AT&T Wireless today announced that its customers that are receiving corporate discounts will be able to continue to receive their corporate discounts even if they switch to Cingular phones and Cingular plans… just not immediately. AT&T stated on their corporate discount web site, Premier, that there will be a delay between when customers will be able to receive their discounts on Cingular phones and plans, and when normal customers will be able to, as it will take time for AT&T’s corporate discount division (NBO) to assimilate all of Cingular’s billing and devices into their system.
The entire FAQ can be read in the extended portion of this article (Note: Lots of new merger info). Also, the FAQ points to that while Cingular phones cannot be used with AT&T SIMs, that this may be corrected in the future (perhaps they listened…), and it says that Cingular customers will be able to switch to an AT&T plan!
OVERVIEW:
Due to Federal regulations, AT&T Wireless and Cingular were required to function as separate companies and competitors right up until the day that the acquisition was completed. While we will move quickly to integrate our B2B organizations, our primary concern is to maintain the proper support of our existing business customers. Your needs will be paramount in the days and weeks ahead.
Today, it’s business as usual for our subscribers and we stand ready to serve you. All contracts with both AT&T Wireless and Cingular remain valid and will be honored. Existing AT&T Wireless customers will continue to have B2B contracts, accounts, discounts, and support come from the AT&T Wireless side of the new Cingular. Existing Cingular customers will continue to have B2B contracts, accounts, discounts, and support come from the Cingular side of the new Cingular Wireless.
Contracts
Q: Is my current individual wireless contract still in effect or must I sign new one?
All contracts with both Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless remain valid and will be honored. There is no need to sign a new contract.
Q: How do I know which wireless company my employer has a national contract with?
A: Check your company’s benefits page or contact your Wireless Program Administrator for information regarding preferred suppliers. You can also visit http://www.attws.com/business and enter your work email address to find out if you qualify for additional savings.
Q: If my employer has a contract with both Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless, which do I use?
A: The choice is yours. We suggest you review the features and benefits of the plans offered by Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless and select the plan that is best for you. Our Business Markets Group Sales Representatives would also be happy to assist you with the selection process.
Coverage
Q: Will my local coverage or National Roaming Coverage be affected?
A: The acquisition of AT&T Wireless will give customers of the new Cingular more company-owned network coverage than they had with either Cingular or AT&T Wireless as stand-alone companies. Earlier this year, Cingular and AT&T Wireless opened their networks to enable customers to roam freely and enjoy enhanced coverage and improved call quality.
Q: How will International Roaming be affected?
A: To date, both AT&T Wireless and Cingular have invested heavily in rolling out GSM technology (the global wireless standard) across their respective markets. Our vision is to assist our customer in realizing a ‘one world’ platform for broadband communications. Existing AT&T Wireless customers on an AT&T Wireless International Roaming plan will still have access to voice coverage in more than 150 countries and in more than 70 countries for data.
Q: Will I need to get a new or different international roaming package?
A: No, AT&T Wireless customers are not required to get a new or different international roaming package. If existing Cingular Wireless customers wish to upgrade their international roaming packages they should contact a Business Markets Group Sales Representative.
Ordering & discounts
Q: Do my discounts remain the same?
A: Yes, your discounts will remain the same. To find out about your discount options please check the Premier website under “My Deals” or contact a Business Markets Group Sales Representative.
Q: What’s changing on my AT&T Wireless Plan?
A: Your AT&T Wireless plan is staying exactly the same for now. There are no immediate plan changes, meaning you will still get all of the great features and benefits that you currently have.
Q: Can AT&T Wireless customers still get discounts if they order from the Cingular Wireless side of the newly combined company?
A: At this time, if you order from the Cingular side of the newly combined company, you will not get your discounts. However, Premier will be offering Cingular plans and equipment in the near future. At that time, you will be able to order Cingular plans and equipment, and get your discounts.
Change equipment and/or plan
Q: I’m an AT&T Wireless subscriber. I like my device but I’m interested in changing my rate plan. Can I change to a different AT&T Wireless plan?
A: Yes, you may choose a new plan from the Premier website. If you have a GSM device, you can switch to a different GSM rate plan. If you have a TDMA device, you can switch to a different TDMA rate plan. If you are looking to change to a rate plan that is not compatible with your device, you would need to upgrade your device.
Q: I’m an AT&T Wireless subscriber. I like my device and want to keep it, but I’m interested in a rate plan offered on the Cingular web site. Can I change my plan to be a Cingular plan?
A: If you choose a new plan from Cingular, you will be required to purchase new equipment from Cingular. This is due to how your current wireless device was initially configured for use on the AT&T Wireless side of the combined company’s network.
Q: I’m an AT&T Wireless subscriber. Now that AT&T Wireless and Cingular are one company, can you provide me with Roll-Over Minutes?
A: You may get Roll-Over Minutes only if you choose to sign up for a plan and buy new equipment from the Cingular Wireless side of the combined company (you would lose your AT&T Wireless discounts). At this time, we are one company in the process of synchronizing our systems and offers.
Q: I’m an AT&T Wireless subscriber. I like my plan and I want to keep it, but I am looking to change equipment. What are my options?
A: You may choose new equipment from the Premier website. If you have a GSM plan, you can switch to a different GSM device. If you have a TDMA plan, you can switch to a different TDMA device. If you are looking to change to a different device that is not compatible with your rate plan, you would need to change your rate plan as well.
Q: Can I swap my current AT&T Wireless GSM equipment SIM into equipment from the Cingular Wireless side of the combined company?
A: No. At this time, AT&T Wireless SIM cards will not work in Cingular Wireless equipment.
Q: Can I change my plan and equipment to the Cingular Wireless side of the newly combined company?
A: Yes, you may switch to the Cingular Wireless side of the newly combined company. However, at this time, AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless have separate billing and discounting structures which means that you will not receive your AT&T Wireless discounts. Also, for corporate liable accounts, your company’s consolidated billing would not include accounts created on the Cingular Wireless side of the newly combined company.
Local number portability
Q: Currently I am porting my phone to AT&T Wireless�will anything be affected because of the acquisition?
A: If you are porting your wireless number and it is currently “in process”, the process will complete as originally submitted.
Q: If I want to port to the Cingular Wireless side of the newly combined company� is there a charge?
A: At this time, we are not porting business customers from AT&T Wireless side of the combined company to the Cingular Wireless side of the combined company. If a Cingular business customer chooses to port to the AT&T Wireless side of the combined company, there will be no charge.
Support
Q: Will my Call-in Support numbers remain the same?
A: Yes, the AT&T Wireless support lines remain open to customers. Our Business Customer Services representatives are standing by to help you. Please check the Help link on any Premier page to get the support number that you should use.
Q: Where do I get Premier specific questions answered?
A: You can get your questions answered by:
1. Click on the Help link found on every page of the Premier Website; or
2. Contact a Business Markets Group Sales Representative.
Q: Will I still go to OCS to manage my account?
A: Yes, the AT&T Wireless Online Customer Service will continue to be available to former AT&T Wireless customers. Simply visit this URL: https://www.attwireless.com/ocs/index.jhtml.
Billing
Q: Will there be any changes to how I pay my bill?
A: There are no changes regarding how you pay your bill. You may continue to pay your bills exactly as you have paid them prior to the merging of Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless.
Q: Will my Mobile To Mobile (MTM) minutes work between my two lines of service – where each are on different sides of the newly combined company?
A: At this time, your MTM minutes will not work between your Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless lines of service. At this time, we are one company in the process of synchronizing our systems and offers.