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  1. #1
    Duncan703
    Guest
    Greetings,

    I'm going to be switching my home phone number (Verizon) to a wireless.
    Right now, after all the research I've done it looks like Cingular will be
    my carrier. I do have a few questions before I do this though:

    1. Are there any gotchas in moving the number that I should be aware of,
    other than perhaps it taking a few days?

    2. For the phone itself the V400 seems to be the best choice at the moment.
    Taking away the camera feature, is there a better phone to choose right now?

    3. I've read a few posts here about a V600. Anyone know the relase
    date/price point on that? Would it be worth it to wait?

    4. On the GSM coverage map all the areas that I travel to (major cities) are
    covered. My question is how accurate do people find the coverage map?

    5. How easy is it with Cingular to add extra services or take them off as I
    find I use or not use certian things?

    6. Should I go to a Cingular store or Best Buy to get set up?

    Comments on any or all of these questions would be appreciated. Also I
    didn't come accross a FAQ for this group so if there is one and this stuff
    is addressed, I appoligize.

    Duncan





    See More: Cingular service in Maryland questions




  2. #2
    Robert M.
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions

    In article <[email protected]>,
    "Duncan703" <[email protected]> wrote:

    > Greetings,
    >
    > I'm going to be switching my home phone number (Verizon) to a wireless.
    > Right now, after all the research I've done it looks like Cingular will be
    > my carrier. I do have a few questions before I do this though:
    >
    > 1. Are there any gotchas in moving the number that I should be aware of,
    > other than perhaps it taking a few days?


    Often as much as a week. Landline --> Wireless ; some go smoothly, some
    are nightmares. Make sure your landline account is paid in full. Good
    luck, and report back.


    >
    > 2. For the phone itself the V400 seems to be the best choice at the moment.
    > Taking away the camera feature, is there a better phone to choose right now?


    Phone selection is a personal preference kind of thing.

    >
    > 3. I've read a few posts here about a V600. Anyone know the relase
    > date/price point on that? Would it be worth it to wait?


    AT&T already has the V600. Currently $174.99 at their website, and with
    their new roaming agreements with Cingular, and coming merger, might be
    best way to get a V600 if that's what your heart is set on. In less than
    a year all ATTWS customers will be Cingular customers.

    >
    > 4. On the GSM coverage map all the areas that I travel to (major cities) are
    > covered. My question is how accurate do people find the coverage map?


    Maps are of such a small scale that small (under a mile across) dead
    zones are omitted. Cingular coverage in the DC area however is good.



    >> 5. How easy is it with Cingular to add extra services or take them

    > off as I
    > find I use or not use certian things?


    Services easy; plan changes can be more of an issue.

    >
    > 6. Should I go to a Cingular store or Best Buy to get set up?


    Or an independent dealer if you get a better price there or more
    freebies (case, car charger etc). Check your Sunday newspaper. Use a
    Gold MasterCard for the purchase to double the warranty. Typically you
    get the activation fee waived with a 2 year warranty. It's $74.99 after
    rebate if bought at the Cingular web site for a v400 currently.


    http://welectronics.com/gsm/motorolaV600.asp lists an unlocked V600 for
    $489, which in theory could be activated on the Cingular network. There
    are folks (who I can't vouch for) selling it on eBay for ~ $400.

    >
    > Comments on any or all of these questions would be appreciated. Also I
    > didn't come accross a FAQ for this group so if there is one and this stuff
    > is addressed, I appoligize.
    >
    > Duncan




  3. #3
    Chris Russell
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions

    Whatever you do, do NOT listen to any suggestions from Phillippe disguised
    as "Robert M". He is nothing but a trolling fool looking to cause trouble.

    Chris

    "Duncan703" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > Greetings,
    >
    > I'm going to be switching my home phone number (Verizon) to a wireless.
    > Right now, after all the research I've done it looks like Cingular will be
    > my carrier. I do have a few questions before I do this though:
    >
    > 1. Are there any gotchas in moving the number that I should be aware of,
    > other than perhaps it taking a few days?
    >
    > 2. For the phone itself the V400 seems to be the best choice at the

    moment.
    > Taking away the camera feature, is there a better phone to choose right

    now?
    >
    > 3. I've read a few posts here about a V600. Anyone know the relase
    > date/price point on that? Would it be worth it to wait?
    >
    > 4. On the GSM coverage map all the areas that I travel to (major cities)

    are
    > covered. My question is how accurate do people find the coverage map?
    >
    > 5. How easy is it with Cingular to add extra services or take them off as

