I am currently with TM and looking to switch to Cingular. Really the only reason is for the RAZR. Can anyone tell me how the Cingular service is here in Western WA? Thanks!
I've heard mixed reviews, but they seem to be okay overall. Why not just try them out before porting your number? You have 30 days. If they fit you, port your number and close your T-Mobile account, if they don't fit your needs, then cancel them and stick with T-Mobile. Andy
Hey! I've been reading posts that T-Mobile is getting the Razr Really Soon™. Additionally, if you don't mind paying retail, you could purchase one yourself and put your current T-Mob sim in it. Best of luck
Cingular service in Seattle is definitely better than T-Mobile. It's not as good as Verizon or Sprint, but you'll notice a considerable improvement. Customer service at Cingular, on the other hand, leaves much to be desired. It'll be a rude awakening versus the friendly, helpful representatives at T-Mobile (who really do try their best despite it all).
Heh... Yeah, give Cingular a try for a few weeks and return it if you don't like it. It's really too bad you don't want to go with Verizon. Welcome to the forums, mastah.
Cingular reps are generally good. (You got screwed by prepay reps I guess) I've gotten a few really nasty reps, but I just hang up and try again. I've actually heard good things about T-Mobile in Seattle, but hey you live there!
Zenmastah, if the reason you want GSM is because of your globetrotting, might I recommend Verizon's global phone? They currently have two: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobileoptions/internationalsvcs/globalphone/index.jsp They both have CDMA and GSM.
If you really want to go Global Cingular Wireless Completes $203 Million Digital Network Enhancement Plan in Washington, Prepared to Accelerate Growth in 2005 Additional sites, combined with AT&T Wireless sites, give Washington outstanding wireless coverage SEATTLE, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless, the country's largest wireless provider, announced that it has installed more than 110 cell sites throughout Washington and Northern Idaho in 2004 as part of a $203 million commitment to expand its digital wireless network performance and coverage. Combined with the cell sites from the recently completed merger with AT&T Wireless, Cingular's Washington/Northern Idaho area now has almost 1,500 cell sites. "While we are pleased with our progress, we will not stop here," said Mike Maxwell, Cingular's vice president and general manager. "In 2003, we made the commitment to complete our advanced data and voice network across the nation, and in 2004 we focused on increasing our coverage, particularly in residential areas and in-building locations, by adding cell sites and an additional GSM spectrum band and enhancing data services for our customers. "We recognize that superior call quality and coverage are two of the most critical factors that determine customer satisfaction. We are moving aggressively to continue what we began earlier this year to ensure we have 'more bars in more places.' Our ALLOVER(SM) network* is the largest digital voice and data network in America. We have an even larger commitment planned for 2005." Highlights of the many 2004 enhancements include the following areas: - Enhanced GSM service in the Puget Sound area: Deployed an 850 MHz overlay to the existing 1900 MHz GSM network to greatly improve the overall coverage in the Puget Sound area. The 850 MHz spectrum improved in-building coverage (business and residential areas), added more capacity to the network, and improved call quality. In addition, new antenna sites were added to enhance service for residents and businesses in many areas of Washington and Northern Idaho. - New wireless service: Provided customers with new wireless service where they work and live in Chewelah, Colville, Eatonville and Raymond - New highway wireless service: Extended existing wireless services to new areas, such as Highway 395 from Deer Park to Kettle Falls; Highway 101 from Cosmopolis to downtown Raymond; Highway 7 connecting Eatonville to Highway 161; I-90 from Coeur d'Alene to Wolflodge Creek in Idaho; and Highway 41 from Spirit Lake to Old Town - Enhanced highway and road service: Created wireless service for travelers of Highway 182 from Richland to Pasco; Yelm Highway in Thurston County; Highway 525 and Highway 20 on Whidbey Island; Highway 162 in Pierce County from Alderton to South Prairie; Highway 101 from Leland to Quilcene - New technologies: Added new high-speed UMTS data service in Seattle, including SeaTac airport and E911 Phase II service in 21 counties. Maxwell said Cingular's nationwide network covers more than 268 million people and is growing, providing the largest high-speed data network in America. Cingular also offers the largest free mobile-to-mobile calling community with more than 46 million people. The integration of Cingular's wireless network with that of AT&T Wireless will continue through 2005, which will result in some consolidation of sites. However, the vast majority will remain, to be woven into a single network that is an integral part of the company's network advantage. Cingular's network growth exclusively relies on advanced GSM/EDGE technology. GSM