Posted by Thorin78
Cingular switched protocol on their GSM network. This means that if a place receives both 850/1900 band it will use 850. If the location has no coverage for 850, it will jump to 1900 and you will have reception. So if you have a phone that supports 900/1800/1900 bands, like me, you will not get reception on your phone at all most of the time. Even if your friend standing right next to you has full reception. This is because Cingular has more 850 coverage than 1900. And they will continue to increase their 850 coverage in the future.
This switch was placed 1 week after I got the cingular service. Oh what a pain it has been. I'm on the Northeast of the US.
Posted by amagab
Oh man, I hope that is not the case in the Pacific Northwest. If problems arise I still have another triband phone (Nokia 3200 850/1800/1900) that Cingular provided me with. I guess I should keep that as a backup instead of selling it.
Posted by Tairocnore
Do you mean 800/1800/1900? Because that would work vary well in the US (800 and 850 are the same thing). 900/1800/1900 does exist though, and I feel sorry for you if you have that. With a 900/1800/1900 triband phone, you're only going to be utilizing one band (1900) and that only works in metropolitan areas -I don't care who your provider is.
It would be wise of you to go purchase a new phone. SE has all of their models (most via their website) available in 800/1800/1900mhz. That will work almost anywhere in the US, and most places in Europe, and other countries.
PS. It's not a protocal, it's a band. They switched their bands around. And you're special.
Posted by RichLok
You should not have this problem if you have a nationwide plan (no roaming charges). You will pick up the 1900mhz if it's available from other carriers.
Posted by wapt
A triband phone like T616 is the choice for Cingular user.
Posted by whytoi
I was in LA early this month with a T-Mobile EasySpeak SIM on my T68i. I have to say that the signal strength weren't bad all around the LA basin. But the pain comes from all the drop-outs. With 4 bars, I would regularly lose my connection after 3 minutes. This happened on the freeways or on the 40th floor in downtown LA. I couldn't believe how painful it was.
And I assume that T-Mobile is really partnering and using Cingular's network. Is that right? Was the problems encountered to do with this 800 vs 850 band issue?
Posted by P99
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T-Mobile bought Cingular's network in CA/NV about a +/- month ago.
Posted by *Jojo*
I just have a very simple 'Q' here for all people who lives in the US and uses the Cingular Network. My friend just bought a 2nd hand fone here in Manila. The fone's price was quite OK, considering it's an outdated model-but really looks great, covers are scratchless, fones performance is in tip-top condition! It's a tri-band fone which is locked with Cingular Network in the US. When my friend bought it, it has already been 'open-lined' here in Manila, and accepts all local celfone networks, signal strength is outstanding as well! Now my 'Q' is this, what if the original owner of the said fone in the US had the fone 'lined' (having fixed or not monthly fone bills), and forgot to pay the fone's bills, if still under contract or what, and the Cingular network decided to cut-off my friend's fone line
Will it result to a dead fone now Many of the celfone technician people that I know here says that there will be no problem with it 'cause the fone has been 'open-lined' already in Manila, it's fate will now lie on the sim-card the fone is currently using locally. What about the distance, can Cingular cut-off my friend's fone here from it's place of origin in the US to my country I really admire the fone's physical appearance and functions as well . . . . I just hope that he'll not be encountering some future troubles with the fone. The fone is running on it's 2nd week now 
Thanks !
Posted by Residentevil
When you have a 900/1800/1900 GSM phone, the only real choice you have in the US is T-Mobile. If you use that tri-band phone on a Cingular/ATT network you will get reception, because they overlay the 850 with the 1900. However, the 850 is higher quality and reaches farther. Meaning if you have a 900/1800/1900 GSM phone and your provider is Cingular/ATT you will have less coverage and your signal will drop off faster away from main coverage areas. To optimize your coverage go with T-Mobile if you have a 900/...phone and go with Cingular/ATT when you have a 850/1800/1900 phone.
Most SE phones are 900/1800/1900, so T-mobile is the obvious choice. They are the only true GSM carrier in the US, because outside the US you will barely find carrier that use the 850band. Again if you travel abroad and want to use your phone use 900/1800/1900 and T-Mobile.
Cheers
Posted by *Jojo*
@residentevil - No comment/feedback on my post, any ideas
Thanks!
