Siemens s46

[Fire14]

has anyone used the Siemens S46 multi band phone with AT&T and what do they think about it. GSM is getting ready to be turned on in the next month in the NJ area and i am considering this phone since it will work on both the GSM and TDMA settings. Also how is GSM vs TDMA on coverage and reception?

[SirRoamsAlot]

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img] First, be aware that the S46 is not analog capable. If you roam in analog systems, the phone will still show service but will not place or recieve calls. GSM sound quality is fantastic, TDMA sound quality is fair. Network serching is slow, if you have the phone set to automatic (manual mode seems to work better), and GSM coverage is poor, it may not switch to the TDMA side (if available) until you have NO GSM service. Be aware also that if you are in a call and leave GSM coverage but are still within TDMA coverage, there is no inter-network handover capability. Your call gets dropped, and you might have to wait over 1 minute before regaining any service. That said, the phone is very well made, and the menu system takes some getting used to if you are a Nokia user, but is intuitive. As far as GPRS service works, it is OK, but the phone can only connect via cable or Infrared, no bluetooth. And can only sych with a PC and not a Macintosh. Also, it has quirky software, the phone will turn off unexpectedly when you are browsing the web or scrolling thru menus. We are on our second phone, and it still does it, but at least it does not shut off when we are waiting for calls like our first one did.

AT&T is rolling out GSM in all the markets they have by year end. But that means you will be limited to metro areas for next couple of years until other carriers convert to GSM. At this time, TDMA has better coverage and in-building penetration than GSM. Check out AT&T's GSM coverage map and see if you can live with it.

Unless you really need the wireless web service now, I would wait a while.

Thank you for the advise, i will wait to see what else comes out in the future, AT&T just rolled out the GSM in this area today and i was just checking options if i decide to upgrade.

I've used an s46 for about 2 weeks now. I like it the internet capability. You don't want to give up tdma though. There is not enough gsm coverage yet

[mprx]

if you like your tdma service do not upgrade now, i have had 4 s46 in 1 month.

there are too many bugs. period

[texas1emt]

I live in Austin, TX and GSM coverage is fair around here. It works really well outside, but step in a building and it's gone half the time. If GSM coverage is good in your area, the S46 is a neat phone.

You'll certainly stand out amongst all of your friends with Nokias and Motorolas. I get lots of questions from people about my S46... Kinda like when I break out my PowerBook G4 and all the PC owners are baffled by its productivity [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]