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story category AT&T Wireless Headaches
Support issues and portability problems
(old news - 09:25AM Friday Dec 05 2003)
tags: wireless · trouble
AT&T Wireless had hoped the launch of their EDGE network would bring them positive PR. Instead, software crashes, support issues, and an unhappy FCC have been part of a nightmare week for the company. The Motley Fool reported last week that software bugs have prevented the company from accessing and servicing many GSM/GPRS network customer accounts for up to three weeks, with no solution in sight. GSM/GPRS subscribers account for some 3 million of the company's 22 million customers, with half of all new customers signing up for this service.

In addition to the software woes, the Associated Press reports the FCC is investigating why AT&T Wireless is taking more than a week to switch users under the new local number portability guidelines. The FCC has set a goal of the switch taking only 2 1/2 hours once communications begin between companies. The FCC received 65 complaints the first week number migrations took place, with half of those complaints involving AT&T Wireless.

Related:
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  2. Sprint Close To Offloading Nextel
  3. Sprint Offering Employee Buyouts
  4. New Docs Show FCC Glossed Over BPL Flaws
  5. Did AT&T's Bad Week Kill Their iPhone Exclusivity Extension?
  6. Zer01 Blames Partners, Press For Problems
  7. AT&T's 'Blogger Guy' Faces Public Backlash
  8. Slate Wants You To Pay More For iPhone Data
Forums » AT&T Wireless Headaches
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elias
Premium,VIP
join:2000-07-24
Miami, FL
clubs:

Sucks

I was trying to call ATT the other night to upgrade my plan, and I couldn't even get someone on the phone. The message said

"Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to take your call at this time. Please try again later."

Sucks, but I got through the next day.

I still like AT&T, their service is much better than the competitors I've used.

-- Elias
--
NetCoalition | DSLi Forum | Crunching the Midnight Oil
jmargel

join:2001-03-07
Northumberland, PA

Re: Sucks

I signed up for a cell phone, on their web site. Got an email to call them, which I did. That number told me to call another number which was disconnected!

I called about 10 different numbers before I got a guy who after 30 mins told me to call another number. Guess what, disconnected. ugh..

After three weeks of not being able to get through them, I went to the mall at their kiosk. They said my name was in their system, but I wasn't activated. So they gave me a phone & signed me up there.

They better get their act together, its costing them alot of money I would think.
mariolanning

join:2002-04-19
Tucson, AZ

Re: Sucks

So after all that you didnt take the hint thier service sucks and you went out of your way to buy on in the mall? Hmm Yeah.. you showed them.. didnt you?

Rygel
Learn How To Use Reply
Premium
join:2001-11-17
Malone, NY
clubs:
I was getting the same message.

I just went to GSM from TDMA and my coverage actually appears to be better.
--
My Blog

elias
Premium,VIP
join:2000-07-24
Miami, FL
clubs:

Re: Sucks

It should be, because my coverage practically doubled, and reception is at least 50% better everywhere I go.

-- Elias

bbrkdub

join:2001-10-03
Houston, TX
·Comcast

Well, I'm glad GSM has worked out for you, because here in Texas...it's crap. I had their TDMA service in 2001 and it was superb. With TDMA, I averaged one dropped call every month or two, and most of those weren't caused by my service. I traveled to all the major (TX) cities and the Texas/Mexico border, and coverage was excellent and consistent.

Now with GSM, I average a dropped call every other day, and I can almost guarantee those are the fault of my service. This is also after changing out cell phones three times. Again, I've traveled to all the major (TX) cities and West Texas, and coverage is inconsistent. My signal always drops around the George Bush Turnpike & I-635 area in Las Colinas, TX. It never fails to fail in that area.

I can't wait until the contract is up so I can go back to TDMA and get a decent looking phone:
»www.attwireless.com/personal/pro···Number=1
--
Hope this helps...

AttCareRep

@sk.ca

Re: Sucks

You actually don't have to wait till the contract is up. You are free to migrate back at any time

herdfan
Premium
join:2003-01-25
Hurricane, WV

Here in WV they are advertising to "Bring your number to us" in large full page newspaper ads. Problem is that this is one of the areas that is not eligible to switch until 5/6/04. Seems like they are wasting money.

However, I have been very pleased with their service and coverage and have been with them for 10 years. (4 of which were with the provider they bought). So I won't be switching when the time does come.

