I personally think its impossible to wage a war and win it based on 1.) Solely the Networks service. 2.) Solely the Networks Wireless Devices. Rather, the issue is one of customer service, compatibility, calls, connectivity, contracts, or as I like to call it the 5 C's of Cellular Consumerism.

Lets start with the Customer service issue. I have personally worked for Verizon Wireless, Cingular (Through an MVNO) and Nextel/Sprint. I can honestly say, Verizon customer service answers the phone more quickly, but often they have left me frustrated, and confused about my billing and the billing of customers I dealt with. CIngular on the other hand, well they can take FOREVER to answer the phone, but even recently I had my billing change to reflect a 200 dollar credit, with very little questions asked by customer service. Nextel/Sprint has okay customer service, but their network in some areas and their lack of skilled employees in their locations can hurt them in the cellular race.

Compatibility can be focused to several areas, one is the compatibility of the cellular spectrum. ATT/CINGULAR/CELLULAR ONE/ALLTEL/T-MOBILE, have a slight advantage over Verizon, mainly in their ability to use unlocked GSM phones across their networks with little to no setup for their internet connectivity. Not to mention, a quad-band phone can be used world wide on respective networks with the correct frequencies, while Verizon requires high calling costs, the inability to buy a prepaid sim card from the country their users visit, a 3.99 International add-on package to save money on international costs, or a phone rental "Global Phone" for trips overseas.

Calls, this one is easy, are their dropped calls? Are calls clear? I have not had a problem on any of the major networks. Maybe i'm one of the few lucky cellular users who have had luck in this respect. I will say that certain areas have certain problems, with certain carriers. In some areas the 850mhz frequency changeover for ATT/Cingular has caused dropped calls, and other issues. However, just like Tiger Woods fixing his swing, there will be intermittent problems as they create a stronger, more diverse network. However, Cingular offers rollover minutes, 7pm calling, and a variety of packages including free incoming calls that Verizon does not, other networks are offering these same deals such as US Cellular, T-Mobile, Alltel, Sprint/Nextel and others, Verizon needs to take the earlier hours into consideration and create more attractive packages.

Connectivity is a major data issue among the industry leaders, currently Verizon's EVDO network is proving to be a real groundbreaking endevour. They have created a 2mb network and a national access protocol that allows internet access nationwide. However the 1.7mb network of EDGE offered by GSM providers is gaining ground, and the 1900mhz Wireless G frequency is creating a fast, reliable and trusted/tested network (The 2100mhz frequency is a major hit in Europe). Overall, its the data packages of connectivity that will help win the race.

Finally, there are the contracts.  Verizon offers a unique Pro-Rated contract that takes off $5 per month on their early disconnect fee of 175 dollars. Essentially if you cancel you contract with one 2 months left, you pay only $10 to cancel. Do the same with Cingular, you pay $175. Contracts are more and more the center of focus for consumers who have become more educated throughout the cellular industry. As the industry becomes saturated, and upgrades begin to outweigh new activations, it will be the attractive offers of the cellular companies to keep their customers without making them feel constrained that will allow them to prosper.

Do I think there is a straight forward winner in the industry? Absolutely not. Its too early in this still young industry to tell for sure who will come out the victor. There are new innovations on what seems like a daily basis, there are new devices, new offers, and new struggles. Will the IPHONE be a huge success? Of course it will. Is it going to cause millions of users to switch to Cingular? with a huge price tag, estimated at $499.00 for the smaller 4GB device, I'm thinking it will be more of a success for upgrading ATT/Cingular customers than defectors of other companies. Eventually the device will become unlocked, it will be available to other companies, and the industry will move forward as it always has. Only time can tell who will come out the victor.