From what I've been hearing, Cingular plans to eventually end up with one
set of rate plans for GSM and one for GAIT phones....the latter will
eventually go away when GAIT is no longer offered. Both types will be
nation-wide...no roaming or LD charges anywhere. Right now, GSM has such
poor coverage that a nation-wide plan is actually much less. Once Western
Wireless and others convert, as they are currently planning, watch for
wholesale changes in rate plans. In 13 years of selling cellular phones,
I've seen only improvements in rates as far as the consumer is concerned. I
even remember our top business rate as 1000 minutes for $269.95 per month,
LD not included and roaming was way expensive (as much as 5 bucks per day +
$1 per minute + long distance) It was all AMPS back then. The lines between
voice and data are starting to blur and will be nearly invisible when 4G
(already under study in Germany) hits the market. Wireless doesn't intend to
be your mobile phone, it will be your only phone, IMO.

Mark