Cellular geeking - carrier buy out

[danaeris]

Cingular just bought AT&T, if some of you weren't aware.

What does this mean for the future of cellphone options?

In the past, I got the impression that for service, Verizon was absolutely the best, and AT&T and Sprint were often a close second, followed by Cingular and T-Mobile.

What does this mean for Cingular's customer service?
Its phone lineup?
Its coverage area?

It may be that by the time my contract with Verizon expires, Cingular will be the way to go. My options are: Verizon, Cingular, Sprint, and T-Mobile. Am I missing any?

Should be interesting...

Comments

[auros]

Possibly as interesting: what does it mean for AT&T's customers? If they've been used to a certain level of service, and Cingular fails to provide it, they're more likely to notice a decline in service than people who simply never had better service to start with. And with number portability, Cingular might find that the asset it just bought is capable of walking out the door...

[emmett-the-sane.livejournal.com]

There's also Nextel and Metro-PCS. Apparently there's a Canadian cellphone company that provides Canada & US all in one plans, too. Don't recall the name but it was something obvious.

I actually kept forgetting that AT&T has cell service, even though my mom has them. I actually considered a Tungsten-W on sale for $149 at Compoosa with AT&T service. It was their only device that was AT&T. The woman behind the counter didn't KNOW they were an AT&T provider, and couldn't find any documentation on them.

[rightsock.livejournal.com]

I suppose it depends on whether they move customers from the cingular support network into the at&t support network or vice versa. More than likely they'll move customers into the cingular support network, as is the typical pattern with mergers and acquisitions.

it'll take about a year before things really get moving in the transition, though. Within the next year, though, it will be time to move. my phone is dying and I could use a new one (or a new battery, heh). I'd really like a bluetooth capable phone, but at&t only provides like three. Other providers have a wider selection.