Results 1 to 15 of 15
  1. #1
    JEB
    Guest
    HI;
    i'm getting ready to upgrade my phone(s) and need some help from ya'all. I
    have a TMDA (Motorola v60T) phone and the old nation plan (300 anytime, no
    roaming, $29). I am thinking about buying a GSM phone and adding my wife's
    phone as well. My question is: will I ONLY be able to use the GSM networks?
    If I buy a phone capable of both TMDA and GSM and have a GSM plan will I
    still be able to use the TMDA network too?

    What do you guys suggest? I travel about once a month in the US, want a
    phone for my wife, don't want to pay roaming and would like to have
    roll-over minutes.

    Thanks
    Jack





    See More: Question about GSM and TMDA




  2. #2
    Mark A. Smith
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    It sounds to me that you would need a GAIT (Nokia 6340i or
    Sony-Ericsson), with the (GAIT) Nation Plan, which does have roll-over
    minutes, with no roaming. You and your wife would need separate plans (can
    be on the same account), as Cingular does not offer Family Talk with the
    Nation Plans.
    As far as the GAIT phones go, I would recommend the Nokia 6340i, as I
    have had mine since April 2003, and I am very satisfied with it. I am able
    to use the phone wherever there is cell phone service, whether it be GSM,
    TDMA, or even AMPS.


    Have a good one,


    --
    Mark A. Smith



    "JEB" <berndt at berndtmd dot com> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > HI;
    > i'm getting ready to upgrade my phone(s) and need some help from ya'all.

    I
    > have a TMDA (Motorola v60T) phone and the old nation plan (300 anytime, no
    > roaming, $29). I am thinking about buying a GSM phone and adding my

    wife's
    > phone as well. My question is: will I ONLY be able to use the GSM

    networks?
    > If I buy a phone capable of both TMDA and GSM and have a GSM plan will I
    > still be able to use the TMDA network too?
    >
    > What do you guys suggest? I travel about once a month in the US, want a
    > phone for my wife, don't want to pay roaming and would like to have
    > roll-over minutes.
    >
    > Thanks
    > Jack
    >
    >






  3. #3
    PJ
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    I would think that you would want a GAIT phone. I just upgraded to the
    6340i. I think that there are a few problems with the phone, but I didn't
    like the looks of the Sony Erickson, which was the other option.

    If you go to the GSM phone, as most of the sexier models are, you are
    limited to the very skinny GSM network. At least in Missouri, where I am
    located, we had the option of selecting some other TDMA/Analog phones, which
    didn't allow the GSM coverage. I'm not sure if I made the best choice.
    This phone seems to work no better than the 3360 that it replaced, but no
    worse either. Once in a while it does some funky things looking for a
    signal, but other than that it is OK. We actually have three of these
    phones now, as I upgraded my two kids about six months ago. My daughter has
    had some problems with hers, but it does work.

    Good luck.

    Phil
    "JEB" <berndt at berndtmd dot com> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > HI;
    > i'm getting ready to upgrade my phone(s) and need some help from ya'all.

    I
    > have a TMDA (Motorola v60T) phone and the old nation plan (300 anytime, no
    > roaming, $29). I am thinking about buying a GSM phone and adding my

    wife's
    > phone as well. My question is: will I ONLY be able to use the GSM

    networks?
    > If I buy a phone capable of both TMDA and GSM and have a GSM plan will I
    > still be able to use the TMDA network too?
    >
    > What do you guys suggest? I travel about once a month in the US, want a
    > phone for my wife, don't want to pay roaming and would like to have
    > roll-over minutes.
    >
    > Thanks
    > Jack
    >
    >






  4. #4
    usa
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA


    First of all, the GAIT phone is a "bridge" phone until they complete the gsm
    build out-switching from GSM to TDMA . The only real disadvantage is that
    your call drops if you are moving while on a GSM call and the nearest
    handoff tower is a tdma-and vice-versa. GSM channels handle 3 times the
    number of simultaneous calls as a TDMA channel so Cingular is anxious to
    complete the GSM rollout. If you travel inside the U.S. you may be better
    served by the GAIT phone. On GSM you can get a Family Talk Nations Plan and
    avoid roaming charges but the GAIT phone is limited to the Preferred Nations
    Plan which only avoids roaming charges if you are on the Cingular
    network-ie: a cingular tower. Visit www.cingular.com. Of the two GAIT
    phones, there are far fewer complaints on the Nokia 6340i than the
    Sony-Ericsson T62u. The hard rollout of GSM should be completed by the end
    of the year. The signal radius of a GSM tower is 14 miles-a little smaller
    than the TDMA towers. The other incentive for Cingular is that GSM is the
    world standard and most Cingular phones operate at both 1800mhz and 1900mhz
    GSM giving them ready access to the world market. Investing in a GSM phone
    is your best bet if you travel outside the US.
    usa001


    "JEB" <berndt at berndtmd dot com> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > HI;
    > i'm getting ready to upgrade my phone(s) and need some help from ya'all.

