've finally stuck with Verizon. I've been with them for the last 2 years and I will never ever go anywhere. Like one of the posters said Sprint might not be around much longer, they're hemorrhaging subscribers by the boatloads and their network is downright shoddy, tmobile is also a joke with horrible reception and dropped calls, and again, if you dont need to talk on your cell phone where you need it the most, sure get tmobile and sprint. at&t's network was reasonable but the customer service and in my opinion unethical billing practices caused me to leave quickly .. so ive been there, done that and have to admit that verizon wireless is the best hands down. wherever i am i know that im going to have coverage and im my group of friends im the go to when everyone needs a phone but no one can get any reception. verizon has earned my business for life albeit they are a bit pricey and i too own a curve that has disabled GPS for the NAV system, but I would have bought their Nav anyway because it gives live turn by turn directions which is also another great feature. Oh .. and they have unbelievable customer service! Best out there by far.

I was with Sprint for several years and had "okay" service and customer service. I wasn't picky. I left them when I got a job with U.S. Cellular. Ugh. They have good solid service, but it's regional. I got the phone and service for free, so who am I to complain? Except the free phone I got was a 7130e! LOL I felt like Wilma Flintstone!

I didn't fit in with U.S. Cellular and when I lost my free phone service, I signed up with Verizon strictly because of their phones. I worked in the Engineering Department at USCC so I know all about the Neilson Drives and that Verizon always kicked our butts in the drives (except on Data). I got my hands on a 8830 (beauty) and love it. Am not disappointed whatsoever with the service I receive or the customer service I received! My RWC was outstanding! He let us walk out the store with two phones and a plan (the most expensive, mind you) without giving him one red penny. How is that for customer service?

I'm on the Verizon Bandwagon. I LOVE my Blackberry! Now I just have to figure out how to get it to do all the things I want it to!

I've been with Verizon wireless for along time and I have no complaints. Their coverages and customer service is great, though I think I know as much about my Blackberry 8830 as they do. No matter what question I had whether it be billing, products etc. They always came thru. I did call on the VZ Nav recently to express my concern that traffic updates were not availible on my 8830 and was told that they may or may not have it availaible in the future. Their only black mark with me. My advice to unhappy consumers is that you must read and ask questions on any product you might be interested in buying. the information is there and if you want outstanding service you got to pay for it.

I've been with Verizon Wireless for a few years now and I have to say hands down they have the best customer service. They're plans are comprable with AT&T and the only provider who gets service in the basement at my hospital. Now that I have a Blackberry I love them even more.

Cons:
Disabling phone features - specifically on the 8830World Edition.
Local Service isn't always helpful.
MY local coverage area isn't always the best.

Pros:
My travel coverage is good.

Been a Verizon customer for over 10 years. Have had nothing but good service except when I had a Samsung phone from them. Had a Startack before that and had excellant reception. Had a Moto Q and it was good. Have the Black Berry 8330 now and it works better than any telehone I have ever had. Got 2 curves. unlimited data, unlimited text and pictures, Turn by Turn, and just about anything they offer but international calling, they through in 2 chargers, 2 car chargers, 4 of the memory cards, 2 of the clip on cases, plus the leather cases that come with the telephones and 2 Jawbone bluetooth headsets($140/each) for about $900. With the two $75 rebates I got, this will put my cost around $750. Rep. through in a month of data service and navigation for free. Didn't get to use them first two months so they gave me two more months to try them for free again. Walked the Mac Bridge on labor day and had a good signal 2 1/2 miles from land. Met two people with T-mobile that were asking me what service and phone I had. They couldn't use their phones much in the Upper Pen. of Michigan. They said they may switch to verizon. I do have a problem a couple of small towns we pass through in Indiana. Pay about $105 a month per phone with all the services you can think of but we use them. Like the broadband modem feature as I can use VPN to tunnel in to work. Lot's of the Wi-Fi spots I find impossible to use VPN. Probably will always be a Verizon customer.

