What is the deal with cell phones and cell phone company plans and services?

I've been trying to do my homework, and unfortunately the cell phones that look really cool with the best features are not usable where I live. verizon seems to have the coolest, with T-mobile next. I can get an iphone here, but the others seem better. Unfortunately, no coverage here for either company. Why can't you just pick a phone you like and it work with a different company?

Looks aren't everything when it comes to phones; you need to look at functionality and whether or not the phone will do what you need it to. In regards to coverage the problem is that in order to avoid any wireless company from becoming a monopoly the FCC will not allow any carrier in the USA have coverage everywhere so all the carriers will have areas where they are stronger and weaker; the key is to look at who has the best coverage for the are you are in and where you will be using the phone then start looking at phones and rate plans.

You can also do what many people have started doing which is to buy the phone they want unlocked to use on the carrier of their choice. The upside is greater variety but you will pay more for the phone, will have problems with higher data services (anything outside of calls and text basically) and limited support at best (the manufacturer will support any phone functions and settings as well as warranty and the wireless carrier will only provide support for billing and ensuring the network services are working properly). Also remember that if you are going to get an unlocked phone you will need one that uses the same technology as your carrier, GSM for AT&T and T-Mobile CDMA for Verizon and Sprint, and that the phone has the 850/1900mhz bandwidths used in North America.

Well darling it seems that your looking at its prettyness only,

see the way cell phones work is Basically very simple.

think of it this way babe, Verizon Has the most cell phone towers in the whole United States and then ATT next.

The Difference is relaly shocking, because verizon runs off of 2 to 3 frequencys as ATT has only 2 and thats that :(

Your T-Mobile Is Much Much Worse sexy, as they are owned by a German TeleCommunications Company:( and they have spotty coverage at best :( They use the SIM card Technology and Verizon and Sprint and Cricket Dont, They Use a System Called CDMA. My Suggestion is Look it up and Get Familiar with your area and their coverage map also. Anymore Questions feel free to Hit me up as I am The Professor :) HE HE Good Luck Baby, Verizon and ATT Are my Choice of Carriers Solely :)

I am also searching for the new models at low price with best features. Does any one are familiar with cell phone brands please let me know. I would like to suggest one site 'only4deals.com' where we can make at low prices as my friend suggested but i have't go through through though the site.

I agree with the two answers above me. In your case I'd say brains before beauty...as in functionality. You just gotta take the best you can get. Not sure where you've been doing your research, but a good place to compare plans and phones is http://www.telecyte.net/cellular.html

You can also look into getting an unlocked phone there. Hope this helped.

This seems to be a pretty good phone company called Nextiva. or so i've heard. (haven't used it myself though. waiting for t-mobile contract to end).

There are many cell phones to choose from.You have lots of option.take a look at this.