Cingular/AT&T Wireless merger approved

The word on the street is that on Monday both the FCC and the Justice Department are going to give their official blessing to Cingular and AT&T Wireless' mega-merger, leaving no barrier to the creation of the nation's largest wireless carrier. Buyer's remorse aside (seriously, it's a little insane that Cingular paid $41 billion for AT&T Wireless), the big question is whether or not the shrinking of the cellular market from six major players to five will lead to significantly cheaper prices for calling plans and cellphones. Either way, expect things to get down and dirty between Cingular and archrival Verizon beginning next year.

[CrystalGeyser @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Hopefully we'll be able to use AT&T's phones now. Currently, Cingular's phones stink. I hope this means more and better phone selection in the near future.

[XiozTzu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I predict that Verizon will overtake Cingular/At&t by the end of the year, becomming number one (in customers). I also predict that Cingular will lose customers or stay flat, relitive to rivals, for the next 2 to 3 years. Also, it looks like the At&t name will stay with the long distance company (T) and they will begin to remarket At&t wireless using Sprint's PCS network (like Virgin and Quest). Overall this is a very bad move on Cingular's part.

[Steve T @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Cingular and AT&T both have good phones, but since they were in competition, some would get exclusives that others wouldn't - Nokia 6820 and 6230 for example. Now that they're together, though, you'd think they'd have the more pulling power with the manufacturers to get the devices they want. For Verizon overtaking them, I'm not sure about that one. Anybody who wants to use their phone outside of the USA and Korea is pretty much F'd with Verizon, not to mention the huge boost in signal and service coming to all ex AT&T/Cingular customers. I think the battle will be competitive, but not so one sided as Xioztzu

[Eric D @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Cingular and AT&T Already had contracts to use each others towers, so don't expect any huge increase in coverage and/or signal.

[XiozTzu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I always hear people tout how GSM phones can work in Europe but how many people do this? I would imagine it would be a very small fraction of wireless users. Alternatively, if you were traveling to Europe on a regular basis wouldn't you get yourself a local cell phone? Isn't that cheaper than paying international phone charges? Quick check at Cingular for overseas international per minute rates range from $1.29 to $2.49. Ouch, thats the price of a new phone every 2 hours! (BTW, Verizon offers a CDMA/GSM capable phone that works in Europe, and at the same price pre minute - http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobileoptions/internationalsvcs/globalphone/index.jsp)

[sims @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Just unlock your GSM phone beforehand and pop in a standard prepaid European SIM card when you get there...

[Wireles Joe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

With AT&T and Qwest re-entering the wireless market as MVNOs, the number of wireless carriers is actually incresing by one, not decreasing with this merger.

[sB @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

To start off, Verizon is weak, third rate phones on a third rate network. On the other hand, the Cingular/AT&T merger is great, because the AT&T wireless name will be owned by cingular, AT&T the phone company would not be able to remarket under the "wireless" name. On top of the fact that all of the great high end phones by, SonyEricsson, etc. will be more availible to consumers because Cingular and AT&T wireless will have a huge consumer base.
'nuff said.

[Arthur Che @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Using GSM overseas is definitely useful. You don't have to pay international phone charges - just buy a local SIM card and use it on your own phone. They're dirt cheap. This works like I breeze, and I've done it many times (though more in Hong Kong than in Europe).

Another problem I've recently discovered is phone replacement under a Verizon contract. A friend of mine recently broke his Verizon LG phone without insurance and still under contract, and the bottom line was that he was screwed. To get a replacement, you have to pay FULL (one might say marked up) price for any phone, which means the cheapest one is $200 (and those are the crappy ones that are usually free with a contract - the decent ones are $400-500). He ended up paying a cancellation fee and getting a Sidekick 2 with T-Mobile. This was cheaper than buying the worst Verizon phone, and switching after his contract ends, which is what he planned to do originally.

No argument though that in many places in the US Verizon has a better signal. But the signal with T-Mobile has improved drastically over the past few years. I still dream of signals like in US or Asia, where when you go in the subway station your signal gets even better... Not much experience with Cingular/ATT but I imagine there won't be a big change, due to the reason Eric D mentioned.

