Help me find a TDMA phone

pkypkypky

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2001
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I'm thinking about signing up for GoBeyondWireless prepaid service since it's such a good deal. I was considering T-mobile, but I do not think they have good service in my area. Any thoughts or other suggestions on my choice are welcomed.

Unfortunately, I have no clue what phone to get. I think I need a TDMA phone, but I can't find many out there (or don't know where to look for them). Are there any good sites to compare phones and find TDMA phones that I can buy? I'm not looking to pay a bundle, but I'd love to have features like a camera and/or bluetooth. Maybe I'm asking for too much. I might buy it used or new on ebay too. Just help me find some phones!

edit: and just so you know, this is my first time buying a cell phone
 

ghostman

Golden Member
Jul 12, 2000
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Isn't TDMA being phased out? My sister was on ATT's TDMA with a Motorola V60T. I vaguely remember ATT offering GSM phones to TDMA users so they will switch to the new network. No doubt there is probably still an extensive TDMA network, but I'd question if it's worth buying a TDMA phone for.

As for me, I get my phones at the mom and pop shops in Chinatown because the rebates usually makes my $40 plans cheaper than anything else. I reused my unlocked Cingular GSM phone on the Tmobile network.

 

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
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I have gobeyond and I use a Motorola V60i. It's a GREAT phone. Excellent reception, metal body, the battery lasts a week. Before this, I had a Nokia 8260, and I threw it in the pool when I got sick of the disconnection 2 seconds after placing a call and reluctance to dial. Both were about $40 on eBay.

Edit: On eBay, just enter the search term "TDMA" and select the brand you want from the drop down.
 

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
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Originally posted by: ghostman
Isn't TDMA being phased out? My sister was on ATT's TDMA with a Motorola V60T. I vaguely remember ATT offering GSM phones to TDMA users so they will switch to the new network. No doubt there is probably still an extensive TDMA network, but I'd question if it's worth buying a TDMA phone for.

As for me, I get my phones at the mom and pop shops in Chinatown because the rebates usually makes my $40 plans cheaper than anything else. I reused my unlocked Cingular GSM phone on the Tmobile network.

For 11 cents a minute, for as few or as many minutes as you use, yeah, it's worth it.
 

UNCjigga

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
25,577
10,265
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Its time for you to switch to GSM buddy. TDMA towers are being converted to EDGE/UMTS in major cities already, so coverage is just getting worse and worse.

edit: sorry, didn't realize you were looking to go with a specific service. Ebay is best bet for a cheap TDMA phone.

What about Boost mobile or Tracfone or Virgin Mobile...how do those prepaid plans compare?
 

pkypkypky

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2001
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I want minutes that don't expire quickly. T-mobile can get me 1000mins ($100) that last 1yr without any hidden fees. But I heard their coverage is spotty in my area. GoBeyondWireless seems to have coverage here and has minutes that never expire as long as I use my phone once every 60 days. It's important to me since I'm not planning to use my phone much at all. And I definitely don't need another bill coming to my house. If you can find me a comparable plan with lax expiration on minutes, I'm listening.

On Ebay, I was looking at the Motorola i95cl. If it's compatible I might bite. I'll look into the v60i also but that would probably be an older model, correct? I've found it's very hard to find a camera phone that's TDMA and doesn't cost $200. Oh well..
 

dug777

Lifer
Oct 13, 2004
24,778
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is TDMA CDMA?

CDMA is the good sh1t here in Oz, great bush coverage, i can even use mine on the farm in jerramungup :)
 

dug777

Lifer
Oct 13, 2004
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4
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Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: dug777
is TDMA CDMA?

CDMA is the good sh1t here in Oz, great bush coverage, i can even use mine on the farm in jerramungup :)

No, not the same thing ;)

ah okies ;)
 
Feb 19, 2001
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GPRS/EDGE are just transitional phases. GPRS is not that great, but it gave GSM a boost in data transfer where it lacked and sucked against CDMA. EDGE is once again a tool for GSM to fight back at CDMA-2000. While its about the same, EDGE is not deploying very fast although it's ok in Europe and US (cuz they want to compete with CDMA badly).

GSM is still TDMA based. Only when they jump to WCDMA which is CDMA based will they finally use code based transmissions and not time based. WCDMA is the future and it's just CDMA technology without the proprietary Qualcomm BS, meaning it will becheaper.
 

pkypkypky

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2001
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http://www.phonescoop.com

Well, this is what I've been looking for. Perfect to search for a phone based on compatibility and features. Unfortunately, I need a TDMA phone that is AT&T which narrows it down a lot. No cameraphones, only a few with speakerphone on them.
 

pkypkypky

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2001
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Originally posted by: cRazYdood
Originally posted by: pkypkypky


On Ebay, I was looking at the Motorola i95cl. If it's compatible I might bite.

That's an IDEN phone, not TDMA.

Figured out it wasn't going to be any good for me this morning. Trying to find a v60/v60t with a color screen maybe now. Looks to be the best. Going to look into the Nokia 6560 also right now
 

prhamil52

Member
Oct 14, 2003
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I have an AT&T Motorola V60i in near new condition. Wife used for a couple of months b4 we switched to Cingular. Is in original box with handsfree set, holster, charger, car charger and manual: all original equipment. You can have for $40 shipped fedex two day.

Oops just checked that this thread is couple of weeks dry...hope you found what you needed, if not, I can ship tomorrow. PM me since I dont look at this forum very often.
 

pkypkypky

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2001
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Originally posted by: prhamil52
I have an AT&T Motorola V60i in near new condition. Wife used for a couple of months b4 we switched to Cingular. Is in original box with handsfree set, holster, charger, car charger and manual: all original equipment. You can have for $40 shipped fedex two day.

Oops just checked that this thread is couple of weeks dry...hope you found what you needed, if not, I can ship tomorrow. PM me since I dont look at this forum very often.

:( damn you...i might have taken it if you had offered earlier. Sounds like a good deal.
 

prhamil52

Member
Oct 14, 2003
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take it anyway as a backup, it's gathering dust around here; might be better than what ur using now...
 

pkypkypky

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2001
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I ended up with a v60t color. I'm barely going to use the phone so it doesn't make sense for me. thx anyways