I originally got my cell back in the mid 90's when it was still Pac Bell Wireless. In the last year coverage has increased substantially, and I very rarely have dead spots anymore. I have service where other Cingular customers have problems, so the phone apparently does make a difference. If your phone is over a year or so old, you should replace it because they've added more frequencies. I'm also finding that the basic phone seems to have better coverage than the fancier ones. Since they added the new tower in John Morgan Park, I now even get service inside the building at my office so it has definitely helped in Campbell. I even have service in almost all of Rancho San Antonio when I'm all the way at the back of the canyon. I think they've caught up with Verizon here in the valley.