[XiozTzu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

AT&T Returns to Wireless World with Sprint Deal
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/33863.html

'nuff said. ;)

[Mike S. @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Sorry, but Qwest and the resurrected AT&T Wireless will be MVNOs that are only leasing network capacity from other carriers, not building their own. If you don't have your own network than you aren't considered a major carrier.

[Eion @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

is very useful. I spend most of my time in the US now, so I transferred my UK number to a pay-as-you-go SIM. The best of both worlds. And having GSM in the US is nice, because it means that you can get decent phones from overseas (like my lovely if aged T39m).

What I don't see is how a carrier buying out one of their competitors at a grossly over-inflated price is going to help my cellphone bill come down... quite the opposite, I'd have thought.

[CRWhitehead @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I talked with a Cingular Sales Rep about two weeks ago since i was curious what would happen after the merger. Im on ATT now and she said that after the merger my phone wouldnt work on Cingular. I asked her if they would unlock it and they said they would not be unlocking ATT phones to use on Cingular. Of course you can do this on yr own, but they wont support or acknowledge those unlocked phones on the Cingular network. She also said they were considering a trade-in program but no matter what they do, ATT customers are going to get screwed a little. In regards to International service, Cingular has a lot of hidden charges including any phone call that you get to yr phone while overseas, answered or otherwise is charged the one minute rate for the phone PLUS the international roaming rate. Finally with regard to selection, Cingular's selection sucks now, but 30-40 new phones will be allowed on their network in the next few months. Including the god-like SX66. But also a slew of nokia's, samsungs, and sony/ericsson's. Basically, this merger wont be the greatest thing for everyone, but im sticking with Cingular since they have the greatest concept in the wireless system being roll-over minutes.

[Aaron de Zeeuw @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Verizon's wireless network is changing (no, we are not going GSM; think next generation). We have some exciting stuff coming out in 2005 that I don't think I am allowed to talk about. Save your new cellphone money, and get ready to switch next year :).

"A friend of mine recently broke his Verizon LG phone without insurance and still under contract, and the bottom line was that he was screwed."

If you buy a Verizon phone, get insurance on it. Why you would buy an expensive (and fragile) phone and not pay a few bucks a month to insure it is beyond me. I believe all carriers have a similar policy.

[Arthur Che @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

"If you buy a Verizon phone, get insurance on it. Why you would buy an expensive (and fragile) phone and not pay a few bucks a month to insure it is beyond me. I believe all carriers have a similar policy."

Because we're cheap, for one thing. And on GSM carriers, you have the option of buying a new phone separately. I for one usually buy phones overseas to use here. The way I see it, if you break your phone, and want a new one, you might as well just upgrade to the latest. This isn't so much an argument against Verizon in particular; I'm just praising the flexibility of GSM. The thing is, when you don't have your insurance on your phone with a GSM carrier and it breaks, you're not bound to buying and vastly overpriced phone from said carrier. In hindsight, obviously, he should have gotten the insurance.

[Dub C @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Funny thing is that rep was purely talking out of their @$$...because none of that type of information has been shared with reps yet...was it an actual Cingular store or an "authorized dealer"?

"I talked with a Cingular Sales Rep about two weeks ago since i was curious what would happen after the merger. Im on ATT now and she said that after the merger my phone wouldnt work on Cingular. I asked her if they would unlock it and they said they would not be unlocking ATT phones to use on Cingular. Of course you can do this on yr own, but they wont support or acknowledge those unlocked phones on the Cingular network. She also said they were considering a trade-in program but no matter what they do, ATT customers are going to get screwed a little. In regards to International service, Cingular has a lot of hidden charges including any phone call that you get to yr phone while overseas, answered or otherwise is charged the one minute rate for the phone PLUS the international roaming rate. Finally with regard to selection, Cingular's selection sucks now, but 30-40 new phones will be allowed on their network in the next few months. Including the god-like SX66. But also a slew of nokia's, samsungs, and sony/ericsson's. Basically, this merger wont be the greatest thing for everyone, but im sticking with Cingular since they have the greatest concept in the wireless system being roll-over minutes."

