TDMA vs GSM (ATT)? Which phone?

I have the ATT TDMA service (national plan, but mostly used in Chicago
area, Indiana, Wsconsin and Minnesota). Today when I was browsing in
one of their stores, a salesman suggested I switch to their GSM
service. Is that good idea, bad idea, or it's-the-same-thing kind of
idea? (I don't need international service.)

What is the best phone for each kind of service? I want light phone,
battery life, speakerphone if possible, but don't need other bells and
whistles.

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› See More: TDMA vs GSM (ATT)? Which phone?

On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 08:44:34 GMT, RPS <[email protected]> wrote:

>I have the ATT TDMA service (national plan, but mostly used in Chicago
>area, Indiana, Wsconsin and Minnesota). Today when I was browsing in
>one of their stores, a salesman suggested I switch to their GSM
>service. Is that good idea, bad idea, or it's-the-same-thing kind of
>idea? (I don't need international service.)
>
>What is the best phone for each kind of service? I want light phone,
>battery life, speakerphone if possible, but don't need other bells and
>whistles.

It will largely be a moot point, as AT&T is converting people to their
GSM network and plans to eventually shut down their TDMA network.
Cingular, which of course is acquiring the current AT&T Wireless, is
doing the same thing to their TDMA customers.

Go to phonescoop.com and you'll see a comparison tool you can use to
compare the features of 2 phones you like and get an overview of the
features all current phones offer.

"Cyrus Afzali" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 08:44:34 GMT, RPS <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >I have the ATT TDMA service (national plan, but mostly used in Chicago
> >area, Indiana, Wsconsin and Minnesota). Today when I was browsing in
> >one of their stores, a salesman suggested I switch to their GSM
> >service. Is that good idea, bad idea, or it's-the-same-thing kind of
> >idea? (I don't need international service.)
> >
> >What is the best phone for each kind of service? I want light phone,
> >battery life, speakerphone if possible, but don't need other bells and
> >whistles.
>
> It will largely be a moot point, as AT&T is converting people to their
> GSM network and plans to eventually shut down their TDMA network.
> Cingular, which of course is acquiring the current AT&T Wireless, is
> doing the same thing to their TDMA customers.
>
> Go to phonescoop.com and you'll see a comparison tool you can use to
> compare the features of 2 phones you like and get an overview of the
> features all current phones offer.

Here in the UK we've been all-GSM for the last 4 years or so, we never had
the multitude of different systems you've had in the States. We did have
analogue of course before GSM but that was all shut down.

The major advantage of GSM, for those of you who have never used it, is
the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card. This contains your phone number
and other account details, such as what extras you've subscribed to, plus
on the latest generation of cards up to 200 phone numbers so you don't
lose them all if you change phones. The SIM can be put into any
compatible GSM phone (provided it isn't network locked) and takes your
phone number etc. with it.

Ivor

On Mon, 2 Aug 2004 12:39:34 -0000, "Ivor Jones"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Here in the UK we've been all-GSM for the last 4 years or so, we never had
>the multitude of different systems you've had in the States. We did have
>analogue of course before GSM but that was all shut down.

Yes, we're aware. However, the UK and Western Europe is a lot easier
to cover than the U.S.

But not Finland or Sweden. Specially Finland. GEM can cover almost
has analogue (or CDMA) size cells by cost of capacity. Used to cover
Baltic See, so providers recommend check phones before they make
calls when you sailing - You may be roaming.

If You mean that it is easier cover UK or Finland with reception You are
wrong. But if You mean that in US is many incompatible standards what
makes base station equipment more expensive that providers by economic
reasons can't afford cover sparsely or unpopulated areas You are right.

Toomas



"Cyrus Afzali" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 2 Aug 2004 12:39:34 -0000, "Ivor Jones"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Here in the UK we've been all-GSM for the last 4 years or so, we never
had
> >the multitude of different systems you've had in the States. We did have
> >analogue of course before GSM but that was all shut down.
>
> Yes, we're aware. However, the UK and Western Europe is a lot easier
> to cover than the U.S.

