That's exactly what I was thinking.  The Nokia models will offer the best
reception, period.  But if reception isn't at least adequate to begin with,
the only solution is to switch to a different cell carrier.  -Dave

Just an update, I did finally manage to reach retention and they gave me
some
pretty decent options with the guarantee that if they don't work, they can
back
everything out and put us back to where we are now without any cost
(including
back to the ATTWS plan we have now from a Cingular plan).  They did point
out
that our current phone are only operating on one half of their cell system
(the ATT
side) and that by switching phones and plans we'll also be operating off
Cingular
towers as well (I sort of thought GSM was GSM in this case, and that we had
access to both types of towers, but they started saying something about a
32K
SIM card vs. a 64K).  Basically they offered me the 6230 for $39 or a 6620
for
$179 or a RAZR for $199, not amazing, but they did mention they could give a
credit for 1 month of service of any type free with a nod and a wink
suggesting I
pick the most expensive ($299/mo), they give me the $299 credit immediately
then I switch plans to the one I really want in a couple of days ($79 plan)
so
that effectively gives me a free RAZR.  The wife though of course just wants
to elect to take the free v551 they've offered (after mail in rebate), wants
me
to take the $39 6230, take the $220 in additional credit and call it a day.
Of
course if this doesn't work, we're probably screwed anyway, what were we
thinking moving onto an island?!?!?  Cingular pulled up their maps and said
the
nearest tower is 3 miles away with all sorts of crap in between us and the
tower
location on the mainland.  T-Mob is non-existant and local residents tell us
Verizon is BAD and Cingular is the company they've had the best luck with.
Great.

The way I finally got to customer retention was to try 866-CINGULAR
twice and tell the bozos what I wanted.  They gave me crap offers and
said that was the best I'd get, including from customer retention and that
retention couldn't offer me anything additional.  They always ask why you
want to talk to retention then try to avoid connecting you.  The THIRD
time I called, told the CSR I did not like the attitude I got from the first
two CSRs I spoke with and they were doing nothing for me and that
I was going to cancel my service if they didn't put me through.  I was
told 'please hold', then 'I have retention on the line with you, thank you'.
Retention is bending over backwards now to help me, the person I'm
working with is an angel.  Finally!!!!!!