wow, really depends on where you live. For example, Verizon in my area SUCKS. Cingular is one of the best here, but I know Cingular SUCKS in California and maybe even in your area.
Check the area and coverage that best suits you. I had verizon before I left back in sept and told them my situation and they would not give me a monthly contract. I told them about me heading to Iraq and it still didn't matter, So much for supporting our troops so I said Fu to verizon. My mom added me to her cingular plan and they where more than willing to help but here was the catch with them.
I have a map of all there coverage area and even when I was in the area I was roaming. My first cingular bill 860.00. Talk about wanting to shoot someone. Now they made the correction and I only paid 32.00 but they following month the same thing occured again 750.00 this time they charged me 80.00 go figure. By the way I have free roaming. There customer sevice is ok but you have to argue with about 9 different people to get something resolved. I am still pissed about paying 80.00 when I should have only paid 32.00. I have been to 6 different states since I left in sept and am roaming constantly even though it shows coverage everywhere I have been. Now I have not been billed incorrectly anymore. But all I can say is watch out for price gouging becasue they all will stick it to ya if they can.