Well, Cingular wants everyone to �feel good� about the new merger. That�s fine. But some of the actions they are taking aren�t. Quoting from the Cingular transition site, www.thenewcingular.com
�Q: Why do I need to get a new wireless phone when I want to get Cingular�s current rate plans or services?
A: Cingular’s rate plans and services require unique software in your wireless phone to function properly. Unfortunately, AT&T Wireless phones are not equipped to support many of the benefits of Cingular’s voice and data services. Therefore, to take advantage of the latest services Cingular offers, a new handset is required.
Making the transition to a Cingular phone is easy. Plus, we offer a wide selection of innovative wireless phones. From basic voice and text messaging capable wireless phones to state-of-the art models with integrated cameras, multimedia messaging and wireless Internet features, we’re confident we have a Cingular phone to meet your needs.
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Q: As a former AT&T Wireless subscriber, can I keep my existing plan and wireless phone?
A: Yes, you are welcome to keep your existing rate plan and wireless phone. A new phone is only required if you wish to switch to a new Cingular rate plan. For example, adding more minutes to your current plan does not require a new wireless phone.�
Folks that is an out-and-out lie, Cingular has access to AT&T Wireless�s unlock codes and can OTA transfer the necessary new WAP, MMS, and GPRS information to customer�s phones. So, why are they going to make you throw your old phone in the trash (or more specifically, hand it over to Cingular), if you want a Cingular plan?
We�re beginning to find the answer is two-fold. One, Cingular doesn�t want to take the effort, and two, they think giving every customer a new Cingular-branded phone will make the transition go more smoothly.
But, we aren�t taking that for an answer. At Cingular Wireless Info (yes, you can still call it AT&T Wireless Info), our goal is to not only show Cingular is being a big fat liar, but we�re going to help you. We�re going to show you how you can take your GSM phone to Cingular. Of course, we�ll give Cingular the opportunity to fix this, and there is evidence that they may be working to provide the solution we described above.