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Cellular Phone Forum / Providers / ATT Wireless / May 2004Help! Looking for a decent dual mode phone on AT&T
I have D1R now, and I'd like to go to a GSM plan, but be able to use the digital TDMA since the GSM footprint is still not all that great in a lot of the areas I travel. AT&T 888 sales say I only have the options of the Siemens S46 or the Sony Ericsson T620. These are both outdated phones aren't they? Do I have any other options, or am I headed down the wrong path here?? TIA > I have D1R now, and I'd like to go to a GSM plan, but be able to use > the digital TDMA since the GSM footprint is still not all that great [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > TIA Check the maps again. With the GSM America plan whatever network you pick up is included in your minutes. I can't imagine an area that still only has TDMA, maybe AMPS but not TDMA. Are you sure you need an MB phone? I recently traveled from OH to SC by car and picked up GSM (Highland Cellular) in WVA and VA. The T-Mobile phone in the car had no service even after doing a network search. >> I have D1R now, and I'd like to go to a GSM plan, but be able to use >> the digital TDMA since the GSM footprint is still not all that great [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >in WVA and VA. The T-Mobile phone in the car had no service even after >doing a network search. Thanks for the reply. No, I'm not sure I need the multi band phone. Here is my thought process: I have a D1R phone that will work in TDMA analog and digital, right? I don't think that I am in analog mode in most places, but I do know that I bounce from AT&T / Extended / Roam on the display. (Don't know how often the little "D" disappears) I was thinking if I got the GSM, when I went out of GSM, with a dual band, it would allow me to catch the TDMA signal, which has a much bigger footprint. I would appreciate some help with this, as I have got to cut my cell bill from the 1100 minute 119.00 plan.... >I have a D1R phone that will work in TDMA analog and digital, right? It will will work in TDMA digital and analog. >(Don't know >how often the little "D" disappears) Probably not a lot any more. >I was thinking if I got the GSM, when I went out of GSM, with a dual >band, it would allow me to catch the TDMA signal, which has a much >bigger footprint. This is a great way to go - especially if you travel into areas that don't have GSM yet. You might also consider an unlocked Nokia 6340i. It is GSM and TDMA and AMPS. It is a great phone. Although AT&T didn't sell this phone they will sell you a SIM that will work in it. All you have to do is provide them with the ESN (they don't really need the IMEI number). I bought one that is almost new on E-Bay and (unlocked) have been very happy with it. -- John S. e-mail responses to - john at kiana dot net >>I have a D1R phone that will work in TDMA analog and digital, right? > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >I bought one that is almost new on E-Bay and (unlocked) have been very happy >with it. Thanks VERY much for the help John! I talked to AT&T about it and they offer those two old crappy phones, and I just do not want to go backwards with this move! One question though.... On that phone, it will allow me to use the GSM plan, right? I mean, in this whole dealie of wanting the best of both worlds, I don't get charged the D1R $$$ (still) would I? TIA > Thanks VERY much for the help John! I talked to AT&T about it and > they offer those two old crappy phones, and I just do not want to go > backwards with this move! The Nokia 6340 is hardly "cutting edge" in features, but it's a decent phone. For that matter so is the Siemens multi-band that AT&T offers. > One question though.... > > On that phone, it will allow me to use the GSM plan, right? No. The GSM plans are priced lower because AT&T can control roaming costs by limiting use to their GSM "partners". The TDMA D1R plans let you roam anywhere- even places/carriers AT&T doesn't have cheap roaming agreements with, so you pay extra for the privilege of potentially running up ATTWS' costs. > I mean, > in this whole dealie of wanting the best of both worlds, I don't get > charged the D1R $$$ (still) would I? I think the technical name for what you're attempting is "having your cake and eating it too." GSM plans aren't cheaper because the technology is cheaper, it's because of the reduced roaming "liability", just as in the all-TDMA days, local plans were cheaper than regional which were cheaper than national which were cheaper than One Rate. In short, you won't get D1R coverage unless you pay D1R money! How often do you travel off the GSM map? What I do is use GSM primarily, but keep a prepaid TDMA/analog phone through CallPlus (they resell AT&T prepaid, but with no-roaming anywhere. Essentially it's a pre-paid version of D1R.) I set up my GSM phone to automatically forward to my CallPlus when "unavailable", so if I drift out of GSM coverage, my calls seamlessly forward to the TDMA, but if there IS coverage, the cheaper phone takes the call! > I can't imagine an area that still only has >TDMA, maybe AMPS but not TDMA. Check Hwy 78 just North of Tupelo, MS. GREAT TDMA coverage. No GSM and not CDMA. AMPS is spotty. Check Hwy 198 between Canton, TX and Mabank, TX. Fair AMPS coverage, a little TDMA coverage, Sprint PCS a bit and NO GSM. I could go on and on and on pointing out a lot of places that are TDMA and no GSM. -- John S. e-mail responses to - john at kiana dot net If you must TDMA and GSM, ask CS if you are in a dual band raTE area. T62u is probably your best choice. I have two digital and 1 GSM. CS California says keep digital for a few more months. And from the 1 GSM line I personall use, you're better on TDMA (ATT calls it digital). If you really want to do TDMA and GSM and analog, Cingular uses GAIT via 6340. Before I do DOR, you call D1R, my Verizon is cheaper and fills the holes of GSM. That's rural Northern California in my case. Yes I have 2 Digital, 1 GSM, 1 Verizon and and off contract Sprint that is on suspend. > I have D1R now, and I'd like to go to a GSM plan, but be able to use > the digital TDMA since the GSM footprint is still not all that great [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > TIA |
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