Let’s Compare Wireless Carriers                                      

We’ve listed the five carriers in order or relative overall performance below, because we feel a carriers performance is most customers primary consideration when first considering a carrier.  However, if you tend to travel a lot internationally or through backwash rural areas of the United States, the type of network that your carrier uses and the way you use your phone maybe worth examining as well.  After the list below you will find our suggestions if you’ve decided to change your carrier and you want some advice on how to go about this complicated process.

VERIZON WIRELESS

How good - consistently a top performer in customers surveys by independent sources like Consumer Reports and in our own independent surveys.  Always among the better national carriers in responsiveness to customer questions, inquiries and complaints.  Networks – CDMA and analog.  Verizon offers analog access on only a few of its new phones, which could mean less coverage in some rural areas of the country.

ALLTELL

How good – Alltel has been a consistent top performer in all three metro areas where they have sufficient data to rate it, but only three of course.  Notably good for both connectivity and customer service in all areas, including helpfulness in responding to questions, inquiries or complaints.  Networks – CDMA or analog.

T-MOBILE

 How good - A solid consistent performer in all the metro areas where there is sufficient data to rate their service, but marred by lack of service in some places.  Also ranked among the better providers in responsiveness to customers questions, inquiries and complaints.  Networks - GSM only.  Most of its phones can be used outside the United States because of this fact though. 

CINGULAR

 How good - Middle to low levels of consumer satisfaction with sound and voice quality.  Static and busy circuits were common problems, as they have been in previous surveys conducted.  Relatively low performance for helpfulness in handling customer questions, inquiries and complaints.  Networks – Primarily GSM, some TDMA and analog.  Most GSM phones can also be used in many parts of the world. 

SPRINT

 How good – One of the poorest performers in terms of overall performance and customer satisfaction.  Had more dropped calls than other carriers in all situations?  Sprint merged with Nextel in 2005, and out results do not include former Nextel customers or those who receive Nextel service from Sprint, because their phones operate on a different network than Sprint customers.  Networks - Sprint uses CDMA but can roam using analog.    If you’re ready to switch to a different cell service provider, here’s how to find a carrier more likely to meet your personal standards:

If you live in a major metropolitan area focus your search on the carriers at the top of the list, in most of these population centres there are up to three carriers to choose from when making your choice.  To choose from the top carriers in your area, check the online coverage maps for each carrier at their Web sites, paying special attention to where you live, work and plan on traveling.  These on line maps can vary in detail and accuracy, so you should go one step further and ask people you know who travel, work and live on the same streets as you which carrier they use and if they get consistently good service.

   Depending on how often you use your cell phone while in rural areas or outside the continental United States, you’ll want to pay close attention to which network the carrier operates on.  The major digital networks are CDMA (code division multiple access) and GSM (global system for mobile).  The advantage of CDMA is that many CDMA phones incorporate analog backup for roaming in areas where a digital signal is unavailable.  Many GSM phones, however, provide coverage in other countries, a plus for those of us planning to spend a lot of time away from home.

  Once you choose a carrier, be sure to take advantage of the trial period most carrier offer.  If you find that the service is poor of nonexistent in places where you need it most, cancel that contract and try another of the highly rated carriers on the list.

  If you’ve settled on a carrier, you can go directly to its Web site and compare the plans it offers.  As we’ve noted in the past, however, you might have to poke around a little to find the cheapest plan the carrier offers, or else call the carrier directly and ask.  Comparing plans of different carriers is relatively simple at Web sites like Letstalk.com (click on Service Plans, then compare).

  If the amount of shekels you spend is your primary concern, the best way to compare is on a per-minute basis.  For example, when we recently checked rates for Tampa, Florida, Sprint and Verizon were both offering 450-minute plans for $39.99 a month, or about 9 cents a minute.  T-Mobile offered 600 minutes for the same $39.99, or about 7 cents a minute. 

