Wash. DC area!! Who do you prefer: Cingular or T-Mobile service?

[changingmyways33]

My friend just got a used Cingular BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) 8800 from a relative. I was going to get it unlocked for him, but I'm wondering if Cingular will have better coverage. He travels outside of the DC area about 8 to 10 times a year. To get all the services he wants (900 to 1000 anytime minutes, Unlimited Email and Internet, Unlimited Text, Nights and weekends) it will cost $72 with T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) and $104 with Cingular. The monthly plan charges are not that much of a big deal since this will be his only phone (Who uses house phones anymore? Some people do for faxes but I would just get smartfax.com). COVERAGE!!!! T-Mobile has been a coin toss lately. Sometimes you get the service you require, and then sometimes you get the loud "call fail" tone in your ear. Anybody with an experienced opinion can answer this but prefer to hear from those that have/ have had BOTH services.

Thanks!

NOVICE man
Yes, I do know about the 30 day money back guarantee with Cingular. I would like to get experienced opinions as well as test the service for 30 days. There might be a dead spot with Cingular that he forgets to test in the 30 days.

[floozy1976]

Just lived there and I had cingular, my husband had verizon. They both were spotty but the Verizon (NYSE: VZ) was slightly better overall. So if cingular can't even beat verizon, I would go with the T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) and know that you can cancel in the first three days if, say, it doesn't work inside your house - that was what was wrong with my Cingular service. Good luck.

[Michael M]

A friedn used to work in Ashington DC and lived in suburban Virginia. She has T Mobile and very happy with the service. I hope this helps you out.