Quality of Cricket Service

**georgejones54** · 08-28-2006 05:51 PM

I'm in Texas, and I just recently heard about Cricket. I understand the limited coverage area, but it would suffice for 95+% of my calls. There's TravelTime or other options for the other <5%.

Anyway, how good is the quality of service in new areas? If there is anyone on here with service in San Antonio and/ or New Braunfels, that is the area I am specifically interested in, but I am interested in feedback on previous new areas. The Cricket web site shows service in these areas, but of course they do not show the quality of service (i.e. signal strength, likelihood of dropped calls, etc.) that you only get by asking other users.

The below are secondary questions that I can ask Cricket directly, but I'll ask anyway in case folks know.

If I sign up for service in one Cricket area (e.g. say my local calling area is San Antonio), do I get unlimited calling if I go into another area/ state?

What is the cost of Travel Time? On the web site they mention $5 for 30 minutes (i.e. 16.7 cents/min) on the splash page, but they mention $0.59 in the FAQ. Is the FAQ just out of date, or is there a catch to the $5/ 30 min? Rather, if I use 100 minutes of Travel Time, would it cost me $59 or $20 (4 - 30 minute chunks needed to get 100 minutes)?

BTW, I'm glad I finally found this forum. It does not come up at the top of Google searches when searching for 'Cricket wireless forums' (no quotes in search), and there is not a lot of info on the web about Cricket yet.

**georgejones54** · 08-30-2006 11:39 PM

I spoke with the Cricket store, and I got my latter two questions answered. Travel Time minutes are $5 for 30 minutes. The FAQ is out of date on the website. Unlimited minutes apply in any Cricket network area (i.e. green area on coverage map). This is how every other network works now, but I had read other sites saying unlimited minutes only applied to your local area.

Also, if you are just looking for phone service/ text messaging and you have a CDMA phone (e.g. Sprint), then you can get your phone flashed at a Cricket store. You will likely not be able to upload pictures or be able to use the web. Just another option to be aware of. If you bring your own phone already ready for Cricket, then you do not save any money. In other words, don't fall for the eBay listings offering to flash your phone.

If anyone can comment on the quality of Cricket service in your area, it would be much appreciated.

**cricket** · 08-31-2006 12:28 AM

Thanks for the updates and welcome to the board.

The service in my area is great. It's actually better than it was when I had US Cellular. No complaints at all from me.

**heyitsgonzo** · 08-31-2006 04:48 PM

I'm in San Antonio & if you live here its a pretty big coverage area. It extends way past all the little towns surrounding SA. Heck I think it goes all the way up to Austin & Kileen.

But if you live in SA have you considered POCKET. Its a tad cheaper. Put it this way if you travel north of SA go Cricket if you go South go POCKET.

**georgejones54** · 09-03-2006 12:06 PM

heyitsgonzo,

I noticed Pocket because they have a store in the local HEB grocery store. My wife and travel to Austin fairly regularly. I work in Austin and we lived there for >10 years. I actually learned about Cricket while researching Pocket.

Have you had any issues with dropped calls or spotty service?

We are coming from Sprint, so that's my reference point (definitely a few dropped calls especially when driving). Sprint is bad about dropped calls when switching cell towers because they force you to stay with the same cell tower instead of switching to the cell tower 200 feet away from you. From a coverage perspective, we are taking a 5 to 7 year step back, but it's hard to pass up the savings.

**heyitsgonzo** · 09-05-2006 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by georgejones54

heyitsgonzo,

I noticed Pocket because they have a store in the local HEB grocery store. My wife and travel to Austin fairly regularly. I work in Austin and we lived there for >10 years. I actually learned about Cricket while researching Pocket.

Have you had any issues with dropped calls or spotty service?

We are coming from Sprint, so that's my reference point (definitely a few dropped calls especially when driving). Sprint is bad about dropped calls when switching cell towers because they force you to stay with the same cell tower instead of switching to the cell tower 200 feet away from you. From a coverage perspective, we are taking a 5 to 7 year step back, but it's hard to pass up the savings.

Coverage has been really good. Haven't had any spotty coverage areas yet. Well except that I went to Medina Lake this weekend and my friends with Sprint phone only got coverage. But if your going to Austin alot then Cricket is perfect for you. Cause the coverage area runs all the way up IH35 to Austin.

And thats weird I was with Sprint for 3 years and never had problems with drop calls. I still love Sprint.

**georgejones54** · 09-06-2006 04:08 PM

Well, we switched my wife's phone over from Sprint finally (my phone is being transferred to my employer's carrier).

The phone has worked great so far with the only issue being that Cricket's coverage stops about 500 feet from our house in New Braunfels. My wife still wants to stick with the service. It works great in San Antonio just like heyitsgonzo said.

One update about the TravelTime. The folks at the Cricket store in Austin and the ones at the Cricket store in San Antonio had conflicting stories about TravelTime. One said that I could buy 30 minute chunks for $5 each. The other said that only the first 30 minutes could be purchased for $5, and this had to be done at the beginning of the month. Each additional minute has to be purchased for $0.59.

If anyone else has real-world explanations, I would appreciate some clarification. Emails sent to Cricket last week have not be replied to yet.

**alegoje** · 09-09-2006 04:31 PM

It has been excellent in Houston, Texas so far... I am in a similar situation, I use the Bucket option whenever I need to go somewhere, which happens not very often. Or when I need to call long distance as I have chosen a plan without it (have free long distance at home).

I recommend it!

Alejandro

**CricketRules** · 09-10-2006 05:29 PM

well. i used to have cingular and where i lived i had TERRIBLE service. but with cricket,i suusally have one or two bars where i live since it is not a place with good receptoin with any com pany but danggg ONE BAR FROM CRICKET= LIKE FIVE FROM CINGULAR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN BARS WITH CRICKET UNLESS YOU ARE SENDING A PIC MESSAGE. THE QUALITY IS PERFECT. ALL DIGITAL.

**duverney317** · 09-16-2006 04:42 PM

here in Houston I always get all 5 bars and it i get coverage all the way to the lil "hick" towns in Texas like Willis and Conroe. But all ova Houston I get signal and houston is big as hell... like 4th largest city in country.. which makes cricket a incredible deal in Houston.