I do have to agree abt the features. Even thou Verizon may have the best coverage hands down, they lure the client in thinking you are getting a good phone with all the features it shows on TV. You get into the store buy the phone, get home and try to use the service and What do ya Know!!! It don't work. This happened to me as well about the GPS on the blackberry. It advertises on TV that it has the turn by turn directions and the cool GPS feature. What it does not tell you is that you can't use it because Verizon wants to suck you dry financially and make you pay for their VZ Navigator Program. I paid for a GPS program on my phone that should have worked with the GPS already on the phone. I tried Trackit Software, GPSed Software and even Google Maps is free but don't give an accurate location b/c the phone does not have a GPS. My wife and I have the same phone in addition to two other lines. We already give Verizon well over $250.00/month for our service. The least they could do is the leave the phone the way it come. It someone had the time and money they could sue Verizon for false advertising b/c they do not state on their commercials that the original GPS has been disabled and you have to buy their GPS service for extra money in addition to the $44.99/month for unlimited data service and $14.99/month for tetherability on the phone. As if that was not enough out of your pocket already. You would think Veizon would want to draw in or at least keep their existing customers by at least offering cool phones instead of phones they reprogram to fluff their pockets with cash.

I can not believe they disable the gps. I would not have gone with verizon. It's shady and will NOT renew.

I can not believe they disable the gps. I would not have gone with verizon. It's shady and will NOT renew.

I am currently on my 3rd Blackberry Pearl in 3 months. First one, the screen went out. Second one, the speaker went out after charging. They told me a software update is coming but dont hold your breath. Ill see how the 3rd one works. My advice is spend a little more and you might avoid these problems.

I'm confused, is Tim (above, above and above) dissatisfied with Verizon and their disabling of the GPS?

The Verizon sales people disabled GPS so they can sell only Verizon's own GPS apps. They've done this kind of thing before.

The instant my contract is over, I'm done with Verizon wireless FOREVER. Also, if there is a class action suit for false advertising --I'm joining.

Pros: They really do have the best network. Everywhere I go in NJ and NYC, I never have any problems with service. Even with all the interference in Manhattan, I never have any problems.

Con: Their customer service is horrible. Every verizon store I have been to in NY and NJ has had the rudest, nastiest people behind the counters. I know this is not just me because I have friends and family who say the same. My mother was actually cursed at by a customer service associate while trying to get her phone set up in East Brunswick, NJ. Even when I have called in the past to ask questions, their phone operators never seem friendly or willing to answer questions. They always seem to have attitudes in the stores and out.

damn ive been thru 3 phones now from verizon and im in the "red" zone and i can never get signal in my house and my cell is my primary phone to save me money since i have a limited fixed income..cingular/att hasthe best signal in my house but im reluctant to switch because ive been with verizon so long and there deals are impeccable...and other then my signal issue verizons been great..what do i do :(

bb storm sounds good but why is gps disabled and have to pay extra?

I have had Verizon since they were Air Touch, if that tells you anything. I have had while having them I have had company phones that were through T-mobile, and Alltel. I can tell you this the features that Verizon offers with their phone service is great. The customer service is outstanding. The policies in place are much better. After having Verizon for five years they gave me a 25 percent discount on anything and everything Verizon. However I'm sure Alltel will be catching up since they are now owned by Verizon.

I am required to use Verizon Wireless service for my work related wireless. Service is generally solid, but I will NEVER consider moving my personal wireless service to Verizon unless Verizon unlocks ALL 3rd party GPS apps, such as Google maps. The Verizon supplied VZ Navigator GPS software is by far the worst interface I have ever used.

Ta enpingao,El BlackBerry Storm 9350.Compren uno pa q me entiendan

Ok first of all, you can get google maps on a Blackberry, it is not locked, it would be impossible for Verizon to block a website on your phone, just download it. Second of all, no you are not going to get a gps system free ANYWHERE! Garmin charges too, you can't get everything in life for free you whiny bitches.

