Free Email via Cel Phone on the road
- Thread starter homebase1
- Start date
Justin
Just read your post. I have been in the same boat (or should I
say GMC) as you re: emails on the road. But no more!
If you still have roaming fees, you need to change your service.
Sprint, AT&T, MCI and most other digital services are slowly
eliminating both roaming and long distance fees.
Emails on Celphones:
Older cel phones (analog) only transmitted at connect speeds of
1200-2400 baud most of the time and were always losing connections
(9600 was advertised but I never got it). Any you are right - they
usually had roaming and LD fees while traveling.
As for Digital - No modem connection was available until just a few days
ago. SprintPCS came through for me. I have SprintPCS digital cel service and
just bought their new $100 cable/software combo. That's it. NO extra
monthly fees.
I get 500 anytime/anywhere minutes each month for $50. They have other plans
from $15/mo - just fewer minutes. You do have to be in a SprintPCS area.
They cover most top 100 and now top 200 markets. No roaming - and since I
seldome use up all my minutes, my email connections are virtually free. I
get solid 14400 connects, which is great for email and acceptable for
browsing.
If you are camping in remote areas and very small towns, you are out of
luck. But even so you usually travel through larger towns and can connect
then. I can even connect while rolling down the road. And I can also connect
directly with my office and home PCs using PCAnywhere. It all works.
In Florida coverage is about 80% of state population. Even works
in Okeechobee! I travel to Nashville/Louisville often and on I-75,
I-24 and I-65 I have SprintPCS home coverage most of the time while on
Interstates.
It worked for me - and for those who have AT&T, BellSouth, MCI, etc,\ I
would bet that they either have it or will VERY shortly.
Mike F.
Naples, FL
- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto
wner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of
homebase
Sent: Monday, November 01, 1999 9:12 AM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: GMC: Justin's map/email on the road
Justin
Just read your post. I have been in the same boat (or should I
say GMC) as you re: emails on the road. But no more!
If you still have roaming fees, you need to change your service.
Sprint, AT&T, MCI and most other digital services are slowly
eliminating both roaming and long distance fees.
Emails on Celphones:
Older cel phones (analog) only transmitted at connect speeds of
1200-2400 baud most of the time and were always losing connections
(9600 was advertised but I never got it). Any you are right - they
usually had roaming and LD fees while traveling.
As for Digital - No modem connection was available until just a few days
ago. SprintPCS came through for me. I have SprintPCS digital cel service and
just bought their new $100 cable/software combo. That's it. NO extra
monthly fees.
I get 500 anytime/anywhere minutes each month for $50. They have other plans
from $15/mo - just fewer minutes. You do have to be in a SprintPCS area.
They cover most top 100 and now top 200 markets. No roaming - and since I
seldome use up all my minutes, my email connections are virtually free. I
get solid 14400 connects, which is great for email and acceptable for
browsing.
If you are camping in remote areas and very small towns, you are out of
luck. But even so you usually travel through larger towns and can connect
then. I can even connect while rolling down the road. And I can also connect
directly with my office and home PCs using PCAnywhere. It all works.
In Florida coverage is about 80% of state population. Even works
in Okeechobee! I travel to Nashville/Louisville often and on I-75,
I-24 and I-65 I have SprintPCS home coverage most of the time while on
Interstates.
It worked for me - and for those who have AT&T, BellSouth, MCI, etc,\ I
would bet that they either have it or will VERY shortly.
Mike F.
Naples, FL
- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto
wner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Ofhomebase
Sent: Monday, November 01, 1999 9:12 AM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: GMC: Justin's map/email on the road
Justin
No such thing as free email via Cel phone, just as there are no free lunches
I'm still waiting for a modem to use with my Nokia 6160. Havn't
searched/checked recently though as I'm still using GoAmerica for my
Internet stuff which works for me as I'm only doing Western travels in the
forseeable future and coverage up/down I-5 is sufficient to excellent.
I do use the AT&T one-rate for voice though and would use it occasionally
for Internet when a modem becomes available. The key to the One rate is
indeed the Nokia 6160, which is a tri-mode phone and hence works in all
cellular environments. I think the digital only is great if your travels are
limited to digital coverage areas.
On the one-rate I pay no roaming, no long distance and time in excess of
included minutes are .25/minute and again no long distance or roaming.
My cellular bill has dropped dramatically and all my Internet is $69/month
with GoAmerica.
NexTel is getting bigger and more coverage and it may be an alternative but
as I'm basically happy with what I currently have I havn't been doing much
digging.