[Devin Lussier @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I have a GSM phone with T-Mobile and I have used it internationally quite often. They unlocked my phone for me two weeks after I signed up with them because I was going to Australia so that I could use a local service there. I wound up paying T-Mobile because I didn't want to sign up with Telstra and for the convenience it was worth it. I don't think I could ever go to a carrier without the ability to have international roaming. It's sort of like buying an SUV - you may only use 4x4 mode once or twice a year but when you do you thank god you've got it.

Personally, the only two carriers I would consider joining up with if I had to start all over again would be Cingular or T-Mobile. They both have competitive rate plans, nice phones, and the ability to roam internationally.

[August Jackson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I'm curious to understand why current AT&T Wireless customers (like me) would need to trade in their phones. For several months now I have already been seeing "Cingular" from time to time pop up on my phone, particularly in locations where in the future hadn't been able to get an AT&T Wireless signal (how man bars, indeed). Why would being able to access both networks require unlocking or trading in anything?

[CRWhitehead @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

The rep i spoke with can be reached at the Cingular Sales Dept who's number can be found at the Cingular Website. As for the fact that current ATT phones are roaming on Cingular. It seems to me that it makes sense because when we become Cingular customers we are going to be getting new SIM cards. I would be interested in hearing about someone who has both ATT & Cingular right now taking their Cingular SIM card and putting it in their ATT phone and seeing if it works. I dont think it will. Further the matter of not allowing ATT SIM card phones connecting to the Cingular network would not be difficult. But this process will likely take at least six months after the merger... But i dont pretend to know this as fact, it was what i was told. If the lady was talking out of her ass, then she was. But it doesnt surprise me in the slightest if its true and i would be surprised if it wasnt. Its very typically corporate.

[Oliver in Seattle @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

If AT&T SIM cards are no longer active (which could potentially happen after the merger when AT&T is no longer) and they require you to replace the AT&T SIM with a Cingular SIM then the new SIM would not work in the AT&T phone. Unlocking the phone wouldn't be great for Cingular, since then you could take your phone to T-Mobile, for example. On the other hand, not allowing you to use your AT&T phone would probably make you mad enough to switch to a different carrier on principle.

My guess is that they allow continued use of AT&T SIM cards on the Cingular network (although they probably won't issue you a new AT&T SIM). This would be the most seamless way to integrate the AT&T customers. Moving all of the AT&T clients to new SIM cards and new phones would be disasterous both in terms of customer relations and the logistical nightmare of getting all those people moved at once.

Oliver

[Wireless Joe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

"If you don't have your own network than you aren't considered a major carrier."

I didn't mean that they were building networks, I was merely speaking to the statement that is made frequently regarding the consolidation resulting in a lack of choice in wireless carriers. On the contrary, as the nationwide carriers become stronger and their networks mature, there is an even greater opportunity for MVNOs to capitalize on the original carriers' investments, and offer consumers even more opportunities, maybe even in specialized wireless offerings.

[Jayhawker @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Cingular did not purchase the AT&T brand name from AT&T Wireless. This was retained by AT&T, who reserved the rite to re-use the wireless name should AT&T Wireless (Who is a seperate company from AT&T) decide to sell out.

[Michelle @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

AT&T was looking into unlocking phones a while ago and have asked Cingular if they'll do it for the merger as well. So far, I doubt it'll happen. Neither company wants to unlock.

However, I heard rumors as well that Cingular would be offering new handsets to current AWS subscribers. But I've been through other mergers and this rarely happens.

But, here's what I believe will happen. On day 1 when the merger is finalized, all new accounts will be routed to Cingular and all existing accounts will route to AWS. I'm not sure how they will handle adding a new line to an existing account (my guess is they'll try to make you start over on Cingular's billing system.)

Personally, I think the merger is a good move for exisiting AWS subscribers. Currently, AWE stock has been sucking and the top dawgs in the company did everything they could to bump up the stock price, to no avail. This meant foregoing customer service and smart planning. Instead they jumped at anything they could to lower the bottom line. Since Cingular is not traded publicly, I think their management has a better handle on how to take care of customers. Or at least this is what I'm hoping :) I'm excited to see what happens.