    I
    > have a TMDA (Motorola v60T) phone and the old nation plan (300 anytime, no
    > roaming, $29). I am thinking about buying a GSM phone and adding my

    wife's
    > phone as well. My question is: will I ONLY be able to use the GSM

    networks?
    > If I buy a phone capable of both TMDA and GSM and have a GSM plan will I
    > still be able to use the TMDA network too?
    >
    > What do you guys suggest? I travel about once a month in the US, want a
    > phone for my wife, don't want to pay roaming and would like to have
    > roll-over minutes.
    >
    > Thanks
    > Jack
    >
    >






  5. #5
    Group Special Mobile
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    On Wed, 29 Oct 2003 06:46:30 GMT, "usa" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >The other incentive for Cingular is that GSM is the
    >world standard and most Cingular phones operate at both 1800mhz and 1900mhz
    >GSM giving them ready access to the world market. Investing in a GSM phone
    >is your best bet if you travel outside the US.


    cingular does *not* use 1800 Mhz. No US carrier does. cingular
    operates at 1900 and 850/800 Mhz.

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    To send an email reply send to
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  6. #6
    Jud Hardcastle
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    In article <[email protected]>, usa001
    @swbell.net says...
    >
    > First of all, the GAIT phone is a "bridge" phone until they complete the gsm
    > build out-switching from GSM to TDMA .


    May be a very long "bridge" depending on how long it takes partner
    carriers to convert if ever. *I* suspect we *will* see more GAIT models
    before this mess is over.

    > served by the GAIT phone. On GSM you can get a Family Talk Nations Plan and
    > avoid roaming charges but the GAIT phone is limited to the Preferred Nations
    > Plan which only avoids roaming charges if you are on the Cingular
    > network-ie: a cingular tower. Visit www.cingular.com. Of the two GAIT


    There is no "Preferred" Nations plan any more at least not ordered from
    Dallas. There is a "Cingular Nation GSM" and a "Cingular Nation". The
    "Cingular Nation" requires a GAIT phone but there is NO roaming charges
    regardless of carrier. Also included--long distance, rollover minutes,
    and night&weekend minutes--but no family plan.

    Compare the maps for the two nations plans--counting the "future
    coverage" on the GSM-only plan--the difference is TDMA/AMPS only
    PARTNERS--and you can see why I say GAIT will be around for awhile.

    --
    Jud
    Dallas TX USA



  7. #7
    JRW
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    Jud Hardcastle wrote:

    > In article <[email protected]>, usa001
    > @swbell.net says...
    >
    >>First of all, the GAIT phone is a "bridge" phone until they complete the gsm
    >>build out-switching from GSM to TDMA .

    >
    > May be a very long "bridge" depending on how long it takes partner
    > carriers to convert if ever. *I* suspect we *will* see more GAIT models
    > before this mess is over.


    From my experience and knowledge of who can do contracting, I'd say
    that 10-15 crews could be deployed in the U.S. at any given time from
    companies that have the necessary RF test equipment and experience.

    It takes 6-8 hours to convert a site over to GSM. It would take those
    crews at least a month to convert an area the size of Kansas to GSM.

    Of course there are some variables above (other than the 6-8 hours
    per site), but at least it should give you an idea that the entire
    U.S. isn't going to be convert in less than a year and could be done
    within 3 years.




  8. #8
    N9WOS
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    > From my experience and knowledge of who can do contracting, I'd say
    > that 10-15 crews could be deployed in the U.S. at any given time from
    > companies that have the necessary RF test equipment and experience.
    >
    > It takes 6-8 hours to convert a site over to GSM. It would take those
    > crews at least a month to convert an area the size of Kansas to GSM.
    >
    > Of course there are some variables above (other than the 6-8 hours
    > per site), but at least it should give you an idea that the entire
    > U.S. isn't going to be convert in less than a year and could be done
    > within 3 years.


    That 6 to 8 hour figure would be reasonable if they already
    have the modular units to replace the ones currently in service.
    And all they would be doing is a switch out.

    Which wouldn't be the norm.

    You have to factor in lead time and everything else.
    You have to get your suppliers to come up with units to fit the
    racks that is already present at the site, and the units would
    have to be compatible with the equipment that is already at the site.
    Otherwise, you would have to change all the auxiliary equipment to suite
    the new modules, which would easily take a day or more.

    Then you have to wait for the suppliers to produce the equipment.