Coverage with AT&T has been excellent, both in the US and Canada. Even the
smaller independents that are left along I-5 provide service and no extra on
the bill.
Just my 2 cents
Heinz
> Thanks for the information. That's what I meant when I said I was ready to
> check out some other services. Now I'll do it. Another question. I have a
> Nokia digital and I'm told it will only work on AT&T or one of the Baby
Bell
> Companies. Do you know if this is true? If so, what does Sprint charge
for a
> new phone? That seems to be one of the ways they try to keep you hooked,
sell
> you a phone that can only be used on their service.
> I'm paying more than the $50 now and only have local service. Oh yes I
> forgot. When in Dallas and other parts of Texas, "It is the same as a
local
> call" their brochure says. Guess what. No LD charge for the calls but I
ran
> up an $11 roaming charge for that day in Dallas.!
> Justin
>
>
I'm still waiting for a modem to use with my Nokia 6160. Havn't
searched/checked recently though as I'm still using GoAmerica for my
Internet stuff which works for me as I'm only doing Western travels in the
forseeable future and coverage up/down I-5 is sufficient to excellent.
I do use the AT&T one-rate for voice though and would use it occasionally
for Internet when a modem becomes available. The key to the One rate is
indeed the Nokia 6160, which is a tri-mode phone and hence works in all
cellular environments. I think the digital only is great if your travels are
limited to digital coverage areas.
On the one-rate I pay no roaming, no long distance and time in excess of
included minutes are .25/minute and again no long distance or roaming.
My cellular bill has dropped dramatically and all my Internet is $69/month
with GoAmerica.
NexTel is getting bigger and more coverage and it may be an alternative but
as I'm basically happy with what I currently have I havn't been doing much
digging.
Coverage with AT&T has been excellent, both in the US and Canada. Even the
smaller independents that are left along I-5 provide service and no extra on
the bill.
Just my 2 cents
Heinz
> Thanks for the information. That's what I meant when I said I was ready to
> check out some other services. Now I'll do it. Another question. I have a
> Nokia digital and I'm told it will only work on AT&T or one of the Baby
Bell
> Companies. Do you know if this is true? If so, what does Sprint charge
for a
> new phone? That seems to be one of the ways they try to keep you hooked,
sell
> you a phone that can only be used on their service.
> I'm paying more than the $50 now and only have local service. Oh yes I
> forgot. When in Dallas and other parts of Texas, "It is the same as a
local
> call" their brochure says. Guess what. No LD charge for the calls but I
ran
> up an $11 roaming charge for that day in Dallas.!
> Justin
>
>
Is this time for a group buy on phone service. If someone has a really good
rate with no roaming, etc, could we all benefit...
just a thought
al
> Mike, before I 'retired" the second time last January I had AT&T unlimited
> service for 600 minutes per month. Call anywhere in the US. No roaming and no
> long distance. Just like local calls. It was $89 per month plus tax. I cut
> back to a less expensive service. Now I think I'm going to look at some other
> companies that are offering better deals. Only draw back in changing is that
> you lose your phone number and usually your present phone won't work with the
> other company. So you sign up for a year etc. I've toyed with the idea of
> trying to get my wife to use the cellular service (unlimited) for all long
> distance, and just use the home phone for local calls. Just wishful thinking
> so far. Maybe Heinz or someone will weigh in and explain what we would need
> to do to use that kind of service to hook into the net on the road.
> Justin
rate with no roaming, etc, could we all benefit...
just a thought
al
> Mike, before I 'retired" the second time last January I had AT&T unlimited
> service for 600 minutes per month. Call anywhere in the US. No roaming and no
> long distance. Just like local calls. It was $89 per month plus tax. I cut
> back to a less expensive service. Now I think I'm going to look at some other
> companies that are offering better deals. Only draw back in changing is that
> you lose your phone number and usually your present phone won't work with the
> other company. So you sign up for a year etc. I've toyed with the idea of
> trying to get my wife to use the cellular service (unlimited) for all long
> distance, and just use the home phone for local calls. Just wishful thinking
> so far. Maybe Heinz or someone will weigh in and explain what we would need
> to do to use that kind of service to hook into the net on the road.
> Justin
|As for Digital - No modem connection was available until just a few days
|ago. SprintPCS came through for me. I have SprintPCS digital cel
|service and just bought their new $100 cable/software combo.
|That's it. NO extra monthly fees.
