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Unplugging the old network?

Mig

Feb 4, 2011, 8:21 PM
Recd a letter and later a text message saying my phone and rate plan will be terminated on May 15, 2011 due to their network upgrades. Called their toll-free number they said the "old network" is be turned off. Signed up with AT&T wireless back in 2003 and haven't changed either the phone or the rate plan. My phone(Nokia 6200) is a GSM and I'm unsure why it won't work (their claim) after 5/15/11. I'm still a hold out for the dumb phones that just makes calls.
Does anyone know what's going on and why won't my phone under a different rate plan?
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Azeron

Feb 5, 2011, 1:45 AM
GSM 850 1800 and 1900. I have no idea why they would give you the boot. Surely this is some sort of mistake.
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HzD incredible

Mar 3, 2011, 11:54 PM
we are getting rid of GSM towers which is our first generation network. we are back hauling and updating all towers to 3g and some to 2g. and GSM phones will no longer have towers for coverage.
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insider.

Feb 5, 2011, 2:31 PM
as a member of AT&T *WIRELESS* (pre cingular merger) you have a legacy rate plan and equipment and have access to the blue wireless network (original AT&T wireless). Once Cingular purchased AT&T Wireless in 2004 and then Cingular's parent company, SBC purchased AT&T later on, you were allowed to continue on your old legacy plan which was sold by AT&T Wireless back in the day. This process has continued from 2003 all the way until 2011 in the interim...now they are requiring you to upgrade your phone or change your plan to a *new* at&t mobility plan. FYI
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Mig

Feb 5, 2011, 5:44 PM
Insider: Thanks but what I don't understand is why my current phone won't work after the cut-off date. AT&T is a GSM network and my phone is GSM. If I don't update guess they will turn off my service.
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asiatic1982

Feb 5, 2011, 8:42 PM
Your phone is locked to ATT Wireless - new ATT (old Cingular) sim cards will not work in those devices unless they are unlocked. ATT does not unlock those devices b/c they want you to get a new device (and the corresponding 2 yr agreement). You could unlock the phone and it would work fine - either at a local place that does it or by looking online.
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Mig

Feb 5, 2011, 9:10 PM
The phone is already unlocked.
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insider.

Feb 7, 2011, 4:17 PM
Mig: if you are 100% certain your phone is unlocked (tested with other carrier's sim) and you don't mind data not working, you can get a new at&t sim and use the unlocked phone with voice and text only on a brand new at&t plan of your choosing.
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Mig

Feb 7, 2011, 4:22 PM
Very certain its unlocked and voice and text are fine for me. How does you get a new AT&T sim?
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insider.

Feb 7, 2011, 6:00 PM
at a retail store. select the new at&t plan and request a sim card since your phone is unlocked.
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epik

Feb 5, 2011, 3:00 PM
This is nothing new for AT&T(Cingular). Every few years someone gets booted for old equipment or an old type of plan. The first one I encountered was following the Cingular acquisition, when they just shut off all TDMA in the state one day. Other places still had it on, but not where I was at the time.
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Azeron

Feb 5, 2011, 5:52 PM
I would not change a thing. This makes no sense. Is your rate plan THAT attractive?
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Fredd

Feb 8, 2011, 4:51 PM
Bad advice. When the legacy "Blue" network (pre-merger AT&T Wireless) is deactivated, devices such as this may not work at all. I had TDMA customers that kept ignoring the notes on their bills, calls from migration teams, etc, and were mad when their devices no longer worked. We warned you PLENTY of times!
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I_Flogged_molly

Feb 13, 2011, 8:16 PM
You may be effected under the "1900 MHz Band Shut Down" Its basicaly taking down the old network and bringing up more 3g covrage. If you ARE in an effected market, as it sounds like. Then your phone will not work, regardless of GSM or not. Att now uses GSM and UMTS GSM is the oldest of the 2. Unless you have a duel band device ( one that runs on 850 & 1900 mhz you would be effected)
It's not becuase ATT wants you to get a new device or plan bla bla bla. It's because they are trying to improve the network just like when TDMA was shut off. Times are changing and GSM is going to be the next TDMA.
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