[xioztzu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Together, the combined company will boast more than 47 million customers, making it the largest wireless company in the U.S. with roughly 27 percent share of the market. Analyst Jeff Kagan noted, "It's not a foregone conclusion that Cingular will keep the #1 spot. They'll have to find a way to keep growing." Company officials anticipate that it could take as much as two years for Cingular to integrate AT&T Wireless' operations into its own. Sources close to the situation say that in order to satisfy antitrust concerns, Cingular will have to sell AT&T Wireless' business, including stores and customers, in 16 mostly rural and suburban markets. It will also have to sell a portion of its licenses in some other markets and will be prohibited from purchasing additional licenses in areas where the combined company controls 70 megahertz or more of spectrum. Once the formal approval is granted, the deal is expected to close relatively quickly. The new company will employ roughly 70,000 people. Layoffs will likely follow, but not until sometime next year. Six months after the deal closes, the AT&T Wireless brand will be transferred back to AT&T.

[skid @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Who cares, I had both of them and they both sucked - especially cingular!!!! Verizon rocks though.

[livvy barrett @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

First, Attwireless customers will be able to use their same equipment reguardless if it is analog, DMN (digital multi network), or gsm. With GSM customers they will not have to buy another 32k sim card. As for current Cingular customers, they will also be able to keep their same equipment and 32k sim cards.

Second, customer from Attwireless and Cingular will not have to change the current rate plans and they will be able to keep their current promos.

Third-yes, Attwireless and Cingular have agreements in the past to share the network but it was only in certain markets that the carriers needed it the most so the merger will combine the coverage completely in all of the agreed markets. This is awesome for all parties involved.

With the New Cingular all customers will have the option of staying with what they have or they can choose the option of migrating (transfering service to the new improved combined network)to the new rate plans and getting the required gsm equipment with new sim card (it is either 62k or 64k). You will need a new bigger sim card because of the larger network). Again, the company will not force anyone off of their current plans. HELLO! People we still have analog. So, that ugly rumor about the companies forcing everyone to take new plans that are more expensive can go away NOW.

I believe that this merger is a wonderful thing and I can understand the mixed feelings about the merger. So, as an Attwireless employee for 4 years I hope this helps. As advice I would just say- "Hold on because it is going to be an exciting ride!"

[livvy barrett @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

First, Attwireless customers will be able to use their same equipment reguardless if it is analog, DMN (digital multi network), or gsm. With GSM customers they will not have to buy another 32k sim card. As for current Cingular customers, they will also be able to keep their same equipment and 32k sim cards.

Second, customer from Attwireless and Cingular will not have to change the current rate plans and they will be able to keep their current promos.

Third-yes, Attwireless and Cingular have agreements in the past to share the network but it was only in certain markets that the carriers needed it the most so the merger will combine the coverage completely in all of the agreed markets. This is awesome for all parties involved.

With the New Cingular all customers will have the option of staying with what they have or they can choose the option of migrating (transfering service to the new improved combined network)to the new rate plans and getting the required gsm equipment with new sim card (it is either 62k or 64k). You will need a new bigger sim card because of the larger network). Again, the company will not force anyone off of their current plans. HELLO! People we still have analog. So, that ugly rumor about the companies forcing everyone to take new plans that are more expensive can go away NOW.

I believe that this merger is a wonderful thing and I can understand the mixed feelings about the merger. So, as an Attwireless employee for 4 years I hope this helps. As advice I would just say- "Hold on because it is going to be an exciting ride!"

[wanda @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I just spoke with my local Cingular rep. I live in North Carolina and the area that I live in does not get a signal with Cingular. I ask if the coverage would now cover my area with the new merger. I was told that everywhere but North carolina will get to use the AT&T towers. This is because Cingular needed more towers in Virginia, so they traded at&t towers in NC for other towers in VA. Oh this merger sure helps my coverage all right. This company sucks!

[Melisa Harder @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Grrr... as a total techno idiot, I didn't read any of this prior to the merger. AT&T and Cingular are Satanic. I have had no coverage on my cell phone, and have dropped calls for two days. Is it my job as the consumer to understand and predict all of the product engineering issues that they have? I'd love to hear if other people have switched, and who is the best...