    I
    > find I use or not use certian things?
    >
    > 6. Should I go to a Cingular store or Best Buy to get set up?
    >
    > Comments on any or all of these questions would be appreciated. Also I
    > didn't come accross a FAQ for this group so if there is one and this stuff
    > is addressed, I appoligize.
    >
    > Duncan
    >
    >






  4. #4
    Jer
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions

    Duncan703 wrote:

    > Greetings,
    >
    > I'm going to be switching my home phone number (Verizon) to a wireless.
    > Right now, after all the research I've done it looks like Cingular will be
    > my carrier. I do have a few questions before I do this though:
    >
    > 1. Are there any gotchas in moving the number that I should be aware of,
    > other than perhaps it taking a few days?
    >
    > 2. For the phone itself the V400 seems to be the best choice at the moment.
    > Taking away the camera feature, is there a better phone to choose right now?
    >
    > 3. I've read a few posts here about a V600. Anyone know the relase
    > date/price point on that? Would it be worth it to wait?
    >
    > 4. On the GSM coverage map all the areas that I travel to (major cities) are
    > covered. My question is how accurate do people find the coverage map?
    >
    > 5. How easy is it with Cingular to add extra services or take them off as I
    > find I use or not use certian things?
    >
    > 6. Should I go to a Cingular store or Best Buy to get set up?
    >
    > Comments on any or all of these questions would be appreciated. Also I
    > didn't come accross a FAQ for this group so if there is one and this stuff
    > is addressed, I appoligize.
    >
    > Duncan



    Are you attempting to go without a landline at your home? If so, I
    trust you've given due consideration that public wireless voice
    communications can, at times, be sketchy with regard to reliability issues.

    Cellular carriers don't operate their service offerings from the same
    statutory regulations that a landline carrier does.


    --
    jer email reply - I am not a 'ten' ICQ = 35253273
    "All that we do is touched with ocean, yet we remain on the shore of
    what we know." -- Richard Wilbur




  5. #5
    Robert M.
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions

    In article <[email protected]>, Jer <[email protected]>
    wrote:

    > Are you attempting to go without a landline at your home? If so, I
    > trust you've given due consideration that public wireless voice
    > communications can, at times, be sketchy with regard to reliability issues.


    and when a hurricane comes through, wireless is likely to be back online
    days before a downed landline.



  6. #6
    Robert M.
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions

    In article <[email protected]>,
    "Dave C." <[email protected]> wrote:

    > The landline is DEAD, it's just being kept running by artificial means for
    > the moment.


    Its what 10 or 12% of folks that have ceased having a landline?
    It's not dead yet. There are valid reasons for keeping it, and valid
    reasons for getting rid of it for different individuals.

    20 years from now the answer might be different, but for now
    different folks under different circumstances may correctly keep or get
    rid of their land line.

    Thus I object to those that say you must keep you land line, just as
    much as I object to those that say you must get rid of it.



  7. #7
    Duncan703
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions


    "Jer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > Duncan703 wrote:
    >
    > > Greetings,
    > >
    > > I'm going to be switching my home phone number (Verizon) to a wireless.
    > > Right now, after all the research I've done it looks like Cingular will

    be
    > > my carrier. I do have a few questions before I do this though:


    > Are you attempting to go without a landline at your home? If so, I
    > trust you've given due consideration that public wireless voice
    > communications can, at times, be sketchy with regard to reliability

    issues.
    >
    > Cellular carriers don't operate their service offerings from the same
    > statutory regulations that a landline carrier does.


    Yes, I am going to be getting rid of my landline phone. Over the last few
    months I've been condsidering this. I've discussed with friends and
    co-workers trying to find a reason not to make this move.

    1. In the area that I live and work, cel phones are as reliable as a land
    line.
    2. Most of my calling is considered either instate long distance or country
    wide long distance.
    3. I travel enough in the course of a year that a cel phone would be nice to
    have.
    4. I cannot find a landline billing deal that would save me more than about
    $5 a month over a cel phone with the same features with my long distance
    calling patterns. And once my travel calling is factored in, the cel is
    cheaper.
    5. I have a high speed internet connection that I do not require a landline
    for.
    6. 95% of the time, when friends and family visit they have thier own cels
    that they use to call people if needed.
    7. I can move my home number that everyone already has to the cel.
    8. If I really, really needed a landline, I can go to my neighbors.

