PING! DukeDog, Roamer1, and Cingular Wireless Customers

[ComicalMoodyDan]

DukeDog I know you work for Cingular Wireless. I'm also aware that I think Cingular's currrent Nation Plans run out soon. So what I am wanting to know is if you know when there current Cingular Nation 250 plan expires?

By the way does anybody know how current coverage is for Cingular (GSM) in the Tri-Cities TN/VA area? Those areas would be Kingsport, TN as well as Bristol, TN/VA and Johnson City, TN. If anybody knows how coverage is in Gate City, VA for them that would be very helpful too.

[Dukedog]

Sorry Dan, I took so long to respond, But the nationwide (250 and 3500 N&W) expired today 5-31-2002, the new 250 will only have 1000 nights and weekend minutes, the $39.99 or higher the only one with 3500 night minutes. Sorry buddy.

[Jack]

so the only change will be for the 29.99 plan will go to 1000 night and weekends not to bad still the best national plans available

Jack

[ComicalMoodyDan]

Crap! My grandmother was going to look into that plan that sucks. Thanks anyway for the info Dukedog.

[ComicalMoodyDan]

By the way what about the Cingular Home 325 plan that includes 325 anytime minutes and 3,500 night and weekend minutes for $29.99 a month? Is that plan still in effect or did it expire already also?

[roamer1]

It still isn't bad; it's certainly much better than Verizon's SingleRate National that's still stuck at $35 for just 150 mins and NO weekends (1000 wknd minutes -- but NO NIGHTS [that's one of the two main reasons I also have Nextel; the other is data] -- can still be added for $10/mo.)

Of course, the downside to Cingular in NE TN is that it's the GSM side and not the IS-136 side, which means significantly limited roaming, particularly in rural areas. That said, Cingular's GSM coverage in NE TN is very, very good, even in most rural areas (but still nothing in Mountain City... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] )

-SC

[ComicalMoodyDan]

Yes, I had it 2 years ago and coverage was pretty good back then even but there was a few weak spots. I was asking again cause 2 years ago is a long time and the company back then was BellSouth Mobility DCS now its Cingular Wireless with totally different phones and rate plans.

That is still a good deal but my grandmother uses a lot of night and weekend minutes and is on a budget so I don't think 1,000 night and weekend minutes is enough for her. She doesn't know much about wireless phones so I am trying to help her get a new company. So I'm thinking either Verizon Wireless with a Local Digital Choice Plan or a Cingular Nation Plan or maybe even a Cingular Home Plan.

[cryogenic]

I'm currently a Cingular GSM customer in Knoxville and I travel around East TN quite a bit... I've taken my phone into SW VA and NE TN and gotten excellent service up there.... I was quite amazed how good, actually. However, there is NO GSM on route 58 in VA west of the Tri-Cities area... I *believe* my coverage came back in at the 58/23 split where 23 goes south (and becomes I-181) and 58 heads out on into VA... Coverage was pretty much perfect all the way down 23/181 and down I-81 as well, which is to be expected.... I know, also, that coveage in the border cities (Bloomingdale, for example) is quite good, also. Certainly not perfect, as one of my friend's parents has a Cingular phone up there and has a small gap around her house (she lives in Bloomingdale, just off 93 a couple miles) but good coverage otherwise... I've driven up both 11E and 11W and didn't notice any huge gaps in coverage all the way up or down. (at least as far as the Tri Cities areas go.... the Bean Station area isn't too hot on coverage, I don't believe, but that's another area altogether)... anyway, I'm rambling, if you have any other questions, feel free to post... I've been all over East TN and western NC and southern KY... and nothern GA... lol :-) I know where a good bit of the gaps are in Cingular's coverage.... though I'm not claiming to know everything... All in all, I've been happy with service and call quality, however wireless internet express (GPRS) is another issue altogether, which I'd rather not discuss here right now. ;-)

[ComicalMoodyDan]

Thanks for the info cryogenic. My grandmother went to Verizon Wireless today and Radio Shack so I think most likely if she gets another wireless phone soon she will go with Verizon.

When will Cingular have GSM coverage in VIRGINIA?

[ComicalMoodyDan]

Ok Anonymous, there was no need to post that in here and in another thread on the Southern forum. To answer your question though I don't have specific dates but GSM coverage will be getting a lot better in Virginia within prolly a 2 year time period or so or maybe even less.

SunCom (Triton PCS) is working on upgrading there network to GSM/GPRS and they have quite a bit of coverage in Virginia. AT&T and Cingular operate in some of northern Virginia and they are also working on upgrading there networks from TDMA to a GSM/GPRS system. Let's not also forgot that there is some GSM coverage in SouthWest VA through Cingular and a little with VoiceStream around the DC area.

I don't know how long it will take for SunCom, AT&T, and Cingular to upgrade there networks in Virginia to GSM/GPRS but when its complete there should be a lot better coverage in the state.

[Jack]

Dan

the $40 verizon deal would be a good choice for her 600 anytime/4000 night and weekends

Jack

[ChimeraJS]

does cingular have anything comparable to the 3000 anytime minutes (neighborhood plan) for 50$ that voicestream has?

