Yes, I Can! answers the slogan in the Verizon commercials where the geeky Verizon guy asks, "Can you hear me now?" Well, I get great reception with no drops, now.

I had upgraded to a Blackberry 8703 smartphone with USCellular in the November of 2007, excited about being able to use 1 device for phone and organizer and also getting ability to respond to emails and do some light surfing.

Most of that worked ok most of the time, but I had a big problem with drops when in my office cubicle. This had never happened with lesser phones but the Blackberry would drop calls frequently.

So, when I found that USCellular now had prorated cancellation fees and mine was $60, I set out to get something different.

I was intrigued with the Blackberry Storm, as I did not like the little buttons on the 8703. I'll review the Storm later - it's a great phone and organizer, great for surfing; not so hot for heavy keyboard input.

Well, Verizon was the only vendor with the Storm. A colleague on my floor had one and said that she had no problems with reception, so I got the Storm for me ($199 plus tax) and a Samsumg 430U for my wife. They were offering 2 for 1 on Blackberries, but my wife, who is disabled, needs a basic phone that is easy to use, light with big buttons.

Verizon's plans are expensive but really deliver value. I had a choice between a monthly 900 minute plan for $69.99 or a 1400 minute plan for $89.99 that included unlimited calls to 10 non-Verizon domestic numbers specifid by myself. Phones on the plan are not charged for calling each other. There are no rollover minutes. I went with the 1400 minute plan as it would permit me to ramp up the calls to the 10 phone numbers. These will include home (long conversations during drive time), my parents (in a nursing home about an hour and a half away) office (check voice mail on morning drive). The unlimited surfing Blackberry service was an additional $29.99 a month. I'm paying $4.99 a month for insurance on the Blackberry. Activation fees would have been charged but they were waived as I ordered over the phone. I don't like the fact that charges are billed in advance, but I'll get than back if I ever leave them. Txt messages are not included; many can be bought in $5 blocks.

Coverage has been wonderful. I have had no static and no drops. To me, that is real important, as I run my music teaching and performing business off my cell phone and organizer. It has to work consistently and well. Verizon has lived up to their commercials on this.

I have also been very pleased with customer service. Transferring the phone numbers from USCellular to Verizon went smoothly and the department that did that was helpful. Techincal support and customer service have also been helpful when I have called. The level of training and attention to detail has been noticeable. They Verizon folks are trainined to restate the reason for the call at the end and ask if all questions were answered. USCellular did neither and the restating is something I have rarely encountered elsewhere.

Verizon also has several stores  in the area. I visited one to get help with navigation and I got great help right away.

So, expensive plans, but outstanding service with no drops makes it worth it.

5 stars.

Thanks for reading. God bless!

I have a new, live CD release. Samples are on my profile page.Please check out my music online at www.jazzobsession.com

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Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 130