Cell phone opinions/options

[dougsweetser at gmail.com (Doug)]

Hello:

No one in my family calls me because I do not have a cell phone for
immediate connection.  So I may just get a cell phone to increase
family communication.  I am sure lots of folks here have cell phones,
and opinions on cell phones, so feel free to get on a soap box.  Here
is my current assessment.

Verizon is the big fish in the tank.  They have the best network which
means the fewest dropped calls, and connections from remote places. 
T-mobile is digital and international, using the same technology but
different frequencies in Europe.  The plans for T-mobile average $10
less per month than Verizon.  The GSM phones used by T-mobile might be
more consistent in quality because they are digital throughout,but
drop more due to network coverage being somewhat lighter.

I want to ignore this device as much as possible, so great battery
life is a good thing.  Consumer reports therefore favors GSM over the
Verizon phones.  Apparently there is no antenna that cranks up the
reception for a GSM phone.  Is there one for a Verizon phone?

What whistle or bell to people use on their phones?  The ones I saw
were: speaker phone, camera, bluetooth wireless connections, mp3, FM
radio.

Thanks,
doug