[ComicalMoodyDan]

Jack, they don't have that plan in my area. If she goes with Verizon Wireless, which seems to be the most likely provider at this time I think she is either going to get the America's Choice 300 plan for $40 a month which gives you 300 anytime minutes, unlimited nights and weekends, plus mobile web.

The second plan would be the Local Digital Choice 400 plan which gives you 400 anytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekends for $35 a month. The phone she has been looking into is the Motorola V120c both Radio Shack and Verizon Wireless stated it was a good phone and did well with recepation. Currently Radio Shack has the phone for only $29.99 with a one year contract and a $30 activation fee.

[cryogenic]

Dan... wouldn't she be better off going with the nationwide plans, as the Local Digital doesn't include long distance? Unless she only calls locally, the national plans seem to be a much better deal.... also while we're on the topic of Verizon, they still have that nasty issue with "roaming" in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge as the whole Dobson acquisition isn't finalized and switched over yet or some stuff like that. That was actually one reason I didn't go with Verizon (that and the $150 deposit). I was going to get the nationwide 450 plan and the LG TM-510 phone... I wanted a Motorola 270c, but neither Verizon or their local authorized agent, Cellular Sales, could locate one.. :-( So as for now, I'm with Cingular, and only somewhat happy, though I'm past my 30 days, so I'm stuck with them for another 10 months. Blah!

[ComicalMoodyDan]

She very rarely travels outside or calls outside of the area. Also on the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area I was told by a Verizon Wireless employee that area will be added in July to there network. Cingular is good here but the problem is my grandmother does some traveling in Gate City, VA where Cingular has spotty coverage.

Once you start traveling to some rural parts of SouthWest Virginia ALLTEL and Verizon is about the only carriers that work well, and ALLTEL is what she had and dumped because of problems.

[Airb330]

YES..........Verizon is a MESS in Pigeon Forge....I went there in early May on a band trip (from DE), yep my phone would not work, at all there. Picked up a Sprint 1900 signal....but their network wouldn't let me make or receive calls. So I was quite ticked off. My friends with Cingular had problems as well since it's TDMA here, and GSM there, and I guess not ATT for them to roam off of. Let's just say about 5/50 people's cell phones worked there. (Those 5 or so had the AC plan with Verizon....I have FREEUP, but I still should have been able to do something!!)

[ComicalMoodyDan]

True, that mess should be clearned up soon though as Verizon bought out the wireless provider for that area. I think it was Cellular One but I'm not sure anyways its going to be Verizon Wireless soon. By the way Cingular GSM phone's work fine in that area and so do ALLTEL phone's.

Both me and my grandmother have been in that area and our current phone's at the time worked fine. Cingular is still GSM in that area and ALLTEL roams on another provider I believe US Cellular just fine.

Stanley might have some more info on you for it he definately knows more then I do.

[cryogenic]

Yes, you are correct, Verizon bought out Cellular One (owned by Dobson Communications).... They also inherited the Morristown & Newport areas (that would be Hamblen Co -- to the north of I-81, and Cocke Co -- to the East off I-40) from that deal... from my understanding, both areas are now officially Verizon areas now, however Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (Sevierville, too, for what it's worth) are apparently taking longer to transition. From my understanding, Dobson was a TDMA provider in this area, so they have to convert to CDMA. I might be wrong, I don't claim to know all about this area. I'm going entirely on hearsay. And I have heard mid-July as the timeframe for the Sevier Co area switch. Early August would be worst case, according to the reps around here. But I do agree with you that Verizon would be her best choice, as I don't think anyone has rural coverage that can compete with Verizon's. :-)

[ComicalMoodyDan]

A Verizon Wireless employee told me the Pigeon Forge area would be July 20 something. I can't remember the exact date but he did give me one.

[bobolito]

TNDan, if your grandma rarely travels, why not get her a local plan instead of a national plan? All carriers are including nationwide long distance with the local home plans. This way you get more minutes than with a national plan for less money.

[ComicalMoodyDan]

Well one reason why she may go with a America's Choice Plan is cause my area is NorthEast TN and Southwest Virginia. We have some family in SouthWest Virginia and Verizon's Local choice plans cover most of TN but just a little bit of Virginia since I am right on a boarder city. The America's Choice Plans however cover pretty much all of Virginia and Tennessee.

On another note Verizon's Local Digital Choice Plans around here DO NOT include long distance.

[bobolito]

That's catch 22 for Verizon....I didn't realize that about the local plans. Considering they are a wireline phone company, they should be less greedy with their long distance options.

Dukedog, are there any changes planned for the Cingular Nation plans anytime soon?

[ATLguy]

bobolito -- your new icon is really freaking me out. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

dukedog -- i'd be interested in the same info -- any idea when the cingular nation plans/promos are slated to change? are we in for any new/better offerings from cingular any time in the near future or is it all downhill from here?

Thanks,
ATLguy

[roamer1]

Sorry for the short absence...

