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August 22, 2006

Cingular's GSM Ploy

When we heard Cingular was going to impose what amounts to an "old technology" tax on TDMA and analog customers, Melissa and I decided to find different plans. We both ended up staying with Cingular. I got a work-sponsored GSM phone and Melissa got one of the GoPhones, also GSM. We've both noticed that call quality is not superior to the TDMA service we gave up. We've heard the same thing from others who have done the same thing. Has anyone else out there experienced the same thing after switching? After hearing all the GSM hype, I'm underwhelmed. It's nice to have a new, smaller phone, but what's the point if the network isn't better at handling voice calls?

Posted by Alex Harden on August 22, 2006 7:56 PM |

Comments

I've known that for a while. The whole purpose of GSM is to accomodate services that have absolutely nothing to do with actually talking on the phone (RFID, downloading music, etc.). Both CDMA and TDMA are superior in voice quality by leaps and bounds. Unfortunately, the telecom carriers are all in the process of dumping the better quality system for what they perceive will make them more money.

Plus, Cingular is a pretty poor carrier to begin with. Of course, you're probably stuck with them for two years now. :-/

Posted by: Citrus | August 24, 2006 3:54 PM

> Plus, Cingular is a pretty poor carrier to begin with. Of course, you're probably stuck with them for two years now. :-/

Ouch!

I had my choice of Cingular or Sprint for my work phone, and Cingular has pretty good coverage around here. Melissa's phone didn't cost much to start up; she just pays quite a bit per minute when she needs to use it, which isn't that often. And she's only locked in for as many minutes as she wants to pre-pay.

Posted by: aharden | August 24, 2006 9:39 PM

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