Anony1

@adelphia.net

To let you all know,
I am a supervisor at the cellular phone department at a Circuit City store, and I could honestly say that 80% of the customers that I have, are asking to switch from AT&T to either T-Mobile or Verizon. AT&T SUCKS! There is no other way to explain this!

Jack2

@comcast.net

Re: Sucks

AT&T Sucks!! After 6 years with AT&T in the Chicago area, I switched to T-Mobile once I was able to port my number & it is like I was blind but now I could see. I never had more than one bar signal at home with TDMA (Digital) or GSM - the same problem at my cousin's home. With T-Mobile I have 4 bars signal at both homes. Their customer service has degraded, you can't talk to a rep without waiting 20-30 minutes and they employ rude resolution reps.

attcarerep

@sk.ca

Re: Sucks

Don't blame the reps we are merely the devils advocate... I don't even live in the US but if I did I sure as hell would never subscribe to AT&T Wireless (and I work for them)

morph3ous
Premium
join:2002-05-16
Miami, FL
·AT&T Southeast
·Comcast Formerly ..

The problems that they were talking about are likely related to number portability. Apparently ATT used a different third party LNP company than all the other wireless carriers. This is making it a nightmare to get your number ported from ATT to other carriers. I imagine that there are lots of pissed off customers calling in now, and this is keeping you from getting through.
--
My Mac Commentary | Morph3ous.net | Bustin, Inc.
eynlai

join:2001-01-02
Temple City, CA

AT&T has the poorest service amoung all of the carriers. I don't see how you can think otherwise. Mark my words, AT&T's delay in enabling their porting of numbers is by design. They know that they will be losing more than they will gain.

Very likely AT&T is folding up their network. Examples:

Los Angeles area has reported static and noise problems for it's users, including me. They deny any problems on their end blaming it on the users' equipment. Well, AT&T, I did a handset swap and the problem persist.

Alaska: AT&T recently just pulled out of that state and sold off its towers to a small wireless carrier. This left a good number of users stranded with higher rates and those that operate or work in the touring industry for that area is suffering, eg... Princess Cruise line, Norweign Cruise...

AT&T knows what it's doing. It's called a "end-play". Basically, they anticipate leaving the wireless market and they are hording up as much of cash as possible so the top level executives can cash out pretty when the curtain falls for them.

Take it from me that's directly involved in the wireless industry for a living: Don't sign up with AT&T if you're considering it, and if you're already signed up with them, then port your number out ASAP (as soon as they get their "system" up). Many of the other carriers are offering incentives that will offset your cancellation fee with AT&T.

Some good alternatives are:

Verizon... large footprint (good coverage with it's mixture of digital and analog)

Sprint... very very fast and reliable network.. In fact, a favorite with many of the large corporations (eg... Countrywide homeloans, Boeing Aerospace, Farmer's Insurance, etc...). In fact, rate #1 for businesses because of it's reliability and technological offerings. Considered the Neiman Marcus/Saks 5th Ave./ Cartier of the wireless industry

Cingular... Very affordable rate plans, with no frills feature. Stay away from the fancy stuff, their network can't reliably support what they advertise. Favorites of teenagers and those that are on a budget because of it's low rate plans, but not recommended for business users or those that consider their calls important. Not all calls will go through, and in-bound callers may not be offer the option to leave a voicemail at times. Okay if you don't plan on using your cellphone out of the state you signed up in.

I can't recommend T-Mobile because they don't have their own towers, but have to lease bandwidth from Cingular... As you can imagine, at times of crowding, Cingular subscribers will get preference and T-Mobile subscribers will get the boot.

I can't recommend Nextel because their rates are very high and their coverage is very very limited. The only thing they had going for them is the Push to Talk feature, but now that Sprint and Verizon both offer that feature on it's bigger network, there's no reason to go with Nextel.

morph3ous
Premium
join:2002-05-16
Miami, FL
·AT&T Southeast
·Comcast Formerly ..

Re: Sucks (There are ALTERNATIVES!!)

said by eynlai See Profile:
I can't recommend T-Mobile because they don't have their own towers, but have to lease bandwidth from Cingular... As you can imagine, at times of crowding, Cingular subscribers will get preference and T-Mobile subscribers will get the boot.
This is only true in certain areas. In Florida, T-Mobile have their own towers, and coverage is excellent.
--
My Mac Commentary | Morph3ous.net | Bustin, Inc.
eynlai

join:2001-01-02
Temple City, CA
Read above... Did I accurately predict the AT&T fallout about 2 months ago or what??

