When I dumped Cingular for Sprint, it was like a breath of fresh air.  After
a year of putting up with Cingular's deliberate cutback of TDMA towers (a
move apparently taken with the objective of coercing ATTWS customers to
abandon their cheaper rate plans and to re-up for two years at the higher
Cingular rates) I was about ready to smash my phones in exasperation.

Then one day I phoned Sprint, which handles my business long distance and
data service, to make a minor change in the configuration of one of my
lines.  The rep told me that I was preapproved for up to 6 PCS lines, free
phones, no activation fees, free roaming, etc.  I said, "why not," and
ordered 3 lines.  I was given a choice of 3 different phone models, all of
which were free.

Next morning, UPS delivered the phones, all programmed and activated.  The
calls were crystal clear, compared to my old TDMA service.  I then promptly
called Cingular and terminated my account.  They made an effort to "upgrade"
me to higher rates and a 20year contract, and I told them to stuff it.

Yesterday I saw a post on the Cingular NG from a guy who also was a former
ATTWS customer and who received a notice advising that his TDMA service
would be terminated on 4/30 and he had to re-up for 2 years at the higher
GSM rate plan!  If he failed to enter into a new contract, he'd have no
service from Cingular.

So it appears that this is the way that Cingular will deal with customers
that have been hanging on to their old AT&T plans--their arrogance is
astounding.

It just confirms my decision to get the hell out of Cingular.  I regret only
one thing--that I didn't move to Sprint much earlier than I did.

And my three lines cost me about $5 bucks less than I was paying under the
old ATTWS rates.  Better call quality, new free phones, and a lower price!

Thanks, Sprint.