Will my handset lacking the 850 MHz band work on the at&t/Cingular network?

[walkguru]

here in the okc area, 850 is all we got, so far. and no 3g.

[Guitar1969]

But what's the default when 850and 1900 are both available in an area. If I have my Blackjack in Auto network mode it picks up 850 at my work(Anaheim- very populated). But if I force it to 1900 it has full bars as well. Which is considered better if both are available and if 1900 is, I am woindering why my phone wouldn't pick it up as the preferred band.

[biofilter69]

co in the cleveland are it shows no 850 till about midway down the state so in cleveland it wouldnt matter?

[char777]

co in the cleveland are it shows no 850 till about midway down the state so in cleveland it wouldnt matter?

If you're looking at those maps from GSM World, then I would advise you to stop looking at them, for they are not accurate. If you really want a phone that is lacking 850 MHz, you are welcomed to do so, but nobody can guarantee how well it will work.

[formercanuck]

But what's the default when 850and 1900 are both available in an area. If I have my Blackjack in Auto network mode it picks up 850 at my work(Anaheim- very populated). But if I force it to 1900 it has full bars as well. Which is considered better if both are available and if 1900 is, I am woindering why my phone wouldn't pick it up as the preferred band.

Technically, 850 will pick up first, as it is typically 'stronger' (i.e. better dBm rating, with everything else being equal, will cause it to be used). Also, everything isn't equal. AT&T has most of Cell A band (25MHz) to dedicate to GSM (lets say 20MHz). On the PCS (1900MHz) band, AT&T is using 10MHz (min. for UMTS), and PCS D band for GSM (10MHz).
Not all areas use both bands. Some areas here in So-Cal (Stevenson's Ranch, Canyon Country) have some smaller sites that are using GSM 850 ONLY.

That gives GSM 850 a 2:1 capacity advantage, and typically your phone will lock onto it because of its signal.
I.e. on my old Motorola V505, I would almost always end up on GSM 850.
If you're looking for 'less used' spectrum, jump onto 1900 MHz. I think its used more for capacity overflow right now. I will end up on GSM 1900 when I force my Motorola to EFR or AMR-full rate codecs.

[Scottish Skyedance]

at&t runs both in NYC (at least my 6680 showed)
however, it's 1900 in Fort Jackson, SC (when roamed, used 6230 US version)

[Wildwolves]

I live in Omaha, Ne and they ONLY use the 1900 band here.

I still use my N75 which is quad band, but some cities don't even utilize 850 anymore.

I used an LG phone without 850 for several months without any major problems. Sure I would drop a call occasionally, but that still holds true with my N75 that is quad band.

You are absolutely correct and because of the interference with police bands cell phones are going higher in frequency bands. So who knows. I have a V3x and it works fine in the DC area. If you have a scanner go to the frequency and check for signal in that range. I don't believe than 850 is the ticket that it used to be. But it is best to always have more frequency ranges available in your phone.

[awj223]

You are absolutely correct and because of the interference with police bands cell phones are going higher in frequency bands. So who knows. I have a V3x and it works fine in the DC area. If you have a scanner go to the frequency and check for signal in that range. I don't believe than 850 is the ticket that it used to be. But it is best to always have more frequency ranges available in your phone.

The SMR 850 spectrum (Nextel) got relocated to make room for emergency services, but the cellular 850 spectrum isn't going anywhere.

[awj223]

If you're looking for 'less used' spectrum, jump onto 1900 MHz. I think its used more for capacity overflow right now. I will end up on GSM 1900 when I force my Motorola to EFR or AMR-full rate codecs.

What happens when you go out of 1900 coverage and your phone can only use EFR or AMR-FR? Will you start using EFR/AMR-FR on GSM 850 or will the call just drop?

[IronCross]

What happens when you go out of 1900 coverage and your phone can only use EFR or AMR-FR? Will you start using EFR/AMR-FR on GSM 850 or will the call just drop?

Bumping this because I'd like an answer to it as well.

[gerardcon]

The best thing to do is to buy any tri band phone at comp usa or fry's electronics and if it doesn't work return it. If it does then you can still return it and buy a tri band phone online with confidence. That way you don't have to hassle with online returns.

[REAL]

850 wasnt implemented until recently like within the past few years and before that it was all 1900 so the network was decent. so if you had a 1900 only phone you would be getting the same network that cingular had up until around 2003, when was the frist 850 towers introduced?

[char777]

850 wasnt implemented until recently like within the past few years and before that it was all 1900 so the network was decent. so if you had a 1900 only phone you would be getting the same network that cingular had up until around 2003, when was the frist 850 towers introduced?

Yeah, but they're taking out a lot of the 1900 spectrum for UMTS and HSDPA. When I use my sans-850 phone, I've noticed a dramatic deterioration of coverage since AT&T flipped the switch on 3G in my area in October.

[REAL]

well if you have a 1900 only phone you probably be getting superior coverage with tmobile instead of att

[char777]

well if you have a 1900 only phone you probably be getting superior coverage with tmobile instead of att

Stating the obvious...