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General discussion

ATT Nokia TDMA Problem in Miami on Cingular

May 21, 2005 2:49AM PDT

I've had this Nokia 6360 for years and it worked
great on ATT TDMA Digital network. About 3 weeks ago
I have had big problems signing on the network, I get
a ring busy right away. I right off Brickel in downtown

I've spent hours with Cingular tech support. I've heard every story imaginable. Now I'm coming to the realization they don't want me and my 1100 min $49.95 rate plan anymore.
I suspect they are forcing ATT customers to migrate to their GSM network. No deals either, just pay more per month and buy another phone.

Anyone else having this problem? Any insights?

I think I'm heading over to T Mobile today. Any T Mobile users in Miami??

Discussion is locked

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phone
May 21, 2005 10:10AM PDT

I am afraid to say that you will be unable to purchase TDMA phones directly from Cingular and yes former AT&T wireless customers are being strongly encouraged to purchase GSM handsets. If you are looking at T-mobile, you will also have to purchase a new GSM handset as well. While T-mobile does offer a $39.99 plan w/ 1000 anytime minutes, they don't offer Unlimited Mobile to mobile calling at no additional charge or Rollover minutes . Definately compare feature to feature.

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phone
May 22, 2005 12:55PM PDT

This is becoming a problem with anyone who has TDMA phones. TDMA is being phased out becuase it doesn't handle all the latest technology that GSM and CDMA can. I don't know of any other carriers besides US Cellular that went the opposite route of other carriers: going from TDMA to CDMA. I can't comment on T-Mobile in Miami, but the Chicago market has lots of problems with service. The city of Chicago, especially downtown Chicago is plagued with overloaded circuits and spotty coverage in the suburbs, and a num,ber of rural communities not having T-Mobile coverage. And T-Mobile phones don't always pickup another carrier's signal. I know a friend who came across that problem where Cingular has coverage, but not T-Mobile, but won't pickup Cingular's signal. I don't know if that tower was operating in the 850mhz band or 1900mhz band. I don't see many phones that handle the lower bands like I see with Cingular. I personally think you should look at a CDMA service because CDMA is in more areas than GSM and almost all CDMA phones have the CDMA 800/1900 bands and select phones with analog 800 as backup. Just my opinion, You should look at Verizon Wireless. Plans cost more, but Verizon spends more money to improve coverage, and I don't have problems when I go to Chicago and Milwaukee. But I suggest if you look at Verizon Wireless, look at Samsung and Kyocera phones as those phones will work in more areas than Motorola & LG phones do. Just personal experience.