ATT Plan with Cingular 64K?

I've done some research, and am a bit overwhelmed. I am hoping for some advice from those fluent with Cingular / ATT SIMs and plans.

I am sticking with my ATT plan (3 phone lines, Family plan - Cingular cannot match the features & rates I have). In order to maintain my ATT plan, I aquired new unlocked GSM phones which work well with the ATT SIMs. I just need to manually set the Network on "Cingular Wireless" (Blue?) in my local area for best signal otherwise it defaults to "Cingular" even if it is the weaker signal.

My question would be if switching to Cingular 64K SIMs would be feasible with the unlocked phones while maintaining my ATT plans? I am under the impression that the 64K SIMS would search whatever signal was stronger (Blue or Orange) depending on my locale (Tampa has some areas where Orange is better, others where Blue is better - like my house).

Now, if a 64K will work in my unlocked phones while maintaining my ATT plan, how do I go about swapping to the 64K registry on my account. I see I can purchase 64K SIMS online. Will Cingular Blue CS do this? I am anticipating this to be a bear.

What advice? Am I best to stick with my ATT32K SIM and live on happily as is (contract is grandfathered and no commitment - just have to fuss with Network Settings at times). Or am I onto better things if I can swap to a 64K SIM with my ATT plan? I wonder if I am already maximizing the benefits of using my ATT SIM in unlocked phones (Moto V551, Moto 505 & Moto 720i).

I am perplexed with this situation.

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Originally Posted by TampaMike

..My question would be if switching to Cingular 64K SIMs would be feasible with the unlocked phones while maintaining my ATT plans? I am under the impression that the 64K SIMS would search whatever signal was stronger (Blue or Orange) depending on my locale (Tampa has some areas where Orange is better, others where Blue is better - like my house).

I'm pretty sure if you try switching anything, Cingular's going to try to make you sign a contract to be their customer. I'd hold off on that!
If you get the unlocked phones to work, they should pick up the strongest signal.

Now, if a 64K will work in my unlocked phones while maintaining my ATT plan, how do I go about swapping to the 64K registry on my account. I see I can purchase 64K SIMS online. Will Cingular Blue CS do this? I am anticipating this to be a bear.

I don't think Cingular will help you keep your grandfathered plan. They will want to convert you into 'orange' and phase out the blue eventually.

... Am I best to stick with my ATT32K SIM and live on happily as is (contract is grandfathered and no commitment - just have to fuss with Network Settings at times). Or am I onto better things if I can swap to a 64K SIM with my ATT plan? I wonder if I am already maximizing the benefits of using my ATT SIM in unlocked phones (Moto V551, Moto 505 & Moto 720i).

Are your current ATT phones using 32K SIM cards? Do your new phones require 64K SIMs? I'm thinking that your new phones won't jive with your 32K cards. Another person on here had problems switching 32K SIMs into newer Cingular phones with 64K SIMs.

I could be wrong on that, but it might be a problem. Do you have the 'unlocked' phones yet?

All 3 phones are unlocked and work with the 32K ATT SIMs. They usually read 3 GSM networks in my area (Cingular, Cingular Wireless and TMobile). They usually default to Cingular, even if the Cingular Wireless signal is stronger (as the case in my house). So I set the Network Settings to MANUAL and lock onto Cingular Wireless. If I lose the signal completely, they jump onto Cingular. It works for me without much fuss, but if the 64K SIMs would work seamlessly without manipulating the Network Settings, it would be nice.

Only my V551 has Cingular software (Menu & Icon) but it is unlocked otherwise. I changed the browser settings to point to Mmode (though I rarely use it). The other phones are generic Moto software & unlocked and are strickly used a 'phones'.

I have considered getting new unlocked RAZRs but have been wondering if I can get them with Cingular software, unlocked and step into 64K SIMs using my ATT plan. I was anticipating the 64K SIMs would search the strongest signal without manually locking the network settings.

i think if they all work that you should call it good.

i can't see that a card with more memory will have the ability to automatically detect the strongest setting/network.

try it maybe with someone's 64k cingular card and see if it works.