Thanks to everyone for your responses.
As I mentioned, in my area, GSM coverage still hasn't reached maturity yet as there's still a lot of dead zones, especially in my neighborhood, so my choice is: going with Verizon (which uses CDMA) or AT&T, who offer you a choice between GSM or TDMA service. GSM may be the wave of the near future but coverage is currently spotty, and TDMA provides good area coverage NOW, because it's been around for so long (over 12 years). I like Verizon (they use CDMA) and are known in the industsry as providing the BEST coverage nationwide) but their rates (at least here in the Bay Area) suck. Their local calling area plan rate is MUCH higher than AT&Ts (TDMA) similarly equivilant plan, and Verizon's DOESN"T even INCLUDE free long distance as AT&T does.

I'm currently auditioning the AT&T (TDMA type service) cell phone on a 14 day free trial and finding both the price and signal coverage throughout my area (East Bay) very good, and dramatically improved over the AT&T 'GSM' phone I auditioned earlier. My concern is whether going with a 'TDMA' type cell phone may result in outdated service sooner than later, as I hear (rumor?) that TDMA will be eventually phased out & completely REPLACED by GSM. The problem with cell phone carriers is that to get a real good deal (free phone & expensive activasion fees waived), you got to commit to a 2 year contract. If AT&T will be willing to migrate me over to GSM at a later date (9-12 months or after GSM towers become more implemented here) and not penalize me, as that means switching to a GSM phone & GSM service, I may go with AT&T TDMA phone service. Curious to hear what the cell phone experts here think about the TDMA/GSM issue. In closing, I realize many of you may be thinking this cell phone thing to be OT, but it's actually become an essential tool for gigging musicians. I'm quickly realizing that we can't live w/o one; just gotta remember to turn the dammed ringer off when performing.

Scott