6340i GAIT phone and service

I just switched from ATT to Cingular and was recommended to GAIT phone 6340i
national service because I travel. I was considering Cingular or Verizon's
Americas Choice. Anyone have and issues with this phone and the service of
it being a GAIT phone. I have read a few comments that GAIT phones aren't
all that but I figured I would give it a try.

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› See More: 6340i GAIT phone and service

"widdlewunn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> I just switched from ATT to Cingular and was recommended to GAIT phone
6340i
> national service because I travel. I was considering Cingular or Verizon's
> Americas Choice. Anyone have and issues with this phone and the service of
> it being a GAIT phone. I have read a few comments that GAIT phones aren't
> all that but I figured I would give it a try.

My family uses five Nokia 6340is. No complaints on the
Preferred Nation plan (seems to match the current
Nation plan, rather than previous "true" Nation
work anywhere no extra cost), which matches
Verizon's America's Choice plan. Both
offer native and partner roaming at no additional
cost, non-partner (anybody else) at $.79/minute.

I've used my 6340i in every mode except AMPS (didn't
need to make a call while I was in that coverage;
hard to find in the mid-south). My wife has used hers
on FIDO in Canada, and I've used TelCel GSM in
Mexico.

It sounds good and works fine. I'm keeping it until
there isn't anymore AMPS analog. Only thing to
improve it would be to put "Network Search" back
on the menu (the manual mention this function,
you can spot the hole in the submenus). When I
travel into known Cingular PCS coverage, the
6340i is reluctant to leave good cellular
partner coverage; so I power it off, then back
on, to get the searching started. I've had it since
December 2002, earliest family members from
October (?)'02.

John C. in Memphis

"widdlewunn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> I just switched from ATT to Cingular and was recommended to GAIT phone
6340i
> national service because I travel. I was considering Cingular or Verizon's
> Americas Choice. Anyone have and issues with this phone and the service of
> it being a GAIT phone. I have read a few comments that GAIT phones aren't
> all that but I figured I would give it a try.
>
>
Works good as a phone the internet locks up and it isn't much good as a way
to browse the web, had mine since 7/2003.

GAIT is priced and offers service like ATTWS Digital One Rate or Verizon
National. You pay a premium for this. I have found ATTWS Network and
America's Choice on Verizon quite adequate. Cingular's GSM Nation is a
cousin. Pay the extra if you need it. I have found I don't.

"widdlewunn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> I just switched from ATT to Cingular and was recommended to GAIT phone
6340i
> national service because I travel. I was considering Cingular or Verizon's
> Americas Choice. Anyone have and issues with this phone and the service of
> it being a GAIT phone. I have read a few comments that GAIT phones aren't
> all that but I figured I would give it a try.
>
>

"dirty rat 753" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> GAIT is priced and offers service like ATTWS Digital One Rate or Verizon
> National. You pay a premium for this. I have found ATTWS Network and
> America's Choice on Verizon quite adequate. Cingular's GSM Nation is a
> cousin. Pay the extra if you need it. I have found I don't.

There isn't a premium charge for the GSM/GAIT nation anymore.
Having a GAIT phone makes having Cingular worth it, better coverage than
Verizon's AC plan.

James wrote:
> Having a GAIT phone makes having Cingular worth it, better coverage than
> Verizon's AC plan.

My experience with a GAIT phone was disaster. In the area I work,
Cingular's coverage extends like an amoeba's arm (do amoebas have
arms?)...ok, like a starfish's arm (ray). Coverage extends six to
eight miles in outgoing directions. When you cross this line and
roam into the TDMA non-Cingular area, the call gets dropped due to
GSM's inability to handoff to TDMA. We all use Nokia 5165 or 3360
phones and have no problems.

Which is a good lead in to another thread which I'll bring up later
this evening about switching over to Verizon from sprint for my
personal phone.

"Stanley Reynolds" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> Works good as a phone the internet locks up and it isn't much good as a
way
> to browse the web, had mine since 7/2003.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one having the problem with the wireless
internet locking up and then having the phone power cycle itself. My
software version 8.01.0 and technical support told me that the latest
version was 8.01.5 (or something like that) and recommended that I take my
phone to a service center and have it flashed. I figure it's worth a try
but I was wondering if someone could please tell me if I will have to
unlock my phone again (I started on AMPS and then went to TDMA back when it
was rolled out but I'm kind of newbie to GSM) and whether or not I will have
to redownload my custom ring tones and graphics afterwards. That way I kind
of know what to expect. Other than the internet lockup problem, I am very
pleased with the 6340i. Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to
answer my questions. (I am also a newsgroup newbie as far as posting is
concerned. Constructive critizism will be welcomed.)

David

Cingular Nation GSM is 500 minutes for $39.99. Cingular Nation multi-band
is 500 minutes for $55.00.

What plan do you GAIT on?

