FAQ: How does GAIT work?

Jerome Zelinske wrote:

> Since it is my understanding that the manufacturers are not or
> soon will not be making any more replacement tdma parts, and they are
> not making any tdma phones, then no body would want to buy old, used
> tdma network equipment.

Honestly, I don't think Cingular would want to part with the spectrum if
it didn't have to.

---

› See More: FAQ: How does GAIT work?

"Joseph" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "[ a m z ]" wrote:
>
> >So, perhaps the proper title for the post is that Cingular is turning off
> >the ATTWS TDMA system (and the related GAIT accounts). It appears that
at
> >least ATTWS GAIT customers are screwed, but Cingular's GAIT folks have
gotta
> >be next...
>
> cingular is *not* turning off AT&T's TDMA system in the Northwest.
> It's the *only* TDMA system in the Northwest. cingular was never a
> TDMA operator here and there are still lots of people who use AT&T
> Wireless TDMA here. I have two TDMA phones on resellers of AT&T
> Wireless (now cingular.) cingular would have to be pretty foolish to
> cut off their nose to spite their face and cut off all the people who
> still use TDMA IS-136 equipment.

The two "Cingular Blue migration" reps I spoke to may have been wrong or
speculating or overreaching, but that is what they said. My specific
questions to them after receiving the Cingular letter: "If I am losing my
GAIT phone ability, does that mean you're taking down the whole TDMA
network? What about people with TDMA only phones?" The answer was: "Yes,
they are. People with TDMA-only phones are going to have to switch over to
GSM."

If you want to verify this, feel free to call (800) 543-9611, the phone
number in the letter I got.

I did not say anything about selling spectrum. I was talking about the
unlikelihood of finding anyone to buy the old tdma network equipment.

Are you sure cingular has not overlaid it's tdma system there with gsm
already? I was under the impression they had over their entire system.

"[ a m z ]" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Joseph" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> "[ a m z ]" wrote:
>>
>> >So, perhaps the proper title for the post is that Cingular is turning
>> >off
>> >the ATTWS TDMA system (and the related GAIT accounts). It appears that
> at
>> >least ATTWS GAIT customers are screwed, but Cingular's GAIT folks have
> gotta
>> >be next...
>>
>> cingular is *not* turning off AT&T's TDMA system in the Northwest.
>> It's the *only* TDMA system in the Northwest. cingular was never a
>> TDMA operator here and there are still lots of people who use AT&T
>> Wireless TDMA here. I have two TDMA phones on resellers of AT&T
>> Wireless (now cingular.) cingular would have to be pretty foolish to
>> cut off their nose to spite their face and cut off all the people who
>> still use TDMA IS-136 equipment.
>
> The two "Cingular Blue migration" reps I spoke to may have been wrong or
> speculating or overreaching, but that is what they said. My specific
> questions to them after receiving the Cingular letter: "If I am losing my
> GAIT phone ability, does that mean you're taking down the whole TDMA
> network? What about people with TDMA only phones?" The answer was: "Yes,
> they are. People with TDMA-only phones are going to have to switch over
> to
> GSM."
>
> If you want to verify this, feel free to call (800) 543-9611, the phone
> number in the letter I got.
>
>

I believe the reps are wrong or wrongly extrapolating what they've been
told. I believe, you've accurately reported what you've heard. Resellers
on the AT&T blue TDMA are still actively selling phones and new phone
numbers.

Russell

Jerome Zelinske wrote:

> I did not say anything about selling spectrum. I was talking
> about the unlikelihood of finding anyone to buy the old tdma network
> equipment.

But who's going to buy an established network without spectrum to run it?

Tropical Haven wrote:
> Jerome Zelinske wrote:
>
>> I did not say anything about selling spectrum. I was talking
>> about the unlikelihood of finding anyone to buy the old tdma network
>> equipment.
>
>
> But who's going to buy an established network without spectrum to run it?


I don't think he's talking about anyone buying an established network.
IMO, he's talking about someone acquiring the TDMA bits and pieces as
they're removed from production service, stuffed into a paper bag and
left on a curb somewhere with a sign that says, "Top Secret Clearance
Required For Viewing", thereby ensuring they'll still be there in the
morning.

