Well i just got back from spending a weekend in seattle (girlfriend went to Bumbershoot but i just walked around all day) and i had great service from the QFC by the needle to pikes place market and i had service all over the place in Gameworks to the malls around. i was using my phone to text, send pictures, and make calls. no problem at all even in the university area. But i was using my nokia 6600 so your mileage may very. (by the way i hate driving in downtown seattle but after spending 2 days there i feel i could lead tour groups!)