Travel Technology - US GSM Services - Help!

In anticipation on the Nov. number portability, I am trying to research GSM services in the US. I currently have T-Mobile with a S-E T68i in the NYC area. My service is terrible but not sure if it is T-Mobile or my phone's reception (I hate the phone anyway, there is a delay on everything that drives me crazy). I travel abroad quite a bit and the T-Mobile coverage in Europe and Asia seems to have been quite good but in the States is pretty awful. I am thinking of switching to ATT come Nov but am unsure if I will just encounter the same problem. It also appears that ATT charges more for International roaming than T-Mobile. Any thoughts on this subject - Is it my service or the phone? Is ATT (with a GSM phone) any better/worse than T-Mob? Any help is appreciated!

The Siemens S55 has much, much better reception than the T68.

I've got T-mobile in Indianapolis, and am pretty happy with it.


[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 09-26-2003).]

I would stick with T-Mobile if I were you past the number portability date... Nothing will prevent you from moving after that if you wish. I would however suggest trying a phone OTHER than the T68i. I stopped using it due to low signal strength on both AT&T and Cingular.

Another thing to base your choice to move... how much do you use your phone outside the US?

[This message has been edited by NickP 1K (edited 09-26-2003).]

I am also a T68i user on Cingular in the US.

The T68i does not have the greatest antenna design. You can probably get better RF performance out of another phone. On the other hand, I've yet to find one that I like better with similar features.

Thanks for the advice - Honestly I rarely use any of the T68i's features besides making calls, sms and its tri-band capabilities. So I guess I am looking for a new phone with much better recpetion that is small and tri-band - Used to have the Nokia 8890 liked it much better but it was stolen in London and is by now a really old model. Any suggestions on that one?

Uuuuh, the Siemens S55 (http://www.my-siemens.com/MySiemens/CDA/Index/0,1046,HQ_en_0_product%253AMW%252FHD%252FHD%252FS5 5%252Fdesc,00.html)??

[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 09-26-2003).]

The Siemens S55 is a good performer and a good all 'rounder of a phone but I find the display a bit lacking and the menu structure is overcomplex. Also, it is susceptible to wind noise so if you use it while walking outside be aware of that fact. Were I you, my choice would be the Nokia 6100 (http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=106406&asource=). Small, light, great battery life and much better RF than the T68i. Alternatively if you want a camera, the Nokia 7250 would be a good choice.

If you are looking for another phone anyways and want coverage in the states, get a GSM/TMDA/Analog one for use here, keep your tri band and stick the SIM in it when you travel. It's what I'm doing now with AT&T.

I still believe that a GSM only phone is a real gamble because the coverate is so bad in the states (even in New York City where i use it every day) and having the other bands to fall back on is a real help.

Another T-Mobile / T68i user here. I don't think its the phone necessarily.

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A friend of mine has an S55 and likes it a lot. The Nokia 6310i is slightly large although quite thin. I actually like the feel of it and find it quite lightweight and pocketable. From what I have read the S55 has good RF performance but not as good as the Nokia. Ditto on battery life. The 6310i is just a killer on both battery and RF performance. Im probably getting an S55 as a second phone. They look quite nice.

Also there is a quad band Motorola flip phone coming out, probably before the end of the year that has Bluetooth. It will be pricey ($600ish it looks like).