AT&T has it's own spectrum and it's own networks (a TDMA one and a GSM one) Cingular has it's own spectrum and it's own network (I think it's still TDMA in Houston) T-Mobile has it's own spectrum and it's own network (a GSM one) Sprint and Verizon bothe have their own spectrum and each have their own CDMA network.
If they are still TDMA I would wait until they convert to GSM. But if they are GSM I would pick them over T-mobile.
If you want more info on cell phones and providers I would recomend you check out www.HowardForums.com
Whatever you do DO NOT sign with any GSM provider. Their network in the US sucks. Just call anyone with AT&T as their provider and you'll hear for yourself.
Just because ATT has bad GSM service doesn't mean GSM is bad. I've had T-Mobile for a year and a half and I love it. arkoe, I suggest you look at the site Johnny Rocket showed you. Some people may find it a bit Canadian and GSM centric, but you'll find the answer to any question you may have.
I'm withya on that Pimp...I have been using Sprint for about a year and a half...never had a problem one. My wife even calls me from inside the elevator at the building downtown that she has to go to once a week...no problem..crystal clear.. I had major problems with the customer service and the phones from Nextel..but I know ppl who have never had a reason to complain.. Singular used to be Houston Cellular...we had major problems with them also...but I have heard that they got better...can't say for sure tho..
AT&T is very new to GSM and still has very bad coverage. Voicestream (now called T-mobile) has been a GSM provider since they were formed so they have always been focusing on their GSM network. T-mobile and Cingular Wireless (GSM) have roaming agreements to the point where you can roam on the other for free. BTW: The reason voicestream is now called T-Mobile is because they are owned by duetch (sp?) Telecom and the European carrier they own is called T-mobile so they changed the name of Voicestream to T-mobile to help people notice their international network. Yea one reason I am a huge fan of GSM because it is so great in my area (Raleigh, NC) This was the second GSM market in the USA and the first one that is still owned by the same company (Sprint sold off it's GSM in DC not long after they started it) BUT if you do live in or travel to the boonies a lot you might not like the fact that your GSM phone wont have Analog coverage the way a TDMA or CDMA phone does.
