What I mean is that when I dial my own number while still on the Cingular
network but outside of my local calling area (basically outside of
Mississippi) I get a message that the call can not be completed as dialed. I
have a preferred nation plan (if that still exists) so I shouldn't really be
limited to a local calling area. Every time I talk to customer service they
ask questions about entering the password. I've explained time and again
that I can't even place the call, but that doesn't seem to register with
them. I got so far once as to talk to a tech support guy, but he told me
that it was because I had changed my password. What good is a password if
you can't change it? This is a bunch of nonsense to cover up the fact that
they don't know why it doesn't work. However, I can call from my wife's
phone and check my mail with no problem so it's not the password. By the
way, her voice mail has the same problem. We just can't check it from our
own phones. Ever heard of this???

Thanks for the other info. After doing some research I've come to the
conclusion that Cingular may not be so bad after all. I found out that they
should have the GSM network in Mississippi by this summer as you said. They
are also coming out with a new pricing scheme this month with some additions
like mobile-to-mobile minutes and unlimited nights and weekends. If I can
get the voice mail problem solved I'll probably go with a Motorola v400 and
one of their new National GSM plans. It should be competitive with most
plans and includes roll-over minutes as well as roaming and free long
distance so I should be able to pick up T-mobile or some other provider even
in the areas where Cingular hasn't finished its GSM overlay.

Thanks again,

Scott