Sources: Comcast To Sever Involvement With Pivot → Re: Why Pivot Flopped

Sprint, VZW, and Alltel almost have the same size network. They're all partnered together for roaming. One's network is not the issue. It was the pricing for the most part.

This had nothing to do with the network, and everything to do with the pricing model.

VZW *has* no roaming charges (and with their network coverage, their customers have little reason to roam). You must mean Sprint and AllTel.

Yeah, that must be what they mean . It also could be the reason why every summer at our boy scout summer camp session, mom's and dad's ask what service works in the areas we go to (between the 2 camps). It's always the same answer. Altel, Sprint and Nextel. If you have TM, AT&T, forget it though TRAC phones work ok. VZW, it's funny to see the boys walking in circles trying to get a signal during our allowed "communications period". At best, some get "roaming on enhanced network". Meanwhile I'm getting EVDO speed weax updates on my phone (Sanyo MM7500). That's why I've stayed with Sprint. Been to some backwoods areas so I'm not convinced that anyone can offer anything better, even at the same price . But if I was REALLY worried and wanted 100% coverage with no price restrictions, I'll just get a satellite phone.

Just because a cell provider doesnt charge roaming doesnt mean it won't. They can eat those. But VZW does roam with Sprint in Alltel. I don't know how you figure they never roam. I can tell you 1 city in MI (adrian) that VZW has on "extended network" better known as roaming. All companies eat roaming. Just some do not eat it in certain areas where they do not have roaming agreements for.