GAIT service on Cingular

My primary usage is in Balto-Wash metro area, I-81 corridor, coastal
CT, and LV. and currently on an AT&T TDMA national plan.

I was under the impression that switching to a GAIT national plan
would substantially increase my coverage area, eliminate roaming
charges, and allow me to take "advantage" of GSM network.

While Cingular offers a nationwide GAIT plan with the Nokia 6340i
phone (which I like), they tell me it will only work on TDMA/analog
networks and not their GSM network. Nor could I later convert the
phone for use on a GSM-only network.

What am I missing? If Cingular is promoting their GSM network, why
then are they offering a service that cannot use that network?

Thanks

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› See More: GAIT service on Cingular

Don't listen to them-they are misinformed(most reps don't understand the
difference between GSM and GAIT), my 6340i from the Detroit market gets just
about every GSM system in the US and Canada (including just about every TDMA
and AMPS systems also). The GAIT Nation plan includes all three modes
around the country and also in local locations. In the Metro Detroit area,
I've gotten Cingular GSM/TDMA/AMPS; ATTWS GSM/TDMA, T-Mobile GSM, Microcell
GSM and Bell Mobility AMPS (both Canadian carriers) and had service on each
one. The GAIT Nation plan sold in the Balt./Wash DC market is the same one
that I have from Detroit.

Chris

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My primary usage is in Balto-Wash metro area, I-81 corridor, coastal
> CT, and LV. and currently on an AT&T TDMA national plan.
>
> I was under the impression that switching to a GAIT national plan
> would substantially increase my coverage area, eliminate roaming
> charges, and allow me to take "advantage" of GSM network.
>
> While Cingular offers a nationwide GAIT plan with the Nokia 6340i
> phone (which I like), they tell me it will only work on TDMA/analog
> networks and not their GSM network. Nor could I later convert the
> phone for use on a GSM-only network.
>
> What am I missing? If Cingular is promoting their GSM network, why
> then are they offering a service that cannot use that network?
>
> Thanks

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...

> While Cingular offers a nationwide GAIT plan with the Nokia 6340i
> phone (which I like), they tell me it will only work on TDMA/analog
> networks and not their GSM network. Nor could I later convert the
> phone for use on a GSM-only network.

Wow. Was "they" more than one sales rep? Somebody is clearly not being
trained if that's what Cingular reps are saying. Or reading their own
literature. There seems to be some variation as to how the Nokia 6340i
looks for networks--apparently the logic changes depending on plan type
and home type--but it should look for Cingular GSM first, then Cingular
TDMA, then other GSM, then other TDMA, and if all else fails will go
AMPS. But even if it does it in a different order it will find
something. And there should be no roaming charge anywhere in the US.
So far it's been a very good phone, just doesn't have all the bells and
whistles of some of the GSM-only models.

> I was under the impression that switching to a GAIT national plan
> would substantially increase my coverage area, eliminate roaming
> charges, and allow me to take "advantage" of GSM network.

Don't know about "substantially increase my coverage area" though.
Since your home phone was TDMA you should have had just about the entire
country with an AT&T TDMA/AMPS national plan with no roaming anywhere.
You probably won't see much difference in the coverage area but you may
pick up some improvement in areas that had weak or overcrowded TDMA by
switching to GSM.

--
Jud
Dallas TX USA

In the future, if you want to convert to a GSM Nation or GSM Region
plan, Cingular will probably make you get a GSM phone. They don't
like putting GAIT phones on the GSM plans.

[email protected] wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> My primary usage is in Balto-Wash metro area, I-81 corridor, coastal
> CT, and LV. and currently on an AT&T TDMA national plan.
>
> I was under the impression that switching to a GAIT national plan
> would substantially increase my coverage area, eliminate roaming
> charges, and allow me to take "advantage" of GSM network.
>
> While Cingular offers a nationwide GAIT plan with the Nokia 6340i
> phone (which I like), they tell me it will only work on TDMA/analog
> networks and not their GSM network. Nor could I later convert the
> phone for use on a GSM-only network.
>
> What am I missing? If Cingular is promoting their GSM network, why
> then are they offering a service that cannot use that network?
>
> Thanks