Finally bought my TL this weekend...now need a Bluetooth phone.

I'm currently an AT&T subscriber, but as I understand it their Bluetooth phones are all GSM only. Since I occasionally find myself out in the boonies for work, I can't deal with all-or-nothing phone coverage.

I know some carriers have multi-mode GSM (i.e., can fall back to CDMA, analog, etc.) Cingular is one of these, I think.

Does anyone know when/if Cingular and AT&T will merge their networks or if AT&T will offer multi-mode GSM phones? I really want a Bluetooth phone, but have about 2yrs. left on my AT&T contract...not sure if paying the early termination fee + buying a new phone is worth it. I guess Sprint is an option...as is Cingular, but why pay to hop and then have them merge the networks/services a few months later?

PS - I know long-term wireless contracts are dumb. But I've been with AT&T for 5 years and couldn't imagine an instance where I'd need to move. Maybe I'll just have to suck it up and go somewhere else...

 

AT&T used to offer GAIT phones wich were both TDMA(digital not analog) and GSM. I don't know if any of those are bluetooth inabled. Cingular also offers these phones but not in all markets. I think they only offer these phones in markets where they are converting from TDMA to GSM.

 

Automata is correct. However, GAIT phones do not switch between networks very well. Also, they do not have Bluetooth. The general consensus in articles on the net is that the merger will be completed by the end of the year. However, don't expect the two networks to be joined into 1 immed. following the merger, that will take a few months.

 

The merger will be completed at the end of the year according to analysts. TDMA is going out the window. Cingular has already started building up their WCDMA network. Notice how some companies like nokia are making dual mode (wcdma/gsm) phones. Then we'll finally get 3G.