(snip)
|It worked for me - and for those who have AT&T, BellSouth, MCI, etc,\ I
|would bet that they either have it or will VERY shortly.
|
|Mike F.
|Naples, FL
Not at those connect rates. AT&T uses a different technology (TDMA) which
doesn't support high speeds, and most of the time, the connection on an ATT
cell phone is analog. But -- Their digital one rate plan ($89 for 600
minutes) is very good if you're a heavy user.
MCI doesn't have a wireless product offering at this time, but just bought
Sprint to fix that problem. Bell South is GSM, which has a maximum speed of
9600. It has a very robust digital data transport, but it only works where
it has been installed in their network.
You're right, however, that Sprint is spending big bucks to capture wireless
digital Internet market share. They use CDMA, which is a spread spectrum
technology developed for ultra-secure military communication and brought to
the commercial market by Qualcomm.
Sprint also has a dual mode (analog cellular and PCS CDMA) phone you can use
anywhere there is cellular service. I could go on, but... Sprint is king of
the hill for wireless data as I write this. And that statement will probably
be obsolete by the time you read this message.
Disclaimer: I have a vested interest in the SprintPCS network through my
company.
mg
|ago. SprintPCS came through for me. I have SprintPCS digital cel
|service and just bought their new $100 cable/software combo.
|That's it. NO extra monthly fees.
(snip)
|It worked for me - and for those who have AT&T, BellSouth, MCI, etc,\ I
|would bet that they either have it or will VERY shortly.
|
|Mike F.
|Naples, FL
Not at those connect rates. AT&T uses a different technology (TDMA) which
doesn't support high speeds, and most of the time, the connection on an ATT
cell phone is analog. But -- Their digital one rate plan ($89 for 600
minutes) is very good if you're a heavy user.
MCI doesn't have a wireless product offering at this time, but just bought
Sprint to fix that problem. Bell South is GSM, which has a maximum speed of
9600. It has a very robust digital data transport, but it only works where
it has been installed in their network.
You're right, however, that Sprint is spending big bucks to capture wireless
digital Internet market share. They use CDMA, which is a spread spectrum
technology developed for ultra-secure military communication and brought to
the commercial market by Qualcomm.
Sprint also has a dual mode (analog cellular and PCS CDMA) phone you can use
anywhere there is cellular service. I could go on, but... Sprint is king of
the hill for wireless data as I write this. And that statement will probably
be obsolete by the time you read this message.
Disclaimer: I have a vested interest in the SprintPCS network through my
company.
mg
|Another question. I have a
|Nokia digital and I'm told it will only work on AT&T or one of the
|Baby Bell
|Companies. Do you know if this is true?
Three technologies, all different:
GSM = BellSouth/PowerTel/Omnipoint/PacBell
TDMA = AT&T/CellularOne/(many other original Cellular companies)
CDMA = SprintPCS/Ameritech/PrimeCo
Nokia invented/perfected GSM in Europe, but also makes TDMA phones for the
US market. Almost all TDMA phones are dual mode (analog cellular/TDMA)
Qualcomm/Sony/Kyocera/Samsung make CDMA phones for SprintPCS. Some are dual
mode Analog cellular/CDMA PCS).
Bottom line answer to your question: Yes, it is true.
PS: Work is underway to create a G3 standard, blending GSM and CDMA into yet
another new technology. (Don't you love progress?)
mg
|Nokia digital and I'm told it will only work on AT&T or one of the
|Baby Bell
|Companies. Do you know if this is true?
Three technologies, all different:
GSM = BellSouth/PowerTel/Omnipoint/PacBell
TDMA = AT&T/CellularOne/(many other original Cellular companies)
CDMA = SprintPCS/Ameritech/PrimeCo
Nokia invented/perfected GSM in Europe, but also makes TDMA phones for the
US market. Almost all TDMA phones are dual mode (analog cellular/TDMA)
Qualcomm/Sony/Kyocera/Samsung make CDMA phones for SprintPCS. Some are dual
mode Analog cellular/CDMA PCS).
Bottom line answer to your question: Yes, it is true.
PS: Work is underway to create a G3 standard, blending GSM and CDMA into yet
another new technology. (Don't you love progress?)
mg
Al,
>>Is this time for a group buy on phone service.
>>If someone has a really good rate with no roaming,
>>etc, could we all benefit... just a thought
A great idea, but I would guess that the big providers
(the ones who have the service and coverage we want)
would probably look on our group as miniscule. They
also tend to sell on a local level so we are too
spread out. And no one service will be the correct
choice for all of us.