    Duncan





  8. #8
    Jer
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions

    Duncan703 wrote:

    > "Jer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >
    >>Duncan703 wrote:
    >>
    >>
    >>>Greetings,
    >>>
    >>>I'm going to be switching my home phone number (Verizon) to a wireless.
    >>>Right now, after all the research I've done it looks like Cingular will

    >
    > be
    >
    >>>my carrier. I do have a few questions before I do this though:

    >
    >
    >>Are you attempting to go without a landline at your home? If so, I
    >>trust you've given due consideration that public wireless voice
    >>communications can, at times, be sketchy with regard to reliability

    >
    > issues.
    >
    >>Cellular carriers don't operate their service offerings from the same
    >>statutory regulations that a landline carrier does.


    Okay, let me try to polish my point better... Landline carriers are
    obligated to provide dial and 911 service - wireless carriers are under
    no such statutory obligation. In fact, wireless carriers aren't even
    obligated to provide ANY service to ANY particular area whatsoever. If
    they decide to move the cell site serving your area, they'll move that
    cell site and there ain't a helluva lot you can say or do about it.
    Now, you may be in an urban area with lots of wireless access, either as
    a home user or a roamer. OTOH, landline service in rural areas is
    sometimes dicey, sometimes dicey enough for some people to want to
    depend on that strong wireless signal from just down the road. Until
    they move the cell site, then you're SOL. But then again, you're
    probably one of those folks that never need to dial 911. No?

    Been there.


    >
    >
    > Yes, I am going to be getting rid of my landline phone. Over the last few
    > months I've been condsidering this. I've discussed with friends and
    > co-workers trying to find a reason not to make this move.
    >
    > 1. In the area that I live and work, cel phones are as reliable as a land
    > line.
    > 2. Most of my calling is considered either instate long distance or country
    > wide long distance.
    > 3. I travel enough in the course of a year that a cel phone would be nice to
    > have.
    > 4. I cannot find a landline billing deal that would save me more than about
    > $5 a month over a cel phone with the same features with my long distance
    > calling patterns. And once my travel calling is factored in, the cel is
    > cheaper.
    > 5. I have a high speed internet connection that I do not require a landline
    > for.
    > 6. 95% of the time, when friends and family visit they have thier own cels
    > that they use to call people if needed.
    > 7. I can move my home number that everyone already has to the cel.
    > 8. If I really, really needed a landline, I can go to my neighbors.
    >
    > Duncan
    >
    >



    --
    jer email reply - I am not a 'ten' ICQ = 35253273
    "All that we do is touched with ocean, yet we remain on the shore of
    what we know." -- Richard Wilbur




  9. #9
    Stanley Cline
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions

    On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 22:35:11 -0500, Jer <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Okay, let me try to polish my point better... Landline carriers are
    >obligated to provide dial and 911 service - wireless carriers are under
    >no such statutory obligation. In fact, wireless carriers aren't even


    Wireless carriers in the US are in fact required to provide coverage
    to a certain percentage of the geographic area their license for a
    given area covers (if an 850 MHz carrier) or a certain percentage of
    the population their license for a given area covers (if a 1900 MHz
    carrier.)

    That said, there are some areas that 850 MHz carriers never built out
    that either have coverage from no or only one originally licensed
    carrier (e.g. the Copper Basin of TN, which to this day has coverage
    only from VZW since USCC never built their license out there), or were
    picked up by a different carrier after the original licensee let an
    area sit unserved for five years (after that time, an area becomes
    "unserved area" that other carriers can apply to serve. One rather
    unique carrier, Commnet Wireless, serves areas other carriers never
    built out almost exclusively, and only provides wholesale roaming
    coverage to customers of other carriers and doesn't sell "local"
    service. It's hard to sell local service when you have cell sites in,
    say, Tennessee on a switch in Yuma, AZ! )

    There is *no* requirement that carriers have roaming agreements with
    other carriers; this creates some situations where there is coverage
    but customers of a given carrier can't use it. This is a rather
    common problem with Cingular or Dobson customers traveling where the
    only coverage is from VZW (Copper Basin again) since Cingular and
    Dobson loathe VZW and vice versa.

