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Well I'll be damned.

South Dakota is finally going to get AT&T service.

Mentalward, where did you source that photo? Also, has anyone found a timeline on conversion? My contract with a regional GSM carrier is ending soon so I was planning on switching to Verizon, but if the roll-out is fast enough I might not bother.

Within 12 months is what AT&T is publicly saying, but it may be faster. Since it's likely that the Dakotas and the portions of WY, MT and MN are going to be one market, it may be a while... I will say it's getting better for my phone.
 
I wouldn't count on that.

I seriously doubt AT&T is going to bother with large scale 3G deployment in the middle of nowhere.

Hell, knowing them they'll just retrofit the CDMA towers and only deploy EDGE.:rolleyes:

Actually, AT&T DOES plan on deploying 3G in the divested markets. Here are clips I copied directly from some of their FCC filings, and they represent a message that was repeated dozens of times throughout the approval process:

"AT&T plans to deploy 3G UMTS networks throughout the markets being acquired, many of which are rural, and we stressed the importance of expedited action to ensure that the benefits of the transaction can be achieved promptly."

"The public interest benefits of this transaction are indisputable. AT&T will invest approximately $400 million to build out mobile broadband networks, creating new jobs and opportunities across wide swaths of rural America. Consumers in the affected communities will gain access to America’s fastest 3G mobile broadband network with accelerated mobile data speeds and simultaneous voice and data capabilities, as well as access to an industry-leading WiFi network with 20,000 hotspots in the U.S."

"Divestiture CDMA Network Subscribers also will have access on the 3G HSPA broadband wireless network to enhanced services -- such as enhanced voice mail, call forwarding, and three party calling -- that are similar to those currently available."

Finally, this is from AT&T's press release:

"Once network transition work is completed, the approximately 1.6 million subscribers in these service areas will enjoy the benefits of AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband network — the nation’s fastest. AT&T expects to roll out its 3G service to all of the acquired properties."
 
Anyone heard any news as of late? Any mumblings in the local Alltel stores?

I'm eager to switch to legitimate iPhone usage, as the whole unlocking/jailbreaking scene is a bit too dramatic for me.
 
I was in my local Alltel store in Laramie, WY the other day (fixing the stupid Blackberry I have been crippled with while waiting for my contract to fully expire so I can reassess my provider situation) and they told me that the switch should be completed for us before December. I kind of played dumb while I was talking to them, allowed them to bring up the fact that I was eligible for an upgrade, then I mentioned that my fiance is on Verizon, and we were going to wait a while and see what happens with the ATT merger before we decide who will have to switch carriers. Then I mentioned that the only real pull for ATT in my mind is that I could get a iPhone, and by the way did they know when that might happen in our area...?

It makes sense that they would hit this area up first, since this part of the state has the University, and I don't know how many students and parents I talked to while I worked there who basically had to switch their family's cell phone service so that they could all be on the same plan and have the student have a working phone.

Anyway, I have been waiting for the opportunity to have an Iphone for a LONG time, and am excited to see what happens! If I can't get one until December anyway then I might as well make sure I get the white one, right :)

P.S. Does anyone know if they will continue allowing anyone with a pre-January 1 upgrade eligibility date to get the new iPhone at launch without buying it unsubsidized? Could help in the decision-making process...
 
I would just like to say that Verizon is launching the iPhone 4 on their network on Tuesday! I'm so happy that I will be able to get a CDMA iPhone and have service in NE Montana.. since we rely on little local CDMA providers in small towns. I have to give the small guys respect.. They do I decent job with service they are just not up to date with big carries... But I can understand why its very expensive to upgrade from 1xRTT to 3g, but i have to say you will be more satisfied with a iPhone on Big V's Network vs. ATT. And also I can't wait till 4G gets up here!
 
Oh damn, I'm in that group. Southwest Minnesota. Kinda confused where its all going, but doesn't matter too much. Vz service is too strong here for how bum-(beep) rural this area is to consider anyon else.
 
so Verizon will need to update this:
att-verizon-map-coverage.jpg

That map is way out dated and that's why I hated those commercials. It shows no coverage in Elizabethtown, Kentucky but I've had 5 full bars of 3G for the past 3-4 years
 
Coming Home

Have to say that regardless of who I end up going with...I will now be moving to Libby Montana between now and May and know that I can KEEP and USE my iPhone. I was there last August and like another poster...could only get the Edge network and did see some 3G bars when we went to Kalispell. OP we will be neighbors soon...LOL
 
I missed the humor, that's for sure. I found it rude and belittling.


To stay on topic... OP, congrats, I hope you enjoy your inevitable iPhone 4 purchase!

Or he could just wait until June and get the iPhone5 and by then AT&T should have rolled out at least a decent 3G net on his area. He'll have the latest iPhone model + 3G and behold 4G.


Chester - iPhone using Tapatalk
 
That map is way out dated and that's why I hated those commercials. It shows no coverage in Elizabethtown, Kentucky but I've had 5 full bars of 3G for the past 3-4 years

Here are AT&T's and Verizon's latest maps from today.

Blue indicates AT&T 3G coverage. Red is Verizon's 3G.
 

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That map is way out dated and that's why I hated those commercials. It shows no coverage in Elizabethtown, Kentucky but I've had 5 full bars of 3G for the past 3-4 years

We are neighbors!!! I have also had 3G Coverage in Radcliff and Fort Knox for over a year now. I have a tower sitting 1 mile away and it gives me full bars in the house...LOVE IT.

Sadly I have to loose technology to move back to the home state I love so much. This post at least shows me that I wont be taking to big of hit and will still be able to use my iPhone on AT&T or Verizon, regardless what it is, I will also have to purchase a landline because their are no towers close to where we will be living on the Kootenai:(
 
Wait, I thought we gave the Dakota's back to Canada. Something about being too damned cold and flat....
So it is good news then!
 
I'll be watching the liveblogs for the events like a rabid dog on Tuesday. I gave up on my local GSM provider back in August and made the jump to Verizon, I simply couldn't stand the constant dropped calls and less-than-EDGE service out here in the middle of nowhere South Dakota.

I've been pleasantly surprised with Verizon's service. The phone calls are rock solid and sound a lot better, I've only had a single dropped call in four months of service, and the 3G data service is amazing. This being said, I absolutely LOATHE my Droid X. It's buggy, it's slow, apps (CORE apps) freeze all the time, the battery life is terrible, it's just a terrible experience. I went from having a phone I loved but service I hated to having a phone I hate, with service I love.

I have a feeling that I'll have to pony up the full $500-$600 for the iPhone on Big Red, but with money I'll get from the Droid X, it'll be well worth the price for the upgrade. I cannot wait.
 
I have a feeling that I'll have to pony up the full $500-$600 for the iPhone on Big Red, but with money I'll get from the Droid X, it'll be well worth the price for the upgrade. I cannot wait.

I personally think you'll really enjoy your iPhone once you get it. I'm not a fan boy, nor am I a Android retractor. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. But I think since you're coming from a Droid X, you'll giggle like a girl scout when you get it.
 
I had an iPhone 3G running unlocked on a local GSM carrier here, but I got sick of the terrible data service. I was actually quite excited when I made the move from my iPhone to the Droid X. At that point, the 3G was running as slow as molasses, so the X seemed like a great choice. Little did I realize how incredibly buggy and un-optimized Motorola's build of Android would be.

I've used other 2.2 devices, and they run quite well, but this thing is just terrible. I simply can't wait to move to a device that is build well and runs great software.

Hopefully they'll do preorders, that way I don't have to camp out.
 
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