Home  ›  Carriers  ›

AT&T

Info & Phones News Forum  

all discussions

show all 13 replies

"free" 3G upgrade letter?

functiontelechy

Dec 20, 2010, 3:32 PM
Long-time lurker here.. I recently received a somewhat puzzling letter from AT&T (see below), and I'm wondering if anyone else got the same thing or can explain what's going on?

Short version: they're claiming that due to network upgrades, my current (non-3g) phone will no longer work starting next year, and I need to come into a store for a free upgrade.

Question 1: anyone know what's going on with the network here (in my case, southern california)? The phone I currently use (sony/ericsson K550i, purchased third-party) is not the one they have on file for my account, and it's not clear if this will actually interrupt my service.

Question 2: is this just a blatant attempt to pull in 2g hold-outs, offer them a cheap upgrade (ie, ful...
(continues)
...
CellStudent

Dec 20, 2010, 3:43 PM
AT&T has no incentive to devote radio waves to 2G GSM service any longer. If they move all their spectrum to 3G then it's a lot cheaper and gives better coverage to everyone, but you must have a 3G handset.

It is very likely that you will wake up one morning and find your old phone is now a paperweight. Better go get that newer model they're talking about.
...
functiontelechy

Dec 20, 2010, 3:48 PM
That makes sense.

Any recommendations for replacements, given the restrictions listed above?
...
acdc1a

Dec 21, 2010, 10:47 AM
If you like your service and want to stay with AT&T I like the Nokia 6350. It's a basic flip phone, but if you're still on a 2G phone it's likely a huge improvement. Many phones they're going to offer require data and/or text plans...at least to my knowledge.

Now may be a good time to shop the competition as well...but as I said, if you're happy with AT&T and it isn't broke...don't fix it.
...
CellStudent

Dec 22, 2010, 12:36 AM
functiontelechy said:
That makes sense.

Any recommendations for replacements, given the restrictions listed above?

Can't help you there. I'm a Verizon customer. The only GSMs I bother developing opinions about are the smartphones.
...
JeffroPuff

Jan 15, 2011, 3:14 PM
Wait. What? That's not true.

A lot of the AT&T is still 2G (GSM/EDGE)

And 2G phones are still in the line up, especially on GoPhone.
...
He who Lurks

Dec 20, 2010, 6:10 PM
No it is genuine. If you are on file as a 2g phone in certain markets, you get a free phone by trading in a t a store. no cost, no contract. and you cannot get the phones listed (ie most smartphones) but it is a pretty sweet deal and I wish I was in a market so affected.
...
deepskyblue

Dec 21, 2010, 1:19 PM
They must be referring to the phone they have on file because according to the phonescoop page for your phone it would still be supported.

That letter is targeting people who have single band GSM 1900 phones.

Your phone supports the following bands according to the phone scoop description:

GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

https://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=1132 »

Where 3G IS deployed the network is GSM 850 UMTS 1900. If 3G is NOT deployed they broadcast GSM in both bands GSM 850/1900. So if you phone is GSM 1900 only it's not longer supported once 3G is deployed.

In answer to your second question, they sent you that because they think your phone will no longer be supported and they don't want your to cancel. The don...
(continues)
...
deepskyblue

Dec 21, 2010, 1:29 PM
Little addendum here, "must match device of record."

Do you still have the phone they have on record? That would be the one to bring in. They may not notice if you bring your current phone though.
...
Azeron

Dec 21, 2010, 1:32 PM
Yes. Better bring in the one they have on file or you know they won't want to honor it.
Carriers do not like giving away handsets and reps do not like working with no commission to be made. (Generally speaking).
...
Azeron

Dec 21, 2010, 1:25 PM
Whoa! They are willing to give you a FREE upgrade with no contract extension?! You are probably costing them some money is some fashion. This is almost unheard of excepting cases where a carrier has absorbed another carrier's customer base with an incompatible technology.
...
Azeron

Dec 21, 2010, 1:30 PM
Well...if you go in to the store, I would be surprised if your rep doesn't try to talk you into an upgrade. That doesn't mean you can't just say No. Give me the free phone with no contract. Just don't get upset at a guy trying to make a bit of commission.
...
5555624

Jan 24, 2011, 8:18 AM
I received a similar letter on Saturday, although my "deadline" is in May. I currently have a Palm Treo 650 and they are telling me it will not work after they make the upgrades. They are offering me a free Palm Pixi Plus, with no change in my contract. (My contract has long since expired.) The letter does not mention it, but since I do not currently have a data plan, I would have to get a data plan, too, so there would be an additional monthly fee.

Since I don't need a smart phone, I am thinking of picking up an unlocked Samsung SGH-A657 -- I could used a ruggedized phone -- and just swapping my SIM card. (That's what I did with the Treo 650 -- I just bought it and put my SIM card in it.) I am just not sure if my current SIM card will wo...
(continues)
...
ghost765

Jan 24, 2011, 10:33 PM
As far as I know (I'm a rep from at&t) there is an ongoing campaign that is a migration from 2G to 3G, but I think is just for California and some texas areas. According to the policy, if you exchange your 2G device the store is not:

-going to renew the contract
-is not going to charge you for the phone.
...

You must log in to reply.

Please log in to report a message to the moderator.


all discussions

Subscribe to Phone Scoop News with RSS Follow @phonescoop on Threads Follow @phonescoop on Mastodon Phone Scoop on Facebook Follow on Instagram

 

Playwire

All content Copyright 2001-2024 Phone Factor, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Content on this site may not be copied or republished without formal permission.