Rodni:

I use Cingular. Sometimes my phone shows I am on Cingular's network, other times it shows T-Mobile. I notice no difference between the two, other than what shows on my display. Since both are GSM, coverage overlaps in many areas. Bottom line is you'll get a signal where it is possible. Many areas upcountry have dead zones on either network. Such is life on the side of a 10k' high volcano

One note: the phone has more to do with your reception than many people give credit. We've been through maybe five different phones over the past few years, and noticed vast differences in service from one phone to the next. I also notice I might have 5 bars in an area where someone else with Cingular on a different phone may have only 2 or 3.

if it says anything, I had better reception in Lahaina, than I do in Houston ;-o

Thank you so much for the info. I didn't realize you could use the network of a different carrier than the one with which you have a contract (except with the whole Cingular/ATT merger thing).

My current cell phone is with Verizon (I currently live in Indiana) and we had no problem with it while in Maui last year (even in Hana!). I found it funny that we weren't even roaming...and yet we go to some neighboring small town in Indiana and will be on roam!

But the problem is that Verizon doesn't offer the newest Blackberry's and I plan to get one soon. It seemed the Cingular or T Mobile offered the latest versions. So I guess I will need to get service with them and just keep our other cell phones with Verizon for now. (With a family of four kids, we have a few!)

Do you live on Maui, or visit? Thanks again!

Rodni

No, we live here--lucky we live Maui!

Verizon is the only service that works east Maui. Those who live Hana have Verizon. For me, I don't want my phone to work when we are on that side--I go there to hide out. It can be an inconvenience if you work on that side though.

Cingular has a nice nation plan with unlimited mobile-to-mobile. My daughter in CA, my parents in FL, my friends in other states--we all have Cingular which means we can talk anytime without using our daytime minutes. That is rather sweet.

Indiana to Maui? That should be a bit of a culture shock.

Indiana, in itself, has been a bit of a culture shock!

I'm originally from Florida, then came to Indiana for residency and now plan to practice on Maui. We leave in 3 weeks!

Do you have any advice for the move? We have a condo at first, and then plan to look for a home...possibly Haiku or Kula. Any thoughts?

Thanks again!

Can't wait to live Maui too! Where did you move from?

Also, you said the phone itself has a lot to do with the reception. Which phones have you found to have the best reception? Thanks.

Rodni

Unfortunately any phone I have that gets good reception is no longer a current model! I have a Motorla v6 that gets a good signal, but they don't sell that one anymore. I'm shopping for a new phone now. It's tough cause unless I can take the phone down Lipoa, up Ha`iku Road, around the Point, I can't tell if it gets a better signal than the others.

I have sprint, and checked on their website and they CLAIM to have cverage all throughout the various islands, does anyone have experiances with a newer model phone working well throughout their trip?

I'm with you fdecarlo! I haven't owned a phone in 4 years and I like it that way!

In the small office that I share with about 12 other people, in addition to the 'house' phone(s), and the patient buzzer(for the restroom), various other rings, buzzes, music goes off over and over again (Why don't people put their phones on mute when their not going to be around to answer it?!).

On the other hand, DH has one that comes in handy once in awhile, so what are ya gonna do?? Belle.