  If you only use your cell phone for roadside emergencies or make very few calls, consider a prepaid or “pay as you go” plan.  When comparing prepaid plans, pay special attention to what the carrier charges per minute, how soon minutes expire, and whether your minutes can be roller over.  Although we haven’t rated prepaid carriers, some of the major providers are T-Mobile, TracFone, Verizon, and Virgin.  You can buy prepaid phones and refill minutes at electronics and office supply stores, as well as online and in Canada online or at specified stores.

   Saying goodbye to your old carrier will be very easy if your contract has expired.  Just ask your new carrier to switch your existing (and, by law, portable) cell number to your new cell phone.  If however, you still have months or years to go on your contract with your current carrier, the switch is a little trickier, especially since you could be facing a whopping early termination fee.  If you’re desperately unhappy with your plan and carrier, you may want to just pay the fee and get them out of your life forever.  As much as we hate to admit it, paying a penalty of $150 to get out of a deal may be no worse then paying $50 month after month for service you’re not getting or drives you insane.  Well that’s it for this hub, join me next time as we will talk about the new fee-based features cell phone makers are adding to your friend and some things to pay attention to.  Happy talking!     

If you’re thinking about looking for a new job in the renewed job market 

If you recently decided, like millions of dissatisfied employees in 2006 and 2007, to test the renewed waters of the job market to see if greener shores can be found further along the employment stream, your not alone. In fact, employment experts say the average worker in today’s world of uncertain employment changes jobs, often industries, and an average of every two to five years in order to stay afloat on today’s employment stream. Considering the hot job market lately it’s not surprising workers are choosing now to change jobs in favour of a better work environment, a larger portion of the booty, or whatever reasons for folding up your tent, loading your canoe and braving the turbulent waters of today’s employment stream. You maybe young and full of world changing energy, this is good we can find a use for this. Some of the information you will need to make it through the employment rapids upstream you will find here, information to help you decide which tributary to take along the employment stream ahead of you when you come to one. Yes I realise time isn’t as important a consideration to the young, you think, but you still need to make a plan, a map of your intended shore along the employment stream ahead of you to guide you to your goal. If dreams of personal wealth are your main impetus for pushing off from shore and testing the employment waters, then you better buy a lottery ticket, make a wish to your luck deity, or plan the perfect bank robbery during your lunch breaks. A job with better financial potential then the one you’re currently chained to waits somewhere along the employment stream, you have to look to find though. For many people lifestyle changes in this uncertain world with an uncertain future seems more prudent over more shekels to count and you maybe looking for a job that fills your need for fulfillment more than material adornment. If you recently had a disagreement with the ‘man’ losing your position in line at the money trough, or feeling in jeopardy of being kicked out of line, can be a traumatic event in human terms, especially if unforeseen and sudden. If this is the case you might want to use the information in this hub to make an escape plan in case the warden suddenly decides to change the rules. This way if you wake up one day to find your work-world unfavourably changed forever, you have a plan for escaping such an eventuality of life and making it to greener shores. You could map out several routes along the employment stream to prepare for the unemployment abyss that can swallow you whole, when you suddenly loose your place at the money-trough. Having a map of the current employment stream could improve the future for you and your family; provide additional creature or spiritual comforts and the emotional comfort of having a sound backup employment plan in case the unforeseen happens. Whatever the reasons we have information you will need to plan your route along today’s employment stream in search of your dream job or scout out a sound map in case the employment abyss comes knocking at your door.

In the previous hub, ‘Boom or Go Bust?’, we discussed the job market conditions since the beginning of the new millennium to the present and the ten hottest jobs employers are looking to fill in the next decade of certain employment turbulence in the U.S. In this hub we will discuss the ten hottest cities in America in which to get off the employment roller-coaster discussed in Boom or go Bust?’ and begin the search for the right location along the employment stream in which to search for your chosen field of endeavour. All in order to provide you with the information to build your map to greener shores along the employment shore find a new career direction or your way out of the unemployment abyss. In order to facilitate your search we listed the ten hottest American cities along with a short paragraph on the employment conditions in each city below.

