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On 2003-06-16 21:30:55, moodswinger wrote:
Cingular also has prepaid GSM service. The trick is to get a SIM card from one of the independent retailers and I don't think you can find one of those in Bawlmer (I used to live there and their cellular concept is really 1980s).
Unfortunately, the situation is not much better in Washington, DC - I had to pay the full $70 for a prepaid SIm and initial airtime a while ago. However, try to shop around and hopefully you will be able to stumble upon one of the retail stores (try Chinatown in DC) that can give you a good deal.
I would not suggest you use your prepaid service to call via calling cards. You will be charged per minute even if you dial a 1-800 number. Payphones will let you speak for free or you can use someone else's phone.
Also, I recommend you try Amazon.com to get the feel of all the plans out there.
Anyway, good luck and keep us posted of your roaming success.
Is Cingular offering GSM yet in the Washington area? I'm not gonna switch from T-mobile for my monthly service, but if they have decent prepay rates, I may get a SIM for the rare times that I have poor coverage.
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Posted: 2003-06-16 22:19:35
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Yes, they are. Another thing - T-Mobile and Cingular are roaming partners!
i have never seen that in practice, but that's what they told me at T-Mobile. The thing is, Cingular uses a slightly different frequency - they operate at 850MHz and 1,900MHz networks here in the US and 850MHz would never show up on a T68. For Cingular phones, the European 900MHz band has been replaced by 850. That's why their phones have weird names (T306 instead of T300). The upside: you get two frequency bands for the US. The downside: you lose one of the really heavily used European bands. Godd if you live in the US, bad if you travel a lot.
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Posted: 2003-06-17 19:15:37
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I thought about purchasing an unlocked Cingular phone...
Another thing, do you know if Cingular offers the rollover on GSM plans? that would be the only thing that could convince me to switch away from T-Mobile.
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Posted: 2003-06-18 01:52:11
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could some folks from the US try a little experiment for me?
go to one of the UK mobile carrier websites:
www.orange.co.uk
www.o2.co.uk
www.vodafone.co.uk
www.tmobile.co.uk
www.virginmobile.co.uk
www.three.co.uk
look around a little and see if you can find a tariff and a phone you like and try to buy it - not actually go through with it but just pick the one you want to see how it's done.
then go to
www.mobileshop.com or
www.smalltalk.com and see if they will do it cheaper - you can go straight to these if you like.
There are no hidden taxes or rebates, the government VAT is included in the price.
THEN LET ME KNOW IF YOU THINK THIS IS A MUCH MORE STRAIGHT FORWARD SYSTEM THAN THE US
I'm just trying to work out if the US is really that complicated, or if it's just a matter of being used to a particular system.
Cheers,
G.
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Posted: 2003-06-18 23:23:29
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If it's a poll, here's my vote: the US seems to make things like these more complicated...
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Posted: 2003-06-19 10:38:53
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hello all,
i knew about the t-mobile/voicestream cards, but does cingular have gsm also and in prepaid too?
next q: is this available in texas, the houston area?
i am goin there next week and i will go and buy a t- mob but if cingular is cheaper... i have a unlocked t610
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Posted: 2003-06-19 11:47:40
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Cingular does have GSM prepaid, and it is a tad cheaper than T-Mobile, but is very expensive if you leave the region you bought it in. I also don't know whether they cover Texas.
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Posted: 2003-06-19 20:40:15
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I don't think Cingular has converted to GSM in Texas, yet. When they do, it will be at 850 Mhz.
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Posted: 2003-06-19 23:37:03
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Quote:
On 2003-06-19 23:37:03, mframe wrote:
I don't think Cingular has converted to GSM in Texas, yet. When they do, it will be at 850 Mhz.
I'm pretty sure you're right about that. Texas is a lot of rural area which will be better served by the low frequency.
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Posted: 2003-06-20 00:28:12
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i'm also looking for a decent prepaid GSM service here in San Francisco. i already have a tri-band phone...specifically the P800. any suggestions as to where I can get a prepaid SIM only?
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Posted: 2003-06-22 04:20:51
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