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  1. #1
    :-\)Liz
    Guest
    I had to finally upgrade my phone to GSM as my analog/digital one died.

    I have Cingular service.

    Up until my old phone died... I could make and receive calls in the mts. of
    New Mexico(88317)..now with GSM ...ZIP...no service.. Anyone have a
    suggestion as to what "pay as you go" phone will work? I see folks in the
    mts. with working cell phones so I know some do work...I only need the phone
    for mt. use. Thanks! :-)Liz





    See More: Pay As You Go




  2. #2
    Jud Hardcastle
    Guest

    Re: Pay As You Go

    In article <[email protected]>,
    [email protected] says...
    > I had to finally upgrade my phone to GSM as my analog/digital one died.
    >
    > I have Cingular service.
    >
    > Up until my old phone died... I could make and receive calls in the mts. of
    > New Mexico(88317)..now with GSM ...ZIP...no service.. Anyone have a
    > suggestion as to what "pay as you go" phone will work? I see folks in the
    > mts. with working cell phones so I know some do work...I only need the phone
    > for mt. use. Thanks! :-)Liz
    >

    If your old phone was TDMA/analog it could have been making calls on
    *either* TDMA or analog--it might help to narrow that down. If TDMA most
    likely the carrier there hasn't converted to GSM yet (or isn't going
    to--some went with CDMA) but if it was using analog you're sol
    w/Cingular (the reason I'm hanging onto my GAIT TDMA/GSM/AMPS phone
    until they force me off the plan).

    Your best bet is probably a tri-mode CDMA/AMPS phone on the Verizon
    easypay plan. If CDMA doesn't work there then AMPS certainly should.
    There are some tri-modes listed on that plan: the LG VX3400, Motorola
    W315 just in the first few listed--look in the "phone detail" tab. To
    find a list of CDMA/AMPS phones in general,

    Go here: http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/finder.php?w=s
    click on "show all options"
    check Verizon or Sprint as "required"
    check "available" as "required"
    check AMPS as "required"
    Search
    Should give you a pretty long shopping list.

    You might also make sure the phone has a physical connector for an
    external antenna or booster--a good external antenna can make a world of
    difference.

    All bets off though as to how long AMPS will work after the sunset
    date--some of the really remote towers may never get rid of it.
    --
    Jud
    Dallas TX USA



  3. #3
    SMS
    Guest

    Re: Pay As You Go

    :-)Liz wrote:
    > I had to finally upgrade my phone to GSM as my analog/digital one died.
    >
    > I have Cingular service.
    >
    > Up until my old phone died... I could make and receive calls in the mts. of
    > New Mexico(88317)..now with GSM ...ZIP...no service.. Anyone have a
    > suggestion as to what "pay as you go" phone will work? I see folks in the
    > mts. with working cell phones so I know some do work...I only need the phone
    > for mt. use. Thanks! :-)Liz


    Pageplus will work, as long as the AMPS analog service remains on. But
    it's also possible that those users are on CDMA, which has better
    coverage than GSM in the United States, especially off the beaten path.

    Pageplus uses Verizon, Alltel, and other CDMA/AMPS networks.

    "http://www.pagepluscellular.com/"

    You can use any phone that was on Verizon or Alltel in the past. These
    are the only phones that will work (probably identical phones to the
    Verizon or Alltel phones would also work). They do not have to be E-911
    capable.

    I often advise people with Cingular to pick up a PagePlus phone and keep
    the account active in order to have coverage where Cingular is lacking.
    I gave my kids Pageplus accounts as well, it's perfect for low usage,
    where they should only be calling when they need a ride or something.

    Don't let the poor web site scare you, they are quite good. You can pick
    up an activation on eBay for about $5. Search for "page plus activation".

    You have to add $10 every four months to keep your account active.
    Actually they keep the account on longer, but if you don't add $10 you
    lose whatever balance you had previously.

    [Copied to alt.cellular.attws. Please post all alt.cellular.cingular
    posts to alt.cellular.attws as well. The Cingular name has gone away,
    and alt.cellular.attws is the proper venue for posts regarding AT&T's
    Wireless Service.]



  4. #4

    Re: Pay As You Go

    On Thu, 24 May 2007 13:21:09 -0500, ":-\)Liz" <[email protected]>
    wrote:

    >I had to finally upgrade my phone to GSM as my analog/digital one died.
    >
    >I have Cingular service.
    >



    You could also buy a used GAIT phone on eBay.


    >Up until my old phone died... I could make and receive calls in the mts. of
    >New Mexico(88317)..now with GSM ...ZIP...no service.. Anyone have a
    >suggestion as to what "pay as you go" phone will work? I see folks in the
    >mts. with working cell phones so I know some do work...I only need the phone
    >for mt. use. Thanks! :-)Liz
    >


    Instead of getting opinions here, ask someone with a working phone
    what they use, next time you're in those Mountains.



