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Verizon Wireless

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At a Glance


CNET editors' take

Reviewed by: Kent German
Reviewed on 2/20/07   

Editor's note: Because evaluating wireless coverage requires experience with the network in a wide variety of physical locations, CNET does not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our User opinions section--the more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.

Verizon Wireless is the biggest CDMA carrier in the United States. It was one of the first to offer a 3G network, and it launched the first mobile TV network for a carrier. A joint venture between Verizon Communications and Vodafone, Verizon Wireless was formed in 2000 through a merger between GTE Wireless and Bell Atlantic; Verizon is the second-largest U.S. carrier after AT&T. Although its phone lineup was once limited and somewhat ordinary, in the past two years it has grown rapidly to include several popular, high-end handsets.

Things you should know:

Fast facts:

  AT&T T-Mobile Sprint Nextel Verizon Wireless
Coverage map AT&T coverage map T-Mobile coverage map Sprint Nextel coverage map Verizon Wireless coverage map
Technology GSM; GPRS; EDGE GSM; GPRS: EDGE CDMA; 1xRTT; iDEN CDMA; 1xRTT
3G network Yes, UMTS, EV-DO No (coming in 2007) Yes, EV-DO Yes, EV-DO
Data plans Yes Yes Yes Yes
Streaming video network Yes, AT&T Video No Yes, Sprint Power Vision Yes, Verizon V Cast
Music download service Yes, AT&T Music No Yes, Sprint Music Store Yes, V Cast Wireless Music
Push-to-Talk Available, depending on phone model No Available, depending on phone model Available, depending on phone model
Analog roaming No No Yes Yes
Prepay plans Yes Yes No Yes
Family plans Yes Yes Yes Yes


  U.S. Cellular Alltel MetroPCS
Coverage map U.S. Cellular coverage map Alltel coverage map MetroPCS coverage map
Technology CDMA; 1xRTT CDMA; 1xRTT CDMA; 1xRTT
3G network No Yes, EV-DO No
Data plans Yes Yes No
Streaming video network No Yes No
Music download service No No No
Push-to-Talk Available, depending on phone model Available, depending on phone model No
Analog roaming Yes Yes Yes
Prepay plans Yes Yes No
Family plans Yes Yes No


Buying choices

for Verizon Wireless from online stores:
Please see CNET's Cell phone plan finder to purchase a phone with Verizon Wireless service.

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