Number Porting / Partner Network / Coverage Nationwide?

[jrblaze]

I currenty have service with a company called Unicel (partner network for AT&T according to AT&T's coverage map). I have been trying to find out information about somethings but I have been getting mixed answers. I have an iPhone on order from the online Apple Store.

1. According to the WirelessAdvisor website I can port my current Unicel number (zip code 03581) to AT&T/Cingular. But I was told by someone that I couldn't.

Can I port my Unicel number over to AT&T when I setup my new iPhone through iTunes?

2. I don't want any roaming charges.

Are the iPhone plans NationWide Coverage?

3. I know of someone in my area that already has an iPhone and everything works great.

Since I am will be using my iPhone in my *partner* area more than anywhere else will this be a problem?


I might have some more questions but that's it for now...

 

[killmoms]

3. I know of someone in my area that already has an iPhone and everything works great.

Since I am will be using my iPhone in my *partner* area more than anywhere else will this be a problem?


I might have some more questions but that's it for now...

Wait until that person gets their bill, then ask them how things look.

 

[jrblaze]

Wait until that person gets their bill, then ask them how things look.

Yes roaming charges are an issue but I am more concerned with getting booted off there network due to the fact that I am not using the phone in an area owned by AT&T...

 

[unity]

If you have an AT&T plan, no roaming since all they sell is nation-wide plans. Even with my GAIT phone, I swap my sim card in, I get CDMA coverage in an area where there is no GSM and I have no problems and never get charges.

 

[jrblaze]

Number/Billing Address

Okay, I have another question.

Since I live in a partner network I will have to setup a number that is from out of town.

When I setup my phone will I be able to use my home address (in a the partner network) or will I have to use another (out of town) address as my billing address then change it afterwards?

 

[unity]

Ok, I sorta re-read all this while NOT using my iPhone

Simple. If you want an iPhone, you must sign up with AT&T. Not a partner or anything of the sort. If AT&T does not sell in your area, your out of luck since that also means they have no local towers and you will be off-network all the time. Partner or not, you will not be on the main network.

Another post was similar to this. You can play dumb customer, but in this case it may not work out since you will be using this off-netowrk all the time. If you use more than 40% of your plan off-network, they can cancel you account and charger you termination fee. Its all in the fine print. You are also limited on Edge. So sure, you can pretend you live in an area that does sell true AT&T and get a plan setup under that zip code, but again - you will be off-network.

No port will work, because again AT&T does not sell in your area.

However, you will never see roaming charges from Cingular unless you pick up a Mexican or Canadian tower when near the boarder.

Now if someone is using the phone in your area all the time, see how they did it. But from what you say, no AT&T in your area would make that not possible OR they will find out in a couple months when they cant make calls.

 

[robre]

Good reception, but not in owned network

I'm in a similar situation, except AT&T's coverage map spills over the state line into where I live (Southern Illinois). So, according to my zip code, I don't qualify for a plan, but I would probably not be roaming while using the iphone if I were to get one and be able to activate it. It's a little frustrating that about 2 miles keeps me from having an iphone plan legitamately.

 

[jlwillia]

I have a similiar situation....

I will be moving in August to an area that has ATT owned coverage and I will legitametely qualify for an iPhone plan. However, during the Christmas holiday and possibly next summer, I will spend much of the time in a "partner coverage area". I'm sure more than 40% of my TOTAL time will be spend WITHIN the ATT owned coverage area, but the fine print says that ATT can cancel you if more than 40% of the time IN A MONTH is spend outside the area.

Does this mean ATT can cancel me if I spend most of December and possibly next summer outside ATT owned coverage area??