--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

"Russell" wrote:
> "[ a m z ]" wrote:
> > "Joseph" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> "[ a m z ]" wrote:
> >>
> >> >So, perhaps the proper title for the post is that Cingular is turning
> >> >off the ATTWS TDMA system (and the related GAIT accounts).
> >>
> >>
> >> cingular is *not* turning off AT&T's TDMA system in the Northwest.
> >> It's the *only* TDMA system in the Northwest. cingular was never a
> >> TDMA operator here and there are still lots of people who use AT&T
> >> Wireless TDMA here. I have two TDMA phones on resellers of AT&T
> >> Wireless (now cingular.) cingular would have to be pretty foolish to
> >> cut off their nose to spite their face and cut off all the people who
> >> still use TDMA IS-136 equipment.
> >
> > The two "Cingular Blue migration" reps I spoke to may have been wrong or
> > speculating or overreaching, but that is what they said. My specific
> > questions to them after receiving the Cingular letter: "If I am losing
my
> > GAIT phone ability, does that mean you're taking down the whole TDMA
> > network? What about people with TDMA only phones?" The answer was:
"Yes,
> > they are. People with TDMA-only phones are going to have to switch over
> > to GSM."
> >
> > If you want to verify this, feel free to call (800) 543-9611, the phone
> > number in the letter I got.
>
>
> I believe the reps are wrong or wrongly extrapolating what they've been
> told. I believe you've accurately reported what you've heard. Resellers
> on the AT&T blue TDMA are still actively selling phones and new phone
> numbers.

OK... So I called the "corporate" Cingular (formerly ATTWS) store in the
local mall. They said they stopped selling Cingular TDMA over 6 months ago.
They haven't heard of the forced migration issue for ATTWS GAIT, but said it
isn't surprising.

What I am saying is that nobody is going to start up a new tdma
network. Nobody who has a tdma network is going to be keeping it for
long. Nobody is in a market for used tdma network equipment. cingular
is keeping all of it's spectrum and running gsm on it, soon to be
upgraded to wcdma I understand, but am quite sure they will not be
getting rid of any spectrum that the FCC does not require them to.

"[ a m z ]" wrote:
> "Russell" wrote:
> > "[ a m z ]" wrote:
> > > "Joseph" <[email protected]> wrote:
> > >> "[ a m z ]" wrote:
> > >>
> > >> >So, perhaps the proper title for the post is that Cingular is
turning
> > >> >off the ATTWS TDMA system (and the related GAIT accounts).
> > >>
> > >> cingular is *not* turning off AT&T's TDMA system in the Northwest.
> > >
> > > The two "Cingular Blue migration" reps I spoke to may have been wrong
or
> > > speculating or overreaching, but that is what they said.
> > >
> > > If you want to verify this, feel free to call (800) 543-9611, the
phone
> > > number in the letter I got.
> >
> > I believe the reps are wrong or wrongly extrapolating what they've been
> > told. I believe you've accurately reported what you've heard.
Resellers
> > on the AT&T blue TDMA are still actively selling phones and new phone
> > numbers.
>
> OK... So I called the "corporate" Cingular (formerly ATTWS) store in the
> local mall. They said they stopped selling Cingular TDMA over 6 months
ago.
> They haven't heard of the forced migration issue for ATTWS GAIT, but said
it
> isn't surprising.

Following the old "keep calling ATTWS CS until you get the right answer"
system, I called the number again. The woman said the following:

1.) It only impacts Cingular Blue (former ATTWS) customers.

2.) It affects more than WA State, but she wouldn't go into more detail.

3.) They're taking down GAIT phones first because their new billing system
can't handle the ATTWS implementation of GAIT. ATTWS set it up as a
"Multi-Band" PLAN while Cingular apparently made GAIT a "feature."

4.) Cingular Blue (ATTWS) TDMA-only phones are next.

5.) All TDMA phones on Cingular after that.

6.) Those with ATTWS GAIT phones don't have to pay a penalty if they want to
quit instead of switching to Cingular GSM.

7.) It is highly likely that people with existing ATTWS contracts will be
screwed out of any bonus minutes or features they have. In other words, you
can't break your contract, but Cingular can do so at will.