[Melisa Harder @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Grrr... as a total techno idiot, I didn't read any of
this prior to the merger. AT&T and Cingular are Satanic. I have had no
coverage on my cell phone, and have dropped calls for two days. Is it my
job as the consumer to understand and predict all of the product
engineering issues that they have? I'd love to hear if other people have
switched, and who is the best...
----------------------------------------------

[Connie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I live in an area that has almost no GSM coverage everywhere except east of us (we are straight west of Chicago, on the end of a little "finger" of GSM coverage. I was hoping for a smidgen of signal into southwestern WI and from our area to the Mississippi, but alas, there is none starting 5 miles west or north of our area right now.

I was ready to cancel my 30 day trial with AT&T, but called Cingular first. After talking to several reps, I ended up with the porting dept, and someone there went to a "high up" manager and explained my dilemma to them. I wanted to go multi-band, but they said they have just dropped all the multiband phones from their line! Reason...they told me that on Nov 15, magic is going to happen and all the areas now covered by TDMA and not by GSM will be turned on and COVERED by GSM!!! Not just combining the current GSM towers of both companies, but enabling GSM everywhere!(their GSM coverage areas right now are about the same-for those of you who think otherwise, just compare their maps)In fact, what they said was that the ONLY place in the country where they would NOT have coverage after the 15th was a small area in Virginia (note this, previous person, it may not be the way your person told you). What they told me is that GSM will work over top of TDMA everywhere in the country...wherever there is TDMA coverage now there will also be GSM! This would be very huge for us GSM customers.

Now I am a techie...and I've been lied to by lots of cell phone reps over the years and have talked to many that didn't have a clue but spouted off so-called facts anyway. I have been mis-led as to coverages and home areas before, so I will not hold my breath until the 15th. Technically I have until the 27th of Nov to cancel and go back to a CDMA/TDMS network here (US Cellular or Verizon...argh!) that does work to the north and west (which I don't want to do, but have no choice for the poor coverage areas). So if they lied or were clueless as to what they were telling me then I have an out.

Can anyone reading this from the Cingular/AT&T inside world tell me if there is any truth to this claim? If it is true, then this new merger and system will swallow the competition and I will be thrilled to be a part of it. If not, then its just another lie told by another rep to keep my money coming their way for a little longer. Please help if you REALLY know anything more. I can't find anything yet supporting this claim online.

[Connie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Hmmmm, I may have to scratch what I said above. I have been doing some more research and I think I see now that the problem is the lack of AMPS (analog) service that these new phones/plans don't utilize, not the TDMA coverage area. Both AT&T and Cingular are phasing out their multi-band phones, and this also includes accessibility to analog areas. Analog covers the entire country better than anything else. Problem is its heavy on batteries and other limitations too. But it should still be aailable for use when necessary. I think I see the big mistake now. They should not drop the dual(GSM/analog) service - not yet - not until GSM covers more ground...if it ever does get to the boonies like where I live. That's the question I need an answer to. When will this happen?

The CDMA providers are keeping analog (AMPS) frequencies available...and this may force me back to them. Sorry for the misunderstanding. So unless GSM suddenly covers all the analog areas, its not going to be the answer for many of us yet. Guess its Bye Bye to my little Nokia 3120 phone that I have become quite fond of in the last 2 weeks.

[Liss @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Does this merger mean customers can cancel their accounts? I hate Cingular. They, and their super-secret special hidden fees, suck @ss. I'd like any excuse possible to be free of them without paying $700 to cancel my account. If I can use this as an excuse to say I don't want to be a part, then can I, legally?

[Matthew @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I've been trying to figure that out (whether or not we can use this as an excuse to cancel with Cingular). I left AT&T 2.5 years ago (for Cingular) because they had such bad service and customer service, after I saw fine print in a change to my contract that allowed leaving early without fees. I can find no fine print from Cingular. So far.

[Mike Baker @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Cingular sucks and AT&T Wireless is great.

Cingular's network is horrible. I have 5 immediate family members (not including myself) who bought Cingular products and services and have been hating them ever since. Dad switched to Verizon and is only a little bit happier.

I, on the other hand, have AT&T Wireless (GSM) and the ONLY down side is that receiving calls inside a large building is sometimes difficult. BUT -- when my parents would try to talk inside Wal-Mart they'd have to go outside; I, on the other hand, can talk inside Wal-Mart all I want. (Interesting.)

I had Cellular One (now Cingular) 5 years ago when the service was good, but since Cingular bought them out they've only gone downhill.

