FU to AT&T Wireless

[Fr. Dougal]

Here's a GIANT fuck you to AT&T Wireless. Where to begin? First off, my friggin phone never gets a decent signal, unless I'm at work. (Which is where I need it least.) In the Bronx, Westchester, or anywhere other than Midtown, I can't get a signal better than 1-2 bars.

It's a GSM phone, the Ericsson T616. Which I had to pay $200 for when I got it last year. $100 after a rebate with 2 year deal. (A lot for it, but I really wanted that model.) And, of course, 3 weeks later, they started offering it free to new customers. (When I got it, I had been an AT&T customer for about 5 years.) I tried getting a refund, but nope. Free was only for new customers.

So skip ahead to last month. My uncle died suddenly over in Ireland (still can't believe it)... and the whole family flew over for the funeral. I was there a week, and used the phone a few times... only for a few minutes at a time.

I get the bill last week, and it's over $100. Fuckin' outrageous!

I should have learned my lesson. In March, I went to Prague for a week for a UEFA Cup game. Got home and the bill for using the phone over there was nearly $150.

That phone can be unlocked, so international SIM cards can be used when in Europe. However, AT&T won't unlock them. Cingular, T-Mobile, etc. all unlock their phones on request. But not AT&T, those cheap motherfuckers.

I can send it out to a place in Cali that will unlock the phone (and upgrade the firmware, which they say will increase signal reception)... but I'm pissed that I have to go out and do that... when AT&T should do it for me. Those fuckers have never taken care of me. I don't want free shit... I just feel that after 6 years of being a customer, I deserve some fucking options.

Well... as soon as the contract expires... I'll have plenty of options. Nextel, T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon. :icon_cool

F U, AT&T... GO FUCK YOURSELVES, YOU SCUMMY CUNTS.

[Hoagie]

I have Sprint. I like Sprint.

[chumpy]

I saw a news report comparing phone companies for the nyc area. At&T came in last place. You're best with sprint or Verizon.

[orangeagent]

dude...that fucking blows. how much longer do you have to deal with that?

[PrncssNikki]

That fucking sucks. My parents used to have AT&T and it was so bad they bought out their contract to move to Verizon.

The whole "this phone is for new customers" is bullshit too.

[Fr. Dougal]

dude...that fucking blows. how much longer do you have to deal with that?
I think, just a few more months... I'll have to check when I get home.

I think I'm going to go with Verizon next. (But if I want to keep the phone, it'll have to be T-Mobile. AT&T bought Cingular, so they're out of the question.)

Does anyone know if the Verizon or Sprint phones are tri-band? IOW, can they be used in Europe?

[Rob]

I have Sprint. I like Sprint.
same here... and Sprint PCS kicks ass in RI...

[drunkturkey]

Sprint and Verizon do not support GSM. If you travel to the EMEA region at all, and want to use the phone, you need the GSM phone.

Verizon will rent a GSM phone to you, but it's a pain in the ass. Also, personally, I hate Verizon. Not just the cell company, but the land line company as well. I have Comcast HSI in the house, and Vonage sitting atop that... no verizon or other long distance company at all in the house anymore... love it! And saves me a crap load of cash.

I had Sprint a long time ago, and hated it. Reception was the pits, especially in Westchester and along the Merit parkway. I was canceling my Sprint service and I dropped the call. Fuckers.

I've had AT&T for 4 years now, and switched to GSM last year. I haven't had a single problem with it (Siemens S-46). This is their GAIT phone, that will switch to TDMA if there is no GSM signal around, or if the signal is not strong enough.

Sorry to hear it, man. I’m surprised by the charges. When I've traveled overseas, I was working on about 20 cents a minute originating a call from the UK, and I don't have any special plan. I believe you can add something to your phone for like $5/month that gives you 8 cents a minute international roaming.

Anyway, hope it all works out. And for unlocking the phone, there may be a way to do it by yourself. Check the forums to see how others have worked around it. Good luck.

Last, Cingular bought AT&T wireless... expect a lot from that company once they merge. Cingular's plans are better than AT&T's, and the companies have been building out GSM and sharing networks for some time now. Once these two companies have merged, I think GSM in the US will get that much better.

[Fr. Dougal]

I believe you can add something to your phone for like $5/month that gives you 8 cents a minute international roaming.

Eh... not worth it for me. I'm only over there at most, 2x a year and only for a week at a time.

for unlocking the phone, there may be a way to do it by yourself.

Yeah, I tried doing it myself, but I had the wrong cable. No big deal sending it out. Just annoying, that's all. :)

expect a lot from that company once they merge.

Hopefully it'll be better... we'll see. :)