Problem upgrading old Dualmode Plan to Nokia 6340i Cingular

[clackey3]

My cell phone usage is "emergency use only" with a soft definition of
"emergency". I seldom reach 80 minutes a month. Some months are Zero
minutes.

My bill shows "Dual Mode Roaming" and indeed my old Ericsson is "Dual
Mode", and that's why I keep it. I get service in an area that is
critical to me once a year.

My Current Account:
Ericsson CF888 is GSM-1900 and AMPS 800.
D$24 150 MINUTES W/LD

I have read comments in this group about Cingular "GAIT Mode" and indeed
I have acquired a used GAIT enable Nokia 6340i. DOes this matter? Does it help me? What do I do with it?

What's the difference betseen DUAL MODE and GAIT in respect to my needs?

Cingular local store rep and the 800 tech support explain that I cannot
upgrade my ancient plan "D$25 150 MINUTES W/LD". The plan allows me to
Analog Roam for a fee. The fees are not an issue in my usage patterns.

Cingular says I will lose the Analog Roaming if I upgrade my phone.
Why?...

After escalation and letter writing, it was explained that a business
decision was made to block access in analog in North Carolina and South
Carolina...
because Sprint owns all the analog rights, and Sprint wants $1.00 a
minute and fees, so Cingular chose not to do business with them.

The blocking is done at the tower level by CELL PHONE MODEL. That my
old phone is still allowed because I pay for the calls, and they don't yank coverage away.

I asked why I am blocked with a new phone since I am paying. A. Because
the blocking is not by the Plan by by PHONE TYPE. (old phon okay, not phone, not).

So here is what I am trying t0 accomplish,
and so far it seems to be working. What are my exposures with this
plan??...

Tentative PLAN of usage:

Move the SIM from the Ericsson CF888 to the Nokie 6340i for all usage
EXCEPT one week a year when I go camping/fishing in a remote location.

For that week, I move the SIM back to the Ericsson.

I like the Nokia for the rest of the time because"
- It also has GSM 1900 and therefore better high signal coverage.

- I can update my phone book with the PC.

Observation... I seem to have an echo with the new Nokia. I read a post
herein that I can get a newer replacement SIM card for that problem. If
I do that, will the New Sim still support my Ericsson Dual Mode or GAIT that I need?

Any other issues I need to be aware of?

Carl

[azcellphonejunkie]

Originally Posted by clackey3 My cell phone usage is "emergency use only" with a soft definition of "emergency". I seldom reach 80 minutes a month. Some months are Zero minutes. My bill shows "Dual Mode Roaming" and indeed my old Ericsson is "Dual Mode", and that's why I keep it. I get service in an area that is critical to me once a year. My Current Account: Ericsson CF888 is GSM-1900 and AMPS 800. D$24 150 MINUTES W/LD I have read comments in this group about Cingular "GAIT Mode" and indeed I have acquired a used GAIT enable Nokia 6340i. DOes this matter? Does it help me? What do I do with it? What's the difference betseen DUAL MODE and GAIT in respect to my needs? Cingular local store rep and the 800 tech support explain that I cannot upgrade my ancient plan "D$25 150 MINUTES W/LD". The plan allows me to Analog Roam for a fee. The fees are not an issue in my usage patterns. Cingular says I will lose the Analog Roaming if I upgrade my phone. Why?... After escalation and letter writing, it was explained that a business decision was made to block access in analog in North Carolina and South Carolina... because Sprint owns all the analog rights, and Sprint wants $1.00 a minute and fees, so Cingular chose not to do business with them. The blocking is done at the tower level by CELL PHONE MODEL. That my old phone is still allowed because I pay for the calls, and they don't yank coverage away. I asked why I am blocked with a new phone since I am paying. A. Because the blocking is not by the Plan by by PHONE TYPE. (old phon okay, not phone, not). So here is what I am trying t0 accomplish, and so far it seems to be working. What are my exposures with this plan??... Tentative PLAN of usage: Move the SIM from the Ericsson CF888 to the Nokie 6340i for all usage EXCEPT one week a year when I go camping/fishing in a remote location. For that week, I move the SIM back to the Ericsson. I like the Nokia for the rest of the time because" - It also has GSM 1900 and therefore better high signal coverage. - I can update my phone book with the PC. Observation... I seem to have an echo with the new Nokia. I read a post herein that I can get a newer replacement SIM card for that problem. If I do that, will the New Sim still support my Ericsson Dual Mode or GAIT that I need? Any other issues I need to be aware of? Carl

If you haven't already, read these threads:
1 (I am here to help with GAIT!)
2 (6340i vs V551, GAIT vs GSM)
3 (Trying to get a TDMA line set up with Cingular = problems)

Hopefully you can get some information from these threads. I haven't received my 6340i yet, but once I do, I will post the observations that I have with it and the activation process...