Cell phones STX

we use att

Sprint is a bit cheaper but a bit dodgier. AT&T folks seem to be happier in general with coverage.

Best to wait until you get down here & then get one. You'll get a local number that way. More importantly, when you decide on where you will live, have friends try their phones to see how coverage. Yes, AT&T generally has better coverage, that doesn't mean they're solid at your home. If you are doing any travelling remember that GSM is usually more pervasive than CDMA in the roaming markets. If all providers have crummy coverage at your house-to-be, then consider an in-home repeater. About $150-$200, but worth it if you can't make calls from your house. Another option is to try pre-paid to see how you like coverage, but most places have a 30-day (or something like that) money back guarantee. Check before you commit. YMMV.

Good luck!

Here's a hint if you get Sprint (may be the case for AT&T, as well) ...

When the phone is new (at least in the case of my iPhone and better half's Evo), it has some of the "roaming" turned off in the settings, ostensibly so you don't run up a huge bill without knowing. But, down here, you want all the roaming turned on. You'll hit other towers that are not necessarily "Sprint" towers, but fall under your unlimited nationwide roaming plan. (I have never been charged additional over my plan and my phone almost always shows "Extended" for the network.) When I got my iPhone, I almost lost it when I had "no service," after making sure I had good Sprint reception at home on a previous Blackberry. Turning roaming "on" fixed this. Of course, it took me days of calling Sprint to figure this out. As far as they're concerned, these islands barely exist!

I use AT&T and am satisfied. I agree that it may be best to wait and check from your specific location/s. I also installed a signal booster in the house, that made a big difference for me.

Kept my number when I switched from Verizon (after 20 years) to ATT. Would have stayed with Verizon, but they don't believe the USVIs are part of the United States. Go figure. Haven't had any trouble with ATT on island but depending where you are, you may not have a signal. Not much different than when I am in Kentucky really.