Cingular updates roaming rules (MORE RESTRICTIONS!)

[bobolito]

Offnet Usage: If your minutes of use (including unlimited services) on other carrier's networks ("offnet usage") during any two consecutive months exceeds your offnet usage allowance, Cingular may at its option terminate your service, deny your continued use of other carriers' coverage, or change your plan to one imposing usage charges for offnet usage. Your offnet usage allowance is equal to the lesser of 750 minutes or 40% of the Anytime minutes included with your plan.

[bobolito]

I believe this means the combination of both N&W, M2M and Anytime usage cannot exceed 750 minutes over two consecutive months or 40% of your anytime minutes, whichever comes first. If your plan has something like 3000 anytime minutes you still cannot exceed 750 minutes even though that's less than 40% of your anytime minutes.

[blsemp]

I pay for nationwide coverage. I very seldom roam but I could easily go over that if I had a large project out of town.

[RJB]

That sucks.

[Yankees368]

That is not fair, Cingular phones do not show when you are roaming, so you cant even prevent it if you wanted to!

[WumpusVA]

Originally Posted by bobolito

Offnet Usage: If your minutes of use (including unlimited services) on other carrier's networks ("offnet usage") during any two consecutive months exceeds your offnet usage allowance, Cingular may at its option terminate your service, deny your continued use of other carriers' coverage, or change your plan to one imposing usage charges for offnet usage. Your offnet usage allowance is equal to the lesser of 750 minutes or 40% of the Anytime minutes included with your plan.

That blows my mind....

This really doesn't affect me because I only travel through "offnet" areas on occasion. I can see where this could really hurt a family on a family plan when one line goes off to college in an offnet area.

How strict will cingular enforce this? Or is it one of the rules they will selectively impose?

[blsemp]

Originally Posted by Wumpusva

That blows my mind....

This really doesn't affect me because I only travel through "offnet" areas on occasion. I can see where this could really hurt a family on a family plan when one line goes off to college in an offnet area.

How strict will cingular enforce this? Or is it one of the rules they will selectively impose?

I was thinking the same thing. My son has been looking at schools for next year.

[AnthroMatt]

Cingular is quite possibly going to make themselves crappier than Verizon.

I'm happier I dumped Cingular and VZW and went with Sprint every day!

[johndeere]

This just seems to wierd. Is Cingular really taking that big of a hit when it comes to roaming? If so maybe they should revamp some of their roaming agreements. Also makes me wonder why the other carriers arent enforcing the same rules ie. Alltel, Sprint, USCC, etc. They all have this clause but seem to keep it a bit more hush hush. Verizon doesnt have it but I've heard if you roam a lot in a non-friendly area (usually a carrier besides Alltel or USCC) you may get a call from them. I'm not sure if that's true or not though. I wonder what Cingular is really trying to accomplish?

[josephd]

Is Cingular the only carrier that does not let you see if you are roaming? I agree with Yankees,it certainly seems unfair.Cingular wants to make rules and us to abide by them but yet they are not playing fair.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by josephd

Is Cingular the only carrier that does not let you see if you are roaming? I agree with Yankees,it certainly seems unfair.Cingular wants to make rules and us to abide by them but yet they are not playing fair.

I think if they continue down this path they will get a class action from persons dropped because they don't let you see if you are roaming.

-Jay

[Etorres777]

Glad I switched. I was roaming in parts of town on T-Mobile..

[strunke]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I think if they continue down this path they will get a class action from persons dropped because they don't let you see if you are roaming.

-Jay

They have to keep up the illusion of largest network, they probably won't change it. This is one of the many reasons I don't like Cingular, their business practices.

[Jay2TheRescue]

The thing is they can fix this problem of people knowing if they're roaming or not with an OTA update. The alpha tag database that the phone uses by default in the phone's SIM card has all networks named Cingular. They can create an accurate database and send it to the phones.

-Jay

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

The thing is they can fix this problem of people knowing if they're roaming or not with an OTA update. The alpha tag database that the phone uses by default in the phone's SIM card has all networks named Cingular. They can create an accurate database and send it to the phones.

-Jay

But that would mean people would know they don't have a real national network everywhere.

With this new tighter restrictions, they keep proving they are just greedy and I agree that Verizon isn't the evil empire anymore. Just goes to show, being the #1 carrier doesn't mean they are reasonable & fair.

