Buying a Future Phone?

Hi folks,

There are a host of GSM phones that have not yet been released by AT&T, and
some that may never be offered. Like the Ultra thin Samsung X820 or D830
models (~$350, Unlocked), and Nokia's N95 ( ~$800, Unlocked). I can buy them
in America, today, and have it running on Cingular's GSM network, today.

QUESTION: If the warranties on these phones exist from the manufacturers
that make and sell them worldwide, will AT&T allow them on their network
with the same level of customer support as though they were purchased from
AT&T?

I am concerned about AT&T hassling me about using a GSM phone that is not
yet on their list of phones being offered.

---

› See More: Buying a Future Phone?

On Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:38:06 GMT, "Gary" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Hi folks,
>
>There are a host of GSM phones that have not yet been released by AT&T, and
>some that may never be offered. Like the Ultra thin Samsung X820 or D830
>models (~$350, Unlocked), and Nokia's N95 ( ~$800, Unlocked). I can buy them
>in America, today, and have it running on Cingular's GSM network, today.
>
>QUESTION: If the warranties on these phones exist from the manufacturers
>that make and sell them worldwide, will AT&T allow them on their network

yes

>with the same level of customer support as though they were purchased from
>AT&T?


no way

>I am concerned about AT&T hassling me about using a GSM phone that is not
>yet on their list of phones being offered.
>

"Gary" <[email protected]> wrote in news:2V2oi.4$b04.2@trndny06:

> Hi folks,
>
> There are a host of GSM phones that have not yet been released by
> AT&T, and some that may never be offered. Like the Ultra thin Samsung
> X820 or D830 models (~$350, Unlocked), and Nokia's N95 ( ~$800,
> Unlocked). I can buy them in America, today, and have it running on
> Cingular's GSM network, today.
>
> QUESTION: If the warranties on these phones exist from the
> manufacturers that make and sell them worldwide, will AT&T allow them
> on their network with the same level of customer support as though
> they were purchased from AT&T?

The answer depends on the level of customer support you are seeking.
You'll be on your own about anything having to do with the physical phone
itself- they would not train their agents on something they do not sell.
Some AT&T-specific features that require specific software on the phone
will probably be impossible to get as well.

>
> I am concerned about AT&T hassling me about using a GSM phone that is
> not yet on their list of phones being offered.
>
>

They won't hassle, but they won't provide support for it.

On 2007-07-20, Gary <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> There are a host of GSM phones that have not yet been released by AT&T, and
> some that may never be offered. Like the Ultra thin Samsung X820 or D830
> models (~$350, Unlocked), and Nokia's N95 ( ~$800, Unlocked). I can buy them
> in America, today, and have it running on Cingular's GSM network, today.
>
> QUESTION: If the warranties on these phones exist from the manufacturers
> that make and sell them worldwide, will AT&T allow them on their network
> with the same level of customer support as though they were purchased from
> AT&T?
>
> I am concerned about AT&T hassling me about using a GSM phone that is not
> yet on their list of phones being offered.

I've used overseas GSM phones for years, both with T-Mobile and AT&T.
I've never been hassled about anything. If I phone to complain about
crappy service or something else that is their network's problem they
deal with it without ever mentioning anything about the phone.

If you have a problem with the phone itself, however, they won't touch
it. This includes not only phones they don't sell, but also phone models
they do sell. If you didn't buy it from them it is your problem.

Note that some features may depend on the carrier's branded software. If
you care about these you'll be out of luck. This hasn't bothered me
at all so far, however.

Dennis Ferguson

GOOD! That explains what I wanted to know. Thanks!!!


"Dennis Ferguson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 2007-07-20, Gary <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Hi folks,
> >
> > There are a host of GSM phones that have not yet been released by AT&T,
and
> > some that may never be offered. Like the Ultra thin Samsung X820 or D830
> > models (~$350, Unlocked), and Nokia's N95 ( ~$800, Unlocked). I can buy
them
> > in America, today, and have it running on Cingular's GSM network, today.
> >
> > QUESTION: If the warranties on these phones exist from the manufacturers
> > that make and sell them worldwide, will AT&T allow them on their network
> > with the same level of customer support as though they were purchased
from
> > AT&T?
> >
> > I am concerned about AT&T hassling me about using a GSM phone that is
not
> > yet on their list of phones being offered.
>
> I've used overseas GSM phones for years, both with T-Mobile and AT&T.
> I've never been hassled about anything. If I phone to complain about
> crappy service or something else that is their network's problem they
> deal with it without ever mentioning anything about the phone.
>
> If you have a problem with the phone itself, however, they won't touch
> it. This includes not only phones they don't sell, but also phone models
> they do sell. If you didn't buy it from them it is your problem.
>
> Note that some features may depend on the carrier's branded software. If
> you care about these you'll be out of luck. This hasn't bothered me
> at all so far, however.
>
> Dennis Ferguson