[Mike Baker @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Since the merger, Cingular has been boasting (on the attws.com web site) that AT&T Wireless customers now have access to certain Cingular features -- including ROLLOVER MINUTES.

But when I called to inquire about buying that feature, they said, "no, you'll have to buy:

a new Cingular phone;
a new Cingular wireless plan;
a new one- or two-year contract.

So NOW they're committing FRAUDULENT ADVERTISING. I, as an AT&T Wireless customer, DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ROLLOVER MINUTES. And I'll be damned if I'm EVER going to sign a Cingular contract.

They just better hope they don't breach my AT&T Wireless contract!

[Mike Baker @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Since the merger, Cingular has been boasting (on the attws.com web site) that AT&T Wireless customers now have access to certain Cingular features -- including ROLLOVER MINUTES.

But when I called to inquire about buying that feature, they said, "no, you'll have to buy:

a new Cingular phone;
a new Cingular wireless plan;
a new one- or two-year contract.

So NOW they're committing FRAUDULENT ADVERTISING. I, as an AT&T Wireless customer, DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ROLLOVER MINUTES. And I'll be damned if I'm EVER going to sign a Cingular contract.

They just better hope they don't breach my AT&T Wireless contract!

[erin orchard @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

i have been so confused about this merger/buyout. first of all, IS it a merger? both websites refer to it as one, but other sources say it's a buyout, or rather that at&t has been "gobbled up" by cingular. i've been a very satisfied at&t customer for years and the more i learn about this "merger" the less happy i am. for instance, no more new phones for at&t customers. we have to migrate to cingular for the new phones. you can't use at&t's phone on cingular's network, and vice-versa, even thought they both use a GSM network. can anyone explain this to me? i really want to buy the new sony ericsson z500a, but in order to do, i have to chuck at&t altogether and get a new plan on cingular's network. what gives?

at&t's plans are better, too. more minutes; my "regional" plan on at&t for $50 gives me 1000 anytime minutes and mobile to mobile. cingular's "regional" plan is only 800 anytime mins. and no mobile to mobile. hmmm. did i mention cingular's comparable plan doesn't include coverage in bordering cities that i have coverage in now? granted, it's a different state, but i'd actually be roaming on cingular's plan where i am not roaming now, and it's just 2 mins. away on the other side of the river.

there are so many unanswered questions about this merger and unfortunately, 90% of reps/people i talk to can't give me a straight answer. i think i am going to hold on to my LG L1150, try and enjoy it and wait a few months to see what happens. i would have never signed up for a contract with at&t if i knew cingular was buying them out.

looks like instead of raising the bar, it's been lowered. a lot. poo!

[erin orchard @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

i have been so confused about this merger/buyout. first of all, IS it a merger? both websites refer to it as one, but other sources say it's a buyout, or rather that at&t has been "gobbled up" by cingular. i've been a very satisfied at&t customer for years and the more i learn about this "merger" the less happy i am. for instance, no more new phones for at&t customers. we have to migrate to cingular for the new phones. you can't use at&t's phone on cingular's network, and vice-versa, even thought they both use a GSM network. can anyone explain this to me? i really want to buy the new sony ericsson z500a, but in order to do, i have to chuck at&t altogether and get a new plan on cingular's network. what gives?

at&t's plans are better, too. more minutes; my "regional" plan on at&t for $50 gives me 1000 anytime minutes and mobile to mobile. cingular's "regional" plan is only 800 anytime mins. and no mobile to mobile. hmmm. did i mention cingular's comparable plan doesn't include coverage in bordering cities that i have coverage in now? granted, it's a different state, but i'd actually be roaming on cingular's plan where i am not roaming now, and it's just 2 mins. away on the other side of the river.

there are so many unanswered questions about this merger and unfortunately, 90% of reps/people i talk to can't give me a straight answer. i think i am going to hold on to my LG L1150, try and enjoy it and wait a few months to see what happens. i would have never signed up for a contract with at&t if i knew cingular was buying them out.

looks like instead of raising the bar, it's been lowered. a lot. poo!