On Mon, 2 Aug 2004 20:37:28 +0300, "Toomas" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>But not Finland or Sweden. Specially Finland. GEM can cover almost
>has analogue (or CDMA) size cells by cost of capacity. Used to cover
>Baltic See, so providers recommend check phones before they make
>calls when you sailing - You may be roaming.
>
>If You mean that it is easier cover UK or Finland with reception You are
>wrong. But if You mean that in US is many incompatible standards what
>makes base station equipment more expensive that providers by economic
>reasons can't afford cover sparsely or unpopulated areas You are right.

I mean, and am correct in saying, that it's easier to build out a
network for a smaller, more sparsely populated country than it is in
the U.S. End of story, bar none. There's absolutely no way a person
could argue otherwise. How big is the U.K or Finland, geographically
speaking? I'm not talking about difference in terrain, etc.

As far as many incompatible standards in the U.S., there are
essentially 2, not many. Right now, it's between CDMA and GSM, for all
intents and purposes. TDMA networks, which are a precursor to GSM, are
being overlaid with GSM and will soon go away. Even iDEN, which is
used by Nextel and is in many ways a prioprietary technology, has
roots in TDMA technology.
>
>Toomas
>
>
>
>"Cyrus Afzali" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> On Mon, 2 Aug 2004 12:39:34 -0000, "Ivor Jones"
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> >Here in the UK we've been all-GSM for the last 4 years or so, we never
>had
>> >the multitude of different systems you've had in the States. We did have
>> >analogue of course before GSM but that was all shut down.
>>
>> Yes, we're aware. However, the UK and Western Europe is a lot easier
>> to cover than the U.S.
>

Technically GSM is "TDMA." but a better
implemented version. Time Division Multiple
Access (GSM) style has some shortcomings, i.e,
spectrum utilization and speed for data purposes.
Cheerio, hip,hip old chap. Regards

"RPS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:020820040349081549%[email protected]...
> I have the ATT TDMA service (national plan, but mostly used in Chicago
> area, Indiana, Wsconsin and Minnesota). Today when I was browsing in
> one of their stores, a salesman suggested I switch to their GSM
> service. Is that good idea, bad idea, or it's-the-same-thing kind of
> idea? (I don't need international service.)
>
> What is the best phone for each kind of service? I want light phone,
> battery life, speakerphone if possible, but don't need other bells and
> whistles.

The only problem I have with the current GSM network is its sparse coverage
relative to the older TDMA network. Granted, that position will improve but
for now its the reason I'm staying with TDMA.

> "RPS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:020820040349081549%[email protected]...
> > I have the ATT TDMA service (national plan, but mostly used in Chicago
> > area, Indiana, Wsconsin and Minnesota). Today when I was browsing in
> > one of their stores, a salesman suggested I switch to their GSM
> > service. Is that good idea, bad idea, or it's-the-same-thing kind of
> > idea? (I don't need international service.)
> >


ATTWS is encouraging their customers to "upgrade" to GSM. If TDMA works as
well for you as it does for me, and if you do not require data transmission
capabilities, you should stay where you are. If it ain't broke, don't fix
it.

Depending on your location, you may find that your GSM service is
unavailable in rural areas--areas where there IS either digital (TDMA) or
analog coverage. My TDMA phone can be handed off to an analog network if
there is no digital service--a GSM phone cannot. It just dies. Heaven
forbid that you have a breakdown or other emergency and you are in a non-GSM
area. What good is that fancy phone, with all those bells and whistles,
then?

I have read that most ATTWS reps know full well that customers will get more
reliable service on TDMA for now, but they obviously give the company pitch
to switch. Unfortunately, most of the postings I've read here have
expressed frustration that there is no way to return to the old TDMA plan if
one is dissatisfied with GSM--especially if you were on a grandfathered
plan.

