Kelly,
I agree. A few years back, Just prior to the launch of the NextG network, I "upgraded" my cdma to a 3G nokia N95 - on advice from a letter from telstra.
The then 3G only coverage was appalling obviously since that handset only worked on.
the 2100MHz "city only" 3G network which doesn't give the same coverage
I couldn't even send sms within 5nm of a phone tower. Piece of ****e.
So I took the phone back and got the iMate - got voice out to 80nm from tower (<10000') and sms/data out to 100nm sometimes - awesome.
My current N95 NextG handset is as good as this but with smokin' data speeds.
Cheers