So for those that thought I was just ranting....

AR
Premium,ExMod 2001-04
join:2000-09-21
Toronto, ON

CRM software issues

It's all happened since they upgraded from Siebel 6.3 to 7.5.

Poor planning.

Jade Mason

@64.198.x.x

Service Woes

I've had AT&T Wireless GSM service in the Indianapolis area since May. I've had nothing but problems. I've detailed them at

»onesadjam.blogspot.com/2003_12_0···97999738

I signed up for the $29.99 a month national plan, but have yet to receive a bill for less than $45. Each month, I get slammed with a new service feature that I didn't request, such as text message and voice dialing. AT&T has a roaming agreement with Cingular in Indiana, and I spend more time on Cingular's network than on AT&T's. That means $0.75 / minute on calls. If it were not for the $175 early termination fee, I'd be a Cingular customer in a second.

Dirk Daring

join:2000-08-03
Ashburn, VA

Re: Service Woes

"AT&T has a roaming agreement with Cingular in Indiana, and I spend more time on Cingular's network than on AT&T"

This is why I have Sprint PCS. I've gone to who knows how many states in the US get coverage everywhere with no roaming.
--
Online in Ashburn, VA through Verolan wireless(»www.verolan.com)

r81984
Thread is
Premium
join:2001-11-14
St John'S, NL
·magicjack.com
·Cox HSI
·Insight Communicat..
·AT&T Midwest

Re: Service Woes

Im in West Lafayette, IN, and I can only make calls on cingulars network. ATT is just too weak. I can have a full signal, then walk 5 feet and have no signal. Most of the time there is no signal. I wish i could just switch to cingular with out the cancel fee.

Sprint PCS does suck. My roomate has it and he always has dropped calls and crappy service.

Matt
Gone playing Dragon Age Origins
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..

Jade,

One of my friends works for AT&T wireless and told me about the exact problem you are having.

He said he gets call almost EVERY DAY that sound exactly like yours.

He told me that the catch to the 29.99/month "National" plan is you have to be on the AT&T network, otherwise, like you stated, you get charged a roaming fee per minute.
--
Edwards in 2004

Jade Mason

@64.198.x.x

Re: Service Woes

When I first received my phone, I knew the coverage was going to be lacking. The GSM network was pretty new, but the coverage map showed the areas that I travelled were covered. I found that I had some dead spots with now service. I didn't notice at first that I started picking up the Cingular network. I would almost rather that AT&T cancel the roaming agreement so that I simply don't have service in areas not covered by AT&T.

That's not what bothers me most though. My biggest pain is with the services being added without my permission or knowledge. It is really frustrating to find new "features" every time I receive a bill. From what the customer assistant said during my last call, it is not an isolated problem, either. She said that she had thousands of service change requests to process due to these features being added either without the customer's permission, or for the feature changing from a free to a costed feature.

NordicPC
Premium
join:2002-07-21
South Elgin, IL

I decided for my company I would get the new AT&T T616 GSM plan and was put through a delay because the network was down, then voicemail was down, then the customer service system was down then the new voicemail didn't work and it took a full week to get thru to support who instead of fixing the problem deleted all 50 UNHEARD messages in the box making it impossible to know which client left important messages, as it turns out many did and I almost lost a few in the process, thanks AT&T!

My phone almost always says Cingular in the northwest suburbs of Chicago so I can't wait to get my first bill! Today was day 30, I returned all 4 phones I have purchased and was refunded my money in full. Although the lady said my bill may look "strange" because of the problems they have been having with the system, great, can't wait.

