<p>I understand that it may be a while before the 2010 class may start using cell phones. I am reviewing our cell phone plans and I wanted to factor in the reception at KP into the decision.</p>
<p>We've used both Verizon & Cingular, both seem to get pretty good coverage. My son's phone has always been Verizon, he thinks it works better than the rest overall. There seem so be some spotty areas on campus no matter which carrier you use, though.</p>
<p>how is T-mobile? if its bad i should get my dad to gripe at t-mobile (he works there)</p>
<p>We have had excellent coverage with Verizon -- we have the nationwide plan and have heard from our mid when 60 miles off the coasts while at sea with no extra charges. Just something to keep in mind. Also -- if you can find an old verizon analog phone -- that works the best at sea. They do not sell them but the wear like iron and receive signals well. (I think the one she carries is called a STARTAC).</p>
<p>We use Sprint/Nextel and walkie talkie back and forth to the academy with no problem. They have a tower on campus, but even so, there are dead spots (& the dorms are noisy). The voicemail feature is great as we can leave messages. Also heard from son when he was in visual distance to the US coast on run from Charleston to Houston.</p>
<p>Alltell here. We used them because the whole family has alltell & the Mid can call us all for free anytime. Good reception & no lost connections too often. He calls from within his room as long as he's close to the window. Better reception at the end of the hall. LOL So it sounds like all of them work ok. I get a funny picture in my head of Mids standing on their heads with foil on their feet, trying for a better connection. Alltell also has a new plan where they can call for free to any cell phone subscriber at any time. Don't know the details so check it out.</p>
<p>pretty much every service works alright but some only work when you're right next to the window or at the end of the hall like jamzmom said her kid does. i have cingular and i have to be almost touching my window for it to work and if i get more than a foot away from my window i lose service, but most services arent that bad</p>
<p>Hey Weski, doesn't it crack you up with all the background noise? Announcements & people screaming. Kinda reminds me of a prison movie I saw the other night.... :P What is all that noise? Somebody runs by a room & just lets out an indian warhoop bloody murder scream for the hey of it. Then you hear a loud speaker with some muffled voice that not a soul is listening too. I always say, "What the heck was that?" And the answer is always, "What? I didn't hear anything". Its truly funny. </p>
<p>You kids are crazy loud. I'd be deaf by the time I left. LOL</p>
<p>Funny - they can sleep through it all as well! Cellphones have certainly changed the dynamics of the academies - everywhere students have their cell phones. Standing or sitting in random corners talking - or calling each other sorting out logistics. While not mandatory, they certainly make life easier for everyone! Especially for calling for carryout chinese or pizza ;)</p>
<p>JM, </p>
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Kinda reminds me of a prison movie I saw the other night.... :P
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<p>its 3rd Co, what do expect?</p>
<p>You also have to consider the surrounding area, as your mid will be going out on liberty to NYC. In the city, every cell phone is going to have great service, and I think with the sheer size of Verizon Wireless that you have great coverage in this area. That being said, I use Verizon on campus. If I step outside I get full service, if I am in my room I usually get a couple bars when I sit at my desk. I don't know about the other companies but Verizon does work well.</p>
<p>Oh LFWB, you know you can't make fun of my bad boys of co 3. It takes a mom to love 'em. Everybody needs an 'animal house' including USMMA. They make life interesting. Except I swear I see blood in the recognition photos. I just keep sending those band-aids & stitch yourself up kits.</p>
<p>I just switched two months ago from T-mobile, which didn't work at all here on campus, to Nextel. I can now use my phone in my room whenever. PLEBES: Calling is only permitted on sundays however after 2200 you can shut your door and anthing goes then. Also, as the year wears on few people will care whatsoever if you use your phone during the week.</p>
<p>JM finds the old tin can and string to be very effective in communicating with her mid. :D</p>
<p>The Academy is now providing all Mids with access to SKYPE. It is an internet phone service which lets the Mids call anywhere in the US for FREE. No cell phone minutes to keep track of!! The only problem is now there is no limit to "girlfriend talk time" which can interfere with studies!</p>
<p>This is a very interesting development - does this mean the school finally got its big T1 lines installed?</p>
<p>Yes they did, late last year. There is a movement afoot to get them to put up webcams during INDOC in certain areas (like the waterfront) so that web enabled family might see what goes on and possibly catch a glimpse of their P/C.</p>
<p>In theory, the website has 2 webcams which don't work. It would be entertaining to have one on the waterfront and one on the grinder.</p>
<p>I'm kinda glad they didn't have that last year. I never would have left the house. If they get it up & running this year, I'll be there! Talk about entertaining! You incoming Plebe Candidates, wave at us! On second thought, no maybe don't.</p>
<p>According to one official on camppus, the reason that the webcams do not work is because the Mids do not wnt them to. They do not necessarily like being "spied" upon. Something alway seems to "go wrong" with the web cams soon after they are reset or repaired.</p>