Like Heinz pointed out - AT&T has much better coverage
in CA while AT&T has no digital service in SW Florida.
In TN & KY Bell South has better coverage. Etc, etc ...
BUT...
The good news is that for as little as $15/mo and a
$100 cable you can get BOTH Digital Cell Phone Voice
and Internet/Email. And that includes free LD and NO
roaming.
Mike
>>Is this time for a group buy on phone service.
>>If someone has a really good rate with no roaming,
>>etc, could we all benefit... just a thought
A great idea, but I would guess that the big providers
(the ones who have the service and coverage we want)
would probably look on our group as miniscule. They
also tend to sell on a local level so we are too
spread out. And no one service will be the correct
choice for all of us.
Like Heinz pointed out - AT&T has much better coverage
in CA while AT&T has no digital service in SW Florida.
In TN & KY Bell South has better coverage. Etc, etc ...
BUT...
The good news is that for as little as $15/mo and a
$100 cable you can get BOTH Digital Cell Phone Voice
and Internet/Email. And that includes free LD and NO
roaming.
Mike
Mark,
Thanks for the input - I just assumed (we all know about that one) that the
really "big boys" would have competing products.
You mean for once I actually bought the "right" technology? Must have been
luck ...
Anyway - so far I have been real pleased with my SprintPCS - have had it now
for almost 3 years.
So I guess by your comments that the "others" do not yet have the same
Cell/Notebook capabilities???
By the way - while at the SprintPCS store I saw their new Samsung Flip
Phone. REALLY COOL, small, dualmode and tons of features. $149.00 Even
included a headset! Passed as the Notebook cable for it not avail until
Dec/Jan.
Maybe for Xmass??? Are you listening Santa???
Thanks
Mike F.
- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailtowner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of mark grady
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 4:22 AM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: RE: GMC: Free Email via Cel Phone on the road
|Another question. I have a
|Nokia digital and I'm told it will only work on AT&T or one of the
|Baby Bell
|Companies. Do you know if this is true?
Three technologies, all different:
GSM = BellSouth/PowerTel/Omnipoint/PacBell
TDMA = AT&T/CellularOne/(many other original Cellular companies)
CDMA = SprintPCS/Ameritech/PrimeCo
Nokia invented/perfected GSM in Europe, but also makes TDMA phones for the
US market. Almost all TDMA phones are dual mode (analog cellular/TDMA)
Qualcomm/Sony/Kyocera/Samsung make CDMA phones for SprintPCS. Some are dual
mode Analog cellular/CDMA PCS).
Bottom line answer to your question: Yes, it is true.
PS: Work is underway to create a G3 standard, blending GSM and CDMA into yet
another new technology. (Don't you love progress?)
mg
Thanks for the input - I just assumed (we all know about that one) that the
really "big boys" would have competing products.
You mean for once I actually bought the "right" technology? Must have been
luck ...
Anyway - so far I have been real pleased with my SprintPCS - have had it now
for almost 3 years.
So I guess by your comments that the "others" do not yet have the same
Cell/Notebook capabilities???
By the way - while at the SprintPCS store I saw their new Samsung Flip
Phone. REALLY COOL, small, dualmode and tons of features. $149.00 Even
included a headset! Passed as the Notebook cable for it not avail until
Dec/Jan.
Maybe for Xmass??? Are you listening Santa???
Thanks
Mike F.
- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto
wner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of mark gradySent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 4:22 AM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: RE: GMC: Free Email via Cel Phone on the road
|Another question. I have a
|Nokia digital and I'm told it will only work on AT&T or one of the
|Baby Bell
|Companies. Do you know if this is true?
Three technologies, all different:
GSM = BellSouth/PowerTel/Omnipoint/PacBell
TDMA = AT&T/CellularOne/(many other original Cellular companies)
CDMA = SprintPCS/Ameritech/PrimeCo
Nokia invented/perfected GSM in Europe, but also makes TDMA phones for the
US market. Almost all TDMA phones are dual mode (analog cellular/TDMA)
Qualcomm/Sony/Kyocera/Samsung make CDMA phones for SprintPCS. Some are dual
mode Analog cellular/CDMA PCS).
Bottom line answer to your question: Yes, it is true.
PS: Work is underway to create a G3 standard, blending GSM and CDMA into yet
another new technology. (Don't you love progress?)
mg
The web page says the data connect will not work roaming. Did read this
wrong?
gene
>Al,
>
>>>Is this time for a group buy on phone service.