Yes you might pay more for service with Verizon, but as with anything out there, you get what you pay for! You want shitty service for cheap go to T-mobile. You want great coverage with good phones that Verizon backs up with warranties (even when you screw up your phone or lose it and you dont have ins. they still work with you and give you a decent discount!) then you will have to pay more!
And by the way Scott, the sales reps dont even touch the phones until the customer requests them, the sales reps are not the ones locking the phones so they can sell more, when you make shit up you make yourself look ignorant!
I absolutely love Verizon, I have had T-mobile, cingular, at&t, sprint and nextel and U.S. cellular. Verizon is by far the best.

Got in on Verizon from a friend who worked for them. went from one phone to another trying to find the perfect one. I now have the BB Storm.. Loving the service. never drop a call. features are phenominal!!! for those of you who seem to find the services you WANT aren't there when you get home.. i suggest you learn how to read. Every plan booklet tells you what you get with what plans. it's right in front of your face. If you buy a car off a lot and don't look at the sticker but expect it to have GPS for free and it's not there when you get home, are you going to sue the car company cause you didn't read the fine print on the TV ad that said it was an "Optional" feature?

Verizon for life customer here. No complaints.

I love Verizon. I used to have a bad signal at home, and it was because I lived basically in a gully, like in the middle of a lake. So, what did the family do? Instead of switch the service and whine on here about it, we moved and now enjoy the fastest service.

When getting the house, everything was perfect but we had one last test. I went from room to room and around the yard with my phone and it was 5 bars (as usual anywhere else) but finally at home.

The realtor thought I was crazy, but when we let him in on the secret he laughed for 2 minutes and explained his brother worked for Verizon and he understood, and he did the same for his apartment, LOL!

This is the greatest company, even though the prices are higher I seem to see the people that work for them and the coverage is too perfect to whine about a signal problem that any and all carriers would have had with this type of geography.

Also, my Storm was free since I traded in my Voyager to an agent and was out of my 2-year contract and re-signed happily with Verizon. The Voyager was free because of several broken RAZR's in a row, so it's been fun with Verizon and thanks to them for my free and first BB!

dont buy a storm.they block all internet.and dont offer a flash player.you cant even get many free games ect.they want you to pay for everything.very greedy.

I have had Verizon service for 7 years with up to 6 phones on my contract. Service has been what I would call fair. I bought the 8830 when they first started selling it. And was told the GPS worked. I wanted to use it for golf for distances to greens and did not want to carry around a second device. Now the return policy is for 30 days and I spent most of that on the phone with customer service trying to get my phone GPS to work. And guess what, they never even intended for it to work. I think you get my drift. Contracts up and I am leaving Verizon for poor business practices or for being stupid on what their product capabilities are. You decide. Keeping my eyes open for the class action law suit.

Have used a variety of 'Berries on Verizon including the 8830 and, now, the Storm. Outstanding service in Oregon - nearly everywhere, including the boonies. The Storm's reception is not as strong as the 8830 - but that's up to RIM fix, not Verizon. Customer service has been fine - maybe even better than expected and certainly better than some of the above comments.

I love my Verizon service. I have had Sprint, ATT that turned into Cingular then back into ATT. And left because of poor customer service. I had the chance to sample verizons service when I purchased my Dell laptop in 2006. I used their broadband service and found each and everytime I needed assistance even with a prepaid plan with them I was treated wonderfully. So the day I went into my ATT/Cingular/ATT store because a problem with a phone I had purchased. And was treated like I had handed them a bag filled with excrement. I promptly walked out and into my local verizon store. Purchased a new phone and service. Waited until my other contract expired and moved my second cell number over as well. I now have a family plan with 3 voice lines and a broadband card and anytime I have a question on service or anything They are ready to help.

Can't play flash products. Wish they would have told me that up front. They really need to get with the prgram.

