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  1. #1
    Ben in TN
    Guest
    Now that Cingular has bought ATT when will they be converting over the ATT
    towers from TDMA to GSM? I live in TN and Cingular has pitiful GSM coverage
    between Nashville and Knoxville. Around a quarter of the state in that area
    has no GSM but, has plenty of TDMA coverage. Does ATT not have towers there
    of their own or was ATT offering service there by roaming off of some
    smaller TDMA cellular providers? Cingular was Bellsouth Mobility and it's
    sad that such a big southern company cannot offer decent coverage in between
    Nashville and Knoxville. If you stay on the interstate between those cities
    you will be fine but, any where else there is no service unless you have the
    GAIT plan that I currently have or Verizon/Sprint. I'm getting tired of the
    $20 additional line cost for the GAIT plan and $5 more for less minutes on
    the same line. I don't really need gate except in the summer. If I drop
    GAIT I'm afraid I'll not be able to pick it back up in the future. It would
    be nice to have more modern GAIT phones too. Cingular needs to improve
    their GSM coverage in east TN and everything will be alright.

    Ben





    See More: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?




  2. #2
    Bob Walker
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?


    "Ben in TN" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:1100213602.YOONw2lVc0hlkjlwuzdXNQ@teranews...
    > Now that Cingular has bought ATT when will they be converting over the ATT
    > towers from TDMA to GSM? I live in TN and Cingular has pitiful GSM
    > coverage between Nashville and Knoxville. Around a quarter of the state
    > in that area has no GSM but, has plenty of TDMA coverage. Does ATT not
    > have towers there of their own or was ATT offering service there by
    > roaming off of some smaller TDMA cellular providers? Cingular was
    > Bellsouth Mobility and it's sad that such a big southern company cannot
    > offer decent coverage in between Nashville and Knoxville. If you stay on
    > the interstate between those cities you will be fine but, any where else
    > there is no service unless you have the GAIT plan that I currently have or
    > Verizon/Sprint. I'm getting tired of the $20 additional line cost for the
    > GAIT plan and $5 more for less minutes on the same line. I don't really
    > need gate except in the summer. If I drop GAIT I'm afraid I'll not be
    > able to pick it back up in the future. It would be nice to have more
    > modern GAIT phones too. Cingular needs to improve their GSM coverage in
    > east TN and everything will be alright.
    >
    > Ben
    >


    You shouldn't be paying extra for GAIT service. I just upgraded my plan in
    Dallas to the Nation 1000 w/rollover @ $39.99 and kept my GAIT option.

    Call customer service and check it out.

    Bob





  3. #3
    John Navas
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?

    [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

    In <1100213602.YOONw2lVc0hlkjlwuzdXNQ@teranews> on Thu, 11 Nov 2004 16:53:01
    -0600, "Ben in TN" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Now that Cingular has bought ATT when will they be converting over the ATT
    >towers from TDMA to GSM?


    ATTWS already completed overlay of TDMA with GSM 850. To take advantage of it
    you must have a handset that supports GSM 850.

    >I live in TN and Cingular has pitiful GSM coverage
    >between Nashville and Knoxville. Around a quarter of the state in that area
    >has no GSM but, has plenty of TDMA coverage. Does ATT not have towers there
    >of their own or was ATT offering service there by roaming off of some
    >smaller TDMA cellular providers?


    That's possible -- check the coverage maps.

    >Cingular was Bellsouth Mobility and it's
    >sad that such a big southern company cannot offer decent coverage in between
    >Nashville and Knoxville.


    It's more a matter of licenses and money than sadness.

    >If you stay on the interstate between those cities
    >you will be fine but, any where else there is no service unless you have the
    >GAIT plan that I currently have or Verizon/Sprint.


    You may be roaming on AMPS, but that will be going away in a few years.

    >I'm getting tired of the
    >$20 additional line cost for the GAIT plan and $5 more for less minutes on
    >the same line. I don't really need gate except in the summer. If I drop
    >GAIT I'm afraid I'll not be able to pick it back up in the future. It would
    >be nice to have more modern GAIT phones too.


    Won't happen -- GAIT has now outlived its purpose.

    >Cingular needs to improve
    >their GSM coverage in east TN and everything will be alright.


    That will probably happen sooner or later.

    --
    Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>



  4. #4
    Jack Zwick
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?

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

    > I just upgraded my plan in
    > Dallas to the Nation 1000 w/rollover @ $39.99 and kept my GAIT option.


    I'd lose money if I ever had to go on a such a plan. It has no Nights
    and Weekends Free Minutes, and no Free Mobile to Mobile. But then thats
    why they offer different plans.



  5. #5
    Ben in TN
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?


