carrier questions

When you are NOT in a cingular GSM area you are roaming off of Voicestream wireless. (The only nationwide GSM provider)

Jack

 

Jack's comment is correct, however in NYC Metro (Norhtern NJ and NYC/LI - not CT), and Calif. and Nevada, VS and Cingular have a joint operating agreement where they share the network. (VS network in the East, Cingular in the West)

 

It really depends on what type of phone you have. If you have a GSM phone, you'll be using Voicestream's network in most places in the US. Cingular and Voicestream have an agreement where they let each other's customers use their network. If you have a TDMA phone, then you'll be using AT&T or Cingular's network. In NYC and North Jersey, Cingular doesn't have a network so they have to rely on Voicestream for coverage.

About the reception, it has nothing to do with GSM. Quality of reception depends primarily on how many towers has the carrier installed in a given area. There's no question that GSM is a better technology than TDMA. As a matter of fact, GSM is like the next generation TDMA because they have a lot in common. Apparently, in your area, AT&T or Cingular (whoever owns the network in your area) has achieved better coverage using TDMA than Voicestream using GSM. Hopefully in the near future, Voicestream will get around to installing more towers and making reception more reliable in your area. If Cingular TDMA works better for you than Cingular GSM, then why change?