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WEST U.S. -- AT&T partner network

Discussion in 'AT&T Wireless Forum' started by mst90, Sep 18, 2010.

  1. mst90

    mst90 New Member

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    Hey guys,
    I'm here in Forsyth, Montana, the most people here are using Verizon, but I've bought a iPhone 4 with a AT&T Prepaid Card and the Card is working well, but I've some big problems with the network here.
    We have here no AT&T Network, only partner Network:
    - a network called 'USA-EXTEDED AREA' which my iPhone is using normaly and fall of the village has no coverage with this network and i often fall out of the network at home.
    - and we have "CHINOOK" Network witch ist good at my home and in the whole village (my german SIM uses this network).

    My problem is, that my phone will not go in the CHINOOK Network, but I've read that normally AT&T iPhones working in the CHINOOK Network.

    I'm very happy about all your help and hope my english is good enough (i'm here since 2 weeks ;))
     
    #1 mst90, Sep 18, 2010
  2. Yankees368

    Yankees368 Compulsive Signal Checker
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    There might be an issue with your SIM, or AT&T might just not allow roaming on that network in that area. There is no AT&T coverage within hundreds of miles from your location, so I highly recommend switching to a network that does have coverage there, such as Verizon. I can't imagine that data on AT&Ts partner network is anything better than EDGE, if not GPRS.

    Also, that CHINOOK network is now Cellular One, not the greatest provider in the world.
     
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    #2 Yankees368, Sep 18, 2010
  3. Telekom

    Telekom Bronze Senior Member
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    How can you buy an iP4 if you're not in an AT&T area?
     
    #3 Telekom, Sep 18, 2010
  4. M in LA

    M in LA Mobile 28 Years Plus
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    He said he has a German SIM, so it's likely from Europe (and from what I understand, are unlocked).
     
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    #4 M in LA, Sep 18, 2010
  5. mst90

    mst90 New Member

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    The iPhone 3GS with the german sim is unlocked, but my iPhone 4 is from AT&T, I bought it in New York (5th Ave Store) and activate it there and if I had to restore the phone that works here as well as in New York.
    I don't want to go to Verizon, because then I had to buy a new phone and I'm a big apple and iPhone fan, so I need my iPhone ;)

    Sometime (50%-70% of the time) I have the USA Extended Area Network witch the phones shows as "AT&T".

    I don't have mobile internet and don't need it, I can do those things at home, I mostly need texting, so it should be no problem to roaming in the partner network (and it doesn't coasts extra).

    Maybe I can't use the CHINOOK Network :(
    Or do you have a idea how to use the CHINOOK network?
     
    #5 mst90, Sep 18, 2010
  6. mframe

    mframe Senior Member
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    In your first post, you say it is an AT&T prepaid card. A prepaid account won't roam on most other networks, like Chinook. The service you are connecting to, is probably the former Alltel network. AT&T just recently bought that network, but is still in the process of converting it. Your service may improve after AT&T finishes installing 3G, and changes the network ID.
     
    #6 mframe, Sep 19, 2010
  7. mst90

    mst90 New Member

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    But the card is roaming well in the "USA EXTENDED AREA" network.
    Do you think later we can use the Chinook (Cellular One) Network? We have no 3G here, just with Verizon and Verizon won't work with the iPhone and Alltel too (or my iPhone can't find their network).
     
    #7 mst90, Sep 26, 2010
  8. markuhde

    markuhde Junior Member
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    The key is prepaid. AT&T does not allow roaming on prepaid. "USA-EXTENDED AREA" is not really a partner network anymore, it's AT&T's newly acquired Alltel network in Montana.

    It's a CDMA/GSM network - Alltel used CDMA for their own customers and built a REALLY BAD (as you've learned) GSM network for roamers. That's probably why AT&T's still calling it "partner" on the maps, so that they don't get the blame yet for how bad it is. :)

    Don't fear though, by approximately the end of February, the entire Alltel network will be overlaid with a brand-new HSPA 3G network for AT&T with promises of coverage equal to or better than Alltel CDMA... just hang tight for a few months.

    P.S. The reason your phone can't see Verizon or AT&T/Alltel's (MUCH better) CDMA network is that the iPhone doesn't have a CDMA radio.
     
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    #8 markuhde, Sep 26, 2010
  9. mst90

    mst90 New Member

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    Sounds good :)
    Do you have more informations about this? A 3G network wuold be great..
     
    #9 mst90, Sep 26, 2010
  10. markuhde

    markuhde Junior Member
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    I gave you pretty much all the information there is. Starting on October 16th Alltel customers will be able to pick new phones which will be shipped out in January with plans to be using the new network in February. So you should see network improvements by the end of February at the VERY latest. My guess is the network will be live and accessible to existing AT&T customers prior to them switching Alltel customers onto it. So, early next year you will be seeing AT&T 3G with your iPhone 4 :)
     
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    #10 markuhde, Sep 28, 2010
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