  5. #5
    Kevin Weaver
    Guest

    Re: Pay As You Go

    You need to turn on extended GSM...


    ":-)Liz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >I had to finally upgrade my phone to GSM as my analog/digital one died.
    >
    > I have Cingular service.
    >
    > Up until my old phone died... I could make and receive calls in the mts.
    > of New Mexico(88317)..now with GSM ...ZIP...no service.. Anyone have a
    > suggestion as to what "pay as you go" phone will work? I see folks in the
    > mts. with working cell phones so I know some do work...I only need the
    > phone for mt. use. Thanks! :-)Liz
    >





  6. #6
    SMS
    Guest

    Re: Pay As You Go

    [email protected] wrote:
    > On Thu, 24 May 2007 13:21:09 -0500, ":-\)Liz" <[email protected]>
    > wrote:
    >
    >> I had to finally upgrade my phone to GSM as my analog/digital one died.
    >>
    >> I have Cingular service.
    >>

    >
    >
    > You could also buy a used GAIT phone on eBay.


    I doubt if that would do much good. Cingular is unlikely to allow the
    use of the AMPS or TDMA networks for users that weren't already on a
    GAIT plan.

    It's very possible that the people he saw on the phone in the mountains
    were on CDMA. In California, there is a lot of CDMA in areas with no GSM
    or TDMA. If some of the coverage was AMPS, then a PagePlus phone would
    work as well.


    [Copied to alt.cellular.attws. Please post all alt.cellular.cingular
    posts to alt.cellular.attws as well. The Cingular name has gone away,
    and alt.cellular.attws is the proper venue for posts regarding AT&T's
    Wireless Service.]



  7. #7
    Bill Radio
    Guest

    Re: Pay As You Go

    Liz,
    You have several Choices, in the order of my preference:

    1) Alltel "U" prepaid,
    2) Page Plus prepaid
    3) Tracfone (or Net 10...same company)
    4) Verizon's prepaid.

    They all use CDMA and, in some cases, you can still get a tri-mode phone
    that will access analog as long as it is available. Alltel has stated that
    they won't turn it off all at once, but on a case-by-case basis. Make sure
    the phone you get from Tracfone is CDMA.


    -Bill Radio
    -New Mexico Cellular Reviews and News at:
    http://www.mountainwireless.com




    ":-)Liz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >I had to finally upgrade my phone to GSM as my analog/digital one died.
    >
    > I have Cingular service.
    >
    > Up until my old phone died... I could make and receive calls in the mts.
    > of New Mexico(88317)..now with GSM ...ZIP...no service.. Anyone have a
    > suggestion as to what "pay as you go" phone will work? I see folks in the
    > mts. with working cell phones so I know some do work...I only need the
    > phone for mt. use. Thanks! :-)Liz
    >




    --
    Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com




  8. #8
    :-\)Liz
    Guest

    Re: Pay As You Go

    Thanks all for the info..

    I checked into Page Plus as it sounded the best to fit my needs but alas
    they indicate they do not have coverage for Otero County (88317) in New
    Mexico...Any suggestion as to what direction I can turn to now "Bill
    Radio"..I want a pay as you go phone that I can call from the 88317 to
    79701 area code.. My A707 Samsung works fine once I'm out of the mts. so I
    just need a cheap pay as you go system for the mts. only. Thanks. :-) Liz

    "Bill Radio" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > Liz,
    > You have several Choices, in the order of my preference:
    >
    > 1) Alltel "U" prepaid,
    > 2) Page Plus prepaid
    > 3) Tracfone (or Net 10...same company)
    > 4) Verizon's prepaid.
    >
    > They all use CDMA and, in some cases, you can still get a tri-mode phone
    > that will access analog as long as it is available. Alltel has stated
    > that they won't turn it off all at once, but on a case-by-case basis.
    > Make sure the phone you get from Tracfone is CDMA.
    >
    >
    > -Bill Radio
    > -New Mexico Cellular Reviews and News at:
    > http://www.mountainwireless.com
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > ":-)Liz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >>I had to finally upgrade my phone to GSM as my analog/digital one died.
    >>
    >> I have Cingular service.
    >>
    >> Up until my old phone died... I could make and receive calls in the mts.
    >> of New Mexico(88317)..now with GSM ...ZIP...no service.. Anyone have a
    >> suggestion as to what "pay as you go" phone will work? I see folks in the
    >> mts. with working cell phones so I know some do work...I only need the
    >> phone for mt. use. Thanks! :-)Liz
    >>

    >
    >
    >
    > --
    > Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
    >






