What happened to Cingular?

[munchie]

I have had cingular for years and have been pretty happy. It seems that since the merge, I have many more dropped calls. I go from a full signal to nothing and have to redial on the average of 4 times in one conversation. I live in French Camp a mile west of I-5 (next town south of Stockton). I have been reading something about orange and blue since the merge, but I don't see any explanation anywhere? I also got a new phone. I upgraded from a Nokia 5190 to Moto 400. I hate to even use it anymore because I know that I will loose the conversation and have to redial. Is it my imagination or did the service get worse with the merge? Thank you....

[munchie]

I want to ad that my reception seems to be the worst between 3-6 p.m.
Why would that be? Thanks again.

[Mobile Mike]

After about five months with Cingular, I finally gave up on their inconsistent signal, dropped calls, and no service. Things have not gotten better since the merge, they seem to have gotten worse. I am willing to fork over the ETF just to be done with their lousy service. So much for their "Allover" network. It's more like a "Nowhere" network. Now that they are "#1" they have developed the same arrogant attitude people on this board accuse Verizon of. Hmm, now the shoe is on the other foot.

[CRC]

Hey LBMike!
I agree with you about Cingular. Friends & co-workers up here in the Bay Area are having the same similar issues. Matter of fact, one of our local news stations did a story on Cingular regarding numorous complaints to the CA. Public Utilities Commission. Here is the link:

http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?s=3227433

Per the CA. PUC, Cingular received 2769 complaints in the last 6-month's compared to 379 with Verizon & 225 with T-Mobile. Does this mean I'm against Cingular totally or am not willing to try them in the future? No, maybe a year from now because I have had the desire to be more "global" (you helped me out Mike almost a year ago when I was trying out T-Mobile...who unfortunately did not work out for me...could not get a signal in my apt.).

The reason I'm bringing this up is because my contract is coming up with VZW in July (I could upgrade next month in May) and was going to try Cingular...but due to the issues friend's and co-worker's are having, and what I heard on the news...I'm going to wait awhile and see if they can work out the "kink's". Also brings up what you were saying about them being #1...they may be #1 in "customer base" but maybe not #1 in coverage & call quality, dependability and customer service. I know this can depend upon area and personal experience.

I may upgrade soon with VZW...or just stay month to month until I see some changes or improvements with Cingular. Right now VZW doesn't have any new non-camera phones I'm overly thrilled about...just that new Kyocera "SoHo" VX-1 and the Samsung SCH-N330. If they are not much better than my current LG-4500...then I'll wait.

By the way Mike...how do you like the T-Mobile Blackberry-7100?
Chris

[Andy]

Originally Posted by munchie

I want to ad that my reception seems to be the worst between 3-6 p.m.
Why would that be? Thanks again.

Rush hour-the network is getting overloaded.
Same thing is happening here in my area- Cingular added the old AT&T Wireless network, didn't make any improvements whatsoever and call quality/dropped calls are just pathetic. Users are also getting network busy messages and are not happy. Talking to a Cingular customer, they are guaranteed to break up majorly during one point in your conversation(even if it's just 2 minutes).

[KevinJames]

Muncie

What phone do you have? While network traffic during heavy commute is a definite factor (as mentioned above), so is the phone. I live in Tracy and have not traveled to Modesto via 205 / 5 / 120 recently (which would take me through your "neck of the woods"). But I have recently upgraded my phone and noted improved performance, being able to use my phone in parts of town that I hadn't before.

[dallison]

here in pa it's pretty much the same, we have dozens of people that complain of service, most as of late

[KevinJames]

Interesting but not really relevant. Not only are you far away from CA, but the "Cingular" that services you is run by BellSouth, not SBC.

Originally Posted by dallison

here in pa it's pretty much the same, we have dozens of people that complain of service, most as of late

[jones]

Is'nt it there's 2 Cingular Network in California?
The former ATTWS and the Old Cingular which
is now owned by T-Mobile.
So which one is Having a Problem here?

[munchie]

Originally Posted by KevinJames

Muncie

What phone do you have? While network traffic during heavy commute is a definite factor (as mentioned above), so is the phone. I live in Tracy and have not traveled to Modesto via 205 / 5 / 120 recently (which would take me through your "neck of the woods"). But I have recently upgraded my phone and noted improved performance, being able to use my phone in parts of town that I hadn't before.

I have the moto v400. I noticed a real drop in reception etc, when I got it, but that was also the same month that the merge happened. The thing I hate is the call may start out fine and then nothing.... And it is getting worse. It is the only long distance I have so I count on it alot and lately really hate using the service at all!!! I know that I will be redialing at least 5 times in one conversation.

ps. I am out by the hospital and county jail.
Thanks

[agentHibby]

Originally Posted by Andy84094

Rush hour-the network is getting overloaded.
Same thing is happening here in my area- Cingular added the old AT&T Wireless network, didn't make any improvements whatsoever and call quality/dropped calls are just pathetic. Users are also getting network busy messages and are not happy. Talking to a Cingular customer, they are guaranteed to break up majorly during one point in your conversation(even if it's just 2 minutes).

I can't understand why in your area Cingular has 25 MHz Cellular and 35 MHz PCS 60 MHz total they would have an overloaded network.