In the end today I have settled with T-Mobile and the T610 GSM plan and hope to have better luck with them. I love Verizon but needed a phone to sync with Outlook. The T610 sysncs very nicely via Bluetooth so looks good!
--
Shameless Plug, Service, Sales & Mods at »www.nordiccomputers.net Located in South Elgin, IL sales@nordiccomputers.net

res judicata
Premium
join:2002-03-06
Schaumburg, IL

Stay Away From GSM

When I went into an AT&T store to see about trading in my digital phone for a GSM model, the rep told me that I would be better off sticking with digital service until GSM becomes more widely available. And I live in the third-largest city in the US! Thank you to him for steering me away from GSM!
--
"and still the lobster held on" -Charles Kingley, Water Babies

GemSnake
Premium
join:2000-10-19
3rd layer
clubs:

Re: Stay Away From GSM

Schaumburg is the third-largest city in the US???
WeKnSmith

join:2001-08-09
Noblesville, IN
·AT&T Midwest

Schaumburg?

said by GemSnake See Profile:
Schaumburg is the third-largest city in the US???

I'd guess that it is Chicago area...
Sprinter99

join:2003-10-10
Grants Pass, OR

Re: Stay Away From GSM

schaumburg=first large business community norhtwest of Chicago city limits, considered part of the metropolitan area, therefore part of the third largest city in the US.
JJV
Premium
join:2001-04-25
Seattle, WA
clubs:

Re: Stay Away From GSM

ATT gsm service sucks!
I tried it for 6 months and ended up paying them to let me go.

Anti_Cyrix
Premium
join:2003-03-06
Sacramento, CA

Re: Stay Away From GSM

I have Verison Wireless and whatever system they use, I like.
Its not GSM, is it?
flankspeed8

join:2001-07-20
Saint Paul, MN
clubs:
·Verizon FIOS

Re: Stay Away From GSM

I also have and like Verizon Wireless. The technology they use is CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). In my opinion CDMA is superior to GSM in quality and coverage. Sprint PCS, Alltel, US Cell, and several other small regional carriers use CDMA.
bmn
? ? ?
Premium,ExMod 2003-06
join:2001-03-15
hiatus

said by res judicata See Profile:
When I went into an AT&T store to see about trading in my digital phone for a GSM model, the rep told me that I would be better off sticking with digital service until GSM becomes more widely available. And I live in the third-largest city in the US! Thank you to him for steering me away from GSM!
Interesting... I live in the New Orleans, LA area and GSM covers just about all the same area as xDMA. And we are certainly a lot smaller than Chicago.

Are you sure he didn't mean GPRS ?
--
Male by birth... Geek by choice. -- We want your soul...

Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
·Comcast

AT&T .. Yuck

AT&T has good customer service. But their prices are expensive, their phones aren't the best on the market, and lately, I haven't been happy with them.

When my contract is up in 8 months (Aug 04), I will be making the switch to Verizon. By then, all the bugs should be worked out with number portability and Verizon might have 3G Service available in my area (Miami) that actually obtains speeds of up to 144kbps!
zaydon

join:2002-05-17
San Francisco, CA

Re: AT&T .. Yuck

I've gone past the 30 days with my Sony Eric t62 TDMA/GSM phone and it sucks and I want to trade for something else. Anyone know how I can convince ATT to let me get a different phone besides completely cancelling my service. I just want a nokia TDMA phone.

ilikegsm

@bellsouth.net

i like gsm

What are you talking about? GSM is WIDELY spread...

the rep who you spoke to was probably a salesrep... and knows nothing about technology. Either that or he has a really big misunderstanding about the technology...

I love my GSM phone... although it's not with AT&T the voice quality is far better than my old CDMA and TDMA and all the other crap I had before...

PLUS! I love the fact that I can simply take out my SIM card from my phone and put it in my aircard (wireless) and connect my laptop to the internet whenever I'd like...

I 3 GSM... 'cause GSM rules.

But it's true though... AT&T customer server sucks... they forget that customers want their service to be excellent... and when it isn't customer expect to have excellent customer service reps that they can yell at.

AT&T used to be cool... but then management just screwed everything up... they screwed their customer, the employees... you can see the same thing happening with Disney...

oh well..

