New member making the switch to Cingular...should I?...help.

[pedro]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and I have a question on networks. I am currently a Verizon customer. I don't like the fact that when I travel (business or pleasure) my phone is not campatible outside of the US. I've decided to take the leap and go to Cingular for a GSM phone (Nokia 6230). Is Cingular a good carrier overall. I know Verizon has the best network coverage but does anyone know if Cingular will be adding to their network? I live in the central CT area. I travel to Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Anyone have any suggestions on making the switch. Also, if I buy a phone on Amazon and get a new number can I take it to Cingular and change it back to my current Verizon number. Thanks in advance.

[carcomptoy]

Actually, because you do travel a lot, I think your best option with be with T-Mobile. They usually have the lowest rate plans and don't have a monthly international roaming fee like Cingular does.

However, after seeing the personal coverage check for Connecticut, service is a bit iffy...it's only "good" but I got service in "good" places when I was in the Boston area so I don't know how much of a problem that'll be fore you.

Also, you should probably look into a quad-band phone because some of the places you go (most especially Asia) will require the 900MHz band, which a domestic triband like the Nokia 6230b doesn't support. You'll also need the 850MHz band for Latin America and such, and if you do go on Cingular, you'll definitely be needing it.

[jayesh]

ye carcomptoy ( dude u need a better handle ) hit the nail on the head. Look for a cheap moto v525 or moto v600 quadband phone for travelling. Rest of the time nokia 6230 will suffice fine

[Box215]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and I have a question on networks. I am currently a Verizon customer. I don't like the fact that when I travel (business or pleasure) my phone is not campatible outside of the US. I've decided to take the leap and go to Cingular for a GSM phone (Nokia 6230). Is Cingular a good carrier overall. I know Verizon has the best network coverage but does anyone know if Cingular will be adding to their network? I live in the central CT area. I travel to Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Anyone have any suggestions on making the switch. Also, if I buy a phone on Amazon and get a new number can I take it to Cingular and change it back to my current Verizon number. Thanks in advance.

lol, just because verizon says they have the best network doesnt mean its true

[carcomptoy]

ye carcomptoy ( dude u need a better handle ) hit the nail on the head. Look for a cheap moto v525 or moto v600 quadband phone for travelling. Rest of the time nokia 6230 will suffice fine
I know I made it when I was in 8th grade, but I don't wanna make a completely different one and have to remember a whole new set of stuff...

Anyways, why not just wait for the quadband N6270?:p

[pedro]

Thanks for the advice guys. I didn't know that detail about the 850 vs. 900 band for Latin America and Asia. Where can I get a map of coverage around the world? Unforunately, I have to move on this phone soon. Letstalk.com has it and I'll make $55 with a subscription...not bad. I think I'll have to figure out those networks, when I get there. Anyone know if the 6230i will ever come to the US?

Pedro

[pedro]

I was just skimming through the 6230 manual and I noticed that it sais that the phone is compatible with the 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 mhz networks. Anyone know how I can gain access to the 900 band when I travel. Does that involve unlocking the phone. I will be doing that as well. I'd rather pick up a SIM in the airport then roam.

Pedro

[Box215]

no, theres the regular 6230 that supports 900/1800/1900. and then theres the 6230b, which supports 850/1800/1900.

[carcomptoy]

Thanks for the advice guys. I didn't know that detail about the 850 vs. 900 band for Latin America and Asia. Where can I get a map of coverage around the world? Unforunately, I have to move on this phone soon. Letstalk.com has it and I'll make $55 with a subscription...not bad. I think I'll have to figure out those networks, when I get there. Anyone know if the 6230i will ever come to the US?

Pedro
You can go to GSMworld coverage for each country, along with the bands used there...

The 6230i has come to the U.S. (online anyways), but is only available as the "a" version with 900/1800/1900MHz, which of course does you no good at home and in Central and South America (with the exception of Brazil).

[iGambit]

lol, just because verizon says they have the best network doesnt mean its true
You must truly dislike VZW. 1) the OP isn't complaining about VZW's coverage in Connecticut or the US, but rather their supposed lack of international coverage. 2) VZW does offer international CDMA coverage; it just depends on where you travel. Europe is out of the question, but there are many places where CDMA is the predominant technology, such as Korea. You could also purchase a dual-network phone (CDMA/GSM) from VZW, such as the Samsung A790 (http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=406) or the Motorola A840 (http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=510).

[carcomptoy]

The thing I don't like about Verizon is that it reflective of one of its parent companies, Vodafone. They butcher their phones with Verizon branding, and everything HAS to be done through Verizon, like purchase music, upload photos, Bluetooth crippling, etc. The lack of international roaming's just icing on the cake...the pricing's also expensive, and those hybrid CDMA/GSM phones are not only expensive, but sorry solutions. GSM mode is totally crippled...no internet makes it almost pointless, especially for businessmen who need the internet to do work.