I have a BB8830 and love it. But that is because I actually read up about the service before I purchased the phone at the full retail price.
[rant]
All of you that are bitching about the GPS and other services being disabled, why are you surprised? Verizon has a tract record of disabling services. If anything, they are getting better about the availablity of services on the phone.
With the GPS service and false advertisement, where is the problem? All the ads about the VZNav. always have the fine print at the bottom, saying that it is an additional fee. What company offers GPS on the phones for free? I can not think of any off the top of my head.
As for Flash on the phone, no fucking shite it doesn't work. That's because Adobe hasn't come out with a mobile version, for any carrier. I can think of only one phone that can support Flash, and that isn't even stateside yet. Maybe you should try exploring the reasons behind a problem before flaming on a forum.
Storm User- what internet are they blocking?
[/rant]
Ok, sorry about that, I just hate it when I read ignorant rantings about things commonly known. I have been a Verizon customer for almost 2 yrs now, and have 3 lines with them. I have had problems with my service, but any time I have had problems, warrenty issure, incorrect billing, stupid questions about service, I am talking with someone in 5 minutes or less. And the issue is either taken care of, or being forwarded as needed, is another 5 min.

In short, try reading something before making a decision, and if you dont, don't be surprised if you have issues. VZW has had the best customer service in my experience, and I have had T-mobile, AT&T, Dobson and VZW.

I have had a blackberry for 7 years and really am very happy with it until the Storm came out and I did the upgrade. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!!!!!! It was the worst experience I have ever had wit a device that kept on locking up and the touch screen is CRAP I was given 3 storms and each had problems. Not to mention how difficult it is to find a name to make a call. I took it back and have my Curve and life is so much better. If your think about the storm get ready to bring it back.

Got a Blackberry Curve and absolutely love it! Coverage is great features are great, but I do want to ding Verizon for the GPS. First it is not disabled, it does work, but only for 911 and for VZNav. They have disabled the internal GPS to work with 3rd party applications, such as Google Maps. Blackberry made a change to their OS with the Storm that does not allow Verizon to turn this off (Good for Blackberry) and allows the GPS to work with anything. It is my understanding that Verizon controls this throught the air and is a simple fix for them to open it up, however they still need to see their profit rise a bit more of their navigation tool. It is my hope that they will soon allow the Curves and other Blackberry devices the ability to make use of the GPS for whatever reason a customer may need to use it for...otherwise go buy a Storm and learn the touch screen...however thats what they want the user to do. I'd give them a 5 star if that one feature would work or at least allow me to make use of it with 3rd party applications.

By the way, T-Mobile, Sprint, and I believe US Cellular allow all blackberries to use the internal GPS with 3rd party applications for no additional charge (although coverage is not as good with either of those in certain areas)

Verizon has NOT disabled the GPS on the STorm

I work for Verizon and I can say I have had every carrier before them and they were the only one that didn't roam at my Grandmas house and worked everywhere I needed it to. I love my job because I am confident in the product I sell. People rarely come in and complain, when they do it's because they went over on minutes or kids went over a text package. Verizon's team of customer service is the best out there and always local! You stay connected with the U.S. and they get the job done. Verizon is Killing it's competition right now. We have no competition anymore. We now offer Friends and Family! On a single line on the 900 min or up; you get to pick 5 NON Verizon people to talk to for FREE! On a family share of 1400 min or higher you get to pick 10 NON Verizon people. Unlinke some carriers you have to wait a complete 30 days to change your Fav People, but with Verizon it takes 24 hours. We always have great promotions and great plans! Verizon is a tricked out car thats Turbo and Fast and every other carrier is a city bus. Everyone gets a cheap ride!
Get a BB Storm best freakin thing out there. WAY better than the iPhone!

