AT&T ?'s - Extended Service - Codes - Phones

[Styles]

I have a few questions about AT&T.

1. Extended Service
When I leave my home service area and enter into an extended service area then go back into my home service area, my phone (V60i) has a hard time staying connected to a reception from my home service area. The phone seems to switch back and forth from my home service reception to an extended service reception. I must turn my phone on and off several times in order to maintain a reception from my home service area. After I remain in my home service area for about a day, my phone will maintain a reception from my home area. I do not think there would be an extended service tower in the my home service area that would compete for a reception. Can anyone offer any insight on this issue?

2. Codes
Are there any codes that I can enter into my V60i to find out information about my phone, connection or roaming partner updates, etc.?

3. Phones
Will AT&T offer any new TDMA phones in the near future? Or will AT&T offer any more dual mode phones like the Siemens S46?

4. Internet
Which carrier has the best mobile Internet in terms of cost and quality for use with a laptop computer?

I would appreciate any insight on these questions. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

[parthery]

To try to answer all your questions... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

1.) The V60 has a known software bug that sends it to the strongest signal quickly....Nokia builds a delay in (I believe around 15-20 sec). Don't think there is a fix, but you may want to look at swapping your phone. Some V60s are worse than others.

2.) You can put your V60 into test mode (#p-r-o-g-r-a-m# <send> -- security code is 6 zeros). When in test mode it will tell you what SID you are on, etc... Same sequence to get out of test mode.

3.) The Nokia 3560 will be out in June. TDMA only. Supposedly, there are also 3 new "Multiband" phones on the way during the 3rd qtr for AT&T...a Nokia, Motorola and Ericsson.

4.) Both AT&T and VZWs data services work well.

[Styles]

Parthery, do you have any more info on the new "Multibrand" phones? Maybe a link, model numbers or something. I would like to look at these phone to see if they are worth waiting. Thanks in advance.

[bigbertha]

I subscribe to the AT&T Regional Advantage Plan using a Nokia 8265 tri-mode phone. THis plan is no longer available and I can see why. Every call in a six state area is like a local call with no roaming charges. I have had ONE dropped call since last Oct. when I signed up. I think the key is purchasing a tri-mode phone. I live in the northern Chicago suburbs and do not have any connection problems at all. I was told by an AT&T salesperson to wait on the GSM plans for another 12-15 months so they can get all the bugs worked out. Then I would consider the Nokia 6310i as it is a tri-mode phone that works anywhere, even outside the USA.

[parthery]

AT&T will have a version of the Ericsson T62 which will be multi-band...there is also rumored to be a Nokia phone on the way...

What you will see - and probably within the next month or so...is the Nokia 3560 and 2260 (both TDMA only) phones...the 3560 is a color screen phone...the 2260 is the replacement for the 3360.

[MiddleOfNowhere]

1.) The V60 has a known software bug that sends it to the strongest signal quickly....Nokia builds a delay in (I believe around 15-20 sec). Don't think there is a fix, but you may want to look at swapping your phone. Some V60s are worse than others.

That's a "bug" I'd love to have. I'm on the Regional plan, so I don't get charged for roaming. Both my Nokia 3360 and my 6360 hang on far too long to weak AT&T signals, making them useless until they completely lose the AT&T tower and start hunting for roaming signals. Fortunately I rarely have to place a call when I'm in those areas.

The phone makes the difference with AT&T. I had bad luck with coverage on the 3360. The 6360 has far better reception and manages with weak signals more successfully. I keep the 3360 for backup and in case Circuit City gets a new phone worth trading the 3360 in for.