First on the block with ATT GSM

[JimBob]

Am I delusional to go with ATT GSM in the Bay Area as soon as they roll it out? Part of my interest is because of the Ericsson t68i and the price they are charging for it($149).
Anyone from SoCal or elsewhere have insight/experience with the ATT GSM build out?
I have Nextel now and I can no longer justify the cost.
Thanks in advance.

[spyder22]

you have to remember that cingular has been out here for 10 years...so it will take a long time for ATT to get to that point. Also a lot of money. That is why T-Mobile and Cingular went into the Joint Venture. Also to take a look at how much it takes to build a network:

cell site= 1.5/1.25 million
BSC= 8 million
MSC = 10-15 million

this does not include all of the telco and transport equipment, facilities, construction, etc. Also typically a carrier will pay 2000.00/month for rent on a cell site.

[KevinJames]

The coverage will be spotty at first, when you leave the major metros that are functional. I personally plan on waiting until at least the end of 2003 before I even consider GSM from ATT. My feeling is "Why ruin a good thing." And the 'good thing' is my TDMA service with them.

If you are still determined to do this, let us know how it turns out for you. There have been a lot of people asking the same question.

KevinJames, how has service with AT&T been with you lately? I've found that service at night has dropped significantly. I'm always having problems connecting now.

[psycho]

Cingular has been out for 10 years?
I don't recall GSM being even finalized back in 1992.

GSM buildout started in 1997, after PCS licenses were issued in 1996 by the FCC.

Pacific Bell Pure Digital PCS was the invention of SBC being required to spin off Pacific Telesis's wireless div, which was purchased then by Vodafone and was promptly renamed to be formed into part of "Airtouch Communications". This was for Socal.

Norcal didn't have pacbell presence, as it was license out mostly to GTE and CellOne (McCaw?)

PBPCS was essentially built from the ground up in 1997

As for base stations, they're not THAT expensive. They are expensive, but rarely break 1 million....esp when you consider that it's GSM. GSM equipment are like the 3-series BMWs...those things come dime-a-dozen.

Now for AT&T GSM, there is one thing going for it, and it's that their GSM network is essentially retrofitted on top fo their current old-skool cellOne network. They should have coverage almost as good almost as their traditional TDMA network. What other people tell you is BS about needing alot of time to build out. The advantage on AT&T's side is that they have the stations already there, and all they really have to do is buy more equipment to install on these stations. Now, the hope is that they have at least 95% of those stations retrofitted in time for launch.

THe network planning for GSM is very much the same as TDMA, and CellOne SF folks have experience with that.

So, there you have it:

1-People who know network optimization
2-Traditional network buildout


BTW, don't get a T68, which i suspect is the cause of most people's problems. I know the guys who did the US release of the T68 and I know too much about it to reccomend it.

[JimBob]

Psycho,
I appreciate the response, I am waiting for OCt 8th to start service.
Could you speak more to your knowledge of the t68's shortcomings? Why specifically do you suggest not purchasing that phone?
Also, what phone would you recommend?
Cheers

I have att gsm in L.A The quality for voice is much improved over TDMA. Reception is much better, I got the S46, 21.25 software. I used the phone extensively in England and France last week no problem with the 900 band. Get the TDMA backup with the S46 or you may be out of luck in some locals. ATT gsm has nice USA footprint but TDMA is handy in the boonies.

[redheadzpms]

JimBob

I have att tdma and am satisfied with the service for now...My friend finished up his contract with cinglebar and gave att gsm a try. He tried the t68i too...We both liked the phone and it was cool, but it didn't have the call quality that I thought it should...We live in OC. We were both surprised to see that the gsm coverage wasn't even as good as cinglebar. Very spotty in almost every place we went. He works in LA county and he tried it there too. Same... I have also been experiencing differences with my tdma coverage. But hopefully give att a yr and it will all be ok. As for who I pick...have u tried Sprint or Vrz? I think right now their really close...

[KevinJames]

Anonymous above,

I just noticed your post. I have had no problems at all with ATT. I have used it frequently (lately) from Hayward to Stockton. I was just in Half Moon Bay a couple weekends ago, and had no problem.

About 2 years ago, near the 880/238 interchange, I did notice difficulty connecting and I think it was due to the high number of cell users on a Friday evening. But no problem within the last year.

[spyder22]

I hear what you are saying psycho....sorry it was late when i replied. you are right about 1997. but as for the costs of the equipment yes i am correct. from start to finish that is what a site costs from scratch. that is adding in contracting fees, zoning, legal fees, time paid to the legal department, construction, field, labor etc. i have built out several GSM networks, and have cut many a PO.

[psycho]

Originally posted by: redheadzpms
JimBob

I have att tdma and am satisfied with the service for now...My friend finished up his contract with cinglebar and gave att gsm a try. He tried the t68i too...We both liked the phone and it was cool, but it did have the call quality that I thought it should...We live in OC. We were both surprised to see that the gsm coverage wasn't even as good as cinglebar. Very spotty in almost every place we went. He works in LA county and he tried it there too. Same... I have also been experiencing differences with my tdma coverage. But hopefully give att a yr and it will all be ok. As for who I pick...have u tried Sprint or Vrz? I think right now their really close...

Once again, it's an issue with the T68. I suspect it would actually work with any other phone. (If you really wanna know why I say that, msg me on IM)

As for Sprint, VZW, AT&T GSM, and AT&T TDMA...

..in california, I would still go VZW...hands down...no question about it.