AT&T FAQ

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[edit] General Network

This FAQ contains common questions and answers about AT&T's Wireless division (formerly Cingular) as well as the Legacy AT&T Wireless (which was merged with Cingular previously).

[edit] What networks does AT&T use?

Cingular has many networks, using seven network technologies.

Cingular Analog (AMPS) network is one of the largest analog footprints in the nation. It is commonly used by Verizon and Sprint PCS as roaming providers.

Cingular's TDMA is the largest TDMA network in the nation, however the company has ceased to expand the footprint or build new cells with TDMA service, instead is building sites with GSM/UMTS. Cingular's TDMA benefits from the extensive former AT&T Wireless in addition to the former BellSouth TDMA footprint that covers the eastern portion of the country.

Cingular GSM is the main network Cingular uses today. It is also combined with the former AT&T Wireless GSM network. Cingular uses three data technologies with GSM; CSD, GPRS, and EDGE. Most Cingular phones use GPRS, though EDGE now provides data speeds up to 236.8 kbps.

Cingular UMTS launched in 2005. It has been combined with the AT&T Wireless UMTS deployments of 2004. Currently only operating in a few cities, Cingular will transition to this from GSM network over several years. It also will use HSDPA, a high-speed data add-on that carries UMTS from 384k to the megabit range.

Cingular plans to phase out AMPS and TDMA in 2007, and will use that spectrum to improve GSM coverage, as well as build out their UMTS network.

[edit] What is Network Integration?

Currently, Cingular operates as a regional company internally. With the merger of AT&T Wireless, Cingular will transition to the AT&T model of having one national network operation, rather than a regional system. This will allow for Cingular to sell family plans regardless of where each phone number is associated (currently, customers must be on the AT&T Wireless system to do this), as well as improve coverage.

Network integration will involve unifying the five coverage and network infastructures, four from Cingular previously, as well as the AT&T Wireless network. In addition, Cingular will unify plan codes and billing systems so that an AT&T Wireless account can be accessed and modified with Cingular billing systems, eliminating Blue and Orange classes of customers and customer service.

[edit] Legacy AT&T Wireless Questions

[edit] What is a Blue account? What is an Orange account?

These colors refer to the classes of customer that you are. If you are a blue customer, you are a customer of the former AT&T Wireless. If you are in a blue store, you are in a store that was formerly owned by AT&T Wireless. Orange refers to customers and stores that existed before or after the merger that are not a part of AT&T Wireless.

[edit] Can I use my AT&T Wireless phone on Cingular

While there is no technical reason why you cannot, Cingular has not updated their SIM to support the AT&T Wireless SIM lock. This means you must unlock your AT&T Wireless phone before it can be used on Cingular.

Cingular's official stance is that you cannot use AT&T Wireless equipment on Cingular. This is incorrect, it simply must be unlocked first. Cingular says this because they are the only ones that are supposed to have the proper unlocking codes for these devices, and have chosen to not release them. You must find an independent provider willing to unlock your equipment (usually for a small fee), at which time you can insert a Cingular SIM in your device and it will function properly.

[edit] Can I use a new Cingular phone on my older AT&T Wireless account?

Yes, but, you must first unlock it. Cingular will unlock orange equipment for use on blue accounts. You need to contact orange customer service and have them complete what is known as a SIM Unlock Request. You must be a customer in good standing for 90 days before requesting this.

Cingular will then contact you (either via email or phone) with instructions for unlocking your orange phone.

[edit] Can I keep my current plan and migrate to Cingular?

No, not currently.

[edit] Can I migrate back to AT&T Wireless, or start as an AT&T customer?

Yes, this process is generally known as a reverse migration. New customers may want to start as AT&T customers if they want a family plan with different area codes for different family members.

Cingular will only let you reverse migrate if you are a new customer, within your 30 day trial period, or, are no longer under contract. Otherwise you must pay an early termination fee to reverse migrate. Unlike orange, blue accounts must be under contract, blue accounts have no no-contract option, unlike orange accounts.

[edit] With Cingular, they say I can use my phone as a modem, does this apply to mMode Unlimited?

No. mMode Unlimited will continue to detect if you are using your phone as a modem and will continue to charge as such. You must migrate to orange in order to fully avoid tethering fees.

[edit] Can I use mMode on the orange side of Cingular?

No, though recent improvements have implemented most mMode offerings on MEdia Net. The only missing features are Friend Finder and and the color scheme.

[edit] Account Maintanence

[edit] What are Cingular's Customer Care Applications?

1. POS.Com: Basic activation tool that can perform activations and upgrades for agents and national retail. Also gives the agents and national retail a limited view of the customer's account. Used in CARE markets.

2. POS.Com II: Same tool as POS.Com but for Telegence Markets.

3. OPUS: The all-in-one tool used in corporate-owned retail stores to manage customer accounts, both wireless and wireless. Can perform upgrades, activations, analyze rate plans, issue credits (management) and the such.

3. CARE: The backend billing system used for former Bellsouth Mobility areas.

4. Telegence: The backend billing system for former SBC/Yahoo areas. All markets will be transitioned into Telegence billing systems by the end of 2009.

5. CSP: Customer Support Portal. Used by agents and company employess to access rate plan information, feature information, handset information, and the such.