[Rick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I am an AT&T customer. The AT&T signal strength is poor in my house and I have to leave the phone in a certain area to get reception, but the Cingular signal is pretty good throughout. My Motorola phone will automatically switch to Cingular if there is no AT&T signal. It is set to auto switching. If I set it to manual and choose the Cingular network, the phone will use the Cingular network. Will I be charged extra if I do this?

[kenny @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

is there a code i can use to make a cingular sim work in a at&t phone i can i get a bad ass at&t phone for 50bucks from a friend and my sim wont work

[Walt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

AT&T has a horrible policy of never unlocking their cell phones. They even lie and tell you that the companies' they get the phones from to do not give them the information to unlock the phones. naturally, all the manufactoring companies will tell you the opposite. My advice ??? Those those ATTW customers that want to use their current GSM phones on Cingular SIMs call up AT&T and complain. Write letters, send editorials to magazines/newspapers, write letters to Cingular, deter friends/family from using either company, and generally COMPLAIN. Many European companies do not lock phones, and most of the new phones sold by Cingular are unlocked. Fight this attepmted monopoly on what handsets customers are allowed to use.

[Kat @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Cingular SUCKS! I decided to switch from T-Mobile because I liked Cingular's rollover minutes and several other friends and family are on Cingular. However, I have embarked on a 3 week saga that has gotten me nowhere. I ordered 2 phones for our family plan and then thought all I would have to do was open the box, port the numbers and be on our way. WRONG!!!!!! Cingular actually sent us a used phone. We then called to find out how to switch it and get the right phone. Cingular tried to send us to local dealers, who by the way tried to sell us Alltel plans, or said they could not help because they were not "hooked into" Cingular databases. We called customer service numerous times and were always told different stories about what we could do or what they would do for us. First, we were told they were shipping us another phone. Then we were told they couldn't ship another one until we returned the used one they sent us. In order for that to happen I would have to wait 3-10 business days (again different stories from each rep) for the shipping labels and then send the phone back and wait another 3-5 days (again each time different) to get the "right" phone sent back. Or I could pay for shipping their mistake back, give them the tracking number and have them ship the phone. Or I could pay with a credit card the cost of the phone and then they would credit my account when they received their phone back. Their mistake - I had to pay! After 24 people in the customer service, sales department, and porting department no one could ever solve this, make it right, or make me happy enough to begin to be a Cingular customer. The sales department has way tooooooo much power over the company and if they don't want to "fix" something, they won't! The customer is not always right in Cingular's case. They have millions of customers so they don't care enough to get/keep one more. The final straw was when I called to let the competent people I had dealt with (3 out of 24)know that I still had not received the "correct" phone and that I had had enough DO NOT touch my phone, do not port it, don't do anything, but send me a mailing label to send their other phone back. What a surprise this morning when I went to use my phone only to have it say "unregistered SIM". Cingular had ported my number anyway. 3 calls saying DON'T were apparently not enough to help them understand how unsatisfied I was/am. I had to spend an hour on the phone with T-Mobile and Cingular fixing and complaining to get this fixed.

Bottom line after my long rant - Spread the word, Cingular's customer service SUCKS! They don't care about their customers enough to pay $3 to correct a mistake. DO NOT BECOME A NEW CUSTOMER - STAY AWAY FROM CINGULAR!

[Robert Eakins @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I was an AT&T customer through the recent merger. I thought I was a Cingular customer now. Just received an Alltel bill for $1100.00 my last bill was AT&T $49.00. No notification of the change at all. Even local calls are being billed roaming at .99 cents a minute. No one will talk to me at AT&T. They will not transfer you to anyone in managment. This is Fraud. Called Alltel they have no record of my account.

[Tom West @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Interesting.... I have a weak signal at my home when on AT&T's tower but a decent signal on Cingular's tower. I hit on the idea of changing the SID in my venerable Nokia 6160 TDMA phone from AT&T to Cingular. Worked GREAT!!!! I stayed on Cingular's towers unless the signal got too weak and then it would switch over to AT&T. PERFECT! .... until the merger. Since the merger about every three weeks I find my phone at some point is frozen on AT&T unless there is practically no signal. I activate another 6160 phone and I am back to a great signal .... for another three weeks. Then the same thing happens again.
I suspect that AT&T/Cingular is screwing with the phone's programming and/or roaming threshold to create a lousy signal and coerce customers to switch over to GSM. Sorry AT&T! I have an inexhaustable supply of Nokia 6160 phones and I will keep activating phones every three weeks if I have to. But maybe a public relations disaster will force AT&T/Cingular to cut it out. Has this happened to you????

