Why do I have two networks?

[CrystalSet]

Since changing to an AT&T shared, local plan, my phone’s banner says SHARED all of the time. (Although, I haven’t taken it out of my local area).

When I do a manual network search, I have a choice of two networks: SHARED and AT&T. I can register on either network. The SHARED network is private, the AT&T network is public.

Panasonic TX210 programed:
Level 1 Alpha Tag = AT&T.
Level 3a Alpha Tag= SHARED

Questions:
Why do I have two network choices?
What would happen if I made a call on the AT&T network?
Why is the SHARED network showing as private?

[roamer1]

Originally Posted by CrystalSet

Why do I have two network choices?
What would happen if I made a call on the AT&T network?
Why is the SHARED network showing as private?

AT&T identifies the coverage areas associated with shared/family plans using "private SIDs", a feature of IS-136 TDMA that allows for a carrier to set up special coverage areas or systems to cover, say, a college campus, but can also be used to segment a large "public" SID into smaller areas for billing/alpha tag purposes.

Here in Atlanta, AT&T's "public" SID is 4101, but their "private" SID used for shared/family plans is 40626. If the phone shows "AT&T", you're outside that area; what would happen billing-wise depends on your plan.

(The PSID can also be used to make "custom" alpha tags on some phones...that's how I know the PSID for Atlanta. )

-SC

[CrystalSet]

Thanks for a very clear explaination. I now see that my PSID is different from my associated SID and home SID.