I also heard if they decide to cancel your contract for going over these minutes, they will charge you for the roaming minutes.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by Fire14

But that would mean people would know they don't have a real national network everywhere.

With this new tighter restrictions, they keep proving they are just greedy and I agree that Verizon isn't the evil empire anymore. Just goes to show, being the #1 carrier doesn't mean they are reasonable & fair.

I also heard if they decide to cancel your contract for going over these minutes, they will charge you for the roaming minutes.

I would rather they let you know when you are roaming, and allot you a certain amount of roaming minutes per month, and after that then you are charged for roaming. They should not be selling "unlimited roaming" plans if they're not really unlimited. However, I've never been able to roam, except on Suncom years ago. The only other network I have ever seen besides the 2 Cingular networks is TMO, and I've never been able to register on TMO w/o my phone displaying "EMERGENCY ONLY"

-Jay

[viewfly]

I agree that this is very unfair, if they don't display an roaming icon. I wonder if part of the reason for the new online coverage map (that shows roaming areas), is the plan to enforce these rules and give consumers tools to understand when they are roaming.

Clearly Cingular is not targeting the causal roamer, but the one that sits in a roaming area for an extended stay.

I think Cingular needs to communicate better. They

1. Should clearly advertise the policy change
2. Give a roaming icon on the phone
3. Be upfront about this in the stores.

They can't assume the most of their customers are 'informed' as well as WA members here are.

But, from my experience during the old analog and TDMA days when there was all roaming (and roaming icons), when you went outside your township, there are some things we can do also:

1. If you know that you will be on extended relocation, look at the new Cingular interactive map to see if your in a probable area of concern.

2. Call up Cingular and explain the situation. ie, 'I have an ill parent that needs care', or 'I'm on business relocation for two months', etc.

3. I know from personal experience, Cingular prefers to know in advance a difficult situation and not find out after the fact. You will benefit too. Unless your're moving for years instead of months, I have found that they have worked with me favorably.

4. Just don't 'test' the system defiantly and see if they cancel you, and then complain; call them up and see how they can help you. They really would prefer to keep you as a customer...unless your moving for good into a roaming area.

my thoughts on how I plan to deal with the situation. We really don't know how different each roaming agreement may be for Cingular: you will only find out by calling for your specific roaming area.

But, I have to say, that according to the interactive map, this really is not going to effect me or my college student. Chose a college with Cingular store in town!!!

viewfly

[RJB]

Originally Posted by viewfly

I agree that this is very unfair, if they don't display an roaming icon. I wonder if part of the reason for the new online coverage map (that shows roaming areas), is the plan to enforce these rules and give consumers tools to understand when they are roaming.

Clearly Cingular is not targeting the causal roamer, but the one that sits in a roaming area for an extended stay.

I think Cingular needs to communicate better. They

1. Should clearly advertise the policy change
2. Give a roaming icon on the phone
3. Be upfront about this in the stores.

They can't assume the most of their customers are 'informed' as well as WA members here are.

But, from my experience during the old analog and TDMA days when there was all roaming (and roaming icons), when you went outside your township, there are some things we can do also:

1. If you know that you will be on extended relocation, look at the new Cingular interactive map to see if your in a probable area of concern.

2. Call up Cingular and explain the situation. ie, 'I have an ill parent that needs care', or 'I'm on business relocation for two months', etc.

3. I know from personal experience, Cingular prefers to know in advance a difficult situation and not find out after the fact. You will benefit too. Unless your're moving for years instead of months, I have found that they have worked with me favorably.

4. Just don't 'test' the system defiantly and see if they cancel you, and then complain; call them up and see how they can help you. They really would prefer to keep you as a customer...unless your moving for good into a roaming area.

my thoughts on how I plan to deal with the situation. We really don't know how different each roaming agreement may be for Cingular: you will only find out by calling for your specific roaming area.

But, I have to say, that according to the interactive map, this really is not going to effect me or my college student. Chose a college with Cingular store in town!!!

viewfly

You put this very well said.

[AnthroMatt]

Originally Posted by viewfly

Chose a college with Cingular store in town!!!

"I know you had your heart set on XXXX for college son, but you need to pick a school where your phone won't roam."