Can a Cingular customer using AT&T Wireless network

Hi folks,
I'm a Cingular customer, and I've a SonyEricsson T616.
The signal strength I've in my office is zero or very close to zero... so, having a cellphone is a kind of useless... Fortunately AT&T Wireless (GSM network) has a great reception in this area... fortunately (again), AT&T has been bought by Cingular...
Fortunately (again and again) when I insert a test SIM I've in my office (AT&T Wireless) my T616 let me choose the network I want to use (Connect / GSM Networks): AT&T Wireless or Cingular (cool!)...

...Unfortunately (

)when I use my Cingular SIM, this stupid phone doesn't let me select *ANY* network... I mean, when I go to Connect / GSM Networks, the menu contains only "New Search"..
in few words it seems that my phone somehow is blocked to work only on Cingular networks when I use the Cingular SIM, but can work on any other network with any other SIM..

Anybody has the same issue with the T616?
Is there a way to remove this "lock" ? Or the "lock" is in the SIM itself?

Thanks !

In your good news/bad news style:

Good news - Cingular will allow you to roam on another network in your home coverage area if their signal strength is unable to sustain the call. I can't speak to AT&T, but T-Mobile (even with the ability to see / select other networks) will not allow you to register on them if they offer service in that market.

Bad news - unlike AT&T or T-Mo, they block the ability to search for other networks (programming on the SIM card).

So, while you can access other networks (even in your home market), your phone has to select it; this means the Cingular service needs to be very weak or non-existent. Mine switches over to AT&T from time to time at when I get in and out of the elvator in Chicago (the name changes from Cingular to Cingular extend).

Other phones will also allow you to see what network you're on (i.e., AT&T is 310-380 - 310 is the code for USA, 380 is AT&T's provider code). Cingular sets the OTA to read "Cingular" or "Cingular Extend". On a national plan, it doesn't make a difference which you're on - no roaming, m2m and 5K N&W still apply.

Thanks JCMyersIV,
Tomorrow I''ll try to keep the phone on a place where I'm sure there's no Cingular coverage... and I'll see if it works

Fabrizi0

As a related question. I have an E105 from T-Mobile that is unlocked. Right after I poped in my cingular sim it stated cingular as the network. Soon there after it stated Cingular extended. Now it is always Cingular extended. The Cust. Service people said that it needed to update the maps, they said it wouldn't update, unless forced, if it was on extended cingular network. During the process it would flash Cing. Ext. and ATT. and finally just stayed on Cing. Ext. The cust. serv. guy said the update went through and told me not to worry because I'm on the National Plan.

I set my shortcut to network selection and as mentioned, it won't let me choose. I have two options of Cingular Ext. and Cingular Ext.

Finally my question, is it favoring T-mobile towers due to the T-mobile firmware on the phone? I unlocked with the 2-sim method and personalized setting.

Thanks

edit: ok so my phone uses 900/1900 and the midwest (OK) uses 850/1900 (cingular). Does this mean I'm using the stronger low band signal and the only one I can receive which is T-mobiles 900 vs. cingulars 850? That sound about right? What about the 1900 range?

My understanfig is that T Mob only runs 1900 MHZ - - - - definition of PCS band, Personal communication service. I believe they only have licenses for PCS.

You are correct that Cingular primarily has 850 service in the Midwest. There are a couple markets in the Midwest where they have 1900 only (Cleveland), and others where they have both 1900 and 850 (St. Louis), but for the most part they have 850 coverage; which is the good news and the bad news...

Good news - 850 tends to carry a stronger signal. Bad news, many current tri-band and old phones don't support it. If you had a phone that supported 850, your phone would pick up the Cingular signal. w/o 850 support, you'll pick either AT&T or T-Mobile.

You're lucky in that for years Cingular sold phones on the West Coast and the Carolinas that didn't have 850 support, so they have roaming agreements with a 1900 provider in just about every market they don't have 1900 spectrum. I say just about b/c I was in New Orleans - my [quad-band] V600 picked up Cingular GSM just fine, but my [triband 900/1800/1900] Blackberry 7230 failed to pick up a signal. After several calls to cust serv. my thoughts were verified - no roaming in New Orleans (at least not for a 850mhz Chicago customer).

I've heard a strong rumor from a National Account Manager to expect a global roaming agreement (i.e., entire footprint) with AT&T shortly (in advance of the merger closing) which would solve my New Orleans problem should I go back.

Strangest thing just happened, (By the way 14 yr old phone geek here) I just traded withg a friend at school, my cingular t616 for his UNLOCKED t61i by ericsson. Well in GA, cingular runs on the 850 mhz, and this phone doesnt support that, so naturally i expected it not to work with my cingular SIM. Well I gave it a shot any ways ( figuring how att and cingular are one) and what do you know, it worked. But instead of showing me as being on cingular network, the phone still shows me as on att, even with cingular SIM. Did a little playing around and got the internet to work too. Big encouragment to me, who is thinking of buying a 6620 ( awsome phone). I also have had an itch to buy an original n-gage, unfortunately also not working on cingular, will someone pls tell me one reason why ngage shouldnt do same thing as 61i. It runs on att so i just figured..... TY for results

I have a free roaming plan, Anyone know if this is covered, dont want a 1000$ phone bill.

you should be covered if you have a national plan with free roaming. my phone which does not have cingular software on it shows the true provider in the chicago area - sometimes cingular other times ATT

sup everyone (probably all of 2 people) next dilemna. Got a shit load of cash and cant decide what to do with it! (LOL) Ok well its not too much cash and i think i want an ngage or a qd (anyother suggestions are welcome in same price bracket). The dilemna... which should io get? Now i know that the ngage original has overall more features, but also has overall more problems.. . suggestions pls

Can a Cingular customer using AT&T Wireless network

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