Worth signing ATT TDMA at this point??

Well, since GSM will probably be up in your area in the next year, or possibly less time, why didn't you consider the Siemens S46? This phone enables you to be on GSM or TDMA, and it's a free phone also, believe it or not. Either that, or go with the 49.99 Nokia 8265 which holds onto a signal a LOT better. Just my advice

 

Oh yes...and please...USE the trial periods! They are the most helpful thing in the world. If you don't like the coverage, just return the phone!

 

if you decide to go with verizon or any other carrier, DO NOT sign up for 2 years, always go for one year contract.

 

AT&T will still be supporting TDMA for years to come. You should be fine with getting a TDMA phone now. I also recommend the Nokia 8265 as its a better phone then the Nokia 3360 and has much better RF.

 

I've had a 3360 for about a year and my only complaints are the battery life and the hard to press buttons. Some people have had problems with it freezing, but I've only had that happen twice in a year. I will still keep my TDMA service for an extra year or so until GSM becomes worth going for. I always think that my phone should work at least 98% of the places I go and that's what TDMA has been doing for me in the last 5 years with Cingular. I can't complain about the signal on the 3360 as it is better than the older Nokias (5160, 6160, etc.) at least in my experience. Don't be afraid to get TDMA now. It is supposed to be working for the next 3 to 4 years with slow, gradual shutdown beginning about 2006 thru 2008.

 

Plus, they may let you upgrade to a GSM phone while you are in your contract (just to add to bobo's comments). I remember hearing that wCDMA and 1xEV-DO/DV were right around the corner. Of course, that was years ago. Get what you like now and don't worry about what might be coming out. It is likely that ATT will let you upgrade when GSM comes to town because it is so much more efficient (and therefore saves them money) and even if they don't you'll probably have only a couple of months left on your contract by the time it gets there anyway. The upgrade is more adventagious in urban areas because they have more people and more calls on the network so the increased ifficiency is much more important there.

Oh, check out the updated GSM coverage map for ATT at http://www.gsmworld.com/cgi/imap_gsminfo.pl5?cou=us&net=at&frame=middle
The maps for Cingular and T-Mobile haven't been updated yet, but should be within a week or so. There might not be a big difference in T-Mo's map, but Cingular has activated a lot of new markets since November.

 

If u can get the 8265 for free, grab it. ATT will let u migrate to GSM at any time and move the contract to the new system. That is the only way out of a TDMA contract without paying a termination fee.
The 8265 is the best TDMA phone out there. The ususal good Nokia menus and an excellent antenna. The phone works where other TDMA's dont.

 

The 6360 has more features than the 8265, an easier to read screen, and as good or better RF performance. If you don't like the 8260, go for the 6360, it's usually the same price.

 

It's so BIG though...what a pain to carry around...aren't phones supposed to be mobile?

LOL

 

And don't worry, TDMA won't be phased out until at least 2007.