    "Bob Walker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > You shouldn't be paying extra for GAIT service. I just upgraded my plan
    > in Dallas to the Nation 1000 w/rollover @ $39.99 and kept my GAIT option.
    >
    > Call customer service and check it out.
    >
    > Bob


    The GAIT plan with 400 minutes costs $45 and it costs $20 for another line
    on the same plan and it only has 1,000 night and weekend minutes. I don't
    know how you keep a GAIT option. GAIT Nation is a plan just like GSM Nation
    is a plan. With taxes included my monthly bill is $79.71 and I'm paying
    that for one more month until my contract is up and then I don't know what
    I'm going to do but, I'm not going to keep on paying that kind of money.

    Ben





  6. #6
    Bob Walker
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?


    "Ben in TN" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:1100224137.OhlD2/C3F9OgeOxpNkYsYg@teranews...
    >
    > "Bob Walker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >> You shouldn't be paying extra for GAIT service. I just upgraded my plan
    >> in Dallas to the Nation 1000 w/rollover @ $39.99 and kept my GAIT option.
    >>
    >> Call customer service and check it out.
    >>
    >> Bob

    >
    > The GAIT plan with 400 minutes costs $45 and it costs $20 for another line
    > on the same plan and it only has 1,000 night and weekend minutes. I don't
    > know how you keep a GAIT option. GAIT Nation is a plan just like GSM
    > Nation is a plan. With taxes included my monthly bill is $79.71 and I'm
    > paying that for one more month until my contract is up and then I don't
    > know what I'm going to do but, I'm not going to keep on paying that kind
    > of money.
    >
    > Ben
    >


    As I said, talk to customer service. Mine is a Nation plan. A line on my
    bill is "GAIT calling area" at no charge.

    Bob





  7. #7
    Bob Walker
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?


    "Jack Zwick" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > In article <[email protected]>,
    > "Bob Walker" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >> I just upgraded my plan in
    >> Dallas to the Nation 1000 w/rollover @ $39.99 and kept my GAIT option.

    >
    > I'd lose money if I ever had to go on a such a plan. It has no Nights
    > and Weekends Free Minutes, and no Free Mobile to Mobile. But then thats
    > why they offer different plans.


    That's right. This one works great for me.

    Bob





  8. #8
    J Haggerty
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?

    Let us know if you have any problems making calls in an analog area and
    if they charge extra for those calls on the next bill. It doesn't appear
    that analog calls are part of that pricing plan.

    JPH

    Bob Walker wrote:
    > "Ben in TN" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:1100213602.YOONw2lVc0hlkjlwuzdXNQ@teranews...
    >
    >>Now that Cingular has bought ATT when will they be converting over the ATT
    >>towers from TDMA to GSM? I live in TN and Cingular has pitiful GSM
    >>coverage between Nashville and Knoxville. Around a quarter of the state
    >>in that area has no GSM but, has plenty of TDMA coverage. Does ATT not
    >>have towers there of their own or was ATT offering service there by
    >>roaming off of some smaller TDMA cellular providers? Cingular was
    >>Bellsouth Mobility and it's sad that such a big southern company cannot
    >>offer decent coverage in between Nashville and Knoxville. If you stay on
    >>the interstate between those cities you will be fine but, any where else
    >>there is no service unless you have the GAIT plan that I currently have or
    >>Verizon/Sprint. I'm getting tired of the $20 additional line cost for the
    >>GAIT plan and $5 more for less minutes on the same line. I don't really
    >>need gate except in the summer. If I drop GAIT I'm afraid I'll not be
    >>able to pick it back up in the future. It would be nice to have more
    >>modern GAIT phones too. Cingular needs to improve their GSM coverage in
    >>east TN and everything will be alright.
    >>
    >>Ben
    >>

    >
    >
    > You shouldn't be paying extra for GAIT service. I just upgraded my plan in
    > Dallas to the Nation 1000 w/rollover @ $39.99 and kept my GAIT option.
    >
    > Call customer service and check it out.
    >
    > Bob
    >
    >




  9. #9
    noone
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?


    "John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news[email protected]...
    > [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
    >
    > In <1100213602.YOONw2lVc0hlkjlwuzdXNQ@teranews> on Thu, 11 Nov 2004

    16:53:01
    > -0600, "Ben in TN" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > >Now that Cingular has bought ATT when will they be converting over the

    ATT
    > >towers from TDMA to GSM?

    >
    > ATTWS already completed overlay of TDMA with GSM 850. To take advantage

    of it
    > you must have a handset that supports GSM 850.
    >

    Actually, ATTWS had almost no GSM 850 hardware in place when they closed the
    sale with Cingular. Cingular converted all of their 850 systems, but ATTWS
    converted only their 1900 networks to GSM. They were still selling TDMA,
    both 800 & 1900 through the day of closing.

