bumper wrote:
I can't answer your questions. However, if you go with Verizon, be sure your
new phone is "tri-mode". Digital service does not work in most of Nevada
once you head a bit east of the populated areas. Analog phones (the other
part of tri-mode), are getting rarer.

I was able to get an analog/digital phone from Verizon recently (the LG
VX5300). Reasonably rate on-line, has camera and Bluetooth.

One of the reasons I can't answer your other questions is that the motorhome
I travel in has a wireless cellular amp by Digital Antenna. This acts like a
cell site and makes your phone transmit on low power to a small inside
antenna, conserving battery. The amp then retransmits from roof top gain
antenna, up to 3 watts. We were able to maintain cell service (analog) all
the way across Nevada Hwy 50 on a recent trip.

I'll second the recommendation for a tri-mode phone from Verizon. I've
been flying (and trailering my glider) with a Motorola V710 for a few
years now and *rarely* can't get a signal.

In fact, when I drove from Truckee to Parowan a couple years ago (on
highway 50), I made a point of checking every 20 minutes or so (there
wasn't much else to do!). I had a *digital* signal 90% of the time.
When I didn't, analog filled in the gap.

It's my personal belief that you can't beat the coverage provided by a
tri-mode phone from Verizon (in the USA, at least).

Jeremy