>>>If someone has a really good rate with no roaming,
>>>etc, could we all benefit... just a thought
>
>
>A great idea, but I would guess that the big providers
>(the ones who have the service and coverage we want)
>would probably look on our group as miniscule. They
>also tend to sell on a local level so we are too
>spread out. And no one service will be the correct
>choice for all of us.
>
>Like Heinz pointed out - AT&T has much better coverage
>in CA while AT&T has no digital service in SW Florida.
>In TN & KY Bell South has better coverage. Etc, etc ...
>
>BUT...
>The good news is that for as little as $15/mo and a
>$100 cable you can get BOTH Digital Cell Phone Voice
>and Internet/Email. And that includes free LD and NO
>roaming.
>
>Mike
>
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
wrong?
gene
>Al,
>
>>>Is this time for a group buy on phone service.
>>>If someone has a really good rate with no roaming,
>>>etc, could we all benefit... just a thought
>
>
>A great idea, but I would guess that the big providers
>(the ones who have the service and coverage we want)
>would probably look on our group as miniscule. They
>also tend to sell on a local level so we are too
>spread out. And no one service will be the correct
>choice for all of us.
>
>Like Heinz pointed out - AT&T has much better coverage
>in CA while AT&T has no digital service in SW Florida.
>In TN & KY Bell South has better coverage. Etc, etc ...
>
>BUT...
>The good news is that for as little as $15/mo and a
>$100 cable you can get BOTH Digital Cell Phone Voice
>and Internet/Email. And that includes free LD and NO
>roaming.
>
>Mike
>
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
Gene
It's the terminology. When SprintPCS says "roaming" they mean when you are
out of THEIR digital service areas. Ie: using the analog mode of a dual mode
phone. You will also be charged and extra 69 cents/min when doing this PLUS
LD charges.
This is true with ALL digital services as far as I know.
I reserve the Dual Mode (roaming) for emergencies only.
Example:
I drive from Naples to Nashville (~ 900 miles).
In Florida of the 360 miles I have LOCAL Sprint
coverage 180-225 of those miles.
In Georgia I get local coverage about 1/3 the time.
In Tennessee I get local coverage about 1/2 the time.
You just use it to make calls when in their areas and can use their
equipment. So far NOTHING and NO ONE has 100% coverage for a reasonable
price (you could get a satelite phone) - but I can usually get service every
hour or two depending where I am on my trip.
Mike
- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailtowner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of gene
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 7:55 AM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: RE: GMC: Free Email via Cel Phone on the road
The web page says the data connect will not work roaming. Did read this
wrong?
gene
>Al,
>
>>>Is this time for a group buy on phone service.
>>>If someone has a really good rate with no roaming,
>>>etc, could we all benefit... just a thought
>
>
>A great idea, but I would guess that the big providers
>(the ones who have the service and coverage we want)
>would probably look on our group as miniscule. They
>also tend to sell on a local level so we are too
>spread out. And no one service will be the correct
>choice for all of us.
>
>Like Heinz pointed out - AT&T has much better coverage
>in CA while AT&T has no digital service in SW Florida.
>In TN & KY Bell South has better coverage. Etc, etc ...
>
>BUT...
>The good news is that for as little as $15/mo and a
>$100 cable you can get BOTH Digital Cell Phone Voice
>and Internet/Email. And that includes free LD and NO
>roaming.
>
>Mike
>
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
It's the terminology. When SprintPCS says "roaming" they mean when you are
out of THEIR digital service areas. Ie: using the analog mode of a dual mode
phone. You will also be charged and extra 69 cents/min when doing this PLUS
LD charges.
This is true with ALL digital services as far as I know.
I reserve the Dual Mode (roaming) for emergencies only.
Example:
I drive from Naples to Nashville (~ 900 miles).
In Florida of the 360 miles I have LOCAL Sprint
coverage 180-225 of those miles.
In Georgia I get local coverage about 1/3 the time.
In Tennessee I get local coverage about 1/2 the time.
You just use it to make calls when in their areas and can use their
equipment. So far NOTHING and NO ONE has 100% coverage for a reasonable
price (you could get a satelite phone) - but I can usually get service every
hour or two depending where I am on my trip.
Mike
- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto
wner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of geneSent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 7:55 AM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: RE: GMC: Free Email via Cel Phone on the road
The web page says the data connect will not work roaming. Did read this
wrong?
gene
>Al,
>
>>>Is this time for a group buy on phone service.