I hate how Sprint renames the phones like the "Sprint PCS International Phone IP-A790 By Samsung"...retards, it's called the Samsung A790! Over and done with...Vodafone does that too, with its Vodafone 702NK...it's Nokia 6630! It's like they're taking the credit for making the phones...

[jayesh]

carcomptoy sounds like u really have a lot of grouses with them ? ex subscriber?

[carcomptoy]

Haha no actually not...for some reason I just developped this despise for them:D

[Box215]

You must truly dislike VZW. 1) the OP isn't complaining about VZW's coverage in Connecticut or the US, but rather their supposed lack of international coverage. 2) VZW does offer international CDMA coverage; it just depends on where you travel. Europe is out of the question, but there are many places where CDMA is the predominant technology, such as Korea. You could also purchase a dual-network phone (CDMA/GSM) from VZW, such as the Samsung A790 (http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=406) or the Motorola A840 (http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=510).

No, i was just telling him not to believe them just because they say it. They also say they have the most advanced network in the world. We all know that isnt true.

And from memory, its New Zealand, Australia, Israel, Korea...carcomptoy knows the rest

[carcomptoy]

New Zealand isn't CDMA only...they've got Vodafone for GSM...

After seeing the "Verizon~the most advanced network in the world" commercial, I wrote them an e-mail complaining about their falsehoods! They haven't written me back...probably in shame:rolleyes:

[Box215]

i know, but you CDMA users can roam there is what i was saying.

[carcomptoy]

Oh okay...

Honestly, IMO, if Europe didn't pick GSM, most of the world would probably be CDMA...or some other weird technology:p

[juliangawker]

I'll try to make this short.

I am a disgruntled Sprint customer of 7 years, for reasons I could spend a year describing. Anyway, I'm looking to migrate to GSM instead of settling for Verizon. I'm leaning towards T-Mobile, but I'd like some input on Cingular.

I live in DC and NYC (on various days of the week), travel up and down the east coast by car and to LA by plane on a regular basis. I use my phone as my main line (no landline for me) so that means I use it inside buildings. I just want to get on a plan where I get the most minutes for my money, has good coverage (mostly in major cities) and that has decent customer service. Ability to roam in Europe is a plus. Non clamshell phones a big plus.

Anyway, I'm leaning towards T-Mobile, but if there's any opinions on the Cing, let me know...please!

I hope for a massive flood in Overland Park and Reston.

[jayesh]

Since you seem to travel a lot my guess would be cingular. its 850/1900 coverage is very good. However u have mentioned europe which works on 900/1800... therefore handset probs there as we have already gathered 1800 by itself is not very strong .


My suggestion is try out t-mobile for which u can use any good gsm phone available like nokia 6680 or for cheaper the 6230i an excellent phone. Try it out otherwise its nokia 6230b for u with cingular.

Good handset choices -- Non flip.. On cingular = Nokia 6230b ... 6620 symbian.

On t-mobile = hehe any gsm triband phone

[carcomptoy]

Since you're just gonna stay in major cities anyways, coverage isn't gonna be top priority and so I would think T-Mobile would be good enough for you. It has the best price plans and you get more for the same amount, plus you get the award-winning customer service that's there 24/7, unlike Cingular's that has non-operating hours. As jayesh said, since you need the roaming capabilities in Europe and Asia, T-Mobile would be a better bet because first of all you get cheaper rates (in general) and most of the phones are already Eurasian triband, but be wary as they are starting to adopt "domestic triband" which is missing the important 900MHz. Being on T-Mobile, I'd suggest getting the exclusive Sidekick II, but then again you just want candybar phones. In that case, I would suggest 6230i (full featured) or 6230a (important to get a for int'l roaming) or if you don't want something so fully loaded the 3220a (ditto on the "a" model for int'l roaming). If you want to explore the world of Symbian S60 phones, basically any of the phones will do as there're only 4 out of about 20 phones (see http://my-symbian.com/7650/intro.php). Another one would be the S.E. K750i...again, top-of-the-line phone.

Cingular's great if you need broad coverage and multimedia content, but the coverage is really moot since you're just gonna be in major cities. It's also more expensive on the plans and as I said, the Customer Service isn't always open, from last I know of.

The best phone for you would be a quadband phone, but right now there aren't many quadband candybar phones (Blackberries and unreleased Moto SLVR V8)

Would you already have someone that you can put as the person who referred you to T-Mobile...or could I be that person? (Yes I know shameless advertising...:p)