DCist: Expanded Metro Cell Phone Service Within One Year?

Q

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:22:17 -0500

I've heard Verizon phone service is spotty for a couple of coworkers. When I had a long ride to Greenbelt from King St. late at night one of the trains that left down that way going all the way to Greenbelt I got my EVDO card to connect on my computer but the signal was very inconsistent and dropped out a lot.

jennx

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:34:36 -0500

It would be great if they could somehow limit the service to texting only. I have Verizon and never ever try to have an actual conversation while on metro-- not only because it's impossible (signal goes in and out and completely drops frequently) but because it's like totally fucking rude to make everyone else listen to you debate with your SO what to eat for dinner. But I do soooo love to text when I'm bored on metro. Occasionally for practical stuff ("pick me up in 10 min cuz it's late and I don't feel like getting mugged tonight"), but mostly I'm texting about what people around me are saying/wearing.

tribepridewm

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:43:00 -0500

While having cell phone reception on the metro would be great, I sort of like being able to use the excuse "Sorry, I was on the Metro," when I don't pick up my phone.

ak444

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:35:23 -0500

IGAS

MikeB

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:34:46 -0500

Well, on the upside I suppose this could help boost the quality of contributions to Overheard in DC.

Disco Stu

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:17:22 -0500

I get Sprint in the Tubes, but not as good as Verizon

thatgirl

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:09:06 -0500

I have the new Instinct from Sprint, and have pretty good service everywhere, although, when I'm on a train *and* at a station, or at a station *and* a train is approaching, I can't send messages, or load webpages. Otherwise, it's peachy. Oh, also, I don't talk on the phone on the metro. So, not sure about dropping calls or what not.

ChickenArise

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:03:28 -0500

I get no service underground with Sprint and roaming disabled.

UrsusMajeure

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:59:42 -0500

"Will Metro designate cell phone cars?" Or Metro could emulate Amtrak and designate 'quiet cars' - ie, no cell phone conversations, no shrieking sh*tfaced LNS'ers, no touristic throngs with screaming children. Only downside would be the extra mental strain on the already hopelessly confused tourists and summer interns.

ClydeMnestra

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:59:42 -0500

I have a vaguely related question. Has anyone else *stopped* receiving email alerts from Metro about train delays and so forth? Mine seem to have ceased since sometime in early September, and I have even tried to re-enroll for them. It's hard for me to believe that there haven't been any delays, given that I was stuck for 40 minutes in one.

jstreet

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:55:08 -0500

I had Sprint about 2 years ago on a Sanyo VM-4500 -- voice-only (no SMS) worked well-enough on the platform or in a stationary car, but didn't work well at all in a moving train. Then again, last year I had Verizon and never bothered trying to carry on with a conversation in a moving train, because while it worked better than Sprint, it still dropped a hell of a lot of times.

erahk0

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:49:35 -0500

Great! more fonees. looking foward to the cacophony on the trains next year. Will Metro designate cell phone cars?

flapjack

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:47:08 -0500

My phone is a very basic no thrills kinda phone. I don't have any of that fancy web browsing stuff. I probably should upgrade but I hate Sprint so they're not getting anymore of my money.

dmonner

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:41:58 -0500

@flapjack: As I understand it, you need a phone capable of receiving EVDO signals in order to roam on Verizon's network with Sprint service. I've been using a Centro with Sprint for the last year and generally get excellent service in stations and spotty service in tunnels, the latter being just fine for texting or web browsing but not great for calls.

flapjack

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:38:26 -0500

I have never once gotten a signal in the tunnels with Sprint. Never ever ever. Ever.