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| Archives for mtuparent-L (discussion list) Subject: Cell Phones Wed, 13 Aug 2003 I am in the Detroit area and sending my son to MTU this year. We are trying to find a cell phone company with a very reasonable plan that covers both the upper peninsula and the lower for travel emergencys. I would prefer a pay as you go plan if possible. Has anyone found a company with a cell signal for ALL of Michigan? The main purpose of the phone will be during travel from campus back to home. I do realize it has to be a nationwide plan, but not sure which of them have a signal way up there in the great white north! Thanks, K.C. (if you recommend that he travel through Wisconsin back to Detroit, during the winter months, let me know that as well) [Answered in Driving discussion] _______ We found that Cingular has a Nationwide plan that works up there. My son was a freshman last year and that worked for him. Depending on the number of minutes you get, it can be reasonable. There are areas where there is no signal while driving, but that is normal with any cell phone. B.P. _______ I am by no means an expert on cell phones, being the only one in our family of four without one. But, I do know they sell plans on campus, which I have been told are cheap http://www.tc.mtu.edu/mtucellular/ And, as for traveling up here in the winter, the Mighty Mac is the normal way to go. Keeping an eye out for weather (MSP, AAA, and other links are on Parents/Family site: http://www.parent.mtu.edu/) is the best idea Perhaps other parents can suggest cell phone plans and winter travel stories? _______ All Tell seems to be the company w/a signal that far north. I discovered this while trying to find a service for my daughter. Don't know about the entire Michigan area, but they have a wed site and toll free numbers and are quite helpful when you call. N. _______ I am in Midland MI and my son and I have Alltel and it seems to work in the UP, Detroit area, Toledo. It is about $40. a month for one phone. _______ We also purchased from Cirgular. You need to be very specific with them on the PHONE you purchase. My daughter drove from Illinois, and she only had a choice from 2 phones in order to get reception in the UP. The phones are an older style, able to switch back and forth from digital to analog. And, even with that, there are times she just didn't get a signal. S.C. _______ From: Dean Woodbeck <woodbeck@mtu.edu> There are two cell phone companies that sell locally. AllTel, as has been mentioned, and Cellular One. The Michigan Tech plan that Dennis mentioned uses Cellular One and it is cheaper to go through Tech than through the Cell One office in Houghton. Also, my daughter uses a TracPhone, which is a pay-as-you-go plan. You buy a certain number of minutes from them and your phone is activated for a certain amount of time. For example, she bought 150 minutes and her phone was activated for a year. The phone and minutes were, i think, about $80. www.tracfone.com _______ Regarding the cell phone question, we bought our son a cheap phone for his room at Walmart, and a phone card from Sams. He is able to use any phone to make long distance calls to us and his friends, and he is able to receive calls from us without it costing us twice. J.H. _______ We live in Eagle River, WI and we put our son on our Cellcom account. We have a plan that includes the UP and he can call us and we can call him with no charge as long as we don't go over the limit. I also bought him a calling card from Sam's Club for 3.5 or so cents a minute and he can use that whenver he needs to. R. J. _______ Thu, 14 Aug 2003 Hi. The kids will also be offered an excellent deal on cell phones at the university. Our daughter took advantage of it--one of the cheapest programs I've seen. That is always on option, as it features unlimited, nation-wide long distance. M.O. _______ Sat, 16 Aug 2003 Do not get a Nextel phone as they do not have service north of the Mackinaw Bridge. Our phone never works in the UP, not even in the Soo. K. Z. _______ Fri, 29 Aug 2003 One thing you don't want to do is use Verizon or Sprint. They don't cover the U.P. We have an ancient Verizon plan--Midwest plan--and it does cover the U.P., but you can't buy it any more. We are hanging onto it for a couple more years. M. _______
_______ REGARDING CELL PHONES: WE LIVE DOWNSTATE AND SIGNED UP WITH ALLTELL. THEY HAVE SERVICE THROUGHOUT MICHIGAN AND THE U.P. THEIR SERVICE WILL IMPROVE AFTER DECEMBER IN HOUGHTON WHEN THEY GO DIGITAL. WE GOT THE PHONE AT HOME, SO OUR SON HAS A LOCAL PHONE NUMBER FOR ALL OF US TO CALL. THEIR PLAN IS $30 FOR 700 DAYTIME, UNLIMITED NIGHTS WEEKENDS RIGHT NOW. ALL OF MICHIGAN IS A LOCAL CALL FOR HIS CELL PHONE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS A PRETTY GOOD DEAL. K. _______ Watch out for the roaming charges! That's where our daughter got zapped. It's fine if they're calling from up there, but when home, remind them of these fees. It came in handy during the blackout, though--our daughter's phone was able to be used, while our phones did not have service. M.O. _______ Does anyone know the name of the local cell phone provider and how to reach them? The one for approx. $32.00 /mo. with some 4000 anytime minutes At least that's what I over heard. C. ________ Hello, Thank you, C.G. _________ I got a Cell Phone for my daughter on campus during orientation.
Cellular C.C. |
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