XDA II/AT&T Wireless: Compatibility Question

[RCW1126]

I'm considering a move from my iPAQ 5455 (Upgraded to Windows Mobile 2003 OS) to an XDA II so that I can combine phone and PDA. In the process, I'd like to use AT&T Wireless as my carrier.

I know that AT&T Wireless will supply the appropriate SIM chip for the XDA II. Is anyone aware of any compatability issues I might consider in the process?

For instance, the XDA II is rigged for operation on frequencies 900/1800/1900. AT&T Wireless, I understand, operates on both 850 and 1800. Is the XDA II's inability to operate on 850 a material limitation?

Are there others lurking out there?

Thanks very much.

[mcalbala]

There is no such thing as an XDA II Sim. I am running an XDA II on Tmobile, just take your old SIM and place it into the phone, and you will be fine. The XDA II is an unlocked phone, so there should be no issue.

[Wes Salmon]

An AT&T SIM should work fine the XDA II provided it is not SIM locked. :)

The lack of 850 support should only mean that you are limited to AT&T's 1900Mhz coverage. (I believe 1800Mhz is European band and not used in the US).

I use an AT&T SIM in my XDA II with no compatibility issues as of yet.

[Janak Parekh]

I'm considering a move from my iPAQ 5455 (Upgraded to Windows Mobile 2003 OS) to an XDA II so that I can combine phone and PDA. In the process, I'd like to use AT&T Wireless as my carrier.
I don't recommend this. :| While Wes is correct, the lack of GSM 850 coverage will grow increasingly problematic as AT&T builds out its GSM 850 network.

--janak

[Wes Salmon]

I don't recommend this. :| While Wes is correct, the lack of GSM 850 coverage will grow increasingly problematic as AT&T builds out its GSM 850 network.

True, if 850Mhz coverage in an area that doesn't support 1900Mhz is a factor for you, you probably shouldn't buy any non-850Mhz phone.

However, there is no reason to suspect AT&T will be expanding their 850Mhz coverage at the expense of their existing 1900Mhz infrastructure. I suspect the 1900Mhz coverage they have today will exist next year and most likely beyond that, by which time you will have bought another phone anyway. :)

There was a lot of fuss over the MPx200 trade-in offer and a lot of people felt that 1900Mhz coverage was being converted to 850Mhz only, leaving 1900Mhz phones useless and from my understanding this is not accurate.

[Janak Parekh]

However, there is no reason to suspect AT&T will be expanding their 850Mhz coverage at the expense of their existing 1900Mhz infrastructure. I suspect the 1900Mhz coverage they have today will exist next year and most likely beyond that, by which time you will have bought another phone anyway. :)
Not at the expense per se, but in many places (for example, the Northeast) the 1900MHz network is very patchy, since they often use 800MHz tower spacing, as that's been their traditional network in this area.

leaving 1900Mhz phones useless and from my understanding this is not accurate.
Well, it's a tough thing to characterize. For many, it is useless, as they get terrible coverage. :(

--janak

[Wes Salmon]

But we're talking about two different things. You're talking about AT&T's migration to 850Mhz which adversely effects any non-850Mhz phone, while the question was does the XDA II work on AT&T. It most certainly does just as good as any other non-850Mhz phone which includes the vast majority of GSM phones available regardless of manufacturer, and it will continue to work for years to come barring any major change in the current thinking regarding 850 and 1900Mhz cohabitation.

[brysmi]

I am also looking into an XDA II for use with AT&T Wireless in the USA. AT&T Wireless has substantially increased increased it's GSM coverage in the US, especially in the midwest. This makes it a huge advantage over other carriers (i.e., T-Mobile). However, they seem to be using the 850/1800/1900 MHz bands as opposed to the 900/1800/1900 MHz bands. The XDA II comes in 900/1800/1900 tri-band.

So a few specific questions pop into my mind?
1) Do these bands "co-exist" in the same area or are you using only one band in an area at a time?

2) If an area is only covered by 850, will a phone with 900/1800/1900 work in that area?

3) I have heard that North America is one of the only countries using 850, so is this the most "popular" band?

4) Which band(s) did AT&T Wireless use to so dramatically increase their coverage?

5) Has anyone heard when a quad-band XDA will be available?

Answers to these questions will help me decide on an XDA II or Blackberry (which can be purchased in either tri-band modes).

Thanks for the help.

[Janak Parekh]

1) Do these bands "co-exist" in the same area or are you using only one band in an area at a time?
Sometimes. If they have both bands in an area, you'll get much better coverage if you have a phone that can handle both.

2) If an area is only covered by 850, will a phone with 900/1800/1900 work in that area?
Nope -- and for that single reason I recommend you stay away from the XDA II for now. :(

3) I have heard that North America is one of the only countries using 850, so is this the most "popular" band?
North America as a whole will be deploying the GSM 850 band. It's a second band to add to GSM 1900. Europe and Asia uses 900/1800 (North America can't, due to military frequency use).

4) Which band(s) did AT&T Wireless use to so dramatically increase their coverage?
GSM 850. This is primarily because they've owned 800MHz licenses throughout the US for years -- so they can just convert their TDMA/AMPS towers right over to GSM.

5) Has anyone heard when a quad-band XDA will be available?
Maybe. The iPAQ 6300 series device is rumored to be out shortly, and will be quadband, and will have both WiFi and Bluetooth. I also think a BenQ device will be, and will have a keyboard. Try searching for more info on either one.

--janak