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HighBudget · 12-08-2002, 9:33 PM

I'm currently an AT&T TDMA customer and I want to switch to GSM service. I got a Siemens S40 and a AT&T SIM card. Called AT&T and tired to switch but they claim they don't support that phone because it's not an AT&T phone. Tried it out with my roommates SIM who is on AT&T GSM and it works great. Basically they want me to buy one of their phones in order to use their service.

Anyone know what you have to do to get them to activate a SIM without having to buy one of their phones?

714tmobile · 12-08-2002, 9:45 PM

I'd be interested to hear how AT&T GSM is in SoCal... I don't hear too much about it

Kaosinla · 12-09-2002, 2:27 AM

I'm in a similar position in SoCal, but I found that if I go to an authorized dealer that sells multiple providers they will do it. I just started calling numbers in the yellow pages.

kingpin619 · 12-09-2002, 3:54 AM

i sell At&T phones here in san diego, and i just recently hopped onto the GSM network, it seems to be working for me well. i originally came from the bay area, i still have my old area code from the bay, and it worked well.

dannytle · 12-09-2002, 5:12 AM

If u're anywhere near North Orange County give ours tore a ring @ 562.267.2671

Quote:

Originally posted by: HighBudget
Anyone know what you have to do to get them to activate a SIM without having to buy one of their phones?

GoTelegraph · 12-09-2002, 10:17 AM

The reason you can't activate your siemens S40 is because AT&T is ____. AT&T has a rule where you can only activate an AT&T branded phone on their GSM network. Independent non exclusive stores ARE able to twist the rules a bit and activate non AT&T branded phones.

CommuteMan · 12-09-2002, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: HighBudget
I'm currently an AT&T TDMA customer and I want to switch to GSM service. I got a Siemens S40 and a AT&T SIM card. Called AT&T and tired to switch but they claim they don't support that phone because it's not an AT&T phone. Tried it out with my roommates SIM who is on AT&T GSM and it works great. Basically they want me to buy one of their phones in order to use their service.

Anyone know what you have to do to get them to activate a SIM without having to buy one of their phones?

This shouldn't be too hard:

Borrow your roommate's ATT phone, put in your SIM, call ATT and begin service with the "supported" phone.

Take your SIM card out of roommate's phone, and put it in your S40.

You should now be an ATT subscriber.

Don't forget to put roommate's SIM back in roommate's phone....

Anyone know any reasons this shouldn't work?

CM

HighBudget · 12-09-2002, 12:05 PM

The problem is I already have service with AT&T on their TDMA network. I want to change to the GSM plan and keep my same number. So I don't really need to activate a new account. I'm not sure an independent store would want to or be able to do something like. Any ideas?

rcrocha · 12-09-2002, 3:46 PM

When you switch to GSM you will need to get a new account number no matter what. I just did the same thing. One thing that you can do is just get whatever phone is free and use that to activate your sim. The Nokia 8390 is free right now (except for taxes) so you will pay a minor amount. I know it is more than nothing but I think you might be stuck with this method.

Good luck.

CommuteMan · 12-09-2002, 3:49 PM

You should be able to do the conversion over the phone. Call ATT customer service, tell them you want to convert to GSM and that you already have a phone and SIM card.

You should be able to keep your current number (although there are apparently a few exceptions depending on where you are).

If they ask about the phone type, give them the model number of your roommate's GSM phone so they think you're using a compatible device. You may have to actually put the SIM in that phone as part of this call. They should handle the conversion right away.

BTW. From the ATT Mobile Internet (GSM) site:

"If you already own equipment compatible with the AT&T Wireless network and need to activate service, please call 1 888 290-4613. "

CM

GoTelegraph · 12-10-2002, 1:04 PM

HighBudget · 12-11-2002, 12:18 AM

Thx CommuteMan

I called again and told them I had a T68i and there were no problems with the switch. I didn't even need to put my SIM in my roommates phone.

grip75 · 12-19-2002, 6:14 PM

So, now that you have had your ATT GSM phone for a while now.......How is the service as compared to their TDMA service?

I have been offered the SonyEricsson and their current promotion with no activation charges by ATT for switching over and I am hesitant because I'm not sure how good their coverage is. I get lowsy service in my home, but ok service everywhere else.

What are your thoughts.....?

BTW, I gotta change my icon.......sheesh

CommuteMan · 12-20-2002, 9:36 AM

It seems like most of the people reporting problems with ATT GSM have the T68i. This either means that the phone is incredibly popular (so the problem rate is just a statistical thing) or that phone's RF performance is not in the same league as some of the other handsets.

