<p>I used Verizon and was always very happy and always had service (I can cuont the times on one or two hands in four years where I didnt have service). There’s the most coverage on campus so its reliable, and there’s also a few Verizon stores close enough to campus, which is also a good thing. </p>
<p>As for text messaging, I only had one professor who said we could use text messaging and it was more to text him if we weren’t making it to class, but not to text us any updates. For my last year I had a blackberry, which definitely wasn’t necessary, but I liked having it because I had my texts/emails/blackberry messages in one place that was always with me. it was also especially handy for last minute emails from profs either canceling class or urging you to bring something or whatever. as for texting, it is by far my most preferred mode of communication (along w/ blackberry msg), and that’s the case with a lot of people (because a text is simple, direct, and you can answer it at your convenience which is handy when people are busy during the day at different points), and a lot of people have unlimited or close to it texting plans so they send texts without really thinking whether or not the person they’re texting has a plan to accommodate it. as for a landline, i had one first semester freshman year and only used it once or twice. it’s a waste of money if you have a cell phone. </p>
<p>As for the iphone, check first to see if the 3G coverage exists in the area, because although you can turn off the option apparently, it is an expense that may not be entirely necessary until the coverage gets added. if you’re looking for a smartphone that’s going to have email etc on it and you’re international, look into a blackberry. but as i’ve mentioned, a smartphone isn’t necessary by any means, i just found it handy but now i can’t really live without it.</p>
<p>oh i also think you can get phone plans on campus in oit, but i think the selections of phones and prices are better if you go to the company’s store off campus.</p>