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

In <[email protected]> on Sat, 13 Aug 2005 07:58:11 -0700, "[ a
m z ]" <[email protected]> wrote:

>So, perhaps the proper title for the post is that Cingular is turning off
>the ATTWS TDMA system (and the related GAIT accounts). It appears that at
>least ATTWS GAIT customers are screwed, but Cingular's GAIT folks have gotta
>be next...

Thus far there's been no evidence of that beyond your letter, and until you
have more evidence, this is mostly speculation and rumor.

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

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

In <[email protected]> on Sun, 14 Aug 2005 07:35:36
-0700, Joseph <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 02:36:58 -0700, "[ a m z ]"
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>The two "Cingular Blue migration" reps I spoke to may have been wrong or
>>speculating or overreaching, but that is what they said. My specific
>>questions to them after receiving the Cingular letter: "If I am losing my
>>GAIT phone ability, does that mean you're taking down the whole TDMA
>>network? What about people with TDMA only phones?" The answer was: "Yes,
>>they are. People with TDMA-only phones are going to have to switch over to
>>GSM."
>
>If cingular is indeed going to do this to former AT&T Wireless
>customers I guess you can just add this to the things cingular is
>purposely doing to screw AT&T Wireless customers without the benefit
>of even giving them some Vaseline. Of course cingular won't give
>former AT&T Wireless customers a phone or even any credit towards a
>new GSM phone either I'm betting.

Why add to the rumor and speculation? This is just pointless nastiness.

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

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

In <[email protected]> on Sun, 14 Aug 2005 15:41:22 -0700, "[ a
m z ]" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Following the old "keep calling ATTWS CS until you get the right answer"
>system, I called the number again. The woman said the following:
>
>1.) It only impacts Cingular Blue (former ATTWS) customers.
>
>2.) It affects more than WA State, but she wouldn't go into more detail.

Thus far it only seems to be you.

>3.) They're taking down GAIT phones first because their new billing system
>can't handle the ATTWS implementation of GAIT. ATTWS set it up as a
>"Multi-Band" PLAN while Cingular apparently made GAIT a "feature."

That is, of course, nonsense.

>4.) Cingular Blue (ATTWS) TDMA-only phones are next.
>
>5.) All TDMA phones on Cingular after that.

That may well take a long time.

>6.) Those with ATTWS GAIT phones don't have to pay a penalty if they want to
>quit instead of switching to Cingular GSM.

Of course not.

>7.) It is highly likely that people with existing ATTWS contracts will be
>screwed out of any bonus minutes or features they have. In other words, you
>can't break your contract, but Cingular can do so at will.

Read your ATTWS contract. The one you agreed to. What does it say?

I'm not a lawyer and this is not legal advice, but my understanding is that
Cingular is obligated to make you whole for the duration of your contract. In
other words, no significant degradation of service, no significant loss of
plan benefits, no need to pay more. Otherwise you would be entitled to
compensation for damages, including the pro rata cost of locked ATTWS
equipment. Otherwise, you may wish to file complaints with the FCC, BBB,
and/or state Attorney General. That's *if* you are reporting this correctly,
which we thus far have no way of knowing.

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

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

In <[email protected]> on Sun, 14 Aug 2005 21:05:12 -0700, "[
a m z ]" <[email protected]> wrote:

>"John Navas" wrote:

>> Thus far there's been no evidence of that beyond your letter, and until you
>> have more evidence, this is mostly speculation and rumor.
>
>See my "further adventures" post...

I already have. We have no idea who you talked to; whether that person really
had good information; whether you have interpreted and reported whatever you
heard accurately; and whether your conclusions have any real basis. Thus this
is still mostly speculation and rumor.

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

"John Navas" wrote:
> "[ a m z ]" wrote:
>
> >So, perhaps the proper title for the post is that Cingular is turning off
> >the ATTWS TDMA system (and the related GAIT accounts). It appears that
at
> >least ATTWS GAIT customers are screwed, but Cingular's GAIT folks have
gotta
> >be next...
>
> Thus far there's been no evidence of that beyond your letter, and until
you
> have more evidence, this is mostly speculation and rumor.

See my "further adventures" post...