CENTRAL U.S. -- T-Mobile Roaming in Northern Michigan

[Spoilsmacker]

Hey everyone!

I currently have Alltel as my service provider (I live near Saint Ignace, MI) and my plan runs up soon. I was considering switching to T-mobile, as their rate plans are quite attractive, but I was wondering about the roaming coverage up here in the UP. I am a big texter and pic message sender, and I was wondering if I can still send/receive pics while roaming on AT&T's network up here. Anyone have an ideas?

[tmobileman]

Originally Posted by Spoilsmacker

Hey everyone!

I currently have Alltel as my service provider (I live near Saint Ignace, MI) and my plan runs up soon. I was considering switching to T-mobile, as their rate plans are quite attractive, but I was wondering about the roaming coverage up here in the UP. I am a big texter and pic message sender, and I was wondering if I can still send/receive pics while roaming on AT&T's network up here. Anyone have an ideas?

I work for tmobile and I wouldn't recommend it for you if there is not native coverage a lot of the agreements with att have ended and are ending soon so I hate to do this but sounds like att is going to be your best bet for now, you could try tmobile but if there isn't native coverage than I would recommend going with a provider that has invested in the area.

[RadioFoneGuy]

AT&T (cellular one network) and Alltel are your only real options in the UP.

You could get Tmobile but you would have to have a phone number from a Tmobile service area such as area code 616 (Grand Rapids) and if you roam more than 50% they will turn off your service.

My dad had Tmobile for travel but lives in Northern Michigan. After a year of service he got the turn off letter.

I am familiar with AT&T in Michigan and they have pretty good coverage from ST Ignace to the SOO. Data speeds are slower than Alltel 3G but if you only web browse, send IM and text then its fine.

[clock3687]

Originally Posted by tmobileman

I work for tmobile and I wouldn't recommend it for you if there is not native coverage a lot of the agreements with att have ended and are ending soon so I hate to do this but sounds like att is going to be your best bet for now, you could try tmobile but if there isn't native coverage than I would recommend going with a provider that has invested in the area.

The roaming agreement with Dobson/CellONE areas doesn't end till 2011, but I agree with what everyone has said, its not worth going with t-mobile. Good luck with your choice.

[cellular_freak]

Originally Posted by clock3687

The roaming agreement with Dobson/CellONE areas doesn't end till 2011, but I agree with what everyone has said, its not worth going with t-mobile. Good luck with your choice.

I wonder how they're going to keep that roaming agreement once the Dobson network is integrated into AT&T. There will be no way for a T-Mobile phone to tell that it was a Dobson network because all of Dobson's towers will be 310-410. Cuz AT&T is already converting Dobson's towers into AT&T towers. So basically, once it's all done, T-Mobile is really going to have no real roaming partners once the integration is done.

[cheddar]

Originally Posted by cellular_freak

I wonder how they're going to keep that roaming agreement once the Dobson network is integrated into AT&T. There will be no way for a T-Mobile phone to tell that it was a Dobson network because all of Dobson's towers will be 310-410. Cuz AT&T is already converting Dobson's towers into AT&T towers. So basically, once it's all done, T-Mobile is really going to have no real roaming partners once the integration is done.

Tmobile and AT&T almost certainly already have a roaming agreement. It may be better or worse than the Dobson one. The real answer though is how the agreement was wounded. If the agreement was structured properly than AT&T will still be bound by the terms through the life of the agreement.

[strunke]

I'd be surprised if you could use T-mobile there/get contract service. But here is the short answer, don't do it. I've used t-mobile there a bouts.........i still have nightmares....

[music4praise]

Originally Posted by Spoilsmacker

Hey everyone!

I currently have Alltel as my service provider (I live near Saint Ignace, MI) and my plan runs up soon. I was considering switching to T-mobile, as their rate plans are quite attractive, but I was wondering about the roaming coverage up here in the UP. I am a big texter and pic message sender, and I was wondering if I can still send/receive pics while roaming on AT&T's network up here. Anyone have an ideas?

AT&T has a pretty detailed coverage map. Take a look at it. There are a lot of holes in Northern Michigan--clearly more than Alltel. You would be fine in St. Ignace and along I-75 but some of the other highways are not covered.

It might be worthwhile for you to buy a GSM Tracfone and activate it in St. Ignace. Since AT&T has the only GSM coverage in the area, you would know exactly where a GSM phone would work.

[ccith]

what is the upgrade you are doing to the towers 310-410?

[RadioFoneGuy]

I wonder what the OP did. I wouldnt call it an upgrade, it more of a tweek to change the network to 410.

I dont care if you have AT&T or Alltel in the UP. Unless you have a Satellite phone you will never be completely covered. Both Alltel and AT&T have towers but they are too far apart.

Some areas Alltel is better others AT&T, talk to people you know up there and have them check areas you go the most. I have been in the UP with both Alltel and AT&T phones in my hands and it varies.

[klenkers]

FYI, I was just in northern Michigan this past weekend. I'm a T-Mobile subscriber, and I had absolutely no problem roaming on AT&T. Earlier in the year, they hadn't switched the network code over from Dobson. I was concerned I'd have a problem once they did, but to my relief everything worked fine. The only difference (besides the AT&T network code / logo on my phone) is that T-Mobile phones will latch onto the Centennial wireless network first when it's available.