Posted by Marcebra
I just called up cingular and they told me that right now they provide 1900 band with signal. When I told the tech support perosn that I'm planning on upgrading to a k700 which doesnt use the 850 band, she said that it might not work in the future. I asked her when that will happen and she said that it's only in the planning stages and that it's not definate yet. She also told me that the international roaming charges are going to go up soon(I told her that I'm going out of the country soon and wanted to know when the rates change as to not get caught off guard while out of the country and she told me to call her up right before I leave, lol). She mentioned that the international text messaging charge (to send out of the country or to send or recieve while in another country) will be raised from $.10 to $.20 effective July 1st.
So now I'm not sure if I want to invest in the K700 if it wont work in America in the future.
[ This Message was edited by: Marcebra on 2004-06-29 21:37 ]
Posted by bacanito
This is precisely why I hate north-american cell phone operators...little rules here and there, lil modifications to the network that just happen to affect users who have technology that works EVERYWHERE, except in this little corner of the world...These are differences that gnaw at me...like why do you need PAL, SECAM and NTSC for videos? Or why did you have to choose between VHS and BETA many years ago? Why different voltage in Europe and in America?? Why change from 1900 to 850?? Anyways, the answer is probably that they're release a whole bunch of 850 Mhz phones out in the future, and people will have to ditch their other phones and buy theirs...blah, this post gives you an idea of what kind of mood I'm in today...
Posted by bacanito
@ jojo
Sorry, had to edit cuz I hadnt read your whole post properly...
I would normally think that any billing issues would be tied to the SIM card being used, not the actual handset, unless they have a different system in the U.S.
Has he tried other SIM cards in that phone?
_________________
"You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun." - Al Capone (1899-1947)
Bacanito's Canadian Forum
[ This Message was edited by: bacanito on 2004-06-29 21:45 ]
Posted by *Jojo*
@bacanito - YUP! very much same thoughts here mate ! The billing solely depends on the sim card and not on the celfone/handset itself
! I'm quite sure that the fone will be safe here in my friend's place right now, as it allows usage of different local networks -open line applied on the fone ! I am just awaiting for any violent/untoward reactions from some of our members who lives in the US - if any Thanks again mate!
Posted by bacanito
@ jojo
If it were a CDMA/TDMA phone, there are no sim cards, so your friend would be screwed...I used to work for a CDMA operator (Bell Mobility) and we had something called a "negative file" where serial numbers of lost/stolen handsets were place to prevent use. The handsets of people who wouldn't pay their bills would also be place into that negative file, making the phone useless...can't be used, can't be activated...but I've never heard anything of that kind with GSM phones...
Posted by rdnymllnsktr
Jojo, that comment towards us was unnecessary. Your buddy's phone will work. By the way, it's ''unlocked'', not ''open to anything'', or whatever you said.To everyone else, if your phone's not working and it's a 900/1800/1900 phone, it's your own problem. They provide you phones that work on their service, but you bring one from another carrier and when it doesn't work you guys complain. Geez.
Posted by *Jojo*
@rdny . . . . - YUP! My apologies back there, if I have mispelled the word - 'unlock' with that of 'open line'
! Here in Manila, the word 'open line' is commonly used rather than 'unlocked' Now, I'll tell my friend that he can sleep thru the night for having his problem solved ! A comment coming from a member straight from CA, USA - where the fone itself came from . . . 
Posted by bacanito
@rdny
not to take sides, but if you read his post carefully (possibility that you didnt cuz you posted from ur cell phone and his post was kinda long), he did say "what if"...I don't see why you're getting defensive...geez
Posted by *Jojo*
@bacanito - Thanks for the 'back-up' mate !
@rdny . .. . - YUP! I really appreciate your positive reply back there, though, looks like you're a bit 'mad' at your reply towards - me
Cheers though
Posted by bacanito
np jojo, fairly important to read carefully before replying, perfect example
Posted by *Jojo*
@bacanito - I quite overlooked at some posts back there, one of which is so important - it's your post! The fone is not a CDMA one, 'cause it has a 'sim' slot at the back
Also, I am applying here the SOPs of our local network providers as to the system if our fones here (with fixed monthly billing schemes) be bought in other countries . . . I am quite sure - 80% as to the safety of my friend's fone. The only problem now if it 'caused some major problems abroad, say, delinquent payments, and a stolen unit (worst) - will it result to a dead fone now Though it has already been 'unlocked' at present - can use 4 local networks at here My 'Q' now, is this, if stolen, can they cut-off (Cingular) it's IMEI # from the US down to the other part of the globe, my country, also try to consider, that the fone runs all celfone (local) networks at my place Many thanks - again !