>>>If someone has a really good rate with no roaming,
>>>etc, could we all benefit... just a thought
>
>
>A great idea, but I would guess that the big providers
>(the ones who have the service and coverage we want)
>would probably look on our group as miniscule. They
>also tend to sell on a local level so we are too
>spread out. And no one service will be the correct
>choice for all of us.
>
>Like Heinz pointed out - AT&T has much better coverage
>in CA while AT&T has no digital service in SW Florida.
>In TN & KY Bell South has better coverage. Etc, etc ...
>
>BUT...
>The good news is that for as little as $15/mo and a
>$100 cable you can get BOTH Digital Cell Phone Voice
>and Internet/Email. And that includes free LD and NO
>roaming.
>
>Mike
>
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
|Thanks for the input - I just assumed (we all know about that one) that the
|really "big boys" would have competing products.
|
|You mean for once I actually bought the "right" technology? Must have been
|luck ...
All do data, but SprintPCS does it best (right now). The right technology is
what works for you, and coverage in your traveled areas is probably the
single biggest issue right now.
|So I guess by your comments that the "others" do not yet have the same
|Cell/Notebook capabilities???
All have some form of solution, but not nearly as technically sophisticated
as SprintPCS. Only CDMA can deliver those kinds of reliable modem connect
rates (at this time).
mg
|really "big boys" would have competing products.
|
|You mean for once I actually bought the "right" technology? Must have been
|luck ...
All do data, but SprintPCS does it best (right now). The right technology is
what works for you, and coverage in your traveled areas is probably the
single biggest issue right now.
|So I guess by your comments that the "others" do not yet have the same
|Cell/Notebook capabilities???
All have some form of solution, but not nearly as technically sophisticated
as SprintPCS. Only CDMA can deliver those kinds of reliable modem connect
rates (at this time).
mg
|Gene
|
|It's the terminology. When SprintPCS says "roaming" they mean when you are
|out of THEIR digital service areas. Ie: using the analog mode of a
|dual mode
|phone. You will also be charged and extra 69 cents/min when doing this PLUS
|LD charges.
|
|This is true with ALL digital services as far as I know.
|I reserve the Dual Mode (roaming) for emergencies only.
True for all but AT&T. Their (TDMA) Digital One Rate means just that, one
rate no matter what. AT&T wireless is still the 800 pound gorilla, and can
dictate what they're willing to pay other cellular companies since they have
the lion's share of the country covered.
The downside is that AT&T's digital solution isn't very data friendly. Also,
most of the time, you end up roaming, which is often analog service, good
for 2400~9600 baud. Only Mike gets a free lunch (which he actually pays for,
but most people don't eat).
Unused wireless plan minutes don't carry over, thus a 500 minute $50 plan
that's only half used equals .20 a minute. It's called 'breakage' and the
carrier gets to keep it. Ditto on those super cheap pre-paid phone cards.
mg
|
|It's the terminology. When SprintPCS says "roaming" they mean when you are
|out of THEIR digital service areas. Ie: using the analog mode of a
|dual mode
|phone. You will also be charged and extra 69 cents/min when doing this PLUS
|LD charges.
|
|This is true with ALL digital services as far as I know.
|I reserve the Dual Mode (roaming) for emergencies only.
True for all but AT&T. Their (TDMA) Digital One Rate means just that, one
rate no matter what. AT&T wireless is still the 800 pound gorilla, and can
dictate what they're willing to pay other cellular companies since they have
the lion's share of the country covered.
The downside is that AT&T's digital solution isn't very data friendly. Also,
most of the time, you end up roaming, which is often analog service, good
for 2400~9600 baud. Only Mike gets a free lunch (which he actually pays for,
but most people don't eat).
Unused wireless plan minutes don't carry over, thus a 500 minute $50 plan
that's only half used equals .20 a minute. It's called 'breakage' and the
carrier gets to keep it. Ditto on those super cheap pre-paid phone cards.
mg
Justin,
>>... I was thinking "bad things" about the phone
>>companies like maybe they did it just to keep
>>you hooked to their service
>>Justin
Your "thinking" is unfortunately and probably well
founded....
But that to forums like this GMCnet (thanks Patrick)
we have a fighting chance.
Thanks for kind comments
and
Good Luck going "Wireless"
Mike F.
>>... I was thinking "bad things" about the phone
>>companies like maybe they did it just to keep
>>you hooked to their service
>>Justin
Your "thinking" is unfortunately and probably well
founded....
But that to forums like this GMCnet (thanks Patrick)
we have a fighting chance.
Thanks for kind comments
and
Good Luck going "Wireless"
Mike F.