  9. #9
    Dennis Ferguson
    Guest

    Re: Pay As You Go

    On 2007-05-25, :-)Liz <[email protected]> wrote:
    > Thanks all for the info..
    >
    > I checked into Page Plus as it sounded the best to fit my needs but alas
    > they indicate they do not have coverage for Otero County (88317) in New
    > Mexico...Any suggestion as to what direction I can turn to now "Bill
    > Radio"..I want a pay as you go phone that I can call from the 88317 to
    > 79701 area code.. My A707 Samsung works fine once I'm out of the mts. so I
    > just need a cheap pay as you go system for the mts. only. Thanks. :-) Liz
    >
    > "Bill Radio" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >> Liz,
    >> You have several Choices, in the order of my preference:
    >>
    >> 1) Alltel "U" prepaid,
    >> 2) Page Plus prepaid
    >> 3) Tracfone (or Net 10...same company)
    >> 4) Verizon's prepaid.


    Alltel claims to have coverage in 88317.

    Dennis Ferguson



  10. #10
    SMS
    Guest

    Re: Pay As You Go

    Bill Radio wrote:
    > Liz,
    > You have several Choices, in the order of my preference:
    >
    > 1) Alltel "U" prepaid,
    > 2) Page Plus prepaid
    > 3) Tracfone (or Net 10...same company)
    > 4) Verizon's prepaid.
    >
    > They all use CDMA and, in some cases, you can still get a tri-mode phone
    > that will access analog as long as it is available. Alltel has stated that
    > they won't turn it off all at once, but on a case-by-case basis. Make sure
    > the phone you get from Tracfone is CDMA.


    That seems to be harder and harder to do. Apparently the GSM carriers
    cut Tracfone a better deal, and since they charge by the minute
    regardless of the technology, it makes sense for them to take the
    cheapest price per minute and forget about serving the few customers
    that need rural coverage.



  11. #11
    SMS
    Guest

    Re: Pay As You Go

    :-)Liz wrote:
    > Thanks all for the info..
    >
    > I checked into Page Plus as it sounded the best to fit my needs but alas
    > they indicate they do not have coverage for Otero County (88317) in New
    > Mexico...Any suggestion as to what direction I can turn to now "Bill
    > Radio"..I want a pay as you go phone that I can call from the 88317 to
    > 79701 area code.. My A707 Samsung works fine once I'm out of the mts. so I
    > just need a cheap pay as you go system for the mts. only. Thanks. :-) Liz


    Verizon shows coverage in that zip code, whether it's on their own
    network or an extended network isn't clear. If Verizon or Alltel have
    coverage then it's almost a certainty that PagePlus has coverage. If you
    can get an old Verizon or Alltel tri-mode phone from someone, then it's
    certainly worth trying out PagePlus to see how it works, as it'll only
    cost you $5 or so.

    [Copied to alt.cellular.attws. Please post all alt.cellular.cingular
    posts to alt.cellular.attws as well. The Cingular name has gone away,
    and alt.cellular.attws is the proper venue for posts regarding AT&T's
    Wireless Service.]



  12. #12
    :-\)Liz
    Guest

    Re: Pay As You Go/Tower Info

    There is a cell tower just across the mt. I'm on (Within Line of Sight)...
    Is there a way to find out who's tower it is? That would really help
    determine which phone carrier I should try... Thanks>:-) Liz

    "SMS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > :-)Liz wrote:
    >> Thanks all for the info..
    >>
    >> I checked into Page Plus as it sounded the best to fit my needs but alas
    >> they indicate they do not have coverage for Otero County (88317) in New
    >> Mexico...Any suggestion as to what direction I can turn to now "Bill
    >> Radio"..I want a pay as you go phone that I can call from the 88317 to
    >> 79701 area code.. My A707 Samsung works fine once I'm out of the mts. so
    >> I just need a cheap pay as you go system for the mts. only. Thanks. :-)
    >> Liz

    >
    > Verizon shows coverage in that zip code, whether it's on their own network
    > or an extended network isn't clear. If Verizon or Alltel have coverage
    > then it's almost a certainty that PagePlus has coverage. If you can get an
    > old Verizon or Alltel tri-mode phone from someone, then it's certainly
    > worth trying out PagePlus to see how it works, as it'll only cost you $5
    > or so.
    >
    > [Copied to alt.cellular.attws. Please post all alt.cellular.cingular posts
    > to alt.cellular.attws as well. The Cingular name has gone away, and
    > alt.cellular.attws is the proper venue for posts regarding AT&T's Wireless
    > Service.]






  13. #13
    Norm
    Guest

    Re: Pay As You Go

    Cingular has severly wounded the coverage area of Go Phone. They chop you
    out of about a third of their GSM network. Call up the contracted network
    coverage map and you will find service in say Wyoming. Call up the Go Phone
    covegae map and you will find they heave zero coverage in say Wyoming. They
    screwed the Go Phone people. Just check it out. That could be part of your
    coverage issues.
    Norm





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