Just switched calling plan yesterday to get GSM and newer phone for the features. I though GSM would get better reception. WRONG! My old TDMA phone at least somewhat worked in this marginal reception area. This GSM phone does not work at all until I drive 5 miles to the ferry, or drive to the Baraboo side of Devil's Lake, or south to Prairie du Sac. Getting rid of this GSM phone, and will probably look for a new service as well. ATT Wireless has been ok, even through the Cingular buyout, but they want to push the GSM, which does not work as well in fringe areas where I live and visit.

Reception is spotty along river and in hills of the area. Lodi is a little weak, Baraboo is good, get dropped going to Madison as calls are handed from tower to tower. Phone is 4 yr old Nokia 3360 TDMA technology. Went and got a new calling plan yesterday, GSM, Nokia 6061. Phone is very cool, but reception totally SUCKS - like zero all along river. GSM is not the way to go in marginal areas like where I live. Therefor, for weak areas TDMA (old technology) is better.

Three years ago Cingular worked OK in the Merrimac area. Since going to GSM, no service from Merrimac to LaCrosse (except the Dells). Sprint works fine through the same area. I have contacted Cingular for the past 3 years with no improvement in service. Service is 2 bars for Cingular in Lodi wisconsin but 0 across the Lake in Merrimac. Very frustrating !