So from http://thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=331570 I've gathered that you guys think GSM is meh and I should just use CDMA. The problem (if you want to call it that) is that I'm currently CO-OPing with Sony Ericsson (free GSM phone[s]) and have ALLTEL as a service provider (CDMA network).

I'd like to use this s710a that I just got from the office's "here's some old stuff nobody wants anymore" drawer, as well as some brand new models/prototypes that I'll get my hands on in the next year or so. To get an idea of how bad I want to use the s710a, just know that I've used a nokia 3587i for a year. So if you're using a GSM carrier, please post specifically what you like/dislike about it

1/17/2006 10:20:50 PM

the coverage is spotty at best unless you are in a large city

but if you are bent on GSM, stay away from SunCom

1/18/2006 9:12:02 AM

that's a good phone.. my 500a sucks compared to that thing.. they have any more in that drawer?? ;-)

GSM.. worldwide standard.. uses a combined FDMA/TDMA technology. analyst predict US will convert to GSM as the standard in the coming years..

CDMA.. better technology standard but only select countries use it.

I have Cingular and so far I like the service. I get full signal just about everywhere in Raleigh. Haven't really been out of Raleigh to see how coverage is on highways etc. with GSM, the cell tower range isn't as big as those with CDMA.. so more are needed to fully cover an area.. this is why you get full signal in most urban places.. but spotty in rural areas where the towers aren't densely placed. I have been in some places in the mountains where Cingular was the only provider that worked.

1/18/2006 9:52:58 AM

Quote :

"analyst predict US will convert to GSM as the standard in the coming years.."

3G standards are not compatible with either of these. (EDGE is not a 3G standard)

1/18/2006 10:00:22 AM

I have cingular and regularly travel all over the east coast without any problems. Sometimes in remote areas of my hometown (asheboro) it'll connect to suncom's network and have a good signal and I've never been charged any roaming fee's or any crap like that. As far as out of the state--it's always worked fine when I'm on major highways, havent had much experience off of those though.

I also have a P910a with a f'ed up keyboard due to SE's shitty design if you're perhaps interested in it... or could somehow pull some strings and get it fixed for me

[Edited on January 18, 2006 at 10:20 AM. Reason : also worked fine in Nevada]

1/18/2006 10:20:42 AM

GSM is a 2G technology.. but so is CDMAone (current standard of Alltel, Sprint and Verizon)

Sprint, Verizon, and Alltel are going to CDMA2000-1xEV (3G) which doesn't even compete with W-CDMA(3G) and HSDPA(3.5G) which current GSM providers will eventually convert to. Cingular is currently getting their HSDPA network up and running in a bunch of markets.

[Edited on January 18, 2006 at 10:33 AM. Reason : ]

1/18/2006 10:32:02 AM

Yes

Which is why your "Analysts predict" statement is incorrect.

1/18/2006 12:22:58 PM

Quote :

"the coverage is spotty at best unless you are in a large city but if you are bent on GSM, stay away from SunCom"

I do not understand this why do you people say that? I have had nothing but flawless service from cingular for the last year.

[Edited on January 18, 2006 at 12:26 PM. Reason : .]

1/18/2006 12:26:17 PM

yes ive beenimpressed recently too, about a year ago i had all kinds of dropped ca, but it seems like they're worked most of the kniks out in this area at least

1/18/2006 12:46:16 PM

^ yeah I agree...I've had it for around 4 years now and it was a little spotty to begin with but has gotten a lot better the last year or so

1/18/2006 1:09:21 PM

Don't worry, John. If you'll keep swiveling that S710a you won’t have this problem anymore, since your phone is going to end up in the "bunch of messed up parts for co-ops to try to put together" drawer

And does anyone have any more comments on Suncom service compared to Cingular?

1/18/2006 10:30:21 PM

Thanks for the replies so far. Has anyone have any recent bad experiences with either company?

1/20/2006 10:00:07 AM

Why is this even an issue.

Why don't some of you just google suncom and see their core coverage.

No, not the part where they leech off the Cingular network, but the part that says *based in the Carolinas*

1/20/2006 10:44:50 AM

Quote :

"I do not understand this why do you people say that? I have had nothing but flawless service from cingular for the last year."

look at the coverage maps

suncom and cingular, really just GSM networks in particular, only have coverage in large cities and major transportation arteries

CDMA covers the entire state

now for anecdotal evidence: when my girlfriend cant get signal in her apartment next to campus with cingular, and i have perfect signal with verizon in the same damn location then the coverage blows

hence my original post:

Quote :

"the coverage is spotty at best unless you are in a large city but if you are bent on GSM, stay away from SunCom"

1/20/2006 11:04:10 AM

i did sales all in bumfuck
verizon company phone and cingular personal phone

i rarely had situations when i had verizon coverage but not congular coverage, and the two or three times it happened i was in the middle of fucking no where, a place most people dont spend any time. (and i barely had a signal with verizon)

the people that knock cingular's coverage are just mad they cant get any good phones

1/20/2006 11:34:50 AM

Quote :

"CDMA covers the entire state"

No. CDMA doesn't cover the entire state. AMPS covers the entire state. They show you their coverage map with AMPS included because you're too dumb to tell the difference between digital and analog service.

[Edited on January 20, 2006 at 12:16 PM. Reason : AMPS will also be out of service soon. ]

1/20/2006 12:15:51 PM

I am just speaking from experience. I have had no problems with GSM. Drops everyonce in a while but I dont give a fuck, nothings perfect and my life dosnt end if I drop a call every month or two.

1/20/2006 4:44:18 PM

I think one of the biggest problems with Suncomm is the customer service. Anyone that got switched from ATT to Suncom can tell you that.

1/20/2006 6:04:37 PM

I've had both cingular and verizon. I have lived in Raleigh for the past 4 yrs, and travel to BF nowhere (about an hour east of charlotte) a few times a year. I've never had coverage with verizon at BF nowhere, but in Raleigh it was pretty good. I switched to cingular, i actually get better coverage on campus (definitely in buildings like EB1) compared to verizon. Plus, i actually get a signal in random parts of BF nowhere.

I just wish that verizon would bring some of there high speed fiber optic crap to this region.

1/21/2006 1:56:42 PM

Quote :

"analyst predict US will convert to GSM as the standard in the coming years"

i call bullshit...prove it

gsm sucks as a technology...there are only two things that explain why it's used at all - it's more widespread (despite being inferior) and the phones have more gadgets to make up for a lack of functionality

1/21/2006 8:06:47 PM

Quote :

"In the year 2005, GSM added more than 81 million customers in the Americas alone compared to 30 million CDMA customers; worldwide, GSM added 391.9 million new customers, far exceeding the entire customer base of any other mobile technology. There are 683 licensed GSM operators (according to the GSM Association) in 213 countries worldwide today and well over 1.67 billion customers. In the United States and Canada, the GSM family continues to add the largest percentage of new customers resulting in 24 million customers added in 2005 compared to less than 15 million CDMA users. Trends show the continuing growth of market share for GSM in both the U.S. and Canada."

http://www.digitimes.com/telecom/a20060213PR211.html

2/26/2006 11:35:47 PM