You should try the T68i in your area, but if it does not perform well I would try another phone before dumping the service.

CM

Quote:

Originally posted by: grip75
So, now that you have had your ATT GSM phone for a while now.......How is the service as compared to their TDMA service?

I have been offered the SonyEricsson and their current promotion with no activation charges by ATT for switching over and I am hesitant because I'm not sure how good their coverage is. I get lowsy service in my home, but ok service everywhere else.

What are your thoughts.....?

BTW, I gotta change my icon.......sheesh

12-08-2002, 9:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
HighBudget Posting up a storm! Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AT&T GSM SoCal I'm currently an AT&T TDMA customer and I want to switch to GSM service. I got a Siemens S40 and a AT&T SIM card. Called AT&T and tired to switch but they claim they don't support that phone because it's not an AT&T phone. Tried it out with my roommates SIM who is on AT&T GSM and it works great. Basically they want me to buy one of their phones in order to use their service. Anyone know what you have to do to get them to activate a SIM without having to buy one of their phones?

12-08-2002, 9:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
714tmobile Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Orange County - SoCal Posts: 363 Phone(s): iPhone 3G, Nokia 6133 (Unlocked), Nokia 6600 (Retired), Motorola V60g (Retired) Provider(s): AT&T Devices: iPod 30GB Video Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AT&T GSM SoCal I'd be interested to hear how AT&T GSM is in SoCal... I don't hear too much about it __________________ -- iPhone 3G 16GB (His) iPhone 3G 16GB (Hers)

12-09-2002, 2:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Kaosinla Fresh Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Beverly Hills Posts: 21 Phone(s): Nokia 8890 Provider(s): TMobile Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AT&T GSM SoCal I'm in a similar position in SoCal, but I found that if I go to an authorized dealer that sells multiple providers they will do it. I just started calling numbers in the yellow pages.

12-09-2002, 3:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
kingpin619 Fresh Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AT&T GSM SoCal i sell At&T phones here in san diego, and i just recently hopped onto the GSM network, it seems to be working for me well. i originally came from the bay area, i still have my old area code from the bay, and it worked well.

12-09-2002, 10:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
GoTelegraph Fresh Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AT&T GSM SoCal The reason you can't activate your siemens S40 is because AT&T is ____. AT&T has a rule where you can only activate an AT&T branded phone on their GSM network. Independent non exclusive stores ARE able to twist the rules a bit and activate non AT&T branded phones.

12-09-2002, 12:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
HighBudget Posting up a storm! Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AT&T GSM SoCal The problem is I already have service with AT&T on their TDMA network. I want to change to the GSM plan and keep my same number. So I don't really need to activate a new account. I'm not sure an independent store would want to or be able to do something like. Any ideas?

12-09-2002, 3:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
rcrocha Posting up a storm! Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AT&T GSM SoCal When you switch to GSM you will need to get a new account number no matter what. I just did the same thing. One thing that you can do is just get whatever phone is free and use that to activate your sim. The Nokia 8390 is free right now (except for taxes) so you will pay a minor amount. I know it is more than nothing but I think you might be stuck with this method. Good luck.

12-09-2002, 3:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
CommuteMan Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 94 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AT&T GSM SoCal You should be able to do the conversion over the phone. Call ATT customer service, tell them you want to convert to GSM and that you already have a phone and SIM card. You should be able to keep your current number (although there are apparently a few exceptions depending on where you are). If they ask about the phone type, give them the model number of your roommate's GSM phone so they think you're using a compatible device. You may have to actually put the SIM in that phone as part of this call. They should handle the conversion right away. BTW. From the ATT Mobile Internet (GSM) site: "If you already own equipment compatible with the AT&T Wireless network and need to activate service, please call 1 888 290-4613. " CM

12-10-2002, 1:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
GoTelegraph Fresh Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AT&T GSM SoCal

12-11-2002, 12:18 AM	#12 (permalink)
HighBudget Posting up a storm! Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AT&T GSM SoCal Thx CommuteMan I called again and told them I had a T68i and there were no problems with the switch. I didn't even need to put my SIM in my roommates phone.

12-19-2002, 6:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
grip75 I made my first post! Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AT&T GSM SoCal So, now that you have had your ATT GSM phone for a while now.......How is the service as compared to their TDMA service? I have been offered the SonyEricsson and their current promotion with no activation charges by ATT for switching over and I am hesitant because I'm not sure how good their coverage is. I get lowsy service in my home, but ok service everywhere else. What are your thoughts.....? BTW, I gotta change my icon.......sheesh

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