I'm looking a cell phone plan with the following basic features.  I don't care about any fancy bells and whistles, just the following basics:

1) Ability to use voice, text, and check messages wherever I have coverage in CONUS (current Cingular plan does not allow me sent text when roaming)

2) Reasonable charges while roaming

3) I prefer a pre-paid plan, but am willing to consider a monthly plan if it is inexpensive enough.  I really don't use my cell phone much, but when I do, I need it to work.

4) Something compatible with my current phone.  (Or do you need to buy a new phone if you change plans?)

Any suggestions?

According to my informal search, TracFone (and perhaps their Net10 subsidiary) is the only company that has contracts to use several different networks in the same area. The rest of the wireless companies either use their own network exclusively (Sprint/Nextel, Verizon, Cingular, T-Mobile, etc.), or have contracts to 'piggyback' on only one of these same networks.

Theoretically, this should TracFone give more reliable coverage in any particular area. TracFone's phones are also quite cheap (20 bucks for a basic Nokia or 40 bucks for a Motorola flip-phone), but their pre-paid cards can be pricey (as much as 40 cents a minute). There really isn't much point in keeping your old phone, since the new one is almost free anyway.

Quoted:1) Ability to use voice, text, and check messages wherever I have coverage in CONUS (current Cingular plan does not allow me sent text when roaming) 2) Reasonable charges while roaming

that sounds odd.  

cingular does not charge for roaming on any "recent" plan..

not being able to text while using a roaming partner tells me you are using a TDMA phone


what cingular plan do you have

Quoted: what cingular plan do you have

Pre-paid.