    According to GSM World, ATT's network between Nashville and Knoxville is GSM
    1900. T-Mobile also owns spectrum along the same stretch of highway, but it
    isn't built out very well yet. Getting the rest of ATT's netwrok converted
    is one of Cingular's biggest priorities. (At least that's what they're
    telling us.)

    As for those that asked about rate plans; as of this past Monday, GAIT
    phones can be put on the GSM Nation Family talk plans, complete with M2M and
    Unlimited NW. And, yes, you keep your GAIT calling area, and, no, you don't
    pay roaming on AMPS. The assumption is that at least one of the phones on
    the FT is going to be GSM. A call to C/S may get you someone who will change
    you to the GSM plan without having to go to FT. C/S reps are always making
    deals that the dealers can't make, because we have limited access to the
    billing system.

    Mark

    ..


    ---
    Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
    Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
    Version: 6.0.788 / Virus Database: 533 - Release Date: 11/2/04





  10. #10
    Bob Walker
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?


    "John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news[email protected]...
    > [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]


    >>I'm getting tired of the
    >>$20 additional line cost for the GAIT plan and $5 more for less minutes on
    >>the same line. I don't really need gate except in the summer. If I drop
    >>GAIT I'm afraid I'll not be able to pick it back up in the future. It
    >>would
    >>be nice to have more modern GAIT phones too.

    >
    > Won't happen -- GAIT has now outlived its purpose.
    >



    I presume you mean its "purpose" as it relates to Cingular management. For
    users in non-metropolitan areas it still is very useful, as my T62u is often
    on TDMA in areas of central Texas. I even see AMPS occasionally.

    In my opion GAIT was under-utilized and under-promoted. Of course, I'm not
    running a cellular phone company.

    Bob





  11. #11
    John Navas
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?

    [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

    In <[email protected]> on Fri, 12 Nov 2004
    06:33:09 GMT, "noone" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    >news[email protected]...


    >> ATTWS already completed overlay of TDMA with GSM 850. To take advantage of it
    >> you must have a handset that supports GSM 850.
    >>

    >Actually, ATTWS had almost no GSM 850 hardware in place when they closed the
    >sale with Cingular. Cingular converted all of their 850 systems, but ATTWS
    >converted only their 1900 networks to GSM. They were still selling TDMA,
    >both 800 & 1900 through the day of closing.


    AT&T Wireless Reports Complete First Quarter Results
    Friday, April 23, 2004

    Network Upgrade

    Capital expenditures, including internal use software, were $739
    million in the first quarter, an increase of 72.6 percent from the
    year ago quarter. The majority of the company's capital spending
    during the first quarter of 2004 related to the GSM/GPRS/EDGE
    network, including the overlay of 850 MHz GSM radios in 850 MHz
    markets and other investments to enhance quality and expand capacity
    of the GSM/GPRS/EDGE network.

    --
    Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>



  12. #12
    John Navas
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?

    [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

    In <[email protected]> on Fri, 12 Nov 2004
    15:16:31 GMT, "Bob Walker" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    >news[email protected]...


    >> Won't happen -- GAIT has now outlived its purpose.

    >
    >I presume you mean its "purpose" as it relates to Cingular management.


    Its purpose was to facilitate GSM transition. Now that GSM overlay has been
    completed, that purpose no longer exists.

    >For
    >users in non-metropolitan areas it still is very useful, as my T62u is often
    >on TDMA in areas of central Texas. I even see AMPS occasionally.


    I agree that GAIT is still useful from a consumer standpoint. The problem is
    that it's no longer useful from the standpoint of the carrier.

    >In my opion GAIT was under-utilized and under-promoted. Of course, I'm not
    >running a cellular phone company.


    The problem is that GAIT isn't profitable -- not enough revenue to justify all
    the costs:

    * Cingular wants to phase out TDMA as soon as possible to increase network
    efficiency and lower costs. AMPS will likewise be going away.

    * Existing GAIT handsets are no longer competitive, and new GAIT handsets
    aren't financially attractive due to higher costs.

    * GAIT is a big Support issue.

    * It's unlikely that many consumers would be willing to pay the premium price
    needed to make GAIT financially attractive to the carrier, particularly with
    both TDMA and AMPS being phased out.

    In other words, from the carrier standpoint, GAIT was a necessary short-term
    evil that's no longer necessary or even attractive.

    --
    Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>



  13. #13
    Alan
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?


    "John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
    >
    > In <[email protected]> on Fri, 12 Nov 2004
    > 15:16:31 GMT, "Bob Walker" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > >news[email protected]...

    >
    > >> Won't happen -- GAIT has now outlived its purpose.

    > >
    > >I presume you mean its "purpose" as it relates to Cingular management.