Jade Mason

@64.198.x.x

Re: i like gsm

Even though I can't stand my provider, I am on the whole very happy with the GSM system. Compared to my coworkers, who are on analog, CDMA, or TDMA networks, my calls tend to be much clearer. I do get several dropped calls while travelling, but I've read that it has more to do with my phone (Sony Ericsson t68is) than the network. Also, because the phone never attempts to connect to an analog network, my battery life is much better than those whose phones look for that service. When I switch providers, I'll will give preference to a company that uses GSM, and has better coverage. At this time, the GSM networks available in my area, sorted by best coverage to worst, are Cingular, AT&T Wireless, and T-Mobile. Another feature I like is the SIM card. Like the previous post mentioned, I don't have to notify my provider that I'm switching phones. I just need to verify that it operates at the correct frequencies, and plunk in the card. All of my service info, as well as address book and calendar get ported. Very nice feature.

ksw_92

join:2001-05-13
La Verne, CA
·Verizon FIOS
·RoadRunner Cable
·Verizon Online DSL

1800 miles of GSM coverage

I've been an AT&T TDMA user for a few years and I moved to GSM last month because of the Moto MPx200 smartphone, which I think is one of the best GSM phones out there right now.

Yeah, I went through the CRM upgrade hell and did not get my phone activated for 4 days. Once I got activated though, I've found the service to be great. My home's in St. Louis now, and the coverage is almost seemless. I just drove from St. Louis to Los Angeles, doing the old Route 66 path (I-44 -> I-40 -> I-15 -> I-10) and found that I had GSM/GPRS service through most of that trip. Yeah, TX and NM are spotty, but the infrastructure isn't there to support cell sites, so you have to expect some holes in coverage.

AT&T's GSM coverage in LA is not so good though. I think part of it is the normal cell congestion that's part of any LA cell system.

To the person who mentioned Verizon's "high-speed" data service: you'll be lucky to see 56kbps from them for a good while. There were some tests done in SD recently that shows that the cells are capable of megabit service, but the backhauls are way undersized. Until the cell sites are modernized with better backhauls you're going to be stuck in dial-up speed land.

Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
·Comcast

Re: 1800 miles of GSM coverage

said by ksw_92 See Profile:
To the person who mentioned Verizon's "high-speed" data service: you'll be lucky to see 56kbps from them for a good while. There were some tests done in SD recently that shows that the cells are capable of megabit service, but the backhauls are way undersized. Until the cell sites are modernized with better backhauls you're going to be stuck in dial-up speed land.

Verzion can't call it 3G Service if it doesn't obtain speeds of AT LEAST 144kbps.

I mean sure they can, but I can promise you the FCC won't like it very much.
flankspeed8

join:2001-07-20
Saint Paul, MN
clubs:
·Verizon FIOS

KSW- You are wrong. San Diego (and Washington DC) have been upgraded with EV-DO which as of now is the fastest cell based wireless service in the U.S. Several test reports done by national companies have shown speeds in excess of 300k. Granted this is on a cell with no other users. I am a fan of CDMA and from what I have read, this is the technology that is in the best position for wireless upgrade.

ksw_92

join:2001-05-13
La Verne, CA
·Verizon FIOS
·RoadRunner Cable
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: 1800 miles of GSM coverage

Yes, the cell sites are EV-DO and they can negotiate very high speeds with the phones. It's the backhauls in a (large?) number of cell sites that is the bottleneck right now, at least in SD, not the air interface.

This is sendcondhand information from a person who works for a cell equipment maker, and is in charge of evaluating field deployments of their equipment. The "test reports" that you mention look at best-case situations where you're the only one on the cell. I'm sure that Verizon is working on modernizing the back end of their network, but putting more bandwidth into cell backhauls is expensive.
Moghadishu

join:2003-10-11
Jamaica Plain, MA

Until reading this thread I mistakenly thought GSM was a satellite-based transmission.

I'm covered by TMobile GSM in Boston, and its great because of the sim-card feature, which allows you to take your phonebook/account with you on your sim if you damage your phone (or otherwise find the need to use another one) and seamless national/international coverage. The reception is all-around great, even underground on the train.

Wifey just left AT&T last week for TMobile. Lots of lost signal in our home, plus antiquated service plans. AT&T's national plans are overpriced and underallocated (in minutes). I've been with Verizon (the longest, about 5 years), AT&T, and now T, and IMO there's no better bang for your buck than TMobile.

Nikita
Snow
Premium,MVM
join:2001-11-26
clubs:

I love AT&T

I've been there for little over 5 yrs, 4 of those with TDMA service and as soon as they started offering GSM, I switched over. It has been wonderful for me. I only known of 3 dead blocks in the NYC, at least that I have walked through and have had no signal. I just bought their MPx200 phone and 'm in love. To that person who said AT&T doesn't have good phones, I don't see sprint, cingular or Tmobile offering smartphones, and that verizon model of a smartphone is ugly in my opinion. The only time I've been on roaming is when I go out to the sticks of NY state, or some other area that barely can be called a town if not a village.