Okay, so you all are whining because you can't get something for free? GPS isn't free anywhere. You want free shit, go to a crappy company. Seriously. They do have disclaimers at the bottom of the screen if you old foggies could put on your glasses and read it. Maybe pause the screen. Yes, VZNav is 9.99 a month. Well worth it. You have a $500.00 piece of equipment in your hand you either paid little to nothing or absolutely nothing for and you refuse to pay just a measley $10 a month?! Get over yourselves. Nothing in life is free and if it is, it is probably junk to begin with. I agree with everything Becki said above. I have been with Tmobile for a day. Absolutely NO coverage anywhere I went besides the highway. That's great coverage? Really? Could have fooled me. I worked for Cingular/AT&T for 2 years. Service is crap. Policies are worse. AT&T took over, went way down hill. I am not here to bash but Verizon Wireless is by far the best company out there. It just infuriates me that some people have the gall to whine about not getting something for free. Want free? Buy from another company. Threaten to leave VZW? Sure, go ahead. We get more customers a day than leave. I can't tell you how many people come in the door where I work and say "such and such company sucks" and switch that day. Hate all you want we have more customers coming in the door asking for service every day. Sure we are a company we are there to make money but we are also there to provide wonderful service which in my opinion, is provided. As for coverage, the VZW policy does state that we do not guarantee service in every area at all times. You live in a dead zone? Live with it or get out. Land lines are for that specific reason.

That's my two cents.

I have been a VZW client for several years and have had no real problems with coverage.

I recently got my first BB the 8330 Curve and want you to know that the GPS feature is UNLOCKED on my curve. I recently used Google Maps on a trip and it worked great. I was able to find an address that my TomTom did not have loaded yet.

To open the GPS feature, go to Options, Advanced Options, GPS, GPS Services and change the 911 Only to Location On. Then download the Google Maps App and locate yourself on your BB. IT WORKS GREAT!

Wow, reading a lot of complaints out there about the phones, the disabling of services, and customer service. Yet you will be the same people on the other carriers sites complaining about the same things and more. Oh the phone isn't what you wanted, doesn't do what you want, maybe you just don't know how to work the friggin thing. So many people see a phone, think "oh that looks cool," get it, and don't know what to do with it! Verizon Wireless has the best coverage hands down, but if you live in a house that may lose coverage, maybe you should look into a network extender. Problem solved.
Phone not working right? Manufacter defect? That's what a warranty is for! And hey Verizon Wireless doesn't make the phones! They sell them! But I guarantee you that if the phone if defective, you wont have to send the defective one back and wait for it to be replaced before you get it back! Verizon Wireless has many options for every one in every situation. Maybe you don't like the offer, that is your decision.

I am proud of the carrier I'm with especially when I'm in a crowded elevator with several different people whom have several different carriers and I'm the only one who has service!

Verizon Wireless.... better than the rest. Better Customer Service, BEST network and reasonable prices for the service that is provided. Please review VZW in several independent studies for its outstanding rankings in overall company standards.

Have any of you been to a sprint store? Most likely they are sitting, eating and there for a "pay-check".Sprint at the moment is losing more than 300,000 cutomers a qt. HELLO that is 100,000 a mo. Wonder why? T-mobile, great in Europe but not so good off the beaten path in the U.S.. Cricket, wow the rumble strip on the interstate is a reminder that you are about to go out of coverage! At&t... or is it Cingular...they have both icons? At&t's iphone. Verizon Wireless was offered it first. VZW declined with the first 30 mins of having the meeting. #1 cant send pic or vids to other phones w/o 3rd party softwear.Verizon has 19.99 phones that can do that #2 OMG cant take it back to were you bought it, you have to find the closest Apple location. Verizon can replace your device there if they can.#3 Insurance... 39.99 a month. Even the storm is 5.99 for insurance.#4 Memory.Iphone is fixed and Storm can have as much as you have money to buy memory cards, and comes with 8gigs with the phone. I mean I could go on and on about apples and oranges about the iphone which is At&t's bread and butter,however Verizon Wireless does beat it's closest comp AT&T.

I have read several reviews left by several people on this site. Many good, some bad. Even tho I can't speak for all locations Verizon Wireless has, I would like to say. MOST are trying the best that they can. Not all the people that work there didn't just come from McDonald's or Highschool. They are standing-up when you come in the door. They have been given many awards for customer service and they invest BILLIONS of dollars in the network that YOU PAY FOR. They could buy I dont know PLANES, LIMOS... heck I dont know what some of these CEO are buying these days.

Bottom line, great customer service, THE BEST NATIONAL NETWORK, Prices are slightly more than closest AT&T by a few dollars on SOME plans however network in my area is much stronger with VZW, and I travel alot.