Posted by rdnymllnsktr
Jesus man, your phone is safe. Stop worrying!
Posted by *Jojo*
@rdny . . . . Oh My Goodness Thanks so much again - mate
Bitter sweet though 
Posted by bacanito
@ jojo
Why do you insist about the stolen handset theory?
I read somewhere that they can have the IMEI in some database of stolen/lost phones in the UK, but I don't know how it works nor what the consequences are, but I doubt that type of system is used in the North America....anyways, maybe someone from the UK can enlighten us. But once again, I dont think this should be a problem in North America.
Posted by Residentevil
@jojo
I think "your friend" will be fine. If it is unlocked/open lined he is ok. If not he should be ok, too, because his phone is working on a different operator in his country. I don't think there is a chance, that Cingular could cut of the phone. So relax and be happy with it.
Posted by RichLok
Cingular will not block the phone, especially if it's a low/mid end phone... I remembered back when they had the Nokia 8890 at an outrageous price of over $400, some where being blocked. But this is a costly procedure. Your 'friend' should be safe. Just wait until an extra serial number is produced by all manufacturers to combat fraud. It's in the works and all carriers will be abiding by it. What I don't know is if the blacklisting (blocking) will be done by the manufacturers themselves or a 3rd party entity.
Posted by *Jojo*
@residentevil & @richlok - Thanks for the + comments mates !
@bacanito - My friend's worry is this, a guy from the US sold his unit to him at a very 'unbelievable' price
I've seen the unit myself and find it just 1/3 of the fone's orginal price price being tagged to my friend's wallet. Scratchless and all that Now, if that would just be the case here in Manila, possiblities are high that it is a stolen fone, because of the price pegged at. I myself, have encountered some problems with very similar transaction only to find out in the end that I got myself a stolen unit, and the fone eventually was blocked So I still have to dole out some cash just have the unit running again - change IMEI (my last recourse here mates-not illegal in my place, specially when you are the one being 'faked' at) But I guess now that my friend's worries are over - with crossed fingers Thanks to @all
Posted by Jowi
jojo-they don't bother that kind problems in the US...your complicating it...
& if i can read their mind, they don't care about your problems w/ your phone...[ This Message was edited by: Jowi on 2004-06-30 20:12 ]
Posted by bacanito
@ jojo
well, richlok brought up interesting information that I wasnt sure about, but I don't think thats implemented yet, so I wouldnt worry...
Posted by *Jojo*
@jowi - Looks like it mate
But I was so glad to see how they react with my 'Q' here. @bacanito gave q pleasant suggestion too. Yup! Looks like we do have different/opposite systems when it comes to selling fones here and abroad, also to consider that we do have some celfone snatching and selling here in Manila . .. . as they say, ONLY IN THE - PHILIPPINES ! 
Posted by rdnymllnsktr
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I did read his post carefully. He implied that American's would be angry and possibly post in response to anger. I am posting, but not out of anger, but Jojo expected someone to possibly post out of retaliation.
Posted by *Jojo*
@rdny . . . . . - You just got it all wrong mate
My 'Q' is very clear about my friend's dilemma with his newly bought fone here in my place. Now, I just want to get the real score and answer 'straight' from the guys in CA, USA re: Cingular Celfone Network Had I known the answers to my 'Q', then I will not bother posting my querry here [ This Message was edited by: jojo51069 on 2004-07-01 21:07 ]
Posted by rdnymllnsktr
I wasn't lashing out at you, I was trying to talk to that other person. I have no conflict with you. By the way, the story is that since your buddy's on a GSM phone, it won't become locked or anything like that, so you're in the clear!
Posted by *Jojo*
@rdny . . . - My apologies here mate, thought twas me
if you have some differences with @bacanito . . . . just let bygones be bygones - OK