I just wanted to give an update on the Cricket service of the Memphis area. Although I have had a few problems with my Cricket phone, I do know they have improved their service by leaps and bounds over the last year.

My roommate got a Cricket phone right after they came to Memphis. His experience was HORRIBLE! All of the things I have read about the service was happening to him, and they all happen all the time. But things have changed. . . .

A friend of mine got a Cricket phone when the second calling package came out, the Cricket Talk plan (includes several features including 500 min of long distance). He wasnt having much trouble at all. Said he had a few problems with service, dropped calls, no call routed to phone even when it was on, but all in all it wasnt bad for what he was paying. Granted you think you are going to pay 39.99 but with all the taxes and stuff you end up paying into the 50s easily.

Now on to me.... I hooked up with Cricket service on the first of December 2002, mainly because to increase my package with AT&T it was going to cost me around 30 bucks more anyway to get the number of minutes I needed. Plus Cricket had a cool phone, the Nokia 8270. I had no problems hooking up or programming my phone. I did the 32.99 unlimited calling plan because there is no contract like the other plan (12 months). Only added caller ID, which brings my bill including taxes to around 45.00 a month. I have good service unless I use a headset, and then I get a few complaints with the people I am on the phone with. Dont know if its the phone/service/or just me yet. I have had good service everywhere in the city where they say they do-- except one place, I-240 between Lamar and Airways. Have a dropped call there almost every time. The call just wont hand off to the next tower (probably cause its so full (that is a hood area, LOL)). I will give Cricket a few more months to get their act totally in order and to get my finances in order so I can just get more minutes on my other phone, but until then, all in all for what I pay and not have to worry about going over minutes, its a decent way to go. Not to mention Im not going to have to break a contract.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 45.00/mo.