My personal phone is Alltel. I have the national freedom with no roaming. I dont have many probs and if you drop a call, you get a credit each time. They also have mobile to mobile which helps since my whoel family has alltel. Of course you get your "dead spots" but its not many.

My work phone is Nextel. The direct connect is handy but unless others u know have DC its not that beneficial. I also get service in places that my Alltel doesnt and vice versa