TN-4 (Gatlinburg, Morristown, etc.) is to switch to CDMA around July 1. (It could get pushed out a couple of weeks if weather, etc. cause problems.) Currently Verizon customers with any recent PRL (going as far back as 50014 or so) won't pick up the old Dobson system at all unless there's nothing else; you'll pick up Sprint, ALLTEL (in Morristown), and US Cellular (in Sevier County) first.

As for the comment about SW VA, there's barely any coverage of US 58 from Cumberland Gap to Jonesville, VA (about 30 miles) from *anyone*.

-SC

[cryogenic]

Well, now I don't feel so bad about having a dead cellphone for that stretch of road! ;-) Although I'm 99.99% sure Verizon has some coverage up there where Cingular GSM wouldn't even dream of having.... How is their TDMA coverage in SE KY, though? (off what would be considered 25E in TN just past the tunnel and whatnot and eastward on 58) Just curious, because that's a *really* pretty area, and a great place to drive, and I was hoping that maybe the GAIT phone that Cingular keeps pushing back (will we ever get this friggin thing?) would give me at least SOME digial coverage up there. ;-) Also, since you seem to have really good info.... I've heard you complain about the Polk Co area in TN... I'm on Cingular GSM, would I still have coverage over there? (eg, does Voicestream cover that area?) I'm guessing no, but I figured I'd ask anyway. I would assume there is TDMA coverage up there? (apparently not thru Cingular, though?) I also noticed some major coverage holes on the west side of I-75.... Dayton, I do believe... between there and Roane Co (Harriman) there doesn't seem to be any GSM coverage. It's actually rather frustrating because I travel in rural areas a lot and spend a lot of time without coverage. I knew GSM wasn't all that widespread, but I signed up under the premise that the GAIT phone would have been available sooner (stupid me shouldn't have beileved it) and so now here I sit, waiting and waiting for what appears to be vaporware... blah... my rant for the day.. :-)

[roamer1]

SE KY -- Cingular's IS-136 ("TDMA") coverage is fine. The Corbin/London area has TWO GSM carriers -- VS and Wireless 2000 (small local company; VS roams with them now but Cingular still might not) -- as well.

US 58 -- Virtually no coverage; see notes in previous post.

Polk County, TN -- The ONLY coverage there is Verizon (CDMA and analog), and Cingular does NOT roam with Verizon, even analog (they don't have a roaming agreement for that area, unlike nearly everyone else.)

US 27 between Dayton and Harriman (Spring City, Rockwood) -- Cingular has IS-136 and VS has GSM in Dayton; US Cellular has IS-136 coverage north of Dayton, but there's no GSM. Be aware that Meigs County (Decatur) is a coverage hole for everyone except Verizon just like Polk County. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

-SC

[cryogenic]

Yes, Cingular does roam off W2000 PCS in Southern KY... their coverage starts @ mm 25 and goes up to somewhere south of Lexington... I think it ranges all of 15 miles at most? I was up through there last weekend, however I fell asleep between Corbin & Louisville.. lol (I wasn't driving, FYI)... I do also know that VS starts from about the 6-8 mile marker til W2000 picks up at exit 25 (VS will pick up in downtown Corbin, oddly enough, then back to W2000 on I-75... go figure?) That area is just plain strange as far as GSM coverage goes.

Back to TN, though, I'm not surprised about Meigs Co being a coverage hole... there's NOTHING there! I also noticed Hwy 111 is a dead zone (Sparta area)... I have a US Cellular phone that is still under contract, but only has 5 min/mo, so I turned it on just for fun... set it to System A (which is Verizon) and watched to see how the coverage was, and not surprisingly, it was non-existent. VS picks up where 111 and 27 meet over the hill in Soddy-Daisy (north of Chattanooga)... I sort of wonder where Cingular's IS-136 coverage extends to in that direction (up 111, not 27)... I might just go driving and find out once the GAIT phone comes out... unless you happen to have an answer, Roamer1. :-)

And on a somewhat unrelated topic, I have to compliment both Roamer1 and TnDan (among a few select others), who always seem to have an UNBIASED opinion on things, as opposed to some OTHERS here (whose names we need not mention) who seem to be biased towards one carrier regardless of the situation. :-P

[ComicalMoodyDan]

Thanks, cryogenic. I try to recommend what is right for somebody not one carrier is right for everybody. Same goes with my grandmother I love my SunCom service but I think she needs something a little bit different from me so that's why I'm looking into Verizon Wireless.

[cryogenic]

I'm also not particularly stuck on one carrier... I don't go recommending Cingular to everybody that crosses my path.. I actually recommend Verizon a LOT to a lot of people, just because their coverage is so damn good... I can't say I recommend Sprint very often to people, simply because Cingular seems to have similar coverage area and does have the advantage of GPRS internet access.. :-) Sprint does have incredibly cool phones, and they have the Total Digital Connect plans with beaucoup minutes and free wireless web... so there's a little something to brag about there... but, as you probably agree, "one man's garbage is another man's gold".