To some:
R Gladish- google maps.... did you take time out of your day to type the words google maps? Ok ...... try mapquest when you are at your local walmart getting your stylist pen for your palm.

dav- Its called Research... info before you buy. They show on the website what it will support. Even the Iphone cant play all flash sites. Quit making excuses because you cant watch porn on your phone.

JD- A golf GPS..... Not really able to do "turn by turn" directions on a golf course dont you think. Lets compare to leading brands Tom Tom, Garmen (for the car), and all of the such type made for a car. They all can tell you how to get the the course but NONE tell you how far you need to hit that 9 iron till you get to the green.
YOU ARE OUT THERE TO RELAX!!!!!

Brian B, Tony W & Paul:

Brian T-mobile or T-maybe might work were you are but big picture in the U.S., well to say the least, not so good.

Tony W- Did you say Sprint here you come...... Right you do that. I am sure that you are just the sorry sap that would stay with that company.
Jesus did you do ANY RESEARCH before you just vomited words to everybody?

Paul- Let me see, I bet when you went to go buy your new car you said well the ad on tv showed 22' rims, sunroof and a sport package for 99 dollars, and failed to read the PRINT on the t.v. Much like now they are, the words are darker than the background with important information.... Or hey how about Cricket, Unlimited internet the ad on Tv says. Unlimited, Unlimited until the last caption that states that it is UNLIMITED up to 5gig. VZW states it as soon as you ask them, Nothing to Hide they TELL YOU! And as far as the GPS, maybe you and R Gladish can use map quest and get lost together!

I just purchased a BB Curve today and should be getting it tomorrow, after reading these reviews I am really confident that I made the right choice!

Do you have to get the all data plan when adding a blackberry to a verizon account, or can you just hook it up as a regular phone(opposed to a smart phone)...?

verizon..hmm where do i start?? the service is great i cant complain about that at all. i pay more than i would with any other company but its def. worth it to me. i had alltel before verizon and it was horrible..now that they've merged i hope it will be different for those customers, but before hand i couldnt go out of state or even out of Tucson without "roaming" verizon is a different story. hands down great service...
The phone is what isnt great...not they"re fault its blackberry it sucks ive went thru 4 blackberrys in 3 months..im not hard on phones either its just one thing after another doesnt work..
I WANT A DIFFERENT PHONE!!
I dont recommend a blackberry/curve for anyone its horrible!!

I have been with Verizon for 7 years now... and before that I had been around the block with cellular companies. My first cell phone was a plan with alltel for literally 10 minutes a month, it was really cheap and the service was HORRIBLE. And to this day, alltel is still horrible. Then I switched to sprint pcs...can anyone say joke! Dropped calls, roaming charge after roaming charge...I had at&t through work then, and they had awful reception. My friend's family has at&t and they dont get service in most of our town, plus dropped calls. T-mobile "no service" ANYWHERE in our town. But verizon, we have been going strong for 7 years! Since day one they have taken care of me. They were so nice at the store, went out of their way to be friendly. Since then I have probably have 10 different phones and I am now with the blackberry curve. I will say that verizon has not always had the best service in my town, but they sure do take care of me as a customer. Their network has become increasingly better as the years have progressed and within the last 3 years there is almost no where that I go that I do not have service! Crystal clear calls, rarely drop a call- if ever. What phones they do have out are normally decent. yes they do cripple certain things, but with the blackberry software upgrade back in october it allows use of gps with the blackberry maps. Bottom line: If you want call quality, EXCELLENT customer service, and reasonable monthly bills... Verizon is your choice. If you want cheap phone bills with service that you pay for, switch to t-mobile, or sprint(though they might go bankrupt within a few years).