I have recently been getting those messages when Ive called AT&T, but call backin 10 minutes they are usually back up. The hold time though has increased due to these outages at their customer service facilities.

Over all I am still very happy with them, and I think they offer the far cheaper prices compared to Verizon or Sprint.

P.S. You can always leave AT&T and not pay the 175 bucks, if you have been there over a few months. They shave off the months you have been with them from the 175 bucks.
--
»Mojo For Optimized

sherman10570

join:2000-10-15
Pleasantville, NY
·Verizon FIOS

Re: I love AT&T

I wouldn't say I love AT&T, but my overall experience with them is positive. I was a TDMA customer with them for 10 months until my Nokia 3360 died, and have since replaced it with a Nokia 6800 (flip-out keyboard). They run a small number of their own retail stores, and cut me a break on the new phone ($149.99 from AT&T, then a $50 rebate direct from Nokia).

I can testify to their problems with "system upgrades" over the last 3-4 weeks. It took me until the day before my next billing cycle to discuss the previous month's bill. Almost every time I called, "our systems are down". Many reps told me the best time to call is 8am or 8pm (they answer the phone 24/7). It is worth noting, however, that everyone I talk to is friendly and takes me seriously.

Service coverage is great for my purposes. I get a decent GSM signal in my home, and signal strength in my area is at par with the service offerings of the other two major players (Verizon and Nextel). The nature of the terrain I live on is such that you just won't get signal sometimes (Westchester county goes from sea level to several hundred feet above in areas). Roaming coverage is good, as I get a signal from someone almost everywhere I go.

My 1 year contract is over, and I am now on a month-to-month basis. Leaving them with an $800 deposit was not easy, and only getting it back 8 weeks after the yearly contract expired was frustrating.

On the flip side, they have helped me out in the billing department. Two months ago, I went 89 minutes over my plan and was charged their standard extra rate of $0.45/minute. Added to the Canadian roaming and data services I used, I nearly put my fist through the wall when I got the $147 bill. I immediately upgraded my plan, and they gave me a $27 credit on the next bill ($20 of which they see right away in the new services I signed up for). My service was a local one ($29.99 / 250 minutes), and is now a national one ($39.99 / 350 minutes, plus $9.99 for no-charge outgoing calls made in Canada).

Overall I would recommend them to anyone who asks. But then, only if you feel like leaving them a mountain of cash...

- Sherman

Nikita
Snow
Premium,MVM
join:2001-11-26
clubs:

I didn't have to put a deposit when I started up, impart that I started my service with them by calling them, since back then they didn't have the stores like now.
--
»Mojo For Optimized

sherman10570

join:2000-10-15
Pleasantville, NY
·Verizon FIOS


1 edit

Re: I love AT&T

When I signed up, I did so over the phone. In fact, I brought my own 3360 from Rogers AT&T (Canada). Despite being a good customer with the Canadian AT&T, they still insisted on the $800 deposit...

- Sherman

Edit: I spelled "signed" incorrectly

Nikita
Snow
Premium,MVM
join:2001-11-26
clubs:

w0w that is really odd. Your the first person I ever heard of that had to put down a deposit with AT&T. I know with the other cellphone companies they did that, until they started running lifestory checks on people.
--
»Mojo For Optimized

bigdaddy17

join:2003-05-08
Miami, FL

I hope..

Well Cingular also made their upgrade from TDMA to GSM networks and from what Im reading here I hope GSM is the way to go because Im getting all skittish. (phone for christmas with gsm) Im pretty sure CDMA and GSM are both pretty identical.

Frogger 123

@167.1.x.x

Screw At&t

At&t is crap. I had a cellphone through them last year and barely received any calls that were coming in. When my phone rang I had a clean reception but the problem was that I would never get the call s when someone was trying to call me. What do you call that...........b$llsh!t
looser

join:2001-02-04
La Mesa, CA

Nobody left

Thats because they have laid off 70% of there work force in customer service up in seattle, just read the news in the business section, 1000 here, 1000 there it finally adds up. I live in cali and there is noway after reading that news they would be my cell provider. In fact I betchya if you have a prob, give them a call you would get Rahji Rajasthan from New Delhi telling you no problem on there side.

