Cingular beginning next month will insert an administrative charge of $5 per month for customers who have not migrated to Cingular’s GSM network. The fee is to encourage migration, and reduce the remaining TDMA customer base.
In internal memos obtained by PCS Intel, Cingular will attempt to leverage this charge in order to push forward the shutdown date of Cingular’s TDMA and AMPS networks. The administrative charge also is questionable as to contract terms. Cingular, while not allowing customers to leave contracts for administrative charges, appears to be doing so. However, most Cingular TDMA customers do are not under contract.
This fee does not apply to prepaid TDMA customers, under Cingular GoPhone, KIC, or former AT&T Wireless free2go prepaid customers. Cingular is however offering all prepaid TDMA customers a free Sony Ericsson Z300a to switch to a GSM GoPhone, along with a transfer of their phone number and existing airtime balance.