    >
    > Its purpose was to facilitate GSM transition. Now that GSM overlay has

    been
    > completed, that purpose no longer exists.
    >
    > >For
    > >users in non-metropolitan areas it still is very useful, as my T62u is

    often
    > >on TDMA in areas of central Texas. I even see AMPS occasionally.

    >
    > I agree that GAIT is still useful from a consumer standpoint. The problem

    is
    > that it's no longer useful from the standpoint of the carrier.
    >
    > >In my opion GAIT was under-utilized and under-promoted. Of course, I'm

    not
    > >running a cellular phone company.

    >
    > The problem is that GAIT isn't profitable -- not enough revenue to justify

    all
    > the costs:
    >
    > * Cingular wants to phase out TDMA as soon as possible to increase network
    > efficiency and lower costs. AMPS will likewise be going away.
    >
    > * Existing GAIT handsets are no longer competitive, and new GAIT handsets
    > aren't financially attractive due to higher costs.
    >
    > * GAIT is a big Support issue.
    >
    > * It's unlikely that many consumers would be willing to pay the premium

    price
    > needed to make GAIT financially attractive to the carrier, particularly

    with
    > both TDMA and AMPS being phased out.
    >


    My Cingular GAIT plan was actually $10/month cheaper then my current GSM
    plan. The main difference is that there are no roaming charges with the GSM
    plan, but my roaming over one _year_ never added up to anything close to
    $10.00. I wanted new (camera) phones, so I had to go with the GSM only plan.
    So now I pay slightly more for less coverage. I imagine this situation is
    temporary anyway- until there is more GSM coverage. The good news is that I
    kept my 2 GAIT phones (t62u), so if I know I am going somewhere where there
    is TDMA but no GSM, I am still in good shape, and when I do roam with those
    phones, it will be free.





  14. #14
    Bob Walker
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?


    "Alan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...

    > My Cingular GAIT plan was actually $10/month cheaper then my current GSM
    > plan. The main difference is that there are no roaming charges with the
    > GSM
    > plan, but my roaming over one _year_ never added up to anything close to
    > $10.00. I wanted new (camera) phones, so I had to go with the GSM only
    > plan.
    > So now I pay slightly more for less coverage. I imagine this situation is
    > temporary anyway- until there is more GSM coverage. The good news is that
    > I
    > kept my 2 GAIT phones (t62u), so if I know I am going somewhere where
    > there
    > is TDMA but no GSM, I am still in good shape, and when I do roam with
    > those
    > phones, it will be free.
    >
    >


    If you are now on a GSM-only plan your T62u is probably not going to give
    you access to TDMA or AMPS. You might discuss the problem with Customer
    Service to see whether they can/will activate "GAIT Calling Area" on your
    account to accomodate the T62u as a backup phone. Several of us would be
    interested in what you learn.

    It might have been possible to just move the SIM from your T62u to the
    camera phone without any changes to your account other than extending your
    contract. Again, I'm not sure. Does anyone else know whether this would
    work?

    Bob





  15. #15
    Alan
    Guest

    Re: When will Cingular convert the ATT TDMA towers?


    "Bob Walker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >
    > "Alan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >
    > > My Cingular GAIT plan was actually $10/month cheaper then my current GSM
    > > plan. The main difference is that there are no roaming charges with the
    > > GSM
    > > plan, but my roaming over one _year_ never added up to anything close to
    > > $10.00. I wanted new (camera) phones, so I had to go with the GSM only
    > > plan.
    > > So now I pay slightly more for less coverage. I imagine this situation

    is
    > > temporary anyway- until there is more GSM coverage. The good news is

    that
    > > I
    > > kept my 2 GAIT phones (t62u), so if I know I am going somewhere where
    > > there
    > > is TDMA but no GSM, I am still in good shape, and when I do roam with
    > > those
    > > phones, it will be free.
    > >
    > >

    >
    > If you are now on a GSM-only plan your T62u is probably not going to give
    > you access to TDMA or AMPS. You might discuss the problem with Customer
    > Service to see whether they can/will activate "GAIT Calling Area" on your
    > account to accomodate the T62u as a backup phone. Several of us would be
    > interested in what you learn.


    I had called a few weeks ago, and several different reps all told me the
    same thing. All I need to do is move the SIM back to the GAIT phone, and
    call them to have that phone activated (they need the IME number). No
    charge, and I can switch it back again using the same procedure. Apparently,
    I can't just move the SIM. They don't allow this as a fraud protection
    measure, or so they say.

    >
    > It might have been possible to just move the SIM from your T62u to the
    > camera phone without any changes to your account other than extending your
    > contract. Again, I'm not sure. Does anyone else know whether this would
    > work?
    >
    > Bob
    >
    >






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