I have Verizon, and I love it. I've never been anywhere where I can't get a usable signal (something I can't say about Cingular), and though it's the priciest provider I've found (other than prepaid), it's well worth it. The text messaging, to me, isn't worth it. I always used my text messaging to send and receive messages mainly between myself and email addresses, and with AT&T, it cost nothing to receive. Verizon now charges 10 cents, and all the free messages to other VzW customers in the world doesn't make up for that.
Despite their claims of being the largest mobile provider in America (a claim based solely on their number of customers), Cingular has a long way to go to have anywhere near the coverage of Verizon. But if Verizon doesn't offer service in your area, try Alltel. Since they run on the same technology and most of the same towers, I would rate them a close #2. In fact, if it weren't for the fact they couldn't give me a local number, I would be with them right now and paying $25 less a month.