[jgar2005]

Originally Posted by agentHibby

I can't understand why in your area Cingular has 25 MHz Cellular and 35 MHz PCS 60 MHz total they would have an overloaded network.

This might be a stupid question but can you tell me why the network would overload?. I don't understand...

[KevinJames]

jgar2005

network overload occurs when there are more people attempting to use the network than it can handle. The problem is not limited to wireless. You'll notice this on landlines during times of crisis--you'll get a busy signal the moment you attempt to get a dialtone.

I used to know the numbers but lost interest. Basically around the area you are speaking of (hwy 5, 132, 205) there is a lot of traffic especially around commute hours and on Sunday evening as everyone heads home from Yosemite and where ever else they've spent the weekend.

You've seen it just as much as I have--every other car has someone talking on the phone. there really aren't that many towers in that vicinity and so the rest is history. If nothing else, this fact alone should encourage users to use their phones sparingly so that those that NEED to call out can call out. Unfortunately, that will never happen because the majority of the users are clueless and think that its all magic that will just plain "work" whenever they want, whereever they are.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by CRC

...By the way Mike...how do you like the T-Mobile Blackberry-7100?

Though slightly off topic, and to answer this question: The BB7100t is surprisingly small. Not much taller than a Moto V710. The screen is amazing. But the unit takes some getting used to. The menu setup is complex but not intimidating. It's to be expected from a PDA phone. I'm still getting used to it, but I like it so far. IM-ing is awesome though. Looks sweet in person!!

[CRC]

Thanks Mike! My apologies to All for getting off-topic!
Chris

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by CRC

Thanks Mike! My apologies to All for getting off-topic!
Chris

Actually Chris, no apologies necessary . I was referring to my post. I wanted to respond to your inquiry, but I knew it would be a bit off-topic, so I expressed it.

BTW, so far so good with the BB7100t. It is taking some getting used to....

[Andy]

Originally Posted by agentHibby

I can't understand why in your area Cingular has 25 MHz Cellular and 35 MHz PCS 60 MHz total they would have an overloaded network.

A little off-topic, but the AT&T/Cingular network in Salt Lake also gets overloaded from time to time, and they have a huge amount of spectrum here as well.

[hillbilly44]

Originally Posted by KevinJames

Interesting but not really relevant. Not only are you far away from CA, but the "Cingular" that services you is run by BellSouth, not SBC.

Sorry, but the PA market was never a BellSouth market but was SBC.

[dallison]

Originally Posted by KevinJames

Interesting but not really relevant. Not only are you far away from CA, but the "Cingular" that services you is run by BellSouth, not SBC.

not to argue, it is relevant, i and many of my customers are having the same problems as the author of this thread without any results from sbc/bls whatever, either way there is a pattern of cing not taking care of the problem nationwide

[agentHibby]

Originally Posted by dallison

not to argue, it is relevant, i and many of my customers are having the same problems as the author of this thread without any results from sbc/bls whatever, either way there is a pattern of cing not taking care of the problem nationwide

The truth is Cingular is having to reengineer the network across the nation. Make crossover networks one. Update tower to hold more calling channels.

Originally Posted by Andy84094

A little off-topic, but the AT&T/Cingular network in Salt Lake also gets overloaded from time to time, and they have a huge amount of spectrum here as well.

Probably in Salt Lake City and many other areas, upgrade mobile switching stations.
If the towers on that network can hold 100,000 calls if you switching station can only do 50,000 the max the network can do is 50,000 calls.

[KevinJames]

My bad. I confused the 13-state footprint of SBC with the SBC/Cingular footprint.

However, I would still hold to the opinion that what happens in PA is not necessarily indicative of what happens in other states. As noted above by AgentHiggy, growing pains are inevitable. Also the assumed "pattern of ... not taking care of the problem..." is over-generalized. If you had perfect service you'd be writing, "Its great out here, sorry for your problem out there. I think Cingular is great." Which is what my point was. Regardless of your situation hundreds of miles east, it doesn't speak to our situation.

Originally Posted by dallison

not to argue, it is relevant, i and many of my customers are having the same problems as the author of this thread without any results from sbc/bls whatever, either way there is a pattern of cing not taking care of the problem nationwide

[dallison]

Originally Posted by KevinJames

My bad. I confused the 13-state footprint of SBC with the SBC/Cingular footprint.

However, I would still hold to the opinion that what happens in PA is not necessarily indicative of what happens in other states. As noted above by AgentHiggy, growing pains are inevitable. Also the assumed "pattern of ... not taking care of the problem..." is over-generalized. If you had perfect service you'd be writing, "Its great out here, sorry for your problem out there. I think Cingular is great." Which is what my point was. Regardless of your situation hundreds of miles east, it doesn't speak to our situation.

that is prob true, we have quite a few customers in a small area and i know there is a lot of congestion, we have had a higher than normal dropped call rate. meh they'll fix it sooner or later

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by dallison

that is prob true, we have quite a few customers in a small area and i know there is a lot of congestion, we have had a higher than normal dropped call rate. meh they'll fix it sooner or later

I think they will as agenthibby said, they have alot of work upgrading these towers to handle the larger amt. of callers using cell sites, it's just a basic of too many trying to use a site without enough slots available.
I had seen some of this for a short time here in NJ & am sure I will see it again until they are done integrating the networks, it's just very fustrating to have this happen when it didn't in the past.