Cingular Wisconsin Roaming Report

[Hman]

I signed up for Cingular's NationWide 150 Plan on Fri Feb 1st in Milwaukee WI where Cingular is 800 TDMA/AMPS.

I started traveling north on US 41.

Had Cingular until Fond du Lac county line as expected.

Fond du Lac county line to WI 29 I was roaming on CenturyTel picking up 800 TDMA and then switching to AMPS when signal was weak.

Past WI 29 to MI state line I was roaming with CellCom on 800 AMPS.

UP Michigan I was roaming on CenturyTel 800 AMPS.

The sales rep told me I would be roaming on US Cellular 800 TDMA/AMPS and then CellularOne Dobson also 800 TDMA/AMPS.

Needless to say, I canceled the service today and took the phone back to the store for a refund.

Good thing they let you try the service out for 7 days/30 min without penalty.

So if your looking for digital service in North WI and UP MI, don't go with Cingular.

Hman

[CDMA]

I told you not to expect much digital service in the U.P. , remember??????????? It simply doesn't exist. So don't even waste your time trying to find it. In the upper penninsula you should be happy that your phone simply works. At least with Cingular, your caller id and voice mail indicator usually work while roaming on anolog. No one else does yet. Why were you on here asking if you were not going to listen to me anyway? That is exactly what I said you would get in the UP. So you think you will get digital with some other company? LOL Good luck. Anyway, the rep was reading their info correctly. It was U.S. cellular and it changed to CenturyTel. Yes it is TDMA digital in some areas of the northern lower and a couple areas of the upper, but that is new as of the past year. They are still working on expanding digital there. Anyway, you made the right choice but you didn't know it, and you probably still won't because you didn't listen to me last time anyway. Since this is exactly what I said on the origional thread where I answered your question, why do you think you have new news about using a Cingular phone in that area?

[Hman]

CDMA,

Goto www.celloneusa.com

for a zip code type in 49801

Click on Showroom > Regional Digital > Coverage Maps

As you will see, the Home Rate Area includes the northern half of WI and the western half of UP MI.

The Home Rate Area is all 800 TDMA DIGITAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My parents both have CellularOne Dobson and the digital coverage is excellent in the Home Rate Area.

They get caller ID and text messaging everywhere in the Home Rate Area.

So I'm sorry CDMA, but you are mistaken!!!!!!!

I am switching to SunCom ATT. I know for sure SunCom ATT has a roaming agreement with CellularOne Dobson.

Hman

[CDMA]

I have a relative that uses one of the two carriers in Ironwood Mi. Yes, he has digital, but I didn't think that it was widespread yet. They must be working fast. Anyway, make sure that CellularOne is really TDMA there. For some reason CDMA rings a bell to me? This would make sense because with Cingular, if TDMA is available, you will get it. That has always been my experiance. I know for a fact that CellularOne in the Eastern UP., and Northeastern Northern Lower is CDMA, but it is a different market then the Western UP. Also, check the roaming agreements with Suncom, because they might not put you on the Digital system.

[Hman]

Their are 2 "A" carriers in the UP

They both have the CellularOne brand name.

Western UP is CellularOne Dobson www.celloneusa.com

Eastern UP is CellularOne of NE MI www.cell1mich.com

Dobson is 800 TDMA/AMPS

CellularOne of NE MI is 800 CDMA/AMPS

Dobson has complete digital coverage, CellularOne of NE MI's web site says they only have CDMA in the cities, such as Escanaba.

The Dobson system is a "joint" venture with AT&T. I think AT&T has a 20% stake in the network. So when I sign up with SunCom AT&T I am certain I will be roaming on Dobson's network in the UP.

Dobson is also upgrading to GSM soon!!!!!

Dobson Communications Corporation today announced it will
overlay GSM and GPRS in its owned and managed networks.
Dobson currently uses TDMA technology, and provides
substantial roaming coverage for AT&T Wireless and Cingular.
Both AT&T and Cingular recently began similar migrations
from TDMA to GSM technology. Dobson also announced a new
10-year roaming agreement with Cingular. Dobson operates
in 17 states, under several brands, including Cellular One.

This article is the reason why I thought I would be roaming on Dobson's network with a Cingular phone.

Hman

[CDMA]

I see. I would certainly think that a Cingular customer would roam on that system. Maybe they are still working on the roaming list???? Probably a matter of time. Digital must be very new up there. I don't know. I am sure that CenturyTel will follow with new digital coverage there soon. Then you will definately get it with Cingular. So the provider you are going with is AT@T or Suncom? Which one? Also, try to get a phone that has an external antenna port, like the Motorola StarTac, or some Nokia models. That will help a lot in the UP.

[Hman]

Believe it, or not, CellularOne Dobson has been 800 TDMA digital for about 2 years now.

I have emailed CenturyTel and they say they will not be digital in the UP for a while yet. I'm guessing a year or more.

I have also emailed CenturyTel asking them what 2.5G/3G upgrade path they are taking, GSM or CDMA. They said in the reply they did not know, guess will have to wait for the press release.

In Milwaukee SunCom (Telecorp) is an AT&T affiliate. They are actually owned by AT&T now, but the deal has not gone through yet.

I have used my ST7897 for the last 2 years with an ext 3dB gain antenna with excellent results while driving around N WI and UP MI.