If you do decide to test GSM, it might be wise to keep your old TDMA plan
active for the first month, while you experiment with GSM. You can cancel
any new ATTWS service without penalty in the first 30 days. Admittedly, you
will incur extra expense maintaining two phone plans for that one month, but
it is your insurance that you can change your mind if the GSM service does
not meet your expectations.

On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 11:38:07 GMT, Cyrus Afzali <[email protected]>
wrote:

>It will largely be a moot point, as AT&T is converting people to their
>GSM network and plans to eventually shut down their TDMA network.

In five to seven years *possibly*, but there are no immediate plans to
shut down the TDMA network.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
remove NONO from .NONOcom to reply

Jeremy <[email protected]> wrote:

> especially if you were on a grandfathered plan...

Via grandfathering and incentives along the way my $35 TDMA plan gives
me 850 anytime minues, unlimited night and weekends. So I am not about
to give it up lightly.

You can buy a go phone, or simply start a new line of service and return it
before the
trial time period expires. Go phone uses AT&T's GSM network, and according
to my friends which own them, does roam (albeit at higher per minute rate).

Anyway, this would probably give you a good idea of how GSM will perform
for you, and without losing your old TDMA plan. If you're OK with GSM
cancel the GSM phone and convert the TDMA phone over.

One thing that effects me and some of my family members: If you depend
on an external antenna to make calls, you'll have a hard time finding a
modern
GSM phone with any external connector. i.e. 5160, 6160 the old
bread and butter TDMA phones have a well designed external antenna
connector.

-Dan

--
Eugene, Oregon -- Pacific Northwest
http://cell.uoregon.edu


"RPS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:020820040349081549%[email protected]...
>I have the ATT TDMA service (national plan, but mostly used in Chicago
> area, Indiana, Wsconsin and Minnesota). Today when I was browsing in
> one of their stores, a salesman suggested I switch to their GSM
> service. Is that good idea, bad idea, or it's-the-same-thing kind of
> idea? (I don't need international service.)
>
> What is the best phone for each kind of service? I want light phone,
> battery life, speakerphone if possible, but don't need other bells and
> whistles.

Joseph <[email protected]> wrote:

> >It will largely be a moot point, as AT&T is converting people to their
> >GSM network and plans to eventually shut down their TDMA network.
>
> In five to seven years *possibly*, but there are no immediate plans to
> shut down the TDMA network.

In cell phone world that is an eternity. I like to think in 1-2 yr
chunks.

Jeremy wrote:
> Depending on your location, you may find that your GSM service is
> unavailable in rural areas--areas where there IS either digital (TDMA) or
> analog coverage. My TDMA phone can be handed off to an analog network if
> there is no digital service--a GSM phone cannot. It just dies. Heaven
> forbid that you have a breakdown or other emergency and you are in a non-GSM
> area. What good is that fancy phone, with all those bells and whistles,
> then?

I have ATTWS GSM in Northern Mississippi and work in an area still
relatively rural. While true I cannot make or receive calls, which
I really don't like and who does, my phone tells me that it will
take emergency calls only.

Gary P

"RPS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:030820040959346964%[email protected]...
> Jeremy <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > especially if you were on a grandfathered plan...
>
> Via grandfathering and incentives along the way my $35 TDMA plan gives
> me 850 anytime minues, unlimited night and weekends. So I am not about
> to give it up lightly.

Well, you certainly won't be able to get it back if you do give it up! I
have a $30 TDMA plan, unlimited mobile-to-mobile 24/7, including free long
distance, 7 pm nights, unlimited nights & weekends, free long distance at
all times, 650 minutes anytime (but I rarely use even half of them, because
I make most of my calls nights or mobile-to-mobile, which are always free)
and only a one-year commitment. I am not about to give my plan up, either.

ATTWS rep told me yesterday that TDMA will stay on for at least 5 more
years, possibly 10 years, so I am in no mood to switch. I just bought
another brand new TDMA phone on eBay last week, to keep as a spare.

I prefer reliability and economy over bells and whistles, and TDMA is a
better fit for me.