So any peeps, especially LA peeps, or peeps who've spent time here, we're looking to move from a pay-as-you-go cell phone to some real phones and phone contracts. What networks are good, what networks should we avoid?

I've been pretty happy with Cingular for a few years now. Kristin and I are both on it.

I currently use Cingular, and am pretty happy with them as well. I think I'm about to switch to T-Mobile, though, because if you're willing to settle for a super-slow connection, you can get unlimited internet on T-Mobile for $7 a month, whereas Cingular charges me $45 a month to connect on my new Treo 680 (which is unlocked, so I can switch with no problem). Admittedly, I'm one of those people who uses the internet/texting a LOT more than the actual phone part of the phone.

I'm so pissed at Cingular right now. I'm staying pay-as-you-go and switching to T-Mobile.

I'm pay as you go with Virgin Mobile, and have had an excellent and fairly inexpensive time with it, considering.

I got totally dicked by AT&T, Cingular, and T-Mobile in rapid succession. It was like being a short nerd in a room full of tall bullies who've got my lunch money. I finally switched to pay-as-you-go with Virgin Mobile, and I'm happy with them.

I'll second Cingular. I've had it for about 6 years now. I will say, I've a pretty cool contract. I managed to get a special when text messaging was introduced, so all texts are free, and nights start at 8:00. YRMV

I've had good luck (since numbers got portable, customer service got way more customer friendly) and good service with Verizon.

Generally, when there are coverage issues, I keep service better than people with other carriers. But I do know that when there is a blind spot with them? You can absolutely count on dropping the call there.

But if you run your phone over with your car? They're gonna laff and laff. Polite mocking.

TiVO to go for the Mac: [link]

I had Cingular for about four years and had few problems with it, but then again, someone I know has gotten dicked around by every single phone company out there. It depends what you want, really--if internet access and texts are more important, T-Mobile (as Gris pointed out) is better about making that accessible (what with the Sidekick and all). I've never had any problems with Cingular in terms of coverage area or minutes, and I think they're reasonable enough if all you're going to use the connection for is making calls and texting--they have competitive non-peak times, which can be very helpful if you're doing a lot of calling.

We used Verizon like seven years ago, and never bothered to learn any more after we switched to Cingular, so I don't know about them. And we never got Virgin Mobile in my area, but the folks who had it in the UK seemed happy enough with it.