PToN

join:2001-10-04
Houston, TX

Seibel IS THE PROBLEM

Seibel is the cause of all this...

I work at a computer store and we use Seibel to check in units for service and the 1st 6 months were hell. System was down most of the time and reports were not showing what they were supposed to. Also the infinite bugs were a pin in the neck. We got a new version of seible about 2 months ago and i can say that it is 100% better..

ATT is using seibel to control the accounts and all that. It is gonna go away but not any time soon. Seibel is good but not the first 6 months..

My friend used to work at ATT and they had a different app to control accounts. I noticed that they use seible because i went to ATT center and i wanted to add some features to my plan and i saw that they were using it.. So thats how i know they use seibel..

NordicPC
Premium
join:2002-07-21
South Elgin, IL

Re: Seibel IS THE PROBLEM

As far as the customer is concerned AT&T is the problem, the company is the oldest one out there and has the most problems, not good.
--
Shameless Plug, Service, Sales & Mods at »www.nordiccomputers.net Located in South Elgin, IL sales@nordiccomputers.net

dogboy-usa

@aol.com

tdma/cdma/gsm

Actually GSM is an inferior technology to TDMA/CDMA in regards to signal quality.

CDMA is superior to TDMA but TDMA is widely disseminated throughout the country whereas CMDA coverage is much less.

GSM is 3rd rate in signal quality from an engineering perspective but GSM DOES use SIM cards and that is the technology that is driving many carriers to try to make the switch to GSM. GSM is also very widespread in europe which makes travelling easier.

The best signal by far is given by CDMA which was originally designated for military applications and is in fact the type of system used by the military.

As for AT&T I would stick with the TDMA system over the GSM system hands down. It seems a mistake for them to have chosen an inferior product (GSM) to their existing product (TDMA) (again in terms of signal quality) for a replacement. In terms of some of the added advantages of GSM you do get that SIM capactiy which basically makes any GSM phone your phone for the time you install the card but really how often do you envision grabbing a strangers phone to make a call with your SIM? lol

Just thought I'd clear up some of the misconceptions.
If anyone doubts what I've said they can look for the white papers on the various technologies on the net, they are easy to find.
ricep5
Premium
join:2000-08-07
Jacksonville, FL
·AT&T Southeast
·AT&T CallVantage
·VoicePulse
·Comcast Formerly ..

No Digital One Rate

I won't switch off of TDMA until AT&T has a Digital One Rate plan nationally. Right now the only way you can get a one rate national is if you purchase a Siemens or Sony Ericsson GSM/TDMA combo phone. (Both of which I abhor)

Nokia makes a GSM/TDMA phone, (I think its the 6360) but AT&T won't support it (only Cingular does) and therefore I would always roam on TDMA networks.

AT&T told me that when they come out with better GSM coverage nationally, then they will come out with a one rate plan for GSM.

Hassles? Yes, AT&T is constantly consolidating voice mail systems on the TDMA side and I lose my personal greeting every single time they do it.

Also, I can't technically verify this, but I have noticed that AT&T has "turned down" the power on the TDMA towers, especially where GSM service overlaps. For the first time since I got my Nokia 6160, I am considering getting an external antenna.

Another nit while I am at it, AT&T has programmed their switches at the towers they own, to hold your call in that cell if it detects it has to switch you to a cell of another carrier. So essentially your call ends up dropping due to being out of range of the AT&T tower. The second your call drops, your signal strength immediately goes up as it displays the digital roam of the other carrier. I can accept drops when switching from TDMA to AMPS, but I can't accept drops when switching from AT&T to another TDMA tower.

I have asked at 4 different corporate AT&T retail stores to please present a better TDMA/GSM combo phone. The prevailing response I get is that it is a pain to set up the billing because TDMA bills out on a home grown system and GSM bills out on Siebel. I was also told that the combo phones are delayed due to the number portability and 911 locator regulations.

I am going to try Sprint's deal and see how that plays out while I await a decent AT&T GSM/TDMA phone to roll out.

CourtJester2

@optonline.net

Help is on the way

As a manager at AT&T Wireless, I take my job and customers seriously. Feeel free to call me with any concerns and I'll do my best to help you.

(201)270-0201 - M. Citti
micah.citti@attws.com
Forums » AT&T Wireless Headaches


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