No matter what AT&T tries to tell you, their SERVICE has been atrocious since the announcement of the acquisition by Cingular. I have used two Nokias, and now am using my THIRD Siemens Global phone on AT&T's GSM network. Every time that I have spoken to AT&T customer service, they immediately attribute any and all problems to the handset and this simply isn't the case. I carry the Siemens for personal calls and have a Samsung on T-mobile for business in the Los Angeles greater metropolitan area. In a daily side by side comparison, the T-mobile signal strength is ALWAYS better, and more often than not, the AT&T phone is "searching" for a better site. The display oscillates between Home (best to make it say something), AT&T (cross your fingers)or Cingular (oops the other two aren't very convincing right now).... While in an AT&T service center, I showed a rep how the phone behaved while walking less than a few feet, and you guessed it, they wanted me to purchase a FOURTH Siemens phone. Out of pure frustration, I went to the local Cingular Service Center, and was strongly advised by the location manager to wait until early to mid November 2004 to make any purchases or plan changes if you use either Cingular or AT&T. Word has it that even the newest "smartphones" $300-$650 may NOT work when the transition is finalized. Cingular also relayed that numerous new phones will be available in the same time period in November, and it is possible that a few, some or all of the AT&T and Cingular users will have no option but to replace their existing phones. Don't let AT&T convince you to change phones now, as you will likely have to go through the same drill in November. If T-mobile is available in your area, give them the once over, because in 6mos of usage on their cheapest phone, I have had exactly one dropped call. Jer