I really like Verizon, however some of you are missing the point on the GPS. There are numerous apps that utilize the GPS in ways Navigator simply does not offer. I currently pay for Navigator and it works okay when I am in a VZW network area. The programs that I wanted on my phone but can't use or buy from Verizon is a exercise log that tracks your route and altitude change along with calories. A Phone tracker that I can get on the internet and see where my Phone is or my kids ( And no Chaperone does not work on Curve either) so I guess the point is I would happily pay for the Navigator if I could still use the other Programs as well. It's not that I hate Verizon it just sucks when you can't even pay for all the features and programs out there for your $400 phone. As far as the person ranting about not even paying for the phone are you f!@?#%* kidding me I pay for that phone every month.

I bought several Verizon Ringtones and then upgraded to a new phone. According to the Ringtone Terms and Conditions, I have a license to use these ringtones for a year. However, Verizon wants me to re-purchase the ringtones I hold a year-long license to transfer them to my new phone. Their Terms and Conditions do not say anything about this for either Ringtones or Phone Upgrade. The Customer Server Representative verified verbally that neither of these Terms and Conditions state anything about having to re-purchase my already purchased ringtones during a conversation on 5/11/09 around 2pm MDT, which I confirmed that Verizon recorded. I believe this is fraud because they are attempting to charge me for something I have already paid for. Ironically, while the customer service rep was checking the Terms and Conditions to verify, the ad playing on the phone said that I could get new equipment and return it within 30 days AT NO CHARGE. I just had an issue with them the day before where they were trying to CHARGE ME A RE-STOCKING FEE because I returned a cell modem within 30 days. If I had not saved the chat text with one of their reps stating clearly that there were NO CHARGES if I returned it within 30 days, they would have charged me. Do you see the pattern here?

I have to say Verizon is probably the best company I've been with. I have a BB Pearl 8130. Besides the small memory factor on that phone; I haven't had an ounce trouble. Five months so far and I have not dropped a single call. Call quality and single strength is always great. I love the phone and the service. The GPS? I do have VZ Nav.and after a 2,000 road trip; it was flawless. I guess I have one question? When I turn location on and go into BB Maps, it works. It finds me, it follows me etc and this is without VZ Nav being turned on. Does this mean mine's is unlocked? Now, I can't geo-cache a photo or geo-cache and VZ Nav does not support it. We should be able to go to third party apps and be able to do these things. If you go to this 3rd party apps, you always see that Verizon does not support it. I think that's bull. Remember, for the Blackberries that have an internal GPS. When President Clinton signed it into law; for private citizens to have access to the GPS system of satellites (No charge!) You just need a receiver capable of pulling in the signal. I think our GPS Blackberries fall along this line. We should not be forced to purchase VZ Nav because our BB's have the capability. Am I happy with VZ's service? Yes, very much so. Do I think VZ needs taken to court about the GPS feature? Hell yes! Remember, when you buy a Garmin or Tom-Tom; you don't get a monthly bill for GPS access do you? No you don't because you have paid for your device. We pay for our devices every freakin' month! Come folks, wake up. I'm not whinning. What's right is right and what's wrong is wrong. I still have to carry my Garmin in my glovebox because I sometimes want to geo-cache on the way home but since because my VZ Blackberry won't let me I have to go back to old faithful. Makes me wonder, why even have VZ Nav.on my VZ Blackberry since I still can't do everything that it could do if not for Verizon.
It's just the love/hate thang. I love Verizon 90% of the time but that 10% hate; sometimes almost becomes a deal-breaker! Peace

I think that Verizon Wireless is the BEST out there. They have the BEST network by far. But they do lock their devices down, which is bad but I can deal with that if I get superior coverage. I love that fact that you can upgrade every year with certain plans. I can't wait to get the new blackberry tour/atlas. =P

Ok Verizon Wireless is good. They should be alot better since they picked up Alltel. I know they use different technologies, but ya'll are somewhat smart. So how about ya'll fix it. This way you will have better signal inside buildings and in the places where the original coverage didn't cover (like my hometown).

i am a long time verizon user and am pleased with their service. to all users....never call 411 again. use free411.com you listen to a short add but get your number free.

In all the years I have been with verizon, about 7 now, I have been very impressed with their customer service. If all else is equal their customer service would put them over the top in my opinion.