[goaliemn]

Originally Posted by corey@12mile

Talking about a carrier being cheap with regards to any of this is way off the mark. I have a sneaking suspicion that BWC most likely cannot handle the growth of blackberry users as well. It is a pretty basic application and was most likely thrown together as a quick alternative for carriers to offer non-BES users.

I'm sure the growth in personal/non business users pushed them off BWC. In the last year, I know quite afew people that have gotten BB for their own mail, and not work related. I know I got mine alittle over a year ago and love it I use the BIS to check my personal accounts. A great way to consolidate email accounts.

[aristobrat]

T-Mobile's network has never been bigger. In addition to bringing ~1,000 new towers of their own on air every quarter for the last few years, they continue to sign roaming deals, including 850mhz ones.

If you want to see T-Mobile's coverage (down to the street level):
http://compass.t-mobile.com/Default.aspx

(IMO, it's kinda cool how they color code their native network, the 1900mhz roaming coverage they have, and the 850mhz roaming coverage that they have)

For the folks that keep insisting that you only get reception in a building if the network is 850mhz (basically saying that T-Mobile's native network is inherently flawed because it's all 1900mhz), ... you do realize that Cingular has many markets around the country with ONLY 1900mhz coverage (just like T-Mobile), right?

[Hyper7PCR]

Depend on your area. My area is not work for Cingular. T-Mobile is working here.

[Soapm]

Originally Posted by corey@12mile

Talking about a carrier being cheap with regards to any of this is way off the mark. I have a sneaking suspicion that BWC most likely cannot handle the growth of blackberry users as well. It is a pretty basic application and was most likely thrown together as a quick alternative for carriers to offer non-BES users.

cd.

Thanks for the "sneaking suspicion". However, before the TMO change I received messages to both my outlook and BB all but simultaneously. Since the change, particularly in the day time, I noticed there is a noticable delay in the BB getting the message. We're only talking seconds but very noticable. I considered this delay as network congestion but don't know for sure.

Do you know if RIM is aware and working on this before adding more carriers to the new platform? If the problem is server resources or network congestion then it will only get worse with more users.

[Soapm]

Originally Posted by aristobrat

For the folks that keep insisting that you only get reception in a building if the network is 850mhz (basically saying that T-Mobile's native network is inherently flawed because it's all 1900mhz), ... you do realize that Cingular has many markets around the country with ONLY 1900mhz coverage (just like T-Mobile), right?

I will admit that I lost a call on an elevator (TMO) while a guy with Verizon and another with Cricket kept right on talking. Yes, I had to ask who their carrier was cause I dropped my call. Now, before I get on an elevator, I tell people I will call them back when I get to the my destination floor. Good thing I rarely ride elevators or I would have to switch carriers.

Also, a few months back I was able to manually select Cingular network in my area. They have since fixed that feature. I always drop my calls in the exchange by TREX where I-225 goes into I-25 southbound. I noticed Cingular also dropped my call in the same exchange. My wife just got a V360 and I can talk on her phone right through that exchange.

My conclusion is most of my call problems are BB phone related and not TMO.

[CrackBerry NYC]

I never experience not being able to make a call. My office is on 51st and broadway and I have another office on 36th street. NYC. I love T-mobile and their price plan for the blackberry is about 65 dollars cheaper than nextel at the end of the month. my fiancee just switched from T-mo to cingular and she hates it. plus cingular has no unlimited text messaging, rip offf!!!!

[aristobrat]

And what's the deal with Cingular's BlackBerry plans and extra data?

If you don't use a BES, does it still cost extra to surf via the browser, etc?

[Boy Genius]

Again it is about whatever fits you best, if you want a cheap plan go with T-mobile, if you want the best coverage available for GSM in the US go with Cingular, end of story. There is no big difference with the BIS for TMO or Cingular in terms of receiving email. It is all the same technology at the end of the day no matter how it is setup.

[kd78]

I think a major downside of Cingular is that they do not offer proper insurance policies for smartphones.

[VidGameKing]

Originally Posted by kd78

I think a major downside of Cingular is that they do not offer proper insurance policies for smartphones.

Yep, Thats a major problem that I have with them too. Aparently the smartphones are too expensive for the to insure. I have to get a special policy with my home owners insurance just to ensure I don't end up wasting my money when the phone drops.

[cookes713]

i'm a cingular user in the norther nj/ny area (bergen county)...I have had absolutely no coverage issues at all...I read through some of these threads and then skipped to the bottom, but a very good point was made about the frequencies...The higher the frequency, the weaker the signal...so with tmobile only using the 1900 mghz, once you start to stray away from towers or entering buildings, it will be tougher to keep and maintain a signal...also, tmobile is built for big market areas so if you travel any where off the beaten trail, you may run into spoty coverage...

[aristobrat]

FWIW, Cingular's network is approx 40% 850mhz. The majority of Cingular's network is 1900mhz.

Even in your area (Bergen County), Cingular has 1 850mhz license and 2 1900mhz licenses.

In my area, Cingular is 100% 1900mhz and has great coverage. So does T-Mobile.

The biggest difference between 850mhz and 1900mhz is that whomever owns the network has to build more 1900mhz towers to equal the performance of 850mhz.