Competition is fierce for the greener shores along the employment stream so be prepared to knock canoes and rub elbows along the way to your dream job; competition is normal in humans, it brings out the best and worst in us. Well, if you’re ready to go life seeker, let’s put the canoe in the water. Hang on tightly as you do so though, the current is awful powerful when experienced for the first time in awhile. Push off from shore and let’s paddle upstream to the ten hottest cities in America to find a hot new job or new professional field for you to play on.

Tributary 1 – Las Vegas

Job growth in all related industries to conferences, real estate, casino tourism, and outdoor recreation will keep things hopping in the city that never sleeps. Retail opportunities, customer service representatives, and general office positions abound with secondary employment in all related industries are required. More people move here then any other city in America for a reason, employers are always looking for people.

Tributary 2 – Orlando

Customer service is growing with Disney World being present. Physical sports therapy is a growing field of endeavour, with occupational therapists, physician’s assistants and medical specialists catering to the large baby boomer crowd. With the normal secondary industry jobs being produced in other run-off industries Orlando is an area of the country that will be growing in the next decade.

Tributary 3 – Riverside

A distribution point for the flood of Chinese imports Riverside is always in the need for transportation experts and logistic experts, as well as all the related industry jobs that support these main industries.

Tributary 4 – Austin

Technology’s rebound means IT hiring is back in Austin. And with Toyota’s nearby plant creating thousands of jobs this city is hot. Throw in the normal assortment of secondary industry jobs needed to help keep the main industries hopping and the employment picture is hot alright.

Tributary 5 – Phoenix

This growing city is falling behind in filling job positions. Expected to need 2000 CEO’s in the next ten years, this city is definitely a place to find greener employment shores for many of the industries mentioned in ‘Boom or Go Bust?‘. The normal secondary industry jobs will be needed in all sectors as well, making Phoenix a hub of employment until 2014.

Tributary 6 – Jacksonville

Build new computer systems and computer system analysts will come to Jacksonville to run them, and with the need for medical assistants and occupational therapists growing in leaps and bounds over the next decade this city will be a hotbed of employment in these areas of endeavour. Throw into the employment melting pot the secondary industry jobs tinkling down from the main industries and you may want to take a look at this hot job market if you’re in the area.

Tributary 7 – Tampa

The war machine is driving the wheels of industry in this city, buoying defence hiring at the home of the U.S. Central Command. Most of the hottest industries will have openings in the Tampa area, throw in the secondary industry jobs that need to be filled to make the other industries thrive and Tampa will be rocking.

Tributary 8 – Dallas/Fort Worth

Construction, real estate, and the financial world grease the wheels of industry in this city. Many of today’s hottest jobs will have postings here, now and in the next decade of growth. With main industry growth you must have all the secondary industry jobs that must be filled to make the wheels turn properly. The employment market in this part of the country is hot, hot, hot!

Tributary 9 – Charlotte

The booming financial services in Charlotte continue to drive employment in Charlotte. With all the run-down secondary industry jobs produced this area of the country will be hopping, growth in expected to continue well past 2014. A great place to live and work, you should check Charlotte out.

Tributary 10 – Atlanta

Banking and financial services are strong in Atlanta. With all the software start-ups boosting demand for programmers, network specialists and administrators this city is one of the best for technology professionals. With the need for all the secondary jobs to help keep the main industries moving along, Atlanta will be one of the employment stops you should check out.

 Well that’s it for the ten best cities in America to find one of the ten hottest jobs in America, the jobs that will have the greatest demand up until 2014, after that well have to do another hub. Keep close because in the coming weeks we will be adding content to our employment hubs, we will bring you information on the companies in the ten cities above that are hiring people in the ten hottest jobs in America, information on the ten hottest schools in America that teach the knowledge and skills you will need to compete with your competition in any of these ten hottest jobs in America and much more information to help streamline your trip along the employment streams of America.

Happy paddling!