ATT: GSM vs. TDMA

[HansBbans]

Does anyone know anything about ATT's new GSM network? Is it supposed to provide better service than the current TDMA network? I need to get a new cell, but if its worth it, i can wait a couple of months until the GSM network opens up in NYC and CT. Is GSM traditionally better than TDMA?

 

[TimeKeeper]

Well, VoiceStream Cingular are GSM carrier. (you can always take your phone anywhere around the world and still using it)

ATT's going to phrase out their TDMA slowly, currently only socal got ATT's GSM network. (I think)
CDMA such as SprintPCS, Verizon are moving into 3G to compete w/ GSM's GPRS network system.

Which one is better? Depending on area, and no carrier will satisfied everyone.
I am on CDMA, wife is on GSM. She get to use her phone when we travel oversea, and you can always buy local prepaid sim card, that you just pop into your GSM phone and use it. (very convinence)

U.S. CDMA might have better data bandwidth in the future, that is if you subscribe to data connection. (I think is 144K d/l vs GSM 14.4k per slot- depending on GSM phone, if you have 4/1 phone, you will get 64K d/l for GSM)


p.s. GSM's data network is base on "always-on" and will not count as "min-usage" but total download data size.
CDMA data network is base on "min-usage".


p.p.s. You got more GSM phone selection that you can purchase online as well. Something like Sony Ericsson T68, Nokia 8890, Nokia communicator. Trio color PDA. Motorola V66, V70...etc.

 

[The Stigenator]

stick with TDMA unless you arent going to get of So.Cal for a while.

If you can find a GSM/TDMA/ANALOG phone then go for it..

 

[iamme]

There are alot more locations that SoCal that have ATT GSM. I know Detroit does....check out ATTWS.com

 

[HansBbans]

yeah they started building from the west coast. I'm just curious if anyone is currently using att gsm and have found the service to be better than att's tdma service in which case i will wait until 9/24(nyc/ct launch) and get an att gsm phone.

 

[TimeKeeper]

yeah they started building from the west coast. I'm just curious if anyone is currently using att gsm and have found the service to be better than att's tdma service in which case i will wait until 9/24(nyc/ct launch) and get an att gsm phone.

I am not quite sure why you must have ATT's GSM phone, after all, ATT has contracting w/ Voicestream and Cingular for their GSM roaming. (voicestream and cingular are more mature in GSM network)

Isn't ATT more expensive in their service plan?