[Julie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I have been an AT&T customer for over 3 years. The merger with Cingular is a joke. I have had more than several problems with dropped calls and my phone switching between networks. I have called customer service many times. They told me it was a problem with the towers, overlap between cingular and AT&T. They are sending me another new phone (this will be my 3rd one since Aug 04) So here's where I am stuck. I'd like to change phones or maybe add an additional line, but can't do that since I am an AT&T customer. I can switch to Cingular, but would have to purchase new phones at full retail.....are you kidding me?!!! The customer service guy told me I could keep my phone and spend about $50 getting it unlocked, but then it wouldn't be under warranty anymore. On top of it all, since we get a company discount we can not be helped in the stores any longer and only recieve assistance via web or telephone. It's completely unbelievable! Since they've replaced my phone so many times, I am not willing to lose my warranty. I think my only option is to move to T-Mobile or Verizon. Cingular/AT&T is completely screwed up. It's true their customer service is not helpful. The folks I have talked to don't seem to like not being able to help. It seems like they are bound by too many rules and incompatible systems. Cingular really does not want or value my service. I think the FCC is making huge mistakes by allowing mass consolidation as fewer options are available to consumers.

[Who's mergeing Who??? @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Cingular has pull most of, if not all AT& AT phones off their shelves that they were offering when the merger begain. I went to add a phone and the same phone model and all sitting on their shelf ( the only differnce being there logo printed on it won't work with my current AT & AT plans becuase of the different net works and sims cards.) But are'nt you the same company?? oooooo yes and no You can get new phones but your choices are very limited and soon will be nune. Yes they have to honor your contract and provide a net work for your AT wireless phone. But when you want the new toys they offer and or your phone stops working soon you will find out who will be doing the mergering and who will be paying for it. You will, if you don't believe me just wait and see for your self.

[Tracey @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I am one of those people that is getting charged roaming charges for calls that I have made EVERY MONTH for the last 2 years. I got a call from CTC about my Cingular account yesterday...seems last months bill is $630 and this month is already up to $500 and they say I have to pay it. I told them I had NO IDEA that was happening and they still told me I had to pay it. I have NOT been out of my plan area so WHAT is the deal? Customer service told me that couldn't pull my bill up (for some reason or another) so they couldn't look at it. What do I do with the bill when I get it...where do I go to find out WHY this happened?

[Linde @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I have an existing AT&T plan I'm happy with - 3 shared lines. I was told by Customer Care (611) on May 16th that I could add 1 more line IF I could find an AT&T compatible phone. I acquired one, then I emailed OCS (Online Cust. Support) via the Cingular web site to ask how to activate (when I log on they know I'm an AT&T plan user) AND I explained that I was an AT&T plan user in my message. I got a reply giving me a phone number to call for activations. I called today to activate, and after speaking to 4 different people, was told that it's now impossible to add new lines to my plan. Apparently this new "policy" took effect around May 21, 5 days after I originally called them but several days before I got the new phone. Switching over would cost me at least $25 more than I would pay under my current plan and I'm am not happy. The least they could do is give me the equivalent plan for the same price. After my contract is over in Jan 06, I'll be switching away from Cingular.

[JW @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Give it time People! Cingular Wireless and AT&T was a great merger. Who was the oldest phone company? Bellsouth! Cingular is still owned by Bellsouth (BLS) by 40% and SBC Communication (SBC) by 60% From What I Here Cingular bought AT&T Wireless because AT&T was working on a Satalite for a complete nationwide calling area with 100% signal. Besides that Bellsouth owns 90% of all cell towers and Leases tower space to other wireless providers. Just because your signal dosent work in an area very well and your buddies brand x does, Dosent mean his works at my area. You can only have so many towers!
As far as cheap phones go, Cingular dosent build phones, Thats nokia,motorola,etc. So when you get a new plan or phone don`t get the free phone or the 9.99 phone. Use a little common since, You get what You Pay for!
CINGULAR THE LARGEST WIRELESS PROVIDER!