    If you can't get units that can be installed in the pre existing racks,
    or you have a few sites that have one of a kind equipment
    that would be too costly to build equipment for.
    (ie)proprietary design.
    Then you have to rip out the hardware and control equipment and
    start from scratch.
    If the control equipment is located in an immobile structure, then
    it could take days for a team to finish the switch out.
    and the cell site would be off line for most of that time.
    If the site is located in a movable prefab enclosure, then it would
    be quicker to disconnect the enclosure from the tower and remove it.
    Then bring a new preprepared unit in a hook it back up.
    It would take one night to do, with a few days lead time to
    build the new unit off site.





  9. #9
    N9WOS
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    > May be a very long "bridge" depending on how long it takes partner
    > carriers to convert if ever. *I* suspect we *will* see more GAIT models
    > before this mess is over.


    I wonder if the temporary bridge may become a permanent one.

    Like the wooden bridges across the streams around here.
    They put them in and kept saying that they was only temporary.
    They was going to put in new concrete bridges in a while.

    Well.....
    10 years have passed, and we are still driving over the same
    wooden bridges.

    Sometimes, if something works good, it's just easier to leave it alone.

    I also wonder if GAIT will evolve.
    (ie)a GAIT "like" phone that also has CDMA.
    Then add 900 and 1800 to it, then you have a true world phone.

    850, 900, 1800, 1900 gsm
    850 amps
    850, 1900 tdma
    850, 1900 cdma
    Now that would be a kick a$$ phone.

    And I wonder if they would ever offer A GAIT phone
    on a nation wide prepaid plan. :-)





  10. #10
    JRW
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    N9WOS wrote:
    >> From my experience and knowledge of who can do contracting, I'd say
    >>that 10-15 crews could be deployed in the U.S. at any given time from
    >>companies that have the necessary RF test equipment and experience.
    >>
    >>It takes 6-8 hours to convert a site over to GSM. It would take those
    >>crews at least a month to convert an area the size of Kansas to GSM.
    >>
    >>Of course there are some variables above (other than the 6-8 hours
    >>per site), but at least it should give you an idea that the entire
    >>U.S. isn't going to be convert in less than a year and could be done
    >>within 3 years.

    >
    >
    > That 6 to 8 hour figure would be reasonable if they already
    > have the modular units to replace the ones currently in service.
    > And all they would be doing is a switch out.
    >
    > Which wouldn't be the norm.
    >


    That's correct, I didn't review what I posted as one of my dogs
    started to pee on one of my tool boxes.

    At any rate, it ain't gonna be all done by this spring.




  11. #11
    John S.
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    >>The other incentive for Cingular is that GSM is the
    >>world standard and most Cingular phones operate at both 1800mhz and 1900mhz
    >>GSM


    No they don't!!! It amazes me at the stupid statements that are made in this
    newsgroup!



    --
    John S.
    e-mail responses to - john at kiana dot net



  12. #12
    Group Special Mobile
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    On 03 Nov 2003 01:13:56 GMT, [email protected]pamfree (John S.)
    wrote:

    >>>The other incentive for Cingular is that GSM is the
    >>>world standard and most Cingular phones operate at both 1800mhz and 1900mhz
    >>>GSM

    >
    >No they don't!!! It amazes me at the stupid statements that are made in this
    >newsgroup!


    Pot/kettle/black
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    To send an email reply send to
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  13. #13
    Joe Versaggi
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    John S. wrote:
    >>>The other incentive for Cingular is that GSM is the
    >>>world standard and most Cingular phones operate at both 1800mhz and 1900mhz
    >>>GSM

    >>


    I don't care what they use in Europe and Asia. GSM here is skeletal and
    useless in remote areas. I'll stick to TDMA and AMPS for at least
    another 5 years.

    >
    > No they don't!!! It amazes me at the stupid statements that are made in this
    > newsgroup!





  14. #14
    JRW
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    Joe Versaggi wrote:

    > I don't care what they use in Europe and Asia. GSM here is skeletal and
    > useless in remote areas. I'll stick to TDMA and AMPS for at least
    > another 5 years.


    Believe it or not, company I'm working for just gave a Motorola 3 Watt
    bag phone for my truck! Good thinking...its the only phone that works
    reliably in the hilly countryside out here.




  15. #15
    Group Special Mobile
    Guest

    Re: Question about GSM and TMDA

    On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 04:16:17 GMT, JRW <no_addy@no_.com> wrote:

    >Joe Versaggi wrote:
    >
    >> I don't care what they use in Europe and Asia. GSM here is skeletal and
    >> useless in remote areas. I'll stick to TDMA and AMPS for at least
    >> another 5 years.

    >
    >Believe it or not, company I'm working for just gave a Motorola 3 Watt
    >bag phone for my truck! Good thinking...its the only phone that works
    >reliably in the hilly countryside out here.


    And who will they use to activate service?

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