is the world standard for wireless communication, used by more than a billion people in 200-plus countries. In fact, more than 70 percent of the world's total wireless market is GSM. What GSM delivers for voice, EDGE delivers for data. EDGE is a high-speed wireless data service that gives customers true "third generation" (3G) wireless data services with data speeds typically three times faster than what was available with GPRS. With the acquisition of AT&T Wireless, Cingular offers even faster network speeds with AT&T Wireless' UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) data network, which was implemented earlier this year in selected cities, including Seattle. "The Pacific Northwest is an important part of our ALLOVER(SM) network*," said Maxwell. "We chose Seattle as one of our first cities to rollout our high-speed data network because some of the nation's most tech savvy customers are in this city. We want to continue to meet their needs." Cingular will build on that deployment, and in November, announced plans to deploy the nation's fastest high-speed mobile wireless data network based on international standards. Called UMTS with HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), this 3G technology will offer average data speeds between 400-700 kilobits per second and bursts to several megabits per second on capable devices. Cingular's UMTS/HSDPA offering will allow customers the ability to have simultaneous voice and data sessions, which means a customer can use a handset to make a call at the same time they are checking their e-mail or browsing the Internet at high speeds. For more information about Cingular, please contact 1-866-CINGULAR or visit http://www.cingular.com . Cingular is the way to go.
Cingular should have good coverage now in Wash, are people using the 850mhz ATT GSM network as primary, with the existing Cingular PCS as fill in? If that is the case the coverage is good. As good if not better than T-Mob, and pretty close to as good as Verizon.
Because of a press release? Verizon has press releases saying they invested $$$ in their network in a state, but, still, some people don't get service at their houses/work... You can't say a carrier is the way to go based on a press release; a press release plus personal experiences would make more sense. I have a hard time understanding you, jones.
I especially loved the line about connecting Richland to Pasco! Whoa!! What a stretch!! It must be all of 10 miles between the two :lmao: What is that? One tower? I bet they put a panel on the blue water tower next to 182! Still, I had Cingular in Richland back in 2003 and never dropped a call and the quality was great everywhere in the Tri-Cities.
Don't get me wrong-I wasn't trying to diss Cingular, because Cingular and VZW bring out Press releases all the time
ALL press releases deserve to be shredded. They are put out by Marketroids® speaking MouthBoogie™. And if I had wanted to "diss" Cingular, I would have mentioned the 8 day call tracking delay But I did get a call on a Saturday morning from a Cingular Super who cleared it up and made things right so they get an "A" from me for service in the Tri-Cities. Which is inadvertently hijacking this persons thread about Seattle
Cingular/AT&T has a pretty good GSM network in the Seattle area. I give them extra points, not only because of the currently combined tower assets of both carriers, but because of AT&T's move to cover just about every inch of my community in the south end. There are about 4 microcells within a few miles of each other covering a very tough region with very nice GSM coverage. As a Sprint customer, i am very jellous.
AT&T did a dam good job in the Seattle area and the places I been to, it was better than Cingular's network. So you just know when they finish merging networks, it will be even more better.
Cingular/ATTW coverage in West Seattle, White Center, and Burien, is excellent. Many cell sites in this area. GSM coverage is now better than TDMA ever was. I've heard reports of spotty coverage in some other area's of town, but haven't checked it out to confirm. Have a great day!
Cingular is hit or miss in the Seattle area. They used to be more "miss" than "hit" before integrating the former ATTWS network, but I think they're improving from a distant to solid #3 in the area behind Verizon and Sprint. T-Mobile and Nextel are the laggards, and Nextel is merging with Sprint so discussion of their service is mostly academic at this point. As with all carriers, there are certain areas where Cingular does better than the competition. On the Issaquah-Hobart Road, you won't beat Cingular coverage. Likewise in the North Bend area toward Mount Si. And yes, Cingular has very respectable coverage in the crack ghettoes of White Center and the hooker hangouts of Burien as well (for reasons I cannot fathom). My Sprint handset works in all these places too, but roams on Cingular's AMPS network on the outer fringes of North Bend and Hobart. Want coverage at 747 assembly in Everett? Certain Microsoft buildings in Redmond? In those places, Cingular can't help you. VZW and Sprint are your best options. So my recommendation remains as it always is; choose your carrier based on their coverage where you live, work and play.