"James" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "dirty rat 753" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > GAIT is priced and offers service like ATTWS Digital One Rate or Verizon
> > National. You pay a premium for this. I have found ATTWS Network and
> > America's Choice on Verizon quite adequate. Cingular's GSM Nation is a
> > cousin. Pay the extra if you need it. I have found I don't.
>
> There isn't a premium charge for the GSM/GAIT nation anymore.
> Having a GAIT phone makes having Cingular worth it, better coverage than
> Verizon's AC plan.
>
>

"widdlewunn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> I just switched from ATT to Cingular and was recommended to GAIT phone
6340i
> national service because I travel. I was considering Cingular or Verizon's
> Americas Choice. Anyone have and issues with this phone and the service of
> it being a GAIT phone. I have read a few comments that GAIT phones aren't
> all that but I figured I would give it a try.
>
>

I have heard at howardforums.com and eslewhere that the 6340i is a fantastic
phone, with excellent voice quality and reception and a lot of features for
such an inexpensive phone.

You were recommended this phone because it is one of Cingular's 2 phones
that can use the GSM network, the TDMA network, or the old analog network.
Cingular's TDMA network is still a lot broader than its next-gen GSM
network, but the GSM coverage is exploding.

I have heard that it is kinda hard to specify which network you want to use
with the 6340i, and that sometimes it switches networks when you don't want
it to.

You can read reviews of it at phonescoop.com or letstalk.com

You should be very happy with this phone.

"dirty rat 753" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Cingular Nation GSM is 500 minutes for $39.99. Cingular Nation multi-band
> is 500 minutes for $55.00.
>
> What plan do you GAIT on?
>

Cingular Nation GSM 500, $39.99
It has the TDMA option added to it, no roaming charges. Works good
outside the home area where roaming is allowed.

You have a nice local promotion. Good for you.

"James" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "dirty rat 753" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > Cingular Nation GSM is 500 minutes for $39.99. Cingular Nation
multi-band
> > is 500 minutes for $55.00.
> >
> > What plan do you GAIT on?
> >
>
> Cingular Nation GSM 500, $39.99
> It has the TDMA option added to it, no roaming charges. Works good
> outside the home area where roaming is allowed.

GSM is exploding? Only if you stay on the interstate and don't go 5 miles
off the I. I have a 6340i and use that AMPS driving all over the country in
my 18-wheeler (currently in Carlisle, PA on Cingular TDMA). My phone has
only been getting TDMA/AMPS for the last week. Called CS when in Brunswick,
GA to have them download a new copy of the IRDB-unluckily was on AMPS there
and it wouldn't download. Otherwise I've really had no problems with the
phone I've had since 12/02. 500/3500 $49.99.

Chris

"Michael F." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "widdlewunn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news[email protected]...
> > I just switched from ATT to Cingular and was recommended to GAIT phone
> 6340i
> > national service because I travel. I was considering Cingular or
Verizon's
> > Americas Choice. Anyone have and issues with this phone and the service
of
> > it being a GAIT phone. I have read a few comments that GAIT phones
aren't
> > all that but I figured I would give it a try.
> >
> >
>
> I have heard at howardforums.com and eslewhere that the 6340i is a
fantastic
> phone, with excellent voice quality and reception and a lot of features
for
> such an inexpensive phone.
>
> You were recommended this phone because it is one of Cingular's 2 phones
> that can use the GSM network, the TDMA network, or the old analog network.
> Cingular's TDMA network is still a lot broader than its next-gen GSM
> network, but the GSM coverage is exploding.
>
> I have heard that it is kinda hard to specify which network you want to
use
> with the 6340i, and that sometimes it switches networks when you don't
want
> it to.
>
> You can read reviews of it at phonescoop.com or letstalk.com
>
> You should be very happy with this phone.
>
>

"Chris Russell" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<I4gPb.32535$P%[email protected]>...
> GSM is exploding? Only if you stay on the interstate and don't go 5 miles
> off the I. I have a 6340i and use that AMPS driving all over the country in
> my 18-wheeler (currently in Carlisle, PA on Cingular TDMA). My phone has
> only been getting TDMA/AMPS for the last week. Called CS when in Brunswick,
> GA to have them download a new copy of the IRDB-unluckily was on AMPS there
> and it wouldn't download. Otherwise I've really had no problems with the
> phone I've had since 12/02. 500/3500 $49.99.
>

Agree indeed. I desired a smaller phone so I picked up a 6590i [GSM
only] and tossed the 6340i in the glove box for when I'm in the
outback.

Lots of week GSM signals/cold spots around town. Even worse inside
some buildings where the 6340i would always work.

Also dropped calls where the 6340i would hand off smoothly.

I think I'll pick up a used T62u for $25 on eBay.

> I've really had no problems with the
>phone I've had since 12/02. 500/3500 $49.99.

One of our kids has the 6340I with no problems. She has had it since right
after it was available in the DFW market.

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