SIM Phone TB Used on TDMA (CDMA?) account?

I've got an old account. It's not GSM, just the old standard.
Not sure whether that's CDMA or TDMA.

My phone's getting flakey and I'd like to purchase a new one which has
a SIM card in it. Hopefully this will take Cingular "support" out of
the loop on future replacements/repairs.

I don't want to go over to a GSM account because it will cost me more
and not return any benefit that I can see.

Does anybody know:

1) If Cingular can/will handle this situation.

2) What phones are available?

After reading other threads, it seems like I am looking
for something called a "GAIT" phone - but with a SIM card. (?)

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› See More: SIM Phone TB Used on TDMA (CDMA?) account?

[email protected] (PeteCresswell) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I've got an old account. It's not GSM, just the old standard.
> Not sure whether that's CDMA or TDMA.

TDMA

> My phone's getting flakey and I'd like to purchase a new one which has
> a SIM card in it.

Phones w/ SIMs are GSM phones.

> Hopefully this will take Cingular "support" out of
> the loop on future replacements/repairs.

Sure, but other than changing an ESN, they can be "out of the loop"
now. You can buy a TDMA phone on eBay, for example, and they'll put
it on your account over the phone.

Obviously, however, moving a SIM is easier.

> I don't want to go over to a GSM account because it will cost me more
> and not return any benefit that I can see.

SIM phones are GSM phones, and GSM phones get activated on GSM plans.

> Does anybody know:
>
> 1) If Cingular can/will handle this situation.

Not in my experience, but perhaps things have changed in the year
since I've been with Cingular. (I moved to Denver, where Cingular
doesn't offer service.)

> 2) What phones are available?

With SIMs? Check Cingular's website for your zip and check out the
GSM phones.

> After reading other threads, it seems like I am looking
> for something called a "GAIT" phone - but with a SIM card. (?)

GAIT phones do have SIMs- they're essentially GSM phones with TDMA and
analog backup. They are activated like GSM phones in the system, so
if Cingular won't move your rate plan to GSM, they won't move it to
GAIT.

But certainly call customer service and see if they can migrate your
account to GSM with your current rate plan intact.

[email protected] (PeteCresswell) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I've got an old account. It's not GSM, just the old standard.
> Not sure whether that's CDMA or TDMA.

TDMA

> My phone's getting flakey and I'd like to purchase a new one which has
> a SIM card in it.

Phones w/ SIMs are GSM phones.

> Hopefully this will take Cingular "support" out of
> the loop on future replacements/repairs.

Sure, but other than changing an ESN, they can be "out of the loop"
now. You can buy a TDMA phone on eBay, for example, and they'll put
it on your account over the phone.

Obviously, however, moving a SIM is easier.

> I don't want to go over to a GSM account because it will cost me more
> and not return any benefit that I can see.

SIM phones are GSM phones, and GSM phones get activated on GSM plans.

> Does anybody know:
>
> 1) If Cingular can/will handle this situation.

Not in my experience, but perhaps things have changed in the year
since I've been with Cingular. (I moved to Denver, where Cingular
doesn't offer service.)

> 2) What phones are available?

With SIMs? Check Cingular's website for your zip and check out the
GSM phones.

> After reading other threads, it seems like I am looking
> for something called a "GAIT" phone - but with a SIM card. (?)

GAIT phones do have SIMs- they're essentially GSM phones with TDMA and
analog backup. They are activated like GSM phones in the system, so
if Cingular won't move your rate plan to GSM, they won't move it to
GAIT.

But certainly call customer service and see if they can migrate your
account to GSM with your current rate plan intact.

On 4 May 2004 13:57:39 -0700, [email protected]
(PeteCresswell) wrote:

>I've got an old account. It's not GSM, just the old standard.
>Not sure whether that's CDMA or TDMA.

cingular only uses GSM and TDMA.

>My phone's getting flakey and I'd like to purchase a new one which has
>a SIM card in it. Hopefully this will take Cingular "support" out of
>the loop on future replacements/repairs.

If you want a phone with a SIM you'll have to use a GSM phone. If you
use a GAIT phone you'll have to have cingular activate the TDMA
portion of the phone.

>I don't want to go over to a GSM account because it will cost me more
>and not return any benefit that I can see.

If you want a SIM card that's your only choice.

>Does anybody know:
>
>1) If Cingular can/will handle this situation.

Handle what? Converting your account to GSM if that's your question
then yes they can do that.

>2) What phones are available?

For GAIT there are only two models the Nokia 6310i or the Ericsson
T62U. Those are the only models.

>After reading other threads, it seems like I am looking
>for something called a "GAIT" phone - but with a SIM card. (?)

GAIT phones have a SIM card but also must have the ESN programmed for
TDMA.
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