Nokia 6340i

Sony/Ericsson T62U

An Interim Solution to Cingular and AT&T's GSM coverage problems could be a GAIT phone which works on GSM (1900 Mhz & 850 Mhz), TDMA (800 Mhz & 1900 Mhz), and AMPS (800 Mhz) networks. There are two GAIT phones that are being manufactured. Cingular sells both the Nokia 6340i and the Sony/Ericsson T62u, but not in California (but they are available in a roundabout way). AT&T now sells the T62u, including in California.

Be aware that these phones are programmed to use a TDMA network only when there is no GSM signal at all. A weak GSM signal will trump a strong TDMA signal, even if you are unable to make a call because the GSM signal is too weak. Similarly, AMPS is the last resort, these phones cannot be manually forced to AMPS, they will go to AMPS only if there is absolutely no GSM or TDMA signal at all.

There have been numerous problems reported with both the Nokia 6340i and the Sony/Ericsson T62u. However part of the problem may be that the expectations of the users is too high. GAIT is not a panacea for poor GSM coverage, it's a temporary workaround to provide coverage where GSM is non-existent.

On 8 August 2003 I had a conversation with someone from Cingular's Western Region. Cingular will sell GAIT phones to California subscribers but this is not publicized by Cingular. If you are interested in a GAIT phone on Cingular in California please contact me and I will forward your information on to the proper person at Cingular. You cannot get the GAIT phone in a store or on-line, only by directly contacting the proper person at the corporate office. I am not at liberty to release the name or e-mail address if the proper person.

That said, I would advise against getting a GAIT phone on Cingular in California because they will program it such that you cannot roam on TDMA carriers in California, and it may be the case that you cannot roam on any TDMA carrier other than Cingular. If you want GAIT you should switch to AT&T Wireless.

There are still a bunch of countries that have TDMA service with roaming onto AT&T and Cingular, but that lack GSM service. This is one more reason to get a GAIT phone if your are switching to GSM from TDMA.