    -SC
    --
    Stanley Cline -- sc1 at roamer1 dot org -- http://www.roamer1.org/
    ....
    "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. There might
    be a law against it by that time." -/usr/games/fortune



  10. #10
    Robert M.
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions

    In article <[email protected]>,
    Stanley Cline <[email protected]> wrote:

    > Wireless carriers in the US are in fact required to provide coverage
    > to a certain percentage of the geographic area their license for a
    > given area covers (if an 850 MHz carrier) or a certain percentage of
    > the population their license for a given area covers (if a 1900 MHz
    > carrier.)


    His point is that if you get no signal on your cell phone, you get no
    911 service. And if the Cell tower was just "retuned" and you now get no
    cell signal indoors......



  11. #11
    Jer
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions

    Stanley Cline wrote:

    > On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 22:35:11 -0500, Jer <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >
    >>Okay, let me try to polish my point better... Landline carriers are
    >>obligated to provide dial and 911 service - wireless carriers are under
    >>no such statutory obligation. In fact, wireless carriers aren't even

    >
    >
    > Wireless carriers in the US are in fact required to provide coverage
    > to a certain percentage of the geographic area their license for a
    > given area covers (if an 850 MHz carrier) or a certain percentage of
    > the population their license for a given area covers (if a 1900 MHz
    > carrier.)


    Cover a percentage of users in a geographical area? Sure, most cover
    significantly more than that, Cingular does. So, if moving a tower
    means they cover even more than they were before moving the tower, it
    gets moved. If there's another tower tha "may" cover what was left
    behind, then the users in that area will just have to cope. Stuff happens.

    So, an even finer point.... No wireless carrier is obligated by statute
    to maintain the location of any cell tower. So, if there's only one
    tower serving your home, and that's the only tower offering 911 service
    to your home wireless.... oops.

    >
    > That said, there are some areas that 850 MHz carriers never built out
    > that either have coverage from no or only one originally licensed
    > carrier (e.g. the Copper Basin of TN, which to this day has coverage
    > only from VZW since USCC never built their license out there), or were
    > picked up by a different carrier after the original licensee let an
    > area sit unserved for five years (after that time, an area becomes
    > "unserved area" that other carriers can apply to serve. One rather
    > unique carrier, Commnet Wireless, serves areas other carriers never
    > built out almost exclusively, and only provides wholesale roaming
    > coverage to customers of other carriers and doesn't sell "local"
    > service. It's hard to sell local service when you have cell sites in,
    > say, Tennessee on a switch in Yuma, AZ! )
    >
    > There is *no* requirement that carriers have roaming agreements with
    > other carriers; this creates some situations where there is coverage
    > but customers of a given carrier can't use it. This is a rather
    > common problem with Cingular or Dobson customers traveling where the
    > only coverage is from VZW (Copper Basin again) since Cingular and
    > Dobson loathe VZW and vice versa.



    But the 911 regulations say that IF a carrier is going to offer ANY 911
    service, they can't just offer it to their own clients, they are
    obligated to offer it to all clients, including roamers, and including
    handsets that aren't registered with ANY carrier.


    --
    jer email reply - I am not a 'ten' ICQ = 35253273
    "All that we do is touched with ocean, yet we remain on the shore of
    what we know." -- Richard Wilbur




  12. #12
    Duncan703
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions


    "Jer" <[email protected]> wrote :

    > But the 911 regulations say that IF a carrier is going to offer ANY 911
    > service, they can't just offer it to their own clients, they are
    > obligated to offer it to all clients, including roamers, and including
    > handsets that aren't registered with ANY carrier.


    I could be wrong, but this arguement kinda negates your previous ones. If I
    should need to call 911, I know that Verizon offers 911 service in this
    area. So even if Cingular decides not to carry 911 (and as a large company
    with stockholders and public relations I can't see how they couldn't) I
    still have at least one other company to fall back on. And if I'm driving or
    otherwise away from home and need to call 911, my landline phone does me no
    good at all. With a cel I at least have a chance.

    And between being in a large metro area, having a friend test her phone
    here, and signing with a growing company, my chances are pretty good that
    coverage is not going to disappear. And should the worst case happen that
    Cingular goes under with no other company to buy thier customers out, I
    change providers and get a new number. If every cel company goes out of
    business on me, then i get my landline back.





  13. #13
    Jer
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions

    Duncan703 wrote:

    > "Jer" <[email protected]> wrote :
    >
    >
    >>But the 911 regulations say that IF a carrier is going to offer ANY 911
    >>service, they can't just offer it to their own clients, they are
    >>obligated to offer it to all clients, including roamers, and including
    >>handsets that aren't registered with ANY carrier.

