Cingular 3G (UMTS HSDPA) rollout

[DaveS]

Not sure where to place this question, but I am hoping this is the right place. In short I have a Treo 650 on Cingular and I use the Good Messaging software. All in all everyting works great but like most I am looking to upgrade soon. My primary use is email including downloading what can be large documents and some web browsing. I have EDGE service now and when I test my connection it seems to be around 125kbps which seems typical if not fast for EDGE. However the 300-600 kbps I can expect with 3G is far better I would really like to move up to 3G but have a few questions/concerns:

1. I live in Los Angeles area Cingular has not rolled out the 3G service here and nobody seems to know when to expect it. Not surprisingly Cingular is very elusive on this question. Does anybody on here have any idea when greater L.A. should have this service?

2. I have been extremely happy with the 650 but because I really want the increased data speed I am willing to switch to the 750 when it releases if 3G comes to my area in the near future--maybe 3-6 months and there will not be a 750p (based on what I read and hear something in the POS can not handle UMTS and the ability to do voice and data at the same time). If a 750p is coming and it is 3G capable then I will wait a few months. Anybody know the answer to this?

3. Does Cingular have a higher data rate for 3G than EDGE currently? I am still on the Mediaworks unlimited $20 plan and they have never forced me to upgrade to a pda plan. At a $20-$30 per month saving over the pda plan I will probably not try and get a rebate for a new device and plan if I will end up paying that back in a few months--but if 3G requires a higher priced data plan then I will. I guess Cingular subscribers in other parts of the country will need to answer this.

Thanks

[Larry]

Hi Dave -

I was a very happy Sprint Treo 650 user who migrated to the 700p as soon as it came out, in search of the increased EVDO speed.

To make a long story short, I've been very unhappy with the experience of Sprint/700p. In fact, I often considered moving back to the 650 - but never did. If Sprint had good customer service I might not be posting this...but that's another story!

Recently, I went to my local Cingular store and purchased an 8525. This phone is supposed to work on the 3G network - but as you pointed out 3G is unavailable right now in Los Angeles. I spoke with a Cingular customer service rep, and she told me that while 3G is turned on in a few areas (I've heard that Marina Del Rey has some coverage, and places in the valley) most of Los Angles should be activated by the end of December.

No promises were made, but the woman seemed genuinely interested in the issue, and consulted higher levels of tech support a few times.

I have a couple of different phones, and have found EDGE to be pretty good speed-wise. Not as quick as EVDO, but much more consistent. I had an EDGE device with Cingular (an unlocked Nokia E61) and I was quite happy with the email speed, though the browsing speed left a bit to be desired.

If you choose to wait for the 750 3G should be really great. I have heard that it's faster than EVDO. I've found the 8525 to be a great Treo alternative - so maybe you'd like to check that out if the 750 is delayed much longer. Another thing I like about the 8525 is that it is Wifi enabled, so I can watch my Slingbox...

BTW - I still have my 700p active on Sprint, and do feel that the Treo is an awesome phone design in general. It just needs a little design refresh, IMO, and 3G data speed. I'll certainly check it the 750 if and when it's released, as my Cingular experience has been much better than Sprint.

Cheers!
Larry