    >
    >
    > I could be wrong, but this arguement kinda negates your previous ones. If I
    > should need to call 911, I know that Verizon offers 911 service in this
    > area. So even if Cingular decides not to carry 911 (and as a large company
    > with stockholders and public relations I can't see how they couldn't) I
    > still have at least one other company to fall back on. And if I'm driving or
    > otherwise away from home and need to call 911, my landline phone does me no
    > good at all. With a cel I at least have a chance.
    >
    > And between being in a large metro area, having a friend test her phone
    > here, and signing with a growing company, my chances are pretty good that
    > coverage is not going to disappear. And should the worst case happen that
    > Cingular goes under with no other company to buy thier customers out, I
    > change providers and get a new number. If every cel company goes out of
    > business on me, then i get my landline back.
    >
    >



    So long as you've covered all the critical issues in your particular
    situation, then you should feel confident that you've made the best
    decision for you and your family. However, most people that I'm aware
    of that have gone totally wireless at their home are rural residents
    without a clue. They desparately need a reality check. Their only
    consideration was the cost of both services, as if they were browsing
    for bottle caps at a local sidewalk sale. These people are perfect
    candidates for a Darwin award, and their families were unwittingly
    included in their cost-only decision. They actually equated wireline
    and wireless services as the same, yet nothing could be further from the
    truth.

    I sincerely hope you've made the right choice for yourself and those
    that depend on your decisions for their life support.

    --
    jer email reply - I am not a 'ten' ICQ = 35253273
    "All that we do is touched with ocean, yet we remain on the shore of
    what we know." -- Richard Wilbur




  14. #14
    Robert M.
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions

    In article <[email protected]>, Jer <[email protected]>
    wrote:

    > I sincerely hope you've made the right choice for yourself and those
    > that depend on your decisions for their life support.


    more F.U.D.



  15. #15
    kennmary4
    Guest

    Re: Cingular service in Maryland questions

    We are now setting up systems for the mandated wirelss 911 mapping included
    in phase III of the 911 mandate. This mandate stipulates the requirement for
    wireless carriers to provide both 911 service and location data for our
    mapping databases


    "Jer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > Duncan703 wrote:
    >
    > > "Jer" <[email protected]> wrote :
    > >
    > >
    > >>But the 911 regulations say that IF a carrier is going to offer ANY 911
    > >>service, they can't just offer it to their own clients, they are
    > >>obligated to offer it to all clients, including roamers, and including
    > >>handsets that aren't registered with ANY carrier.

    > >
    > >
    > > I could be wrong, but this arguement kinda negates your previous ones.

    If I
    > > should need to call 911, I know that Verizon offers 911 service in this
    > > area. So even if Cingular decides not to carry 911 (and as a large

    company
    > > with stockholders and public relations I can't see how they couldn't) I
    > > still have at least one other company to fall back on. And if I'm

    driving or
    > > otherwise away from home and need to call 911, my landline phone does me

    no
    > > good at all. With a cel I at least have a chance.
    > >
    > > And between being in a large metro area, having a friend test her phone
    > > here, and signing with a growing company, my chances are pretty good

    that
    > > coverage is not going to disappear. And should the worst case happen

    that
    > > Cingular goes under with no other company to buy thier customers out, I
    > > change providers and get a new number. If every cel company goes out of
    > > business on me, then i get my landline back.
    > >
    > >

    >
    >
    > So long as you've covered all the critical issues in your particular
    > situation, then you should feel confident that you've made the best
    > decision for you and your family. However, most people that I'm aware
    > of that have gone totally wireless at their home are rural residents
    > without a clue. They desparately need a reality check. Their only
    > consideration was the cost of both services, as if they were browsing
    > for bottle caps at a local sidewalk sale. These people are perfect
    > candidates for a Darwin award, and their families were unwittingly
    > included in their cost-only decision. They actually equated wireline
    > and wireless services as the same, yet nothing could be further from the
    > truth.
    >
    > I sincerely hope you've made the right choice for yourself and those
    > that depend on your decisions for their life support.
    >
    > --
    > jer email reply - I am not a 'ten' ICQ = 35253273
    > "All that we do is touched with ocean, yet we remain on the shore of
    > what we know." -- Richard Wilbur
    >






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